Bicycling

Biking is a popular way to see the vineyards, forests, and wineries of Napa Valley [1].

You’ll get out away from the highways and the endless traffic of the wine roads on two wheels under your own power. If you don’t know the area, the best way to bike the area is to take a tour. Napa Valley Bike Tours (6488 Washington St, Yountville, 800/707-2453, www.napavalleybiketours.com [2]) offers standard and custom tours all over the area, from central Napa to Calistoga. You’ll get a first-year, brand-name bike, a map, a helmet, and an orientation before beginning your trek. Then you’ll be off on your chosen tours: a pedal through the vineyards, a half-day tour or a full-day tour including both wine tasting and meals, or a multi-sport “adventure package” that includes kayaking [3], a [nod:43978 link balloon ride], or a horseback ride [4].

If you prefer to go off on your own rather than follow a guide, you can also rent a bike from Napa Valley Bike Tours. Or you can select from a more diverse fleet at the Calistoga Bikeshop (1318 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, 707/942-9687, http://calistogabikeshop.com [5]). With cruisers and touring bikes, mountain and road bikes, tandems and trailers, this shop has whatever you need to suit your travel plans. Ask at the shop for directions and maps for whatever kind of ride you want to take, from a simple couple of hours puttering through the vineyards up to the most challenging mountain bike tracks in the area.