RIDE POSTPONED--STAY TUNED FOR RESCHEDULED DATE...
Note: You must preregister to join this ride.
Distance: 49 miles
Pace: B/C (moderate to brisk, few stops)
Terrain: 4 (some steep climbs, with some relief)
Elevation gain: about 3,000 ft.
This route is mainly the Franz Valley loop with Old Lawley Toll Road tacked on at the beginning. Old Lawley is a beautiful, isolated road that used to be the way to Middletown from Calistoga. But Highway 29 was built and Old Lawley is now peaceful, quiet, and a cyclist's delight--if you like climbing! We start at the Clif Bar Winery in St. Helena; Clif Bar kindly allows cyclists to use their parking lot and their restroom. We will head out the Silverado Trail to Calistoga but then continue to Old Lawley Toll Road. The climb is about 3.5 miles and ends at Highway 29. There we'll descend Highway 29 back to Calistoga and then continue north to Franz Valley, another beautiful set of roads (by 'beautiful' I mean scenery, not road quality!) We return to Calistoga and will get refreshment at the
Palisades Eatery. Palisades Eatery has outside tables; please bring a face covering so you can enter to order. After our repast we will return to St. Helena by the Silverado Trail.
Please note there are no services (water, restroom) between St. Helena and Calistoga, so bring plenty of water and snacks.
Please check the weather forecast beforehand and dress accordingly. Rain cancels or call ride leader if precipitation is iffy.
For cue sheet, map, and GPS route, go
here.
Meet at 9:30 AM, ride out at 9:45 AM.