The roads throughout Nevada and Sierra counties have become popular for recreational road riders and bicycle tourists of all levels and include the popular “Burn-of-the-Century” road ride traditionally held the Saturday before the Nevada City Classic Pro race. Nevada City has a long legacy of professional cycling.
5 Favorite Rides in Nevada County
Allison Ranch Loop
Distance: 10.3 miles
Type of Ride: Rural farmland, woods and valleys
Degree of Difficulty: Easy/Moderate – rolling hills with 2 climbs
Start: Nevada County Fairgrounds – Gate 1, 11228 McCourtney Road, Grass Valley (Mill Street Exit off of SR 20)
This wonderful ride takes you through farmland, woods, valleys, and over beautiful Wolf Creek twice, all in just a little over 10 miles! The start is at the remarkable Nevada County Fairgrounds, where, during our warmer months, you’ll no doubt find an interesting event to attend. Do not miss the historical North Star Powerhouse Mining Museum at mile 0.4 of the ride. There you will also find an inviting park with picnic tables alongside Wolf Creek. Enjoy all the diversity this lovely little ride offers.
0.0 LEFT onto McCourtney Road
0.4 RIGHT onto Allison Ranch Road
5.2 RIGHT onto Hwy. 49
5.3 RIGHT onto Pingree Road
5.8 RIGHT onto Auburn Road
10.1 RIGHT onto McCourtney Road
10.3 LEFT into Nevada County Fairgrounds – Gate 1
LeMond Loop
Distance: 14.6 miles
Type of Ride: Rolling hills with pastoral views. End in charming, historic Nevada City.
Degree of Difficulty: Easy/Moderate (one short, steep hill)
Start: Tour of Nevada City Bicycle Shop, 457 Sacramento Street, Nevada City
Two hundred riders of all levels rode the loop (also known as Newtown Loop) with Tour de France champion Greg LeMond in 2000. This scenic ride takes you by the local high school (best on weekends and in summer when school is not in session), by farmlands and ranches, through Deer Creek canyon, and back through historic Nevada City.
0.0 START. Ride south on
Sacramento Street
0.1 BEAR LEFT onto Zion Street
0.8 RIGHT onto Ridge Road
4.4 RIGHT onto Rough & Ready Hwy.
5.8 RIGHT onto Bitney Springs Road
7.7 RIGHT onto Empress Road
8.3 LEFT onto Newtown Road
11.6 RIGHT onto Hwy. 49
12.0 RIGHT onto Old Downieville Hwy.
13.7 BEAR LEFT onto Monroe Street
14.0 BEAR RIGHT onto Bennett Street
14.1 RIGHT onto Spring Street
14.2 RIGHT onto S. Pine Street
14.6 RIGHT onto Sacramento Street, arrive at Tour of Nevada City Bike Shop
Indian Springs – McCourtney Loop
Distance: 46 miles
Type of Ride: Mostly rural farmland
Degree of Difficulty: Moderate/ Difficult, rolling terrain, some hills
Start: Pleasant Valley Rd./Hwy. 20 Park and Ride
This beautiful, mostly rural ride takes you by vineyards, farmland, horse ranches, and local scenery in and around Penn Valley and Grass Valley.
0.0 RIGHT on Penn Valley Drive
0.4 LEFT onto Indian Springs Road
2.3 JOG LEFT to continue on Indian Springs Road
5.9 RIGHT onto McCourtney Road
11.1 LEFT onto Lime Kiln Road
13.5 RIGHT onto Duggans Road
15.4 BEAR LEFT onto Wolf Road
17.4 CROSS Hwy. 49 onto Combie Road at the stoplight
18.2 CONTINUE on Magnolia Road
23.2 BEAR LEFT onto Dog Bar Road
30.5 RIGHT onto Rattlesnake Road
34.7 LEFT onto SR 174 (Colfax Hwy.)
36.8 RIGHT onto S. Auburn Street
36.9 LEFT onto W. Main Street
37.5 CONTINUE West on Rough and Ready Hwy.; cross Hwy 20; continue South on Penn Valley Drive
43.9 CONTINUE South on Penn Valley Dr.
46.0 ARRIVE at Penn Valley Park and Ride
Bridgeport Bitney Springs Loop
Distance: 33.5 miles
Type of Ride: Rural farmland/residential
Degree of Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult, rolling terrain, some hills
Start: Tour of Nevada City BicycleShop, 457 Sacramento Street, Nevada City
This beautiful, mostly rural ride takes you by farmland, historical sites, and crosses the South Yuba River twice. It’s also interesting to do this route in
the opposite direction.
0.0 GO SOUTH on Sacramento St.
0.1 BEAR LEFT onto Zion St.
0.5 RIGHT onto Ridge Road
4.1 RIGHT onto Rough and Ready Hwy.
5.5 RIGHT onto Bitney Springs Road
12.4 RIGHT onto Pleasant Valley Road
21.4 RIGHT onto SR-49
31.0 RIGHT onto Old Downieville Hwy
32.7 BEAR LEFT onto Monroe St.
32.9 BEAR RIGHT onto Bennett St.
33.0 RIGHT onto Spring St.
33.2 RIGHT onto S. Pine St.
33.5 RIGHT onto Sacramento Street, arrive at Tour of Nevada City Bike Shop.
Old Donner Pass Road
Distance: 44 Miles
Type of Ride: Mountains, Yuba River, Donner Lake, historic Truckee.
Degree of Difficulty: Moderate/ Difficult (one long climb and descent)
Start: Cisco Grove exit across Interstate 80 to Hampshire Rocks Road. (Parking available.)
This is a beautiful out-and-back ride to historic Truckee that follows only two roads, Hampshire Rocks Road (HRR) and Donner Pass Road (DPR). Bypassing the traffic of I-80, you ride along the river and past ski areas over Donner Pass, where you are greeted with spectacular views of Donner Lake. Continue into Old Town Truckee for refreshments.
0.0 START EAST on Hampshire Rocks Road, continuing RIGHT over I-80 then LEFT along Yuba River
2.5 LEFT across I-80 to Donner Pass Road (DPR)
2.6 RIGHT on DPR
8.8 CONTINUE on DPR across I-80 into Norden area and on to Sugar Bowl Ski Area
11.8 CONTINUE on DPR past Sugar Bowl ski area and Donner Summit down to Donner Lake
16.3 CONTINUE on DPR past Donner Memorial State Park and museum to stop sign
19.5 LEFT on DPR across I-80 through Truckee to roundabout 21.6 LEFT onto Commercial Row into Old Town Truckee
22.0 REVERSE route from Truckee to return parking on Hampshire Rocks Road.
Five Favorite Road Rides in Nevada County
For More Information
Tour of Nevada City Bicycle Shop
457 Sacramento Street
Nevada City, CA 95959
Phone: (530) 265-2187