Friday Night Rides

Gianni Bike Club will host a series of Friday evening rides starting Friday August 20th. Gianni Cyclery was opened by Tom Gonnella in 1990 in the town of Occidental and became famous for the cult mountain bike races "The Ring of Fire". It is in the Macarroni Mountains that local legends Roger Bartels and George Hope learned to ride. It's what brought Duncan Meyers back from Colorado and forced Glenn Fant to put gears on his bike. They are the mountains where I met my wife in and the mountains where Sasquatch sired his first child. In other words, they are the mountains of legends. These hills were purchased by the California State Parks and Willow Creek access is being managed by Landpaths. Access to Willow Creek State Park is at Freezout Road, Coleman Valley Road or Upper Willow Creek. Hiker, bikers and equestrians must go through an orientation program with Landpath's leaders and will be given a combination to the locked gate at Freezout road if they with to start there. It is our goal as concerned mountain bikers to promote responsible riding within the State Park and prevent accidental trespassing and individuals getting lost.

Mountain bikers should ride their bikes from Occidental or Duncan's Mills. Traffic at the top of Willow Creek has caused safety issues and tension with neighbors. Uninformed mountain bikers have been biking adjacent MRC property. The ride from Occidental to Willow Creek State Park takes between 15-30 minutes and is a nice warm-up. Yes, Coleman Valley is a climb but isn't that why you're on your bike? See "Ride Dates and Format" for more information.