Hi all, I've been to Yosemite but never brought my bike - we usually round up all the crummy bikes for use around the bike trails, leaving out at our campsite, etc. This time I'm going with a bunch of people my age for six days. I don't think everyone is in good shape or are masochists like myself... so I'm almost positive there will be LOTS of downtime. I'm considering if it's worth it to bring the real bike. Is there anything cool (I'm guessing outside of the main touristy areas) that I can ride while they float in the Merced and drink beer? I'm willing to drive ~1hr outside of the valley if it's worth it. Thanks in advance!
There's some good info here: http://www.socaltrailriders.org/forum/general-discussion/53468-yosemite-riding-question.html
Bass Lake about 14 or so miles south on Hwy 41, 007 Trail. Shaver Lake, Tour De Granite route. Best bet is to hit up the bike shop in Oakhurst. I'm in the process of exploring the horse trails around my house in Coarsegold, so next year there should be 30 miles of riding that I'll have mapped out, and my personal bike park on my property. PM me. You don't want to ride out there alone and unarmed......
Fun fire road romp, all DH: 120/Tamarack CG turnoff: Start on opposite side of 120, ride old road (possible deadfall) a few mi to Foresta. P/U old road again (Foresta Road) on left side of CG entrance road, ride (15 mi?) mi to El Portal. Bring swimwear. Note that 120 is a horrible road for bikes. I dropped off and thumbed up.
Thanks guys. Gene, I guess I need to improve my search function skills, haha. Thanks dude. Found the 007 Trail - http://www.geoladders.com/show_route.php?route=36018 Y-NOT - going to PM you shortly!
Note, if you're in Yosemite Valley you're going to burn a lot of time driving out and then back in to get to mtb trails. In Yosemite, riding is limited. There are nice paved paths but that is it--bikes aren't allowed on dirt trails. My family enjoys them as they weave thru meadows and trees and eventually lead to cold beer and ice cream. A plus is that you will probably be driving opposite of traffic (leaving early to ride when people are coming in, returning when everyone's leaving).
Yeah, last year we added an extra day and stayed the 1st night at Wawona (last 3 nights in upper pines) so I know that driving back and forth isn't exactly optimal, but I'd really like to grab a ride in this area. Like I said I have 5 consecutive nights in the valley so there will be lots of time, I don't think my group will mind if a disappear for one morning
Where are those 36 miles of mtb'ing they mention? (tip: play hotel guest and ask the concierge for a map, lol)
Yosemite is a roadies dream: Valley traffic is slow, roads are baby butt smooth, it is a 14 mile loop if you do not add the bonus miles, (bike trails to Happy Islands, around the north end to Ahwahnee-resident areas) there is only one problem, keeping your eyes on the road. Tioga Road is even more fun, I like the Tenya Lake to Ellery Lake out n back, once again keeping your eyes on the road is difficult. Also be careful and not hitting a doe or buck if you ride the evening esp on the Dana Fork they will jump right in front of you. I love the Yosemite high country and ride it everyday I am there. Happy High Sierra trails. There is some legal dirt on the old road from near Crane Flat down to Big Mdw and Hodgden Mdw, both are fire Roads.
Never thought I'd hear that from a cyclist. In summer and weekends the Valley proper is clogged with tourons, RV renters et al performing all manner of vehicular stunts. Construction has been common in recent years. Pedestrians and rental bike riders often have their heads up their asses. Cyclists have been killed in YV. The 120 has been the site of regular auto and moto accidents. Yellowstone banned trailer mirrors after a cyclist was killed by one. Many Yo roads are just as narrow and winding, yet no such restriction exists. Fitting two RVs through many sections of Yo roadway is dicey as is. Idyllic setting, yes. Designed with road cycling in mind, not even close.
I was thinking the same thing. I talked to a road guy in a team kit with shaved legs last summer and he said if you do it early in the morning you're ok, no one is on the road. After that, wouldn't try it.
I'll be back from Bass Lake/Yosemite first week of August. I'll post what I find both road and dirt (already have my sights set on Beasore Road for the road portion...prep for the Grizzly Century)
The speed limit in the valley is 35. Its a one way street, two lanes wide. Take your lane, I did not have anyone cheat into my lane. I rode it all week and the only thing I got was a sore neck from looking up at the incredible exposure.
I stayed at Crane Flats years ago and rode (poached? :? the Clark Range view trail, which was short, flat and had a nice view. This looks OK: http://yosemitenews.info/forum/read.php?3,28251,51325
