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| The Delta King |
With a full schedule of summer activities coming, I felt I needed to get my cycling training going early this year. Things went so well that I decided I could attempt my annual "3 Rivers Century" in April, so off I went.
The advantage of an April century is that the heat hasn't settled over the region yet and this year was no exception, with high temps forecast in the mid 80s. The morning temperatures were cool enough to warrant some 3/4 length tights over my shorts to begin with. An undershirt, a wool jersey, "sun sleeves", and a light wind shell rounded out the rest of my ensemble. By the time I reached Nicolaus, I had shed the tights and wind shell, but I managed to keep the sleeves on all day. I never really got very hot until the last stretch up Auburn-Folsom Road in the afternoon.
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| Nicolaus. |
My route for this ride is counter-clockwise if you examine it on a map. Departing Loomis and riding through Lincoln and continuing westward to Nicolaus to the Garden Highway. I then followed the levee road along the Feather River to Verona. This year I watched out for the confluence of the Feather and Sacramento rivers and found a good vantage point at the Verona Marina. This was the first time I've seen this, and I was surprised that the Sacramento was smaller than the Feather at this point.
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| Unusual view of the confluence of the Feather and Sacramento Rivers, from the Verona Marina. |
Now continuing south on the Garden Highway I soon could see Sac International from a less common vantage point. After that I came to the I-5 overpass and stopped for a brief lunch stop then headed into Sacramento.
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| Sacramento Intl, looking Southeast from the Garden Highway. |
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| Lunch break under Interstate 5. |
Soon I was on the American River Parkway at Discovery Park. I don't always see wildlife here but today I spotted a small group of deer and a handsome Egret.
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| Wildlife spotted on the American River Parkway. |
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| Again, on the American River Parkway. |
Following a couple of different bike trails I made my way to Beal's Point State Park and then onto Auburn Folsom road up to King, then back to home.
Another good century, with virtually no mechanical problems, not even a flat! I did notice that one of my handlebar end caps had fallen off,(!), but it was just a cheap plastic pressed-in one that was no great loss. I had no cramping this time, I think this is because of the mild temperatures and not because I'm in any better shape than in previous years!
