Solo Bike Tour Of Napa

Napa Valley is beautiful. Even with beauty being subjective, that's practically a fact. Any drive through the valley will show off the rolling green hills and grape vines as far as the eye can see, surrounded but mountains. It's a good place to be, and an even better place to bike.

I mapped out a pretty easy 18 mile out and back. But, things don't always go according to plan.

As I was kissing my husband goodbye, he asked if I wanted a picture. Duh.



"Now turn around for a butt picture for your blog fans."

I layered bike shorts under my pants, and you can see the padding, and where the shorts end on my legs. I was terrified of being cold, and this was my solution.



My butt never looks as good in bike shorts. Oh well.

And then, I was off. I tried not to stare at my bike computer too much, but during a few flat parts I danced between 18 and 19mph, which pleased me.

My trip was supposed to take me to Yountville and back. Easy. So, I hit Yountville, around 8.5 miles in. And I thought "I should just go for 10 miles, then turn around. Then I'll have to do 20 miles."

So I kept going. The trail cut East, and I started seeing signs for the Silverado Trail. It sounded familiar, and I knew I could bike on it, so I thought "I'll just make a loop."

The Silverado Trail is a two lane road, with ample curb space for bikes on either side. It's flanked with vineyards and has enough rolling hills to slay me, then elate me. Going up hills is so hard I am so bad at it. Going down hills is SO MUCH FUN. And terrifying. And awesome.

And then I was back in town, cutting through Napa, joining back up with my original course, and heading home.

25 miles.



Things that hurt: All of them. Butt, crotch, back, knees, quads. My legs were wobbly, I was starving, and I really wanted a shower. And yet, every single part of the ride was amazing.



You may notice a distinct lack of scenic picture in this post. I brought my camera with me. I always do. But, I didn't trust myself to ride and take pictures, because I'm still not that good on the bike. And, while I could have stopped, I didn't want to. I just wanted to keep going and going and going. It was so pretty, and the air was the perfect temperature, and everything felt *right*.

I wish I lived closer to beautiful bike paths.

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After a shower I satiated my hunger with pie. Filling.



I don't like pie crust. My mom makes amazing pie crust, according to other people. I just don't like pie crust. I like pie filling.

Thankfully, Sky is a gluttonous porky mcpig who doesn't like things going to waste.



And then my mom made my favorite meal ever, the meal I crave when weather gets cold, the meal I have tried and failed to replicate.



Turkey soup with dumplings.

Those dumplings. I would eat them all if I hated my family. But, I had to share.



So I only had two bowls.

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Today we're driving home to LA. Yay for heading home, but BOO for such a long, boring drive.