Distance: 61 miles
Pace: Moderate/strenuous - 16-20 on the flats (there are few flats!).
Climbing: About 5300ft (with difficult climbs on Hale Road)
Sweep: NO. We'll set up regroup points.
Skill Level: Advanced Intermediate

This is a "moderate" foothill ride (I say that cautiously because for Amador County, this is medium distance and does not have the toughest that Amador County has to offer). You must be in good hill-climbing shape and have a good base. While you may not be in "century" riding condition right now, you are aiming for that in a few months. This would be the kind of ride to move you toward that goal. If you are preparing for the Pardee Party or the Chico Wildflower, this will put you over the top (Pardee Party is easier than this). Take a look at the route sheet and note the climbing profile. This will NOT be a hammerfest!! If you are a good rider and can put in the mileage, I will support and wait for you (perhaps you will wait for me!). I want to encourage riders to attend even if this is at the edge of their capability.

We will have two car meetup points: The Fish Hatchery where we can carpool from and Ione, CA at the "Old Ivan", the steam engine, next to to Ione Police station. This is a regular Sacramento and Stockton Cycling club cyclist's meeting point for all rides Amador. Meetup at the hatchery is 8:00, Ione is 9:00. Here is the Starting Point in Ione which is a 45 min. drive from the hatchery.

We will have approximately 5 re-group points and one food stop but we will not be taking too much time out once the last rider arrives except for a snack/lunch stop in Volcano. There are a few places you can get food and water on the route but in general, you should come self-prepared since we will not stop at every opportunity.

Amador County is a premier place for road cycling in California, if not the US. It has some of the most challenging roads with low population density and generally light traffic. The scenery is always rustic and gorgeous, even more so this time of the year. Come out and try a ride on some of the most challenging and pretty roads anywhere. Once you have ridden here you will not want to ride anywhere else!

The Route

Please print your own Route Cue Sheet.

As always, helmets are required. Bring food and/or money for the coffee shops.

Rain cancels.

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I plan on leading a series of spring/summer rides in Amador county. I lived there for 16 years and know every road. The rides will gradually increase in length and difficulty (moving up to 100 mile days with 10,000+ of climbing). If you'd like to get in "good" condition, please come out and join me. I am working on an epic self-supported one-day ride in late May from Lodi to Yosemite (that I have done twice before) that is 139 miles and 12,000+ of climbing. If you have interest in this, let me know when you come out for an Amador County ride. If you are interested in co-hosting an Amador ride, please let me know.

Scott
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