Our first real stop
for mountain biking was in Santa Rosa. There is the Annadel State Park
a natural preserve with some excellent singletrack. We camped in spot
for hikers and bikers and enjoyed biking under the canopies of the
trees. There are some nice trails, not particularly technical, though
they would be difficult to ride really fast. A friendly local bike shop
helped us to find some nice loops. An excellent trail map was
distributed by the rangers.
For a couple of days Annadel is great fun. A lot of Bay Area bikers use it. We would gladly bike there again.
For a couple of days Annadel is great fun. A lot of Bay Area bikers use it. We would gladly bike there again.
 Ascent on Spring Creek |
 |
 Ilsanjo Lake |
 Switchback on Ridge Trail |
 Traverse on the Ridge Trail |
 |
 Buick Trail |
 South Burma Trail |
 South Burma |
 |
 North Burma Trail |
 Live Oak Trail |
 March Trail |
 Orchid Trail |
 Rough Go Trail |
 The reason why the trail is called Rough Go |
Calistoga
When we felt that we had got
enough of Annadel we crossed a mountain range on a buisy narrow road
and came down to Calistoga, a friendly little town surrounded by
wineyards. The next morning we did the famous Oats Hill Trail. It is
not singletrack but an ancient mining road that is extremely gnarly and
challenging. One climbs up from Calistoga with great views and some
pretty difficult steps. Downhill it is pure joy.
 Calistoga Camping |
 Ascent |
 It is all wineyards underneath |
 Step |
 |
 It is all rock |
 |
 |
 Gnarly section |
 |
It was a splendid day. We would
certainly do the Oats Hill again if we ever get the opportunity.