22nd Annual Emigrant Trails Bike Trek (ETBT)
Hello fellow cyclists!
I just returned from my 15th year participating in this great, bicycle fundraising event! The ETBT is held every year the weekend after Labor Day and is a 3 day “bicycle vacation”.
We departed on Friday, September 5th to Sunday, September 7th, touring in the beautiful Napa Valley with 3 days cycling and 2 nights camping at the Napa County Fairgrounds which is located in Calistoga. This year the weather was a bit harsh, with temps in the 100 degree mark!
Friday’s ride took us north of town into the Alexander Valley which is quite beautiful. The day started out nice and cool, but by noon it was HOT! Fortunately, we rode at a good speed and were back to the fairgrounds by 1 pm. We showered and spent the rest of the day sitting in the shade, re hydrating, getting massages from the many volunteer massage therapists and sharing our tales from the ride.
Saturday started with another hearty breakfast provided by the catering staff and an eartlier ride time to get out and beat the heat! (I have to say that my new bike was making the work so much easier this year!). Today’s route included a stay on the Napa Valley floor for minimal climbing or choosing to ride up to Pope Valley. We had lunch at Conn Dam (short and middle routes) or at Damonte Hubcap Ranch. Well, we didn’t really have lunch, as my cycling buddie and I got to the lunch stop by 10:15 am and it wasn’t even set up yet! So…we just got back on the bike and off we went! We returned to camp and decided to have iced coffee instead back in downtown Calistoga…a great decision 
Saturday nights festivities also include a dance…let me just say that all ‘trekkers’ look forward to this night of the event and go ALL out with costumes, blinking lights, outrageous props…well, you get the picture. I really never understood how all these crazy trekkers can get up and ride again after Saturday night!
Sunday, we had the option to again stay on the Napa Valley floor (minimal climbing which we were all for!), take a challenging climb up towards Angwin, or a major climb (experienced cyclists only, this includes a 16% grade) to the Petrified Forest area. The ride was pretty straight forward and we pushed along, back in camp in 2 1/2 hours. There was a BBQ finale in camp at the fairgrounds and much to our delight the shower trucks were still onsite, yeah!
Anyway, another successful year and many thanks to those of you who have continued to support me each year…I couldn’t do it without your sponsorship
