Spinning bicycle wheels to euphoria
It might be difficult for a non-cyclist to understand the exhilaration riders get from simply riding a bike down a road.
Find a sweet spot and the ride feels effortless. The endorphins kick in and a sense of euphoria takes over. You see and feel everything around you: the change in temperatures, the sweet smells. It can be addictive.
It’s similar to the moment when a hiker gets to a ridge and takes in a reveal-view moment. For an angler, it’s the moment when a fish grabs, the hook is set, and the energy transferred from fish to rod to you. On a Harley, it’s like coming out of a deep curve in third gear and cranking on the throttle into a climbing straightaway. On skis, it can be sailing down the mountain in an inch of sugar, enhanced with a view of Lake Tahoe. Every sport has such a moment, often a feeling of effortless euphoria.
The difference for cyclists is the long-term fitness and distances that can be attained, and the sights that can be seen.
For those just getting into the activity — and perhaps getting a bike for Christmas — or for those with thousands of miles in the saddle, there are three great, car-free, near-flat bikeways in Northern California that are must-do: the Alameda Creek Regional Trail from Niles to Coyote Hills, the American River Parkway from Folsom to Old Sacramento, and the Sacramento River Parkway from Sundial Bridge in Redding north to the Ribbon Bridge below Keswick Dam and back.
There are, of course, several other great rides as well. With these, however, you are separated from roads and cars for virtually entire routes. Even for a guy more comfortable on a horse, the appeal has drawn me to complete all of these. Here’s how to make the trips work:
Alameda Creek Regional Trail
Synopsis: 24-mile round trip from Niles to Coyote Hills Regional Park The trip: Start at the Niles Staging Area on Old Canyon Road (just off Niles Canyon Road). After parking, you’ll find direct access to the paved bikeway on the southern side of Alameda Creek (the Alameda Creek Regional Trail — an unpaved trail for walks, hikes and mountain bikes — is on the north side of Alameda Creek). The first leg downstream is an easy ride — there is as much gliding as pedaling — with Alameda Creek to the right. Riders pass a series of old water pits and, for a side trip, can venture over a bridge to Quarry Lakes. The regional trail heads west toward the South Bay — eventually offering access to Coyote Hills Regional Park — and, with a short jog to the south, to the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Mileage markers are set along the route. According to the signs, from Niles, it is 1.4 miles to Kaiser Pond, 3.5 miles to the bridge to Quarry Lakes, 6.4 miles to Alvarado, 9.7 miles to Coyote Hills and 12 miles to the bay.
Trip notes: Parking and access are free; map/brochure at trailhead parks; PDF at www.ebparks.org. Contact: Alameda Creek Regional Trail, (510) 544-3137; East Bay Regional Park District, (888) 327-2757, option 3, ext. 4501; www.ebparks.org.
American River Parkway Synopsis: 32.8 miles, one-way, from Folsom Lake to Old Sacramento
The trip: The parkway runs along the American River and links nearly 20 parks. For my trip, we brought two vehicles and left my rig near the end of the trail for a shuttle. Some describe the route as 23 miles or 31.3 miles, but at Folsom State Recreation Area, a sign near the starting point shows the length as 32.8 miles. At Beal’s Point above Folsom Lake (now 60 percent full, higher for December than in more than 10 years), you get a good view of the lake. The bikeway heads downstream and enters a riparian zone, which can feel like riding in a woodlands tunnel. You pass Lake Natomas (83 percent full), and just below the dam, pass the Nimbus Fish Hatchery (at 8.6 miles). After a short segment, the next 9 miles are exceptional, with river views and occasional deer, while en route to Arden Bar (17.8 miles). The second half of the trip is more urban, yet still bordered by parks with so many access points and crossroads that you must pay careful attention to cross traffic. Near Sacramento State, you pass a miniature suspension bridge. The route then goes in and out of woodlands along bogs in a few spots, where you might see waterfowl and perhaps a beaver. The parkway then emerges along the river again and you sail to the end at Discovery Park and Old Sacramento.
Trip notes: Trailhead parking at Beals Point, Folsom Lake SRA, $12; trail’s end parking at Discovery Park, Sacramento, $5. Interactive map at http://arpf.org/visit/int-mapwpp/. Contact: American River Parkway Foundation, (916) 486-2773; Folsom State Recreation Area, (916) 988-0205, www.parks.ca.gov; Discovery Park, Sacramento Regional Parks, (916) 875-6961, www. regionalparks.saccounty.net. Sacramento River Trail Synopsis: 16-mile round trip, Sundial Bridge to Ribbon Bridge, and back, with the option to extend 35 to 40 miles (round trip) to Shasta Dam and back. The trip: This is a beautiful ride with a landmark trailhead. Start at the renowned Sundial Bridge, the cantilever, 700-foot suspension bridge with a translucent deck that spans the Sacramento River. Cross the bridge (be sure to look into the river, you might see spawning salmon right now) and then connect to the Sacramento River National Recreation Trail. It heads upstream with pretty river views on your left. You will pass the old Diestelhorst Bridge and arrive at the Ribbon Bridge, downstream of the outlet of Keswick Dam. You then cross the Ribbon Bridge, where most turn left and head back. The ambitious can instead turn right and pass Keswick and Keswick Lake (to your right) and head to Shasta Dam. There are two steep spots: for 2 miles above Keswick Dam and at a series of switchbacks (most walk) in the approach up Shasta Dam.
Trip notes: Sundial Bridge/ trailhead parking, free, at Turtle Bay, 844 Sundial Bridge Drive, Redding; trail map at www.visitredding.com. Contact: Turtle Bay Exploration Park, (530) 242-3102; www.turtlebay.org.