You can count on frustrated trophy hunters to continue their pursuit. Five years after I ran out of time to make the attempt on Mont Ventoux, I once again found myself in the south of France, and this time I wasn’t going to leave without bagging the peak.
Epilogue: Mont Ventoux Read More »
Does it still count as bikepacking if you stayed in a yurt and left all your gear in camp for a loop ride? I’ll allow it. Some wine tasting and a repeat of the lovely Franz Valley loop finished up the trip.
Bonus day: Wine country loop Read More »
After making breakfast on a pile of rocks at the roadside, the descent into Alexander Valley was wonderful, and Franz Valley is primo cycling territory. I got to check out the newly-completed Vine Trail as I popped around the northern Napa Valley.
Day 3: Mercuryville to Bothe-Napa Read More »
After the stupid slog out of the Lake Sonoma basin, I rode across Sonoma Valley to one of the classic Sonoma loops, Geysers Road, a beautiful and challenging climb. My plan to wild camp on BLM land was derailed by private property signs, but I eventually found a good spot.
Day 2: Lake Sonoma to Mercuryville Read More »
After glitches meeting up for the SMART train from Larkspur, I caught up with July and Fletcher in Healdsburg, and we rode together to Cloverdale, where they headed north and I cut off to Lake Sonoma. Beautiful campsite there, after a slog on a stupid fire road.
Day 1: Santa Rosa to Lake Sonoma with July and Fletcher Read More »
I’m pretty dialed in on equipment after my local bikepack adventure, so when my friend July suggested doing a bike tour up to the Kinetic Grand Championship, I jumped on the opportunity, even though I didn’t have time to do the whole ride.
Introduction: Wine country bikepack Read More »
Yesterday’s rainbow marked the end of the storm. The night was clear and calm, and we woke to a beautiful sunrise, with mist rising off the lake. I was riding directly home from camp, so all I had to do was find clothes I was willing to wear for a couple hours.
It was a good trip; I enjoyed that this adventure involved just going out my door. We’re blessed here in the Bay Area that there are so many nearby options.
Day 4: Chabot to home Read More »
The muddiness prevented me from riding the Bolinas Ridge Trail, but I made a good day out of riding Highway 1 with a stiff tailwind, all the way from Olema to Mill Valley, and then public transiting to San Leandro for the final climb up to Lake Chabot.
Day 3: Samuel P. Taylor to Anthony Chabot Read More »
Day 2 involved a lot of dodging rain squalls. I modified my original route to cut out the gravel sections through the East Bay that would all be sticky mud. The road riding was mostly pleasant except for the wind on the bridge, and through a combination of planning and luck I managed to avoid riding in the rain.
Day 2: Sibley to Samuel P. Taylor Read More »
This was going to be a short day, just 25km up the hill to Sibley Backpack Camp. It was quite windy and threatening rain, so I decided to take the more wooded Butters&Burdeck route up the hills, picked up dinner at Skyline Community Market, and hunkered down before the rain came in.
Day 1: Sibley Backpack Camp Read More »