San Ardo, Monterey County, California.

Directions to location by car from Fremont (Niles):

Take I-680 south from Fremont. Take US-101 south (signposted Los Angeles) Continue on US-101 for 100 miles. At the San Ardo exit, leave the freeway and turn left, crossing over freeway and the Salinas River to the town, which is 1 mile from the freeway. The race registration is historically located at the school.

Time to start location by car from Fremont (Niles):

Approximately 2 1/2 hours if the Freeways are flowing. Take into account rush hour commutes if leaving the night before and also valley fog that can slow traffic. Total distance is approx. 140 miles.

Parking and other info:

Parking is not really a problem. There is plenty of space around the town. For 2002 there are some additional parking requirements. Do not park in the church parking lot OR the school side of the street. The roads locally are good for warming up.

The town is small but has a general store and a gas station. If staying overnight, the nearest accommodations are located in King City, which is 20 miles to the north on US-101.

Motel 6: 831-385-5000
Best Western: 831-385-6733
Days Inn: 831-385-5921

The Course, road by road:

The race is a clockwise loop of some 22 miles distance on generally good quality roads. There are no climbs except for a rise at about half way around the circuit soon after the roads turn south. This slope is about 300-400 yards long and is about a 6-7% grade. There is also a bridge over the freeway and some small rollers just after the freeway over bridge where the finish is located. Some years the finish line is located off the circuit on a small side road that has a slightly steeper grade. The roads used, from San Ardo are: Cattlemen Road, Paris Valley road, San Lucas Road, highway 198 and Cattlemen Road.

The race normally starts with a neutralized rollout from the school area along Cattlemen Road heading west towards the freeway, crossing over the Salinas River Bridge. The race starts after crossing the freeway. This is also where Cattlemen Road becomes Paris Valley Road. Paris Valley road turns northeast and continues for 9 miles along rolling roads, crossing under US-101 in two locations. At mile 10, the course turns northwest onto San Lucas Road, which becomes highway 198 after crossing over US-101. At San Lucas (mile 11 ½) turn right and southeast onto Cattlemen road. The short climb is about 1 mile from this turn. Remain on Cattlemen for 9 miles, returning to San Ardo. This section is nearly always a speed fest with a mighty valley tailwind. At San Ardo, Cattlemen road bears right through the town and crosses the river and freeway to complete the lap.

Other stuff you might need to know:

The roads are generally in good shape so lightweight tires are o.k. to use. Of course the proviso is that these roads are "agricultural" and so dried mud, etc. is entirely possible and probable.

The weather can be extremely hot. As with other Velo Promo events, they try to provide a neutral feed, but don't count on it. I used three bottles in the 65 mile race I did and could have used a fourth. (I carried all three).

Gearing for this race is simple, Big Ring the whole way around.

San Ardo is a very small town. I think it has a gas station but that is about all.

A map of the area: