Summer has passed, and winter has yet to arrive. What's a non-hunting outdoors enthusiast to do?
Go mountain biking.
Fortunately for Fresno-area residents, the local foothills and mountains are packed with trails and fire roads on which to leave tire tracks.
And with cooler temperatures, superior trail conditions and fewer bugs to swat away from your face, there's no better time than autumn to experience the rush of barreling down a hill on fat, knobby tires.
"Any time between now and December is the best time of the year to go mountain biking," said Jon Stewart, manager of Steven's Bicycles in Fresno.
Fall can be a great time to go mountain biking.
Trail conditions will improve even more with wet weather. Rain not only reduces dust but also boosts overall traction.
"A little bit of rain packs all the dirt down and makes the trails nice and tacky," Stewart said.
That goes both for close-to-town beginner rides such as the Blue Oak Trail at Millerton Lake and high-elevation Sierra Nevada routes like Big Trees and Bald Mountain.
Best of all, mountain bikers will have many of these trails to themselves.
Chris DuBurg, president of Central California Off-Road Cyclists, said local mountain bikers don't have to deal with overcrowding and law enforcement issues like their Northern California counterparts.
"This is probably the best area in the state to be a mountain biker," DuBurg said. "The terrain in Southern California isn't as good, and in Northern California the trails are crowded with bikes and there are rangers who hand out tickets to anyone going over 15 mph.
"Here it's not like that at all. We're an hour away from some of the best stuff in the state. And it's like a secret. Hardly anyone even knows about it."
Getting started is as easy as picking a ride, making sure your bike is up to the task and fastening your helmet strap. Always give hikers and horseback riders the right of way, and be on the lookout for motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, which use many of the same trails.
Most of the 10 rides described in the accompanying story have alternate routes. If you're unsure where to go, seek advice at a local bike shop.
Environmental impacts of mountain biking can be reduced by staying on trails, avoiding muddy or sensitive areas and not skidding or locking the rear wheel when braking.
"We're really lucky to have so much access to some really great trails," DuBurg said.
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