Healdsburg Memorial Bridge - Bike/Ped issue

Mayor Plass and Vice-Mayor Jones -

I just read an article in the Press Democrat discussing the closure of the Memorial Bridge from mid 2013 for 18-24 months, with complete closure for bikes/peds. The article was a bit fluffy so I am emailing you asking for more details.

My wife and I purchased a property on Limerick Lane 4 years ago and have been running a vacation rental business there over this time period. Despite recent record success with the business, we are shuttering the business for an even better opportunity - we are moving into the house fulltime at the end of August. However, we were shocked and dismayed to find out we will be cut off from downtown for a long stretch of time, we selected the location in large part for the easy bike ride to downtown, I will be shuttling my young son to preschool on the bike seat starting September.

The first article I read discussed access being "via Westside road". That would be in the vicinity of 1 5 miles for me via Eastside and Wohler Bridge. I am a strong fit cyclist but I'm not very interested in a 30 mile round trip just to go get a burger at Bear Republic, currently a 4 mile round trip. It now looks like more plausible options are being discussed. Options listed in the paper were a "shuttle" or usage of the railroad bridge.

I have a huge stake in the outcome and may make a special trip to Healdsburg (we are in San Francisco right now) to make public comment on this matter but I would like some context so I can prepare my comments.

As the owner of the vacation rental we made a lot of money from cyclists who rented our house and were not price sensitive. They would frequently leave us very expensive bottles of wine as parting thank yous. Cutting off the south of Healdsburg and Windsor area from bikes would divert a lot of tourism dollars out of the city. A lot of Santa Rosa Cycling routes use Healdsburg Ave to access Old Redwood, routes would now bypass Healdsburg completely. A stimulus program for the Dry Creek Store but bad for Oakville, Sheltons, Healdsburg Bar and Grill, the burrito places, etc... A shuttle would not service group rides like that which frequently have 50+ riders and usually include a lunch stop on the plaza. I think the town needs to figure out how to have "standard" bicycle access.

Pedestrian issues are also very important. The parking lot at Memorial Beach is frequently a zoo despite people who walk to the beach from town. Cutting off pedestrian access would make the beach a disaster. This also includes tourists who walk from the downtown lodging to the rafting company just across the bridge.

It would probably be possible to convince Caltrans to open 101 for bicycle access from Westside/Healdsburg to Old Redwood but this would only suffice for the hardier cyclist and do nothing for pedestrians. For reference, it is legal to ride on 101 in parts of Novato and from Geysers Road in Cloverdale all the way to Hopland. Any time there is no reasonable alternate route, bicycle access is allowed on limited access highways.

I am sure you have done a lot of research to this end, and it does sound like you are hoping to find a good solution, as well as make good (better!) accommodations on the completed bridge.

Thank You

John Murphy - 1184 Limerick Lane, Healdsburg, Ca, 95449

New joint in Healdsburg - "The Wurst"

Last weekend in Healdsburg we had the chance to try a new place in Healdsburg, a Sausage and Burger place called The Wurst I was drawn by the outdoor seating which is premium on a nice summer night in Healdsburg - but also by the $3.50 Microbrews on tap for Happy Hour. The place has good brats and a "Smashburger". Owner Charles Bell was running around the place talking to people, talking up his pasture raised meats for burgers. I had to admit they were quite good, and I had a couple of Little Sumpin Ales on tap.

The prices were quite reasonable, and there is a decadent chocolate ice cream filled cream puff with chocolate sauce for dessert. Bonne Chance to Charles!

Cycling in Healdsburg

We already knew this - but Bicycling Magazine confirms it...

Healdsburg is one of the top cycling destinations there is!

Healdsburg, California
This quaint town is an ideal staging ground for exploring Sonoma wine country by bike. Start rides with a homemade energy bar at the Jimtown Store and end with gelato sandwiches at Bovolo. Book a tasting ride with Wine Country Bikes, or visit on August 21 for the Tour de Vine, during which you'll ride with local vintners and chefs and feast on goat cheese and baguettes at the farmers' market. Sleep off your food coma at the new eco-chic h2hotel, which offers earth-friendly amenities along with secure bicycle storage and a collection of hip Public bikes guests can take for a spin.

Michael Bauer on Healdsburg's Cyrus

Amusing column by Michael Bauer on Cyrus today in the Chronicle

Thanks for recommending Cyrus restaurant. We went Sunday night. Food was great, but I was pretty much finished at 10 p.m. (2 hours into meal) but unfortunately courses kept coming til 1 a.m. (and then we had to drive home). That was the longest meal of my life, and it definitely crossed my mind that hell could look just like that: course after course after course for eternity.

Bottom line - Cyrus is fantastic but you need to be in the right frame of mind to savor the whole experience. Fortunately, Healdsburg has you covered if you aren't!

Amgen Tour of California coming to Sonoma County May 17

The Amgen Tour of California Bike Race will come to Sonoma County May 17, riding from Davis to Santa Rosa. Last year they crossed into Sonoma via the Petrified Highway and Calistoga Road, on the North side of Santa Rosa closer to Healdsburg.

This year, they approach Sonoma via Trinity Grade, a nasty little climb that I've been up once, having descended the side they will be climbing several times in the Santa Rosa Cycling Club's Terrible Two Double Century.



When I climbed Trinity's backside, I came up from Napa on Mt Veeder Road, a gorgeous stair steppy type climb. The pros will be going up Oakville Grade, which I have never gone up, but have ridden down. Eagle Cycling calls it Without a doubt the toughest climb in Napa - ouch!

1) OAKVILLE GRADE (from Hwy 29) 650 ft/mi. Without a doubt the toughest climb in Napa. it's not that far but it starts out tough and gets alot tougher. You climb 650 feet in exactly one mile. No breaks, no shade, no fun. The first half isn't so bad and I can manage it sitting in the saddle using my 39/28. The last half increases in pitch and it's standing and grunting all the way at a 3.5 mph pace.

Trinity would be a great place to watch the race explode! Come to Sonoma and check it out. Make a weekend of it - there is still availability at Le Tournesol in the heart of the action!

Levi Leipheimer descending Pine Flat Road

If there was any doubt that Sonoma is cycling nirvana, check this out.

Levi descending Pine Flat by Roger Bartels.

I've been up this road a couple of times, it's a blast both up and down. It's also the scene of Ross' Epic Hillclimb to benefit Ross Dillon.

Of course, descending Pine Flat Road is peanuts compared to the Old Cazadero Grasshopper which is this weekend in Occidental.

Levi's Gran Fondo

Registration opened today.

And it's almost Sold Out already!

Register now at Levi's Gran Fondo

Persimmon Time in Sonoma County

I was up in Healdsburg at Le Tournesol this weekend doing a little winterizing. I looked out and saw this always strange sight....



The leaves have dropped off of our Hachiya Persimmon tree but the fruit is still there. The birds have gone after the ripe ones but they know better than to try to eat the non-ripe ones. I picked the last of them, having already harvested some a month ago.

These trees do very well in Healdsburg. You need to pick the fruit and wait for them to get very squishy before you can eat them. You can then cut the outside and eat the jello like pulp from the inside. My friend Homayoon advised me to slice the top off and eat the insides out with a spoon, using the outside as sort of a cup.

They are very sweet, you can only eat so many. Last night I took the last of our first haul and made this Persimmon Pudding Cake which was a nice treat and very appropriate for the holidays with the cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice flavors.

Cyclocross in Sonoma County?

We have guests coming in next week, and the group includes a cyclist. While I know about Healdsburg's Road Cycling (How Sonoma County became hotbed of the cycling world!) I know less about the off-road action. And our guest says he's bringing the cyclocross bike. He's from Minnesota, not Williamsburg in Manhattan or San Francisco's Mission District , so he's probably not one of these guys...




My Mountain Biking friends rave about Annandale State Park near Santa Rosa. I don't know how technical the terrain is so I don't know how appropriate it is for cyclocross. I also know that Sonoma seems to be a hotbed of cross racing, I went and watch my friends do a cross race, but these are usually on courses that are prepared and then taken down.

I asked Greg Durbin - a.k.a. "GregKnottLeMond" whom I follow on Twitter and he pointed me at Lake Sonoma. I know Lake Sonoma has some very difficult road terrain - Skaggs Springs Road and Rockpile Road, but didn't know about the Mountain Biking. He forwarded me a map showing trails near Liberty Glen Campground off of Rockpile Road.

Greg also pointed me at Bike Monkey magazine which appears to be the Mother Lode - cross fiends galore. I noted that there was reference to a race in Liberty Glen, so maybe that's the spot.

Any cross fiends out there have some recommendations? Please add them in the comments!

Ian Ball and Sara Bareilles at C. Donatiello Winery Concert Series!

We had the great pleasure of wandering down Westside Road to C. Donatiello Winery this Sunday for some Wine and Music (this is becoming a trend... a good trend!)

C. Donatiello hosts a summer series of free concerts on their grounds. I noticed that Ian Ball of Gomez, a favorite band of mine would be playing so we went to see the show.



The venue is fantastic. The winery sets out tables or you can find a spot on the grass to set out a blanket and have a picnic while you enjoy some of their wine. On a nice hot day their Chardonnays were perfect (in moderation of course, Westside Road is winding and has many road users).




We caught a nice surprise as unbeknownst to us Sara Bareilles was also on the bill.



A couple of cool features to this winery. First - their garden is amazing. There are interesting edible plants used in a lot of different ways, from their trimmed hedges which are rosemary bushes, to the "moss" in between the stairs that upon closer inspection turned out to be Oregano, Thyme, Mint, Marjoram, etc...




Another cool feature - they allow dogs and babies :)

Rodney Strong Vineyards Concerts - Susan Tedeschi

This weekend I went with my wife and a friend to Rodney Strong Vineyards to see Susan Tedeschi at Rodney Strong's summer concert series. What a venue! A small grassy lawn perfect for laying out a blanket and having a picnic!



I whipped up a little caprese salad using tomatoes and basil from our garden. Those without gardens made due with massive hauls from the Healdsburg Farmer's Market, seen in the background of Jackie and Jill enjoying some of Rodney Strong's wine.



Here's Susan putting on a show. There are "VIP" seats in the front for those who are less inclined to picnic (not me - I want to spread out and lay out a nice dinner!)


The season is winding down but there is still Hall and Oates(!!!) Sept 7. Rodney Strong is at the corner of Old Redwood Highway and Eastside Road, in between Healdsburg and Windsor.

Zucchini Races?

Seen at the Healdsburg Farmer's Market - Zucchini Races!

Wandering around the Farmer's market I stumbled upon what upon first glance appeared to be the local Cub Scouts doing the Pinewood Derby.



But on closer inspection, these vehicles weren't exactly wooden! They were made from Healdsburg's finest Zucchini!



Far from being built for speed (many of the cars would not make it to the end of the track!) they were mostly made to look good, be funny, and for everyone to check out.
All the kids were winners this day!

Emmy's Spaghetti Shack - now in Sonoma County!

One of my favorite places to eat in San Francisco is Emmy's Spaghetti Shack , a no-nonsense Italian joint with great food and wine at good prices. Huge portions, but I have become pretty one dimensional there because you just can't go wrong with their spaghetti and meatballs. Just a cut above anything I make at home - how do they do it.

Anyway, we were there last week and what to my wondering eyes does appear but this!



Emmy's is now in Sonoma County! Sadly it's in Sonoma, not Healdsburg, but if you are passing through Wine Country I heartily recommend Emmy's Spaghetti Shack!

More cycling in Sonoma County - Mill Creek Road

Last night I had the opportunity to do a short ride from our house on Limerick Lane. Not wanting to go too far, I rode through downtown Healdsburg and onto Westside Road and then turned right onto Mill Creek Road.

Mill Creek Road is a dead end to cars that goes several miles into the hills West of Healdsburg. I had been up a mile or two when we were looking for property, but never taken the opportunity to ride to the end on my bike. The Sonoma County Bike Coaltion map listed the summit at 1320 feet, so I figured it would be a perfect workout.

The hill starts steep, 7-8 percent grades for a mile or so, then settles into a rolling uphill with many intermediate descents. You quickly leave the grape fields and go along a stream surrounded by Redwood Trees. It reminds me a lot of going up Steven's Canyon Road in Cupertino.

There are many houses tucked in the trees - people who clearly value a bit of privacy by living up here, but I had no problems with the few cars that were driving up the road. In fact, several miles up a guy in a truck pulled up next to me just as I was heading up a steeper pitch and asked if I needed a ride.

I stopped and chatted with him a bit, asking where the finish was. He said "About a mile but the next bit is REALLY steep. The road ends at address 10,000, you are at 8700 now. Good luck!"

He wasn't kidding. This next part did not remind me of Steven's Canyon - it reminded me of Redwood Gulch. 15-18% grade for the better part of a mile. A real grunter, right outside my door! A great find!

I did take the requisite picture at the top.



I was going to stop on the way down and try to get a photo of the steep bit, but I came off of it with so much speed that I didn't want to stop. The descent is tricky, the road is narrow so you need to be careful lest there be a car around a blind corner. The steep section is very twisty so I basically rode the brakes the whole way. And the pavement is pretty chopped up. And of course, since there are intermediate descents on the way up, there are intermediate climbs on the way down.

Check it out sometime. And please be mindful of the residents, hold your pee until you get to the bottom and use the bathroom at Mill Creek Winery.

Tuesday Night Music in the Healdsburg Plaza!

Last night we were lucky enough to be able to go downtown to the Healdburg Plaza, where there is live music on Tuesday nights as well as a mini farmers market.

The band was in full swing playing some rocking tunes.



Get there early or you might have trouble getting a place to sit. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. It can get really packed.



Some people really prep up with some serious picnics.



If you can't bring your own stuff from home, the Farmer's Market has lots of good stuff, Yucatan Tamales has some pretty amazing Mexican food made with interesting local ingredients, and there are a few markets in walking distance - Shelton's Market (formerly known as Anstedt's), and Oakville Grocery. Shelton's is a cool place with a "crunchy granola" vibe to it with a lot of organics and the like, Oakville is sort of a "very high end" deli.

Me? I prepared by getting some Racer 5 Ale from Bear Republic Brewery.



The farmer's market runs from 4-7, the music goes from 6-8 PM.

Cycling around Healdsburg - bike ride on the Chalk Hill Loop

This past weekend I took a bit of a breather on our trip to Healdsburg and instead of obsessively pulling weeds from the garden, I took my bike out for a spin.

I started at Le Tournesol and stopped to take a compare and contrast photoset.

Here is Limerick Lane Winery, tucked in behind some of their grapes.



Here is the view across the street.



Newly planted vines - they went in this past week. These won't be wine for a few decades. I'm told there won't be a tasting room added because Limerick Lane is already maxed out with Limerick, Christie, Christopher Creek, and Mietz.

I headed South on Los Amigos into Windsor. Left on Arata, straight on Hembree, left on Old Redwood, left on Pleasant. This is where things get more pleasant, as you leave the outskirts of Windsor and head into the hills on Chalk Hill Road.



Chalk Hill is a very popular cycling road near Healdsburg, a part of the Santa Rosa Cycling Club's Wine Country Century and the Vineman triathlon. You often see hordes of triathletes scoping out the course. I rode the hill in the opposite direction of both of those courses - I prefer this direction because the descent is much more twisty and fun.

At the North End of Chalk Hill Road I turned left onto 128 and into the Alexander Valley, which as you can see is just an awful place.

This photo was taken at the driveway to Alexander Valley Vineyard's winery, the tasting room is tucked up into the hills and is quite striking. I highly recommend their "Redemption Zin".

128 takes you into the hamlet (2-3 buildings) of Jimtown. Here you can refuel at the Jimtown Store, known for cyclists stopping to fuel up and for their various olive and artichoke tapenades.



I took Alexander Valley Road straight to Healdsburg Ave, a detour on Lytton Springs is perhaps a more pleasant route, you can go under the freeway onto Chiquita Lane which is a rolling scenic alternative to the rough pavement on Healdsburg Ave. Both roads take you to Grove which takes you into downtown Healdsburg. A scenic cyclist bypass (if you don't want to go check out the Healdsburg Plaza) is Kinley Road, which runs along 101 on the West side from Dry Creek Road to Westside Road, past Horse Farms and grapes. Finally I got back on Old Redwood and returned to Limerick Lane, and sat down on the back deck and enjoyed a white peach from our tree which is in full flight.

Not a bad day at all!

One small step towards SMART rail

Freight trains will return to Sonoma County soon. From the Press Democrat

Willi's Wine Bar, Healdsburg

Last night we went to one of our favorite spots, Willi's Wine Bar in Healdsburg.



Aside from a good wine selection, Willi's is known for it's oysters. In fact, the Healdsburg branch is really called "Willi's Seafood and Raw Bar". There is another Willi's, on the Old Redwood Highway in Larkfield that is "Willi's Wine Bar".

Willi's food is composed of numerous small plates. Tonight we focused on several of our favorites - spinach salad, calamari, hangar steak with chimichurri sauce, and my personal favorite - "Salt and Pepper Riblets".

On a warm night in Healdsburg it's great to try and get an outdoor table. Pro tip: Call in one hour ahead of time and put your name on the waitlist. Pro tip number 2 - get a spot at the bar and eat to your heart's content and meet some of the characters also in Healdsburg that night!

World Famous Hamburger Ranch & Pasta Farm - a Sonoma County Original

Saturday Night I cajoled my wife into a trip to Cloverdale to go to the World Famous Hamburger Ranch & Pasta Farm for some BBQ.



This place is great. An old roadhouse looking place on 128 just on the North tip of Cloverdale as you would head to Mendocino. We found it by happenstance on a cycling trip in Sonoma. I wanted to take my wife out on Dutcher Creek Road to give her a taste of a small hill that wouldn't have much traffic, then drop us into the Dry Creek Valley. Not knowing much about Cloverdale, I decided we should stay there. When dinnertime came, there were something like 5 places in the yellow pages. We passed on a Mexican joint, the pub was closed, so we ended up at the Hamburger Ranch.

Once there, we were greeted by "BBQ Bob" and his "lady", Joanne.



Bob has a grill outside where he was cooking up some ribeyes and salmon, and he has a smoker where he does his ribs ("I'm originally from Kansas City", he says). Bob Krucker is quite a character and chatting with him adds a lot to the experience had eating his BBQ. The meal also comes with the "BBQ Pasta", which isn't barbequed, it's just the moniker for the pasta they serve with the BBQ, I think a combo of the red and the white sauce. A good salad and some grilled zucchini finishes the meal.

We liked the place so much, we had the rehearsal dinner for our wedding there. I recommend the Baby Back Ribs. Go early enough that you can soak in the warm Sonoma County sun on the outdoor patio.

Did I say that the meal finishes with zucchini? Blasphemy! The finishing flourish is their special dessert - the Pumpkin Pudding Cake. Excellent stuff.



Stop by and visit Bob on your next trip to Wine Country! You'll be glad you did!

Seen at the Healdsburg Farmer's Market

Dueling Healdsburg Restaurants!

While suffocating in heavy Lavender scent - this weekend was the Lavender Weekend at the Healdsburg Farmer's Market, I spotted 2 chefs from the Dry Creek Kitchen surfing through the Farmer's Market, looking for a few key ingredients. I was pretty impressed that they would be going right to the source. The market is still just stretching its legs towards summer, but there were a few peaches available - a very few, the sold out almost immediately! A couple of zucchini and cucumber, but not of the likes we'll see in a month.

I turned around and saw the heavy hitter on the local culinary scene, Douglass Keane from Cyrus, lounging on a bench, and getting his picture taken for some sort of PR routine. I looked over and laughed, and said I forgot my camera or I would put you up on my humble blog as well!

I really liked the local chefs buying at the local market. Keane is also involved in the Healdsburg Bar and Grill which has a mighty fine burger. One thing I like about that place - they have half wine barrels lined up around their garden growing herbs - now that's local!

I didn't need to buy any lavender at the market today - we have plenty of our own...



And the Heirlooms are looming as well!