Why is this man smiling? Because the surf’s up in terms of north state mountain biking.
When we get these pockets of great weather in the winter, it just doesn’t get any better for the sport. Here’s why:
• The temps in the 60s and 70s are perfect for riding. Not too hot, not bone-chillingly cold.
• The moisture we received has the dirt in excellent shape. Tires grip onto it and there’s not much dust. (Although we sure need more rain, don’t we?)
• An amazing network of trails extends west from the Redding area, moving all the way into Whiskeytown and beyond. The trails also snake away from the Sacramento River Trail, including the new Hornbeck Trail which extends all the way to Shasta Dam.
So people who love trail riding are out and loving it.
On Sunday, we left from Sunset Market and took the new Buenaventura Trail to the River Trail. We then worked our way toward Old Shasta, hitting another new trail off Middle Creek. There are some trails now blocked by fencing at the rock quarry off Iron Mountain Road, which forces the route back to the Middle Creek grade.
We wanted to get on (and eventually did) what we call the Clair de Lune trail (or Kevin Clair trail). Right as we were talking about it, my friend Ian says, “Well, hey, isn’t that Kevin Clair right there?” And up he rides like some kind of mountain biking angel.
Kevin Clair
For those of you who don’t know, Kevin is an icon of the sport around here. He’s currently doing adventure races now for Team Soar, but in the past he’s won the Lemurian Classic, been an amazing trail builder and advocate for the sport (not to mention all-around great guy).
This tangent is going on, but there are tons of great Kevin Clair stories out there. Mine is riding with him at night on the Guardian Rock trail in Whiskeytown. It’s a very technical trail in spots and Kevin didn’t have a light, but he rode everything. He rode things at night without a light that I won’t ride in the day. He calls it braille riding. Classic.
Speaking of dirt and cycling, the next edition of the Shasta Cyclocross Series is set for Sunday (Jan. 18) at Enterprise Park. Click here for more information.
And by all means, get some dirt under your tires.
