come and get it.

6th Annual Grand Depart: June 27th 2020   7:00am  
Registration closes June 20th at midnight.

Course Description

You will begin at the border of Nevada and California, just west of Boomtown Casino/hotel in Verdi and head right into the Sierra Nevadas, home to the largest trees in the world, the giant sequoias.  Do not underestimate this section of the route.  Camptonville is your next food source close to 100 miles away.  The kitchen at Burgee Dave's at the Mayo closes at 10:00pm.

As you head out of Camptonville, Oroville is the only large town you will be close to.  It has chain food, groceries, and bicycle shops, as well as an Ace Hardware (closes at 5:00pm on Sat & 4pm Sunday).  The route travels through the Oroville Wildlife Area.  It is highly suggested that you use some sort of flat protection here due to the overwhelming number of goat head thorns.

The next resupply is in Princeton, once you cross the Sacramento River.  A quick jaunt to Maxwell finds a gas station with an air compressor, and a diner that has great take out food.  Once out of Maxwell, you'll head west into the Mendocino National Forest, the only one of California's 18 national Forests not crossed by a paved road or highway.

Out of the Mendocino National Forest, you drop down into Potter Valley.  A few miles to the south will take you to a gas station and diner, or you can continue on to Ukiah, where you'll find hotels, chain food, and Dave's bike shop if repairs are needed.

Your final destination and next supply source is Mendocino California, on the other side of Jackson State Forest.

The total route is right at 400 miles with 40,000ft of climbing.

Trackleaders will be handling SPOT tracking.
MTBCast will be handling Call Ins.


Rules

This one hundred percent, self-supported adventure is for those who have the skills to handle any issues that will arise while attempting to orient this route.  There are no prizes, no entry fee, no medals, no trophies, no promises, no warranty, no sponsors, no fanfare, no expectations, no liability, no one in charge, and no one but you.

You are on your own.  If you do not agree that you are on your own, that you are responsible for yourself, and that this is being undertaken of your own volition, then do not start.  The route is public and on public roads and trails, anyone can ride and enjoy the route at any time.  This route is very challenging and should not be attempted without proper planning, back country experience, and physical conditioning.

The date of the Grand Depart was selected simply as our best guess as the best time of year to attempt the route.  ITT submissions will only be honored and recorded after October 12th 2019.


 In Detail
  • Those attempting to complete the route, the organizers, the people you meet along the way, and anyone having anything to do with this are NOT responsible for your safety in any way, shape or form.
  • The Trans North California Route is a non-stop, individually attempted, self-supported, solo bicycle time trial across the State of California, beginning at the State Border in Verdi (Reno) Nevada and traveling mostly off road, over two mountain ranges, ending on the beach in Mendocino California.  Riders must carry and/or find everything they need along the way.  No pre-arranged support is allowed, including visits along the route from friends and/or family.
  • Riders may ride together, however, outside of catastrophic failure or injury, no rider is allowed to give support to any other rider in any way, shape or form; this includes tools, equipment, food, mechanic work, repair tips, etc. This is an individual goal, not a team goal.
  • Each rider is considered to be on a private excursion and remains solely responsible for any accidents in which he or she may be involved. No responsibility can or will be accepted for riders becoming lost or stranded.
  • Riders may not advance on the route by any means other than bicycling or walking.
  • You can not change the gearing of your bicycle.  If you replace a drive train part, it can not change any gear ratios whether it be single, fixed, or multiple gears.
  • Be nice to everyone.
  • Be cool about everything.

Planning Advice
Because this is a point to point event we offer some advice for getting to and from the event.
Start line: For people flying in  1) look at doing a multi city flight, for example, fly into Reno out of SFO/Oakland/Santa Rosa (STS). Santa Rosa is a gem of an airport if you live in Portland, Seattle, LA or San Diego. Or look into flying in/out of Sacramento.  In this scenario you would need to rent a one way car (or catch a ride) from Sac to Reno and from Mendo back to Sac.  Reno airport is about 17 miles from the start.  Cabs can be used if needed to get from the airport to the start.  I found a taxi guy in Reno named Jack (530-403-7290 call in advance for appointment) with a Ford Excursion that can transport up to 2 bikes/people at a time and take them to Cabela's parking lot in Verdi.  You can also look into one way flights.
Finish line:  Mendocino is a very small coastal community that does not offer many services but has sandwich shops, lodging and camping . Enterprise rent a car ((707) 964-4300)  is the closest rental car agency in Ft Bragg, 9 miles north of Mendo.  If you want to rent a car from this Enterprise you will need a reservation.  This branch is actually located in a car dealership with limited cars and hours (closed Sat/Sunday, Mon-Fri 8am-5pm hours).  I would advise making a reservation and even calling a day or 2 from finishing to ensure they have a car ready.
We have also mentioned the bus system that runs through Mendocino MTA bus info Each bus is equipped with 2 bicycle carriers (I don't think fat tire bikes fit the rack!) and using the bus system can get you to Santa Rosa where more transportation options exist.


There are bears, don't be stupid.  Be bear aware, and click the link.
There are rattlesnakes.  Click here, and read it.
There are mountain lions. Click here  and read it.

Bring a way to purify water, you will need it.

There are places that do not take credit cards or debt cards, cash is king.

Spot Tracker.  Buy one. Yes, it is so blue dot stalkers around the globe can drool, but it does give your family and friends a little more peace of mind, and it is a good way to track everyone fairly.

Cell service is random to non-existent throughout a vast majority of the route.  Do not rely on a cell phone.

In the event your device has any issues, or you have to seek support off route for any reason, is very highly recommended that you have paper maps of the areas with you, ones that you have studied and are familiar with.  No responsibility can or will be accepted for riders becoming lost or stranded.

The classes are as follows.
  • Ladies Geared
  • Gentlemen Geared
  • Ladies Single Speed/Fixed
  • Gentlemen Single Speed/Fixed
  • Tandem


Read This.
 
You are completely on your ownIf you do not agree that you are on your own, that you are responsible for yourself, and that this is being undertaken of your own volition, then do not start.

Those interested must email a Letter of Intent no later than two weeks before an attempt.  Along with your declaration of intent to attempt the Trans North California Route; include your full name, address, phone number, class, and date of departure.

Email intent to sign up here: tnca400@gmail.com

Once your email has been received, we will send you the gps file, any course or information updates, and the Trackleaders link.




the Conservation Fund
2020 MOUNTAIN BIKING PERMIT TO ENTER
Release of Liability and Indemnity





Name:    _________________________________
Phone:   _________________________________
E-mail:   _________________________________
Address: _________________________________
__________________________________
Emergency contact:     _____________________
(name & phone)          _____________________






Access allowed:   ONLY Big River tract,

This Permit applies only for entry upon TCF Land by the undersigned for the purpose of mountain biking.

In consideration of permission of The Conservation Fund (”TCF”) to the undersigned Permittee for entry upon TCF land, Permittee does hereby release, acquit and forever discharge The Conservation Fund, its directors, officers, trustees, employees, agents, contractors, subsidiaries, successors and insurance companies (hereinafter collectively called “TCF”) of and from any and all claims, actions, causes of action, demands, rights, damages, costs and expenses of whatever kind or nature, known or unknown, which may hereafter accrue against TCF arising out of or growing out of Permittee’s presence or activities upon TCF Land. 

Permittee agrees to save harmless, indemnify and defend TCF, its property, and its TCF Land from and against any and all claims, liability, expenses, settlement amounts or judgments arising from or growing out of Permittee’s presence or activities upon TCF land, including full attorney’s fees and costs incurred in TCF’s defense or in the enforcement of any provision of this agreement.  It is agreed that this indemnity shall apply to all such claims by third parties, as well as claims by or through Permittee.  Permittee additionally assumes all risks associated with the condition of the land and structures, improvements or equipment located thereon and the presence of others on the land whether by permit or otherwise.  Permittee agrees that this permit is not transferable; that Permittee shall carry this permit at all times while present upon TCF Land; that Permittee shall show the permit to any TCF agent upon request.  Right to pass is by permission only and this permit is revocable by TCF at any time with or without cause.  Permittee agrees to comply with the terms of the attached Guidelines.

This Permit embodies the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the matters set forth herein and there are no further or other agreements or understandings, written or oral, in effect between the parties, relating to the subject matter hereof. This instrument may be amended or modified only by an instrument of equal formality signed by the respective parties.

Permittee agrees that he/she does not and shall not claim at any time interest of estate of any kind or extent whatsoever in TCF Land by virtue of this Permit or its occupancy or use hereunder.

This Permit shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California. In the event of any legal or equitable action arising under this Permit, the venue of such action shall lie exclusively within the circuit court of Mendocino County, California and the parties hereto do hereby specifically waive any other jurisdiction and venue. The parties also hereby expressly waive all rights to trial by jury.

I accept and agree to these terms and policies, this _________ day of __________, 20________,

Signature:____________________________________        



2020 Mountain Biking Access Program Guidelines

·         The hours of operation for this permit are sunrise to sunset only.

·         Closures may be applicable for certain seasonal restrictions, weather or road conditions, logging operations, and other management needs in connection with natural resource protection and management.  These restrictions are under the discretion of TCF management.  Notice will be given via email and postings on the property; it is the responsibility of the Permittee to be aware of and comply with any temporary restrictions.

·         Bikers will utilize only the existing trail/roads, designated on the attached map, and are responsible for ensuring their own safety.

·         Erosion will be minimized by limiting use to designated trails/roads, respecting stream and riparian areas, and other restrictions as designated by TCF.

·         No hunting, fishing, camping, campfires, smoking, or trash dumping.  No harvesting of any natural resources, including wildlife, wildflowers, firewood and mushrooms.  It is especially important than any owls that may be observed should not be approached or moved—even if they appear injured—but should be reported to TCF’s Caspar Office.

·         Timber harvesting area boundaries which may close portions of the trail systems will be respected and not entered upon during the active operating season.

·         Bikers will be respectful of and courteous to other bikers, pedestrians and vehicle operators on the Property and will yield to vehicles when encountered.

·         Bikers are expected to promptly report to TCF’s Caspar Office any unauthorized uses or dangerous situations observed.  In addition and as practical, bikers are expected to assist with trash clean-up and/or community restoration projects (e.g volunteer tree planting or pampas grass control).

·         Bikers must have permission to access or cross neighboring properties—no responsibility for this is assumed by TCF.

·         TCF reserves the right to revoke the access of any permit holder that fails to comply with any of these or other applicable conditions.


I accept and agree to these Guidelines, this _________ day of __________, 20________,

Signature:____________________________________