Bayne Rd, Coloma, CA
- Tim Mayhew
- Mar 29
- 2 min read
Bayne Road starts in Coloma, CA, the spot where gold was discovered in 1848, sparking one of the largest mass migrations in American history.
Today, the entire town of Coloma, found between Placerville and Auburn, is a State Historic Park. Bayne Rd is remarkably easy to miss—I rode right past it for 20 years. It isn’t something you’d pick off an old fashioned paper map, and your GPS will ignore it. To find it, ride across the iconic one-lane bridge over the American River and begin the climb toward Georgetown.
Branching eastward from Highway 49, Bayne is a classic "goat road." This narrow, single-lane ribbon of asphalt offers a dramatic departure from the lean angle sweepers of nearby Highway 193.
It begins with a steep, ascent that quickly leaves the traffic behind, trading the river valley for a steady, focused climb. This route is deeply tied to the agricultural and mining evolution of El Dorado County; long before it was a favorite for local riders, it served as a vital connector for the homesteaders of the Lotus-Coloma district.
While the Bayne Rd was once defined by tired, aged asphalt, it was repaved in 2023 with silky-smooth pavement. However, don't let the fresh surface fool you. Bayne Rd is all about blind crests, blind curves, and nary a guardrail in sight, it requires a cautious, rhythmic pace. The real allure here is the "big air" perspective of the South Fork American River canyon below.
Bayne Rd eventually connects with Highway 193 just outside Georgetown. From there, the ride must continue: Short dog leg south on 193, then turn left onto Rock Creek Road toward Mosquito to check out the progress on the all-new Mosquito Bridge and into Placerville, or continue east onto Darling Ridge and Balderston Road for more single-lane backroads.
For the rest of us, flow into Georgetown for a regroup before tackling the legendary curves of Wentworth Springs Road toward Ice House. Still snow on the summit for Wentworth, but melting fast.
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