I pre-rode the Auburn race course yesterday. Tough course to follow, had to stop just about every intersection to check the map and course instructions, and I still got lost once. Finally I realized that as long as I kept going north, and headed towards the freeway I would eventually get back on course - which I finally did.

Pretty tough ride, I was either crawling up a steep hill at 6 miles per hour, or flying down the back side. I commented several times to myself that I should take off my big gear in front for the race - It was so seldom I got to use it!!!

I cut out the Bear Valley loop, as that would have put me way over the time I wanted to be in the saddle, this close to the race. That loop appears to only have three turns, so that should be pretty easy to follow.

By the time I got back it was right at 100 degrees - and I was really glad to be done. Total ride time 4 hours, 20 minutes, with a screaming pace of 11.5 miles per hour.....

The Race "STARTING LINE"

This was the strangest part of the course - it literally went through an industrial companies gravel parking lot, then had large rocks and a barricade in the middle of the path.

This is a really really steep hill - with I-80 in the background. Spent a lot of time riding parallel to I-80. Crossed I-80 no less than 4 times.

This is a shot on Auburn/Folsom Road I believe - what a mess!!! I really hope they have this repaired by the race!!!

A view of Applegate - this section was actually fairly enjoyable, as we were away from the freeway, and the traffic was really light and well behaved.