Terrain: a mix of urban and rural, with some noticeable hills
Distance: about 28 miles
Speed: 13-14 mph (casual ride, not a race)
Rider Level: those who are working on their intermediate skills
Sweep: yes
Meet 8am - Departure Time: 8:15 am
This ride takes about 2 hours so you could be home well before noon.

You've seen this ride posted before, as it is THE CLASSIC Hammerin' Wheels hill ride. So we had to include it as part of the Spring Series. If we're lucky, we'll even induce it Zach to come out and show you how to make the Mt. Vernon descent.

This is a good training ride for moderate hills and further introduces riders to some great rural roads with some pleasant scenery in the area west of Auburn, briefly touching a portion of the route of the Spring Series 1 ride! While that was a fairly flat to rolling ride, this one introduces you to two of the area's classic climbs. The ride is approx 30 miles in length and has approximately 2000 feet of climbing in only 2 main climbs (Indian Hill Road and Ridge Road). This ride is mostly on back country roads that will have minimal traffic on a weekend morning. The roads in Auburn have bike lanes, but beyond Auburn be ready for narrow, lightly traveled roads.

We will gather at the Newcastle Park n Ride which is just off the Indian Hill road exit on I-80. There are actually 2 Park N Rides at this exit, we will gather in the lot on the right across from the Flyers gas station & Denny's. Please consider carpooling!!

The first portion of the ride is a climb up Indian Hill road so if you need time to "warm up" before you climb please arrive early, but be ready to roll at 8:15. You need to be comfortable riding for 30 miles and at a pace (in the flats or rollers) of 15+- mph. The climb from Folsom to Beales should be no problem for you and taken at a pace of 6+ mph. The route will not be swept in the traditional sense, but we wait up at key intersections and try to ride as a group as much as possible... nobody gets left behind!

Click here for a map and cue sheet. If a bit more climb is desired on this ride, take another trip up Indian Hill, turn right on Auburn Folsom down the hill, take a right on Powerhouse which throws in some more climbing as it returns you to Newcastle Rd for the final climb back to the park n ride lot. Most riders over the years have managed to bypass this option, but we thought we'd mention it. To maximize the adulation, you would have to be sufficiently ahead of all of the others to be finishing the final climb up Newcastle Rd. while everyone else is still loading up their bikes. Let's see, an extra 775' of climbing in just under 7 extra miles. About 30 minutes. Be the first to go for it!

For the rest of you, since we are so close to Newcastle Deli there will be an optional social post-ride meet and eat.

Please make sure your bring snacks, spare tubes, and of plenty water as there are no places to refill once we leave Auburn.

As always your helmet is required.

If you have any questions please let us know.