I love mountain and road biking and I usually ride the Northshore Trail in Grapevine, Texas and White Rock Lake in Dallas. One of my goals in life was to ride an epic trail and this particular weekend I was lucky enough to ride three. My heart was set on riding Downieville. But before we could get there, we had to stop in Lake Tahoe to ride the Rim Trail & Flume Trail. Which by the way were a truly amazing with spectacular views. By the time we were done with those trails, I didn't think we were going to get to ride Downieville, because we were pressed for time and it just didn't seem like we would make it there. But, we did. My friend and I made our way from Lake Tahoe to Downieville and Sardine Lakes in less than an hour. See map
When we arrived at Lower Sardine Lake the view alone was worth the trip. We were hungry and the Sardine Lake Resort didn't disappoint. Especially since you usually need reservations to get in. We didn't have any but were lucky to get in. I had venison and we had bottle of Zinfandel which was just right. We stayed on the campgrounds. I don't recommend keeping wine with you in the tent, after all this is bear country. We woke up early the next morning and ate breakfast at the near by restaurant and convenience store. As simple as that sounds I enjoyed every minute of it. This part of California is what I always imagined it to be in the Gold Rush days of 1849 and much of this area still looks the same. We arrived in Downieville just in time for the second shuttle to take us up the Buttes. Once we arrived at the top of the mountain it was nothing but downhill riding baby! (OK at some points you do have to pedal uphill) Eureka! This is an epic "gold" ride of a lifetime that zoomed by in less than an hour and I'd do it again in a heart beat! My adrenaline rush may have matched the gold miners' of 49. Plus, I didn't get hurt and only blew out only one tire. All in all I loved, loved, loved it!!!