2024-08: Roundtrip between Calistoga and Yountville

2024, Biking

This is my third time to ride the Napa Valley Vine Trail. My previous trips were:

I really enjoy exploring the Napa Valley, and the trail gives me an easy way to do that. My ride this month coincided with the grand opening of the new section of the Napa Vine Trail (except that my ride went a bit further):

The entire Vine Trail is planned to be completed in 2028. The Yountville to St. Helena section, which will span 10 miles, will likely be the final large portion of the trail, and will connect the Upvalley part to the southern section. Other trail segments running south of the city of Napa are set to open sooner. A 5.5-mile portion between American Canyon and the Vallejo Ferry Terminal will be finished by mid-September 2024.

Starting out

I got up at 6am, put air in my front tire, had a cup of coffee, hustled out the door and drove an hour up to Calistoga. Along the way, I saw these balloons floating next to Hwy 29. A great start to the day…

My Route

You know I love ironwork (like THIS and like THIS).

I saw these statues at the entrance to the Piazza Del Dotto Winery and Caves. They are definitely striking.

I also like trains (just like THIS).

It’s not every day that you see a 35-foot polished stainless steel rabbit. This sculpture was created in 2014 by Lawrence Argent and is called, “Bunny Foo Foo”. It is located at the entrance to Hall Wines.

One of the most pleasant parts of the NVT was a section that cut through the Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. This park offers overnight camping, so I will definitely be back.

I was 100 yards from where I had parked my car. Amazingly, the bike trail wound through Twomey Cellars vineyards. Beautiful !!!

I was exhausted by the time I arrived back at my car. I don’t know why going 40 miles was such a big stretch. I had been consistently riding 25-30 miles/ride for several months. Is it possible I am getting old? I better start upping my miles/ride over the next 8-10 weeks. I am scheduled to participate in a 62.5 mile ride around Solvang in November 2024.

Twomey Cellars was an inviting location. I enjoyed a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and recuperated, before driving home (it was a very tiny glass).

7 comments

  1. Thanks for sending out your adventures. So fun! And 40-miles. . .pshaw. Just wait until you get tht smaller front tire and 80-100 will be nothing for you.

  2. Very cool Van, looks like a nice place.
    We have only been thru that part of Cali on the way to Oregon.
    That was a looong time ago haha.
    Thanks for sharing.

    Dave & Marian

  3. What a wonderful and beautiful ride, enjoying the trails that allow you to enjoy God’s awesome creation!
    You are amazing and inspiring, Van!!! I can’t believe you just completed a 40 mile ride and you are already looking forward to 62.5 … what can I say?!
    It was so good to have lunch with you and your Mom, catching up on the 40 some years that we had not seen each other! The deep friendship is still solidly there, and it’s now refreshed until we meet again!
    Happy journeys to you, my good friend!!!

  4. very nice Van! I love Napa!! Those balloons are beautiful….. Nancy took Ashley up years ago. She really did not want to go. Scared, mostly.
    Afterwards… She thought is was the coolest thing EVER!!!

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