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    • Jan 21, 2021

INTERREGIONAL BICYCLE TOURISM STUDY UPDATE


Where should we invest to improve bicycle tourism for a stronger local economy and safer streets?


We are working together on the Interregional Bicycle Tourism Study, funded by Caltrans. The study area stretches across a broad swath of geography, from the relatively flat agricultural lands of the Central Valley, onto the windy, hilly roads of the foothills, and climbing across multiple high passes across the Sierras.


Our goal is to support local businesses while improving the quality of life for residents who will enjoy safer bicycling for transportation and recreation.


We have already surveyed hundreds of stakeholders in the region. We’ve studied how other regions have promoted and benefited from bicycle tourism. We are developing cycling tourism guides for merchants and visitors across the region. We are planning to ensure that rumble strips are installed with bicycle safety in mind.


Importantly, we are proposing five bicycle tourism showcase areas to focus improvements in safety and amenities, one in each county. The showcase areas were developed based on a number of factors: interviews with local leaders and residents, a survey of destinations and accommodations to support tourism, and existing levels of bicycle activity.


Selected Showcase Areas


  • San Joaquin County: Woodbridge/Lodi Area


  • Stanislaus County: Oakdale/Knights Ferry


  • Calaveras County: Angels Camp - Murphys Corridor


  • Tuolumne County: Jamestown, Columbia, Sonora Area


  • Alpine County: Safety on State Routes


We want your feedback!


Are the showcase areas popular bike routes you like to ride currently?

Do you have safety concerns within any Showcase Area?

Do you have any ideas for supportive amenities (signage, repair services, bike racks, etc) that would encourage bike riding in the Showcase Areas?

AND...What bike destinations or routes in your county would you like to visit/ride to in the future?


Your feedback and suggestions will be used by Fehr & Peers Transportation planners to identify road improvements that will support safe bike riding and make our Central Valley to Sierra region a singular recreational bike riding destination.


Our goal is to foster bike-friendly communities in the Central Valley, Motherlode and Sierras supported by information available on websites and in print. A perfect example of this type of model bike friendly community is the California Central Coast, which boasts “miles of world-renowned cycling routes for every level of athlete.” Their website lists rides, accomodations, events—everything a cyclist would need to know about visiting their regions. It lends weight to their tag line: “From training grounds for cycling’s elite to views that make the rides even more enjoyable, it’s safe to say the Central Coast will leave you breathless in every way.” https://www.cyclecentralcoast.com/


We think that cycling the Central Valley to the Sierra High Country—the beauty, the solitude, the amenities, and yes, the mountains!—is even more breathtaking.


But we need to assess the proposed Showcase areas, and for that, we are relying on you to help out.


Forward comments and suggestions about road selection and/or improvements by February 5, 2021 to Rob Williams, CalBike Outreach Manager, rob@calbike.org


    • Jan 10, 2021

Calaveritas Gold Mining Camp



Take your time and enjoy the back roads of Calaveras County Calaveritas Road in San Andreas, California makes the perfect starting point for upcountry bike rides in the Central Sierra. Destinations include the tiny towns of Mountain Ranch and Sheep Ranch, as well as the “big cities” of Angels Camp and Murphy’s.


To get to Calaveritas Road, start at the San Andreas Government Center, cross Mountain Ranch Road and head east on Calaveritas Road. You’ll travel briefly through a small neighborhood, but within 15 minutes the road scenery opens to open ranch land. In about 6 miles, the road descends and crosses an old bridge into the small Goldrush town of Calaveritas.


Calaveritas is a gold mining camp founded in 1849 by Mexicans. During the height of the gold rush, the town flourished, complete with stores, saloons, gambling houses and Fandango dance halls. The legendary Joaquin Murietta, a vaquero, gold miner and peace-loving man driven to seek revenge, is reported to have frequently visited the Fandango Halls and gambling house.


From Calaveritas Road, you can turn left on Old Gulch Road towards Mountain Ranch for an out-and-back ride, or continue on Calaveritas Road to take Dog Town Road into Angels Camp (the only incorporated town in Calaveras county). The scenery is California at its best: vineyards, creeks, oaks, and to the east, views of foothills above Angels Camp and mountain peaks of the High Sierra.


This ride, with an elevation gain of 1,500 feet and several hill climbs, is a good ride for experienced cyclists. Vehicle traffic is infrequent because this road is not a popular travel route. Most vehicles use Highway 49, which is too dangerous for cycling. Be aware that the road surface on Dogtown Road is rough and be sure to have supplies for your own tire repair.


If the elevation gain is too much for you, or you just want to relax while you ride, try an electric-assist bike. I recently rode the 15-mile route from San Andreas to Angels Camp on a VanMoof Electric Bike. I traveled the 15 miles at a remarkable 15 miles per hour average speed. The ride took its toll. At the end of my ride I had only 23% of my battery remaining!


I’ve listed and mapped two popular route options from Calaveritas Road— An out-and-back ride along Old Gulch Road and a ride to Angels Camp.






Bike Ride Safety in the Motherlode


Listen and watch for ranch trucks, local residents and delivery trucks.

Watch for deer, snakes, dead animals and fallen tree debris.

Use caution on shady and wet pavement.

Wave and be friendly to local residents and ranchers.

Don’t ride in the center of the road. Allow vehicles to pass.

On descents, stay in the right lane. Don’t ride close to mid road

Watch for steep hillside drops

Bring a map and let someone know where you’re going. Cell phone service is spotty to non-existent in the foothills and mountains.


Report Road SAFETY Repairs or Unsafe Driver License Plate Information,

MOTHERLODE BICYCLE COALITION https://motherlodebike.org/contact/










    • Jan 9, 2021

Bike Riding in Stockton





The San Joaquin Bike Coalition, Visit Stockton, Helping Urban Bicylists and Robby‘s Bicyles are all responsible for the increased popularity of cycling in Stockton. Listed below are the links to bike riding resource, rides, and important bike information in Stockton.

SJBC

The San Joaquin Bike Coalition (SJBC) is a volunteer-based 501c3 organization, with a mission to promote bicycle safety and improve the means to use alternative transportation in San Joaquin County. The SJBC is a successful bike advocacy organization and before the Pandemic offered bike rides, bike events and advocacy to promote safe cycling. The SJBC bike rides are now hosted by Robby’s Bikes, led by Stockton’s Favorite Bike Leader, Tyler Young.


VISIT STOCKTON

Posted on Visit Stockton, Matt Beckwith shares advice on all things cycling in Stockton, California as well as a few of his favorite rides. Visit Stockton hosted the Tour of California that brought professional bike racing to all local residents in San Joaquin County and promotes bike ride information.

https://www.visitstockton.org/blog/cyclist-guide-to-bike-riding-stockton-california/ STOCKTON RECORD The Stockton Record published a great news feature about bike riding in Stockton, June 2016. This information is relevant to new cyclists riding bikes during the pandemic and looking for bike ride locations in Stockton


HELPING URBAN CYCLISTS The HUB (Helping Urban Bicyclists) is a community resource to assist the under-employed and homeless with transportation needs and daily existence. Pastor Stephen Bentley of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of San Joaquin is the Bike Mechanic and Ambassador of Bike Riding in Stockton.






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