345 mi · 11,800 ft of climbing · high point 5,758 ft · start/finish downtown Napa (First St & Main St)
Ridden Jul 2, 2026 · Foothills
The ride
Out over Jameson Canyon and up I-80 through Fairfield, Vacaville, Dixon, Davis and Sacramento to Auburn. From there you head north on CA-49 through Grass Valley and Nevada City into the old gold country.
Past Nevada City the route takes the back roads: North Bloomfield–Graniteville Road out toward the old hydraulic mining country, then Tyler Foote Crossing Road and Pliocene Ridge into Sierra County and the tiny town of Alleghany. From there it's down to Downieville, and CA-49 runs along the North Yuba River canyon through Goodyears Bar to Camptonville, some of the best river-canyon riding in the state. The route's high point is about 5,758 ft out on the ridges.
From Camptonville, Marysville Road winds down through Dobbins and Browns Valley to Marysville, then CA-70 and the valley freeways bring you back through Sacramento to I-80 and Napa. Figure about 345 mi with ~11,800 ft of climbing, a full day. Fuel up in Nevada City: the back roads to Alleghany and Downieville have long stretches with nothing, roughly 50 mi. The ridge roads past North Bloomfield are narrow and can be rough, and they see snow in winter, so check conditions.
[Steve: add your full write-up here]
Key roads and highlights
I-80 to Auburn
CA-49 through Grass Valley and Nevada City
North Bloomfield–Graniteville Road
Tyler Foote Crossing Road
Pliocene Ridge Road to Alleghany
Downieville
CA-49 along the North Yuba River through Goodyears Bar and Camptonville
Marysville Road through Dobbins
Browns Valley Road to Marysville
CA-70 and I-80 home
Gallery
Ride photos coming soon
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