Hi guys, im from las vegas and I'll be visiting my folks in sac sometime in aug. I'll be driving so im thinking about throwing my road bike in my car with me. I was wondering if anyone knows of any good places to ride. I know about the MUP that goes along the river, is this a popular place to ride? I would really like to find some good climbing though, so im thinking maybe El Dorado Hills/Folsom/Fair Oaks area. So where do all the cool kids ride in sactown? Thanks guys...

The ARBT is an extremely popular place to ride. So much so that I generally try to stay off it during the weekends. And there's not much climbing.

Here's a great resource for Sac'to rides. http://centralcaliforniacycling.com/Local_Loops.html I like the Folsom Lake loop. If you go, go early and take lots of water. (Oh, just noticed you live in LV now: you know the drill. You'll be fine.)

There's some climbing on the american river bike trail as you approach Folsom Lake, but it's basically a recreational ride for the majority of the trail. Still, it's a very pretty ride and I think a must do if you're only going to be in Sac for a short while.

If you're interested in the American River trail, and would like some company, let me know when you are here. I'll be happy to ride with you.

How long of a ride are you looking for and how much climbing?

Hills?

Go East towards Auburn/Forrest Hill.

Plenty of good climbing up there.

BR

Or ride 49 from Auburn to Placerville - 25 miles, 2300' of climbing, 1700' decending (most of that in the first 5 miles though). Or take 49 from Auburn to the confluence and then up old Foresthill rd, then Foresthill back to 80/Auburn - 9 miles, 2500' climbing, 2700' decending: http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/ca/auburn/86647015 (note that there is a bridge over the American River on Foresthill, not a huge climb at the 8th mile)

I prefer the ride around the lake starting somewhere in Folsom. You can add more miles/climbing by heading to Prospector then to Georgetown from Pilot Hill. Pretty nice ride with a decent amount of climbing.

I prefer the ride around the lake starting somewhere in Folsom. You can add more miles/climbing by heading to Prospector then to Georgetown from Pilot Hill. Pretty nice ride with a decent amount of climbing.

Hmmm,

Too many Hillbillies on that route up to Georgetown for my liking. Other than that, it's a great ride.

My fav hill climb is from Forest Hill down to the Canyon, up the Corkscrew, up to French Meadows Resevoir, back down Misquito Ridge Rd then up the Canyon to Forest Hill. 74 Miles of joy. And no *$#(! Hillbillies... about 7700' of climbing. Also, Newcastle to Dutch Flat is a great ride too.

Cool suggestions! Are there any rides close to the city that have smaller climbs? I just started out road-biking and I don't know if I could handle 50+ miles and 1000+ feet of climbing yet. I already did the American River Bike Trail... that little climb at the East end was a little surprise :)

-Nico

Ride around Roseville. My 1.2 mile commute to work has 275' of climbing.

Cool suggestions! Are there any rides close to the city that have smaller climbs? I just started out road-biking and I don't know if I could handle 50+ miles and 1000+ feet of climbing yet. I already did the American River Bike Trail... that little climb at the East end was a little surprise :)

-Nico

Look at the website mentioned in the first reply. It's excellent for suggestions.

http://centralcaliforniacycling.com/Local_Loops.html

There's some smaller hills near me in Woodland out in the country (Dunnigan) if you're ever out this way. When you get your mileage up, try the route we're going to do on Sunday from Davis.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Davis-Winters-Cantelow

PM me if you want more details.