Rotary Gold Country Challenge - Grass Valley, California - Cycling

The Rotary Gold Country Challenge is a Cycling race in Grass Valley, California consisting of a 100 Miles and 74 Miles and 54 Miles and 35 Miles.

The Rotary Club of Grass Valley invites you to participate in our ninth annual Gold Country Challenge. The event includes a half metric, 55 and 75 mile metric ride and a 100 mile Century tour of the beautiful Gold Country region of Northern California.

The rides are fully supported by friendly volunteers, fantastic rest stops, support vehicles, and well-marked routes.a‹ Heads-up signage and road marshals at critical intersections.

After your ride, you can relax, visit with other riders and enjoy a hearty dinner and entertainment.

RIDE OVERVIEW
Ride the beautiful and historic back country of Nevada County. Nevada County was the heart of California's gold rush. Surrounding the charming mining era towns of Grass Valley and Nevada City, you'll ride through some of the most beautiful landscape California has to offer. Discover why the Amgen has selected to ride through Nevada County on multiple occasions.



THE RIDES
~THE CENTURY
Not for the faint of heart, the Century includes roads ridden by the Amgen Pros. It's a challenging, 100 mile adventure with 9,000' of climbing. Starting at the Nevada County fairgrounds, you'll skirt Grass Valley and ride through sections of Nevada City before heading north to the South Yuba River watershed. You'll rest in rustic North San Juan before heading further north to catch some stunning vistas of the Yuba River. You'll loop back to the south and enjoy a quick break at Bridgeport State Park which features a historic covered bridge spanning the Yuba River and stunning displays of wildflowers. You'll then continue south to lunch at Williams Ranch School. After lunch you'll ride past vineyards, horse and cattle ranches to the northern border of Placer County before looping back to the fairgrounds. A challenging and spectacular 100 miles.





~THE aMETRICa CHALLENGE
This 74 mile ametrica ride might be shorter than the century, but will still be a challenge with 6,500' of climbing. You'll follow the same route north as the Century ride, including past Amgen routes. After your Bridgeport break and lunch, you'll head south past vineyards and horse ranches taking a shorter, more direct route back to the fairgrounds. This is the perfect ride for those of you wanting a little less than a century, but more than a routine metric.





~THE MILDER aMETRICa
Want a stunning ride with a little less mileage and a few less hills; try the amilder metric.a It is 54 beautiful miles with about 4,500' of climbing. You'll ride the same route as the longer metric, but turn south at North San Juan, eliminating the Northern loop. You'll follow the same route to Bridgeport, lunch and home as the Metric Challenge.





~HALF METRIC
This 35 mile ride will climb approximately 2,800' and includes some of the most beautiful landscape in Nevada County. From the fairgrounds, you'll follow the Century route until you're north of Nevada City. You'll descend down Newtown Rd. towards the Yuba River watershed and rejoin the Metric route at the lunch stop. After lunch you'll stay on the Metric route as it heads south and then loops back to the fairgrounds. They'll be ample SAG support at the bottom of the last hill heading home in case you (or your legs) have arun out of gas.a



a‹SUPPORT
All rides will be fully supported with water, rest stops, lunch and SAG vehicles. Afterwards, join us at the fairgrounds (named the most beautiful in California) for a delicious, unique hot meal a¦.and of course, beer and wine (or chocolate milk if you prefer).

Lunch will be served at the Rood Center for retuning Gravel Riders. You are also welcome at the Fairgrounds