We all want to make the most of an opportunity, but sometimes less is more.
When I was coming out for my first Everyone Loves Raymond two years ago, I wanted to see it all and bike the ninety mile Kegger.
Under ride organizer Henry’s suggestion instead of doing the combined routes, we did the thirty five miler Pint course to take our time to absorb it all.
It was great advice strolling around the Chowchilla River enjoying its sparkle against these lush hills.
Last year, I came out to enjoy the 60 miler Growler and while my cold got in the way, I still saw enough knowing this would also be a fantastic experience.
With a little overlap with the Pint going by the center of Raymond, the course soon split after heading northwest hitting dirt at mile eight turning onto Preston Road.
The profile set the tone for the rest of the first half trending upward in a rolling manner with the surface about as good as it’ll get on back country roads.
Tree types and density change as you gain elevation including mining relics merging onto Westfall Rd.
Being in the midst of spring, the Everyone Loves Raymond Growler takes full advantage not only with deep greens being the primer, but also all the burgeoning blooms with yellows and oranges.
After passing the first (and eventually third) aid station at mile 15, the hills turned into a giant swath of laid of verdant carpet with streams sneaking in between.
Beach Road was one of my most anticipated sections have seen it by drone last year that kept alive the magic punctuated by a gorgeous creek crossing near the end.
Crossing over Ben Hur Rd brought us another five miles of dirt and our highest point of the day, with the elevation bringing a forest setting and views out towards Yosemite.
Continuing on pavement counterclockwise back on Ben Hur, we continued straight onto Buckeye Rd where another aid station awaited near the middle of this route.
Our return started with a brief run onto the Old Highway and ironically our worst surface was paved on the first mile descending on White Rock Rd.
After rolling through this picturesque valley guided by Mariposa Creek, we climbed out soon returned to close off the lollipop in our loop enjoying a different vantage point on the terrain we earlier covered.
We took a little diversion just past the last aid station visiting the Civil War era White Rock Cemetery before finishing off our last few miles of dirt.
The remaining dirt trended downhill while the finish back on the road was mostly up, but since this was a ride at ease it went faster than what the numbers told you.
Once again, the post-ride felt like a family picnic making friends and swapping stories about this unique experience we all shared.
Everyone Loves Raymond showcases the core of what this community is all about which is why riders from all over are eager to return year after year.