Steve's Mountain Bike Page
Turlock, California

Downieville, CA

September 4, 2004

UncleMTB, his friend Hoz, and I returned to Downieville for another great day of biking. I didn't ask but I suspect Hoz is the first person I've ridden with that is older than me. We did Pauley Creek, Third and First Divides. The weather was perfect and the trails were in great shape. On the Jeep Trail to Pauley Creek we were going so fast, having so much fun, and concentrating on the baby heads everywhere, we missed the turn and did a few extra miles. Hoz was quite ticked off, perhaps because he was soaked after falling into Pauley Creek on the return crossing. But I just looked at it as just some bonus XC mileage. Towards the end of First Divide Hoz became ill so when we finished he and UncleMTB left town.

Doing these more technical trails recently has dramatically improved my skills and confidence so I decided to do Butcher Ranch, Third and First Divides solo. I figured I'd take it slow and just take some photos. However, there were two other groups on the trail that were faster than me so I tried to tag along with them. I actually think I went faster than ever on this ride and I even cleared some stuff I'd never done before. One group had a bit of mixed skills so I occasionally passed them and then waited to take photos as they passed. However, it was late in the day, dark in the forest, and they were moving fairly fast as they passed. So virtually none of those photos were any good. Sorry folks. Some day I'll get the guts to take my DSLR on the trails and get some really good photos. I haven't fallen in quite a while but that would probably be asking for it.

Below are a few photos. If any of you in the co-ed group see this please contact me if you'd like to ride together. I think I could hang near the back of your pack. You seemed nice and I'm always looking for new rides and riders. As you saw, I'm quiet and I just like to ride. 

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The Glomar
is ready		 Shuttle
service		 Nice day
and view		 Hoz, Tim Nice bridge
img_0438.jpg (197082 bytes) img_0487.jpg (186512 bytes) me.jpg (207749 bytes) me2.jpg (186403 bytes) img_0498.jpg (193870 bytes)
Another bridge Tim on
First Divide		 Me on
First Divide		 Me on
First Divide		 Same spot
from other side
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Haven't' cleared
this yet		 Switchback Same switchback
from above		 Hoz clears
it		 Another group
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Steeper than
it looks		 Tim Tim First Divide From other
group
 

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