Riverbank to Knights Ferry ... my backyard.

One of the greatest pleasures I have derived from cycling is to learn to

appreciate the minor things that make up the geography around us.

Sometimes when I leave a vacation spot and head back home, things

can begin to look a bit dreary. There aren't any spectacular skylines,

no majestic mountains, nor beautiful coastal beaches that many

out-of-state dreamers envision when they picture California.

My California is Riverbank,Ca. Which is a small town just northeast of

Modesto and directly west of Oakdale,Ca. The city motto is the

"City of Action", there is very little action happening, but what it does

offer is beauty in the subtle geography that is very much alive. With

this in mind I set out on the following route. The goal: Capture the

hidden beauty that can be easily overlooked.

As the name Riverbank implies, it does in fact lie on the high banks of the

Stanislaus river which snakes its way downward from the Sierra Nevadas,
eventually this river ties into the Tuolomne river and exits into the delta.
The geography here is mainly flat with the occasional rolling hills. It is here
that one can appreciate the life-giving quality of the rich agricultural land
that is the Central Valley. Riding on an ancient bank that once outlined a
bend in the river that has since dried over, you can't help but notice fertile
fields teeming with beautiful vegetation.

River Rd. is a scenic drive that follows the Stanislaus river from Ripon, Ca.
to Oakdale, Ca. As a resident of Riverbank, it is a short 4 mile ride to reach
River Rd. Once you get onto River Rd. you will notice that the quality of
the road is on the rough side, with the occasional menacing pothole that
will force you to veer further into the eastbound land. One of the great
things about River Rd. is the numerous recreational areas that lie along the
route. To name just a few there is Jacob Meyers, Oakdale Recreational area,
Valley Oak, Honolulu Bar, Horshoe Bar, Orange Blossom, and finally Knights
Ferry.

Many spots along the river make you want to park your bike and run down
the banks in full lycra and relax for a while. On this occasion I noticed a
young man and his dog sharing some quality time at the rivers edge. The
water is pristine and very inviting.

Most of the recreational areas offer beautiful views of the river and the
life that it's waters bring to the banks. On an early morning ride it would
not be unexpected for you to encounter many animals foraging for food.
On today's ride I was pleasantly surprised by a small fox who ran across the
roadway. I fumbled around, reaching into my jersey pockets but was too
slow to capture him. I guess it is a good thing he is quick and
intelligent, otherwise there might not be any of them left.

The other draw to the Central Valley, is the country charm that it's
inhabitants have given the landscape. Cycling through the "cowtowns" one
can mistakenly conclude that its geography is monatonous, however its
beauty is in its utility. Life in the Central Valley was centered around
producing more life, whether it be through livestock, fruits, or vegetables.
The numerous farms, barns, and odors they give off are a testament to this
cyclical way of life.

Many times the roads in the rural areas of the foothills or the central
valley can fall into serious disrepair, but this is not the case for Rodden Rd. The road quality is great and offers little rolling resistance, this
is a bonus because as we head toward Knights Ferry those rolling hills
become longer and slightly steeper.
Rodden Rd. will terminate at Orange Blossom Rd. which is a direct route
toward the township of Knights Ferry, I choose to deviate at Morrisson Rd.,
which offers a great view of Lovers Leap . Descending down Cemetery rd.
can be tricky, its grade exceeds 19%. I highly recommend climbing back up, it'll
get the heart pumping!

I also recommend refueling at this General Store as it is the only one for
15 miles in either direction. The Knights Ferry Recreation area has the
facilities to fill up water bottles and restrooms in case you didn't already
make use of one of the many available at any of the previous recreational areas. If you
plan to stretch your legs and rest a bit, Knights Ferry is the place to do it,
there are plenty of picnic areas where one could enjoy a peaceful lunch or
ciesta.

The town of Knights Ferry is small, even by my minute standards, what it
lacks in size it makes up for in its historic appearance. The entire town
appears to be stuck in a time capsule. I guess, to me at least, when I think
of Northern California, I imagine foothills and wonderful mountain ranges
with towns that resemble Knights Ferry, this is my California. No wonder
numerous visitors make the trip on coach buses to view the beauty of the
mother lode country. It may not be the sunny coastal beaches of Southern
California, but it doesn't have to be, its charm is not hard to overlook when
you take the time to see it.

Most people who visit the covered bridge that Knights Ferry is famous for
never take full advantage of the short trail hike. The trail has spectacular
views of the bridge and the river rapids, the entire trail way has wildflowers
that flourish all through spring and summer. The area is rich in history and
served as a vital artery to feeding the Gold Rush frenzy that populated
California. Today's trip reminded me of the beauty and charm that lies at
my doorstep.

Highway 120/108 is the gateway to the Sierra's, soon I will dare to

venture out and tackle the high passes that are the envy of Europe. Soon,
maybe even this summer.