Ceres Lil' Loop

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

Features Drops/Jumps

This is another ride choice for Ceres that I like for a quick 1-1.5-hr ride. Starting at the back lot off Pitman Rd. saves the trouble of the Ceres Big Loop's Route 55 overpass crossing.

While it loses some miles, it hits the big hills, thrills and the corkscrew that make Ceres fun. Forgive the jumbled lines at the corkscrew, I thought I had paused recording while I hit it 3x (lol).

Parking is free, open from sunrise to sunset.

There are four major descents. The first is a brisk drop into two medium-sized gaps (easily bypassed). There's some fun, short climbs, two considerable drops (also easily bypassed) and some winding singletrack.

Next, you come upon a hard packed, fun flow section. This brings you to the second descent which is a sandy hard left into a table-top. This section can be bypassed by staying straight at the drop-in and riding the gentler hill down. I like to drop once and loop back up (left after the table-top and short climb back to flow track).

The next section is a low ridge run into the creek bed section. It's often muddy but passable unless it rained hard the previous day. You'll pass the corkscrew at it's bottom and begin to see Rt 55. There's a creek crossing (roll it) and then a short climb to the golf course area. Avoid the stray balls and run a flowy ridgeline to the third steep descent. Climb out of the bowl and into a small jump section. Once you clear the jump, you 180 into the fun fourth descent, a short corkscrew section.

Just left of the corkscrew is the punchy climb back to the ridgeline. Follow the singletrack through a couple small skills spots (log overs, planks, log skinny) and back to the lot with a smile and some dirt in your teeth.

Two lakes here in the park are also Marl deposits. It's a marine sediment that was used as fertilizer in farming for many years.