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Bill Bikes My bicycling expeditions and jaunts |
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Sonoma Valley, part 2, September 2019
Regional Park: A Photographic Log
9 September, 9 miles
Back to Part 1
The morning ride proved very easy when I unexpectedly discovered trails (not on any map) to and around the lake slightly outside the park. After I managed to find a way back to the park without trespassing on "No Bikes!" routes, I consumed a quick lunch on a convenient bench and decided I was ready to head up the trail I originally intended to take.This turned out to require considerably more effort, but not overwhelmingly so. The last steep, rocky downhill forced me to walk carefully beside the Ogre while steadily working the brakes in order to keep the big bike under control. Soon I reached the bottom of the hill, picked up the paved trail, and headed back toward the parking lot. At the last minute I decided to explore an odd little trail—not really a trail, more like grassy double track—parallel to Highway 12.
After that final out and back, I felt like I'd surveyed most of Sonoma Valley Regional Park, so I loaded up the Ogre and drove home.
This wasn't the most exciting ride I've ever undertaken, but it ended up being much more scenic and interesting than anticipated.
Heading uphill after lunch.
Barely visible in the distance, the Bay looks like a thin, bright, horizontal line.
Beyond Sonoma valley, also known as the Valley of the Moon, that's Hood Mountain.
I was pedaling (and pushing) over there a couple of days ago.
The trail soon became tricky singletrack.
Through a thicket.
Beyond this point, I spent a lot of time off the Ogre as the rocky trail descended steeply.
Near the bottom of the hill.
Old Grumble-Face can't resist climbing on a rock.
The rocky singletrack intersects with the flat paved trail a few feet farther along, almost at the western edge of the park.
Starting back on the paved trail.
The west side of the park abuts the town of Glen Ellen, home to writer, agriculturist, and activist Jack London.
There's a nice Nepalese restaurant in there. It probably wasn't around in 1839.
Easy riding on the paved trail back toward the east side of the park.
A touching little homemade memorial to victims of the 2017 fires in Sonoma County.
Close-up of the memorial.
Near the parking lot, I decided to explore the bumpy grass trail paralleling Highway 12.
Found this feather to adorn the Ogre.
I never found out for sure, but this burned area along the highway looks too new to be from the 2017 fire which scorched much of the park.
Along the highway.
Vineyards and hills across the highway on the far side of the valley.
Another feather along the trail.
The trail reaches a dead end about a mile from the parking lot, immediately across the highway from Imagery winery and art gallery.
At this point, concluding the day's explorations, I turned around and headed back to the parking lot.
Summary
Date: 9 September 2019
Time: 10:30 - 1:30
Weather: 75 - 85° F, sunny and breezy
Route: Sonoma Valley Regional Park
Distance: 9 miles
Bike: Ogre
Riders: Solo
Comments? Questions? Suggestions? I'd like to hear from you.
Tags: Sonoma Valley Regional Park
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