by Bruce Hendler for AthletiCamps

Only a short 90 minute drive from Rocklin, in the heart of the Sierra, there are fantastic places to take athletes for training rides during camps and clinics.  One of my favorites (and I have a lot of them), is the Gold Lakes loop, which starts approximately 25 miles north of Truckee and travels through Sierra and Plumas counties, as well as such small towns as Graegale, Cleo and Bassets.

The good thing about this ride is the first 25 miles are entirely flat, which offers a good warm up, especially since we are at altitudes of 5000-7000 ft. the entire ride.  We park in Sierraville and ride north of highway 89 to the town of Sattley.  Sattley is well known in Northern California, because it’s where the district time trial takes place every year.  You cannot imagine that in the middle of the Sierras, there is a dead flat valley that spans for over 20 miles, but there is!  In Sattley (one small store that is rarely open, 4 houses, and a few horses and cows), we take a right on Road A23. There are no road names out here, as they name them like astronomical discoveries (M65, N44F, etc). Every time I ride this road, which borders the Sierra Valley, I am reminded of all those District time trials I competed in (ouch!). 

After you turn left on Highway 70, which has a very wide shoulder, you ride 4 miles (and one long shallow grade) to enter the town of Portola.  What is Portola famous for??  I haven’t got a clue, but it’s a pretty interesting little town. 

Take a left and follow Road A15 thru the old section of Portola and the road turns upward as your climbing adventure begins. Note that none of the climbs on this ride are steep.  They are long and are at altitude, which makes them difficult.  I recommend a 25 or 27 cog to be comfortable.  Not only does the climbing begin at this point, but the scenery becomes incredible.  The Sierra’s have a lot of granite formations, and this ride contains many opportunities to view a lot of them! 

Road A15 gently climbs and then descends back down to Highway 89 (further north of where we started) into the towns of Cleo and Graeagle, which are nestled in what is called the Mohawk Valley.  We take a right on Highway 89 and wind our way where we eventually take a left on the Gold Lakes Forest Highway and our first major climb of the day. 

Gold Lakes Road is why we do this ride.  As you begin your 8 miles ascent (4-5%) up to the summit and thru the Tahoe National Forest, granite structures begin to appear right before your eyes.  As you get to the top, there are a group of lakes with such names as Gold, Goose, Haven and Snag!  There are multiple camp grounds around this area, so if you ever feel like coming to a great location to get away – this is the place.

You’ve suffered up the big climb and now it’s time to reap your reward.  The decent down to Bassets and Highway 49 offers one of the most spectacular views (and my favorite) of the Sierra Buttes (picture).  Warning – just make sure you don’t fly off the side of the road as you stare in amazement at this mountain range.  It’s absolutely incredible and you have to see it to believe it.  Jagged, granite peaks, with year around snow, against a typical California blue sky background.  Without a doubt, worth the trip!  And the great thing is you get to coast down the mountain while you view them!

A left on Highway 49 at Bassets (hotel and store/restaurant which has great hamburgers and milkshakes) and you begin your second ascent on the west side of Yuba Pass.  Yuba Pass climbs 6 miles at 4% thru thick forests and streams.  From the top of Yuba Pass, you are treated to an 8 mile, smooth, switch-backed descent back down to Sattley which offers incredible views of the Sierra Valley, where the ride began.  A short, flat jaunt across the valley on Highway 89 back to Sierraville and your 70 mile ride is complete.

This is one of my favorite rides.  If you are ever in the area (in the summer) and want a treat, don’t hesitate to ask me to take you on this ride.  It won’t take too much convincing!  See you soon!

*Note – as an additional journey, try driving back to the Sacramento area on Highway 49 thru such towns of Sierra City, Downiville, North San Juan and Nevada City.  Very scenic and very historic (and alot of good dive bars!)