Sunday, October 8^th - Folsom

Check-In and Welcome Reception

Our tour starts in Folsom, a fantastic League of American Bicyclist’s Bike Friendly Community. 

Rider check-in starts at 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.  Our first evening together as a group will be spent with local Folsom cyclists, who are excited to join us for our Happy Hour reception.

Consider arriving early to explore the 95 miles of local paths including the new Johnny Cash Trail, a ride to Folsom Lake, visit the zoo, or relax in the historic downtown area on Sutter Street.  We've made arrangements with our host hotel in Folsom, the Hilton Garden Inn, for the same great group discount rate for anyone who wants to check in a day or two early.  The following link will take you directly to their reservation website.

Hilton Garden Inn

Monday, October 9^th – Folsom to Davis

(44 miles, 588 climbing feet)

After a hearty welcome breakfast, our ride begins with a beautiful 30-mile bike route along the American River Parkway to the capital in Sacramento.  We’ll have the opportunity to see abundant wildlife on the parkway.  After lunch in downtown Sacramento, we’ll continue on to Davis, birthplace of the nation’s first bicycle lanes.  Riders will have time to explore the UC Davis campus and the Davis Bicycle Hall of Fame, or just relax for the afternoon prior to our ride on Tuesday, our longest day on tour.

 American River Bike Trail

Tuesday, October 10^th – Davis to Calistoga 

(68 miles, 3185 climbing feet)

Tuesday’s ride will take our group through a wonderful variety of terrain.  From the flat farmland and orchards surrounding Davis to the rolling hills of Lake Berryessa and on towards the stunning vineyards in the Napa Valley, today will be an epic experience.  We’ll stop to sample some local wines and cheese just before checking in, and then after a day in the saddle, relax in the soothing mineral waters at our hotel in Calistoga.  Consider arranging for a massage at the hotel spa!

Wednesday, October 11^th – Calistoga to Occidental 

(60 miles, 2595 climbing feet -OR- 3376 climbing feet – alt. route)

After another great breakfast, we’ll continue north towards Jimtown and Healdsburg, popular cycling destinations with great roads and lovely wineries. We’ll have lunch at a local winery after meandering through the vineyards.  Charming single-lane bridges and quiet country roads will lead to River Road, a beautiful route along the Russian River.  At this point in the road, riders have the option of taking the “high road,” which adds about 600 feet of climbing, or the “low road” along the Russian River.  Either route passes through the Armstrong Redwoods forest near Guerneville.  The Colonel Armstrong tree is estimated to be over 1400 years old! The last part of the day will be spent on the Bohemian Highway, one of the most scenic drives anywhere in California, as we pedal towards the historic town of Occidental.

Thursday, October 12^th – Occidental to Corte Madera 

(60 miles, 3150 climbing feet)

Today’s ride is as incredible and varied as the previous three days.  After leaving the Occidental Hotel, the ride continues on to Bodega, another town with great history – Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” was filmed here.  We’ll continue south towards Tomales Bay and Pt. Reyes Station, where the route heads through yet another amazing redwood forest in Samuel P. Taylor Park, with bike paths wandering through the Marin county coastal area.  The tour stops in Fairfax, known for the Marin Museum of Bicycling and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame (also the birthplace of the mountain bike).   A couple more miles down the road, we’ll rest for the night in Corte Madera before our final adventure into San Francisco.

     Bodega

                                                              Highway 1               

Friday, October 13^th - Corte Madera to San Francisco/Oakland 

(40 miles, 1650 climbing feet)

Even though the miles on our final day appear to be shorter, our last day together promises to be packed full of fun!  We’ll start the morning riding through Sausalito and then over the Golden Gate Bridge.  Upon entering the City by the Bay, we’ll ride through Golden Gate Park, along the Great Highway, through the marina and Fisherman’s Wharf.  We’ll explore much of the city’s great bicycling infrastructure, and then head to the Ferry Building to catch our ferry to Oakland’s Jack London Square, our final destination.  Tonight we’ll party with local cyclists and bike advocates aboard the USS Potomac, FDR’s floating “White House.” 

Please note:  Routes are subject to change at the discretion of the ride director.