I had a great father-daughter mountain bike ride last weekend in
the Forest of Nicene Marks State Park near Aptos.
I had a great father-daughter mountain bike ride last weekend in the Forest of Nicene Marks State Park near Aptos
There are wonderful trails to ride for the entire family through the cool shady redwood forest with creeks and a plentiful supply of banana slugs
When you enter the park and pay the modest parking fee, ask for one of the green trail maps. Park by the the ranger’s booth, unload your bikes and head north on the fire road which you will share with the occasional horse, car and runner.
After you ride past the gate at the Porter Family picnic area, there are only bicycles and die-hard runners.
This dirt road gently climbs along Aptos Creek through the Santa Cruz Mountains. The grade can be easily ridden by a competent 6-year-old and is a good ride for adults as well.
When you get tired, it is an easy downhill return. Along the trail are several historic site from the logging days of the early 1900s.
For an easier ride, try the Buggy Trail. And for the more adventurous, there are narrow, windy single tracks available to mountain bikes south of the steel bridge.
After 3 1/2 miles, you hit the steepest part of the ride. A good mile and a half of steep uphill awaits the more advanced rider. This section is near the epicenter of the October 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake.
When riding in Nicene Marks, you will need to bring water, food and more water.
Now the best part. After the refreshing downhill return, lock your bikes on your vehicle and put on the sunscreen.
The parking tag you paid for earlier will get you into Seacliff State Beach.
Stop at the Sno-White drive-through for burgers and shakes then head to the cement boat at the beach.
Kevin Carter is the co-owner of Off the Chain Bikes in Hollister. He can be reached at 636-0802.
