Plan for success on a wild bicycle ride from Murphys through Northern California's Sierra Nevada
Don’t wait until the last minute to prepare for your bicycle event in Murphys, California. Northern California rural routes through Calaveras County can be challenging to bicycle, and you don’t want to chance spoiling your ride if your bicycle breaks down, or you are cold, tired, and hungry.
Photo by Wayne Bishop
Nine ways to prepare for a bicycle event in Northern California.
1. Register at www.mrfrogswildride.org 2. Download and print a map from our website 3. Check your bike.
5. Bring a water bottle. It’s easy to dehydrate in the Sierra Foothills and Up-Country 6. Don’t forget your helmet! It’s required. 7. Get a good night’s sleep and eat a good breakfast. Mr. Frog’s is a challenging ride. You’ll want to be well-rested and well-nourished. 8. Plan to start the course early. Mr. Frog’s is a challenging ride through gorgeous country. You won’t want to hurry, so give yourself plenty of time. 9. Have Fun! 
Photo by Margaret Sloan
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Bicycle some of the best of Calaveras in the rural California Foothills  Mr. Frog’s Wild Ride has three route options to challenge and enchant bicycle riders. The shortest, the San Domingo Road route is only 21 miles, but you’ll bicycle through some of the best of rural Calaveras County and the California foothills. After a short ride from Feeney Park through the sweet neighborhoods of Murphys, you’ll bicycle out Sheep Ranch Road. Just downhill from Mercer Caverns, you’ll make a left turn to catch San Domingo Road. San Domingo Road comprises gravel, dirt, and old funky paving, making this an exciting ride for adventurous cyclists on mountain bikes or road bikes, and even e-bikes. It's just rough enough to keep your attention, but smooth enough you should have no problems.  Historic vineyards on San Domingo Road in Calaveras County The narrow, rarely traveled back road descends through gorgeous territory. You’ll cycle through the historic Stevenot Vineyards (now the Rorick Heritage Vineyards) tucked into San Domingo Valley, but soon the road becomes more wild.  Old farmhouse on San Domingo Road You’ll pass under ancient oak forests and through untouched rangeland. Occasionally you’ll see the remnants of houses and barns, but mostly it will be just you, other cyclists, and a few wild turkeys or squirrels. Be aware that cell phone service is spotty along Calaveras County’s back country roads.  You'll bicycle through ancient oak forests along San Domingo Road. Recharge with water and snacks at the rest stop on the corner of San Domingo Road and Dogtown Road before you start climbing out of the San Domingo Creek valley. The ascent is worth it as you crest the ridge and vistas open up to the west. Take some time to take in the view. It’s amazing.  View from top of ridge along Dogtown Road on Mr. Frog's Wild Ride in Calaveras County Dogtown Road gradually becomes more civilized. You’ll pass ranches and farms, then residential neighborhoods on the outskirts of Angels Camp. A sharp left at Country Lane will take you under Highway 4, to the high school where you'll turn left onto Murphys Grade Road.
Murphys Grade Road is the back road return to Murphys. It’s wide, well paved, and used by locals, so be aware of cars and trucks on the road. You’ll be climbing nearly the whole way through range land and up a forested valley along Angels Creek. Watch for the historic wooden File Flume that carries water to Angels Camp. You’ll finish your ride through Murphys historic downtown back to Feeney Park, where barbecue and music await. |
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