Leaving Ione you start south along Buena Vista Road (photo left).

Turning left on Stoney Creek Road, you promptly will start the day's first climb and soon will cross Pardee Reservoir's northernmost dam. 

After climbing out of Pardee Reservoir (photo right), look left (north) and you may see Lake Amador almost hidden among the hills.   

A series of ups and downs along scenic Stoney Creek Road (photo left) eventually brings you into Jackson. 

You will exit Jackson on Clinton Road.  I love the gradual, tree lined climb to Pine Grove along Clinton and Irish Town Roads; this section is quiet, pretty, and shady. 

 

 

 

The 55 mile ride separates from the longer rides in Pine Grove. 

Take great care during the final descent on Pine Grove-Volcano Road, as it is very steep, and you will find an intersection at the bottom of the hill. 

After stopping to refuel in Volcano (photo right), enjoy the beautiful downhill course on Sutter Creek-Volcano Road to Sutter Creek  and on Sutter Creek-Ione Road to journey's end in Ione.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 99 and 125 mile rides stop at Pine Grove Community Park for Rest Stop #1.   Water (but little food) is available  (I recommend carrying adequate food for the entire ride.).

Proceed east from Pine Grove on Highway 88 (CAUTION:  heavy traffic!). 

Turning right onto Red Corral Road, you will encounter an initial climb; when the road levels off, look right (west - photo left)) for a scenic vista of the foothills. 

You then will encounter a significant descent, followed by a climb to West Point, where food is available (but where no rest stop is scheduled). 

After leaving West Point you will encounter a downhill on Highway 26 and a short, steep uphill on Railroad Flat Road.  Don't miss (!) the right turn to remain on Railroad Flat Road; the main road continues to the left as Blue Mountain Road, and Railroad Flat Road splits to the right as the narrower choice. 

Be cautious on the next descent on Railroad Flat Road:  it is narrow (almost down to one lane) and curvy, and there is occasional traffic.  A mile long climb from the south fork of the Mokelumne River brings you to Railroad Flat (photo right) and Rest Stop #2. 

This is the last store for 46 miles (!) on the 125 mile ride. 

 

 

 

 

Leaving Railroad Flat you initially will enjoy a nice, gradual descent on Railroad flat Road (photo left).  You will pass through areas burned in the Murphys fire. 

If you're getting very fatigued, you can shorten the return by taking Jesus Maria Road (NOTE:  paved, but very bumpy!) to Mokelumne Hill, taking Highway 26 to Paloma Road, and resuming the course at that point.  

At mile 56.8 the 125 mile option turns left onto Sheep Ranch Road.  (The 99 mile ride continues directly to San Andreas through Mountain Ranch.)  

Sheep Ranch Road (photos right & left) features descents to and climbs from four bridges.

The second climb, coming shortly after Sheep Ranch, is the hardest of the day and consists of a series of switchbacks (see left photo) up a canyon; this can be brutal, as there is little shade or air movement, and it typically is hot (keep hydrated!).

The descent down to the forth (last) bridge courses down a lovely valley.

When you finally pass the road to Mercer Caverns you are near  Murphys and Rest Stop #3.  Take time here to refuel and rehydrate adequately! 

Leaving Murphys, you will encounter a climb up French Gulch Road; when it finally levels off, you will enjoy a downhill course most of the way to Angels Camp. 

You will leave Angels Camp on Dogtown Road (photos below).
I regard this road as one of the nicest I know, in spite of its bumpiness (it justifies the Sheep Ranch Road climb).  I love its lovely, unspoiled oak forests which appear little changed by civilization. 

The route continues on Calaveritas Road which is wooded and similarly remote. 

In Calaveritas (photo right) you will bike under an ancient railroad trestle.

The 99 and 125 mile routes rejoin in San Andreas, location of Rest Stop #(3) 4.

I regard Highway 12 as dangerous (be alert!):  heavy, fast, impatient traffic, the worst of the day.

The rest of the course is nice:  hills covered with oaks, quiet roads, mostly downhill. 

You will have a nice view of the Central Valley on Paloma Road (photo left). 

Note the old stone buildings on your left in Campo Seco.

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After turning north you will cross Camanche Reservoir, revisit Buena Vista, and return to Ione and ride's end.