Rancho Seco Bike Trip

[steven mobley]

My son and I planned an overnight trip to Rancho Seco Park and campground on our loaded touring bikes today. We rode for 3 hours and even had a flat tire to fix on the 20+ mile journey. When we arrived at the park, we found the gate closed. We used the telephone next to the kiosk in the hope of gaining entry to no avail. Apparently, the idiots don't open the gate after 6PM unless one has reservations (we got there at 7PM due to the flat tire mishap). The campground was nowhere near full and there was no rational reason for the "lock-out". We had to scamble to get transportation back home due to the impending darkness and not having headlights or tail lights on our bikes. What a disappointment. Pictures are posted in the album section.

[pingtheduck]

HUGE bummer! Thanks for sharing your experience.

Sorry about that Steve, what a disappointing outing for you all. Do hope you give it another go though.

Don't know what it is with flat tires this year. Hubby has had 7 in 5 rides! Had to go pick up him up from Latrobe on Sunday; he had run out of spare inner tubes having taken 3 with him!

[steven mobley]

Wow! That's a lot of flats! I changed mine and made it to the parks gate and noticed it was flat again. I'm looking into "airless" bike tires now, at least for the rear. Unhooking the trailer is a real pain because you have to remove the skewer etc... We'll definately do another trip in the near future. I believe it'll be to Solano Lake on Putah Creek near Winters. They have showers, pizza restaurant and a lot of other amenities. That'll be a 57 mile trip each way from Old Sac. I have friends who do it every 3-4 weeks. The private campground at the base of the lakes dam has spas and a sauna. I'll post pictures when we go.

BTW, I sent an email to our representaive SMUD board member, Nancy Bui, requesting they stop the practice/policy of turning paying customers/campers away at the ridiculous 6PM hour during the summer camping season. We'll see what happens.

[Matthew]

Originally Posted by steven mobley

BTW, I sent an email to our representaive SMUD board member, Nancy Bui, requesting they stop the practice/policy of turning paying customers/campers away at the ridiculous 6PM hour during the summer camping season. We'll see what happens.

She is also an RMO user so maybe she will address it in a post.

Rancho Murieta, CA Forums - View Profile: NancyBui

Steve, told him the flats are due to excessive cargo...him! Thought this might make him peddle faster and lose those few extra winter LBS. He's still a rail though.

Does not seem to matter which bike he uses (he has eight) those flats are rife this year it seems. Too much gravel and debris on the side of the roads I guess.

Happy cycling!

[steven mobley]

Originally Posted by Matthew

She is also an RMO user so maybe she will address it in a post.

Rancho Murieta, CA Forums - View Profile: NancyBui

I thought so. I recall her posting her candidacy statement here. I sure hope she considers my suggestion.

Steve