Healdsburg Bike Tour Nears 1,200 Riders

Close to 1,200 riders hit the hills north of Healdsburg Saturday at a newly revised and upgraded

"We had 1,150 last night at midnight, and then there were walk-in registrations this morning," said Angela Allen, organizer for event sponsor

and 900, so this is a big increase," she added.

By all accounts, the new routes -- including the addition of an "epic" 65-mile trip up the Geysers -- were pleasing to almost everyone.

"It was a great ride, with nice support and a beautiful route," said epic rider Aaron Piotter of Windsor, a Ferrari-Carano Winery employee who was part of a group of 32 riders sponsored by Napa-based wine barrel makers Cooperages 1912.

"If it hadn't been for the CHP patrol car, the ranger's car and a SAG car -- all from the ride organization -- I wouldn't have seen a car the whole time," he said. "It's a spectacular route, and it gives something more challenging for those who are looking for it."

Even the 20- and 30-mile routes were completely different, going out West Dry Creek Road instead of last year's Highway 128-based laps where there were one or two moderately serious crashes.

"Red River Road in Alexander Valley was a little dangerous," Allen said. "We wanted to give more safety to our riders."

who again manned the SAG dispatch center, said there were no major injuries that required transport by ambulance. Several people on bikes fell, and there were some people lost or with broken bikes, he said.

"We were very light on injuries this year," he said. "There were some falls and scrapes."

Santa Rosa real estate investor Chris Read, who did the 30-mile route, said she thoroughly enjoyed the early-morning tour through sun-kissed vineyards. The weather was just cool enough to be blissfully comfortable and there was very little traffic.

"I love the sights and smells of the Dry Creek Valley," said Read, 62, who last did the Healdsburg bike tour in 2005. "It reminds me of my childhood -- my grandmother had a ranch in St. Helena."

Allen said while the ride attracted many North Bay locals like Read and Piotter, there were also riders from all over California and from as far away as New York and Nova Scotia.

"We had quite a few groups this year," Allen said. "Clos du Bois, Kaiser (Permanente), and Flower Power -- a women riders' group."

Allen said the Chamber encouraged groups to register by offering  a group discount.

"It's safer and more fun," Allen said of riding with a group.

Also new this year was the start and end location at Simi Winery, instead of last year's site at The winery site allowed people to purchase glasses and bottles of wine after the ride and offered lush surroundings.

Another addition was a bicycle expo, with at least a dozen vendors of everything from bicycle workout clothes to bike-themed jewelry, to health food drinks, to alternative healing modalities like the Bemer chair for enhancing energy.

At the expo, the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition offered free bike valet parking for participants so that they could enjoy the after-ride lunch and festivities.

The coalition is holding a bike expo from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 19 at 2nd and E streets, Santa Rosa. For information, see the website.