From Napa to the Pyrenees....

Well, if what I've been doing is training for the France trip - which means riding in the Pyrenees - then I should be ready after Saturday's ride north of Napa!  I'd call it an "epic" ride for sure.  We rode 66 miles, which on the face of it sounds pretty normal.  But in the middle of it, there were 3 miles of loose dirt with VERY steep pitches - 10-20%.  This was on the road bike, so all I can say is I'm glad I didn't have to descend on that sh*t!  It would have been tough to avoid crashing. But we made it ok.  By the way - with no standing, othewise the rear wheel would spin out....ugh.  It was a gorgeous day, and hey, we avoided a lot of traffic with that route!

The lesson here is be careful when using google maps!  My French friend Marius picked out the route, starting innocently enough from beautiful St. Helena.  But he thought the "small lines for roads" would be nice and quiet for riding.  Well, they were, but only because no one would dare negotiate this excuse for a "road".  We can laugh now....but it was epic!  

Like I said, it was all for fun (and a little for training for the Pyrenees).  We depart tomorrow afternoon.....and I think I'm all set now!

Marius climbing a 15% section....no standing or your wheel has no grip!

Mike peaking out on the last of the dirt.

Mike delirious after finishing 3 miles of dirt.

And now, we have pavement!  And maybe cows.....

Back to civilization in Napa Valley.  This is Mondavi winery on Hwy 29.
I visited here with a friend back in winter 1983!

The ride.....