Saturday, July 1, 2017
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This ride heads north from Petaluma and meanders along the beautiful quiet Sonoma County backroads with steep climbs up Crane Canyon to Bennett Valley and up Adobe Canyon to Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. The route includes an out & back up London Ranch Rd to Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen and a steep climb up Sonoma Mountain Rd for the return to Petaluma.
Begin the ride at Leghorn’s Park in Petaluma and head out on Casella Way to Sonoma Mountain Pkwy.
Exit town on Ely Rd N and Old Redwood Hwy towards Penngrove.
Head north on Petaluma Hill Rd for the next 4.9 miles; the flat terrain goes through the expansive farm and ranchlands from Penngrove to Cotati and Rohnert Park.
Turn right on Crane Canyon Rd, it travels between Taylor Mountain and Sonoma Mountain; the flat road leads up to the mile long climb through the canyon with 10-13% grades.
The road name changes to Grange Rd as you near the summit; it continues along with a short rolling climb followed by a one-mile descent into Bennett Valley.
Head east on Bennett Valley Rd; this road leads you through the beautiful valley vineyards and residential community at the foothills of Bennett Mountain.
The road continues through the valley on gentle rolling terrain as it goes pass the hillside vineyards and ranch homes along Matanzas Creek.
At the Sonoma Creek crossing, turn north onto Warm Springs Rd; this less- traveled road follows alongside the creek under a canopy of trees through a small ranching community and Morton’s Warm Springs Resort.
The turn onto Lawndale begins with a short steep climb followed by a second small climb up through the scenic hillside vineyards and a quick descent.
The road turns right for a gentle climb to the top of the hill; it’s 0.8 miles with an average grade of 4.5%. Lawndale drops down through the valley vineyards and orchards around Kenwood to Hwy12.
Head east on Hwy 12 for a short 0.4 mile to Adobe Canyon Rd.
Adobe Canyon Rd is a gorgeous out & back stretch to Sugarloaf Ridge State Park; it’s 3.5 miles which equal to a 7-mile round trip. The road begins on flat terrain through the vineyards at Kaz Winery and along the valley estate homes up to the first right-hand turn at Baker Rd.
The road goes along Sonoma Creek on a gentle uphill through the scattered residential creek side homes for the next pretty 1.7 miles under a dense canopy of trees.
The road narrows as you near the Goodspeed Trailhead and dramatically kicks up as it enters the state park with an average grade of 8.5% and steep sections with 12-16% grades!
The 1.1-mile climb gains close to 500′ to the summit at the ranger station.
A brief stop at the Sugarloaf Ridge Visitor Center.
Exit the park and descend Adobe Canyon Rd back to Hwy 12.
Turn left on Hwy 12 E for a lunch stop at the Kenwood Market at Kenwood Village.
Continue on Hwy 12 E to Warm Springs Rd.
Warm Springs Rd south from Kenwood to Arnold Dr is 5.1 quiet scenic rolling miles along Sonoma Creek to Glen Ellen.
Ride through town on Arnold and head up London Ranch Rd to Jack London State Historic Park. It’s a 1.3-mile climb with 11-14% grades to the park entrance.
Descend London Ranch Rd and exit town on Arnold Dr and head west on Warm Springs Rd; the rolling terrain through the residential neighborhoods leads to Sonoma Mountain Rd.
Sonoma Mountain Rd is a single lane road with minimal to no traffic; this less traveled road is wonderful for cycling with fantastic scenery-oak woodlands, meadows, hillside vineyards and distant mountain vistas! The climb up Sonoma Mountain begins immediately with gradient ranges of 4-7%.
At Emery Rd, Sonoma Mountain Rd tilts up to steep grades of 10-13% for about 3/10ths of a mile and drops down to lesser grades of 5-8% to the first high point.
The road levels out for a short distance as it winds through the upper meadows and vineyards before dropping down to Enterprise Rd.
After passing Enterprise Rd, Sonoma Mountain Rd kicks up again for another climb up towards Waldrue Heights and the Sonoma Mountain Zen Center. It’s 1.2 miles with an average grade of 6.4% and a steep section with 10-13%.
The road continues on for a few more gentle rolling climbs to the mountain top vineyards and ranches before descending through the redwoods to Pressley Rd.
Pressley Rd climbs up to the top of the ridge for 0.7 mile with an average grade of 3.5%.
The road drops down from the ridge with phenomenal views of the valley below!
Pressley Rd provides fantastic views of the open valley meadows and surrounding vineyards.
Pressley Rd name changes to Roberts Rd/Roberts Ranch Rd at the Copeland Creek crossing to Petaluma Hill Rd.
Head south on Petaluma Hill Rd; the straight flat run leads you back through Penngrove to Old Redwood Hwy. Return on Ely Rd N, it takes you up and over the hill from Penngrove to Reisling Rd. Meander through the residential subdivisions for the return to Leghorn’s Park.
This is a fantastic challenging ride from Petaluma to Glen Ellen and back with steep climbs up Crane Canyon, Adobe Canyon, London Ranch and Sonoma Mountain! Ride the roads less traveled and enjoy the peaceful calm of the mountains!
54.60 Miles with 4514′ of elevation gain
Max Elevation: 1217′
Max grade: 16%
Terrain: Hilly with a few steep climbs
Weather: Sunny and warm! Temps ranged from the mid 60’s to the high 80’s with NW > SW winds.
View the interactive RGPS route map & profile
Follow this route for today’s ride:
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