Bicycling's Dream Rides
Announcing Ultra-Premium Tours of California Wine Country
Bicycling's Dream Rides deliver the ultimate cycling experience as you pedal through California's Wine Country, a land ripe for exploring on two wheels. Ride through majestic redwood forests and the vine-stitched valleys of Napa, Sonoma, Dry Creek and Alexander. Indulge in the region's signature wineries, acclaimed restaurants and luxurious accommodations at the Hotel Healdsburg and Villagio Inn and Spa.
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 cycling legends Chris Carmichael, Bob Roll and Bicycling editor-in-chief Steve Madden
- Enjoy four days of extensive test-ride opportunities on a fleet of Serotta road bikes
- Meet with Ben Serotta who explains the road to a perfect bike fit in a one-on-one discussion
- Show your colors with limited-edition Bicycling cycling apparel from Castelli
- Gear up with a Crocs messenger bag filled with Crocs sunglasses and footwear
- Snap into action with a Pentax Optio M50 digital camera to post your best images from the tour on Bicycling.com
Day 1 -2 Healdsburg
Meet in Duncan Mills 
Pedal beneath stately redwoods and through rolling hills striped with vines, stopping at favorite wineries en route to Healdsburg Meet Ben Serotta, owner of Serotta Competition Bicycles, who helps you find that perfect fit to your bike Head out for an afternoon test spin through the Dry Creek Valley on one of Serotta's premier bikes Ride over gently rolling hills covered in vineyards and farmland as you make your way through the famed Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys, considered Sonoma County's most beautiful scenery Take a break from the saddle at one of the many wineries along the way to sample some of the chardonnays, cabernets, zinfandels and merlots that thrive in the region.
Day 3-4 Yountville
Pedal from Healdsburg to Calistoga, pausing to taste celebrated reds and whites along the way Browse at a charming art gallery just outside Calistoga before biking on to the culinary mecca of Yountville Opt for another ride or head to our hotel's acclaimed spa for an revitalizing treatment Challenge yourself on one last ride up the tough Oakville Grade, followed by an exhilarating downhill through towering redwoods Shuttle back to Yountville or San Francisco.
WINE COUNTRY CLASSICS : Premiere Inns
Hotel Healdsburg
Healdsburg (2 nights):
With contemporary interiors and plush amenities, this boutique hotel rises to the top of the class, making Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List, and earning kudos from Travel+Leisure, which called it a “new star” in Sonoma with “the downiest bed you’ll ever sleep on.”
Hotel Healdsburg photo credit: Cesar Rubio
Villagio Inn & Spa
Yountville (1 night):
In the heart of Napa Valley, a Travel+Leisure favorite with a pool, spa, spacious guest rooms and proximity to world-class dining.
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 3 to 4
2 Route Options Available - Morning: 30 miles
- Afternoon option: 20 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 35 miles (shorter option available)
- Afternoon option: 20 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 2 to 5 4 Route Options Available
- 64 miles (2 shorter options available)
- Afternoon option: 20 miles
- 0 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 2 2 Route Options Available
- 26 miles (shorter option available)
- 0 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Trips For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Average Distance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biking | Walking & Hiking | ||
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 mile | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
2008 DATES
September Departure:
09/07 - 09/10/2008
October Departure:
10/12 - 10/15/2008