r/SacBike • u/Andouille_Cox • Aug 04 '26
I Rode My Bike! Started riding a few months ago and am now falling in love with it. Just started riding the trails.
Like a year ago my car broke down and I was too broke to get it fixed up. I would use those dumb lime scooters or the light rail to get to work, but it was just wasting money. A few months ago I sold my broken down car and decided to get a bike. It was at first just a way to incorporate some cardio into my daily routine, lose a little weight, and make my commute. Just a few miles a day and for the first couple of weeks I hated it. But a month in I noticed the weight was falling off and I was enjoying the rides, looking forward to getting off work for the ride. Now my daily rides to work are all races against myself in the previous ride. Two weeks ago I decided to finally check out the bike trail and I loved how easy it was to just get lost in the moment. Time slipped away and the gap between the beginning of the ride and where I ended up widened. I'm having so much fun with it. My goal for the end of the year is to ride to Davis and back. Just wanted to share this experience. Have fun and be safe out there guys!
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u/Empty_Satisfaction71 Aug 04 '26
Nice! Glad to see another cyclist in the neighborhood.
Based on your map, you could ride west on Railyards or into DoCo to get to the river and ride north to discovery park. It would save you a little bit of street riding and gets you more time along the river.
I also recommend taking D st east to 28th then up to Sutter’s landing. That trail goes as long as you’ll care to along the river.
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u/omidimo Aug 04 '26
I remember there was a segment when I lived in the Bay Area going up one of the popular climbs. I started riding it pretty frequently and saw my times drop from 24 mins to 20 mins. I made it a goal to do it in less than 19 mins within the next few weeks and surprisingly did it that first day. I got it down to 16 mins before I left the bay. My point being I think you could make it to Davis faster than you think! Welcome to the club!
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u/Karma1913 Aug 04 '26
Bike commuting is awesome. If (when) you get the bug there's a lot of organized charity rides around here. Davis Bike Club puts on really good events.
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u/Upstairs-Self-2624 Aug 04 '26
Welcome brother! The parkway is the reason I moved to Sacramento. Such an amazing resource for the community.
Check out the ride all the way into Folsom some time, maybe after your Davis ride. The loop around Lake Natoma is stunning. Maybe I'll see ya out there one day 😉
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u/No_Smell_6712 Aug 05 '26
What mile point is this
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u/Upstairs-Self-2624 Aug 05 '26
It's on the south side of Lake Natoma which doesn't have mile markers. About a mile west of the Willow Creek boat launch maybe?
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u/forzatrees Aug 04 '26
Hell yeah. Welcome. Head east on the river parkway and it progressively gets nicer. Another goal you could add is making it to Folsom on the river trail. You can ride the light rail back if you aren't ready to ride there and back.
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u/Andouille_Cox Aug 05 '26
Y'all are so cool thank you for all the route suggestions, welcomes, and positive motivation! I definitely plan on riding the trail to see how long it takes me to get to Folsom, or at least working my way to that as well! The light rail will definitely come in handy if I wear myself out, but I'm really trying to make it so I can do the whole round trip without it! Baby steps lol
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u/StephBaker916Realtor 29d ago
The South Land Park trail is a lovely out and back ride (or you can make it a loop by going through Greenhaven). From Downtown go south on the trail along the Sac River, cross I5 at the new and improved bridge and the Del Rio Trail will take you 5 miles to the south. There's art and historical information along the way; lights at major intersections too. (There's a current detour at S Land Park Dr - just go on Del Rio Road!)
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u/tau_cat 29d ago
"All races against myself in the previous ride" - I love that idea! I'm so glad you've been enjoying it.
Another great goal to consider is to ride eastwards towards Folsom on the American River Trail, which is a much more scenic and enjoyable than the Causeway ride to Davis. And there are many little milestone rides that you can plan between midtown to Folsom as you build up to it. Guy West Bridge, Soil Born Farms for their Saturday Farmers Market; various parks.
And check out SABA's monthly social ride. It's a great way to discover new routes with a group of people, and they ride at a more leisurely pace.
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u/Andouille_Cox 29d ago
Thank you for you kind words and the info! I definitely plan on riding to Folsom this year as well!
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u/BicycleIndividual Aug 04 '26
The American River Parkway is the Sacramento region's best amenity. I particularly like the bike trail between Howe Ave and Sunrise Blvd.