There's Gold in them thar Hills!
The 2016 edition of the Tour de Carne Asada is upon us. This year, our route takes us from East to West through GOLD COUNTRY. Our hearty riders have a very tough course for 2016. We begin our sojourn in Lake Tahoe, and ascend some of California's tallest peaks, like Monitor Pass, Carson Pass en route to join our Challenged Athlete Foundation brethren in San Francisco on the eave of the 11th annual Million Dollar Challenge. We then join them for a 620 mile saunter down the coast to cozy San Diego. Seems simple enough. Compared to the diabolical hardships of our small band of crazy Tour de Carne Asada riders during day 2's queen stage along the Lost Coast in 2015, this should be almost downhill the entire way.
Ha! This year might look on paper like a piece of cake, maybe even easy compared to last year. Yes, there's two days at the end that we descend more than we ascend. True, True. The last day is going thru Napa as we sip Champagne to toast a great ride just like in the tour. But what you might be overlooking is Day 2 and Day 3. Go ahead, take a look. It's a two-three punch in the quads. Be prepared for uneven pavement, pitchy climbs and dicey descents around sketchy switchbacks. Be prepared for sheep, goats, cattle around blind corners. Got it? I hope so. I certainly don't want to deceive, this is a tough nugget of ride that should reflect the toughness that descended on the Mother Lode in 1849 when the first nugget was found.
Hearty men and women combed through these very same hills to strike it rich. They carved the paths and roads we will ride, and it wasn't easy. It won't be for you either. But that's why we do it, and that's why this edition of the TdCA: Gold Rush will be so much fun!
Here’s the basic Itinerary:
Sat, Oct. 8 - Fly up to Reno (SWA Flight #3638) arrive 11:30am We arrange to pick you up in Reno, drive to Flume Trail head and ride rental mountain bikes for a few hours on the famous and scenic Flume Trail, then overnight in Incline Village NV
Sun, Oct 9 - Ride from Incline Village to Kirkwood around Lake Tahoe and including Carson Pass. Overnight at Kirkwood Resort. 75 miles, 6,000ft
Mon, Oct 10 - Ride from Kirkwood to Bear Valley via Monitor Pass and Ebetts Pass. Queen Stage with over 9,000 feet of climbing. Overnight at Bear Valley. 80 miles, 9,200ft
Tues, Oct 11 - Ride Bear Valley mostly downhill, except the uphill parts to Sutter Creek. Look for gold. Evening at Sutter Creek. 80 miles, 6,000ft
Wed, Oct. 12 - Sutter Creek to Sacramento. Perfect our tan, work on bike path skills and take in River and Lake views. Party in Sacramento. 71 miles, 3,000ft
Thurs, Oct 13 - Sacramento to Vallejo (ferry to San Francisco). We ride 80 miles of flats to Napa, then to Vallejo for our boat cruise in style to San Francisco. Check in to MDC hotel. 80 miles, 4000ft
Fri, Oct 14 MDC Day Off Bike or light coffee ride spin to take in some pictures at Golden Gate Bridge, Rapha store. Enjoy Hotel Amenities and MDC kickoff evening.
Sat Oct 15, MDC Begins.
