Today was the beginning of the Rapha Festive 500. Over the next 8 days I will chose 5 local rides, each with a theme, that "helps" tell my cycling journey and lifestyle. While it is nearly impossible to truly communicate the joy and glory that is experienced on a bicycle other than actually participating in the sport, I will do my best to take you there, with photos, Strava data, Maps and links to things that got me there.
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| Route Map |
Today's ride took place in my home, the Sierra Nevada Foothills and Gold Country of Auburn, CA, USA. The route I chose was inspired largely by the Rapha lifestyle, with an emphasis on the romantic and glorious European Alps, featured in many of Rapha's photographs. Rapha and Rouleur's visual media has long served as a portal and inspiration for me, taking me to places far far away. In an attempt to emulate the beauty and glory of European cycling, I often build routes in which I can dream of cycling in places similar to those seen in Rapha print. Today's route was inspired in particular by The Rapha Guide to The Great Rides of the Pyrenees, featuring beautiful climbs in which the roadways are often steep and wet. As it had just rained, it was only appropriate to start the Rapha Festive 500 with a beautiful climbing route on dark wet roads with fog and intermittent rain. Above is todays route map. It features a lot of base climbing with one beautiful climb towards the top right of the map called Norton Grade, which I will discuss below. Todays route ended up being 113.9km (70miles) with 2,081m (6827ft) climbing. Given that I hadn't ridden my bike in about a month, it was quite the challenge.
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| Applegate Climb |
This is the Applegate Road climb at about mile 10. It's one of many base climbs you need to put in to get to all the sweet riding in the area. It's a subtle climb with a grade of about 5-6%. This section climbs 167m (548ft)/4.8km (2.9miles). There is a cool train tunnel at the top you can sprint to half way up the climb. From here you can take your route multiple directions based on what you're looking for.
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| Apple Gate Train Tunnel |
Halfway up the Applegate Road climb, the train tunnel from the opposite direction.
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| Canyon Way |
A photo from the Canyon Way climb going up towards Colfax, this section is a sweet addition to your route to get extra climbing in, 125m (410feet)/1.25km (0.77 miles).
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| Norton Grade |
Here is the Norton Grade loop above Colfax, CA. The lower portion of the loop is a backroad featuring a few switchback sections and nice undulating kickers making it the choice route for climbing. There is a category 4 and category 3 climb on this route. The route on the top is a nice long descent, smooth and relatively straight down to Rollins Lake. In the summer it's a great place to stop for a swim. The climb is 250m (820ft)/4.9km (3miles), and the entire loop is 349m (1145ft)/13.3km (8.3miles).
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| Norton Grade |
Climbing up Norton Grade Road. Beautiful and cold!
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| Rollins Lake Grade Descent |
As I neared the top of Norton grade, the rain and fog began to clear. Coming around my favorite turn on the descent, I stopped to take this photo. I love coming around this turn on cool days with the wet pavement and wooden barrier on the right. Just a cool sight to see!
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| Country Roads Towards Grass Valley |
After completing the Norton Grade loop, I headed west towards Grass Valley, one of the many historic gold mining towns in the Gold Country. Here is a photo of the countryside between Colfax and Grass Valley. 331m (1085ft)/13km (8.1miles) to the top.
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| Dog Bar Road Descent |
Once at the top, there is a very nice descent section back home. Your legs will undoubtably be sore at this point, the rollers and grinders will certainly make you earn your miles here.
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| Goofball! |
Turned out to be a beautiful day! Caught myself being a goofball on the way home.. When you work that hard, you get to goof off! :)
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| Route Profile |
Route profile for the day, 113.9km (70 miles) with 2,081m (6827ft) climbing.
Thank you for reading today's blog, please join me on day 2 of the Rapha Festive 500!
Happy Riding!
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