Sierra Century

The Sierra Century was one of the most grueling, enjoyable rides I've done. Frank Mullin, Mike and Liz Curren, Blake Swafford, and I met in the small town of Drytown Friday evening to make our way over to Plymouth to pre-register for Saturday's ride. That being done, we then made our way back to Sutter Creek for a dinner hopefully filled with pasta. Thanks to Blake's "brilliant idea", we chose Theresa's. After a late dinner, I made my way back to Jackson and my motel room.

The alarm sounded early, I wanted to get an early start to the day. The forecast was for the 90's and I know the toughest climb would come late in the ride. I arrived at the fairground at 5:20 and got a covered parking spot (I didn't know we were suppose to park in the hot field). Tires pumped up, gear on and by 0550 I was on my way. I was the second rider to leave.

The ride starts out with a gradual downhill on Old Sacramento Rd. that follows a creek so it was quite cool. I hadn't worn any warm clothes because I knew it would heat up fast and I didn't want to have to carry any extra gear. I broke out of the trees into rolling hills with the sun just coming up over the hill behind me. I chased my 30 foot tall shadow as I watched the sun light up the hills in front of me. I turned left onto Latrobe Rd. and was soon into rollers and my body started to heat up. I was all alone enjoying the oak dotted fields, the crisp smells, and the many animals. I saw many horses, a few llamas, and even a peacock in full plummage. I mooed at the many cows but they never mooed back. One calf heard me mooing and ran away. I wonder if it was something I said. The route followed some wonderful back roads, Carbondale Rd., Irish Hills Rd., and Five Mile Dr.

The first rest stop was in Ione and I was the second person there. The place was stocked full of wonderful food and volunteers. There were fresh strawberries, muffins, cookies, bananas, oranges, Balance bars, water, and Gatorade. I set a personal record by losing my route slip within the first 6 miles, however, the course was very well marked and I never took a wrong turn. I was able to get a new route slip at next water stop.

As I left the first rest stop the route climbed out of Ione on Hwy 124 where the heat started to build. There was a water stop and much needed bathrooms at the top of the long, hot climb on Sutter-Ione Rd. The route then followed Sutter-Volcano Rd., a beautiful canyon that ran alongside Sutter Creek. I met a local mountain biker just out for a morning ride. When I told him there were about 1000 riders behind me, he looked incredulous. This portion of the ride was cool and beautiful. The only downfall was the road surface became worse the closer I got to Volcano and there was never any shoulder. But then there wasn't any traffic either. I arrived in Volcano amid the tall trees. A volunteer told me I was the first woman there. That would last until Slug Gulch.

This rest stop was even better than the first. In addition to what they had at the first stop, there were peanut M&M's, Skittles, peanut-butter sandwiches, trail mix, pretzels, peanuts, and V-8. A volunteer was walking among the cyclists with a big platter of sandwiches. Nice touch. Talking among the other riders, I noticed a trend. This seemed to be a universal training ride for the upcoming Death Ride.

I left Volcano and followed Rams Horn Grade. This was a long, steady climb for 6 miles. But what goes up must come down and it was a fun descent to Fiddletown. Fiddletown was another wonderful, well-stocked rest stop. They added turkey and cheese sandwiches with tomatoes and condiments.

I don't remember much of the next 17 miles. There was a lot of uphill, rollers, narrow roads, little traffic, and rough road surfaces. I only had one thing on my mind: Slug Gulch. There is a by-pass so you can avoid the Gulch, but I didn't start this ride to "take no stinkin' by-pass". I have to mention that when I found out I was going to write this story, I wanted to be able to say that I rode up the 2 1/2 miles of 17% grade without stopping. I can't say that. As I turned left onto Slug Gulch the first thing I saw as I looked up were riders off to the side of the road, sitting. That didn't worry me, I thought "I'll just ride right past them". I got encouragement from the guys as I made my way past, then I hit oxygen debt. I had to stop, I couldn't breath. Slug Gulch starts out terrible. The road is narrow, the right side of it is hard gravel, and all the traffic we didn't see in the first 77 miles decided to go up the hill at the same time. The first 2 1/2 miles are long periods of 15-18% with some breathers in between. I stopped a few times and even walked a bit when I saw others doing it. It was a crushing blow to my pride. The next 2 1/2 miles to the rest stop were 4-6%. With the arrival of the rest stop came the coveted "I tamed Slug Gulch" pin. This is where I met up with Frank. I hadn't seen him all day, turned out he started about 15 minutes behind me. Once again, there were lots of goodies and Cokes and Mountain Dews. I'm not a Coke drinker, but I had one just to try to boost my energy levels.

The next 20 miles was mostly downhill on Omo Ranch Rd. and through Mt. Aukum. There was one more rest stop about 10 miles out on Shenandoah Rd. but I cruised by without stopping. I latched on to a couple of riders and we pace-lined back to the fairgrounds and arrived at 3:20. I was on the road 9 1/2 hours, 7 1/2 actual riding time.

Liz Curren did the Metric Century and enjoyed herself very much. She met Frank and me when we got done and joined us for the post-ride meal. I understand Mike Curren and Blake also "conquered" Slug Gulch and made it back to Plymouth safely.

The Sierra Century is put on by the Sacramento Wheelmen and they were all great. Lots of friendly, knowledgeable volunteers. I would highly reccommend this ride if you're looking for a tough century with wonderful scenery and views.