Northern California - Ride Around Mt. Lassen - Saturday, June 27th

I'll be leading my somewhat annual Ride Around Mt. Lassen (http://www.cyclistats.com/biketours/MTLASSEN2004/RAML_001.htm) tomorrow morning.

It's 104 miles, with nearly 10,000 feet of climbing, and is arguably one of the most beautiful routes in northern California. Elevation ranges from less than 1,000 feet to 8,500 feet at the summit pass.

Here's a map (http://www.cyclistats.com/biketours/MTLASSEN2004/RAML_001.htm), and here's the elevation profile (http://www.cyclistats.com/biketours/MTLASSEN2004/RAML_002.htm).

The route includes:


Hot, dry, rocky lower elevations.
Big trees and wildflowers up higher.
Incredible views of Mt. Lassen.
A big bubbling mudpot and fumaroles right next to the road.
An iced over lake near the summit.
Snowbanks lining both sides of the road (see photo below).
And a 40 mile long (mostly) downhill to get back to the start.


We'll be starting in Shingletown, at the Park and Ride lot (next to the Shingle Shack cafe, across the road from where Wilson Hill Rd intersects Hwy 44). Meet at 7:15, departure at 7:30.

This will be a self-supported century, so come prepared. We'll be able to re-supply in Payne's Creek, Mineral, and the north and south entrances to Lassen Park. We'll probably stop for lunch in Mineral, and there's a $5 entry fee to the national park, so bring some money.

And don't forget your camera, and your sunscreen.

Here's what the road will look like near the summit:
http://www.cyclistats.com/biketours/MTLASSEN2004/MtLassenRide_June_2004_0034.JPG

Any questions, PM me, or call (530 949 9330).

This sounds like a fabulous ride, but one day notice makes it tough to commit to.

Can you post it a month or two in advance next year?

This sounds like a fabulous ride, but one day notice makes it tough to commit to.

Can you post it a month or two in advance next year?

Yeah...sorry about that. I only decided to lead it last Wednesday evening.

I'm the designated ride leader for my club, and my training plan for this week calls for endurance rides, so I decided at the last minute to do the ride around the mountain.

And some years it's difficult to plan because of snow on the road. I like doing this ride shortly after they open the road, so you get that cool "riding between snowbanks" experience...but there have been some years when the road wasn't opened until July 4th! This year it opened on June 5th, which is about average.

This sounds like a fun ride but I won't be able to make it. I drove through Lassen NP a few years ago in early July and there were still the huge snowdrifts on the side of the road like your picture. Quite impressive!

Then I went back again last year (later in the year when the snow had melted) and hiked to the summit - amazing views.

I'd definitely be in, for this ride, with advance notice. :)

This ride is happening one week too early! I'll be camping in Redwood National Park the following weekend. You know of any good routes over there, road or mountain trails?

This ride is happening one week too early! I'll be camping in Redwood National Park the following weekend. You know of any good routes over there, road or mountain trails?

Nope...sorry. I've ridden the Tour of the Unknown Coast a couple of times, but I wouldn't recommend it solo. It's a very remote area, and the back roads are getting worse every year because the counties have no money for repairs. A friend of mine was seriously injured on this year's TUC, likely due to the poor road surface on one of the downhill sections.

But if you're not into extreme, just riding through the redwood groves (e.g., Avenue of the Giants), is pretty amazing. And national parks are great for riding, because car drivers expect to see cyclists, and give them room. I've had shouts of "Allez!" when climbing the summit road in Mt. Lassen National Park (http://www.nps.gov/lavo/).

Yeah...sorry about that. I only decided to lead it last Wednesday evening.

I'm the designated ride leader for my club, and my training plan for this week calls for endurance rides, so I decided at the last minute to do the ride around the mountain.

And some years it's difficult to plan because of snow on the road. I like doing this ride shortly after they open the road, so you get that cool "riding between snowbanks" experience...but there have been some years when the road wasn't opened until July 4th! This year it opened on June 5th, which is about average.

I'll be doing the Fall Rivers Century next month up by Mt. Lassen as part of a vacation which includes Lassen and Burney Falls. We'll be staying at the Rancheria RV Park. Maybe hook up for a ride.

I'll be doing the Fall Rivers Century next month up by Mt. Lassen as part of a vacation which includes Lassen and Burney Falls. We'll be staying at the Rancheria RV Park. Maybe hook up for a ride.

Fall River is a really nice century. Nice scenery, good support, and not too much climbing.

It was my first century (back in '97), and I still ride it some years. This year I'm mostly focused on racing, so I probably won't get to ride it.

This looks like a sensational ride.

If you decide to do it again, maybe give us a headsup a week or so in advance.

Any road surfaces which would be too rough for my precious Michelin Pro's?

This looks like a sensational ride.

If you decide to do it again, maybe give us a headsup a week or so in advance.

Any road surfaces which would be too rough for my precious Michelin Pro's?

Nope...I rode Michelin Pro's today, with no problems at all.

There were a few rough places, but nothing too bad. The road surface climbing up from the south entrance had recently been repaved, and it was like butter. It would have made for an incredible descent, but we were headed north.


FWIW, a nice alternative ride, is to start at the south or north entrance, ride over to the other side, and back. That way, you get all the most beautiful high country, with respectful traffice, 2 long climbs, and 2 long descents. I think that's about 66 miles round trip, with facilities at either end, and water possibly available at campsites along the way.

SSP, a good bud lives c.7 miles from the southern entrance to Lassen. When you say to ride from one entrance to the other, do you - I hope - mean Lassen National Park?

SSP, a good bud lives c.7 miles from the southern entrance to Lassen. When you say to ride from one entrance to the other, do you - I hope - mean Lassen National Park?

Yes...Lassen Volcanic National Park (http://www.nps.gov/lavo/). The ride from one entrance to the other on Hwy 89 is one of the most beautiful rides in northern California. Smooth pavement, respectful cars, and great scenery.

Where else can you ride past a roadside mudpot/fumarole, a frozen lake, and between snowbanks? All within a few miles of each other? And while you're climbing an active volcano?

Definitely looks like a good one SSP....let us know next year early on if possible. BTW....did you do Bicycle Tour of Colorado a few years back....Colorado Springs Loop? Pretty sure we rode some/had a few dinners together.

Definitely looks like a good one SSP....let us know next year early on if possible. BTW....did you do Bicycle Tour of Colorado a few years back....Colorado Springs Loop? Pretty sure we rode some/had a few dinners together.

Yep - BTC 2003 (also, '02, '05, and '06).

SSP, that info is very much appreciated. The 89 loop looks like the hot ticket for me.

SSP, that info is very much appreciated. The 89 loop looks like the hot ticket for me.

You won't be disappointed.

The climb up from the south entrance is one of my all-time favorites...and I say this having ridden all the major passes in Colorado, and some in France (including Alpe d'Huez).

If that climb's not in heaven...I'm not interested.