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The Sacramento Bike Hikers
Party Pardee April 5, 2003

(Warning, If you're using a 56k modem, the 20 pictures will take as long as 10 minutes to load)

     After a rainy and windy Friday, the stormy weather broke for Party Pardee 2003. The 1200+ riders arrived early and took advantage of the pre-ride snacks at registration. The 100K riders started out first with the 50K people starting an hour later. Jeanette and I rode the 50K route along with Mary, Jeanette's sister. I really enjoyed the ride, Mary was proud that she did her first 50 K (with hills) and never had to walk her bike. Jeanette hates hills so didn't have as much fun on the ride as she did at the celebrations afterwards.

    The weather was perfect for riding with temperatures in the low 60's and a sky dotted with puffy clouds. The rest stops featured lots of fruity snacks and of course, lots of drinks. When riders returned to the start/finish they were treated to a catered Mexican dinner by Adalberto's and music by Mumbo Gumbo.

    I can't speak for the 100K ride, I'm kind of a slow poke and just did the 50K. The route laid out was really fun, not too hilly but challenging for someone at the novice to intermediate level. The scenery was outstanding with the Sierra foothills their best spring green and wildflowers blooming everywhere.

    I plan to do the ride again at least once more before the heat of summer. If you'd like to try it, I've copied the route sheet below. Cut and paste it into a word document to export.

Party Pardee 2003 50K route

Start Howard Park, Ione
0       R    Hwy. 124
0.2    L    W. Washington, veer right - becomes S. Buena Vista
0.3    L    Marlette Street
1.9    L    Sacramento/Five Mile Drive
4.1    L    Old Stockton Road - becomes Jackson Valley Road
5.9    X    Hwy. 88
8.5    R    Camanche Road
9.7    R    Curran Road
13.7  L    Camanche Parkway North
18.3  L    Buena Vista Road
25.1  R    Hwy. 124
26.2  R    End - Howard Park

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