Northern Cal bike route advice needed

Triathlon Forum
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Norcal peeps:

I’m getting ready to do a ride next week from Napa up to Fort Bragg. Going to ride to Sea Ranch the first day and then north up 1 on second day. Looking for any advice on the following:

  1. Best route to take from Napa to the coast that would put me in Sea Ranch for the night – ride due west to Bodega Bay or go north through Geyserville and then cut over?

  2. How hilly is 1 going up the coast?

  3. A good route to ride from Fort Bragg/Mendocino area to Ukaih

Thanks in advance for any info.

Chris

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You lucky guy.

I’m on a business trip now and don’t have time for a detailed reply, but PM me and I’ll give you some options.

I live in Santa Rosa and ride the roads up to sea ranch and such frequently. I’ve never been north of there, but I’ve heard about some possibilities.

A few quick questions and points -

stay off of bodega highway, too much traffic and no shoulder. It’s a good way to get killed.

I hope you’re a strong cyclist, a rough estimate for Napa to Sea Ranch would be 6-8 hours with upwards of 8000 ft climbing, depending on your route selection.

Do you like climbing? I hope so.

Would you rather ride along the coast, or through the hills and the redwoods? My suggestion for most scenic, with the least traffic would be to cut through the hills - some of the roads are amazing.

roads to think about (get a map)

mt veeder road, silverado trail, highway 128, chalk hill, warm springs road, graton road, occidental (a town) bohemian highway, austin creek road, cazadero (a town), king ridge road, tin barn road, skaggs spring road, and highway 1.

Lots of options, pm me for my email or phone #. you’re in for some world-class riding. I hope you like hills…

one other point is plan on being unsupported for several hours at a time, three water bottles is a very good idea.

Very nice 25m pool in sea ranch if you get the chance, and nice running along the coastal trail.

J

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Chris … depending on how much climbing / type of climbing you want to do will help determine. BUT … i’d at least go north to Healdsburg / Geyserville … from there you can decide on the terrain.

If flatter with some climbing at the end: Wetsside Road to River Rd to Cazadero Rd to Kings Ridge (lots o’ climbing from here forward) to Tin Barn to Stewarts pt / Skaggs to HWY north to Sea Ranch OR Annapolis Rd instead of HWY 1 (pack in plenty of fluids from Guernenville)

If flatter River Rd to Hwy 1 to HWY 1 north to Sea Ranch (maybe not as desirable from a traffic standpoint)

Flatter route to Geyserville, then climbing route … Geyserville on 128, Canyon Rd, Dry Creek Rd to Lake Sonoma up and over the bridge, Skaggs Springs, Stewarts point, Hwy 1 to Sea Ranch OR instead of HWY take Annapolis Rd. (pack in plenty of fluids @ Lake Sonoma Rest Area)

Whatever you choos … it will be very scenic :wink:

Best …

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Dave & JAM,

Thanks for the replies. I live down in Napa and am pretty familiar with the Valley. Going north & west is where I’m not as sure so I really appreciate the info. I’m doing this as the final big push for Kona (Dave - got lucky and snagged rolldown at 1/2Vman)and then tapering. Aiming for about 225 bike and ~40 running over 4 day. With that in mind, my route preferences would be (in order of priority):

  1. Not getting killed

  2. Knowing that there will be a lot of climbing with any route, probaby the one that’s most flat

  3. Scenic is good, but not as important as #1

If flatter River Rd to Hwy 1 to HWY 1 north to Sea Ranch (maybe not as desirable from a traffic standpoint)

This is basically going past Vman swim start and then straight to coast, right? If I recall it’s relatively flat until some big hills that drop you near 1? Going to do first leg midday Friday to hopefully avoid crazy traffic.

Thanks again!

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Hey Carl …

If training for Kona then Westside / River Rd to Guerneville, to the coast to HWY is the most specific training prep. YES … from Westside in Healdsburg to Guerneville will be backwards on the Vineman route then you are headed straight for the coast. ** Silverado trail to 128 is great Kona prep

Friday definately would be more desirable from traffic standpoint … earlier the better.

Sidenote: Overdress a bit to prepare for some of the Kona heat etc. ESPECIALLY when you get closer to the coast!

Best Wishes …

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Thanks Dave - appreciate it! Have a good one.

Chris