Mother Lode Epic - Schedule

Race Day Schedule

This is a point-to-point stage race from Magnolia Trailhead to Historic Folsom. The full course including transfers is 41 miles, with 32 miles of racing. All racers should park in Historic Folsom and catch the shuttle to the start line (included in your race entry fee). The shuttle leaves at 6:45 am SHARP.

2024 COURSE UPDATES

Due to levee construction delays in Granite Bay (Stage 4) and extremely high lake levels, we are forced to make changes to the second half of the Mother Lode Epic course that will make the 2024 race unique. Click here for the full Strava route.

Transfer 2 is now shorter, taking riders from the end of Stage 2 at Acorn Creek to the Salmon Falls Ranch Aid Station.
Stage 3 will be extra epic in 2024, starting near the Salmon Falls Ranch aid station. The timed stage will include the first Salmon Falls Ranch climb and descent used in 2022 and the Chaparral Ridge climb and descent used in 2023. Stage 3 finishes in an entirely new location with a “Land’s End” experience at the Peninsula Tip. The total distance for Stage 3 is now 12 miles with 1,500ft of elevation gain.
The Boat Transfer is now a little longer, taking riders from the Peninsula Tip to the 5% launch ramp at the south end of Granite Bay. The cutoff to start Stage 4 will be adjusted accordingly, giving racers until 2:30pm to get on a boat.
Stage 4 is now more of a sprint (or less of a survival stage if you want to look at it that way!), shortened to 3.1 miles on the original course from the 5% ramp to Beals Point. You’ll still get your glory moment crossing the finish line in Historic Folsom after a neutral roll from Beals!

Our commitment to your safety and race experience shaped discussions with Folsom Lake SRA over the past couple weeks to make changes required to approve our permit. This year’s course will still deliver an epic day on the bike, and a point-to-point experience unique to Mother Lode Epic.

Stages / Transfers	Route Info	Start	End	Notes
Friday Packet Pickup		Start: Historic Folsom Amphitheater		Notes: Friday, June 14, 2024 from 5-7pm in Historic Folsom Zittel Family Amphitheater 200 Wool St, Folsom, CA 95630
Parking & Packet Pickup		Start: Historic Folsom		Notes: Race morning Packet Pickup is open from 6-6:45am. In front of Folsom Hotel 703 Sutter St, Folsom, CA 95630 Parking Info – No rooftop bike racks in garage!
Shuttle		Start: Historic Folsom	End: Magnolia Trailhead	Notes: Shuttle for you & your bike is included with your race entry. Loading starts at 6:00 am. Shuttles leave at 6:45 am.
Stage #1	Route Info: Stage Map Strava Video Preview	Start: Magnolia Trailhead	End: Cronan Ranch	Notes: Race starts at 8:30 am Group start, 7.32 miles long 1,039 ft vert gain
Transfer #1	Route Info: Stage Map Strava	Start: Cronan Ranch	End: Cronan Ranch	Notes: New in 2022: Stage 1 finishes before the climb up to Westridge! You’ll still have to pedal uphill, but not at race pace. Aid Station #1 is just before the climb.
Stage #2	Route Info: Stage Map Strava Video Preview	Start: Cronan Ranch	End: Acorn Creek Trailhead	Notes: New in 2022: Stage 2 finishes with a downhill to Acorn Creek Trailhead. Individual start, 7.4 miles long 892 ft vert gain Cutoff time to start Stage #2 is 10:00 am.*
Transfer #2	Route Info: Stage Map Strava Video Preview	Start: Acorn Creek Trailhead	End: Salmon Falls Ranch	Notes: New in 2024: Transfer 2 is now shorter, taking riders from the end of Stage 2 at Acorn Creek to the Salmon Falls Ranch Aid Station through a huge culvert under Salmon Falls Rd.
Stage #3	Route Info: Stage Map Strava	Start: Salmon Falls Ranch	End: Peninsula Tip	Notes: New in 2024: Stage 3 starts near the aid station and includes the first Salmon Falls Ranch climb and descent used in 2022, and the Chaparral Ridge climb and descent used in 2023. Stage 3 finishes in an entirely new location with a “Land’s End” experience at the Peninsula Tip. Individual start, 11.82 miles long 1,510 ft vert gain Cutoff time to start Stage #3 is 11:30 am.*
Transfer #3	Route Info: Stage Map Strava	Start: Peninsula Tip	End: 5% Launch Ramp	Notes: New in 2024: The Boat Transfer is now a little longer, taking riders from the Peninsula Tip to the 5% launch ramp at the south end of Granite Bay. Aid Station #3 at Peninsula Tip. We will ferry you and your bike via pontoon boat!
Stage #4	Route Info: Stage Map Strava	Start: 5% Launch Ramp	End: Beals Point	Notes: Individual starts, 3.1 miles 391 ft vert gain Cutoff time to start Stage #4 is 2:30 pm.*
Transfer #4	Route Info: Stage Map Strava	Start: Beals Point	End: Historic Folsom	Notes: All racers must ride this final portion of the course into Folsom for results to be valid. Easy 4-mile final transfer 400 feet of descent and 160 ft of climbing Mother Lode Epic finishes with a neutral roll into Historic Folsom. Check out views of Folsom Prison and Lake Natoma from the trail before crossing under the finish arch on Sutter Street. Click here for a zoomed in map of the finish.
Balance Bike Bash		Start: Historic Folsom		Notes: Free! Balance bike races for ages 5 & under 12-3pm, races every half hour On Sutter Street next to the Mother Lode Epic Finish Line Learn More
Post-Race Party		Start: Historic Folsom Amphitheater		Notes: Celebrate your achievement at our post-race party in Historic Folsom’s Zittel Family Amphitheater! Live music from Dad Bod Band and the Kasch Bowman Trio Beer garden featuring Solid Ground Brewing. Awards at 5:00 PM
Awards Ceremony		Start: Historic Folsom Amphitheater		Notes: 5:00 PM at the Zittel Family Amphitheater in Historic Folsom

*Riders must be ready to start the Stage by the listed start time. If riders are unable to do so, they and their bike will be SAG’d forward to the next stage where they may continue with the race. We are doing this because this race is in the Sacramento area in the summer, and we don’t want anyone keeling over!