|
Training | Preparing for the Event | Cycling Resources | HIV+ Participants
Strategies | Rules of the Road | Training Rides | Calendar
Finding fun yet safe places to ride
a bike over the distances required to train for the NCAC
can be one of the most significant challenges for NCAC
Cyclists. To help with that, we’ve compiled the
following resources for you:
Our Favorite Routes
At the bottom of this page you’ll find a listing
of popular cycling routes in the Sacramento region. These
were put together by NCAC veterans and represent our
very favorite rides. They span the entire range of length
and difficulty and include a link to a map and turn-by-turn
directions. So feel free to browse the list, find a route
that suits you, and get to riding! Make sure to check
back here often, since we’ll be adding more routes
almost every week.
American River Bike Trail
If you live anywhere between Sacramento and Folsom, you
probably live within minutes of the American River Bike
Trail, a mostly flat 30-mile car-free trail visited by
hundreds of cyclists each day. Below we’ve provided
a list of the most common access points along the trail’s
length.
NCAC Training Rides
Starting in January, we’ll be offering weekly NCAC
training rides led by experienced NCAC veterans. All
NCAC Cyclists are encouraged to come out to as many training
rides as possible to get used to riding with other cyclists
and to meet other members of the NCAC community. As the
NCAC gets closer, the rides will increase in length and
difficulty. Cycling helmets are required for ALL CYCLISTS
on NCAC training rides. You can get information on the
NCAC training rides by going to the NCAC
online calendar.
Novice Cyclist Workshops and Training Rides
For NCACers who are brand new to cycling, we’re
offering a series of workshops throughout the Fall and
Winter specifically designed to help beginning cyclists
get up to speed with everything they need to know to
join us on the weekly training rides in January and be
ready for the Challenge itself in May. You can learn
more about the workshops and when they’re happening
on the NCAC
online calendar.
NCAC Listserv (Coming Soon!)
To help you get connected with the NCAC community and
find training partners, we’ll be putting together
a Challenge listserv. Stay tuned for that!
Finally, please be sure to check frequently for updates
to the training ride calendar! If you’re interested
in becoming a training ride leader, would like to schedule
a training ride, or have a favorite route you want to
share with other NCACers, contact Joaquin Feliciano at
joaquin.feliciano@gmail.com or 530.304-3367.
Common
Access Points on the American River Bike Trail
Davis-Cantelow Loop (55 Miles)
Description: This is a moderate 55-mile loop that
travels between Davis and Winters, just west of Sacramento.
The first and last 20 miles are very flat, while the
middle 15 provide just enough rolling hills to keep
things interesting. This is a beautiful mid-length
ride to help Cyclists get used to spending more time
in the saddle.
This route will also serve as the very last NCAC Benchmark
Ride (#3b), scheduled for Sunday, April 27th.
Total Distance: 55 miles
Terrain: Moderately challenging with rollers and a
few longer, steeper climbs and descents
Road Quality: Mostly smooth.
Car Traffic: Light, with a generous shoulder where
traffic usually picks up
Start Location: Ciocolat Extraordinary Desserts (301
B St.) in Davis
Plenty of street parking, free on weekends
Bathroom located in Ciocolat
Link to route map and cue sheet
Carmichael to Davis and back (51
Miles)
Description: This is a very flat 51-mile out and back
course that will take cyclists straight through midtown
Sacramento and West Sacramento, then over the causeway
and on into Davis before turning around and heading
back. Due to its flat profile and plenty of opportunities
to stop and refuel along the way, this is a perfect
trip for Cyclists who want to practice their route-sheet-reading
skills and step up their mileage.
Total Distance: 51 miles
Terrain: Flat, very flat.
Road Quality: Mostly smooth.
Car Traffic: Light to very high. Shoulder is good for
most of the way. Lots of intersections to cross, so
be attentive!
Start Location: Bella Bru Café at 5038 Fair
Oaks Blvd. in Carmichael (Corner of Fair Oaks and Arden
Way)
Plenty of free parking
Bathrooms located in Bella Bru
Link to route map and cue sheet
Lincoln Loop (42 miles)
Description: This route, that
starts just a few miles north of Roseville, will
take you from suburbia to
the Sierra foothills and back! It includes lots of
fun rollers and quiet back roads in the foothills south
of Auburn. A nice step up for cyclists accustomed to
the flatness of the Central Valley. 2400’ total
elevation gain.
Total Distance: 42 miles
Terrain: Rollers. Road Quality: Mostly smooth.
Car Traffic: Very Light
Start Location: McBean Park in Lincoln
(65 McBean Park Drive)
Plenty of free parking and free bathrooms
Food and water can be purchased in Lincoln
Link
to route map and cue sheet
Winters
to Moskowite and back (41 miles)
This is a challenging 41 mile
ride that will have you conquering both sides of
one of the largest hills
in the area – Cardiac Hill. If you can complete
this ride without walking you’ll know you’re
well on your way to being able to tackle the Challenge.
This route will be used for the NCAC Benchmark ride
scheduled for Saturday, March 15th.
Total Distance: 41 miles
Terrain: Challenging with rollers and sections of
prolonged, steep climbing
Road Quality: Very good throughout. Narrow shoulder
in some places
Car Traffic: Light to moderate. Watch for boat trailers
in the summer!
Start Location: Steady Eddy’s in Winters (5
E. Main St.)
Plenty of free parking
Bathroom located in Steady Eddy’s
Link
to route map and cue sheet
Fish
Hatchery to Loomis and back (38 miles)
This is a moderately challenging ride that starts
and ends on the American River Bike Trail and includes
the rollings hills in the Folsom-Loomis area. Traffic
can be heavy in some places, but there's a wide shoulder
and good pavement for the entire route. The route gets
sunny in spots, so bring plenty of fluids. This is
a great route for people looking for more experience
with the types of terrain we'll see on the NCAC.
The route starts and ends at the
Total Distance: 38 miles
Terrain: Lots of rollers. Road Quality: Mostly smooth.
Car Traffic: Can get heavy, but there’s a generous
shoulder for most of the way.
Start Location: Nimbus Salmon & Steelhead Hatchery
(2001 Nimbus Rd., Ste. F) in Rancho Cordova
Free parking and bathrooms at the hatchery
Link
to route map and cue sheet
Hilly
Winters Loop (30 miles)
Description: This is a moderately
challenging 30 mile ride that includes every type
of terrain, in the perfect
order! It comprises a flat 10-mile warm up, followed
by a 10-mile section of hills ranging from easy rollers
to the steep-but-short Cantelow Hill. And the last
10 miles are beautiful, mostly-downhill rollers through
pastures and orchards. This is an excellent shorter
ride to give both Rookie and Silverback NCACers critical
experience climbing and descending hills. Cyclists
looking for an extra challenge can do repeats on the
steep (west) side of Cantelow Hill. Joaquin’s
record time to the top is 6:30. Free beverage to any
NCACer who beats it!
This route will also serve as the first NCAC Benchmark
Ride, scheduled for Saturday, Feb 9th.
Total Distance: 30 miles
Terrain: Moderately challenging with rollers and a
few longer, steeper climbs and descents
Road Quality: Mostly smooth, with a few potholes in
sections.
Car Traffic: Usually very light
Start Location: Steady Eddy’s in Winters (5 E.
Main St.)
Plenty of free parking
Bathroom located in Steady Eddy’s
Link
to route map and cue sheet
South
Davis Loop (27 Miles)
Description: This is a very easy and scenic 27-mile
loop around the southern half of Davis. Great for beginners
looking for a change from the American River Bike Trail
as well as for more experienced riders wanting to get
more familiar with the Davis area. Route finding is
also very easy. A perfect way to spend a leisurely
weekend morning or afternoon.
Total Distance: 27 miles
Terrain: Flat. Flat. Flat
Road Quality: Smooth.
Car Traffic: Usually very light
Start Location: Davis Park-n-Ride behind Ikeda’s
Produce Market (26295 Mace Blvd.) in Davis.
Directions: 80 W from Sacramento to the Mace Blvd.
exit. Turn RIGHT at the top of the ramp and then RIGHT
at the next light (2nd St / Hwy 32). Drive past the
driveway into Ikeda’s and turn RIGHT at the very
next driveway into the Park n Ride. Park, then Ride!
Parking is free.
Portable bathrooms in lot.
Link
to route map and cue sheet
Loomis Wild Chicken
Route (19 miles)
Description: This short ride starts in beautiful downtown
Loomis and winds through beautiful country roads in
the Sierra foothills. There are a number of short,
challenging hills along the way, but the views and
countryside make them well worth the effort! This route
is suitable for beginning and intermediate riders looking
to get more experience climbing and descending hills.
Total Distance: 19 miles
Terrain: Rollers, a few steep sections. Road Quality:
Mostly smooth.
Car Traffic: Very Light
Start Location: Wild Chicken Coffee Shop in Loomis
(3640 Taylor Rd. in Loomis CA)
Free parking, bathroom in Wild Chicken
Link
to route map and cue sheet
|
