As we were unloading the car we noticed a herd of deer on the hillside above us, what a great way to start a ride.

There is a couple of miles of singletrack which parrallels the road before you cross the "metal bridge". The trail curves away and then back to the road several times so keep an eye out for a trailhead near the entrance to the park. Once you pass the parking area you will be confined to the fireroad.

Hoppy, my wifes new Specialized Rock Hopper. At the time of the ride my Sugar was in the shop due to the second frame crack so I was borrowing Hoppy until I had wheels again.

Most of the Nicene Marks trail is a gentle upward grade on the way out which makes the return trip feel like you're cheating. The trail was originaly an old railroad line which was used to haul valuable redwood out of the forest. The last 1/2 mile or so before the incline you can still see the ocasional railroad tie peeking out through the trail.

Nicene Marks also contains the remnants of the town of Loma Preta. The town was abandoned a long time ago and the last standing building destroyed about 30 years ago by fire. It is now known primarily because it was near the epicenter of the Loma Prieta Earthquake.

After the short trail which goes back to the Loma Prieta epicenter the trail turns back upon itself and starts a relatively steep incline which climbs at a steady grade for about 2 miles.

While I was at the top of the incline a ran into three daytripers who had ridden their bikes from San Jose. They were planning on spending the night at the beach and riding back to San Jose the next day. They were on hardails with semislick tires. Two of them were using the cool Bob Yak trailers.

The view from the top of the Incline, about 7 miles into the ride.

I turned back at the top of the incline and headed back. While on my way out I stopped at one of the many bridges to take my mandatory bridge photo.

Although this trail is lacking in the technical riding department there is no shortage of sureal beauty.