6 Reasons Why You Should Bike Apple Hill

Is it just me or does it feel like autumn needs to be put in detention right now for being so carelessly late? I don't mean this to be another rant related to global warming, but heck, it is. I know that for many, a heat wave in October is welcome, but I am one of those disturbed by green trees in October. We're at the homestretch of this month, but I look out the window and the leaves still haven't fallen, much less, turned colors. What is up with that?!

Anyway, aside from the drought and other disturbing conundrums revolving around the environment, it seems like apples remembered to abide by the seasons and they are now ripe fo the picking. It is an annual tradition of many in this region to go to the apple farming region of Northern California in the cities of Placerville and Camino to enjoy an array of family-friendly fall activities like You-Pick, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, picnics, and pig-outs.

This year, we've added cycling to the mix, and we might be the rare few since there are no bike lanes (yet), but who knows? It could catch on!

6 Brilliant Reasons Why You Should Bike Apple Hill

1. You are able to savor the bucolic landscapes by slowing down & taking the back roads.

If you are like majority of the adult population, you are ball-and-chained to a desk for the most part of the week. Wouldn't you agree that on the weekend, a change of scenery would be good for you? And while you're at it, go all out! Walking nine miles going from farm to farm might be overkill, but it is completely manageable on two wheels. Stop and taste the cider. It's good for you!

2. On a bike, you would notice many places you otherwise wouldn't.

Granted, you wouldn't be able to visit all the farms, satisfaction will come from knowing that quality beats quantity. On the bike, we had the luxury of stopping at every place that caught our attention and discovering new places in the process. The photo below was at farm called Delfino that also had grape vineyards. There's a craft fair in the grounds so it's more than your typical apple farm. Picnic on the grounds facing the vineyards and the hills and you will come back to your desk on Monday revitalized. Country air does has that effect.

3. Traffic could get a little unwieldy, believe it or not, so cycling gets you ahead of many cars on standstill.

It's amazing to see bumper-to-bumper traffic at Apple Hill on the weekends in fall, but it isn't rare. After all, you are in California. But on two wheels, it's a thrill to bypass cars in a standstill who don't seem to be happy to be in an idling car.

4. Not only are there apples in Apple Hill, bbq pork is rather a staple and the more calories you burn off, the more you deserve not only the pie and strudel haul, but also all that bbq!

Coincidentally (or intentionally), pork and apple go well together like bicycle and hippies and at Apple Hill, there's plenty of both to go around. We arrived famished so naturally, our lunch at Apple Ridge Farms vanished in minutes. There are so many iterations of sugary apple treats (candied apples, apple doughnuts, apple pie a la mode, etc.) that the guiltless way to go about this day is to make sure you keep moving lest you fall prey to food coma.

5. Because despite it being hilly, it is at sea level!

This detail is such a thrill for people like us who are used to hill training in elevation. It is hilly, even daunting in the beginning, but hey - I am not out of breath on the long climbs! I feel like such a strong badass chick.

6. Because we can use one less car on the road and perhaps that will inspire others to get off their vehicles and do the same.

If it just earns you extra brownie points in the Good Person Category to be a little kind to the environment so why not? It won't kill you!

For official information on Apple Hill, click here. Note that apple farms open around September every year, but I would visit the website before planning a trip to see what the apple season is doing. October 31st to November 1st this year is Chestnut Festival and although I've never been, it sounds fun, too!

The Downsides

I cannot, in good conscience, leave this post open-ended. I have to warn you that there are no bike lanes (that we've seen) in Apple Hill. The cars, although relatively polite to cyclists, are plentiful. We are ballsy and experienced cyclists who wear helmets so we felt good about this adventure.

Also, we brought our own bikes. I have not researched bike rentals in the area, but if we can, we like riding bikes that are fitted to us and that we know intimately.

If you're shopping for apples and the like, you might save that until the end, after you've concluded your bike ride, because a bag of apples will feel like a bag of sand on your pack when you're going up a hill on a bicycle.

And the last caveat is that you must be in relatively good shape to attempt this. Not that it is particularly challenging or anything, but it will just make it a lot stress-free for yourself and for everyone you're sharing the road with if this isn't your first rodeo.

Route and Stats

Total Distance: 9.3 mi, beginning at Apple Ridge Farms

Elevation: 761 feet

Moving Time: 59:30

Number of Apple Farms Covered: 3.5, with a bathroom break and some nosying at craft and country markets included

P.S. I have quit taking photos with my phone since I feel I've gotten to the quality and depth of what can be captured only by an SLR. When I'm on my bike, though, it is admittedly cumbersome to bring a bulky camera (not that the Canon SL1 isn't travel-friendly). I was skeptical to ever rely on a small camera again, and in fact I don't, up until the EOS M3 Mirrorless Camera came along. I was skeptical in the beginning, but totally loving this small but powerful camera! Not meant to replace the SLR altogether, I am going to start taking this one where an inconspicuous camera is more appropriate.

#food #travel #renotahoe