At least in California! 8-) Thank goodness. I'm sure there is more rain coming, but for now I will get out and ride on these nice days!
Today wasn't a long ride - only 50 miles. But we did get a late start - 2:00 PDST. I like that we have these longer afternoons now, even though we did loose an hour.
Anyway, the ride. There's a nice road over the mountain here to Calistoga in the Napa Valley. It's not very far at all - maybe 1/2 hour from my house- but a nice ride on a twisty hilly road. So we took off. It was nice to ride a familiar road to start getting my riding skills back into use. Plus it was so beautiful. The trees are starting to put out their new bright green leaves and the hills are covered in green grass, which is much different from summer when the hills are golden brown.
I was in the lead, so I got to say where next! Since it was a beautiful Sunday I knew that the roads leading to Napa would be pretty busy. So when we got to Calistoga we turned north on Hwy 128 which took us through the Alexander Valley, well known wine country. The road takes us through a canyon and up into the valley. The hills are round and soft with the green grass. There are flowering trees along the road and clumps of daffodils dotting the roadside and up some of the driveways. The green is soooooooooooo bright it takes my breath away. We twist and turn up the curves and I'm having to slow down because I'm looking at everything. Plus I'm starting to notice the cold in these shaded spots.
There is a well-known store/deli along the road here called the Jimtown Store. We stop there and I get a hot tea to warm my hands and my insides. We are there for a bit watching the cars go by and looking out over the vineyards. 2 Harley riders and their passengers stop for a bit and we chat amiably.
We head up 128 to Healdsburg. Home is just a few miles away. What a wonderful ride! Longer rides coming up soon!
