Downieville Mountain Bike

The Downieville Classic, one of mountain bikings coolest events, is happening just north of Truckee this weekend. If you get a chance, it's a fun one to check out. A few weeks ago, James and Allison of the Start Haus decided to check the ride out for themselves:

Map snapshot from James and Allison's Strava:

James' take: "It's easy to see why Downieville has become a premier bike destination; with 14+ miles all straight downhill the ride is a kick in the pants. The trail is diverse from alpine rocky descents to forested, flowy and fast as hell. The trails are top notch and I find myself shocked that it keeps on going when any other ride I've been on would be a fraction of the length. And with the shuttle service it's never been easier to get to the top of a trail. I can't wait to check out some more trails up there. Keep up the good work people!"

Allison's take: "Anyone who is an intermediate level biker and beyond will have a blast riding the Downiville Downhill trails. It is about 15 miles of downhill, ending in more flowy terrain, with about 4,000 feet of descent. There is very little climbing throughout. Here are a few notes from my experience riding the course:
There are two shuttle companies that provide rides from Downieville to the top of the course at  Packer Saddle (Downieville Outfitters and Yuba Expeditions), both offering $20 rides, scheduled numerous times throughout the day. I’d recommend talking to employees at the shop or people on the shuttle about which route to take, as there are a few options, some being more preferred or different skill levels. There are also maps at the shops in town and on their websites.
I am an intermediate/advanced female, and I wear typical mountain biking attire, with minimal accessories. For more serious bikers, many/most are wearing more protection and pads. Depending on ability and your pace, the ride could take an hour, or over 2 hours if you stop regularly. Although the ride is nearly all downhill, it is still exerting, so water and a snack or gel would be recommended. Most people flat on this trail, so a few extra tubes, repair kit, and tools are definitely important.
The trail seems like endless singletrack that glides through varied terrain - from wooded forests, to river crossings, and more hot, bare, rocky areas, and so on. The final section is is single/double wide trail above the river as you cruise into town. The trail is tons of fun, and at intermediate level, can succeed in nearly all technical sections. A less experienced rider could also get by."

They took the Downieville Outfitters Shuttle - which you can check out here. You can see the Strava of their ride here.