Google Ride Map

Below is a google map with a placemark for each of my rides. The placemark shows the approximate location and they are grouped by starting point. You can zoom in on the map and if you click on a placemark you can see the description which includes a link to the GPS data on Garmin Connect for most of the rides. So far I have a total of 22 rides on my blog. If you see any classic Humboldt County rides missing just send me an email.

View North Coast Rides in a larger map

North Coast Cycling in 1898?

I ran across a Times-Standard article at the Humboldt Historical Society. The article by Don Carlton is entitled "Sunday's Bicycle Tour Nothing New for North Coast," and it was published on Saturday, August 15, 1970. Local cyclists love to complain about local road conditions. I don't think we can complain much if we consider the condition of the roads in 1898. In the table shown below there are four places on the Mattole River where the cycling route requires you to wade across the river!

Click on the photo for a larger view:

Article Part 1:


Article Part 2:












Humboldt Cycling Map:


Mendocino South Cycling Map:












Cycling Route Table:

MTB- Orleans Mountain Trail

It is rare that I post a ride that I have not completed. However, this one looks special and I plan to post much more about it in the near future. For now, check out these fantastic photos from Errin Odell's and Sean Tetrault's recon mission. How does 5,000 feet of descending over 7 miles of singletrack sound?? Not only is the ride epic, but check out the scenery!

Click on a photo for a larger view

Tish Tang Group Ride

Check out the Bigfoot Bicycle Club's Blog Post.

MTB-Arcata Community Forest

Distance: Variable
Climbing: Variable
Difficulty: Moderate
Start: Arcata, CA

It has taken me a couple of years to document the most common mountain bike ride in Humboldt County. This is because there really is no "Arcata Community Forest" ride. There are so many different ride options because of the dense network of trails. In my opinion, you really can't get lost either, but people have. All you have to do is point your bike downhill and you will eventually arrive in Arcata as long as you stay on a marked trail.

The trail system is the result of planning and work by the city of Arcata and many volunteers.

Here is a link to the city of Arcata's forest map. However, it is older and does not include reconstructed trails or new trails such as trails 6, 10, 11.5, or 18. I have an edited map shown below. The trails in red are reconstructed or new and I highly recommend trying to incorporate them into your ride. I recommend you park in Arcata and ride up to avoid vandalism to your vehicle at the trail head parking. I have personally not had problems parking at the Fickle Hill Road parking area.

Tuesday Night Ride

Distance: 30 miles
Climbing: 1865 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Start: Northcoast Laboratories, 5680 West End Road, Arcata

This is a regular Tuesday night fast training ride starting at 6:00 PM. It runs regularly from the spring through the fall while there is enough daylight to complete the ride. The pace is very fast, but riders regroup in Blue Lake near the Mad River Bridge, at the top of the climb on Highway 299, and at the Bigfoot gas station in McKinleyville. The ride is full-on from Arcata to McKinleyville and there is a sprint finish at the flashing yellow light just before the intersection of Central Avenue and Murray Road. The ride from McKinleyville back to Arcata follows the Hammond Trail at a social pace.

The ride features two climbs. The first climb from Blue Lake up to Highway 299 has a mild gradient. The second climb from Fieldbrook to McKinleyville on Murray road has steeper portions up to 15% or so. The terrain on Fieldbrook road features fun rolling hills where attacks sometimes split the group. This is a fun route through the rural countryside. The roads are often narrow with no shoulder but traffic is normally very low.

I'm not posting a route list so you'll just have to show up on a Tuesday night to ride with us!

For a view of the route and data check out the Garmin Connect data:
Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Tuesday Night Ride

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BLM to Build Skills Park at Paradise Royale

According to an interview on KMUD news with Gary Pritchard-Peterson, the BLM will be building a skills development area near Tolkan campground. Gary also talks about their plans to expand the trail system. To listen to the interview, visit KMUD's audio archive. The podcast was from the Tuesday, July 14th 6:00 PM newscast.

IMBA Secures $600,000 to Expand Paradise Royal Trail!

What can I say but the best trail in Humboldt County is going to get even better. Time to start looking for a vacation property in Shelter Cove.

IMBA PRESS RELEASE