cfforum

Winter training.... the parkway is getting boring -

I'm looking for mostly flat routes to mix things up a bit. It would be ideal to have them start close to Folsom, but I'll entertain other starting points.

a 12 of longhammers is the prize for the best suggestion!

A few months back, a few of our Peloton Group riders asked me for a route of approximately 40 miles on mostly flat land; something new.

I created this ride from a longer ride that goes from Sacramento to Santa Rosa. It begins at Civic Center Park in Davis and heads west, along Putah Creek and up to Pleasants Valley road. It's an out-and-back route. The report I received from those riders was that the route is well worth the trip.

Also, credit to Curtis Taylor and Scott McKinney for introducing me to the longer version of the ride from which this one was derived.

This would be an easy ride to modify in a seemingly infinite number of ways because it is centered in the middle of hte valley where it's flat in every direction. Though you offer a great prize, I will exempt myself from the contest.

Here's a map of the route:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8& ... &z=12&om=1

Scott road South to Rancho Murieta, and then East on 16 to HWY 49, and up to Plymouth and back is a pretty flat ride with some rolling hills, but nothing steep or long. It can be windy, but in my opinion, is far better then the bike trail. Scott road used to be super rough, but has been re-paved in the last year and is now a nice road to ride on. There is no shoulder on Scott, but traffic is very light.

That is my suggestion.

Mark, that sounds like a perfect, clear winter's day ride. Any idea on mileage?

For you mega miles guys it is kind of short. It is only 30 miles out to Plymouth from the Oak/Riley intersection. But if you don't mind a few hills (nothing too steep) there are all kinds of great loops from Plymouth either coming up Latrobe/S. Shingle Springs, or down to Ione and then coming back up through Rancho Murieta and Scott Road. I for one, can't stand the bike trail more then just a few times a year.[url=http://www.imageposter.com/uploads/get/134236][img]http://www.imageposter.com/storage/t33/99481Trail_Markings_gone_wrong.jpg[/img][/url]

Green Valley, Cameron Park, Duroc, S Shingle, Latrobe, then Jackson to Sunrise or the canal and back on the bike trail. No serious climbing and all front loaded so you can cruise on the way back. Really fun and easy ride.

Well I'm declaring this a Tie - so both submissions were great and both win the prize. I can't decide. Thanks to Brian and Mark for submitting.

Also honorable mention to Steve who exempted himself from the contest. I've not done his suggestion yet but I'm sure it's great.

Look for the next challenge shortly!

Glad you enjoyed, and thank you for the earlier note.

Mark