Steve's Mountain Bike Page
Turlock, California

Auburn, California
October 21, 2006

About 35 people showed up for the Auburn ride today and we started right on time. I've been wanting to find a longer route than I've been doing at Auburn recently but I was a bit skeptical about climbing out of that deep ravine right from the parking area. But it turned out to be a fairly long, but mild climb up Stagecoach to Manzanita, which was a great trail. We then took Mossy Rock and watched as several people tried to clean the whole climb. Apparently the first guy to try made it and he won some money. Somebody can post his name if they know it. We then took Upper Stagecoach and Flood up a real grind to the Foresthill Bridge. I'm extremely afraid of heights and crossing that bridge was the toughest part of this whole ride! We then took Fuel Break to Mammoth Bar and eventually made our way up to The Connector. At the end of The Connector about half the group, the "B" ride headed back, but I don't know which way.

The "A" group then sped off around FHDL, while just me in the "A- shut up and ride" group trailed behind them. However, while they were all preoccupied at the picnic bench at the far end I passed them and they didn't catch me until the end of The Connector. At the major intersection of The Connector, Clementine and Fuel Break people couldn't decide which way to head back. So I said the "shut up and ride" group would be going up Fuel Break, down Culvert, back via The Confluence, and I took off. Several people eventually took that route with me while others made their way back a couple different ways.

It was a very nice day, but slightly warm, and we moved fairly quickly. I'm not used to having people behind me so I felt a bit pushed occasionally, and I worried about blowing up a few times. However, this was my first low altitude weekend ride since mid June and the extra oxygen seemed to help me keep going. And as usual I generally kept moving when the rest of the group stopped. It was good to see a lot of faces I haven't seen in months and nice to meet many new people. Special thanks to Bigboulder for organizing and leading the ride, and being very patient with us slowpokes! I'm sure the geeks will chime in, but I heard 31 miles and 4,500 ft. of climbing for my group. I also heard there were some mechanicals, flats and a good bit of cramping so perhaps others will chime in about them. Since I was by myself a lot I didn't get very many exciting photos. 

Click on an image to enlarge it

Lots of folk	Joseph da Trog	Somebody	imridingmybike	Mossy Rock audience
Grind to Foresthill Bridge	Foresthill Bridge	The river below	Baycat	Somebody climbing
Break	"A" group on FHDL	Looking back at FHDL	On The Confluence	Alex on The Confluence
Obligatory bridges shot	My new bike	Satisfied customers	At Maria's	At Maria's

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