First time to Napa - favorite 40 miles?

[Veronica]

Is it the store in Pope Valley that has the really disgusting bathrooms and is closed one day on the weekend? I think the men's is less gross than the women's - more use is good.

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

V.

[maillotpois]

Super gross bathrooms - but always open and stocked with TP.

They used to be closed on Saturday (Pope Valley is very 7th Day Adventist), but when we were there last week, the sign said open every day at 10 or something. I was surprised.

Pope Valley is just the best place! So pretty - especially in the spring with all the flowers.

[Veronica]

Yeah... don't let the comment the bathroom turn you off, just be prepared.

I really like Mt. Veeder, it's a pretty climb.

V.

[Bike Goddess]

As V says, Mt Veeder is a nice ride, but it does get steep at the top.

I suggest you call Gaby- she is from the Eagles Cycling club in Napa. She will not only give you great routes, but also great directions. She works at a bike shop in Napa (Bicycle Works- 707 253 7000).

The club has regular rides on the weekends. There is a ride just for women on Saturdays which Cheryl leads. I've done this ride and we had a great time!
They do a decide and ride as does the Sunday group. I've ridden with this club and they are quite friendly. My club did a joint ride with this group, and I just did the Seattle to Portland ride with Gaby, Cheryl, and 2 other women from this group.

[SadieKate]

OMG! Someone from my town!

The link below is what we like to do. Leave out the leg up to Calistoga. If I have time later to make a route slip for you I will. Start early in the day because of the heat and the headwind when you go south on the Silverado Trail. The market in Pope Valley has gross restrooms but has the only water on the route. The Pope Valley is gorgeous.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ghlight=helena

If your budget can handle it, Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen is marvelous. Decent burritos at the little mexican restaurant near the St. Helena Cyclery (they can direct you there).

Do you have the Krebs map for the Wine Country? B&L (and maybe Ken's) usually stocks them. Easy to map this route using it.

[maillotpois]

SK's route is basically the same as what I was suggesting - great ride. You can start in Yountville as well, which is what we usually do. Once up Ink Grade, I'd recommend descending Old Howell Mtn. Rd., though - beautiful!!!

[deedolce]

Wow, thanks! I'll go by B&L tomorrow and see if they have a map. So you think us flatlanders can make it up Ink Grade?

Hey, SK, I'm sure we've passed on the road, or were munching at Steady Eddies at the same time. I usually ride alone, or lately, with a girlfriend in the mornings. During that dang heat wave, we'd leave at 6:00-7:00 am trying to beat the heat. We're teachers, and she's back to work so we're trying to ride weekends and mebbe after she gets off work and back to Davis, if there's time we'll do a Stevenson Creek/Pedrick loop.

We haven't been riding too long, almost 2 years now. She's a runner, I'm a tennis player.

I'm glad to have found this forum!

[SadieKate]

SK's route is basically the same as what I was suggesting - great ride. You can start in Yountville as well, which is what we usually do. Once up Ink Grade, I'd recommend descending Old Howell Mtn. Rd., though - beautiful!!!

Other than the scenery, why Howell Mtn?

I'm mapping out this course but starting in Moskowite Corners (you went through there at the top of the Cardiac Hill past Lake Berryessa). Does Howell have less traffic, better shoulder, better pavement, high speeds, less tight corners? Any pros/cons other than the scenery? Deer Park is so fast it's hard to look at anything.

DeeDolce, I'm a flatlander also. I made it up even when I wasn't doing a lot of hill climbing. This route definitely has climbing in it but just take it slow and easy, don't push. You'll do fine. Ink Grade goes into the Redwoods so you can find some shade. Deer Park is a fast and furious downhill. Be careful or take Howell Mtn depending on maillotpois' response.

[cindysue]

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

V.

hahaha, which one was that?

[Veronica]

That store on the way to Keiji.

V.

[cindysue]

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

[Veronica]

He was lonely... and odd.

V.

[SadieKate]

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.

[deedolce]

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!'