Welcome to the Motherlode Century!  This amazing bicycling event will be held Saturday, May 11, 2013. Our mission is to provide you the best bicycle ride Northern California has to offer.  We hope your positive experience here will not only compel you to participate every year, but will also entice you to return to enjoy a river trip, wine tasting or the many products this bountiful area has to offer. 

This century bike ride benefits the American River Conservancy, which preserves the canyon, and Friends of  El Dorado Trail, building a trail from South Lake Tahoe to Folsom!

The Motherlode is conveniently staged in the foothills of the Gold Country and offers three ride options.  The Gold Dust (28 miles), The Gold Nugget ( 64 miles), and the Motherlode (94 miles), with a 6 mile optional Bonus Loop available.

The start/finish is located in the beautiful Coloma Valley just downstream of the gold discovery site that brought the 49′ers west.  Our host camp is Earthtrek Expeditions located in Lotus, CA on the South Fork of the American River.

Last year’s event provided a wealth of valuable feedback that we have used to improve every facet of the ride.

Not only is this area a mecca for recreation, but also a center of fine food, wine and beer production. The cycling is unforgettable, and the weekend incredibly affordable!  It is just a short drive from Sacramento, offers plenty of free and discounted recreation, inexpensive restaurants, and discounted camping and lodging.  Please check out our Area Info page to get started!  We promise you will find more activities here (most of them free!) than you can fit in a long weekend. 

Strike Gold at the Motherlode!