First time to Napa - favorite 40 miles?

Is your out and back to the Lake on Conn Valley?

After Pope Valley, we normally take White Cottage to Deer Park. So, you're taking Howell Mtn right at the top from Angwin? I don't know that I've ever been in Angwin proper. Any water and elephants in Angwin so we wouldn't have to stop in Pope Valley? I wonder if anything is open on Sundays.

The Krebs map shows a picnic area and restrooms at the southeast corner of the Lake which I think I remember. There is no icon for water. If we take Howell Mtn we could have no water all the way from Pope Valley to Moskowite Corner. Maybe we could find something on the Silverado Trail between Howell and 128, or just go into St. Helena.

Yeah, it appears to be Conn Valley. And I do not think there are restrooms there. There's a boat launch at the other side of the lake that does have restrooms.

We go over White Cottage, but continue straight across Deer Park (careful! Traffic!) onto Howell Mtn. So I haven't been into Angwyn either. There is a school there which has water fountains. Other than that I am no help.

FUN descent if you go the other way (UP "old" Howell Mtn., and down "new" Howell Mtn. instead of Ink Grade - this is the K-ville double route and boy is that downhill fun!!

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Originally Posted by maillotpois

FUN descent if you go the other way (UP "old" Howell Mtn., and down "new" Howell Mtn. instead of Ink Grade - this is the K-ville double route and boy is that downhill fun!!

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Nope, I'm not that stupid.:D The boat launch on the other side of the lake if probably the same as the picnic area. You get some boat traffic going up 128.

Okey-doke.

Here is the loop I recommended (35 miles) from St. Helena with maillotpois' recommended descent of Howell Mtn. I like this idea because it isn't as fast and furious as Deer Park and it keeps you off the Silverado Trail as much as possible.
http://www.routeslip.com/map.php?map=3251

Here is the 54 mile loop Bubba and I will probably ride this weekend. We may see you out there as much of it overlaps. We can evaluate MP's Howell Mtn recommendation also.;)
http://www.routeslip.com/map.php?map=3249

This is awesome! Thanks everyone, and thanks Sk for making a routeslip (that's new! How cool)

I'm glad we're going to go down Howell Mtn, because both my friend and I are squeamish with downhills. :eek: I actually enjoy going uphill alot, although I don't really have the legs, and at the top, I'm always, 'DANG! I forgot about the down part....' and hit the brakes. I don't mind rolling hills, where you know you're going to get partway up the next hill, but I'd gladly do without downhills if I could help it!

I ride a blue Specialized Dolce Elite. Let's just say I get passed alot on the road! But I really enjoy riding. Never been out for a TT, but I have friends who have. lol.

A forgot to mark the left turn onto Pope Street right at the beginning. The map was right but the directions didn't note this turn. Sorry.

http://www.routeslip.com/map.php?map=3251&

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Originally Posted by Veronica

Anyway... I found an even grosser bathroom in NS.

V.

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hahaha, which one was that?

That store on the way to Keiji.

V.

oooh yeah, the one with the wierd but oh so nice store keeper. Glad I avoided that scene...............

He was lonely... and odd.

V.

Deedolce - I'm hope you have a real map with you, as I suggested, because I just found a wrong turn at the College/Howell Mtg intersection. I'm unfamiliar with it and think I had you turning left which would be down a big steep hill back towards Pope Valley.

No worries; we had a great day! We ended up making a loop to Calistoga from St. Helena first. You all are so right about being buzzed by cars on Silverado, and it was even worse with construction on 29 (?), with no bike lanes, or seperated bike lanes through construction, some that were blocked partway, one that left me in a soft gravel pit next to a driveway. Also got a flat in the first 5 miles from evil thorns. We had a huge breakfast for lunch in St. Helena, and then headed on your route. However my friend needed to get back, so we only rode as far as we could for 1 hour, before turning around - before the 'steep hill' turn- and came back to St. Helena.

We got in just about 40 miles, and are planning to go back and do that entire route *first* - and yep, I'll bring a map next time!

So funny - went into Wheelworks to ask about a map, and the guys there are watching some mountain biking video, and say they don't have a map and '...you don't need a map! Just go and ride!'

Ha! Tell Joe and Sherpa (Tim) that you're on to their tricks (via Sarah). They just take off towards Diablo with no maps and no nothing. They did find Diablo but the ranger shooed them off the mtn because it got dark and someone had pick to go rescue them because they had no lights. They want me to go with them as they ride toward the Sutter Buttes - without a map. Yeah, right.

Wheelworks has the good mechanics and great bike knowledge, but B&L has the maps.

You could really pysch out Joe and tell him before you tell him you know me that the mullet is getting too long. That seemed to be of major concern last night.:p

We just got home from our own ride so I can now describe the Howell Mtn intersection better. I've been there but just couldn't give proper directions until I tried it myself. It was really a pretty road. Much safer than Deer Park because it was slower and no traffic. Some storm damage but all of California seems to be suffering from that now. I'll update the route descriptions later this week.

This is the map you want: http://www.krebscycleproducts.com/T1.html

Hang out on the forum more!

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Originally Posted by deedolce

. . .and it was even worse with construction on 29 (?), with no bike lanes, or seperated bike lanes through construction, some

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And don't ride 29!

Joe has a mullet?? I'm not sure which one Tim is. It's kind of like walking into an auto parts store when I go to Wheelworks. You almost have to jump and down to get their attention, and I prefer going around the corner for most things...

I'm thinking of going to the DBC meeting tomorrow (Monday nite) because Joe and Mark Adkison are going to show slides from last year's Tour. (even though I'm still kinda bummed because of Floyd)

And I think I'll be checking out this forum pretty regularly! :p