This is a must-do ride if you're in Sonoma / Napa area.  It's a killer climb with shredded beat up roads (as of spring 2021) but has some gorgeous views of the Bay Area and is a challenge worth conquering.  If you pretend they're cobbles you'll feel like you're in Flanders, Belgium.  The descent down Trinity Rd on the back end is fast, safe and well worth the suffering to get there.  

The Strava route below is a 21 mile loop from the center of Sonoma.  It climbs 2,400 ft of total elevation gain, a majority of it on Cavedale road, and descends fast back into town - probably an hour and a half long ride.  Either add it to a longer ride or use it as a weekday climbing ride.  Finish up at The Girl & the Fig for dinner or at Valley of the Moon Winery for a glass of wine on their patio (with cozy fire-pits for a cool winter / fall day).  

Cavedale Road Climb:

• 4.9 miles
• 1,925 ft elevation gain
• 7.4% average grade

Photos from Daniel Radel

Route by Daniel Radel