Whether you are new to the area, visiting or looking to add new routes to your riding options, take a look at some of our favorites.
Despite many available options, we've sampled a few basic routes, descending in distance, short to long. Click on the map for a quick view or the Route link for ride details for each respective listed ride below. |
|
|
Durham
14.6 miles, 83' climbing Notes: Out'n back route, terrific bike path and opportunities for coffee or snacks in Durham. The route is rural and scenic but Fair Street and Mulberry can be busy with traffic and provide areas of poor pavement. This is a great feeder to longer routes of scenic, low traffic roads. Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29995550 |
|
Airport, Keefer, Hicks
20.1 mi, 436' climbing Notes: A looped out'n back route, good low traffic neighborhoods to access the north end of town. The airport bike path serves as a good connector. Mind fast traffic on Cohasset and expect gentle climbs, but Keefer and Hicks are slower paced roads providing scenery and a unique glimpse of the airport and air traffic. This is a great feeder route to either Cohasset, Meridian or Anita Roads. A staple route for club members. Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29995598 |
|
Humboldt Road
14.3 mi, 887' climbing Notes: Best bang for your buck if you're looking for a quick workout under an hour. You will experience a nice ride through the park and to Humboldt Road with little traffic. Humboldt Road consists of terrible pavement, signs of homelessness, trash and numerous vehicles of unquestionable activity, but this ride continues to serve its purpose with little opposition among the locals. Nothing fancy on this route. The descent on Hwy 32 can be intimidating but once you do it a few times and stay on your side of the white line, you learn to accept it. Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29995562 |
|
Honey Run Road
19.9 mi, 360' climbing Notes: A beautiful route along side Butte Creek to the site of the Covered Bridge (formerly). The best time to beat the traffic on this narrow road is early in the morning. Beware of afternoon traffic looking for a cool place to jump in the creek. This is a feeder route to Centerville, Centerville gravel and upper Honey Run to Paradise. Ride single file and utilize a rear light for safety. Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29995591 |
|
5th Street, River Road, West Sacramento
16.6 mi, 138' climbing Notes: A terrific loop for a quick, flat workout. This route is used during the Chico Stage Race as the Time Trial route, so rip it up! 5th Street out to River Road can encounter a few fast vehicles, so ride single file and utilize a rear light for safety. River Road will provide a beautiful glimpse of the Sacramento River. During the spring months, this route may become flooded, so ride with caution. West Sacramento is a scenic road with orchards and a gentle reintroduction back to town. Bidwell Avenue is a flowy, nicely paved road along side Big Chico Creek. A nice place to spin down and enjoy the views. Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29995594 |
|
Fun 50
24.4 mi, 146' climbing Notes: The standard ride on most Wednesday evenings, but from Rosedale Elementary School. Weekly, 5:30 pm from mid-March through September. The route experiences little traffic on most of the 24 miles but can best to ride single file when the shoulder disappears. Also, best for a rear light as the speed limit for vehicles is 55 mph. Good basic route. Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/4217246 |
|
Club Classic or Fit 50
35.4 mi, 243' climbing Notes: The Club Classic route is one of the Fit and Fast 50 weekly rides... although the Fast will complete two laps around Troxel before heading to Dayton. Solid route; orchards, Sacramento River, options to make shorter or longer. Again, a good basic route to learn and use. Fit 50 rides, 5:30 pm, Fast 50 rides, 6:00 pm, both weekly, Rosedale Elementary School, from mid-March through September. Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28167208 |
|
LSD
29.1 mi, 261' climbing Notes: Long, Stead, Distance. The LSD ride begins each year in October and runs through January, leading up to Super Bowl Sunday and the infamous Paskenta Race / Ride. The route itself is a favorite among many, as it allows longer and shorter versions. The LSD ride progresses from the 30 mile version up to 65 miles in late January. The route is a good one; little traffic, scenery and many options. Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/3448391 |
|
Nicalog, Roberts Loop
31.1 mi, 818' climbing Notes: A great route for a bit of everything... climbing, descending, flats and interesting things to look at along the way. A great 2ish hour ride and workout. Want more? Continue your climb to where the road narrows on Cohasset and pick up an additional 1000' – good pavement and shoulder. Need more mileage? Extend from Roberts Loop to Anita, west and south and curl back to town from a southern route. Multi-tool of routes, this one is. Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28833322 |
|
Forest Ranch
30.9 mi, 2487' climbing Notes: Nothing fancy with this route. Climb Hwy 32 until you dip into Forest Ranch, grab a beverage at the store or head up to Platte Summit / fire lookout for additional elevation. Good shoulder, fast traffic, pavement good in most places. Stay to the right and wear your rear light for safety. Excellent workout. (traditionally, the Forest Ranch time trial takes place every fall... the goal is to beat your age in minutes, to FR from the Bruce Rd / Hwy 32 intersection) Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30013459 |
|
7 Mile Lane, Agua Frias
48.1 mi, 249' climbing Notes: Flat and fast. Well, at least half the ride will be fast with a usual tailwind. If you like wide-open routes, this one is for you. Little traffic, wind, sun and narrow shoulders. Utilize a good rear light as the traffic can come up fast. Views of rice fields, migratory fowl and road kill will keep you entertained on this route. Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30013499 |
|
The Crush
51.2 mi, 913' climbing Notes: The route exists year-round but the CRUSH ride provides a weekly testing of your fitness, skill and strategy, November through January, weekly on Saturdays, 9:00 am. Great route, ride single file and utilize a rear light. Butte College traffic can be heavy during the week and lake goers on warm summer weekends, so heads up. Solid ride with the Cassandra Hill Decider after the store and a few rollers to follow, giving you 913' climbing. Warm in the summer, windy in the winter. Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/24774999 |
|
Cohasset, Anita, River, Durham/Dayton, Fimple
46.1 mi, 575' climbing Notes: A longer version of the LSD route, grabbing mileage south of town. Good pavement, inconsistent shoulder width but for the most part, a staple of a ride for most locals. Rural views. Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30013427 |
|
Keefer, Meridian, 99, Nord, WSac
47.2 mi, 704' climbing Notes: Another version of the LSD route, heading north onto Meridian. Straight and long, Meridian will likely provide you with a headwind. But with all paid dues, you'll be rewarded with a sweet tailwind on Hwy 99 southbound. Don't be intimidated by 99, there's plenty of shoulder and you're far enough away from traffic that the route warrants consideration. Scenic, rural and a bit of climbing early on for an appropriate warm-up. Meridian and Lassen provide interesting views of the foothills and the north exposure. This is a feeder route for the Woodson Bridge and Black Butte Lake routes, as well as anything toward Vina and Red Bluff. A good one to know. Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30013443 |
|
Centerville, Horning Ranch
38.0 mi, 1802' climbing Notes: Hands down, a favorite for most locals. Great climbing, close to town, light traffic, wildlife and very scenic. No shoulders, so utilize a rear light and ride single file. From the top of Centerville, ride the 5 miles of gravel to DeSabla Dam and back down through Magalia and Paradise, for a nice 50 mile loop. Or, after Centerville, ride to Horning Ranch and continue up to Paradise and down Neal Road, for a 50 mile loop. Warning: beware of heavy equipment / traffic in Magalia and Paradise during the Campfire Cleanup efforts. Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30013478 |
|
Cohasset Narrows, Anita, WSac
39.4 mi, 1728' climbing Notes: Equally adorned by locals, this route provides a healthy climb to the narrows and a bit of easy, flat spinning north and west of town. Plenty of options on this ride to modify for more or less, mileage or elevation. Pavement is good, shoulders are wide, but be cautious if you ride above the narrow section to Cohasset... no shoulders and fast vehicles. Most residents are patient, some are not. Beyond the Cohasset Store, you can find a nice climb up Vilas Road and back to Cohasset and up to where you can meet the gravel road. Can provide a fast descent. Be cautious of dogs and cars exiting driveways. Very scenic. Early in the morning is the best time to ride the narrows. Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30013409 |
|
Table Mountain
59.8 mi, 3591' climbing Notes: A fine training ride for your century or metric century, Table Mountain requires endurance and climbing. Good roads, great scenery, unique rock formations and a glimpse of the dam overflow. Cautious of heavy traffic during the wildflower season, March / April, especially climbing TM from the Oroville side. Tough climb. Narrow roads up and over TM. For the most part, very light and patient traffic. Beverages and snacks can be acquired at the liquor store in Oroville before a left turn onto Cherokee Road, and the four corners store in Butte Valley. Challenging but well worth it. Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30013529 |
|
Lunt Road
53.8 mi, 3014' climbing Notes: Not as popular as some, but an outstanding ride for valley views, rural scenery and great climbing. Lunt Road is a nice little secret of a ride. Most of this route consists of good pavement and appropriate shoulders for safety. Food and water can be attained at the four corners store in Butte Valley. Want more climbing, head up Hwy 70. Warning: be aware of wide gaps in the drainage grates on the bridge over of Lake Oroville, on Hwy 70. Can cause injury if you're not careful. Beautiful ride. Great workout. Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30013575 |
|
Woodson Bridge
60.0 mi, 722' climbing Notes: This loop reflects the longer version of the LSD ride/route and the shorter version of the Black Butte Lake/Paskenta ride/route. Super scenic views of farmland, the eastern and western hills of the valley and open space. Wide shoulders exist on the Woodson Bridge connector road but narrow, often shoulder-less roads make up the county roads of this route. Utilize a rear safety light and ride single file. Food and water at the Woodson Bridge store and in Orland. A great long route. Know the route or download the file... between Woodson Bridge and Orland can be tricky... many options of roads and turns. Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/20461793 |
|
Black Butte Lake
78.8 mi, 1171' climbing Notes: A solid route for training. Food and water in Corning and Orland. Can be windy and/or warm. This route is the shorter version of the Paskenta Race/Ride, held annually on Super Bowl Sunday, 8:00 am, One Mile. Mostly good pavement with adequate shoulders. Traffic can be fast on Hwy 32 heading back to Chico, so stay to the right, ride single file, utilize a rear light. Awesome views of the valley, Black Butte Lake and rural living. Be properly prepared to be self-sufficient. Again, solid ride. Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30014026 |
