Nevada City Dirt Classic #3

The third and final Nevada City Dirt Classic took place on the extremely dusty and slightly rocky Upper Pioneer and Hallelujah trails 15 miles outside of Nevada City in the Tahoe National Forest. 

Rock garden time!

The course proved to be challenging and with PRO/Expert racers doing four laps it turned out to be a little bit of a pain fest, despite the grueling and steep climb out of the headwaters of deer creek there was still many ribbons of velvet singletrack winding through the forest to enjoy and the long lose rock garden on Upper Pioneer is always a good time.

The CAT 1 field heads out.

For me I hit it hard the first two laps, and was feeling great, but as I rolled around for the third time fatigue set in and by the fourth lap I was suffering from back pain and could only push on slowly.  After almost of 28 miles of dry, loose, pain I still managed to be first in the Expert 15-18 category and the day was an excellent training session.

Having fun through the rock garden.

The final race of this  awesome series not only featured great riding but also the long awaited raffle of your choice of full suspension Specialized mountain bike as well as other great prices from all the event sponsors.  Additionally riders who got on the podium all three times got free entry to next years race series.

Thanks to all the volunteers and sponsors who make these races possible, especially to Jet Lowe who is the driving force behind YBONC and the Nevada City Dirt Classic.  Also a big thank you to Rob Lowe who always comes out to take amazing photos of the race and makes them available on his website free of charge.  Looking forward to next year!

My Sunday Ride !

Here are a few videos of my ride yesterday.


The "skinny" on Lone Grave Trail.


Me enjoying Miners Trail!



Me on the teeter-totter on Coyote Street Trail. This trail also includes multiple wooden drop-offs, ladder bridges, 2 wall rides, and some skinnies!


I rode the Halleluiah Trail loop, a nice almost 6 mile loop that includes part of Upper Pioneer Trail and Halleluiah Trail. The Nevada City Dirt Classic Race Series is being held on this course this year, race #1 was a lot of fun so don't miss race #2 on August 19 these races are a great way to begin racing and the profits go to the local youth cycling organization. From Skillman Campground I descended all the way to Nevada City. This ride includes part of Upper Pioneer Trail, Lower Pioneer Trail, part of Lone Grave Trail, Miners Trail, a little bit of NID ditch riding, and Coyote Street Trail! My total ride length was 20 miles and was tons of fun. - Ruffrider