Tuesday, February 9, 2016
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This route goes through the beautiful Napa Valley on the quiet back roads from Dry Creek Rd up to Trinity Rd. It drops down into the Valley of the Moon and rolls through Glen Ellen on Arnold Ave into Sonoma. Meander through town before rolling through the gorgeous vineyards around the Carneros Wine Region on Ramal and Duhig to Las Amigas.
Begin this ride from The Shed at the corner of Golden Gate Dr & Stanly Ln in Napa.
Head west on Hwy 12.
Turn right onto Old Sonoma Hwy to Old Sonoma Rd for a scenic run through the rolling vineyards along the east side of Carneros Valley.
Continue north through the vineyards along Carneros Valley on Buhman Rd.
Buhman Rd kicks up for a short climb out of the valley before dropping through the residential neighborhood of Browns Valley in Napa.
Head east along Redwood Creek on Redwood Rd to Dry Creek Rd.
Dry Creek Rd runs NW along the residential outskirts of town through the beautiful Napa Valley vineyards for the first 2.5 miles.
The lower section of Dry Creek Rd continues with a couple of rolling climbs through a scattering of country homes nestled in the woods. As you near the top, watch for the T-Rex and other dinosaurs roaming the woodlands.
Dry Creek Rd drops down into the canyon on gentle rolling terrain along Dry Creek. The road goes through a small ranching community set alongside dense forest greens.
At the Oakville Grade junction, Dry Creek continues west for the next 1.1 flat miles to the narrow one lane bridge crossing over Dry Creek.
The road dramatically kicks up after the creek crossing; it winds up through the gorgeous shaded woodlands for 1.6 miles.
It’s a steep steady climb with an average grade of 10.3% and steep pitches of 13-16%!
Dry Creek Rd crosses over into Sonoma County and becomes Trinity Rd on the climb up to Thomas LaTour Vineyard.
Trinity Rd continues on gentle terrain through the dense woodlands to the junction at Cavedale Rd.
Descend Trinity Rd-use caution, the steep twisty road drops down into Sonoma Valley aka Valley of the Moon.
Head south on Dunbar Rd and Arnold Dr to the town of Glen Ellen.
Stay on Arnold Dr and continue south along the Sonoma Valley Wine Trail towards Verano.
Turn left on W Verano Ave and head east into the town of Verano. Cross Hwy 12 and hop onto the sidewalk for a traffic-free roll along the Sonoma Bike Path; it runs along the north edge of Sonoma to Depot Park.
The turn on 1st St E takes you to Sonoma Plaza-the town square.
Exit Sonoma Plaza on E Spain St; continue east for a jaunt through the residential neighborhoods to the outskirt of town on E Napa St and 7th St E to Denmark St.
Denmark St continues eastward through the valley vineyards and country homes to Napa and Burnsdale Rds.
Head south on Burnsdale Rd; the road winds around the back country ranches and vineyards.
Stay south through the rural countryside on Knob Hill and cross Hwy 12 on S Central Ave to Acacia St.
Continue SE on Ramal Rd; it winds eastward through the vineyards around the gorgeous Carneros Valley wine region.
Enjoy the yellow mustards bursting out between the vines!
The road changes to Duhig Rd as it curves around the valley into Napa County.
The turn on Las Amigas Rd continues eastward through the magnificent wineries and colorful vineyards!
Las Amigas heads north towards Cuttings Wharf.
Continue on Cuttings Wharf Rd and take the scenic bike path through the Stanly Ranch vineyards along the Bay Trail on Stanly Cross Rd.
Take Stanly Ln out to CA-12 for the return to Golden Gate Dr.
The Shed on Golden Gate Dr-Napa Valley.
This is a marvelous ride along the back roads of Napa into Sonoma. You’ll enjoy the quiet run along lower Dry Creek Rd to the quad busting climb up to Trinity Rd and the gorgeous ride through the Carneros Valley vineyards on the return to Napa!
Garmin Stats:
49.05 Miles with 2746′ of elevation gain
Max elevation: 1780′
Max grade: 16%
Terrain: Moderately hilly with a few steep climbs
Weather: Clouds and sun. Temps ranging from the mid 50’s to the mid 70’s with brisk NE winds.
View the interactive RGPS route map & profile
Follow this route for today’s ride:
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