Hardy Bullock hyping up the crew at the 2024 start line
I ride all over, but my favorite spots are the famed trails and roads of Nevada County—especially the Yuba River corridor and San Juan Ridge. Fifteen years ago, I started this ride to push riders’ limits, blending tight, hamlet-style climbs with wide-open dirt roads. Just when your legs need a break, you’ll be greeted by a sweeping vista, a flat respite, or a fully stocked aid station.
For the race:
I ride a Specialized Diverge with 40 mm tires, but 42 mm or larger works great too.
Three Courses, One Epic Day
The short course is pure fun, the medium course is a solid workout, and the long course is burly—think Fish Rock, Lost & Found, or Death Ride for old-school roadies. This year we’ve added two extra water/fuel stops, so you’re never far from support. Watch for moto-traffic on the descent into Washington—it demands both caution and strength. The medium course is buttery smooth, and I love the paved sections for a chance to recover before the next dirt stretch. We’ve got neutral moto support, rescue personnel, and volunteers ready to cheer you on.
Rolling Starts and Warm Finishes
Temperatures usually stay warm but manageable; long-course riders, prepare to finish in the heat of the afternoon. We’re timing every route—excluding our mass‐start downtown Nevada City neutral section, a throwback to the old Tour Nevada City Classic criterium. Roll through town with the whole group and soak in the energy.
If your bike needs a tune, Tour of Nevada City Bicycles and You Bet Bicycles have the finest mechanics anywhere.
Ride with grit. Ride with heart. See you in October.
— Hardy