Friday, September 5, 2014

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This scenic route goes under the redwoods along the Russian River to Guerneville from Duncans Mills and meanders through the hillside vineyards and orchards on Mays Canyon to Green Valley and Harrison Grade. The ride heads north along Bohemian Hwy for a stop at Wild Flour Bread in Freestone and continues on into Occidental and Monte Rio. The jaunt on Moscow Rd flows alongside the Russian River back to Duncans Mills.

Duncans Mills is a small river town located near the lower Russian River resort area in Sonoma County. It has a quaint shopping area with restaurants, art galleries, antiques, gifts and boutique shops.

The flat terrain on CA-116 E follows along the curvatures of the Russian River as it weaves its way in and out of the redwoods from the towns of Villa Grande to Monte Rio.

The road continues through Northwood Golf Club before entering Main St Guerneville.

We stay on CA-116 E and crossover the Russian River; enjoy the fabulous views of the historic Guerneville Bridge and the back drop of dense forests!

Mays Canyon Rd is a less-traveled country back road; the rolling terrain winds up along the canyon underneath the woodlands for the first 1.9 miles.

The road narrows and kicks up for the last 3/10th of a mile up to the summit at Porter-Bass Vineyards with an average grade of 8.4%.

The road drops down from the hillside vineyards to Pocket Canyon at CA-116 E; it travels along the canyon floor under the rich shade of the forest greens. Watch for the warrior and owl standing watch over the apple orchard!

The turn on Green Valley takes us through the redwoods along Oregon Canyon on a narrow winding road; the average grade is 5% for the 1.4 miles up to the summit. The section going around the hairpin turns has steep grades of 11-14%!  

The descent on Green Valley Rd drops us down onto the valley floor with a scattering of acreage ranch homes and a herd of grazing yaks.

Harrison Grade Rd is a beautiful stretch; it runs south for 2.6 miles to the opposite end at Graton Rd; the first 1.6 miles climbs through the canopy of trees from the valley up to a small residential community with an average grade of 5.7% and steep pitches of 10-12%!

The road levels out for a bit and continue on rolling terrain along the hill top vineyards and apple orchards before descending onto Tanuda and Graton Rd.

We cross Graton Rd onto Facendini Ln; this short hill immediately tilts up for half an mile with steep gradient ranges of 11-14%. It continues on rolling terrain through the sparse farming neighborhood and ripe apple orchards before leading us down onto Occidental Rd.

The rolling terrain on Occidental Rd heads SE for 1.2 miles to Jovine Rd.

Jovine Rd travels for 2.1 miles on smooth and bumpy sections of road through the apple orchards and ranch homes. The road runs under the towering redwoods out to the hillside vineyards along Bodega Hwy.

Watch for the cool looking carpenter on Jovine Rd with his work apron and tools; tape measure, hammer, pencil and saw-Fantastic!

The descent on Bodega Hwy leads us to the town of Freestone on Bohemian Hwy.

We stop for lunch at the Wild Flour Bread and take a short stroll through their wildflower garden.

Bohemian Hwy continues through Freestone on flat to rolling terrain with wonderful views of the horse farms and hillside vineyards.

The road begins to climb for 1.5 miles as you enter the shaded woodlands at the CYO camp sign. Bohemian Hwy winds up the canyon along Salmon Creek with gradient ranges of 6-8% up to Occidental.

Bohemian Hwy cuts through Occidental and sweeps down for 5.1 fun miles along Dutch Bill Creek through Camp Meeker towards Monte Rio.

The road splits at mile 31.9; Main St continues under the shaded redwoods to Moscow Rd in Monte Rio.

At Monte Rio, we head NW on Moscow Rd, this gorgeous road follows the curvatures of the Russian River under a dense canopy of redwoods through the small riverside community-WOW! 

Moscow Rd leads us out-of-town to the open meadows and campground along the Russian River. The river crossing takes us across CA-116 to B St in Duncans Mills.

We return on Moscow Rd and check into the Casini Ranch Family Campground on the Russian River for our 2 night stay.

Take the roads less traveled and enjoy the peaceful calm of the Russian River, the scenic hillside vineyards and orchards around Sonoma’s countryside-you’ll love it!

Garmin Stats:
36.54 Miles with 2270′ of elevation gain
Max elevation: 856′
Max grade: 14%
Terrain: Moderately Hilly

Weather: Sunny and warm with temps ranging from the low 60’s to the high 80’s. SW winds with 68% humidity.

Click here to view the interactive route map & elevation profile

Follow this route for today’s ride: