34.5 miles, 2,850 ft vertical
Map: Click here
Easy/Moderate
OMG, I think I died and went to road cycling heaven today. I hope I wasn't dreaming.
While visiting my family in the Rocklin/Roseville area just east of Sacramento, I scoured online maps to see where I might be able to find a scenic 2 hour ride in the vicinity. Somehow I wound up in the ideal starting spot, at Trailhead Coffee & Cycling Lounge in Penryn. Unfortunately, they don't open until 8am on Sundays, so I started out heading north on Taylor Road without coffee, but still optimistic.
Just as I was approaching Hwy 80, I caught a road sign out of the corner of my eye for Ridge Rd. I made a quick turn and thus began a magical journey on such roads as Gold Hill Road, Mt Pleasant Road, and Garden Bar Road.
Suddenly I was in a pastoral wonderland of rolling hills and early winter greenery. I crossed three different streams that were all designated salmon habitats. Mountain-fed streams of fresh water would soon be homes to spawning salmon, more than 100 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. Mandarin orange and persimmon orchards dot the landscape.
Ridge Road was a fun descent and a great climb to end the short out and back. Looking more closely at the terrain and roads in the surrounding area I can see there must be miles and miles of such roads in the Penryn/Auburn area. I want to investigate the hills east of Auburn, as it looks like many small roads leading to lakes and reservoirs.
Next time you are driving to Tahoe, or if you happen to be in the area, make sure you check out the quaint litle town of Penryn, and stop for a homemade trail bar at the Trailhead Coffee & Cycling Lounge. The coffee isn't very good, but it's a great place to start a ride, or to get some local knowledge from the two owners.
