Sunday E-dition: Safety Is Key While Riding a Bike in Napa Valley
By Dave Stoneberg
NAPA VALLEY, Calif. — The safest way to ride your bike is on an indoor trainer in your garage, on a Peloton bike in a gym or on a stationary bike in a spin class, also at the gym. I’ve done all three and logged hundreds of miles without going anywhere. But I’ve got to say, it’s boring. Now that the weather is nice, I ride outside on the road.
That means I’ve got to take active measures to stay safe by riding on a side street with not much traffic, riding on the Napa Valley Vine Trail or riding on Highway 29 or the Silverado Trail. And to be safe, I’ve got to make sure drivers see me. Even though they are stylish, I don’t wear black or dark bike jerseys because they disappear. I wear a fluorescent green jersey, either short-sleeved or long-sleeved. And if it’s chilly, I’ll pull on my fluorescent green jacket. That doesn’t mean I don’t have other different-colored jerseys because I do. One of my favorites is a red and white polka-dot jersey that I bought years ago when the Tour of California circus came through Santa Rosa. That jersey is awarded to the best climber in the Tour of California (I bought a replica) and in the Tour de France. It seems silly for me to wear it because I’m not a particularly good climber.
Before I retired from the St. Helena Star in September 2020, Rob Nelson and I used to regularly ride the Silverado Trail after work. At that time he was general manager of St. Helena Cyclery, which Jake Scheideman opened on Main Street in 1991. Trek bought the store in 2022, and Nelson is now a sales associate at Brad Suhr’s Calistoga Bikeshop on Lincoln Avenue.
‘Anywhere in Calistoga Is Great’
Where should people ride in Calistoga? Nelson answers the question, “Almost anywhere in Calistoga is great. It is full of small, quiet neighborhood streets that are very pleasant to ride on with minimal traffic.” If you rode all those quiet streets and added them together, your ride would total 38 miles.
Interesting rides include on the bike path, which starts at the baseball field on Washington Street south of downtown, to Dunaweal Lane, then loop out to Pickett Road and Rosedale on Silverado Trail, behind the Four Seasons and back to town. Or you could ride on Grant Street, turn left and make a quick right to Bennett Lane, which is a pretty, rural road through the vineyards with minimal traffic.
Another route out of Calistoga is a loop out Franz Valley School Road that sooner or later will end up on Highway 128. Turn one way to head back to Calistoga or the other to Alexander Valley. This loop is gorgeous with beautiful new pavement, but it is not for the faint of heart — there are two big uphills with exciting downhills, both at the Napa/Sonoma county line.
Another route out of Calistoga is to ride the Silverado Trail. If you rode to Trancas Street in Napa and back, it would be 54 miles. There’s a fairly good shoulder most of the way, but there’s also traffic, so beware. Years ago, when a friend of mine, Shannon Kuleto, heard that I regularly ride my bike on Silverado Trail, she told me to be careful, which I am. I always wear a helmet and have had to replace two in the past because I’ve twice crashed so hard it knocked me out and entailed an ambulance ride to the hospital. Once was on Highway 29 just north of Middletown in Lake County, when I lost control of my bike for an unknown reason, and another time was in the Bay Area, near Woodside, where I ran into an unmarked blacktop curb that was in the middle of the bike path. I don’t remember either crash, but I’m glad I was wearing a helmet.
A 2019 study using statistics from the National Trauma Data Bank shows that of 76,032 bicyclists with head and neck injuries, only 22% wore helmets. Wearing a helmet significantly reduces injury severity and mortality. Men were less likely than women to wear a helmet, 21% versus 28%. The study notes that only 12% of injured cyclists under 17 were wearing a helmet.
As of November 2023, 22 states and more than 200 localities had bicycle helmet-use laws for youths, according to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute.
Nelson, who has been riding bikes for 45 years, said he has crashed badly. He states the obvious: Wear a helmet.
According to a March 2002 statement by the American College of Surgeons, “Bicycle helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by 85%. Bicyclists hospitalized with head injury are 20 times more likely to die as those without head injury.” Additionally, “98% of bicyclists killed were not wearing a helmet at the time of injury. Helmet use is estimated to prevent 75% of cycling deaths.”
Silverado Trail Deaths
In October 2023 two cyclists, husband and wife Christian Deaton, 52, and Michelle Deaton, 48, were killed on Silverado Trail near Oak Knoll Avenue when lumber in the back of a three-axle truck shifted and struck the couple. Christian died at the scene; Michelle died at a hospital.
A day after the accident, the Napa Valley Transportation Authority adopted its Vision Zero Plan, which has been adopted by all local jurisdictions, according to the NVTA. “The culmination of more than two years of work, the Plan represents the shared commitment to prioritize roadway safety and eliminate traffic related deaths and serious injuries by 2030.”
In its plan, the NVTA states that from 2015 to 2021 there were 4,908 total injury collisions in Napa County; 571 were severe or fatal injury collisions. Most of these collisions occurred on what has been identified as the Countywide High Injury Network. The Napa Valley Vision Zero plan will focus efforts on improving conditions on the HIN using proven safety countermeasures designed to reduce crash severity and improve roadway safety overall.
The plan also details 282 bike-involved collisions, or 6.1% of the total, and 229 pedestrian-involved collisions, or 4.9%.
Daytime Running Lights
Besides wearing bright clothing for visibility, Nelson recommends daytime running lights, both front and rear. These are lights that are designed to be used during the daytime so drivers can see you from a half-mile to a mile away.
“I think they are one of the biggest improvements in cycling visibility in 30 years,” Nelson said. “They’re small, rechargeable and super easy to use.”
A good set runs from $50 to $80.
One of the most exciting new developments is the use of radar on a rear-facing light. The Garmin Varia uses a super-bright light and radar to tell the cyclist when a car is coming up from behind. There’s an audible beep, and it connects with any of the newer Garmin cycling computers or a smartphone to show the cyclist how quickly the car is approaching. Either the cycling computer or the smartphone need to be mounted on the handlebars. The Garmin Varia is about $200 — pricey but better than a rearview mirror.
As a cyclist, you need to be aware, pay attention to what you are doing, stop at the stop signs and ride single file on the edge of the road, especially on busy roads. Nelson commutes from his home in Napa to Calistoga and back a couple of days a week, and it takes him between 90 minutes and 120 minutes each way.
Which would he rather ride, Silverado Trail or Highway 29?
“It depends on when I’m riding,” Nelson said. “When I come up from Napa in the morning, I’m almost always on 29, although right now the (Napa Valley) Vine Trail construction north of St. Helena has got the shoulder closed in places, so I switch over to the Silverado Trail for the rest of it.”
He added, “During the winter when I was riding home – yes, in the dark – I would go down Silverado to Yountville because the headlights were so bright on the northbound traffic that it was hard to see where I was going.”
Three More Routes to Consider
Drive to Yountville and ride the 12.5 miles of completed Napa Valley Vine Trail to Kennedy Park. It’s lovely, easy to follow and, best of all, it is a Class 1 bike trail, which means it is separate from vehicle traffic, 10 feet wide, with 2-foot shoulders and paved. When completed, the Napa Valley Vine Trail will be a 47-mile bike and walking trail from Calistoga to Vallejo. It is expected the trail from Calistoga to St. Helena will be completed sometime this summer, although it has cost more than expected and has been delayed by wet winter weather and by PG&E’s undergrounding project.
A second ride is much shorter and harder: The 3.1-mile uphill ride from Highway 29 to the top of Diamond Mountain Road. It is shaded, of moderate difficulty and boasts spectacular views of Mount St. Helena and the Napa Valley. The best part? What goes up must come down.
One more uphill ride: For mountain bikes only, the 14-mile Oat Hill Mine Trail is an out-and-back slog. It starts at the intersection of Silverado Trail and Highway 29. It is an uphill ride, rated hard and has an elevation gain of 2,400 feet. Its halfway point is Robert Louis Stevenson State Park, adjacent to Highway 29. I haven’t ridden this trail, but I have hiked the trail a couple of times, always downhill, and the views are spectacular. It’s best to ride or hike this trail in cooler weather, as it’s blazing hot in the summer.
On the Vine Trail
Riding on the Napa Valley Vine Trail north of Napa, George Thomson was dressed from head to toe in bright fluorescent green, and large orange flags attached to the back of his bike on long, flexible rods were fluttering in the wind. When he saw me taking his photograph, he stopped for a chat.
I asked how many miles he was riding that day.
“It’s the same amount every time,” he said. His daughter, Jennifer, marked out the route, and Thomson said he believes it’s about 10 miles from his home in a subdivision on Salvador Avenue up to Yountville. He said he likes the Vine Trail, adding, “If you stay on it, you’re liable not to get hit.” He was on his bike in a crosswalk a couple of years ago and a bus hit him. “I was in the bike lane, and the next thing I know I’m grabbing the bicycle holder on the front of the bus,” he said. He’s riding his second bicycle because his first one got “smooshed.”
Thomson said he was up to 20 miles a day, but the distance is less than that now.
“I try to do it every day, but I’ve been lax the last month or two because I had too much work to do,” he said.
Thomson worked both in his family’s vineyard, which was established in 1938 in Carneros, and in construction for many years. When he was in his mid-60s, he retired and said to himself, “I’ve got to do something.” So he joined a gym and became a gym rat, two hours a day, seven days a week. Then COVID-19 hit and the gym closed along with everything else.
“So, I’m sitting at home for part of the year and again I thought I had to do something,” Thomson said. He saw bicycles and thought he’d start riding one. “Originally I was going to North Yountville and clear down to Exertec, which is close to 20 miles,” he said. Today, his rides are shorter, and it regularly takes him an hour and 30 minutes. But yesterday he said he found someone who wanted to talk and the ride took two hours. Today, too, it seems, some reporter fellow wanted to talk, so the ride takes longer than usual.
“I’m trying to work off my diabetes. It’s the only thing I can do. It’s in the family,” he said. “And I’m marching my way to a worser and worser state with diabetes.”
“Well, George, thank you for the conversation. I appreciate it. It was nice to talk to you,” the fellow said.
“Nice to talk to you,” Thomson responded before riding off down the Napa Valley Vine Trail.
If today’s story captured your interest, explore these related articles:
Calistoga Bikeshop owner in Virginia ICU suffering from brain bleed
Remembering Peter Van Winden: a pillar of the Napa Valley community and horticultural icon
Dave Stoneberg is an editor and journalist who has worked for newspapers in both Lake and Napa counties.
Levity Corner
Caption contest. Pick your favorite caption or add your own in the comments below
Vote for your favorite in the poll below (there’s not enough room in the polls for the complete answers).
"9 lives vs. 9 to 5."
“Work, work, work.”
“Another day at the office.”
"Desk job vs. window dressing.”
"When your coworker is useless but adorable."
Or leave your own suggested caption in the comments.
Last week’s winner
Last week, in, “Sunday E-dition: St. Helena High School’s Extraordinary AG Program Continues”, the winning caption, with 46% of the votes was, "We've significantly increased our bone density,” and John suggested, “We should probably come to some decisions before we devour any more of our profits!”
Last Week
Dave Stoneberg reported on St. Helena High School's agriscience program in "Sunday E-dition: St. Helena High School’s Extraordinary AG Program Continues," highlighting a project by sophomores Elizabeth Carmichael and Jimena Reynaga-Castro. The students explored using gourmet oyster mushrooms to filter water contaminated by ash, potentially offering cost-effective filtration methods post-wildfires. The school’s agriculture program, part of its Career Technical Education Department, engages students in Future Farmers of America activities, with projects ranging from livestock-raising to agriscience and public speaking. Teachers Randy Mendes, Judy Aschwanden, and Lindsey Swickard lead this program, fostering skills and community involvement among students.
Dan Berger examined the complexities and history of zinfandel in "Dan Berger's Wine Chronicles: California’s Native Treasure," highlighting how its aging potential and style have evolved. He shared anecdotes from the 1990s, illustrating the diverse characteristics of zinfandel, from a claret-like 1970 Souverain to a port-style 1978 Ridge Shenandoah. Despite zinfandel’s variable nature and periods of high alcohol content, which often overshadowed its distinctive qualities, Berger noted that producers such as Frog's Leap Winery maintain a balanced approach, creating age-worthy zinfandels with moderate alcohol levels. Berger also mentioned that Napa Valley Features subscribers have special access to Grgich Hills' rare 2020 Crljenak Kaštelanski, a wine connecting zinfandel to its Croatian roots.
David Layland detailed Napa's annual Climate-Friendly Garden Tour in "Green Thumb Getaway: Explore Napa's Climate-Smart Gardens," which took place on May 18. Organized by local conservation groups, the tour featured private gardens and a demonstration garden at Las Flores Community Center, emphasizing sustainable practices like drought-tolerant plants and smart irrigation. Workshops and demonstrations on soil health and composting were included, aiming to inspire climate-conscious gardening in Napa Valley.
Tim Carl detailed the significant challenges facing the wine industry in "Under the Hood: Outrunning the Bear: Navigating the Current Shifts in the Wine Industry." Napa Valley, a key indicator of these shifts, has seen a decline in wine consumption and a mismatch in supply and demand. According to the 2023 Gomberg Fredrikson Report, wine consumption dropped by 8.7%, while global vineyard acreage decreased by 86,487 acres. Experts such as Jeff Bitter have called for drastic measures, such as removing 50,000 acres of California wine grapes. This imbalance raises concerns about land being repurposed for housing. Michael Honig of Honig Vineyard & Winery emphasized the need for strategic flexibility and warned that many brands are failing without realizing it, as true sales only occur when wine is consumed. He noted that demographic shifts, particularly among baby boomers, are impacting the market, highlighting the necessity for increased customer engagement and adaptation to changing demands.
Rosemarie Kempton featured Chris Cammarata in "Art, Sip & Stroll Features Chris Cammarata Paintings." Known for portraits of celebrities such as Audrey Hepburn and Clint Eastwood, Cammarata's new Splash Series was chosen to represent Yountville’s 12th Art, Sip & Stroll event. This Saturday, the festival will showcase 65 juried artists, local wines, live music and food vendors. Attendees can view Cammarata’s work, including his commemorative piece, "The Art of Wine," at the Steve Rogers Gallery, where they can also scan codes to hear his thoughts on each piece.
Next Week
Next week we have more interesting articles from a host of Napa Valley Features contributors. Sasha Paulsen will present "Musing Around the Napa Valley." The Master Gardener series continues, offering gardening insights. Dan Berger will delve into Napa Valley wine prices. The Weekender will highlight events, and we’ll explore the opening of Charlie's in St. Helena for lunch. Tim Carl will examine the community impact of declining wine sales in the "Under the Hood" series, and more.
I love when Mom opens the window