Hi
 

The registration email told me to introduce myself, so "hi." If anyone knows of good places to ride in northern california or any good mountain biking groups around there, let me know. Since everyone loves pictures (or at least i do), I've included a couple of pictures: one of my 2000 GT Zaskar LE and one with that and my 1997 GT LTS (the fork has since been replaced with a marzocchi)

http://www.norcalmtb.com/pics/DSC036102.jpg
http://www.norcalmtb.com/pics/DSC03609.jpg

Welcome to the forums, as for places to ride in Northern California, you are at a proverbial hot bed, there are plenty of trails.