California is everything you might expect it to be and so much more. I really love trips to CA and can totally see why people pay a premium to try and make it there. The weather, ocean, mountains, food and all sorts of things in between make it so good. It is as Americana as you can get, a true melting pot with a west coast twist.
This trip I headed to Napa Valley. I had the privilege of jumping in on the annual CLIF Bar Epiphany Ride. Every year the company celebrates how CLIF Bar was invented by riding bikes!
“In 1990, Gary Erickson set off on a one-day, 175-mile bicycle ride with his buddy Jay. As usual, he packed six energy bars for the ride—using the only bar on the market at the time. Halfway through the ride, exhausted and hungry, Gary realized he just couldn’t eat another unappetizing, sticky, hard-to-digest bar. Then and there, in a moment he now calls “the epiphany,” the inspiration for the CLIF® Bar was born.” – CLIF Bar
The good people at CLIF Bar say “we were born on a bike” indeed cycling is central to the companies culture. Check it!
*Our thoughts and prayers are with those effected by the devastating wildfires in this region.
Oh the food in CA…
Napa Valley is a place where you can mingle with notes of tobacco leaf, sweet leather and licorice. Seriously good.
We always make a point to stop by Velo Vino and hit up the Bruschetteria food truck in St. Helena. It is a place where bikes, wine and excellent cuisine interact beautifully.
Epiphany Ride sign in.
I jumped in on the second lap of the 100 miler. Sleeping in and the 12PM start was too appealing. There were ride distances for everyone. Along with MTB rides as well.
I wonder how many companies have a Owner, CEO and CFO that can hammer for 100 miles.
And of course aid stations stocked with CLIF products.
Post ride tradition is taking the plunge into the frigid pool at the farm. That is Steve (left) and my wife Paige (right) who both work out of the Fayetteville, AR office. Someone got duped!
All companies have pump track races at their functions right?
CLIF Bar knows how to throw a party. Great products, great people and one heck of a memory.
And this happened at about 10PM when the hunger came a knocking. So good!
Total climbing: 2954 ft
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