Biking

Commercial Bike Tours

Youtube video on bicycle touring

Do-it-Yourself Bike Tours

These are do-it-yourself rides that for those who have their own bike.  However, we recommend that you employ guides from some of our Partners who also rent bikes.

Guerneville to Armstrong Woods:

This is a short ride, flat ride on a well traveled, but relatively safe, road. The prize at the end is the Armstrong Redwood Preserve with 1000 year old trees.
Distance: 4 miles.
Time: About one hour.                                                                                          Rating: Easy Ride.
Route: Guerneville to Armstrong Woods on Armstrong Woods Road – 2 miles – to the State Park. Through the park – 2 miles – and return to Guerneville.
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Monte Rio to Cazadero

This ride follows some of the Heritage Trail route along the original right-of-way of the historic steam-powered narrow-gage North Pacific Coast Railroad. We recommend that you do this trip with http://getawayadventures.com/
Distance: 20.5 miles.                                                                                                 Time: About 2-3 hours.
Rating: Medium Difficulty.
Route: From Monte Rio take River Road West – 3 miles – to Austin Creek Road, Austin Creek Road North – 6 miles – to Kramer Road, Right on Kramer Road to Cazadero Highway, Left on Cazadero Highway – 0.5 miles – to Cazaderro, return on Cazadero Highway – 6 miles – to River Road, Right on River Road – 1 miles – to Duncans Mills, Left across Russian River and onto Moscow Road, back to Monte Rio – 3.5 miles, Left on Russian River on Main Street.
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Occidental to the Coast

This is a route with incredible scenery:  redwood forest, bucolic farms, and spacious views of the Pacific Ocean and quaint West County villages.
Distance: 26 miles.                                                                                                   Time: About 5-6 hours.                                                                                       Rating: Very Challenging
Route: From Occidental take Coleman Valley Road – 10 miles – to the coast, then left on Shoreline Highway – 1.5 miles – to Bay Hill Road.  Left on Bay Hill Road – 6 miles, Left on Shoreline Drive, Left on Bodega Highway (through the historic town of Bodega), Left at Joy Road – 3 miles – to Bittner Road, Right on Bittner Road and back to Occidental.
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Santa Rosa to Forestville

This ride follows the original route of the Petaluma & Santa Rosa Railroad from Railroad Square in Santa Rosa all the way to Forestville on the Russian River via the Laguna de Santa Rosa and Sebastopol.  Along the way you can visit whimsical and humorous metal sculptures made from recycled materials, wineries and a goat farm.West County & Joe Rodota Trails
Distance: 11.5 miles (about 1-2 hours)
Sonoma County Bike Trails Rating: Easy Ride
Route: From Railroad Square in Santa Rosa walk across Third street and parallel to the tracks (on the west side of the fence along the SMART train tracks to the Joe Rodota  Trail.  Follow the trail all the way to Sebastopol.

We suggest that you cross Petaluma Ave. at the crosswalk at the end of the Joe Rodota Trail, walk across the parking lot to the history museum on Main Street.  Walk your bike north on Main Street to McKinley Street. There are a number of good restaurants on Main Street and McKinley if you need to stop for lunch.   Walk to the end of McKinley then turn left on Morris Street.  The West County Trail starts at the the bend of Morris between the Analy High School football field and Wishmann Hall.

Follow the signs on the West County Trail all the way to Forestville.  The Joe Rodota Trail and most of the West County Trail are on the historic route of the Petaluma Santa Rosa Railway.
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Occidental to the Grove of the Old Trees, Pomo Canyon Camp and the Russian River

This ride takes you from a ridge top ancient redwood grove through the redwood forest down through the Willow Creek unit of the Sonoma Coast State Park.  At the end near the Russian River is a campground and the trailhead for a wonderful hike to the Pacific Ocean at shell beach.
Distance: 27 miles.                                                                                                     Time: About 4-5 hours.
Rating: Challenging (Paved and Dirt Trails)
Route: Start your ride in Occidental. Ride  Coleman Valley Rd. west to Joy Rd. then Right on Fitzpatrick Lane to the Grove of the Old Trees.  Take time to walk through the Grove of the Old Trees before continuing your ride.  Ride Fitzpatrick Lane to Joy Road.  Continue straight on Coleman Valley Road to Willow Creek Road. Left on Willow Creek Road which will be partly a dirt road.  There is a gate  to the entrance of Pomo Canyoun Camp and a trailhead for a spetacular hike to Shell Beach.  Continue on Willow Creek road then turn right onto Coast Highway, Right onto Highway 116, right on Moscow Road crossing  the Russian River just beyond  Duncan Mills, Left on Moscow Road which is part of the Heritage Trail, Right onto Bohemian Highway at Monte Rio and back to Occidental.