Terrain: very rural, mostly flat, some rolling hills
Distance: about 34 easy miles
Speed: probably average about 13
Rider Level: for those who are embarking on Intermediate riding
Sweep: of course, but not if you don't bring (and wear) your helmet
Departure time: 9:15

This ride is the first in a series of four we are planning that will gradually introduce newer riders to the pleasures of more extended rides. This is the perfect time of year to begin exploring the joys of rural riding on country roads with very little traffic. Over the course of the series, we will gradually build up our stamina and also our knowledge about some of the great cycling roads of the area between Sacramento and Auburn. On each ride you will see some new roads, and after this first one, see again portions of familiar roads. By the end of the series, you will be familiar with all of the standby roads -- Sierra College, Wise Rd, Mt. Vernon, Indian Hill, King, Val Verde, English Colony, Fruitvale, Millertown. They don't mean much to you yet, but we promise you, they soon will.

This first ride is very rural, with little traffic. Some of the roads are slightly bumpy, but no problem at all at our anticipated pace. We will leave the old Lincoln (no Del Webb communities for us) and gradually work our way north and east. Then we will climb very gradually north and west up to the shores of Camp Far West Reservoir. Along the way you will see all sorts of livestock -- cows, goats, sheep, pigs, llamas, horses, perhaps even a donkey or two. The bridge overlooking the spillway of the reservoir will be our turnaround point, and then we will follow the Bear River downstream before pedaling back to Lincoln, hopefully for a lunch break after the ride. Here is a link to the ride map.

Again, more words about the series: Each ride will build on the last one. The distances won't change very much, but the climbing will gradually escalate. This first one has about 1000 feet of uphill (fortunately matched by an equal amount of downhill), and successive rides will have about 1700, 2200, and 2600 feet of climbing. And they will all have better downhills than this one. By the time you complete these rides, you will really start to "know the territory" and build your stamina and confidence. And you'll be ready to ride in some of the upcoming social-event rides like the Party Pardee (oops, already sold out), the Round the Buttes ride, Chico Wildflower Century, etc. You may not ride them as full centuries, for there are always shorter variations, and the Jerseys don't say which one you actually rode. And the final local event ride, the one that ties all of these together, is the Tour de Lincoln, on May 15. Once you do this series and the Tour de Lincoln, you will come to see the ARBT as a nice, convenient appetizer for the REAL riding of this area.

So come on out and let us show you where we ride away from the AR Bike Trail. Unfortunately, some of it involves fitness and climbing some hills, but once you start to establish your fitness level, the entire region opens up for you. And improving fitness is the recurring theme that members mention in their profile. Now all you have to do to achieve that goal is commit to rides like this one and its future siblings. Hope to see you on a sunny Saturday.

Special Notice: Due to the large response to this first ride, we have decided to split the group into two separate rides. The basic ride is the one described above, a D35 ride with about 1000' of climbing. But the second group will do a C44 ride, adding 9 miles and another 400' of climbing, plus, no doubt, a faster pace. The second route goes to the same destination, but temporarily diverges from the first one at three points. So if one wants to give it a try, and it is too much, well, we'll welcome you back to the friendly main group when the routes reconverge.

The second new feature is that we will try to have a picnic stop after leaving Camp Far West Reservoir. Last year many of us stopped along the road overlooking the river and enjoyed a sandwich/snack/drink/break on the hillside below the road. It isn't mandatory, but it is suggested. So bring something to consume, and maybe a plastic bag or something to sit on if the grass is wet. And ladies, this is rural enough that there is a conspicuous lack of "faciliites," so some tissues in a baggie would be a good idea. If the weather is on the dreary side, we will likely skip this option, and proceed back to town in favor of an indoor alternative.

Weather Notice:
The weather is looking much better than it was. Cloudy, but no rain, so the ride definitely ON. For you last-minute doubters, we will be at McBean Park by 8:30AM and you can call SteveMD [(916) 650-9881] to check the on-the-scene status. And for those of you who were planning on riding to the ride, it looks like that will work out well for you. See you there by 9:00 AM.