Sutter, Volcano, Fiddletown Road Ride

 

One of the interesting things about Sacramento area rides is that they can be so surprising.  When one drives through the valley, they should get the impression that there is really not much to offer.  Sure there are the hills off in the distance.  Devoid of any detail and without character, they seem a bit harmless, or at least uninteresting.  This is why we were I am sure in our adolescence, and possibly later into life, we were told not to jump to conclusions.  The Sutter Creek road ride would be just such an example of why not to trust your first impression.  With diverse terrain and some some extraordinary  scenery this ride is a must do and would rival many ride in more prestigious cycling destinations.  

The best way to take this ride is to do it in a counterclockwise loop.  If it is in the summer, you should start early...very early to be precise.  You might just want to start this one at around 6:00 AM.  That would get you back to the car and in proper air conditioning before the low-lands turn into a furnace.  In general mid day temperatures can climb well above the 90s and past the 100 degrees fahrenheit range.  Those temperatures, however, should not detour you from doing this ride.  Much of it is shaded and in the upper elevations the temperature is much more moderate.  

Starting off on Sutter Creek Road you travel east toward the town of volcano.  The road follows the very bottom of a canyon and parallels Sutter creek keeping this section fo the ride very cool.  Even on the hotter days this section tends to be enjoyable as it winds slowly up the canyon through lush vegetation.  after a short but moderately steep climb out of the head of the canyon you arrive in Volcano.

Veering to your left toward town you travel a few hundred feet into the town, or maybe village.  Volcano is quite small. There is a post office to your right as you ride in.  In the alley to the left of this building is a restroom that is open to the public.  Along the wall of the large stone building there is a faucet that you can use to fill water bottles.  There is also a General store and a bakery if you want to eat.  When you have regrouped and are ready to head up the hill, continue up Rams Horn Grade Road.

Rams Horn Grade Road is a 3 mile long climb that will test your endurance well.  Although not technically difficult, the climb is persistent.  You wind up at first at constant grade of maybe 6 to 10 %.  By the middle of the climb there are some short upticks of probably 12 to 14%.  Not terribly difficult but they just don't seem to end.  Now after three miles the climb ends rather gently.  This looks as if it is the summit, but after a brief downhill you climb again.  This climb doesn't look terrible, but it feels horrible.  It might be the fact that you are depleted from the previous climb or maybe it is really steeper then it looks but it nearly kills me every time.  

Fortunately, it is over soon enough and it is a slight uphill jaunt to the intersection with Fiddletown Road.  From here it is a long, mostly down hill run all the way into Fiddletown.  This is kind of a deliverance type town that lacks the charm of Volcano.  People tend to stare a lot here so it may be best just to pass on through.  Continue on to Plymouth for another several miles and stop at the gas station at the Hwy. 49 intersection.

This starts the hottest section of the ride there is little shade for the next several miles.  This is why it is such a good idea to start early.  Heading out on Hwy. 49 south, continue on past the 49 south turn off and the road you are on turns to Hwy. 16.  Take 16 another 800ft.  Turn left onto Hwy 124.  

Hwy. 124 is the last section of the ride that you have to do in traffic.  After 5.91 miles, you turn off (left) onto Sutter Ione Road.  This is a really scenic climb over the hills to Sutter Creek.  Surrounded by mixed oak and grass land, the area is striking.  During the early spring months there is an abundance of wild flowers in bloom.  The climb although not short is bearable if a little steep in places.  After climbing to the top of the ridge, you begin the ascent into sutter creek.  The first turn off of Sutter Ione Rd. is a right onto Oro Madre, followed by a right onto Spanish St, which merges with Main St. and finally a left onto Church leading you to the parking area.

 Tun by turn description 19/05/2008 29.89 Kb

suttercreek GPX File

Sutter Creek KML File 19/05/2008,00:51 543 bytes