Click on & scroll through the above thumbnails to vew all of the full size photos from our bike rides through Bear Valley. The image above is the main street of Hornitos. We can install Image Gallery Slideshows such as this one on your website for just a nominal additional cost to our basic prices.

Downtown Hornitos, population about 40, in Mariposa County. During the gold rush era it had thousands of residents. Now it's a virtual ghost town.

Taking a break on Bear Valley Road just a couple of miles out of Hornitos. The climb starts getting pretty steep at the timber line.

Downtown Bear Valley which is at the intersection of Bear Valley Road and Highway 49. The Simpson & Trabucco Store was in continuous operation since the 1850s until it closed a couple of years ago.

My longtime riding partner Denton Palmer and I enjoying the view from Highway 49 just before the long descent down the switchbacks to the Merced River.

Another view looking down the switchbacks of Highway 49 to the Merced River. It's an intimidating sight to see that long climb up to Coulterville on the other side of the river.

The Merced River Bridge as seen from the Bagby Recreation Area along Highway 49. The water was at an all time low in October, 2009 after three years of drought.

The same view of the Merced River Bridge at Bagby in July of 2006 when the water was at one of its highest ever levels.

The Coulter Cafe in historic Coulterville, another quaint mining town at the junction of Highways 49 & 132. This is a great place to enjoy lunch about 2/3 of the way through the ride.