82 MILES / 890 FEET

• American River Parkway Bike Trail, Rancho Cordova, Folsom South Canal, Sheldon, Wilton, Dillard, Rancho Seco Park, Sloughhouse.

• SETTING

  • Biking the six miles of the Folsom South Canal is a pleasure:  restful canal views, quiet (depressed below adjacent countryside), undisturbed (usually no other cyclists).

  • Vineyards:  near Sheldon (Grant Line & Wilton Roads) and approaching Rancho Seco Park (Twin Cities Road).

  • Quiet, rural roads:  Alta Mesa & Clay Station Roads are pleasantly rural and are relatively free of traffic.  I prize this loop for its quiet and rural character.

  • Rancho Seco Park is a delightful rest stop:  quiet, many picnic tables, restful lakeside views.  (Just bring your own food.)
    
     

• START

  • Carmichael:  mile 13.5 of the American River Bike Trail, William Pond Recreation Area, Carmichael, CA

    • Travel to the intersection of Arden Way and Fair Oaks Blvd in Carmichael, CA (immediately east of Sacramento).  Park in the Five Points parking lot (SE corner of Arden Way & Fair Oaks Blvd, away from retail outlets) or on Arden Way, west of restricted parking.  Mile 13.5 is at the intersection of the American River Pkwy Bike Trail and the Arden Way access path.

  • Any portion of the American River Parkway Bike Trail can be used as the start / end point.
    
     

• RIDE CHARACTERISTICS

  • Climbing:  890 feet, i.e. minimal.

  • Difficulty:  easy.

  • Risks:  minimal - urban cycling through Rancho Cordova.  There is fast (but not heavy) traffic, along with large trucks, on Twin Cities Road; but the road does not feel unsafe.