Bicycling's Dream Rides
Announcing Ultra-Premium Tours of California Wine Country
Four valleys of world-famous vineyards. Forests of soaring redwoods, quiet pastoral landscapes and the dramatic Pacific Coast. They could be four separate adventures, but they're not. This is Northern California. Sonoma. Russian River. Dry Creek. Alexander. For some it's like a pilgrimage. For others, a retreat. For you it's a remarkable four days and an incredible ride. Off-route tastings that enlighten your palate. Gourmet meals that live up to the wines. A top-of-the-line Specialized carbon fiber bike that makes all the difference. Chats with Bob Roll. And breathtaking sights in a remarkable place simply known as the wine country.
In addition to the peerless standard of excellence that Backroads offers on its premium wine country bike tours, Bicycling's Dream Rides include bespoke enhancements to further exceed the expectations of discriminating cyclists.
- Pedal alongside and dine with cycling legend Bob Roll
- Experience four days on a carbon-fiber Specialized S-Works Roubaix (men's) or Ruby Pro (women's)
- Dress like a pro with limited-edition Bicycling apparel from Castelli
- Record your rides and track your speed, distance and altitude with a Garmin Edge 500 on-bike GPS
- Accessorize in style with a Giro helmet and gloves
- Ride safely and confidently with a customized Road ID bracelet
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1 Time at the spa followed by Michelin-starred cuisine at Santé Restaurant 
Kick things off in Napa Valley with a tour, tasting and lunch at Etude Winery Hop on your carbon fiber Specialized bike and pedal past neatly manicured vineyards, old barns and picturesque farmhouses Care for a sip? Feel free to stop at Ravenswood, known for its zinfandel and memorable in-your-face motto, "No Wimpy Wines" This evening's reception is a great time to ask Bob Roll questions about the pro cycling world.
Day 2 Bike to Bodega Bay on the dramatic Pacific Coast Shade dances with sunlight as you move from groves of eucalyptus to rolling pastures and wide-open cattle-grazing country Dine at award-winning Duck Club Restaurant.
Day 3 Towering thousand-year-old redwoods set the scene for a gourmet picnic at Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve Spin along the coast past steep-walled bluffs and a string of state beaches The Russian River leads you inland to Guerneville Up for a challenge? Tackle the steep ascent to Cazadero, a town tucked deep within Austin Canyon As you glide toward Healdsburg, swap the shade of the redwoods for open vineyards and rolling farmland - how about an afternoon tasting?
Day 4 Spectacular world-famous vineyards and plenty of chances to sample Bike across gentle hills blanketed in vines through the Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys - it's breathtaking! Cap off the trip with lunch at Barndiva.
