First time to Napa - favorite 40 miles?

[deedolce]

Heh, actually first time here at te! How nice!

My riding pal and I are heading to Napa this weekend to ride...and we have no idea of what or where! We've heard of the Silverado Trail, but all other details are non-existent, hence this thread.

We'd like to do around 40 miles, beautiful scenery, a place to eat for lunch, and just rolling hills - we're flatlanders from Davis.

Where to park? A nice loop?

Thanks for ideas!

Dee

[maillotpois]

Silverado trail is pretty, and quite flat. BUT there are a ton of FAST cars on it. Not to mention the winery crowd.

I would suggest going toward Pope Valley on Chiles/Pope Valley Rd. (Past Lake Henessey). You can do an out and back to Pope Valley and come back via Lower Chiles Valley Rd. or you can go up Ink Grade, which is a four mile climb - but nothing terribly steep. This is all on the east side of Napa Valley.

The store in Pope Valley doesn't open til about 10.

On the West side, you can go up Dry Creek Rd. which runs paralell to Silverado and Hwy. 29. That is a nice rolly road. On either side o fit is Mt. Veder and Oakville Grade, but Dry Creek itself is pretty flat.

Have fun!

[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.

[SadieKate]

Dee, what kind of bike and color do you ride? Should I keep a look out for you? Do you come out to the Wednesday night TTs? How would I recognize you?

There are pics of me posted in the Monterey thread though I use different bikes. Most often a Litespeed Tuscany around Davis. My husband rides a white and black Seven, and is about 6'2". We hang out at Wheelworks the most.

[maillotpois]

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.

Deer Park is fast and furious and has a lot of traffic. And that nail biter hairpin bend that sneaks up on you.

Howell Mtn. is drive-off-the-road beautiful. The road condition is not as smooth, but not dangerously rough (nowhere near as bad as Ink Grade which I will only go up). It is not a FAST descent, because it is narrow and curvy and a bit rough - but that is GOOD because you want to go more slowly and see the scenery. You can see Lake Hennessy and if you want a lovely little addition, hang a left and do the short beautiful out and back to the lake when you are almost at the bottom of Howell Mtn. (Rollers and flat).

[SadieKate]

The out and back to the Lake -- is there potable water available? I like to mark the water stops on my route maps.

[SadieKate]

Deer Park is fast and furious and has a lot of traffic. And that nail biter hairpin bend that sneaks up on you.

48 mph is darn fun. Still my PB on a single bike.

[maillotpois]

The out and back to the Lake -- is there potable water available? I like to mark the water stops on my route maps.

Not unless you have a water filter or iodine tablets.

So, no.

It's not long, though. If you've filled at Pope Valley or Angwyn, you should be okay.