On Sunday morning we got up for the 3rd day of our adventure, but the first offical day of the Sierra to the Sea bicycle tour. This route is quite unusual because you drop about 10,000 feet and climb about half of that back again. This map shows you the route we took.

We started with a 24 mile drop down Highway 4 where we reached speeds up to 45 mph on the tandem. At that point we took a side road called Moran Road which passed by some a lovely lake. We kept and eye out for the place of Gerd and Susan who have a second home on that road.

When Moran Road came back to Highway 4 there was the first rest stop. We made a brief stop there and then headed up Sheep Ranch Road. This is not a very popular road with some of the guest on the bike tour be we really liked it becasue we like to climb. The weather was still cool enough that the climbing was very nice. At mile 42 we reached the 2nd rest stop which was being handled by Russ and Sheila.

From that rest stop we were joined by some other staff members. Cory handled provisionsing.

John was the master mechanic on the tour

Miguel, the tour director

The road took up over Independence road, a series of rollers where we had great time on the tandem. We we reached highway 26 there was a fast descent and with the tandem we were able to reach terminal velocity!

At mile 64 we reached the 3rd rest stop which was being handled by Eric and Connie.

It was not that long to the end at Jackson. We arrived so early that there was still a lot of time left. It was now getting warm so we set up our tent and headed on the tandem into town. We made a stop for an ice cream sundae and a drink, which was very refreshing.

After returning to the camp we went into the pool for awhile to cool off. Dinner was at the camp site. The evening was rather interesting because at 4 am the sprinlers went off. We did not get wet but since we were afraid that we would be next, we carried the tent over to a safe area and tried to get back to sleep.

Total Distance: 73.2
Total Climbing: 4,600 feet
Average Speed: 17.3 mph

Categories: Cycling