2024 Three Rivers Century

 

Nimbus Dam as seen from the American River Parkway.

With a looming extended trip, (non-biking), coming up in June, I decided to try to get my century ride in as early as possible. My mileage on the bike has been decent and the weather forecast was for nearly ideal conditions so I decided to try for it in early May.

Outside of Lincoln.

The route is same as last year's. Starting from my place in Rocklin, I rode up to Lincoln, then followed McCourtney Road up to Riosa Rd. There I turned west and passed through Sheridan and crossed into Sutter County following Bear River Drive, continuing through the four corners at Pleasant Grove and Bear River Drive, eventually turning south and reaching Pacific Avenue. Pacific will take you to Trowbridge/East Nicolaus. I had explored this route earlier in the Spring on my Fixed gear bike, see my blog entry: Spring-2024.

At Coon Creek on McCourtney.

Through the Walnut Groves on Bear River Drive.

At East Nicolaus, you now turn right, (west), and proceed over the Highway 70 overpass into the village of Nicolaus. Up until this point the weather had been pretty benign. But as I was approaching the Garden Highway I became aware of a wind starting to kick up, blowing from the north. This had been forecast and it's direction proved to be a help! I enjoyed at least a partial tailwind as I cycled down towards Sacramento! Temperatures were mild. I took off my wind breaker and long sleeved undershirt upon reaching the Garden Highway.

A nice wildflower patch at the entrance of Nicolaus.

Along the Feather River on the Garden Highway.

Farmland looking east off the Garden Highway.

I reached my usual lunch spot beneath the I-5 overpass at just shy of 5 hours. The distance at this point is now almost 59 miles! That's a little bit more than when I rode this route from Loomis. After lunch, I continued down the road heading to Discovery Park and the American River Parkway. Occasionally the road turned east and I felt more of a crosswind than a tail wind, but it still was not bad.

On the American River Parkway, a look at the American River.

So the rest of the ride was up the Parkway to Beales Point State park. From there I hopped on the Auburn-Folsom Blvd. After the day of quiet farm roads and the Parkway, it was kind of unsettling to be on this busy road. Fortunately, I was able to get off Auburn-Folsom at Cavitt-Stallman Rd and then on to Laird and on to Webb and back to Rocklin, so my time on Auburn-Folsom was short.

Post ride look at the bike.

Equipment notes:

I rode the Mercian KOM today and had no problems. I carried a spare water bottle in the handlebar bag as this keeps the water in that bottle out of the sun and fairly cool. 

I wore my Santic bib shorts. I have to say I'm a little disappointed in them as I developed some chafing. They have been good for 4 hour rides but 9 hours seems to have been beyond their capability.  

Here's a map of the route.

Here are the stats. Nothing earth-shaking but I was satisfied. I still have to get about 300 mile ridden before I take off in June to have 2,000 mile at the half year mark!

Here are the stats.