Brief Overview

From Rattlesnake Bar Park at Folsom Lake (el. 466') to Auburn (el. 1,350') you climb steadily for the first 6 miles, except for one mile on Shirland Tract Rd of the imposing "Shirland Switchbacks". Proceed thru Auburn hugging the canyon rim (following the Auburn Endurance Capital Bike Trail small white directional arrow signs) and passing by the finish line (minimal elevation change from mile 6-10), then climb from 1.5 miles - from Hwy 49 signal light to Foresthill Rd signal light at the east edge of Auburn.

Follow freeway frontage roads for three miles with minimal elevation change, slightly gaining as you proceed east. At mile 13.6, just past Bell Rd, you climb a short hill to reach AID Station #1. Continue down steep grade and more frontage road to Placer Hills Rd. Proceed along I-80 corridor on South side frontage roads while climbing steadily for 700' from mile 15-22. The frontage road will actually cross to North side of I-80 and then back over to the South in Weimar, the location of AID Station #2 at Mile 21.3.

Just west of Colfax, depart I-80 frontage and climb sharply for .9 mile to Placer Hills Rd. Here you begin an exciting 5.3-mile heading down to the Bear River and back. Before your descent to Bear River on Milk Ranch Rd, reach highest elevation point of 2,435'. Return to I-80 corridor with sharp .9 descent. Then, retrace route along same frontage roads through towns of Weimar and Applegate. Reach AID Station #3 at Mile 36.8.

Upon reaching Placer Hills Rd at Mile 42.8, you double back for a 5.3 mile total out and back segment along Lake Arthur North I-80 frontage road. Then, return to Auburn along North frontage roads, climbing the severe "LeMond Walked" hill of .4 mile at 12% to AID Station #4 at mile 50.4. Pass through controlled intersections at Bell Rd and Foresthill Rd, then enter the barricade section in the City of Auburn to pass through controlled intersection at Highway 49. Proceed through Auburn neighborhoods on identical outbound to complete 56-mile course at Overlook.

Detailed Description

Exit transition area at Rattlesnake Bar boat launch parking lot onto windy park road heading to park exit gate. Right at stop sign to exit park on paved road. Begin a steady climb on Rattlesnake Rd heading towards Auburn. Stay Right at traffic island (mile 1.7) to remain on Rattlesnake Rd, following Auburn arrow on sign.

Continue gentle climb and arrive at "Scotty's Corner" Feed Store and turn sharply Right onto Shirland Tract Rd (mile 3.3). Busy Auburn-Folsom Rd is just beyond your turn at this weird 3-way corner. Quickly, you reach one mile of the steep "Shirland Switchbacks" and awesome views of Folsom Lake and Sacramento Valley before a brief roller coaster section and a final gradual push to Maidu Dr in Auburn.

Once you summit on Shirland Tract, turn quickly right on Montana Dr., then Right on Maidu Dr. at mile 6. Auburn Endurance Capital Bike Route signs begin here and take you all the way through Auburn neighborhoods - follow small white signs with directional arrows. Climb briefly then descend briefly on Maidu Dr. as you follow this wide, deserted road that skirts Auburn neighborhoods along the rim of the canyon.

After a 90-degree bend and the descent bottom, continue straight into the Auburn State Park property (large green gate - open on race day! Bike liftover bar available always) right before Maidu again banks 90 degrees and heads uphill steeply. Enjoy a nice smooth descent on this wide road with a fantastic view of the American River below (sharing terrain with the run course). Near the end of pavement, right before tunnel, turn Left onto narrow access lane (rough pavement) that climbs up to Pacific Ave (gate will be open on race day - bike around available on training days) . Turn Right on Pacific Ave and pass the Auburn Overlook Park finish line.

Turn Right onto the narrow Gum Lane (just before railroad tracks). Proceed past Maki Heating and Air building (blow them a kiss, they gave permission for the race to pass thru their private road and for the city to pave the road), banking hard right into the rear parking lot. Proceed through the rear parking lot (very rough pavement) and head up the newly magnificently paved lane/bike trail, then quickly down to Belmont St and turn Left. Then Left on Belmont St, quickly Right onto Gold St, then quickly Left onto Virginia St. Follow the 90 degree turn then climb a short steep hill to the T-junction at Brook St. Left on Brook (only choice) and immediately stay left at the traffic island. Caution: Yield cars at traffic island.

Follow the double yellow line of the most prominent Brook St through a few cross streets and a soft bank to the left, where name of road changes to Marvin Way. Proceed on Marvin to the 4-way intersection and turn Right onto Borland St. Proceed on Borland St past businesses and through the Auburn PD-controlled intersection of Highway 49.

Name changes to Lincoln Way as you begin a substantial 2-mile climb to the east end of Auburn and the busy intersection of Foresthill Rd. Proceed Straight through CHP-controlled intersection, past Raley's shopping center and other businesses.

From here the road is relatively flat (slight elevation gain) for a few miles of freeway frontage. Turn Left at Bowman Undercrossing Rd (SS), crossing under I-80, then immediately Right on Bowman Rd. Follow Bowman Rd freeway frontage, descend briefly and approach the signal intersection of Bell Rd. Proceed straight through CHP-controlled intersection at Bell Rd as you follow the I-80 closely. Soon you will encounter a brief climb to AID Station #1 at mile 13.6. Sport top 28oz water bottles, bicycle bottles of Cytomax and Clif Shot energy gel will be available. Next is a fast, steep descent down "LeMondwalked Hill". Turn Right at the stop sign at the bottom onto Dry Creek Rd. Follow Dry Creek as the road changes name to Lake Arthur Rd, continuing along I-80 frontage.

Pass the tiny Lake Arthur and then turn Right at Placer Hills Rd, crossing over I-80. Turn Left onto Applegate Rd (mile 15.7) and follow this freeway frontage road along the South side of I-80. I-80 will dip into and out of view as you climb steadily east into the Sierra on this very minimally traveled road. There are brief sections where the climbing is more significant, followed by flat or even minimal downhills, followed by more climbing in a staircase fashion.

Pass through town of Applegate at 2,000' elevation and continue as the frontage road crosses over to the North side of 80 at mile 20 and changes name to Geisendorfer Rd. Climb a short, steep hill on Geisendorfer and approach a forced Left turn onto W Paoli Lane. Enjoy AID Station #2 at mile 21.3, where you turn Right to stay on Paoli Lane as it crosses back over I-80 (do not go straight into Weimar Institute).

Once across I-80, turn Left onto Paoli Lane and begin a short, steep descent with Railroad Crossing at bottom - Caution. Just after RR Crossing, turn Left onto Ponderosa Rd and proceed along I-80 frontage towards Colfax. Road changes name to Canyon Way at Weimar Cross Rd in Weimar. Continue on this nice, quiet, mostly straight and gentle climb until you reach Placer Hills Rd SS. Turn Left to cross I-80 and then Left again to remain on Placer Hills Rd. Leave I-80 corridor and tackle windy, steep .9 mile climb. At top, pass under train tunnel and turn Right at Placer Hills Rd/Tokoyana Rd SS.

Climb sharply for .3 and enter the Tokoyana Roller Coaster section of twisty turny short climbs and descents for 2.4 miles (1.2 miles uphill and 1.2 miles are downhill). Reach the high point of the race at 2,453' on Tokoyana Rd and proceed to the Left turn on Milk Ranch Rd (caution, oncoming traffic), heading down to the Bear River. CAUTION STEEP DESCENT. Look folks, this is a 4.5-8.5 hour race. After your ride you will have to tackle 13.1 miles in the canyon on foot. Soooo, go slow down this one and only potentially dangerous descent on the entire course!!

Milk Ranch descends for 1.6 miles to the Bear River Campground on the banks of the Bear River. Road changes to Campground Rd for .6 miles along the river. Bathroom available at the campground. Then, climb away from the river on Plum Tree Rd (no turns, just follow the only road). Climb steeply for 1.3 miles on this windy, tree-shaded road up to Placer Hills Rd. Imagine yourself in the lead pack of the Giro D'Italia, high in the mountains above Turin, racing for the honor of your country and a large professional salary. Get back to reality, turn Left on Placer Hills Rd (caution, busy road, downhill oncoming traffic), descend briefly and then climb back up to the 3-way intersection where you began this 5.8-mile Bear River Campground loop.

Turn Right onto Placer Hills Rd at stop sign, pass under train tunnel and enjoy more of the descending Roller Coaster - another .9 miles until you reach the I-80 bridge. Turn Right to remain on Placer Hills Rd and cross I-80, then immediately Right onto Canyon Way and South I-80 frontage. Bomb down the fast, straight gentle downhill section for a couple miles, then climb for mile up to Weimar Cross Rd and continue Straight. There the road changes name from Canyon Way to Ponderosa Rd.

Continue gentle climb for .6 mile, then Right onto Paoli Lane (don't miss this turn and head into Deliverance land. You'll know when Ponderosa starts descending steeply towards the river, turns to dirt and you see gold miners with long beards and shotguns along the way who are not helpful with directions...no offense to any gun-toting hillbilly's reading this web site). Cross Railroad tracks and climb steep .2 mile hill to W Paoli Lane. Turn Right on W Paoli, cross I-80, turn Left on W Paoli and enjoy AID Station #3 at mile 36.8. Descend quickly to a forced Right onto Geisendorfer Rd at the I-80 onramp/offramp. After one mile, descend a short steep grade and then take a hard left at the Applegate Rd SS at the bottom of the hill, crossing over I-80 to the South side.

Proceed along relatively flat section of Applegate Rd, then staircase-style descents mixed with flatter terrain, for a total of 4.2 miles of high speed riding to reach Placer Hills Rd. Turn Right across I-80 bridge then immediately Right at the signal light onto Lake Arthur Rd, the I-80 North side frontage. Proceed outbound on a straight, deserted and gentle uphill section, right alongside I-80, for 2.7 miles to the Log Cabin building and turnaround. Bomb back downhill for 2.7 miles and proceed through the high speed, CHP-controlled intersection of Placer Hills Rd with extreme caution.

Pproceed past Lake Arthur along Lake Arthur Rd. Continue straight as the road changes name at Neils Rd to Dry Creek Rd, then quickly turn Left at the stop sign and proceed on Bowman Rd. Here you will begin a punishing climb of .4-mile at 12% grade. Greg LeMond once walked this climb in one of his many training sessions in the area. This is a fact because it was spray painted on the road at the base of the climb.

Reach the top of the climb and encounter AID Station #4 at mile 50.4. Get back on your bike and start riding towards Auburn. Descend quickly to the signal intersection at Bell Rd (CHP control) and proceed straight through with extreme caution. Continue along Bowman Rd freeway frontage, tackling a small climb before basically smooth sailing to the finish line ~300' below you and four miles away. Turn Left at Bowman Undercrossing, under I-80 and then quickly Right on Lincoln Way. Proceed with caution for as you enter the business district of Auburn. After .4-mile, proceed through the crowded intersection at Foresthill Rd (CHP control - mile 53). As you leave the fast food cluster and get a little breathing room, you will commence a fast descent along the Lincoln Way freeway frontage.

Alert: Traffic Control Plan for City of Auburn

Along a brief flat section at Russell Rd, the Auburn Police will close the road to autos so that only cyclists may proceed westbound beyond the Russell Rd freeway access road. Proceed straight on Lincoln Way up one last short climb. At the top you will proceed on flat road briefly before facing a steep descent approaching the signal intersection of Highway 49. With the road closure, you will be able to approach this intersection without interference from cars backed up on the road.

Proceed straight through the Auburn PD-controlled Hwy 49 intersection and continue as the road changes to Borland St. Please use extreme caution on this steep descent approaching a busy intersection. Use common sense and watch for cars that may not be obeying police commands.

At the 4-way stop sign, turn softly left onto Marvin Way. This is a tricky intersection with three roads branching off of it. You are following the choice furthest to the left - look for the double yellow line and follow that. Follow Marvin Way as it quickly banks right and turns into Brook St. When in doubt follow the yellow line or the most prominent road. There are a couple curves where another road branches off and its not always well signed. Stay right at the Y island intersection of Brook St and Robie, climbing a steep 50 meter bump to a forced 90-degree bank at end of Brook onto Virginia St.

Descend steeply on Virginia St (caution), then follow another 90-degree bank. Then proceed to Gold St stop sign and turn Right. Proceed on Gold for 300 meters to Belmont and turn Left (before train tracks). Proceed 100 meters uphill on Belmont to narrow, unmarked Gum Lane and turn Right on Gum Lane. Enjoy this newly paved bike trail/Auburn Tri race course and thank the City of Auburn public works dept! There is NO PASSING on Gum Lane from Belmont to Pacific Ave - just take it easy and proceed with care. Try to pass and you will be penalized 15 minutes and fined $20! Using Gum Lane allows us to use quiet back neighborhood streets, avoid all major Auburn intersections and avoid a possible train crossing ruining your bike split. Thanks to race sponsor Maki Heating and Air for letting us use this private road where their business is located!

You will climb steeply and then the road banks 90 degrees left at the top. Be especially careful to get through Gum Lane carefully. Follow the narrow and now paved Gum Lane as it winds through industrial offices (bad pavement in parking lot), crosses over a canal on a narrow bridge and reaches Pacific Ave. Turn Left on Pacific Ave and proceed for 200 meters uphill and turn left into the transition area at the Auburn Area Overlook to complete ride.

Photos on this page by Michael Kirby