Trucker_JDub

Just wondering if there is any one in the Crescent City area (15mi south of the Oregon border on Hwy 101, or the surrounding area?.

Sasquatchula

Arcata, which might qualify as So.Cal for you!

There are one or two Eurekans running around here as well. You'll likely find more folk from Oregon than you do from north of the SF bay area.

Trucker_JDub

That cool. I was just wondering if there was any one up this way. It a beautiful place to ride so I figured there had to be some people from this area. And yes, I do count Arcata.

outofshape

i saw bigfoot there once

redspoke

I consider Northern California anything north of Castaic on I-5 and Santa Barbara on the 101.

We'll call you Uber-Norte California, and thanks for all the water.

BlastRadius

It's not so much true Nor-Cal as it is way Nor-Cal
You know, like the way-back of the station wagon.

Sasquatchula

A couple of skate and surf shops have started chucking the NorCal stuff and are selling FarNorCal stickers.

And the way-back part of the station wagon ruled! Nobody can see what you're up to back there

BlastRadius

Hmm, FNC... kind of has a ring to it.
Even WNC would be cool... it could be pronounced WiNCe.

cantdrv55

I ride up in Arcata or Trinidad every once in a while. It trips me out that I ride on 101 when I'm up there and I am not at all worried that someone's going to run me over. When I'm back in the Bay Area, I always keep an eye on my rear view helmet mirror.

Trucker_JDub

I drive semi trucks cross country and I find that the more remote the area the better people pay attention to what they are doing on the road and who is driving/riding around them. As far as I'm concerned if your a soccer mom and live in a city with more than 100k people while driving an SUV with a cell phone pressed to the side of your head you have no business even in the front passenger seat of a motor vehicle. In my years driving I find this to be the worst group of drivers. Forget AAA and there teenage boys group.

I thing I just hijacked my own thread

tjp

One of my favorite rides is in your neighborhood (I live in Arcata). Take the road along the south fork of the Smith, and turn right up the G-O (Gasquet-Orleans) road. Google it, good story. Climb about 4500 feet to the end of the road, turn around, head back. The last 7 miles of the descent, the slowest speed we hit was 44 mph. Really hard to stay off the brakes going into the corners, but the corners were made for big trucks (that never got a chance to pillage the wilderness because Natives and Enironmentalists got in the way, along with the supreme court), so no need for brakes. Now we have a monster climb to nowhwere with zero traffic and stellar scenery.

The backroad riding in wayNorcal is better than most of you can imagine. Epics. No cars. None.

'nother

It has a name already: Jefferson

XX

humboldt'sroads

I'm in McKinleyville; I usually ride to Patrick's Point, Fieldbrook or up Fickle and down Kneeland. Our backroads here really are epic...I gotta check out this Orleans ride!

habcup

+1 Arcatan. Maple Creek loop is my fav, minus the gravel sections. I'll have to check out that Orleans climb as well.

tjp

This blog has a ton of info, with some of the local classics. It's missing a few: Redwood Valley, Mountain View, and The loop that encompasses Garberville, Honeydew and Ettersburg, and one that will have to wait for the snow to melt - Watermans Ridge/Friday Ridge (Willow Creek) and it's variants. but they will be up in time, I'm sure. Thanks to Jim, who did a great job.

https://northcoastbikerides.blogspot.com/

BTW, if you do the Gasquet ride, do it from the Smith River side, not the Orleans side (though that side is supposed to be great as well).

habcup

Thanks for the link!

bigbossman 

Shhh....... don't tell anyone...... but we pee in it before we send it down the canal. Shhh......

Sasquatchula

Is that the road out of Korbel? AKA Butler Valley loop? I like Fickle Hill, out of Arcata and back around into Blue Lake, but that stretch of gravel sucks butt.

Anyone here do the Horse Mountain climb? Always looks fun, but being car-less, I'd have to pedal out to the mountain first!

habcup

Yup, that's the Butler Valley loop. I usually go clockwise up to Kneeland, but the Fickle Hill option is nice.

humboldt'sroads

How much of the butler valley ride is gravel? i've only gone up fickle and down kneeland and haven't checked out the korbel side (which I'd like to, being in McKinleyville).

tjp

About two or three miles of it, but it's packed gravel right now and not a big deal. Crappy shape by bay area standards, but it's ain't the bay area, is it? I think Butler is the most fun done from the Blue lake side, descending (carefully now..) Fickle back to Arcata. If you want more miles, cruise up to the airport. Have fun!

Trucker_JDub

I'm a Clyde just getting back into riding. I have made a goal for myself to do just the ride you described. I have been up there hundreds of times by truck. There is a gravel road that takes off toward to top of the GO road. It will take you around the end of the paved road and drop you into Orleans. I haven't been threw there in a long time so I can't speak of the conditions of the road. Its on google earth if you zoom into the right level on the hybrid setting . The GO road is also Forest Service RD 15N02. Just follow 15N02 to see the whole route.

Hofweber

Arcatan here. Fan of the Butler Valley as well.

abbynormal

Oh dang, looks like you posted back in 2008 or so. I'll see if I can find you around the forum still. I'm in CC

mister

Nothing like resurrecting an old thread! I'm in Eureka. There are a decent amount of riders around... at least according to Strava.