This latest scenic bike routes tour takes us to northern California and the edge of redwood country. If you are up for a very challenging ride combining mountain roads and an ample supply of twists and turns, the 55 miles between Hopland and Ukiah might be just what you're looking for.
We make no bones about the fact that this ride is not for beginners. There is a lot to pay attention to in terms of road conditions, grading and drop offs. It is an excellent ride for advanced bikers and mid-level riders looking to gain some good experience with challenging roads. You might consider avoiding December and January as these months tend to be cool and rainy in northern California.
Riding the Route
The ride covers three towns in northern California in a horseshoe shaped route. You can travel in either direction depending on your preferences. We chose to go from south to north, beginning in Hopland at the intersection of routes 101 and 175.
Take Rt. 175 east out of town, through Old Hopland, and on toward Lakeport. This is the most challenging part of the ride, as you will see. There are plenty of twists and turns as well as a few challenging hills to climb. Keep a sharp eye out through this stretch of the journey. As you approach Lakeport, 175 splits off to the right while Rt. 29 goes to the left. Either turn left on 29 or go straight through the intersection to South Main St.
Turning left on Rt. 29 will take you north along the west side of town, while Main St. will take you through the heart of the city. Should you choose the latter, stay on Main until you reach 11th straight, hang a left, and go back out to Rt. 29 north. Stay on Rt. 29 all the way to Rt. 20; take a left on Rt. 20 heading east. This road will take you along the Blue Lakes, past Lake Mendocino and over to Rt. 101 south, which will then take you into Ukiah.
Scenery and Road Conditions
Road conditions along this route are variable. Because it spans multiple counties, you'll find different road conditions based on the different county standards. For most of the trip, you will be just fine, but some of the mountain areas on the first leg of the trip can be sketchy. Variable pavement depths are not uncommon, as are areas of broken pavement and mountain debris.
As mentioned earlier, the first leg of the trip between Hopland and Lakeport is the hardest part of the journey. There are some pretty steep grades in places; there are also a few spots where the road closely hugs the mountain with steep drop-offs to one side. It is best to take this portion slowly if you lack experience riding in the mountains. Also be careful of the locals. They can drive through there pretty quickly, despite the limited visibility around some of the turns.
As for the scenery, it is very difficult to put into words. It is not quite the same as riding through the mountains of Colorado or the Dakotas, but it is still very impressive nonetheless. The wooded areas are also magnificent. Be sure to take your camera and a set of spare batteries, you're going to need it with all the pictures you'll want to take.
Be sure to gas up before you leave Hopland. There is literally nothing between there and Lakeport. The second leg from Lakeport to Ukiah offers a couple of gas stations and an eatery or two, though all three towns have everything you could need by way of amenities.
