Day 3 - Sacramento to Auburn CA, 50 miles, 3 June

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Day 3 – Sacramento CA to Auburn CA (Not Alabama), 2380 feet of climb, max speed 28mph

Two thirds of the ride was a bikepath along the American River, which was the site of the 1849 Gold Rush. It is also the location of the prison that Johnnie Cash made famous at Folsom. Lots of huge dams and wildlife. I wish I could have a video of turn by turn, lake by lake, forrest by forrest. We met Zoe, a 20 college graduate riding solo to Maine this summer. We prayed for her safety, and a realistic Plan B. Can you believe it? They actually have speed traps on the bike trail and the police can issue a $50 ticket for those riding over 15 mph. No fear - tomorrow is 'hump day' and nobody wants to expend their all on today's route.

The City of Auburn shows no sign of any interest in city planning - roads go everywhere without regard for grade or property lot size. The depot is on the top of the hill (most are at the lowest point in town) and pedestrians rule the streets. It is so crowded and there is no place to park, even a bike! The city lays claim to the endurance capital of the world with several events like the wolrd's toughest half triathlon, the 100 mile one day foot race, and the toughest horse race in the country on trails that criscross these hills. Actually, they sound just a bit over the top with the tough-guy and tough-gal thing. All I know is that the hill coming into town was a 1,234 foot climb. It was a bearable grade for the first six miles, but the last four were insane. Much worse than what we did in San Francisco. Three times on the climb my heart said 'No more, big boy! You must rest now!' - but in the end I rode every inch of the hill.

We were fed a big dinner tonight at Sizzler's after the shortest day on the tour. Everybody got their laundry done and bikes checked out for tomorrow. We are out the door at 0545 tomorrow morning and we hope we are all over Donner's Pass by 7pm tomorrow night. Weather is cooperating (no snow, some breeze, much sun, temps in the 60s). Am I nervous? Terrified. We can see the peeks of the Sierra Nevada from here. They grow mountains a bit taller here than in Alabama.

Bottom Line: The routes they have laid out are a bike rider's dream come true. Wow.