CalBike
  • About Us
  • Get Involved
    • Sign the petition: CA Needs the Bicycle Safety Stop
    • Sign the Invest/Divest Petition!
    • Volunteer
    • Join/Renew
  • What We Do
    • Be the first to Know: E-Bike Purchase Incentives
    • 2023 Legislative Watch
    • More…
  • Resources
    • Free Quick-Build Bikeway Design Guide
    • Learn to Bike at Any Age
    • Map & Routes
    • Crash Help
    • Register Your Bike
    • California Bicycle Laws
    • All Our E-Bike Work
  • News
    • Blog
    • CalBike In the News
    • Press Releases
    • CalBike Insider
  • Shop
  • Donate
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
great bike rides bicycle tourism

Great Bike Rides in the Sierras

November 30, 2020/by Kevin Claxton

If you’re experiencing cabin fever right now, you’re not alone. While travel options are restricted by the pandemic, there’s one way to get away, experience California, and stay COVID-safe: bicycle tourism. California’s Central Valley and Sierras have great bike rides that will give you a welcome break from daily life. Visit bikevalleytosierra.com for more on CalBike’s project to connect you with great bicycle tourism opportunities.

We will periodically repost information from our bicycle tourism website. Below are suggestions for great bike rides in and around Valley Springs, in the Sierras.

Ride, Explore, and Dine in Valley Springs

Great Bike Rides to Support Arts Education 

Each spring Valley Springs holds an arts education fundraiser for Calaveras County K-12 public schools. See https://www.rideandwalk4art.com/ The three route options are available on this website, 25, 45, and 75. The routes start at Hogan Dam and wind around the Tri-Dam Lakes.

Hogan Dam Cameron Trail, New Hogan Lake

A multi-use trail starts at a small parking area north of the park headquarters. From there it travels above the water on crushed gravel and a number of interconnecting sections of road. The wide trail provides easy access to the Wrinkle Cove area, Fiddleneck area, Acorn Campground, and Oak Knoll Campground, and eventually ends at the Coyote Point Trail just north of Coyote Point. There’s intermittent to no shade so hike or bike either in the early mornings. Acorn Campground to Observation Point is a must family ride. No traffic road. Rides 4, 8, 10, miles.

Wrinkle Cove to Lime Creek, Valley Springs

Five miles out and back to practice road bike riding skills. The road is mostly flat with several short rolling hills. Light traffic, watch for deer during fall and summer. Parking at Wrinkle Cove

Sheldon Road, West of Valley Springs

My favorite ten-mile flat road and with expansive views of Sierras. My wife and I used this road to practice and prepare for bike tours in Europe and Asia. Parking is along fence lines just off Highway 26. Turn around at Escalon Belotta Road

Berkesey Lane, Rancho Calaveras

Absolutely the best two-mile road to learn how to ride a bike. This is my go-to bike road to teach grandchildren to ride a bike. Parking at either end of the road.

Gwin Mine Road, Paloma

A three-mile downhill ride to Middle Bar Road and a hilly bike ride back. This is a good ride for e-bikes.

South Hogan Road, Hogan Dam Reservoir

Below the Hogan Dam and across Calaveras River is a six-mile out and back rolling quiet rural road. The hill climbs out are challenging but, the ride back is much easier. There is very little traffic and beautiful views of Sierras.

Salt Springs and Hunt Road, Milton

The Salt Spring loop is as well known as any bike ride in the foothills partly or maybe mostly due to its use for the Copperopolis Road Race in the early spring. It’s a lovely ride with varied terrain, great scenery, and very little traffic, but the pavement is very rough. If you can set yourself up with 28C (1 1/8″) or wider tires, you’ll be fine. With 23C road tires, you may feel a bit beat up afterward.

Parking after Salt Springs Reservoir, along the road.

Tags: bicycle tourism, featured
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share by Mail
https://www.calbike.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/redwood_rider_climate_ride.jpg 426 640 Kevin Claxton https://www.calbike.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/calbike-logo.png Kevin Claxton2020-11-30 16:45:572020-11-30 16:45:57Great Bike Rides in the Sierras

Latest News

  • CalBike succeeds in passing e-bike voucher bill in SenateFederal E-Bike Rebate Back on the TableMarch 21, 2023 - 10:28 am
  • Support AB 825 for Safe Passage for People on BikesMarch 17, 2023 - 6:25 pm
  • CalBike’s 2023 Budget Agenda: Fully Fund Active Transportation and Complete StreetsMarch 16, 2023 - 1:07 pm
Follow a manual added link

Get Email Updates

Follow a manual added link

Join Calbike

  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to Twitter
  • Link to LinkedIn
  • Link to Mail
  • Link to Instagram
About Us

Staff
Board
Financials & Governance
Local Partners
State & National Allies
Careers

What We Do

California Bicycle Summit
E-Bike Advocacy
Quick-Builds
2023 Legislative Watch

Take Action

Current Projects
Past Projects
Donate
Contact Us
Volunteer
Join or Renew

Resources

COVID-19 Bicycling
Maps & Routes
Quick Build Guide
All Resources

News

CalBike Blog
CalBike in the News
Press Releases
CalBike Insider

© California Bicycle Coalition 2023

1017 L Street #288
Sacramento, CA 95814
© California Bicycle Coalition 2023

Urban Transportation Research Reveals Alarming Trend in US Bike Traffic Fat...traffic safetyWhat Can California Learn about Traffic Safety from Europe?
Scroll to top