Occidental Loop

A truly unmatched Northern California road bicycle ride for intermediate road bicyclists.

If you are looking for a Road bicycle ride in the Northern California Coastal area, this is the one that you should check out.   We have included this as the easiest route in our Sonoma Coast rides. It wonders through Wine country foothills, scenic coastal redwoods, and has a section paralleling the Pacific ocean on Route 101.  There is a moderate amount of climbing and the route follows mostly sleepy roads with very low traffic.  This bicycle route is ideal for the late summer months as it affords the rider a way to avoid sweltering heat and polluted air that is common on so many of the rides that are common in the surrounding regions.

The town of Occidental is a small (population 1272) town in Sonoma County that is know for of all things, Italian restaurants that serve generous portions family style just like in Italy.  Home to more than a couple of progressive visionaries, and artist types, it is only too logical that Occidental was involved in a good deal of the area's progressive social movements.  For a town so small, it certainly has its share of merits and should be on anyone's list of visits to the area.   

Given the mild residents and progressive nature of the area in general, This is a natural place for a road bike route to start from.  Unlike certain areas of the Sierra, you will likely not have toothless locals harassing every cyclist that they see.  I would wager that bicycles are revered for the most part by the locals and therefore respected are their riders.

If you are visiting the area or have just never gotten round to coming to this part of sonoma county, you really should add this route to your list of places to cycle.  The unique experience of breezing through dense coastal redwood forest on your bicycle is one that everyone should...no, needs to experience.  On a summer day the forest canopy is cooling, the air is filtered by the trees and laden with the redwoods' scent.  The humidity of the coast seems to enhance the effect of this natural "air conditioning".  The quiet and solitude that is experienced on a bicycle without the sound of engines or the harsh slapping of  car tires on the road is so complementary is seems to heighten overall experience.  All of this is available on this truly scenic bicycle route.   This is a quintessential Northern California road ride.

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 Occidental Bodega loop Overview 22/07/2008,22:46 400.43 Kb