Once again the starting point will be “up in the Sierras” at 7100 feet in Bear Valley! This year's route will be essentially the same as last year, with some minor tweaking and simplifying, just to give the route director something to do!
Day zero:
For those who purchased a bus ticket, we’ll gather Saturday morning in San Jose for the bus ride to Bear Valley. In the afternoon we will open registration at Bear Valley where you will be given your jersey, route sheets, and other material. A welcome reception will be held, followed by a dinner that evening.
Day one has granite outcroppings, lush meadows, very tall pine trees, smooth pavement, and lonely upper Gold Country byways and vistas seldom seen by the tourist crowds. The 30 mile descent down Hwy. 4 will give you a thrill and the drop and climbs via Sheep Ranch will give you a challenge. You'll enjoy the short climbs and drops through the upper Gold Country on roads seldom seen by tourists before the delicious glide down into the third stop for the day in historic Mokelumne Hill. Finally, the river canyon beyond and the climb out will lead to our overnight site in Jackson and a much deserved swim in the pool. See map and links.
Day two travels north from Jackson on a new route, out through Paloma, across the Pardee Reservoir dam then through playful rolling pine and oak studded hills, passing along the north shore of Camanche reservoir to the first rest stop. You'll roll through the Lodi wine region while navigating "the staircase" on quiet Central Valley agricultural back roads. After a break at a cool shaded winery, continue west and back in time, into the Sacramento River Delta where you can tour the historic town of Locke and stop for Ice Cream in Walnut Grove all before the finish at the Ryde Hotel! This delightfully original art deco speakeasy has 30+ rooms, shady lawns, a swimming pool, patio dining before sunset and our campsite on their nine hole golf course! See map and links.
Day three Day three utilizes California's last two delta ferryboat crossings, both within the first ten river levee miles from Ryde. Continue south into Rio Vista and sample a donut before heading for the wide open expanses of the rolling Montezuma Hills and through the high tech wind farm. Don't worry; the head winds usually wait till afternoon! Our route continues through Fairfield, then into downtown Vacaville before traveling north into the delightfully rural Pleasants Valley and on to Lake Solano Park, same destination as years past, including those wonderful peacocks! See map and links.
Day four continues west via Hwy 128, crosses the tour's half way point!, ascends into the river canyon, climbs past Monticello Dam and then over "Cardiac Hill" in Napa County. You will head north through vineyards and forest into Pope Valley and a new rest stop at the Pope Valley Winery. Afterwards climb the challenging four mile Ink Grade to the quiet burg of Angwin. Your reward is the amazing descent down into the Napa Valley; it's one of the best! This might be a good night for a mid tour hotel room splurge?! See map and links.
Day five heads for the famous Sonoma wine region via delightful back roads then north to the Jimtown Store and into and the amazing Dry Creek Valley. You'll enjoy two winery rest stops today! So after a sample or two, have the Sag van carry your purchases to camp so you can enjoy the Russian River towns of Rio Nido, Guerneville and Monte Rio while marveling at the mighty Sequoia Sempervirons en route to our camp beside the river in Duncans Mills. "No guurly-men on dis too-ah, but jast in case, I'll be dare to pump yoo aahp!" See map and links.
Day six has the tour reaching the beautiful Pacific Ocean at the mouth of the Russian River! Imbibe in amazing coastal vistas of "haystacks" and grey sand beaches as you cruise down world famous Hwy. 1 and into Bodega Bay. Culinary options abound today as you continue through rolling fields with dairy cows to chear you on before choosing to stop in either Valley Ford, Tomales, along the scenic Tomales Bay in Marshall and finally Point Reyes StationBay. Or maybe you could try them all before our last overnight, just south of Point Reyes Station in Olema. See map and links.
Day Seven is fairly short at under 38 miles, compared to those long first few days. We float down to Stinson Beach, stop for coffee, then hit the climb over the shoulder of Mount Tamalpias. The fast descent into Mill Valley is followed by the world famous views along the bay in Sausalito. Cross the awesome Golden Gate Bridge and roll into Golden Gate Park for a delicious catered lunch spread! Wow! What a great ride! See map and links.
We hope this quick overview is sufficient to entice you to train hard this coming winter and spring so you can join your fellow cyclists on the challenging and rewarding Sierra to the Sea!
This page was last updated on
May 8, 2012
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