Bowman to Baxter out and back- 62 milesThis ride basically follows the route of old US Highway 40 as it parallels Interstate 80. Starting at the Bowman park-n-ride in Auburn it passes through the sleepy communites of Applegate, Weimar, Colfax, Magra, Gold Run and Alta before topping out at the Baxter interchange. There is a fair amount of climbing but traffic is very light on this route. Possible variations include a trip out to Drum Powerhouse in the Bear River canyon, or for the fearless descenders and strong climbers a side trip to Iowa Hill is a challenge.
Cue sheet here. Second Sunday Breakfast Ride(long option) - 28 miles
On the second Sunday of the month there is a community breakfast at the Garden Valley fire station. It only costs $5 and you can have eggs any style (including an omelet) plus breakfast meat, hash browns, juice and coffee. We like to start a day like this with an invigorating loop ride on the Georgetown divide and then wrap it up with a guilt-free breakfast. If you get hungry there are two places on this loop where you can shortcut the route and make a quick return to the fire station.
Cue sheet here. Cool to Ceres, one way - 120 milesI just threw this in because I happen to have it. If you follow this route to its end, you will wind up at my mother-in-law's house in Ceres, just south of Modesto. I know many of you might wonder why you want to do such a thing, but the route is actually a very nice route if you have some reason to go to the Modesto area, have all day to get there, and have a way to get back. I suggest an early morning start as the worst two roads for traffic are Salmon Falls and Latrobe. After that you get away from the Sacramento area congestion and it turns into a pleasant ramble in the low foothills until the last 30 miles, which are flat. Just north of Oakdale two miles of the route are on hard-packed dirt to avoid a stretch of heavily traveled highway.
Cue sheet here. |
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