The ride begins/ends in the William Pond Recreation Area in Carmichael, just 0.1 mile from this lovely bridge across the American River (photo right).

 

 

 

In warm weather rafters frequently will be seen floating down the river (photo below).

A little further to the east you will cross the Hazel Avenue Bridge (photo below left), just downstream from Nimbus Dam (photo below right).  In the fall large numbers of salmon fishermen will be in the river trying their luck.

A little further east you will bike past Lake Natoma and Folsom Dam.  You will get a brief glimpse of Folsom Lake at Beals Point just before you leave the bike trail for Auburn-Folsom Road.

Auburn-Folsom Road can have moderate traffic, but the shoulder is adequate.  You will encounter a mini-climb as you enter Auburn, where you will get a respite at Rest Stop #1.

 

 

 

 

 

Beyond Auburn you will ride Bowman, Dry Creek, and Lake Arthur (photo right) Roads.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You next will bike Placer Hills Road (photo below), which is attractive, quiet, and shady.

After seven miles of Placer Hills Road, turn left onto Dog Bar Road.  This road long has been a favorite of mine:  quiet, pastoral, relatively undeveloped (photo below).

At Rattlesnake Road, 1) continue straight on Dog Bar Road if you wish to go to central Grass Valley; the road eventually becomes La Barr Meadows Road (subsequently veer right onto S Auburn Street, and continue north into central Grass Valley), or 2) turn right if you wish to continue on to central Nevada City.  Rattlesnake Road also is very quiet (photo below); it requires an easy 600' climb.

At the top of Rattlesnake Road turn right onto Hwy 174; this can be moderately busy, so take care at the left turn onto Brunswick Road.  East Main Street is short but busy and hosts several fast food outlets.  It becomes the Nevada City Hwy, which merges into Zion Street, where Rest Stop #2 awaits you.  From here it is a short, quick run to Broad Street, which is the "main" central street in Nevada City and is the end of the Sacramento to Nevada City ride.

If you're continuing on to Downieville and/or Graeagle-Portola, eat well here as food outlets diminish further on.

If you're continuing on you're in for a treat:  Hwy 49 between North San Juan and Hwy 89 generally is forested (i.e., attractive) AND has remarkably little traffic!

Shortly after getting on Hwy 49, you will start a major descent which culminates in crossing the South Yuba River.  The descent averages 7%, is curvy, and always intimidates me ahead of time.  But I have biked it several times and never have suffered a worrisome experience.  After crossing the river, you will start climbing (needless to say), and soon you will turn east on Tyler Foote Road.  At the left turn onto Oak Tree Road, consider stopping for food at "Mother Truckers Market," even though your mileage from Nevada City is yet modest. 

After passing through North San Juan you will rejoin Hwy 49.  This road carries remarkably little traffic all the way to Hwy 89 and is a real pleasure to ride (photo left).

 

 

 

 

After some miles you will begin seeing the North Yuba River (photos right & below), although it isn't until you are east of Downieville that you ride along it frequently. 

Downieville is very small, cute, and a wonderful place to spend the night (photos below).  Single lane bridges cross the North Yuba River, connecting the two sides of the town.

Leaving Downieville, you now will see much more of the North Yuba River (photos below).

I recommend that you stop at Bassett's Station to refuel.  A nice loop is to turn left at Bassett's, take the Gold Lake Hwy to Graeagle, and return to Bassett's via Hwy 89 and Yuba Pass (this route differs from the default course described here).

Eventually you will arrive (hurrah!) at Yuba Pass (photo right, elevation = 6,701').

A nice descent from Yuba Pass to Hwy 89 awaits you, and on the way down you will be treated to some scenic overlooks (photos below).

Hwy 89 to Graeagle is not flat; there is more climbing than you might expect.  This road offers little shade, and a hot day can be uncomfortable.

Eventually you will arrive in Graeagle (photo right) - a golfer's paradise - and ride's end.