Day 3 Digging for gold along the Mother Lode

Today's profile was one of trepidation mixed with anticipation. The numbers show a rather easy day, only 50 odd miles with about 6000 feet of climbing. But looking again, you see that the last 20 miles were mostly down hill, and you realize that the bulk of the climbing was very front loaded. Add to that that non of the climbs were over 1000 feet of gain, which means steep and steeper climbs were in store. Our diabolical course creators (Rich and I) giggled when we pre drove the route months ago.... How would our gold prospectors do today was the question.

Apparently just fine, thank you very much. Some early grumbling, but things settled into a rhythm of swatting away gnats, dodging 100 year old pot holes, bracing for sections of pavement patches on pavement patches next to cobbles of old roadbed, and putting down 800 watts to push over a 20% section of the most scenic roads anywhere. Sheep Station road was off the chart in terms of un-anticipated depth of crazy hardness. The sheep were laughing as we were gasping.

Theo's Lunch of pulled pork sandwiches stream side between the days longest descent and the days longest ascent was a treat. Rich managed to jump in the swimming hole and prove that the water wasn't too cold. He didn't convince us as he came out of the water so quickly, we weren't exactly sure if he got wet.

The Gold color everywhere as the leaves were spot on color of our Eliel jerseys. Everything just coming together to make a very memorable day. Today we ride from Sutter Creek to Sacramento. Mostly downhill, which will be a delicious desert after yesterdays pitch fest. Stay tuned.