Tour of Nevada City - One of the Oldest Bicycle Races in the Country

The Nevada City Classic is one of the premiere sporting events in the Sierra foothills, the largest and oldest bicycle race in California, and the second-oldest race in the nation. Professional and amateur cyclists will descend on Nevada City in the Northern Sierra foothills on Father's Day, June 21, 2009, for the 49th running of the Nevada City Classic.

Nevada City will host the Tour of Nevada City. Nevada City's small population of just over 3000 grows as thousand of viewer's dot the streets applauding the riders while they navigate the swift, complicated route, zooming past old vintage Victorian homes. The Nevada City Classic is only for the tough as they move up the steep streets covered with colorful flags blowing in the wind.

The Nevada City Bicycle Classic turns up the heat like no other tour, it draws the kind of crowds that you can only find at the Nevada City Classic.

The Nevada City Classic began in 1960, and was initiated by Charlie Allert, a print shop owner and bike enthusiast who originally called the event "The Tour of Nevada City" -- and it soon became known throughout the cycling community as the "toughest one-day bicycle race in America."

The Nevada City Classic is 1.1 mile race, with 7-turns, counter-clockwise loop with 120'+/- of climbing per lap, reaching speeds of 50+ mph on the straight-away downhill across the start/finish. The Nevada City Classis course is 1/3-downhill, 1/3-uphill and 1/3 rolling/flats. The Nevada City Classic is considered one of the most technically and physically challenging 1-day courses in America.

Action begins at 1 p.m. and is usually complete by about 6:30 p.m. The Tour of Nevada City attracts top-notch riders in men's and ladies', juniors' and masters' races. Senior and professional riders representing top U.S. cycling teams are expected to race in The Nevada City Classic.

The Nevada City Chamber of Commerce sponsors the Nevada City Classic as well as, which also hosts five more top-rated cycling tours throughout the Northern California area.

You can find out more information about the Annual 49th Nevada City Classic by calling the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce at (530) 265-2187.

If you would like to see what other recreation opportunities are available in Nevada City, check out NevadaCountyMall.comt to find out more.

Nevada City is located at the 2,500-foot elevation on the forested western slope of the Sierra Nevada. From Sacramento, it's a one-hour drive via eastbound Interstate 80 and northbound Highway 49. Nevada City is 90 minutes from Reno via westbound I-80 and Highway 20.