| 1 | Start and San Pablo Dam RoadMiles 0.0–3.9. Rolling: about 120 ft up and 85 ft down over 3.9 mi | Racing starts at San Pablo Dam Road and Bear Creek Road. The course follows San Pablo Dam Road northwest above San Pablo Reservoir for nearly 4 miles of rolling road. Racer's note: Plan your warm-up around staging. Racing starts at the line, and riding the course to warm up isn't allowed. |
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| 2 | San Pablo Dam Road descentMiles 3.9–5.4. Descends about 290 ft over 1.5 mi | San Pablo Dam Road drops toward the right turn onto Castro Ranch Road: the first fast descent of the lap. Racer's note: Speed strings the field out. Move up before the descent starts, then hold your place: passing on a fast downhill costs a lot and risks more. |
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| 3 | Castro Ranch RoadMiles 5.4–7.7. About 230 ft up and 190 ft down over 2.3 mi | A right turn onto Castro Ranch Road brings the first real rise of the lap, to a high point near mile 7, then a drop to Alhambra Valley Road. Racer's note: The first rise of the lap often brings the first real acceleration. Be near the front at the turn so you aren't closing gaps on the way up. |
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| 4 | Alhambra Valley RoadMiles 7.7–10.4. Gains about 160 ft over 2.7 mi | A right turn onto Alhambra Valley Road starts a long, gradual rise toward Bear Creek Road. Racer's note: A steady false flat is a good place to eat and drink before Bear Creek Road, while the pace is even. |
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| 5 | Bear Creek RoadMiles 10.4–11.9. Gains about 150 ft over 1.5 mi | A right turn onto Bear Creek Road starts a steady climb, the lead-in to Mama Bear. Racer's note: Start Mama Bear near the front. Moving up on this steadier road costs far less than moving up on the climb itself. |
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| 6 | Mama BearMiles 11.9–12.6. Climbs about 230 ft over 0.6 mi | The first of the Three Bears in race order, and the first steep climb of the lap. Racer's note: Ride Mama Bear at a pace you can repeat on every lap. Going too deep here early is how good riders lose the race on Papa Bear. |
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| 7 | Over the top to Happy Valley RoadMiles 12.6–14.6. About 150 ft up and 275 ft down over 2 mi | Rolling high ground past Mama Bear tops out at the highest point before the finish climb, then descends to the foot of Papa Bear near Happy Valley Road. Racer's note: Regroup and drink here. The feed zone and Papa Bear come right after the descent. |
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| 8 | Papa Bear and the finishMiles 14.6–15.6. Climbs about 320 ft over 1 mi | The race's defining climb, from near Happy Valley Road along Briones Reservoir, with the feed zone near the bottom and the finish line near the top. Racer's note: Papa Bear is where the race is typically decided. On every lap before the last, ride it as hard as your race needs and no harder. |
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| 9 | Descent past Briones ReservoirMiles 15.6–18.5. About 90 ft up and 690 ft down over 2.9 mi | Past the finish line, the road rolls along the high ground, then makes the longest descent of the lap past Briones Reservoir toward Baby Bear. Racer's note: This is the place to recover. Drink and eat at the top, before the road gets fast. |
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| 10 | Baby Bear to the lineMiles 18.5–18.8. Climbs about 90 ft over 0.3 mi | A short, steep kick back up to San Pablo Dam Road, where the lap ends and the next one begins. Racer's note: Baby Bear comes straight off the descent. Shift to an easier gear before the road kicks up. |
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