Auburn, California Mountain Biking

Steve's Mountain Bike Page
Turlock, California

Auburn, California, May 10, 2008
and
New Melones, California, May 11, 2008

Despite almost killing myself at Auburn last week, I finished in such a fast time that it seemed appropriate to up the mileage a bit. So Saturday, May 10 I met up with Cohenfive and Tahoetic for a 30ish miler: up Stagecoach, Manzanita, Flood, Mossy Rock, across the Foresthill Ravine Bridge, up Fuel Break, out the Connector, around Foresthill Divide Loop, back the Connector, down Culvert and back via the Confluence. It was pretty hot on all the exposed climbs, but generally quite pleasant on the forested trails. For the first time ever we did not encounter a single oncoming rider on the way back on the Connector.

Cohenfive is about the only one I know who rides less than me, yet he took off quite briskly up Stagecoach, with Tahoetic, who claimed to be on his first ride of the year, not far behind. I nearly had a heart attack on that steep start up Stagecoach and I might have quit if the guys weren't already so far ahead of me. But eventually the climb mellowed a bit and I just slugged it out at my tortoise pace. As usual Manzanita, Upper Stagecoach, Flood and Mossy Rock were spectacular. But after my fall last week I was a bit nervous and quite slow on the exposed parts. And I certainly did my share of walking on some of the really steep stuff. Cohenfive missed that two plank "bridge" across the stream on, I believe, Manzanita, and he nearly went into the water. He got some pretty good scratches from landing in a brier patch.

On the way back on the Connector all that strong early climbing seemed to catch up with Cohenfive and he got some pretty bad cramps. However, he was still faster than me. Tahoetic seemed to have plenty of energy left and he took over the lead. The Culvert and Confluence are always a great way to end this ride since they are downhill. I was a bit spooked on the Confluence and I stopped to show the guys where I fell last week. I had intended to skip the last two narrow, gnarly sections, but a rider came up so quickly behind me I was forced to continue on through, with no problems. Great ride guys! Below are some photos.

May 11, 2008: But wait, there's more! I've wanted to do some extended biking trips for years now, but I have never been able to do so because I have been limited largely to one ride per week. Today I decided to see if I could ride two consecutive days, something I have virtually never done before. Despite doing that tough Auburn ride yesterday, I was able to do 3 1/2 hours at New Melones today without too much trouble. If the knees feel OK the next few days then it looks like some road trips are in order for this summer!

Tahoetic on Manzanita