edit

Passion in Downieville 9/15 to 9/17 -- Join us!

Posted by Patty Thu, 23 Aug 2007 22:48:00 GMT

Extend your summer in the Sierras! Passion Trail Bikes has reserved a handful of rooms in the Riverside Inn , and a bunch of seats on the Yuba Expeditions shuttle for a three-day weekend in Downieville.

We have spots available and would like to invite our customers and friends to jump in and join us. This is a “non-profit” weekend and all participants will pay actual costs with no markup added, so it doesn’t hurt your wallet any more to join us than to do it on your own.

The Vibe:
The weekend is going to be fun, casual, and supported with logistics and meals. Given that most of the dining establishments are iffy these days in terms of actually being open, I will be doing a bunch of cooking, and serving meals on the deck overlooking the Downie River.

The Menu:
B’fast Sun/Mon: French Toast breakfast on Sunday, Eggs and Bacon, or Cereal and Fruit on Monday.
Lunch Sun/Mon: Sandwich buffet (I set out bread, ingredients and ziplocks; you make it).
Dinner Sat/Sun: The evening meal will include some variety of pasta or other carb, a yummy salad, grilled meats and vegies, a dessert, wine and beer, and maybe some sort of icy tequila and lime juice concoction. Also EANABS for true hydration needs. Monday night we usually hit a restaurant in Auburn on the way home.

The Rides:
The rides will probably include Big Boulder, Sunrise-Butcher-Paulie-3rd/2nd-1st, and maybe something up in Gold Lakes, actual ride still tbd. Saturday is a noon shuttle,

Sunday/Monday 10am. Fast riders who want to go for a second shuttle on Sunday will probably have time if they want to do the D’ville D’hill again. I will also be doing a Fat-bottomed-Girl ride from Packer Saddle at a most relaxing pace with Reba the trail dog on Saturday. Beginner-Intermediate level riders who have some experience riding technical singletrack trails and want to try Downieville for the first time are welcome to give it a shot and ride with me in a low pressure environment without worrying about people waiting if you take your time.

Other Activities:

The weekend is also open to non-riding partners and friends. I will be doing a hike on the rustic and incomplete upper North Yuba River Trail (out and back from Downieville towards Goodyears Bar) on Sunday, also some beer drinking/ tubing/ rope swinging/ swimming by the river, and maybe do some bird watching or read a book. The goal is to relax and hang out, so bring your SO to enjoy the town and the Sierras while you ride.

The Schedule:
We use a Sat-Sun-Mon format as it allows us to drive up in the morning light Saturday for the noon shuttle, and return on Monday afternoon against the rush, instead of beating ourselves up in Thursday night traffic and dark driving on Hwy 49, or getting stuck with the million others returning from the Sierras on Sunday night. On Monday we reserve a room for showering after our ride so we drive home clean.

Lodging Info:
The Riverside Inn has a variety of rooms with different beds, kitchenettes, etc. Depending on the group and personal preference, there may be a choice of smaller private rooms, a shared room with your own bed, or a shared room and shared bed road-trip-style economy sleeping arrangement. Let us know your preference and we will work the puzzle. Rates range from $40 to $100 a nite or so, determined by what we are able to coordinate. Amenities include secure bike storage on the deck, a bike cleaning stand, compressed air, wireless network, umbrellas, lounge chairs, and other fun stuff. Visit the link above for more info.

How to Join us:
We require a commitment in the form of a small deposit to hold your spot. Rooms will be available on a first-come first served basis. $50 payable at the shop or by internet or phone. Cash, check, MC/Visa or paypal. Call Patty at 650-620-9798 to confirm space, ask about total costs for the weekend (should be reasonable) and put down a deposit.