Slug Gulch / Fairplay Rd Loop

Bicycling, Wine Tasting and more in El Dorado County, California

Bike Rides

Level of Difficulty: Difficult (2200' total climbing)
Riding Time: 2 -3 hours	Printable Area Map: Slug_Gulch/Fairplay Rd_Loop (Adobe Acrobat required)
Season to Ride: Late Spring (mid-May) through Early Fall

Description: This ride gives you a combination of a tour through the Fairplay winery region (both in the beginning and end of the loop) and includes the infamous Slug Gulch climb (one of the more difficult climbs in El Dorado County). The Slug Gulch climb offers very few breaks, but the reward is an extremely beautiful road with great local views once past the switchbacks. After climbing on Slug Gulch, the route starts it's return back on Omo Ranch and then Fairplay Rd, the latter has a brief stiff climb before descending back to the starting point. All day parking is available at Pioneer Park where this ride starts (park is open from 8:00 am - dusk). Traffic note: Fairplay is becoming increasingly popular for wine tasting. Traffic can be a concern - especially on weekend afternoons.

Miles	Directions
0.0	Start at Pioneer Park. Go directly across Fairplay and start riding on Perry Creek Rd. Park location is 200 yards east of the intersection of E16 and Fairplay Rd (on Fairplay Rd)
3.4	Turn Left on Slug Gulch Rd. Start 2.8 mile climb up Slug Gulch.
6.0	First of two switchbacks.
6.2	Second of two switchbacks. Climb becomes more gradual now.
8.8	Slug Gulch Rd ends. Turn Right on Omo Ranch Rd. Traffic increases here.
14.0	Turn Right on Fairplay Rd. One brief sharp climb here.
18.2	Ride ends at Pioneer Park.