Bike Valley to Sierra is an opportunity to make San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tuloumne, Calaveras and Alpine Counties a regional cycling destination. If this region encourages and supports cycling tourism cyclists will spend a day, a weekend or a seven day bike vacation exploring the Central Valley, Motherlode, and Sierras region.
The following seven day bike vacation is an example of bike tourism.
This seven day bike vacation will contribute $2,250 to hotels, restaurants and attractions in the Central Valley, Motherlode and Sierra cycling tourism regions. (This amount is based on my budget planning estimate.) This bike vacation is designed to ride without camping gear and simply ride to or from each hotel. The final destination and overnight is at the iconic Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite Valley.
This bike vacation would require a support vehicle to allow customizing bike ride routes and exploring local historic or scenic attractions. The bike ride options include easy 6-10 mile flat roads in Lodi or Yosemite Valley, 25-45 mile half day bike rides from the Central Valley to the Motherlode and challenging hill climbs over Ebbetts and Sonora Pass.
I selected the hotels as cycling destinations as well as a base for all route options. The hotels are located within easy drive or bike ride to local tourism attractions.
Lodi, Mokelumne Hill, Murphy’s, Bear Valley, Markleeville, Sonora, Groveland and Yosemite Valley. Day 1, Stay at Wine and Roses in Lodi and cycle one of twenty two bike routes in Lodi’s Wine Region. https://winerose.com/ Day 2, Ride from Lodi, through valley farmland to Mokelumne Hill and stay at Historic Leger Hotel. https://www.hotelleger.com/ Day 3, Ride from Mokelumne Hill to Murphy’s and stay at Murphy’s Hotel. http://murphyshotel.com/restaurant/ Day 4, Ride from Bear Valley to Ebbetts Pass and descend to Markleeville, location of annual Death Ride. Stay at Creek-Side Hotel in Markleeville. Or, skip ride and explore Calaveras Big Trees and Murphy’s. https://www.creekside-lodge.com/ Day 5, Ride from Markleeville to Sonora Pass and stay at the Historic Sonora Inn. Or, skip the mountain climbs and ride a gentle 35 mile Diamond Valley Loop In Markleeville. https://www.thesonorainn.com/ Day 6, Travel by car to Groveland and Ride Cherry Lake to Evergreen or Rush Creek Lodge at the entrance to Yosemite Valley. Or, rent bikes at Lodges and explore local mountain bike trails. https://www.evergreenlodge.com/ https://www.rushcreeklodge.com/ Day 7, Ride in Yosemite Valley and explore Valley by Bicycle. Stay at the Ahwahnee Hotel. https://www.yosemite.com/lodging/hotels/the-ahwahnee-hotel/
For More Information on Accommodations, Attractions and Dining Check Links Below