CA riders...some insight please
#1
The guy in the 50+ jersey
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Davidson, NC
Posts: 715
Bikes: Specialized S-Works Roubaix, Litespeed Tuscany Road, Specialized Allez Epic lugged carbon frame Road,Giant Anthem 29'r, Klein Hardtail
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
CA riders...some insight please
Just returned from a family vacation in Yosemite and around the San Francisco area this past week. Several impressions and questions as a cyclist struck me over the time we wandered around both.
In the Yosemite region, I saw VERY few road cyclists, and literally no one on the road except for those on "cruiser" bikes in and around the valley. We drove in on CA120 on the previous Sunday, and I saw drool-able climbs out of the valley at Manteca to the park, through the Stanislaus National Forest, and in the park proper. I recognize that the park roads are currently under considerable repair, but NO roadies? We did see a few on the south end of 140 outside the park in and around Merced, but nothing like I expected. Have any of those from around that area ever ridden on the roads and done any of those climbs? Any organized rides ever out that way? Also asked one of the Park rangers about mountain biking in the area, which was not met with much enthusiasm, almost open hostility. I know there is no mountain bike riding in Yosemite itself, but at least I saw a fair number of mountain bikes on vehicles around the area.
In the S.F. region, we took a ride up through Sonoma, Napa, and up Highway 1 to Stimson Beach, again I only saw one road cyclist climbing Hwy 1 north past Muir Woods. Lots of riders in town in 'Frisco. Looks like many like to use bikes for local transportation (though often without helmets).
Just looking for a little insight, I guess, into the "culture" out that way. I fell in love with Yosemite, and would like to try to find a way to spend some time out that way doing some of those routes, perhaps with local clubs, or members here who know the rides and the area. Educate me!
In the Yosemite region, I saw VERY few road cyclists, and literally no one on the road except for those on "cruiser" bikes in and around the valley. We drove in on CA120 on the previous Sunday, and I saw drool-able climbs out of the valley at Manteca to the park, through the Stanislaus National Forest, and in the park proper. I recognize that the park roads are currently under considerable repair, but NO roadies? We did see a few on the south end of 140 outside the park in and around Merced, but nothing like I expected. Have any of those from around that area ever ridden on the roads and done any of those climbs? Any organized rides ever out that way? Also asked one of the Park rangers about mountain biking in the area, which was not met with much enthusiasm, almost open hostility. I know there is no mountain bike riding in Yosemite itself, but at least I saw a fair number of mountain bikes on vehicles around the area.
In the S.F. region, we took a ride up through Sonoma, Napa, and up Highway 1 to Stimson Beach, again I only saw one road cyclist climbing Hwy 1 north past Muir Woods. Lots of riders in town in 'Frisco. Looks like many like to use bikes for local transportation (though often without helmets).
Just looking for a little insight, I guess, into the "culture" out that way. I fell in love with Yosemite, and would like to try to find a way to spend some time out that way doing some of those routes, perhaps with local clubs, or members here who know the rides and the area. Educate me!
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 5,752
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease Carbon Deore 11, 2020 Salsa Warbird GRX 600, 2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX disc 9.0 Di2, 2020 Catrike Eola, 2016 Masi cxgr, 2011, Felt F3 Ltd, 2010 Trek 2.1, 2009 KHS Flite 220
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4391 Post(s)
Liked 3,016 Times
in
1,865 Posts
In the first half of July I spent two weeks in Santa Barbara and I was shocked at how few roadies I saw. There were tons of people on cruisers (yes, largely without helmets) by the university, but the obvious bike routes were, by my standards, almost empty. Compared to the Twin Cities area, I'd say the population of people on serious bicycles was a factor of 10 lower in Santa Barbara. From my point of view, the place should be a cyclist's paradise. I figured that my sampling must not have been representative. Otherwise, I don't get it.
#3
Old Fart Racing
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Draper UT
Posts: 1,347
Bikes: 2015 Trek Domane 6.9 disc D/A Di2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I just spent the last week in the Mendocino area...about 150 miles north of Frisco on the coast and the roadies were everywhere! It was cool to cold (50°-56°) and foggy and I didn't prepare enough for those temps so I only got in 60 miles or so for the week. My dad lives on 140 between Merced and Yosomite and I've tried to ride the area and was a little intimidated by the traffic. As far as San Fran goes...the culture is hippie, plain and simple. Laid back, smoke em' if you got em' and the women don't own razors...and that seems to be prevalent all the way north of there.
#6
Banned.
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Southern california
Posts: 3,498
Bikes: Lapierre CF Sensium 400. Jamis Ventura Sport. Trek 800. Giant Cypress.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
All I can talk about is Southern California and from that perspective roadies are plentiful. From Ventura down to San Diego they are well represented. But it seems that in our national parks flat bar bikes rule. It was the same for me when I visited New Mexico and Colorado last month. Flat bars bikes were well represented but not than many roadies. Hit the coast highway from Ventura to LA any weekend and you will see lots of road bikes. Long Beach to Orange County it gets thicker. Orange County to San Diego and you are in constant view of a group of roadies all day long. Just go to the regional discussions and pick and area and someone will let you know when and where to group rides will be.
#7
Senior Member
Lots of roadies out in this area. With the economy, they might be sticking closer to home for their rides. It would cost to do Yosemite or the Sierras. A ride over the Coastal Range to Pescadero for some shrimp at Duarte's is much cheaper.
#8
ES&D
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Roadieville, USA
Posts: 1,377
Bikes: 3Rensho, Merlin XL, Melton custom, Michael Johnson tandem, Look 481SL, Pedal Force RS
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You guys are looking in the wrong places. Pretty places to ride don't necessarily mean ppl are willing to drive out there and just ride around, economically and financially speaking.
You can come over to the south SFBA and there are plenty of cyclists around here.
PAlt, you should come back out in early summer and do Climb to Kaiser sometime.
https://www.climbtokaiser.com/climb-to-kaiser-route.htm
You can come over to the south SFBA and there are plenty of cyclists around here.
PAlt, you should come back out in early summer and do Climb to Kaiser sometime.
https://www.climbtokaiser.com/climb-to-kaiser-route.htm
Last edited by t4mv; 08-08-10 at 10:09 PM.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Bay Area, Calif.
Posts: 7,239
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 659 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
It does seem like you saw an unusually low number of road cyclists, but another factor is that the prime summer tourist season sees quite a bit of car and RV traffic on those roads. Many of us would rather avoid that and pick less traveled routes during this time, preferring to visit Yosemite and Hwy. 1 either before or after the main travel season. E.g. our club does an annual trip to Yosemite Park from the East Bay Area, but we do it in April. Here are some pictures from one of those trips:
https://sports.webshots.com/slideshow/549866853itMpfR
We also do an annual tour down the coast on Hwy. 1, but that's done in May, just before the tourist season. Here's the route and pictures from one of those:
https://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=220688
And another tour down Hwy. 1, this time in early October - again avoiding the summer traffic:
https://sports.webshots.com/slideshow/549966386pBYPea
https://sports.webshots.com/slideshow/549866853itMpfR
We also do an annual tour down the coast on Hwy. 1, but that's done in May, just before the tourist season. Here's the route and pictures from one of those:
https://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=220688
And another tour down Hwy. 1, this time in early October - again avoiding the summer traffic:
https://sports.webshots.com/slideshow/549966386pBYPea
#10
It's MY mountain
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mt.Diablo
Posts: 10,002
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4338 Post(s)
Liked 2,981 Times
in
1,617 Posts
So, you THOUGHT you saw some beautiful places to ride, but the reality is there are even better ones... and that's where we were.
#11
Senior Member
Yes, I did see a lot of California riders up in Mt. Rainier National Park the other day....
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Davis CA
Posts: 3,959
Bikes: Surly Cross-Check, '85 Giant road bike (unrecogizable fixed-gear conversion
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
I believe when you were in SF, I was riding my bike around Angel Island. After a night in Oakland, I got on the train and only rode it halfway home to Davis, choosing to ride the last 40 miles on nearly deserted farming roads.
So from your car, you would not have seen me.
So from your car, you would not have seen me.
#13
Erect member since 1953
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Antioch, CA (SF Bay Area)
Posts: 7,000
Bikes: Trek 520 Grando, Roubaix Expert, Motobecane Ti Century Elite turned commuter, Some old French thing gone fixie
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 121 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 38 Times
in
21 Posts
I'd tell you more, but then I'd have to.. well... you know the rest.
Here are a few simple photos, just from the 25,000 shot over the past year.
We are California. We ride bikes. Every day.
Mtn, but still
#14
Erect member since 1953
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Antioch, CA (SF Bay Area)
Posts: 7,000
Bikes: Trek 520 Grando, Roubaix Expert, Motobecane Ti Century Elite turned commuter, Some old French thing gone fixie
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 121 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 38 Times
in
21 Posts
Wait, more you say?
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 3,811
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I ride in Yosemite every year--I've gone down there with the same group of friends every October since the early '80s, before we had kids, and now the oldest kids are pushing 30. we've done Tioga Pass in both directions (I was young and strong once) and all the main roads into the park, plus every paved road in the valley.
Main reason you don't see more bikes around the area, I think, is that many of the roads have no shoulder and at least in summer, the car traffic is heavy, impatient and rude. Plus it can be really hot on the west side, from the Central Valley up into the park, but it's the lack of shoulders that stops me.
If you get a chance to go back, try it in the fall. The crowds drop by two-thirds after Labor day, and the weather's usually good until late October or early November. I live in Reno, and the last weekend in Oct. is a Nevada state holiday. Most things are still open, but there are no people to speak of.
Main reason you don't see more bikes around the area, I think, is that many of the roads have no shoulder and at least in summer, the car traffic is heavy, impatient and rude. Plus it can be really hot on the west side, from the Central Valley up into the park, but it's the lack of shoulders that stops me.
If you get a chance to go back, try it in the fall. The crowds drop by two-thirds after Labor day, and the weather's usually good until late October or early November. I live in Reno, and the last weekend in Oct. is a Nevada state holiday. Most things are still open, but there are no people to speak of.
#16
Off your Donkey, lets go
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: The Gardens, Roses & Orchids. Bulacan The Philippines and Red Mountain, Ca. USA
Posts: 601
Bikes: Schwinn Mountain, Diamondback Expert Road & REI Randonee Touring
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I lived in the Ridgecrest Area when I'm home and there are lots of roadies.
Ridgecrest has/had the highs "ride to work" ratio in the USA.
The climbs are very long and the down hills are very short.
Ridgecrest has/had the highs "ride to work" ratio in the USA.
The climbs are very long and the down hills are very short.
#17
Don't mince words
We ride in Solano County, into Yolo, sometimes Napa county, regularly. Next time give us a heads-up and we'll give you some routes to ride if you want to see roadies. Rarely do we ride these roads without seeing others. So many routes, so little time. You seem to have had a great time, even though you didn't see others.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Monterey Bay Area
Posts: 477
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If you drive around at 1pm on a Tuesday there aren't a lot of riders. The at 6pm or on the weekends there's an explosion of riders. Even in the middle of San Jose during a week day there is a fraction of the riders out compared to Saturday morning.
#19
The Professor
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Center Sandwich, New Hampshire
Posts: 899
Bikes: Alex Moulton Double Pylon, Surly Big Dummy, Alex Moulton GT, AZUB TiFly
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
3 Posts
And I thought this thread would be about Canada.
#21
Senior Member
I wouldn't mind living out there. It sounds like you had a great time.
__________________
George
George
#22
Palmer
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 8,627
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1669 Post(s)
Liked 1,825 Times
in
1,062 Posts
I ride in Yosemite every year--I've gone down there with the same group of friends every October...Main reason you don't see more bikes around the area, I think, is that many of the roads have no shoulder and at least in summer, the car traffic is heavy, impatient and rude.
tcs
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,296
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8281 Post(s)
Liked 9,052 Times
in
4,479 Posts
#24
Banned.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 20,917
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
10 Posts
Brings back memories!!
As a kid - from ages about 7 - 14 my family spent summers in Sequoia National Park and Yosemite National Park, where my dad was sometimes the superintendent of BRC Camps - places where colege students worked the vast country side removing gooseberry plants which were the host plants for "Blister Rust" - a killer of white pine trees. SOmetimes he was a summer forest ranger.
We lived in Sequoia at Hospital Rock (near the entrance) and then at Red Fir, often living the summer in "tent houses." If we had a 2 seater outhouse with a real seat - that was luxury. In Yosemite, we lived near the San Francisco Recreation Camp - Camp Mather - where my family was able to take advantage of their recreational facitlities - pool, lake, boats, etc. My older sister worked at Evergreen Lodge near Mather. For showers (not very frequent) we fired up the boiler in the wash house. We lived one summer at the "Cuneo House" - an old ranch where we found the water well was polluted which accoumted for our illnesses during the summer.
Anyway, quite a life for a young kid in the summertime.
When I first got married, we spent one summer in Frog Meadows in Sequoia National Forest, where I was a forest ranger and the wife was slowly going insane as we were at about 7,000 feet and 20 some miles from the nearest town by dirt road. Our "neighbors" were the lookout and his wife on Tobias Peak - required a 4 wheel drive truck to get there, and Baker Point, where one had to hike in. Nora, being a very social person, with an 18 month old toddler wanting to rush off into the never-ending forest, was not quite so happy about our choice of living in a mouse-infested cabin with no electricity, and me going off to fight fires.
Incidentally, one can rent the Frog Meadow cabin now!
https://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/recr...og_meadow.html
Well, that was life a LONG time ago.
As a kid - from ages about 7 - 14 my family spent summers in Sequoia National Park and Yosemite National Park, where my dad was sometimes the superintendent of BRC Camps - places where colege students worked the vast country side removing gooseberry plants which were the host plants for "Blister Rust" - a killer of white pine trees. SOmetimes he was a summer forest ranger.
We lived in Sequoia at Hospital Rock (near the entrance) and then at Red Fir, often living the summer in "tent houses." If we had a 2 seater outhouse with a real seat - that was luxury. In Yosemite, we lived near the San Francisco Recreation Camp - Camp Mather - where my family was able to take advantage of their recreational facitlities - pool, lake, boats, etc. My older sister worked at Evergreen Lodge near Mather. For showers (not very frequent) we fired up the boiler in the wash house. We lived one summer at the "Cuneo House" - an old ranch where we found the water well was polluted which accoumted for our illnesses during the summer.
Anyway, quite a life for a young kid in the summertime.
When I first got married, we spent one summer in Frog Meadows in Sequoia National Forest, where I was a forest ranger and the wife was slowly going insane as we were at about 7,000 feet and 20 some miles from the nearest town by dirt road. Our "neighbors" were the lookout and his wife on Tobias Peak - required a 4 wheel drive truck to get there, and Baker Point, where one had to hike in. Nora, being a very social person, with an 18 month old toddler wanting to rush off into the never-ending forest, was not quite so happy about our choice of living in a mouse-infested cabin with no electricity, and me going off to fight fires.
Incidentally, one can rent the Frog Meadow cabin now!
https://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/recr...og_meadow.html
Well, that was life a LONG time ago.
Last edited by DnvrFox; 08-09-10 at 09:00 AM.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,392
Bikes: Surly LHT, Specialized Rockhopper, Nashbar Touring (old), Specialized Stumpjumper (older), Nishiki Tourer (model unknown)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Wow, let the generalizations fly!
Down here on the central coast, there are roadies everywhere. If you go to the mountain bike trails, you'll see lots of mountain bikers. A lot of people ride here. That's my generalization.
One statement I'll make is provable: we have weather here that's conducive to riding 12 months out of the year. A really cold day is in the 50's. A really cold night might get down close to freezing. Frozen pipes? Why would pipes freeze? Hey northerner, what's that stuff wrapped around your outside spigot?
Down here on the central coast, there are roadies everywhere. If you go to the mountain bike trails, you'll see lots of mountain bikers. A lot of people ride here. That's my generalization.
One statement I'll make is provable: we have weather here that's conducive to riding 12 months out of the year. A really cold day is in the 50's. A really cold night might get down close to freezing. Frozen pipes? Why would pipes freeze? Hey northerner, what's that stuff wrapped around your outside spigot?