In Sonoma County, mountains and ridge-top grasslands quickly give way to valleys, oak forests, orchards, chaparral, vineyards, groves of ancient redwoods and a dramatic Pacific coastline — entirely different worlds, all within a few miles of each other.
Stunning landscapes provide visitors with innumerable opportunities to enjoy the scenery while also getting a great workout. The area is home to a variety of touring companies that make it easy to find the right outing — no matter what level of rider experience.
A tour could be as simple as a single day spent in a valley, cycling at a leisurely pace past vineyards and stopping at wineries to taste wine and enjoy a gourmet picnic. Favorite sip-and-cycle routes wind through the famous wine-growing regions of Dry Creek, Russian River, Alexander and Sonoma valleys.
Cyclists looking for a more rigorous workout also will be rewarded. They can choose a single day ride that will leave every muscle aching: perhaps a 75-mile loop over the rugged Mayacamas mountain range. Such a route would include a grueling elevation gain of 7,000 feet or more.
For visitors with more time, some multi-day tours encompass not only mountain rides but also take cyclists past vineyards, redwood forests and the breathtakingly beautiful Sonoma Coast, where a sea kayaking outing or a hike through Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve can be incorporated into the day’s peddling.
Sonoma County also is a magnet for mountain bikers. Several regional and state parks offer dozens of miles of trails—some an easy go for beginners and others that are technical enough to challenge professional riders.
This amazing diversity of terrain and scenery compressed into just 1,500 square miles also attracts professional cyclists from all over who train at least part of the year in Sonoma County. Team BMC, a pro-continental team featuring a mixed roster of Swiss and American cyclists, is based in Sonoma County. Olympic medal winner and Tour de France competitor Levi Leipheimer calls Sonoma County home.
Levi will be welcoming 3,500 cycling fans this weekend for his GranFondo to raise money for the AMGEN Tour of California.
Story by Constance Gray.
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