The Specialists in California Bike Tours

Undiscovered
Wine Country

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	introduction
	Itinerary
	lodging
	questions?
	reservations

 

Days 6 Nights 5 2008 Start Dates April 27 June 1 July 6–FULL Sept 7 Oct 19 Departure City Rohnert Park Nearest Airports San Francisco Santa Rosa Level Moderate-Avid Avg. Daily Distance 30-60 miles Price per Person $1494 Single Supplement $539

Northern California Bike Tour — Undiscovered Wine Country and Pacific Coast

Daily Itinerary

Day One: Sunday [36 miles, 800 feet]

We all meet in the lobby of the DoubleTree Inn in Rohnert Park. Shuttle service is available to the DoubleTree from the San Francisco and Santa Rosa airports. After introductions and a brief orientation meeting, we shuttle north to Hopland. In Hopland, we cycle the back roads to Ukiah and back. Dinner at Shotgun Restaurant, lodging at Lawson's Station.

Day Two: Monday [37 miles, 1500 feet]

We'll have a made to order breakfast at the Bluebird Cafe, a favorite spot for locals. Then we head south to Healdsburg, through the towns of Cloverdale and Geyserville. Several wineries are along this route, giving the opportunity to stop and taste or have a picnic lunch. Dinner at a local restaurant in Healdsburg, lodging at the Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza.

Day Three: Tuesday [38 miles, 900 feet]

Today we ride a loop that starts and ends in Healdsburg. Some of the best rated wineries are on this route, but it's the cycling that makes this route special to us. The Alexander Valley is our first destination, full of wineries and butted up against volcanic mountains. The we climb up and over Chalk Hill, known for its excellent grape growing conditions. Rolling along the edge of the Russian River Valley offers splendid vistas of vineyards and the surrounding mountains. Then it's back to Healdsburg to enjoy the rest of the day in town. Wander the plaza,, browse the shops, or get yourself a massage. We stay once again at the Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza.

Day 4: Wednesday [48 miles, 4400 feet]

Today, we leave the valleys of the wine country and head over the twisting roads to the coast. There are some mountains to climb here (van is there if you want to skip the big climbs). These coastal mountains are a mixture of microclimates: golden meadows, oak groves, pine and redwood forests. In the span of a few miles, you can ride through all of them. Our destination is the Sea Ranch Lodge, perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Dinner and lodging tonight is at the Sea Ranch Lodge, where every room has a view of the ocean.

Day 5: Thursday [38 miles, 2100 feet]

Today we head south along the crest of the coastal mountains on some of the prettiest roads anywhere. A few short but challenging climbs bring us to the high point of the mountain range, where we can see for miles in every direction. As we approach the Russian River, we descend through shady redwood forests to the bohemian hamlet of Cazadero, then to Duncan's Mills on the Russian River, and finally to Monte Rio, our destination for the night. Tonight we have a sumptuous dinner with specially selected wines from the Russian River Valley. Lodging and dining at the Village Inn.

Day 6: Friday

This morning, we all hop in the van for the short drive to Guerneville and the Armstrong Redwoods Park, where old growth redwood trees tower as high as 300 feet. A short hike among the giants will work up our appetite for a picnic brunch in the shade of these majestic redwoods. Then we toast each other for a great time together, and we shuttle back to the DoubleTree Inn in Rohnert Park to complete the tour.

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