California: Alexander Valley Biking
Road Cycling in California with Backroads
Highlights
- A short getaway that feels much longer
- Explore four picturesque wine country valleys in three days
- Taste local vintages at some of our all-time favorite wineries
- Pedal through the little-known Russian River Valley, where terraced vineyards flank quiet roads
- Savor a Michelin-starred dinner of New Californian cuisine at Madrona Manor
Full Description
A Weekend in California's Alexander & Dry Creek Valleys
Three days never felt so good. Or so luxuriously long. Napa Valley to Alexander Valley, on to Dry Creek and the Russian River. Oak speckled mountains. Winding, endless roads of manicured vineyards. Healdsburg's blend of farm-town friendliness and urban sophistication. A bounteous lunch al fresco leads to a Michelin-starred dinner. Crisp white wines and rich reds. A perfect night's sleep. Didn't we just arrive? It already feels like a week.
Climate
Each season in the Wine Country is unique. In the spring, the days are warm and the evenings are cool. A layer of low clouds and fog often moves inland during the night and retreats in mid-morning. Summer evenings bring cooler temperatures. Rainfall is negligible June through September. In the fall, warm weather continues. October is characterized by spring-like temperatures, but with rain likely. Be prepared for all types of weather to ensure that your trip is enjoyable.
Includes:
- All lodgings
- All meals included
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants on Inn Trips
- On Biking and Multi-Sport trips use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
- Backroads water bottle
Excludes:
- Airfare
- Alcoholic beverages (Backroads provides wine at select events)
- Gratuities for Trip Leaders
- Personal expenses
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1
Meet your Backroads Trip Leaders (the folks wearing Backroads T-shirts) in Calistoga at 10 a.m. at the gazebo in Pioneer Park (or at 9 a.m. at Madrona Manor in Healdsburg). Please arrive dressed in your biking clothes and have your rain gear handy.
Madrona Manor 31 Miles (400-foot elevation gain)
Shorter Option: Robert Young Estate 21 Miles with Shuttle (300-foot elevation gain)
Welcome to your weekend in the Wine Country! After meeting at Pioneer Park, your Backroads Trip Leaders fit your bike and give a brief talk on cycling techniques and safety. Then take a spin from Napa Valley into the Alexander Valley, which has been compared to France’s Bordeaux region. There are several notable wineries in this area, including Sausal, which offers a noteworthy zinfandel, and Alexander Valley, known for its cabernet. After cranking up the two-mile hill on Franz Valley School Road, enjoy rolling downhills to our picnic spot at Robert Young Estate Winery.
After lunch, pedal into the Dry Creek Valley, which produces some of the finest zinfandels in California, and continue to Madrona Manor in the charming town of Healdsburg. This stately Victorian manor-turned-guesthouse sits on eight wooded acres and is an ideal home base for our activities. Tonight we gather for an outdoor wine reception followed by dinner at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant.
Lodging: Madrona Manor
Day 2
Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve Route 38 Miles (500-foot elevation gain)
Shorter Option: 19 Miles (250-foot elevation gain)
Longer Option: 48 Miles (1,500-foot elevation gain)
Today we explore the little-known Russian River Valley. Begin biking along quiet roads flanked by terraced vineyards and rolling pastures to Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve. As you ride into the forest, a deep sense of serenity envelops you, all noise fades away, and the smell of wood and rich soil permeates the cool air. We savor a gourmet picnic lunch among towering thousand-year-old redwood trees before heading back to Madrona Manor. Feel free to stop along the way for a tasting at Twomey Cellars, where you can sample a distinctive Napa Valley merlot made using French techniques and a delicate yet charismatic Sonoma Valley pinot noir.
After returning to Healdsburg, kick back at the hotel. Interested in a little pampering? Ask about arranging an in-room massage at the hotel’s front desk (not included in trip price; see ―During Your Trip‖ for more details). For dinner we head to Cena Luna, a Michelin guide pick, to delight in Northern Italian fare.
Lodging: Madrona Manor
Day 3
Alexander Valley Loop 37 Miles (500-foot elevation gain)
Shorter Option: Stryker Sonoma Winery 25 Miles with Shuttle (500-foot elevation gain)
We continue getting to know the Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys on a route you’re sure to love—it’s a guest favorite! With the exception of one climb along Lytton Springs Road, you’ll encounter gentle terrain characterized by acres of prized vineyards and farmland. Several great wineries are worth visiting along the way, including Stryker Sonoma Winery, where we feast on a farewell picnic lunch.
After a quick shower at the hotel and a celebratory glass of champagne, we shuttle back to San Francisco, where we say our goodbyes.
About The Operator:
Backroads
Headquarters:
Berkeley, CA
Every Backroads vacation is a one-of-a-kind adventure, where serendipity is supported - often invisibly - by a well choreographed backstage effort. After 30 years of practice, we've perfected the craft of creating and delivering world-class experiences and service, both hallmarks of a carefree Backroads vacation.
We ease your trip preparation with little extras, from a recommended packing list to lodging suggestions for before and after your trip. During your vacation, we make sure your luggage is waiting in your room, you have a cool drink or a lift when you desire them, and travel logistics are handled so you can focus on fun and relaxation.
Anticipating and responding to your needs - that is our commitment!Worldwide Presence
The Best Routes
All Backroads itineraries have been carefully researched by our team of 23 Trip Specialists and 9 Regional Managers to ensure you experience the very best way to explore the region. And before your trip, the routes are once again tested by our Trip Leaders-each and every season.
Seven Days of Service
Your Backroads Trip Consultants are available 7 days a week, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT, to answer your questions.
Flexible Itineraries
We've designed our trips with plenty of options that let you personalize each day and make the most of your vacation. And on each day of the trip (or the night before if you're heading out early), you'll receive a Daily Snapshot that gives you all of the important information you need so that you have control of your precious time.
Bikes & Accessories
All Biking and Multisport Trips include use of a fully equipped, custom-designed Backroads Titanium bike. Choose either upright or drop handlebars. Backroads is also unique among travel companies in manufacturing our own line of custom-designed kids' bikes. For the younger ones we offer the Burley d'Lite trailer and Burley Piccolo trailercycle.
A Choice of Lodging
We're the only company that distinguishes between Premiere Inns and Casual Inns, making it easy for you to choose a trip that suits your personal style. We provide an honest assessment of each hotel giving you an assurance of quality you can trust.
Responsible Travel
Backroads has been taking responsible travel seriously since our first trip over 30 years ago. While traveling on two feet or two wheels is the ultimate minimal-impact approach to traveling, we recognize that any travel has an impact and so we do everything we can to make the impact as light and as positive as possible.
On-Trip Support
When you're out exploring, you may welcome some time to yourself, but when needed, we are there. We pioneered on-trip vehicle support and we continue to perfect it. Read more about On-Trip Support.
Local Expertise
Local experts team up with your Backroads leaders, offering firsthand perspectives to enhance your overall experience. From explorations of historic and cultural sites, to culinary adventures showcasing traditional cuisine, to visits with special friends we've made over the years, we take you into the heart of a region with an immediacy and authenticity you'll never forget.
Fellow Travelers
One of the biggest benefits of traveling with Backroads is the wonderful folks you travel with-adventurers who appreciate the Backroads level of quality, pursue new experiences with a passion and take their fun as seriously as they take their work. "People less interested in impressing each other than in having a good time," is how Departures magazine captured the spirit of our guests. Join us-and travel in terrific company.
Family Trips
Nobody knows families like Backroads. From our designated Kid Coordinators to extra vehicle support to custom-designed kids' bikes (a Backroads exclusive), we've considered all angles important to families. Each family trip balances quality time together and apart, with welcome opportunities for everyone to take a break and recharge-something that's virtually impossible to achieve when you vacation on your own.
Your Trip is Guaranteed
At Backroads we're so committed to providing you with an extraordinary experience that we guarantee the quality of your trip. We value our relationship with you, our guest, and want it to be mutually rewarding and long-term.
Our Leaders Make the Trip
You'll find Backroads Trip Leaders to be the best you've ever traveled with. That's not an idle claim-it's backed by the most rigorous recruiting, hiring, training and guest satisfaction programs in the business. View the full scoop on our leaders and why you'll love them.