Sacramento?

[Becky]

I'm traveling to Sacramento for work in late March, and will likely have at least 1/2 a day's free time. I'm staying right downtown (Old Sacramento/Capitol Plaza).

Are there opportunities to ride nearby? Are there places to rent a bike? Should I pack my biking stuff or (reluctantly) pack my running stuff?

Thanks in advance!

[Biciclista]

Sacramento is a great place to ride!!! That's where Pansy Palmetto lives. :p

[Becky]

Sacramento is a great place to ride!!! That's where Pansy Palmetto lives. :p

Any suggestions for routes or shops? I'm not adventurous enough to head off on a whim in an unfamiliar city without a cue sheet or map, especially while jetlagged from flying across the country. That said, I'm excited about the idea of riding in Sacramento, if I can find some more info :)

[Biciclista]

hang in there; the californians will weigh in soon.

[Veronica]

I don't know if there is anyone who actually lives in Sacramento on TE. There is a bike trail near Old Sac.

Veronica

[Biciclista]

yeah, that bike trail is nicer than Interstate 5!
:cool:

[Veronica]

We've ridden it on our tandem. It wasn't too bad, but hard to keep the speed the day we rode it - fewer other users.

Veronica

[michelem]

Becky,

Message me and I'll give you the scoop! You are in for a real treat. LOTS of great cycling opportunities in the area. :D

[xeney]

I live in downtown Sacramento but I have not been on lately. From Old Sacramento you can get on the American River Bike Trail, which will take you all the way to Folsom. It's lovely this time of year -- we are having gorgeous weather, too.

ETA: Oh, March. Also lovely! Lovelier! Although it can be pretty windy. There is a place to rent bikes in Old Sac, I think, but they will be cruiser style, most likely. I will ask around about bike rentals and get back to you if you tell me what you are looking for.

[michelem]

Just an fyi, that I'm already on this for becky, but if others have suggestions have at it! :)

City Bicycle Works seems to be the only place that rents road bikes anymore, and they have a very limited selection. I'm waiting to hear whether they have anything in your size and will let you know. Also, I'll be sending you some maps . . .

[Becky]

Thanks for all of the good info, and keep it coming! Non-cycling recommendations for Sacramento are welcome too! It's looking like I'm going to have more than a little free time to kill...

If all I can get is a cruiser, and I have to take a more leisurely ride, that's ok too! Better than sitting around....or spending money that I don't have...

[xeney]

You can absolutely ride a cruiser on the bike trail, you just probably won't make it as far! And midtown/downtown Sacramento are full of cruisers, particularly on the weekends.

I think the nicest thing to do here is just to be outside. We have a lot of cafes with outdoor seating, lots of parks, a couple of rivers. March is really a nice time of year here, a good time to just walk around and enjoy the weather.

(I probably just guaranteed you a storm during your visit.)

[Hill Slug]

City Bicycle Works rents hybrids and mtbs for $20/day.
2419 K st.
http://citybicycleworks.com/

Bicycles Plus in Folsom rents all kinds of bikes
705 Gold Lake Dr,
Folsom, CA 95630
http://onlinecycling.com/page.cfm?pageID=78
This shop is located right off the American River Bike Trail.

[michelem]

I'm still waiting to hear back from City Bicycle Works. They said they have a limited selection of road bikes for rent, but I'm waiting to hear on your size. Bicycles Plus has a great selection, but I know you don't want to travel 25 miles to get there! However, you could take light rail if you really want to come here to Folsom. They do have a wider selection of rentals, but it will mean wasting an hour or so each way in travel time (if you take light rail, and I know you said you don't have any other transportation).

I'll work on this more for you this weekend. You won't have to worry about being bored. I've just been swamped with work this week! :eek:

[Becky]

I'm still waiting to hear back from City Bicycle Works. They said they have a limited selection of road bikes for rent, but I'm waiting to hear on your size. Bicycles Plus has a great selection, but I know you don't want to travel 25 miles to get there! However, you could take light rail if you really want to come here to Folsom. They do have a wider selection of rentals, but it will mean wasting an hour or so each way in travel time (if you take light rail, and I know you said you don't have any other transportation).

I'll work on this more for you this weekend. You won't have to worry about being bored. I've just been swamped with work this week! :eek:

No worries- i understand being overloaded with work :eek:, and I have plenty of time before this trip. I haven't even bought my airline tickets yet....something that I really need to get moving on!

Nope, no transportation- it's my feet or public transit. I'll have to take a closer look at public transit, if only to allow me to explore a little further. I'm not sure if Folsom will be practical for a bike rental, but I'm not ruling anything out yet.

Thanks so much for all of your help with this!

[michelem]

City Bicycle Works doesn't have anything in your size. :( I asked for suggestions of any other shops "in the area" and they suggested Bicycles Plus in Folsom, which we already determined is too far for you travel, unless you want to spend time on the light rail. I will message you with info on Bicycles Plus, and also other stuff to do in Sac. You can still use the same American River Parkway trail for running. It really is a beautiful location and easily accessed from downtown/Old Sacramento.

[xeney]

Just in case: what size bike do you ride, roughly?

[Becky]

48-50cm, with an effective top tube in the 52-53 cm range.

[michelem]

[QUOTE=michelem;396445]City Bicycle Works doesn't have anything in your size. :( [QUOTE]

Correction: I should say they don't have any road bikes in your size. I didn't have them check on cruisers and the like.

[xeney]

Hmm. The only road bike we have in that size range is my 80's Allez. It's lugged steel, has downtube shifters and the most hideous paint job you've ever seen, and is probably a 50, although maybe a 51. We'll measure the ETT length and see if it will work. It's too small for me but I keep it as a trainer bike. You can certainly borrow it while you're here if you like and if we can work out pedals for you (I think it has Frogs on it right now).

It's not pretty but it was a nice bike in its day, it's in good shape, and it's kind of fun to ride.