great Bike Rider around Northern California — it's summer at its best - Brief Article

Sunset, July, 2001

On a beautiful day, bike riding is summer's greatest pastime. Whether you prefer arduous, uphill courses or a breezy ride along the bay, there are plenty of places to make tracks in Northern California. And, there is no better way to get there than in a Toyota. The new 4-wheel-drive Sequoia brings comfort and go-anywhere power with seating for eight. Or if you enjoy a luxurious, smooth, quiet ride, take the roomy new Highlander SUV out for a spin. The tough Tacoma and full-size Tundra give you plenty of cargo space. Hit the trails in a 4-wheel-drive 4Runner with 5000-pound towing capacity. For reliability, comfort, durability, and space to haul bicycles, you'll find a Toyota that fits your active lifestyle.

Northstate-at-Tahoe--Northern California's largest mountain bike park

A fat-tire haven, Northstar is home to Northern California's largest mountain bike park. More than 100 miles of trails offer everything from wide dirt trails to advanced single-track. The back roads and forested trails on Mt. Pluto and Lookout Mountain offer some of the best rides in the area with spectacular views of Lake Tahoe and the Martis Valley. For those who prefer the downhill thrill to climbing, Northstar's mountain bike park is serviced by chair lifts that will take you and your bike from the Village elevation of 6,330 feet to the midmountain elevation of 7,040 feet and higher! New single-track trails are continually being added to the park's extensive trail system.

Lift pass and rental equipment packages are available. Private lessons and guided tours are offered daily. Helmets are required for all cyclists using the park.

Location: 1-80 to Hwy. 267.

Contact: (800) GO-NORTH.

Hours: Daily 9:30 to 4 mid-June--Labor Day, Friday--Sunday until mid-October (weather permitting).

Fees: Full-day, unlimited lift pass: Adults $25, Children 5-12 $17. Single lift passes: Adults $17, Children 5-12 $12.

Bidwell Park, Chico--happy trails for everyone

Bidwell Park, the third-largest municipal park in the nation, is also one of the most diverse and pristine parks in America.

The 3,618-acre preserve encompasses both sides of Big Chico Creek Canyon a full five miles up into the foothills, making it a truly spectacular retreat.

The popular North Rim Trail starts at Wildwood Avenue just past the entrance to Upper Bidwell Park. As its name implies, it traverses the north rim of this wild and rugged canyon park. A series of steep but generally well-maintained switchbacks down to the Upper Park Road is the payoff for a steep, rocky, uphill mountain bike ride.

For the adventuresome soul, the lesser-known but enjoyable South Rim Trail is one of the more rugged developed trails in the park. The tralihead is beyond the 5-Mile marker where Centennial dead-ends into Chico Canyon Road. The trail runs through the old police pistol range, above Bidwell Golf Course, all the way up into the newly purchased south side of the canyon. For a nice, less crowded four-hour mountain biking loop, ride up to the South Rim Trail to Bear Hole then cross the creek for an easier return on Upper Park Road.

Location: Hwy. 99 between Sacramento and Red Bluff.

Hours: 1 hour before sunrise to 11 p.m.

Sawyer Camp Trail--the most popular trail in San Mateo County

This trail in the San Mateo County Park System is a multiuse, dirt-and-paved 12-mile loop. Starting at the southern gate, the trail runs along the Crystal Springs Reservoir with stunning views of water and undeveloped forest inhabited by deer, waterfowl, and even wildcats. It then passes through woods before climbing to the San Andreas Dam and from there to the north gate. A trail extension is reached by riding half a mile down Skyline Boulevard and picking up the trail again, which follows the San Andreas Reservoir further north. Much of the path is shaded with Monterey cypress and pine trees and some eucalyptus. Mile markers are posted throughout the course. At the 5-mile marker, near the San Andreas Lake, the trail becomes flat again to the turnaround at Hillcrest Boulevard.

Location: I-280 to Black Mountain Road exit. Follow Skyline Boulevard to gateway entrance.

Hours: Summer 8 to 8, otherwise 8 to 6.

Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont--wildlife and bay views

Located on the east edge of the San Francisco Bay near the Dumbarton Bridge, this easily accessible park features abundant wildlife and trails that vary from flat to leg-burner. Although the hills are short, many are steep and provide a challenge to all but the best riders.

Novice riders can stick to the flats in the eastern half of the park where trails wind through marshes and scrub woodland. Various native and migratory birds frequent this area.

More experienced climbers can test their traction limits on the ridge that runs down the west side of the park. If you love steep climbs and fast descents, don't miss the Red Hill Trail, a fire road that follows the ridge tops. By early summer the trail is generally covered with loose gravel, presenting a traction control problem for all but the best riders. The view from the top of Red Hill on a clear day takes in the entire Bay Area from Mount Tamalpais to the Santa Cruz Mountains.