Bike & Brew

Day 4 -- Bacchanalia

This is our easy day; we're in the heart of wine country, the 25-mile route is flat, and we get to visit as many wineries as we like. Six of us meet up at Sterling Vineyards, which is accessible by an aerial tram. Though modern, the Seagram-owned winery resembles a Spanish mission. On clear days, the view of the countryside is spectacular; unfortunately, it's foggy this morning. We take the self-guided tour and console ourselves in the tasting room. Then we split up; one of the nice things about such a trip is that, while you go at your own pace, you always seem to meet up with other riders at some point.

After hitting a few more wineries, I stop at Oakville Grocery, which the guides recommended for its abundant free samples. The upscale deli is packed with fresh breads, cheeses, meats, wine and beer, and I buy so much that my bike looks like a pack animal. It's another few miles to our hotel, the Vintage Inn in Yountville, where the rooms not only have fireplaces, but spa tubs and refrigerators complete with complimentary bottles of wine. I meet John by the pool, and we spend the rest of the afternoon drinking chardonnay and feeling decadent.

Day 1: The adventure begins
Day 2: On to Boonville
Day 3: Bed down in Calistoga
Day 5: A long ride in Marin County
Day 6: The payoff, Golden Gate Bridge