Big Brothers Big Sisters Endurace Ride

I rode the Big Brothers Big Sisters Endurance Ride for the first time this year, completing the challenging fifty mile option with over 8,000 feet of climbing.  This was a very nice way to wrap up my cross-country race season and was a lot of fun.

The town of Washington.

From Pioneer Park in Nevada City riders climbed up to the Five Mile House, then climbed up Pioneer Trail past Skillman Campground, from here riders descended the old Omega Road a scary fast fireroad into the town of Washington, after a much needed lunch break participants followed the South Yuba Trail to North Bloomfield Road, which took riders back to Nevada City.

Cookies are the best on long rides.

It was overcast the entire day with even a bit of rain at a few points, this kept the temperature pleasant and trail conditions sweet.  I choose to ride my hardtail race bike but unfortunately did not change to a more aggressive tire, my 1.95 inch renegade tire in the rear was no match for the fast and rough downhill to Washington suffering from a sidewall tear and two other flats during the ride.

Larry helps with trail side flat repairs.

The South Yuba Trail is a always a challenge to ride with extreme exposure to cliffs, steep climbs, sharp turns, and tricky descents.  The 13 miles along the South Yuba were the most demanding and physical of the ride but were still very fun. 

"I only ride technical."

After this portion the course follows North Bloomfield Road which drops down to the river and then climbs out of Purdon Crossing which was extremely difficult at the end of such a long ride, after this climb it was mainly rolling terrain back to the finish in Nevada City.

That was a long day.