Although this ride begins at the usual location - mile 13.5 of the American River Bike Trail - it quickly (after only four miles) exits the trail at Rossmore Bar Park.  Rossmore Drive (photo below) is short and affords eastward views of dredged river rock.

You next bike through Rancho Cordova; as urban cycling goes, these roads are relatively safe.

Soon you arrive at the Folsom South Canal (photos above & right), which will treat you to six miles of water views and to both silence (berms block most sounds) and solitude (very few cyclists).

Exiting the canal, progress eastward on Hwy 16.  This road is busy, but a generous shoulder is present on most of this section.  If you want food or fluids, your last chance before Ione will be in Rancho Murietta.

Soon you will turn right on Ione Road (the southern section of this road is named Ione-Michigan Bar Road).  This road is somewhat narrow; fortunately traffic tends to be sparse, although it can be fast.  Sections of this road remain little developed (photo below).

 

 

Shortly you will turn left on Hwy 104, which will take you past Ione's most characteristic structure - Preston Castle (photo right).

 

 

 

 

Once in Ione, it will be time to refuel at the Rest Stop.

If your destination is Sutter Creek, Sutter-Ione Road will offer you attractive rural views (photo below).

If your destination is Jackson, Buena Vista Road will treat you to some attractive vineyards (photo below).

Turning left on Stoney Creek Road, you promptly will start the day's first climb and soon will cross Pardee Reservoir's northernmost dam. 

After climbing out of Pardee Reservoir (photo right), look left (north) and you may see Lake Amador almost hidden among the hills.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A series of ups and downs along scenic Stoney Creek Road (photo left) eventually brings you into Jackson and ride's end. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If your destination is San Andreas or Mokelumne Hill you will continue further south, cross Camanche Reservoir, and turn east on Campo Seco Road.  On Campo Seco Road you will pass the ancient structures of Campo Seco (photos below).

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On Paloma Road you will pass a stone fence (photo below), still performing its ancient duty of restraining livestock.

Near the crest of Paloma Road look west:  on a clear day you may be treated to a lovely view of the Central Valley (photo below).

Turning right onto Hwy 26 (unless you are going to Mokelumne Hill, in which case turn left), you will be rewarded by  a mostly downhill descent to Double Springs Road and Hwy 12 (photo right).

After a relatively easy climb on Highways 12 and 49 you will enter San Andreas and ride's end.