BE BRIGHT! Workshops in Calistoga

Napa Bike brings its Free BE BRIGHT! workshop to Calistoga on June 9. Learn how to be seen by drivers to be safer on your bike! First session in Spanish, second session in English. Details here 

First bilingual bike safety workshop in Napa County!

2012: The Loops Extend into the County!

You may have read the post about the bike loops that were created in 2008. Here's where the Eastern (yellow) loop ended where the Washington-Dunaweal Bike Path ends at Dunaweal Lane.

Where the Yellow Loop Meets the City Limits at Dunaweal Lane.

Well, a funny (unusual) thing happened to these loops in 2012. A bike-friendly manager at Napa County Public Works paid a visit to Calistoga and was most interested in seeing the loops. Two members of the Calistoga BAC showed him around and he took a lot of notes. Within a couple of weeks we noticed the way-finding signs for our loops had appeared on the adjacent County roads.

Calistoga's Bike Loop Signage on Dunaweal Lane

Now the Loops on the bike map were really loops on the ground! And it appears a neighboring artist has taken note of the additional bike traffic.

Bicyclists  Welcome!

Following the Loop gets you to Silverado Trail

Yellow Loop matches the mustard blooms

There is even a way to see a little more of the countryside on Pickett Lane and Rosedale. Brings you back to the Trail right across from the entrance to Solage Resort.

A quiet country lane is now part of the Eastern Loop

There are equally beautiful vistas if you take the Western Loop (red dots). It will get you to another nearby quiet stretch of road, Bennett Lane, where you will see things like this.

Mt. St. Helena from Bennett Lane

Wow! We've got loops that loop! Thanks Rick!

2006: Fast-Forward Another 14 Years -
The Washington-Dunaweal Bike Path

The City of Calistoga took the third big step in its bicycle network when it dedicated a 1 mile multi-use path in 2006. The path connects the end of Washington Street to Dunaweal Lane. You've got to look twice to realize you may use this road by entering it on the left (note the arrow).

The Gateway to the Washington-Dunaweal Bike Path

 Bicyclists, walkers, and joggers appreciate that the City lets them use the access road to the sewage treatment plant for exercise. But wait, wasn't it built with money from the Caltrans Bicycle Transportation Account? 

A multi-use path.

 An insight into how Public Works keeps house. Just keep riding.

View from your bike of the Corporation Yard.

Sure are a lot of signs with advice for users of the path. Not exactly welcoming.

Mt. St. Helena in the distance.

 Who would wander off into this anyway?

More debris and another warning.

Is it really Art?

More installations and signs.

The bridges were resurfaced last year to be safe for bikes. Used to be wide grooves that caught narrow tires and caused some nasty spills. The safety upgrade is appreciated!

First of 2 bridges on the trail.

The path takes you by a series of sewage treatment ponds that don't smell bad most of the time.  As you go by check out the geese, ducks, egrets, and turtles.

Sewage Treatment Pond.

Currently there are no amenities for trail users, but this spot has been suggested as a great spot for a bench as a rest stop for the many senior citizens who enjoy the path.

Site of future bench for walkers.

The path is really quite nice once past the first bridge.

Heading south toward Dunaweal.

Just across the bridge the path veers to the left around the sewage treatment plant.

Approaching the 2nd bridge.

Someday maybe residents and visitors will be able to stop and take time to relax along the trail too.

Picnic table for workers at the plant.

Once upon a time this was one of the most controversial bits of architecture in Napa Valley. Now Michael Graves' work seems very much at home.

Near the end of the trail is Clos Pegase.

Just across the street is the entrance to Sterling Vineyards and is the point where the Washington - Dunaweal Bike Path will some day link up to the Napa Valley Vine Trail, providing a safe way to ride or walk to Napa Bothe State Park, St. Helena, and eventually all the way to the Vallejo Ferry.

Approaching Dunaweal Lane.

In fact this path will be the northern end of the Vine Trail.  A little upgrade is in order  . . . perhaps to the standards used in the first Class I trails of Calistoga?

1993: Ten Years Later - Maxfield Bike Path 

The second bit of cycling infrastructure for Calistoga was built in the early '90's.  The Maxfield Path was built to link the Centennial Circle development with the Riverlea neighborhood. Riders and walkers enjoy a short stretch of the
Napa River.

Entry to Maxfield Bike Path from Centennial Circle

Here's the bridge over the Napa River (a creek at this part of the valley) and just beyond you can get a peek at the
golf course.

Maxfield Path Bridge over the Napa River

Just after after crossing the Maxfield Bridge, look to the right and note that someone apparently dreamed of a river trail, and actually put part of one in at Heather Oaks Park.
It goes about a hundred yards.
Nice idea!

Heather Oaks Park