Downieville June 13 2026

[Dave G]

Well, we started with 10 bikes.  Quickly reduced to 9, then 4, then 5.  Then 4 again.  Mixups happened.  Flat tires happened.  Lunch happened.

10 of us saddled up and headed out.  At the train tracks in Verdi, while waiting for a train, we lost our first rider who said he forgot something at the Chevron and would catch up.  We didn’t see him again.

On 89, covering the distance from Henness Pass to Little Truckee Summit we somehow lost half the group.  I was expecting to find 2 new riders but neither was there.  There were however a group of folks doing the emigrant cart pull reenactment camp=out weekend.  They had snacks!  When I finished talking to them about the riders that weren’t meeting us there we realized that we had lost a bunch of people.  The last rider to make the turn thought they couldn’t miss the parking lot but they did.   That half of the group apparently continued on to Sierraville.  We waited quite a while and the sweep did  return.  No cell service.  Since we lost them on good pavement I wasn’t worried.  It’s not an adventure until something goes wrong.

The lost half made there way to Downieville but they finished lunch and headed out before we got there.

So the  of us remaining headed to Jackson Meadows.  Along the way Dennis got a flat and opted to limp back to town.  Leaving 4.

The dirt road parallel to Jackson Meadows seems rougher than I remember.  So did the rest of Henness Pass.  The dust was the normal level – high.

Lunch in Downieville than 49 to Yuba Pass.  Yuba Pass was, as usual, super dusty.  On treasure mountain we found a downed tree and some super soft dirt to go around.  Darrin got stuck in the loam.

Back at LTS we split into 2 groups. Darrin and I took Henness back to Verdi.  Randy and Greg went through Prosser.

 

[Dennis Larry]

Thanks for putting this rde together Dave, even though I didn’t quite end up as planned.
As Dave mentioned I picked up a nail about 15 miles into Jackson Meadows and headed back to Little Truckee Summit at highway 89 to call a friend. That plan would have worked if I were able to make a call, no cell coverage. One of the church group folks Dave mentioned earlier was kind enough to give me a lift to Truckee Brewing Co so I could make a call. Finally got home around 4:00, fun day for the most part.
Dennis

[Greg R]

Dave, thanks for organizing the ride. It was cool to see Downieville (never been there), hang out with the group, ride some new trails and enjoy some twisty asphalt. Though, I was disappointed to not see a Bigfoot lurking in the forest!

Dirt: 2022 Kawasaki KLX300R
Dual: 2025 Suzuki DR650

[Dave G]

No bigfoot but Randy saw a bear I think.

[Eric Larsen]

Trust me Greg, Bigfoot saw you! Sorry I missed it. Sounds like a typical Dust Devils adventure.

Eric
DR-Z4s, KLX 300, Monkey 125
InReach Add. larseneric27@inreach.garmin.com

[Randy]

Yes, confirmed—it was a bear, not Bigfoot. Pretty cool sight. I was leading at the time, heading down that steep grade into Downieville, when I spotted it running ahead of me in the same direction. Not far in front, just hauling down the road. I followed it for a few seconds before it darted off. I had no idea bears could move that fast.

Great day of riding. Big thanks to Dave for organizing—scenic, challenging, with some solid hill climbs, loose rock, and incredible views.

Thanks too to Dennis for designing the DDMC riding jersey. Cool!

Randy

HUSQ 901 EXP / KTM XCF-W 350 / KLR 650

[Greg R]

Bears red-line at about 35 mph, and they can cruise at 25 mph for quite a distance.

They are quite agile despite having a hefty size and bulky build.

Dirt: 2022 Kawasaki KLX300R
Dual: 2025 Suzuki DR650

[Greg R]

I almost ran over an old dude on the trail.

The group was riding on a longish flat dirt road section (somewhat after the start of the ride), and I was riding behind Paula on her BMW 1250. I was closing in on her position, so I decided to set up for a pass. Why not!

I dropped down into second, goosed it a bit and swung out to Paula’s left so she would see me. Apparently she wasn’t up for being passed. She hit the throttle and her bike jumped forward.

So, I think “Cool, we’ve got a legit drag race to do!” and cranked it wide open and looked down the trail to see how much runway was available.

The party ended just as quick as it started.

I spotted an old dude peddling along on the left / oncoming side…white bicycle helmet, white goatee, and eyes the size of dinner plates staring straight at me…so, I shut it down and dropped back behind Paula.

We still had some speed as we passed the guy…he likely got swallowed by a cloud of dust. Who knew? We were in the middle of freakin’ nowhere!

Dirt: 2022 Kawasaki KLX300R
Dual: 2025 Suzuki DR650

• This reply was modified 3 months, 3 weeks ago by Greg R. Reason: Details...details

[Kurt138]

I’ve seen that mountain bike rider too, he prefers riding in remote areas.

Rides: KLX450R, KX500 (Project)

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