Additional Information
This ride began as the Unknown Valley Tandem Rally out of Willows one very stormy Sunday in 1988. Because of its proximity to Valentine's Day and the fact that so many riders team up on tandems, we're calling it The "Love" Ride!
The ride originally departed out of Oroville, but now departs out of the Fairgrounds in Gridley. A 34 mile north loop takes riders through old walnut orchards between Gridley and the Feather River. The route elevates slightly to the mine tailings from the gold rush era along the Feather River on the east and the Thermalito Afterbay. This loop can be done on its own for a 34 mile ride, or as the first stage of the century. Route then heads west out of Gridley and south on the Pennington Road to the Gray Lodge Wildlife Refuge. Riders wishing to do a 40 mile ride that includes the Sutter Buttes usually drive to Gray Lodge to begin the ride(parking is available).
The loop around the Sutter Buttes, the World's Smallest Mountain Range, begins in a clockwise direction, so the peaks are always on your right. There is a lunch stop and other services in Sutter on the southeast side of the Buttes. The only climb (200') follows shortly after lunch, completing the loop around the Buttes, back to Gray Lodge and returning to Gridley for the post ride dinner. This is a very flat ride.
There will be "some" SAG services available on this ride, but please come prepared with tube, pump, cell phone and multi-tool.
