Distance: 82 miles
Pace: Moderate/strenuous - 16-20 on the flats (there are few flats!).
Climbing: About 9000+ft (with long-strenuous climbs)
Sweep: NO. We'll set up regroup points.
Skill Level: Advanced Intermediate+

This is a "moderate+ to advanced" foothill ride. You must be in good hill-climbing shape and have a good base. While you may not be in "century" riding condition right now, this would be the kind of ride to move push you over the top. This is a great training ride for the Death Ride (one I have used for that purpose in years past). Take a look at the route sheet and note the climbing profile. This will NOT be a hammerfest but will by nature of the distance and climbing be a hard slog!! 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!). This is by no means an easy ride. It has long sustained climbs with one lasting 90+ minutes! Please see here for comments on a similar ride I have led. Please plan accordingly.

We will have two car meetup points: The Fish Hatchery where we can carpool to & from 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 7:00, Ione is 8:00. 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 (maybe two) food stop but we will not be taking too much time out once the last rider arrives except for a snack/lunch stop in Railroad Flat at about mile 40 with another chance for food at mile 60. 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 very light traffic. The scenery is always rustic and gorgeous, even more so this time of the year. This ride actually spans two counties: Amador and Calaveras. As rural as Amador is, Calaveras makes Amador look positively cosmopolitan. That's generally good for us cyclists in that we see less traffic. But it can be challenging in that a lot of the traffic has gun racks on their trucks and the not-so-loving attitude towards cyclists and all that entails. We've never had real problems but sometimes we get to practice anger-management ;) 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! Did I mention the great riding?

The Route

Please print your own Route Cue Sheet.

When will you meet "Hey-Suse"? At mile 24.5! Look at the route and see if you can "get" the title.

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

Rain cancels.

-----------

Scott
[masked] (h)
[masked] (cell)