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I have a friend who is a die-hard snowboarder. Every day, rain or shine, whether it's windy or calm, ice or powder, he is up on the hill milking the season for all that it is worth.
Indeed, there is a school out there filled with snowsport enthusiasts who are relishing in the fact that this winter does not seem to want to quit.
There is another school, however - those of us who crave the sunshine, who want to get up into the hills and come out caked with mud, dust or gravel embedded in our elbows with a smile from ear to ear.
For many mountain bikers, the lust for dirt has carried us off the hill as of late, which is the only option we have to dust off the cobwebs that have been collecting on our bikes all winter and get our legs working again.
So I saw attending a wedding in Napa Valley as the perfect excuse to get off the hill and bring the bike for some much needed spinning, climbing and downhill.
My destination was Skyline Wilderness Park just outside of the city of Napa, Calif. Located about two hours from Lake Tahoe, in the heart of wine country, Skyline Park offers 16 miles of fire road and winding single track perfect for early season rides.
It was a great way to get the legs in shape for when - or if - the snow ever melts off of our beloved Tahoe trails.
As a county park, the trail system at Skyline Park is quite elaborate and offers everything from gradual fire roads to single track that is as technical as just about anything Tahoe has to offer.
The park also has tent and RV camping available, horse stables and a disc golf course, as well as many other amenities.
Surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills covered with oak trees, one could feasibly split a day's activities between hiking or mountain biking in the morning and wine tasting or dining in the afternoon.
Deer and wild turkey roam the area as well as just about every kind of indigenous bird one could imagine.
There is no doubt that this winter has blessed us with plenty of much needed snow, not only for the good of the environment but also to lift the spirits of some who may have given up on winter after years of drought.
There is something to be said for the die-hards who are out there milking the season and laughing at the winter that just won't quit.
For now, those of us who need to log time in the saddle will just have to make do and be content to go a little farther for what we love. The snow will melt, the trails will dry up and we will have our days in Tahoe and aside from the driving time, it's a good excuse to get out and explore new places.
For information on Skyline Wilderness Park, call (707) 252-0481.
Indeed, there is a school out there filled with snowsport enthusiasts who are relishing in the fact that this winter does not seem to want to quit.
There is another school, however - those of us who crave the sunshine, who want to get up into the hills and come out caked with mud, dust or gravel embedded in our elbows with a smile from ear to ear.
For many mountain bikers, the lust for dirt has carried us off the hill as of late, which is the only option we have to dust off the cobwebs that have been collecting on our bikes all winter and get our legs working again.
So I saw attending a wedding in Napa Valley as the perfect excuse to get off the hill and bring the bike for some much needed spinning, climbing and downhill.
My destination was Skyline Wilderness Park just outside of the city of Napa, Calif. Located about two hours from Lake Tahoe, in the heart of wine country, Skyline Park offers 16 miles of fire road and winding single track perfect for early season rides.
It was a great way to get the legs in shape for when - or if - the snow ever melts off of our beloved Tahoe trails.
As a county park, the trail system at Skyline Park is quite elaborate and offers everything from gradual fire roads to single track that is as technical as just about anything Tahoe has to offer.
The park also has tent and RV camping available, horse stables and a disc golf course, as well as many other amenities.
Surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills covered with oak trees, one could feasibly split a day's activities between hiking or mountain biking in the morning and wine tasting or dining in the afternoon.
Deer and wild turkey roam the area as well as just about every kind of indigenous bird one could imagine.
There is no doubt that this winter has blessed us with plenty of much needed snow, not only for the good of the environment but also to lift the spirits of some who may have given up on winter after years of drought.
There is something to be said for the die-hards who are out there milking the season and laughing at the winter that just won't quit.
For now, those of us who need to log time in the saddle will just have to make do and be content to go a little farther for what we love. The snow will melt, the trails will dry up and we will have our days in Tahoe and aside from the driving time, it's a good excuse to get out and explore new places.
For information on Skyline Wilderness Park, call (707) 252-0481.
