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The Roads Where It All Started
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The Back Roads of Placer County
The Bear Cub
Road
At just 37 miles, this all road route offers the perfect challenge for riders who are not yet ready for the bigger gravel routes but who still want to join in on the big event!
Ride through the Bear River Canyon as you make your way up to the historic gold mining town of Colfax, before dropping back down to the City of Auburn.
*No Aid Station offered on this ride*
The Brown Bear
Gravel
This may be our shorter gravel route but it's definitely no easy task! The route drops into the scenic American River Canyon then climbs up to the high alpine lake of Sugar Pine Reservoir where the pavement ends and wild west begins. Ride through the historic town of Foresthill before dropping back into the American River Canyon to climb back up to the finish.
The Black Bear
Road
Our long road race for PGF. Drop down to the American River and climb up one of the toughest road climbs in California on Iowa Hill Road. Continue on passing through the old gold mining town of Iowa hill and the scenic Sugar Pine Reservoir. Catch a ride down Foresthill road before the last big climb of the day from the tallest bridge in California.
The Grizzly
Gravel
The Grizzly is the biggest and most fierce of all the Powless Gran Fondo rides! Reaching higher in elevation and views looking over the Middle Fork American River Canyon and the Crystal Range of the Sierra Nevada. This route offers the all of the best gravel experience that Placer County has to offer.
The Powless Gran Fondo
KOM/QOM Segments
Every rider in the Grizzly/Brown/Black Bear routes will get timed for the KOM/QOM coming out of Iowa Hill Bridge.
Don't think you have what it takes to compete for the KOM/QOM?
Sit up and enjoy the epic views of the American River Canyon or still go for time and see where you stand!
Photo credit: Ashley Gruber & Jered Gruber | Gruber Image
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The Powless Gran Fondo
Aid Stations
Water Station 1: Iowa Hill
Grizzly/Brown/Black: Mile 21.5
Feed Zone 1: Sugar Pine
Grizzly/Brown/Black: Mile 32.7
Water Station 2: China Wall
Grizzly: Mile 49.3/63.9
Feed Zone 2: Ponderosa
Grizzly: Mile 85.8
Brown: Mile 53.3
The Powless Gran Fondo
Equipment Recommendations
Black Bear/Bear Cub Routes
The Black Bear and Bear Cub routes will be all pavement. There will be some potholes and undulations in the road. A road bike with a 30mm tire or wider is recommended for the routes.
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Brown Bear/Grizzly Routes​
The Brown Bear and Grizzly routes will have gravel sections along the routes. The Brown Bear Route will have mostly smooth gravel in the gravel sections, and the Grizzly will have some loose gravel/dirt sections. A gravel bike with 42mm tire or wider is recommended for the routes. There will be some fast corners in the gravel sections. A tire with some good side knobs is recommended.
The Powless Gran Fondo
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