Northern California - Have you ever ridden on the Silverado Trail in Napa/St Helena/Calistoga?

I drove through there today and it looks like a nice ride. Just wondering where you parked your and where you started. I saw no parking lots on Silverado unless I park at a winery. Also, did the cars buzzing by at speed scare you at all?

I've only ridden it on the Tour De Cure and Tour of Napa Valley. I imagine that if you found a commuter ride share parking lot you could park there. I'll be riding a lot of it Sunday, and the cars are no problem.

I've ridden it on both the Tour de Cure and Tour of Napa Valley, and on my own. I parked on the east side of Napa on a wide street, rode up the frontage road along 29 to Yountville, then cut over to Silverado. That worked pretty well, but I have a membership for Mumm's wine club, so next time I'll probably start there. It's nice to have cold drinks waiting for you...plus it'll be easy to head up to Pope Valley.

Another fun way would be to leave the car in Calistoga and ride south. The prevailing wind is normally from the south, so this way you get the wind on your back at the end of the ride, and there's good restaurants in Calistoga.

I can't believe I am missing the Tour de Cure this year. I've actually raised $350 but found out that I have to fly out on Sunday for business. My sponsors still agreed to donate though. You folks have fun!

It is a favorite of mine. You can park at the Yountville Veterans Home, or there is a park in Y'ville not far from there. (all I have on this computer is google maps and I don't see either) Get on Yount Mill Rd for a scenic little bit of the valley, it will take you to highway 29. Ride north to Oakville Cross Rd and then over to Silverado, ride north to Zinfandel and back to 29...just criss cross the valley between the two roads as often as you wish to see the 'hidden' valley.

Once in Calistoga, find a place to refresh, there is a deli in the Depot, ride out to Silverado and enjoy a wonderful return to Yountville, I usually return via Yountville Cross Road.

Riding around wine country can be exciting and the expression for the drivers who have done a bit too much tasting is saying they are "Tasted" . That said, Silverado has nice wide shoulders along the route I posted, 29 I don't remember so clearly, but I don't remember any problems, except the RR tracks are at a sharp angle, poorly paved and have warning signs for cyclists that sould be heeded. If you go through St Helena, it will be a bit of very tight traffic for the duration, but it, like the rest of the valley, is just a small town.

As cfblue said so well, Silverado Trail is a great route to ride. I usually park in Yountville (my hometown!) in the lot of Vintage 1870, a sort of "mall" in town. I head north out of town on the main street, turn right on Yountville Cross Road, until it dead ends, and then turn left on Silverado Trail. I head north to Calistoga and then loop around to Hwy. 29 or turn back down the Trail and take some of the cross roads through the Valley. You can easily do 50 nice miles without realizing it (unless it's one of the hotter days).

I'm looking to try the Silverado Trail this weekend. Is it hilly or flat? I riding a comfort bike and do not do hills well, but want to experience the beauty of Napa Valley on a bike.

I'm looking to try the Silverado Trail this weekend. Is it hilly or flat? I riding a comfort bike and do not do hills well, but want to experience the beauty of Napa Valley on a bike.

Wow, an old thread.

I've done two Tour of Napa Valley rides since starting this thread and I'd have to say, I really like the Silverado Trail. Plenty of places to eat/drink in Calistoga after the ride and the cars buzzing by was never a problem. I'd say the road has rolling hills at best but mostly flat is more like it. There are comfort bikes up and down the ST on any given weekend day, mostly rentals I think. Very doable.