All rides proceed from Ione up Stoney Creek Road to Jackson
and up Clinton Road to Pine Grove. The 55 mile option then returns to
Ione through Volcano and Sutter Creek. The longer rides continue to
West Point and Railroad Flat. At Sheep Ranch Road the longest option
loops over to Murphys and Angels Camp. From San Andreas, both 100 and
125 mile routes return to Ione via Paloma, Campo Seco, and Buena
Vista.
Terrain ranges from valley floor (Ione) to rugged Sierra foothills. Most roads are rural and quiet.
Sheep Ranch Road (125 mile option) offers little shade
and can be tough in hot weather.
Howard Park, Ione.
From Sacramento take the Jackson Highway (Highway 16)
east through Rancho Murieta to Ione Road. Continue south on Ione
Road and turn left (east) on Highway 104. In Ione turn left (at
the stop sign) on Highway 124 (W Main Street), turn right at the next
corner to remain on Highway 124, and proceed south 0.5 miles to Howard
Park (on your left).
Climbing: 4,340 feet.
Difficulty: moderate. The course is largely vertical, but most climbing is gradual, and there are no severe climbs on this route. Moderately fit riders should be able to complete this option without unusual difficulty.
Maximum elevation: 2,510 feet.
Climbing: 99 Mile Route:
8,275 feet.
125 Mile Route: 11,650 feet.
Difficulty: 99 Mile Route: moderate to
marked. Although climbs are not severe, there is substantial
total climbing.
125 Mile Route: severe. The combination of mileage (125
miles) and climbing (steep, large total) make this route quite strenuous. I recommend this option only for very fit riders.
Maximum elevation: 2,800 feet.
