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Armstrong Woods: If you don't have bikes, you can rent them at the Pee Wee Golf Course at Drake and Hwy 116 in Guerneville, ride over the bridge, turn left and then right onto Armstrong Woods Road. A bicycle lane takes you to Armstrong Woods Road where you can ride through ancient redwood forest; bring a picnic and you can enjoy lunch in this beautiful setting before heading back. This entire route is virtually flat and totals six miles: two miles to the park, two miles in the park and two miles back.

Forestville to Sebastopol: From Guerneville, ride about seven (?) miles east on River Road, turn right on Mirabel Road (Burke's Canoes is on the left), then one mile south to Forestville. Turn left. Here on Gravenstein Highway, you can pick up the paved West County Trail to Sebastopol. A gentle set of rolling hills will take you past organic farms and vineyards, a truly lovely pastoral area. (need to know where to pick up the trail, length). Variation: When the West County Trail ends at Analy High School in Sebastopol, add the Joe Rodota trail, which is a flat paved three mile ride through the Laguna de Santa Rosa. Turn left onto High School Road, right onto Occidental Road, right onto Fulton Road. Cross Highway 12 and then right onto Chico Road. The entrance to the trail is at Merced Avenue. The trail loops back to Petaluma Avenue in Sebastopol. Turn right, then veer left back to North Main Street. At the next light, go right to pick up the West County Trail.

Westside/Wohler Road: Ride five miles east, through Rio Nido, past Korbel Cellars, to Westside Road where it intersects River Road just before the Hacienda bridge. Turn left on Westside Road. This route consists of rolling hills covered with vineyards and picturesque scenery that could be in Tuscany. The road is narrow and winding in places, but very popular with cyclists. For a shorter ride, turn right onto Wohler Road which will take you across the Wohler Bridge where there is a beach. After three miles Wohler Road ends at River Road and a right turn brings you back to Guerneville in 9.5 miles. Total ride is 19.5 miles, 2- 3 hours. Variation: For a longer route (another 21 miles), take Westside Road into Healdsburg, pick up Eastside Road, and come back to Wohler Road. Stop at any of the numerous wine-tasting rooms along the way; many are just minutes apart and many have picnic facilities.

Austin Creek Road Loop: Drive 10 minutes west to Austin Creek Road at River Road (Hwy 116). The road borders Austin Creek with gorgeous redwood forest on both sides of the road. Little trafficked, Austin Creek Road is flat. Cross the bridge after about five miles and turn right onto Cazadero Highway. After a mile or so you will reach the town of Cazadero. There's not much more here than a general store, but it's a great place to take a break before heading back. Heading back, when you reach Cazadero Properties on the creek side of Cazadero Highway you will find public access to the creek for cooling off. Another possible stop along the way is Raymond's Bakery. Cazadero Highway brings you to a bridge just before River Road. Cross back over to Austin Creek Road where you began. Variation 1: Begin at the Monte Rio Bridge where there is public parking and take River Road three miles to Austin Creek Road. After you return from Cazadero to the intersection of River Road and Cazadero Highway, turn left and go one mile to Duncans Mills, a quaint reconstructed saw mill town full of shops and restaurants. Turn left onto Moscow Road which will bring you back to the Monte Rio Bridge. Variation 2: For a more difficult loop, stay on Austin Creek Road after it crosses the bridge. The virtually traffic-free road climbs above the Cazadero Music Camp, crosses some single lane bridges, and a right turn on Kramer brings you to downtown Cazadero. Variation 3: In the summer, you can turn right off Cazadero Highway onto an old logging road where there is a sign that points you to CazSonoma Inn. The road may be rough, but the reward is the restaurant there, overlooking a trout pond with waterfall, a lovely place for Sunday brunch.

http://www.russianriveroutdoors.com/biking-leisure.html - updated: Saturday, April 26, 2008 8:15:54 PM