421 mi · 16,400 ft of climbing · high point 7,418 ft · start/finish downtown Napa (First St & Main St)
Ridden Oct 8, 2025 · Eastern Sierra & Nevada
The ride
A big one that crosses the state line. Out over Jameson Canyon, I-80 through Vacaville, Dixon and Davis, and then Highway 50 all the way up, Folsom, Placerville, Pollock Pines, Kyburz and Strawberry.
Echo Summit takes you over the top at about 7,382 ft and down into the Tahoe basin at Meyers. Then you run along the east shore of Lake Tahoe past Zephyr Cove on 50, down the grade to Carson City, and up into the hills to Virginia City, the old Comstock mining town. The route's high point, 7,418 ft, is up there between the lake and the Comstock.
Home is back the way you came: Carson City, the east shore, Echo Summit and 50 down the canyon, then I-80 through Davis and Fairfield and Jameson Canyon. About 421 mi with ~16,400 ft of climbing, a very long day, so think about an early start or splitting it. Fuel's easy at both ends, but there's a quiet stretch between Pollock Pines and Strawberry. Echo Summit stays open in winter but gets chain controls and storm closures, so check Caltrans and NDOT before you go.
[Steve: add your full write-up here]
Key roads and highlights
Jameson Canyon Road, I-80 through Vacaville, Dixon, Davis
US-50 through Folsom, Placerville, Pollock Pines
Kyburz and Strawberry
Echo Summit
Meyers
US-50 along Lake Tahoe's east shore (Zephyr Cove)
Carson City
Virginia City, high point ~7,418 ft
Home via US-50 and I-80
Gallery
Ride photos coming soon
Not starting in Napa? No problem. Every Two Wheel Touring GPX is a loop that begins and ends at First & Main in downtown Napa, but you don't have to. Join the line wherever it's closest to you, ride any section you like, or flip the whole thing and run it the other way. For step-by-step help in Garmin, REVER, Calimoto, Scenic, Google My Maps, and a free GPX editor, see Riding a route from your own start.
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