Cruising toward the ocean on lovely Route 49, you'll find the tiny town of Downieville. Nestled in a gorge alongside the North Fork of the Yuba River, you'll discover so much singletrack that when you leave you'll feel guilty for not riding more!

Get ready to rumble . . .

This is truly a multi-day destination and most of the motels are fairly priced and bike friendly. The classic 10-mile Downieville Downhill (i.e. Butcher's Ranch and Second Divide) starts at Packer Saddle and immediately swallows the rider amid glorious Sierra flora and fauna.

Not overly technical in most parts, there's something for everyone, including a sweet series of switchbacks down to Pauley Creek. After the Second Divide, don't forget to check out the circa-1885 gallows, where this rugged mining town hanged a woman — the only place in California to do so!