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Bonetti Road, autumn ride
Lance Armstrong will ride in the 2010 Amgen Tour of California, along with Levi Leipheimer. While Lance et al will be on road bikes, it is still a sight to behold. The tour will begin in Nevada City this year. It is an 8 day, 16 city tour. Make plans now.
For this weekend, there are some great autumn rides to consider. Weather is predicted to be very nice. The trees have put on their autumn finery, and riding couldn't't be better. For a very nice ride in the Pollock Pines area, consider either the Sly Park mountain bike trail, or an out and back on Bonetti Road, for mountain or road bike.
To get to Bonetti Road, head east on Highway 50 to the Sly Park exit in Pollock Pines. Turn right onto Sly Park Road, and drive to Sly Park Lake. Just at the end of the lake, on the left, is Iron Mountain Road. Turn left and drive about 4 miles. Park at the information bulletin board on the south side of the road. Bonetti Road is about 35 meters up the road. The colors out there right now are very intense, with dogwood reds and pinks, oak yellows and browns, and everything in-between. Take your camera. This can be a ride that lasts for 2 or 3 hours, depending on how far you go.There is some climbing involved, but none of it is overly steep (remember that you can always get off and walk a bit if you need to). The ride is suitable for beginners on up to the experienced rider. If you ride all the way out (Bonetti-Cosmunes Mine Road-North South Road) you'll be out about 2-3 hours. Take food, water, repair kits with you, along with a riding buddy. The road is paved all the way, rough in some spots, and is good for mountain or road bikes. There are numerous dirt side roads that lead off into the forest. Should you take a side trip, remember how to get back to Bonetti. As has been stated by this rider before, getting lost out there could be a really rotten experience.
You might see wild turkeys, deer, and deer hunters out there, along with a couple of forest shooting ranges. As of today, there are some damp sections on Bonetti, on the north slope sections, so be alert.
You can find similar rides in the Auburn, Nevada City, and Grass Valley areas. It should simply be a great weekend to ride.
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