After leaving Franklin School and crossing I-5 you shortly will pass the Stonelake Wildlife Refuge.  Turning left on the River Road (Highway 160) you will ascend the Sacramento River levee and start the day's ride along the Delta's waterway labyrinth.

A right turn onto Randall Island Road (photo right) takes you through an orchard and up onto a quiet, narrow levee road which passes orchards for the next two miles.

Back on the River Road you will visit Courtland, turn right onto the day's first bridge, and cross the Sacramento River (photo left).          

After crossing the Sutter Slough drawbridge (photo right), you will turn right onto Grand Island Road.

This quiet and scenic road will convey you along Sutter and Steamboat Sloughs (photo below).

At mile 12.7 you will pass the historic Grand Island Mansion (photo right).

At mile 15.5, if you are taking one of the shorter options and have the time, consider taking the (free) ferry to Road 220 West and exploring Ryer Island.

At mile 15.9 the 37 mile route turns left toward Ryde and returns to the start.

At mile 17.1 you will find a park with portable toilets at "Hogback Island Access."

After refueling in Isleton, riders on the 95 mile route head south on Highway 160.

Traffic increases significantly after the Highway 12 intersection.

As you progress Mt Diablo looms ever larger on the horizon. 

Take care crossing the narrow bridge at mile 34.3 (and mile 48.9); either wait for traffic to clear, or cross (carefully) on the elevated walkway. 

You may see large flocks of birds in these waters (photo left - birds barely visible).   

At mile 38.8 (near the Antioch Bridge) turn left onto Sherman Island (photo below).  You will cross the island and then ride on Sherman Island Levee Road along the San Joaquin River.  The landscape appears windswept (great windsurfing).

After looping around Sherman Island turn right onto Brannan Island Road (not into Brannan Island Recreation Area!) and cruise Brannan, Twitchell, and Andrus Islands (photo right). 

After crossing Andrus Island, revisit Isleton and enjoy Rest Stop #2.

                                                                                          Next visit Tyler Island after crossing the Tyler Island Bridge.

Here you will be biking along the North Fork of the Mokelumne River (photo left).

On a clear day you may see the Sierra Nevada Mountains (as in photo to the left) across the valley.

Please note:  the last time I biked here, after turning right onto Tyler Island Road, I found the road passable but under construction and exceptionally rough.

If you see a "Road Closed" sign, I recommend you turn left (not right) at mile 66.5 at Tyler Island Road, subsequently taking left turns at Race Track Road and River Roads, as on the 49 mile ride.

Back on Highway 160 pass through Walnut Grove and the nearby transmission towers.  As you pass through the historic Chinese town of Locke, take a moment and coast down to Main Street for an interesting glimpse into the past.

Continue north on the River Road, which at mile 86.5 becomes Highway 160 (photo below).  Farm mansions still display their old glory.  Orchards prevail, although a few vineyards have been planted.

Courtland offers a last chance for obtaining food.  Follow Hwy 160 and Hood-Franklin Road back to journey's end in Franklin.