Grab your bike and catch the bus for five bucolic, clean-transit adventures.
By Suzanne Pletcher
Mendocino County’s bucolic backroads and coastal paths are perfect for sightseeing by bicycle, allowing visitors to see the region’s coast redwoods, mighty Pacific Ocean, emerald hills and rolling vineyards up close and at your own pace. And because the local Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA) bus service is set up for bike tourism, you don’t even need a car.
Each MTA bus is outfitted with a bike rack for two-to-three bikes, and several more bikes can fit in the back of the bus (wheelchairs take precedence over bikes inside). BYO bungee cords.
This summer, grab your bikes and buddies and hop aboard the MTA bus to try one of these fun and invigorating bus/bike trips during your visit to Mendocino County.
Coast Ride: MTA offers frequent trips between Mendocino and Fort Bragg. Get off in Fort Bragg on Elm Street at Denny’s, and ride your bike north over the Pudding Creek trestle bridge and on easy paths 10 miles to McKerricher State Park and 10-mile Natural Preserve for a gorgeous out-and-back trip with ocean views the whole way. Trip Info: https://www.mendocinolandtrust.org/site/assets/files/1226/06_mackerricher_data.pdf
Anderson Valley Wine Tasting by Bike: Spend a day biking 15 miles from one winery to the next in Anderson Valley, famous for its high-quality wines and fabulous vineyard scenery. Include a stop at Gowan’s farmstand for fresh produce. Trip Description: http://bit.ly/Bus2Bike
Willits Backroads Adventure: This 24-mile ride is best suited for cross or mountain bikes because there are several miles of gravel and a few springtime stream crossings. Gorgeous woods, vineyards and backcountry pastureland with a thrilling downhill finale. Trip Description: http://bit.ly/WillitsBusBikeTrip
Gualala Bus/Bike Weekend: This is a leave-your-car-at home getaway for those living in the Santa Rosa region. Whether you’d like to camp or stay at a hotel, the bus will drop you off and pick you up. The weekend includes a visit to Stornetta Public Lands and National Monument and refreshment at famous Franny’s Bakery in Point Arena. Trip Description: http://bit.ly/no-cargetaway
Ukiah’s Old River Road: This is one of the most scenic 30-mile out-and-back bike trips anywhere. Take any MTA bus to the Pear Tree Shopping Center on East Perkins Street in Ukiah and start your trip from here. Ride east on East Perkins over the Highway 101 overpass and turn right onto Oak Manor Road. Continue south onto Babcock Road and turn left onto Talmage Rd. In a quarter-mile, turn right onto Ruddick Cunningham and follow it through vineyards until it merges with Old River Road, which runs north-south all the way to Hopland. Bus schedule: http://bit.ly/MTAhome
Mendocino Transit Authority provides safe, low-cost and convenient public bus service throughout Mendocino County. Find more information about bike trips and bus schedules at http://mendocinotransit.org/alerts-and-news/