Phase I, Day 1. Sacramento-Woodfords, CA

An epic but very long day. 122 miles, 80 of it climbing 10,000'+ to cross the Sierra, took about 10 hours.

Pony Express statue. Sacramento.

Started in Old Sacramento and worked my way out of the city in the pre-dawn dark and had the roads to myself. Through the foothills and passed still-sleeping Gold Country "towns" Plymouth and Fiddletown. From then on it was a long and steady climb to Carson Pass.



Amazing how the dry valley grass becomes oak studded hills, transitions to evergreens, then high alpine meadows full of wildflowers. Later bristle cone pines and bare granite to eventually top out just above the tree line with patches of snow here and there. It all unfolded beautifully as I rode along. The bike's a great place to take it in as I never appreciated it as much from the car. Lots of fun smells from the wildflowers and pine trees. Happy birds and little creeks everywhere.
Coasted past Kirkwood ski area before the dramatic and steep descent down Carson Canyon and the eastern Sierra.



Ended up at Woodfords Inn, an original Pony Express stop, and services apparently haven't changed much. NOT the Marriott which made it charming. No cell service, no phone in the room, no tv to check the weather, of course no wifi. No food either. I had to get back on the bike for the 6 mile journey to Markleevile for dinner. Ugh. The 1/2 pound burger was worth the extra effort. Watched the sun setting behind the Sierra at a campfire with my new buds Zack and Grant.