Biking

In Chico, two wheels are often better than four

Widely recognized as one of the best places in California for cycling, Chico was named the nation’s Most Bicycle Friendly City by Bicycle Magazine in 1997, and the popularity of cycling in this area has continued to grow in the years since. Chico is a nearly flat valley town, so it’s easy to get around by bicycle, and there are many easy rides in and around the city. Chico is also nestled next to the foothills, so there are plenty of challenging hills to ride.

The popularity of cycling in Chico is not due solely to geography, though. Cycling is a good fit for Chico’s active and environmentally aware population. The ongoing efforts of the Chico Velo Cycling Club have also gone a long way in promoting cycling in Butte County and beyond.

From leisurely cruises through Lower Bidwell Park or around downtown to 100-mile competitive races or highly technical mountain-bike trails, the Chico area has something for cyclists of all ages, abilities and tastes.

If you can only do one ride in the area, you should head up Butte Creek Canyon on Honey Run Road. Start up the Skyway toward Paradise and look for the turnoff on your left as you approach a driving range on the right. This narrow, winding road has flats, ascents and descents, and gets steeper as you go. At the bridge you can continue to the left toward Centerville, or to the right and tackle the challenging ascent to Paradise. When you finally reach the top you’ll again be on the Skyway. Riding down Honey Run Road is discouraged for safety reasons.

Once back on the Skyway, turn right and keep an eye out for Neal Road, less than a mile down on your left. This road is a mostly downhill ride to Highway 99. You can bike the shoulder of the highway north to get back to the Skyway, or you can continue across Highway 99 to the Oroville-Chico Highway. A right turn takes you to the Midway, where there is a bike path that parallels the road all the way to Park Avenue in Chico. The ride is about 36 miles, depending on where you start and finish.

This route is also part of the annual Chico Wildflower Century, a 100-mile ride through much of Butte County that starts and finishes in Chico. More than 3,000 cyclists participate in this annual race staged by the Chico Velo Cycling Club at the end of April.

One of the most well-ridden routes is the River Road Loop. This flat ride is approximately 16 miles and takes you out to the Sacramento River through orchards and rice fields. Take West Sacramento Avenue west, out of town, and you’ll soon be in the orchards. Keep going to the end of the road and make a left. You’ll follow the river for a bit, and then a bend in the road sends you to Chico River Road. Take a left and head back into town where River Road becomes West Fifth Street.

If mountain biking is more your thing, the most popular trails are in Upper Bidwell Park. The North Rim Trail climbs the rim of Big Chico Creek Canyon to the highest point in the park, providing beautiful vistas. There are other, more moderate trails that snake through the park on the north side of the canyon. Please follow the signs, stay on the trails and wear a helmet. The north side can be accessed via Upper Park Road.

The south side of the canyon offers more challenging and technical rides. One access point is about 10 miles up Highway 32 at Ten Mile House Road. Called Green Gate by the locals, this is the starting point of a steep descent called Guardian.

Of course, pedaling your cruiser around downtown or through Lower Bidwell Park on a crisp, clear fall day may be more your cup of tea.

For more routes and information on cycling in and around Butte County, visit the Chico Velo Web site at www.chicovelo.org.