For the last two years we all loved new starting point “up in the Sierras” so the 2008 tour will again begin at 7100 feet in Bear Valley! This years route will be essentially the same as last year, with some minor tweaking and simplifying, just to give the route director something to do!
Day one has granite outcroppings, lush meadows, very tall pine trees, smooth pavement, and lonely upper Gold Country byways and vistas seldom seen by the tourist crowds. The 30 mile descent down Hwy. 4 will give you a thrill and the drop and climbs via Sheep Ranch will give you a challenge. Fear not! New for this year, a playful, gentler route through Railroad Flat avoids the infamous Whiskey Slide and Jesus Maria Roads. So enjoy the delicious glide down into historic Mokelumne Hill and the river canyon beyond before the climb out to our overnight in Jackson and a much deserved swim in the pool.
Day two travels north from Jackson to Sutter Creek for some morning java, then out to Ione, through playful rolling grass and oak studded hills, passing along the north shore of Camanche reservoir before navigating “the staircase” on quiet Central Valley agricultural back roads. After lunching at a cool shaded winery, continue west and back in time, into the Sacramento River Delta at the Ryde Hotel! This delightfully original art deco speakeasy has 30+ rooms, shady lawns, a swimming pool, patio dining before sunset and a nine hole golf course!
Day three once again has two, yes two, delta ferryboat crossings, both within the first ten river levee miles! Continue south along the levees to Rio Vista and sample a local bakery or café before heading for the wide open expanses of the rolling Montezuma Hills and through a high tech wind farm. Don't worry; the head winds are usually light before noon! Our route continues through Fairfield with just a taste of suburbia before traveling north into the delightfully rural Pleasants Valley and on to Lake Solano Park, same destination as years past, including the wonderful peacocks!
Day four continues west via Hwy. 128, into the river canyon, before climbing past Monticello Dam and then over “Cardiac Hill” in Napa County. You can choose to drop directly into the Napa Valley via Lake Hennessey then turn north onto the Silverado Trail and head directly for Calistoga for possible wine tasting and mud baths, or go big and head north for Pope Valley and the perennially challenging four mile Ink Grade climb! Your reward is the amazing descent down White Cottage and Deer Park; it's one of the best! This might be a good night for a mid tour hotel room splurge.
Day five heads for the Sonoma wine region via Kellogg, Jimtown and the Dry Creek Valley with another lunch stop at a shaded winery! After a sample or two, have the Sag van carry your purchases so you can enjoy the Russian River towns of Rio Nido, Guerneville and Monte Rio while marveling at the mighty Sequoia Sempervirons en route to our camp beside the river in Duncans Mills. "No guurly-men on dis too-ah, but jast in case, I'll be dare to pump yoo aahp!"
Day six has the tour reaching the Pacific Ocean after a stop for a hearty breakfast or just a cup of motivation in Occidental. Imbibe in amazing ridge top vistas and quiet rural byways before you cruise down world famous Hwy. 1 just east of Point Reyes along Tomales Bay to our last overnight, south of Point Reyes Station in Olema.
Day Seven is fairly short at just 40 miles, compared to those long first few days. We float down to Stinson Beach before crossing over the shoulder of Mount Tamalpias and enjoying the world famous views in Sausalito. Cross the awesome Golden Gate Bridge and roll into Golden Gate Park for a delicious catered lunch spread!
We hope this quick overview is sufficient to entice you to train hard this coming winter and spring so you can join your fellow cyclists on the challenging and rewarding Sierra to the Sea, 2007!
