To Auburn Via the American River

50 miles

We left the urban strip in Sacramento, and were immediately on a tree lined bike path stretching 20 plus miles along the American river, Lake Natoma and Folsum Lake. There were long stretches unbroken by road and shaded by overhanging trees, with lots of bicycle activity along the path.

We did get a little lost, but that's what makes an adventure! An officer was more that happy to help, as were several passing cyclists, and though our group is all men, we were't too proud to ask.

One of the reasons for the confusion was an area of trail impacted by landslide, that people were trying to direct us around. We went through instead, in classic Maine portage tradition.

The path eventually took us past the Folsum prison , and to Folsum Lake.

The second half of the day took us by road to Auburn, in 95 degree heat. We stopped in the lovely town of Auburn for lunch and then rode the last few miles up the hill to our hotel.