Napa Valley, the iconic vineyards, rolling hills, and an epicurean paradise, is a must-visit destination for all wine lovers. From lunch at The Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch to private tastings at Trinchero and Stag's Leap, it is a dream for any oenophile. Attending a dinner reception at Silver Oak, watching the sunset over a vineyard of cabernet vines, what could be any better?
Sipping wine and enjoying sunsets with great company is pretty glamorous in and of itself. Indeed, being on a quest to see as much of the world as possible, these moments capture your heart. Moments where you stop, breathe in the moment and try to imprint it in your memory and heart. Whether it is barrel tasting in a wine cave, standing in the middle of Silver Oak's vineyard watching the sunset, or walking through a private access wine cave, it makes you realize the importance of cherishing and living Every. Single. Day.
But is every day when traveling that glamorous? Is every moment Instagram perfect?
No. Not even close.
From a predetermined list of activities, I selected a bike tour of Napa Valley several weeks before my visit. When I enrolled, I must have thought taking a break from epic wine moments in exclusive and private rooms of wineries was in my best interest. It is like six months before a wedding, filling out the RSVP card and selecting fish. Only to see a mouth-watering steak or scrumptious plates of carb-loaded pasta served across the table at the wedding reception. You look across the table and think, "Oh, I was a different person six months ago than I am now." I must have felt so health-focused when I selected the tour that I declined an e-bike when I registered. Why would I want one?
As with the rest of the country, Napa is having a hot summer, and the few days I visited in July were no exception. Taking a bike tour is the best way to see a new location. I have enjoyed bike tours worldwide, from Montreal to Mexico City, and although I had visited Napa twice before, I was excited to see the valley on a bicycle. I could envision biking through picturesque vineyards, stopping for photos, and maybe even sampling a glass of wine or two along the way. I imagined experiencing a truly great day and living life to the fullest. It was to be the epitome of a traveler's day. It would be the perfect culmination of a phenomenal visit to Napa.
I didn't account for a heat wave and hadn't paid much mind to the weather report before coming. Realizing it would be warm, I thought, this can't be that bad, right? We will start riding and generate a bit of a breeze, which will be refreshing. Right?
We arrive at the bike depot shortly before 2 PM, and it is 97 degrees. The sun seems to be cooking my skin, and the pavement absorbs so much heat that the heat emanates through my running shoes, making the entire scene much hotter than 97. Waiting for the bikes to be assigned and adjusted, standing on the black asphalt, I was getting overheated, and we hadn't even started. I start looking longingly at the ebikes and thinking, well, that looks sensational and quite honestly a better idea. My travel partner whispered, "Josie, do you want to switch? It's ok."
No, I insisted. I can ride a traditional bike through vineyards. I can be fabulous. I can have my moment. I can be the main character in my perfect day.
We rode barely a quarter of a mile when we stopped for a bike check, from brakes to seat adjustments, as our guide wanted to ensure we were comfortable.
Comfortable? Maybe if you turn off the sun, sir.
With every stride and every rotation of my pedals, I was farther and farther behind the group. Why were they not collapsing in the heat? Why could they bike as if it was a mild, overcast day? How could I be melting at 97 degrees while the rest of the group was having the glamorous day I had imagined? Everyone was having MY day.
The heat continued to burn from above with the blazing sun and the black asphalt below. I glanced at my watch and saw we had barely gone 2 miles. All I could think about was how I could have a proper glamorous moment in a vineyard, as options included a wine train to Chandon or a blending experience with the head vintner at Sterling.
Nope. I chose to shake Satan's hand in his kitchen.
The group had several opportunities to stop; however, I was so far behind that it was time to go again by the time I caught up. This was complete hell. I guess it is appropriate for Satan's abode.
We finally stopped at the Oakville Grocery. Quite possibly the cutest and most charming market imaginable. From wine to picnic provisions, it is the perfect place to stop while cycling through Oakville and Yountville’s vineyards. My face is almost purple; I share that perhaps I need to go inside to cool off. I immediately made my way to the back of the store, where the wine cooler was located, and drank bottle after bottle of water.
I take a selfie and send it to my best friend, Toni, who inquires how hard could it be if I were taking a selfie in front of a wine cooler. She thought it was the mother ship calling this wine aficionado home.
Oh, it is that hard, sister. This is not my finest hour. Nobody likes being the weakest link in any group setting. Yet here I was, killing that role.
The guide finds me, indicating that he can call the van and I can go back.
I thought there was no way I was tapping out.
I can bike 13 miles. I can't do it in 97 degrees, but I can complete 13 miles.
I refused to give in.
After cooling off, we hopped on our bikes again, navigating various roads and admiring vineyard after vineyard. . '. The stops were more frequent, yet the heat-tolerant cyclists were growing more impatient with each stop as they waited for me to diligently make my way to them.
Making our final turn into the neighborhood was such a sense of relief. Of all my bike tours, not all have been ideal. From the torrential rain in Munich, the bone-chilling cold in Paris, and the unbelievable headwind in Lisbon, this bike experience was the most challenging. Yet, with that said, I would do it again and hope to with my family. My experience had everything to do with my inability to read a weather map and nothing to do with the excellent bike company, Napa Valley Bike Tours, which I highly recommend. It is an outstanding operation with knowledgeable and gracious guides. I would just be a bit more in tune with the weather, and if the mercury wants to flirt with the top of the thermometer, retreat to a wine cave for a proper Napa moment.
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