2017-2018 Nevada County Gold Magazine 2017-2018_Nevada County Gold Magazine | Page 92

R E C R E A T I O N
PEDALING NEVADA
COUNTY AND BEYOND
A mecca for riders, Nevada County is a preeminent
cycling destination and is known for its mountain bik-
ing, as well as road biking. Rides popular with locals
are the LeMond Loop and the Pioneer Trails.
Donner
Summit
mile out and back. Scenic and historic Sierra
Valley. Information: tourdemanure.org
AGONY RIDE: July 28–29. 24 hours. Twenty-
four hours through the Sierra Valley.
Information: agonyride.org
Road Biking
LEMOND LOOP
Distance: 14.6 miles. Easy to moderate, one
short steep hill.
Type of Ride: Favorite training ride for Greg
LeMond. Rolling hills with pastoral views.
Start: Tour of Nevada City Bicycle Shop, 457
Sacramento St., Nevada City.
INDIAN SPRINGS-MCCOURTNEY LOOP
Distance: 46 miles. Moderate to difficult,
some hills.
Type of Ride: Mostly rural, vineyards,
farmland, horse ranches.
Start: Pleasant Valley Rd. & Hwy 20, Park
& Ride.
OLD DONNER PASS ROAD
Distance: 44 miles. Moderate to difficult,
one long climb and descent.
Type of Ride: Mountains, Yuba River,
Donner Lake, historic Truckee.
Start: Cisco Grove Exit, across I-80 to
Hampshire Rocks Rd.
Mountain Biking
LOWER PIONEER TRAIL
Trailhead: Park at Harmony Ridge Market
or at the horse staging area off Hwy. 20,
one mile east, across from Lone Grave.
Distance: 10 miles, 1–2 hours.
Difficulty: 4 physical, 3 technical.
Season: Can be snowbound in winter.
Total estimated climb: 500+ feet.
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N E VA D A C O U N T Y G O L D
CHAMPION MINE ROAD
Trailhead: Nevada City.
Distance: 7–10 miles, 40 min.–1 ½ hours.
Difficulty: 3 physical, 2 technical
Season: Year around.
HOLE IN THE GROUND LOOP
Trailhead: Lower Lola Montez Lake
Trailhead.
Distance: About 20 miles, 2–5 hrs.
Difficulty: 4–7 physical, 5–7 technical.
Total Estimated Climb: 2,500 feet.
Season: Summer to fall.
Local Organizations
SIERRA EXPRESS BICYCLE CLUB: Promotes
and supports safe riding in western Nevada
County. Has list of rides including directions
and maps, and a calendar of recreational
rides including a section on Lite rides, from
12 to 20 miles.
Information: sierraexpress.org
BICYCLISTS OF NEVADA COUNTY (BONC):
Has a list of mountain biking trails, holds
group rides and builds trails.
Information: bonc.org
Some Area Rides
AMERICA'S MOST BEAUTIFUL BIKE RIDE:
June 4, 2017. One of the only bi-state rides
in the country. 100 Mile Century and 72
Mile course around Lak