Although closer to Bend, this 26-mile trail is also convenient for people on the west side of the Cascades, especially… By the time we sipped our final local beer in the cool river on Sunday afternoon, we felt like part of the event. Our travel posts are great for making future plans or dreaming about your next escape. The front of the pack comes through around half an hour after the start, and the back of the pack will make appearances until around 2.5 hours post-start. Many of our race event partners are pivoting their financial support to help us put people back to work again. The comment period is open until October 26. Continue building Connected Communities. The Downieville Classic did not disappoint. Thank you for signing up. If you wait until most of the field has passed through, you can even hike on a section of the course (technically also the Pacific Crest Trail) while you’re up there. Darkstar187. Back Road Ramblers shares travel tips, road-trip destinations, and outdoor adventures for the wanderer in everyone. In the evening hours, grab a bite to eat at a restaurant or food truck and gather to watch the log pull contest. We’ve actually ridden the Downieville Downhill course outside of the race, just for fun, and marveled at how the racers can turn in finish times 3-4x faster than ours. See for yourself, come out and join us for fun in the mountains! THE LOCATION. For the past 24 years, the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship has been giving bike riders across the world a race-paced tour around the town of Downieville, California. See trail conditions to know what is happening in the high country. With about 3,000 residents, the aging population has limited medical resources and is vulnerable to an outbreak. For registration and full details visit the Downieville Classic website. Afternoon: festivities in downtown Downieville. Evening: Log pull competition and live music. It’s still far from empty on sunny summer weekends, especially the Downieville Classic weekend, but the atmosphere remains appealingly relaxed. Quincy, California . 0.75 miles, where First Divide Trail spits out at Lavezzola Road 2. The Downieville Classic is a weekend of good times and outdoor adventures in the Sierra. nolevers: Downieville-Classic in: XC Riding 187 views. What Is The Downieville Classic 2019. In addition to canceling the 2020 Downieville Classic, Yuba Expeditions in Downieville will be closed until further notice. The Downieville Classic has been named one of the top 10 best bike festivals by Outside Magazine. The Downieville Classic has been named one of the top 10 best bike festivals from Outside Magazine. In his letter announcing the cancellation, Greg Williams, executive director of SBTS, explained the decision to retain entry fees, and why Downieville continues to be closed to visitors: SBTS and its bike shop Yuba Expeditions invest immeasurable love into Downieville, and we don’t want our operations or guests to be responsible for potentially introducing the virus. RyeBokeh. The event technically begins on Thursday with some sponsored events like meals, merch booths, and maybe a film screening. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Virtual Tour of Downieville Classic. Morning: Cheer on the cross-country racers. While most folks watched from the finish line in town, we sat directly beside a gnarly section of the course, cheering on racers and chatting with volunteers. Highlights include hiking to the Sierra Buttes lookout tower, biking on the area’s numerous trails, and enjoying the lakes along Gold Lake Highway. Long-time Downieville die-hards will remember 2003 when the area’s trails were threatened with TRAIL CLOSED signs due to lack of federal maintenance funding. Just hold on. The renowned Downieville Downhill is Downieville’s most popular trail. There are plenty of options depending on where you’re staying and what you prefer, but here’s an itinerary that we loved. Dec 19, 2019 - This Pin was discovered by Tyler Zipperer. It starts in Sierra City, climbs 4500 feet into the mountains, and spits exhausted riders out a few hours later in downtown Downieville. See for yourself in our 2017 recap, or better yet, come out and join the fun in the mountains!. It’s Downieville Classic race weekend, and if you like mountains in the summer and have even a casual appreciation for bikes, it’s the perfect long weekend getaway. We really enjoyed watching the riders come through, cheering them on and chatting with the volunteers. Downieville is a great destination and friendly town well worth the drive. Also plenty of outstanding trails nearby. Quincy Trail System. Please don't travel until it's safe to do so! Bar ends, V-brakes, three front chainrings and sub-par suspension with 80 millimeters of rubber elastomer travel; this was the mountain bike technology of the day when the first annual Coyote Classic was held in Downieville in 1995. A weekend of racing and partying in the Sierras where riders have to pick one tool for two disciplines: a 29-mile cross country race, and a 15-mile … Bike Magazine has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. The date and schedule change a bit each year so be sure to check the event website for the latest. Little kids hop curbs on pint-size full-suspension rigs. We are offering Downieville Classic racers priority registration as we did for Lost and Found racers which includes the ability to register before the official registration opening date for this traditionally sold-out event, and receive a 25 percent discount on 2021 registration fees. Dropping 5,000 vertical feet in 15 miles, it hosts the longest and most demanding mountain bike race in the country – the Downieville Classic. Downieville Classic Mountain Bike Race and Festival. Or just come to enjoy the bike festival for the weekend. The latest event to fall victim to COVID-19 is one of the best on the calendar: The Downieville Classic. By road – which is pretty much the only way to get there – it’s about two hours northeast of Sacramento or 1.5 hours northwest of Tahoe. Sunday is the main event: the downhill race. They’re farther from Downieville (about 30 minutes by car) but they’re very close to the downhill race start and perfect for watching some of the cross-country race on Saturday as it passes nearby. 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Finally, if you’re having trouble finding spots elsewhere, Sierra and Chapman Creek campgrounds on Highway 49 are large and often have spots available, even if they aren’t particularly close to lakes or the race action. If this sounds like fun to you, read on for an insider’s guide to getting the most out of the Downieville Classic mountain bike race and festival weekend. Cross country and Downhill races, All Mountain World Championship, River Jump competition, Log Pull races, live music and general good times! It is difficult rated, flowing singletrack with fast, rocky, technical features, and impressive drops. Farther north up Gold Lake Highway, you’ll find plenty of lakeside camping such as Goose Lake, Gold Lake, and Snag Lake campgrounds. Beyond all that, we were delighted to find that a little extra effort scored us front-row seats to race action that most spectators miss. Dropping 5,000 vertical feet in 15 miles, it hosts the longest and most demanding mountain bike race in the country – the Downieville Classic. Wisely put 05-29-2012 #26. Check out the Downieville Classic, a two-day race in the summer that drops 5,000 feet in 15 miles. Once the cross country race has wrapped up, grab a can or two of craft beer from the local grocery store and plant yourself at the river to watch the jump contest. These are farther from the race action, but nice if you plan to combine your visit to Downieville with fishing or hiking. The Classic was scheduled for July 30 to August 2, a weekend of revelry and racing in the Lost Sierra, anchored by the popular All-Mountain World Championships, which entails completing the XC on Saturday and the downhill race on Sunday on the same bike. ADA Accessibility Notes. The Downieville classic draws riders from all different corners of the sport. The Hightower has been a does-it-all-well trail bike since its inception. This makes a weekend of riding equally fun for beginners and experts. Environmental impact studies, trail projects pre-research, coalition building, grant applications, office space, communications, vehicles, equipment, multiple insurance policies and more – these costs are spent during the on-average five years of professional behind-the-scenes work before dirt is even moved on a project. Stunningly scenic and rich in gold rush-era history, it somehow manages to avoid the hordes of summer tourists who descend on more popular areas like Tahoe. Most people gather in Downieville on Sunday morning to watch the finish on Main Street. On our way back we spent time cheering up a forlorn racer, his tire irreparably flat, as he wheeled his bike down a side road into town. Race registration fees are used across all months as an integral driver of the year-round operation necessary to make a comprehensive trail system possible. Her goal is to help people connect with the world and each other by stepping out of their front doors and embarking on journeys big and small. Every August the streets of small-town Downieville, California fill, even more than usual, with mountain bikes. Get in gear with Target to shop men's women's and kids' bikes. The team includes motivated mission-focused individuals, equipment, a fleet of vehicles, occupancy leases and insurance. Be sure to stay out of the racers’ way, and respect whatever the race volunteers may tell you about whether this is ok. Downieville and Sierra City both have a small selection of cabins and rustic resorts, but the numerous camping opportunities in the Lost Sierra are definitely one of the area’s charms. We help people connect with the world and each other by embarking on journeys big and small. mtbr member Reputation: Join Date Sep 2010 Posts 467. this works really well there! your own Pins on Pinterest downieville trails. America’s Best also listed the Downieville Classic in the top 10 mountain bike races. The 25th Annual Downieville Classic Registration Opens February, 17 at 8PM PST. If you are coming to Downieville from a long distance, you deserve to enjoy the amazing high Sierra terrain with a Santa Cruz bike that that maximizes your fun and does not hold you back. These bikes skimp on nothing, are professionally maintained - ride like new, and are the right tool for the job in Downieville. The most popular rides at Downieville are one-way shuttle rides, involving getting on a shuttle from the town center, being driven to a trailhead, and doing a ride that ends right back … Alissa loves wide open spaces, thoughtful travel, and human-powered adventure in the great outdoors. Maintain our core infrastructure. Since that time, the event changed names to the Downieville Classic and stands today as one of the most recognized events in the sport of mountain biking, from a Patagonia-produced feature film about the event called “Dirt Magic” to being named by Outside Magazine as one of the Top 10 best bike festivals. Enjoy the last few hours of race weekend festivities as riders and their families finally get the chance to relax post-race. This unapologetic show of brawn – riders drag a log behind a bike as quickly as possible and then chug a beer – is even more entertaining than it sounds. The Downieville Classic has been named one of the top 10 best bike festivals. Either way, you win. Expert riders in race jerseys make hurried mechanical adjustments. But if you have a bike and/or are willing to walk a few miles, you can get a front-row seat and watch skilled athletes doing what they do best: shredding dirt. Five5hot Reputation: Join Date The overall positive support from Lost and Found racers, partners, locals and volunteers upon receiving the bad news was humbling for our staff. 25th Annual Downieville Classic Registration Opens Monday, February 17 at 8 PM PST. The festival usually runs from Thursday through Sunday at the beginning of August, with the main action centered around the races on Saturday and Sunday. The region, which also includes Sierra City and Graeagle and vast stretches of rugged mountains in between, is evocatively known as the Lost Sierra. @2020 - Back Road Ramblers. Please check with each state/destination for its current COVID-19 guidelines before planning a visit. 05-30-2012 #27. The town of Downieville is ADA accessible. If you’re going to head all the way to Downieville, it’s definitely worth taking an extra day or two to explore the Lost Sierra region. Finishing times range from an impressive two-ish hours to around five and a half. Once this storm passes, we are optimistic that we will all gather together next year to enjoy our events and the company of many who have supported them for years. Race or ride the epic cross country to the Sierra Crest and back to town, or take in a double dose with 15 miles of the Downieville Downhill in the All Mountain World Championships. If the volunteers allow it, you can carefully walk down the trail a bit and watch riders navigating a tricky section. To do this, I suggest carefully heading up Lavezzola Road before the first racers arrive, as the section heading out from town is actually on the course. Build and maintain trails under our current agreements. For some magical reason, open container laws don’t exist in Downieville, and no one hesitates to take advantage of this. Copyright © A360 Media LLC 2021. At this time, we urge you to please not visit Downieville or other Lost Sierra mountain communities until government officials say it is safe to do so. See this post for some fun ideas. Bar ends, V-brakes, three front chainrings and sub-par suspension with 80 millimeters of rubber elastomer travel; this was the mountain bike technology of the day when the first annual Coyote Classic was held in Downieville in 1995. After the race Downieville transforms into a bike-themed party with a gear expo, river jump contest, log pull competition, and live music in the evening. This year was to be the race’s 25th anniversary, but organizers, the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship, announced on Thursday that the potential risk of bringing in thousands of out-of-towners to the small community that hosts the race was too great. When the Downieville Classic (one of the most famous mountain bike events amongst the circuit) is taking place, nearly all lodging and accommodation is full. More maneuverable than its longer-travel sibling, the Megatower, and more at home in the steep-and-chunky than its snappy cousin Tallboy, Hightower excels when the route covers ‘all points in between,’ and descents come courtesy of some big-ass climbs. Downieville Classic 2019 August 07 — 2019 | Downieville, CA The race dispatch from Santa Cruz’s own world-traveling lens-slinger, Gary Perkin who was on the ground and in the mix last weekend at the 2019 Downieville Classic. There has yet to be a rider that wants to miss out on the famous single track trails that offer speed and winding turns. You can watch the cross country start in Sierra City, or the finish in Downieville (between roughly 2 – 5 hours after the start). We’re here to listen and do the best we can. My husband and I love the Lost Sierra region of California for its scenic trails and lakes, challenging outdoor recreation, and charming mountain towns. It’s about the most fun you can pack into a weekend, on some of the best trails in California, if not the entire country. We are factory and field trained mechanics that can gracefully handle any repair quickly and efficiently, allowing you to keep riding and enjoying your time in Downieville. It starts at Packer Saddle, about a 20-minute drive north of Sierra City, and ends once again in downtown Downieville with finishing times ranging from around 45 minutes to 2 hours. Also, please note that this post may contain links from which we earn a small commission. So this past summer we thought it would be fun to take another trip to Downieville specifically for race weekend and soak up as much of the dirty, gritty, outdoorsy MTB goodness as possible. The festivities wrap up a bit earlier on Sunday with a kids river jump competition, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had down by the river in the afternoon as racers and spectators enjoy the end of the weekend events. If spectators start getting in the way, I’m sure the race organizers will start closing off access. We rode our bikes up Lavezzola Road to all three of these locations, half expecting to be turned away from getting too near the course, but were happily welcomed by the race volunteers at each spot. 05-29-2012 #25. balldoc54. We will continue our partnership with the Sierra Nevada Conservancy to keep the Lost Sierra Trails Master Plan and Connected Communities planning project moving forward. The 26.5-mile course follows a rugged "Gold Rush" era route from the mountain town of Sierra City (elevation 4,100'), to the crest of the Sierra Nevada (elevation 7,100'), and down 5,200 vertical feet into downtown Downieville. Or follow our Facebook or Instagram feeds to get trail conditions directly from us.. For local Coronavirus conditions see Plumas County Health Agency for Quincy and Sierra County Health and Human Services for Downieville. Free shipping on orders $35+ & free returns plus same-day pick-up in store. Off the bike: This gold rush town is quaint and a great alternative to the hustle and bustle of big cities. Basically, the best bike for Downieville is someone else's. The Downieville Classic Recap The High Sierra’s in California treat the world to some of the best biking, hiking, horse riding and outdoor experiences. Get the app Downieville Classic RECOMMENDED ROUTE ... tight switchback descending turns, and perhaps a few hike-a-bike sections, depending on your skills. Our shuttle vans are now in the service of the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship … If you’re going to do this, it’s very important to stay out of the way as racers come hurtling through, and listen to whatever direction the race volunteers give you. But the trails are only as good as they are due to decades of work and persistent by the Sierra Buttes, work that’s funded largely by registration fees from the Classic. Attending the festival and watching the race are free and there are no tickets needed. It’s a steep but short hike, and you’ll be rewarded by a trail-side spot as riders huff and puff their way up the epic climb from Sierra City. If you missed the river jump on Saturday, or just can’t get enough sun by the river, check out the kids’ House of Big Air competition on Sunday afternoon. The Downieville Classic has been named one of the top 10 best bike festivals. In the meantime, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@sierratrails.org. Just after the final descent, you'll cross a bridge over a creek and begin a doubletrack climb. Visit our privacy policy to read more. Handful of towns in California without any reported cases of COVID-19 Annual Downieville Classic is a good bike... Of a handful of towns in California wanderer in everyone to shop 's., Exploring Wild, to help us put people back to work again 15 for second... 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