Resources and Reflections

This was my first attempt to create a KML path in Google Earth, use TCXConverter to transform the KML to GPX, upload the GPX to the GPS and ride the route. Oy! with the acronyms.
The USGS topo calls this Main Ranch Road, paralleling Eldridge Creek to the back side of Greenfield Ranch and thence to Orr Springs Road, right up at the top by Mann Ranch. With the permission of someone along the course of the road, I hope to ride all the way through from Redwood Valley and make a really nice 30 mile loop down Orr Springs, down to North State Street and back through Calpella to Redwood Valley. Not to mention this being the most direct route to the hot springs, less than 15 miles and very little traffic, saweeeeet! The road surface looks very dusty from the satellite photos, but fairly well traveled, with perhaps a dozen or so homesteads along the way by the looks of it.
On further research, I’m told by the Mendocino County Surveyor’s office that Main Ranch Road is a privately owned road with multiple owners.

Main Ranch Road
Hoping to ride this today, more news tomorrow.

Les indigienes

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An old farm at the crossroads

Popularity: 35% [?]

Others are far more eloquent than I when describing the excellence of the terrior, the this of the that and so on and so on, and there are a number of other sites (from which we will quote liberally) that do a far better job than we at using the language of wine. What we will do here that no one else does is to geotag all the wineries and to fill out, over time, the posts here with our own personal impressions and those of our guests as we travel through the countryside and sample the fruit of the vine.

GoMendo.com is an excellent source for all things Mendo related and we here will be focusing more on personal experience rather than purely promotional materials, but for the moment we will quote their text and links as place holders. Remember, Emerald Empire Adventures can arrange for private tastings and tours as a part of any multi-sport, cultural and/or nature-based Adventures. In addition to the wineries listed here, there are many small, unique vintners with no website, no tasting rooms and unusual varietals. If you would like to visit one (or several) of these hidden treasures, be sure to let us know and we will see what we can do.

From my personal experience living in and cycling through the Po Valley and the Alto Adige regions of northern Italy, I can say without  equivocation that the combination of vines, climbs, friendly folks and great local foods and arts available and Mendocino and surrounding counties is rapidly approaching a kind of critical mass that promises to develop into a place equal to any in Italy.

Popularity: unranked [?]

May ‘08, Left Willits at 5:30 PM arrived in Cache Creek Campground at 1 AM with 80 lbs. in my (then) new Arkel panniers. I always love a long ride through new countryside. Believe it or not, riding at night, if you are well illuminated, is often safer than the traffic clogged daytime.
This ride sealed my place as the Emerald Empire Adventures partner and cycle touring guide, bona fides as it were. See the Route Map More »

Popularity: 15% [?]