101 miles with 8,500 feet of elevation gain*
Locate ride on interactive map.
[Interactive Course | enlarge]
[Route Profile]
Levi Leipheimer's King Ridge Gran Fondo - Counties Visited:
Sonoma County
Levi Leipheimer's King Ridge Gran Fondo - Cities/Towns Visited:
Santa Rosa, Occidental, Monte Rio, Cazadero, and Jenner
Levi Leipheimer's King Ridge Gran Fondo - Climbs:
Mile 10 (cat. 4), 35 (cat. 3), 48 (cat. 3), 52 (cat. 4), 54 (cat. 4), 75 (cat. 3), 78 (cat. 4), and 83 (cat. 4)
Levi Leipheimer's King Ridge Gran Fondo - Stops:
Mile 21 (Monte Rio), 47 (King Ridge), and 74 (Portuguese Beach)
Levi Leipheimer's King Ridge Gran Fondo - Description:
Levi Leipheimer's King Ridge Gran Fondo is a scenic ride through some challenging Sonoma County terrain.
After a mass-start in Santa Rosa, the course heads west towards Occidental, and then north-west through Monte Rio and Cazadero. King Ridge Road, after which the ride is named, starts shortly after Cazadero and leads through a Redwood forest and up and along the remote ridge. After a steep drop, the course crosses Hauser Bridge and climbs up Seaview Road, eventually offering views of the Pacific Ocean. The road turns into Meyers Grade Road, which leads down to the Coast Highway.
After a few miles on Coast Highway, the ride passes Jenner, the town where the Russian River flows into the Pacific. The course continues along the Ocean, and shortly before Bodega Bay heads up Coleman Valley Road, also known as «the wall». The road leads back east to Occidental, from where the ride follows the same route as at the beginning, except for the last few miles, which are on Santa Rosa Creek Trail.
Levi Leipheimer's King Ridge Gran Fondo - Pictures:
[Gran Fondo Start]
[Climbing under Redwood Trees]
[King Ridge]
[Hauser Bridge]
[Meyers Grade Road]
[View from Coast Highway]
Levi Leipheimer's King Ridge Gran Fondo - Personal Notes:
Sandra and I came to Santa Rosa for a long weekend.
On Saturday I rode the Gran Fondo, lining up with Levi and about 6,000 fellow cyclists, ranging from beginner to world champion. I already knew the general terrain from the Terrible Two Double Century and California Coast bike ride. After the ride we were hanging out with Bill L., George A., and Julie R. from San Clemente, enjoying free beer, paella, and live music at the festival. Hats off to George and Julie, who rode the course on a tandem. The event was awesome and support superb.
On Sunday we went to Calistoga and St. Helena in neighboring Napa Valley, tasting some world-class wines.
Levi Leipheimer's King Ridge Gran Fondo - Current Weather:
