Eatin' Dust at the Cruiser Classic

Star of the show this year: Ken Baker restored this Lawwill Pro Cruiser and researched its history for Paul Price. These were contemporary with Cooks Brothers frames but much rarer. Mert Lawwill was AMA Grand National champion in 1969 riding for Harley Davidson and was famously one of the stars of the film *On Any Sunday*. After retiring from motorcycle racing he was a pioneer in Mountain Bike frame building.

Words: Ron De Vries Photos: Ron De Vries + Brad Gleed

I consider myself fortunate to be an avid mountain biker and living in Northern California. The calendar of events within a short distance of my Sacramento home has my friends and I, forever planning the next weekend.

Since the return of the Cruiser Classic, it has been easy to say yes to the gathering of the tribe. Allan Cooke and the Good Times Crew have created an event that embodies the true roots of the sport. Riding with your friends in the woods, a few beers stashed in your pack, some goodies from your garden to enhance an already beautiful day. The word "race" is never uttered and what you ride doesn’t matter.

Rick Mahan was the lucky winner of the Sierra Recycler custom bike at this year’s Sea Otter Classic. Part Klunker and part modern single-speed it is build on a heavily modded vintage Schwinn frame and dripping with trick bits and clever craftsmanship.

The Cruiser Classic started in Chico California, laid dormant for a number of years, and for the last five years has been revived on the pioneer trail. This was the largest ride in recent years with approximately 150 participants but the campsite at Skillman Horse Camp, ground zero for the ride, easily accommodated the extra folks. Friday night check-in had folks milling around the registration table sampling garden treats and keg beer. Allan, G-bomb, and Crew was prepping the pasta dinner served after the ride. The raffle bike was on display and everyone enjoyed the pleasant evening weather. As I fell asleep in my tent, the quiet evening was punctuated with laughing and music.

The morning mimosas in hand and the registration line forming, "Race" numbers were handed out. There were extra 420 and 69 numbers for those in need. Banjos were played, tires inflated and "Stickerman" Clifton handed out his creations. After a group photo and introductions the ride headed out.

The ride consisted of 9 miles of the Pioneer trail and three skill events. The final 3/4 miles followed the Scotts Drop to Scott's Flat Lake.

Prospectors, looking for gold left behind a network of trails near Nevada City. These trails are perfect for the Klunkers and single speed bikes that were part of the start of mountain biking.

Sinclair brought his rare F1 BMX twenty-inch ride. Rick Mahan, Sacramento restauranteur, brought his new raffle prize, The Sierra Recycler, won at the recent Sea Otter Classic. Paul Price of Paul Components showed off his restored Lawwill Pro Cruiser. Paul also donated some cool bandana swag. I rode, as always, my 1979 Cooks Bros Cruiser. The bikes were as different as all the people with one goal in mind, fun.

Pioneer trail is a single track that follows a old flume trail. There is a reported 850 miles of these old unused waterways in this area. Miners brought water to hydraulically mine the placer gold found here. The mostly gentle grade of the trail makes it ideal for beginners and single speed bikes but there were some modern mountain bikes and even some electric bikes mixed in with the Klunkers and wacky street bikes on the ride this year..

Riders gather at a stopping point on the ride along Highway 20 at a construction area.

There are several stops along the way for special events skills tests. You don’t have to participate but they offer a really fun way for everyone to catch up and lets face it, some comedic relief. There are also a couple spots where impromptu jump sessions break out.

The skills events were riding skinnies, the wall of death and a time trial. Periodic stops kept the group together and the party going. Nobody was in a hurry and trail repairs were moments for a smoke and a beer.

After dropping down from the campground the ride runs through the woods on the south side of Highway 20 for about four miles and then the trail crosses over to the north side of the road and runs through some flatter sections that reguire a bit more work. The trail snakes along the highway in a roller coaster fashion dropping down into roads and driveways and then back up onto the bank with plenty of roots and rocks to navigate.

After a couple miles of this the trail moves away from the road into some flatter but still fast sections through more open terrain leading down to Five Mile House and the Harmony Ridge store. In years past this would be the end of the ride, but this year the Good Times Crew had a new twist planned and after a break the ride continued on down to Scott’s Lake. At the lake it is reported that there was some swimming and, gasp, further hijinx.

The Harmony Ridge Deli at the top of Scotts Drop was cleaned out of beer and snacks as the group prepared for the drop.

This trail, as with many of the new trails in the area, is made possible by the volunteers of BONC (Bicyclists of Nevada County, http://www.bonc.org), a group which maintains many of the mountain bike trails in the area. They put in a lot of hard work and have been the recipient of choice for the money raised by the ride for the last few years. The drop down to the lake was one of their first projects. It is a flow style trail, good up or down

The plans are to connect the Pioneer trail with Hole-in-Ground and then eventually on over to Truckee. This area has become a destination for riders of all levels of experience.

This is also one of the few trail systems that horsemen also help maintain and keep open to all. It is a good idea to keep an eye out and use trail etiquette when you ride here…and anywhere else really. We’re all in this together. A big shout out to the Good Times Crew for putting on another great event. It a lot of work to pull it off.