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Lodi and Chico

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Trip Reports' started by ken2v, May 4, 2017.

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  1. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    My Trip Report

    We hit Lodi and Chico last week for a long weekend getaway. We went up for ...

    IMG_1675.jpg

    ... the Chico Wildflower.

    I'd planned to ride the 60 but couldn't find a riding partner for T so I rode with her. She's comfy at 30 miles and says next year, now that she knows the route, I can ride whatever I want to ride. We weren't planning to make it three in a row in '18 but the event is so well orchestrated and Chico is a kick, so we're going back.

    A few months back I pitched an idea to my editor at the LA Times for a Weekend Escape, so we added a stopover in ...

    IMG_1666.JPG

    We rolled in about noon last Friday and hit up a joint called Fiori's Butcher Shoppe & Deli, and we liked ...

    IMG_1657.JPG IMG_1658.JPG

    ... so much that we went back on Saturday.

    We live in Santa Barbara County wine country, so we have a STEADY diet of Pinot and Chardonnay. We've been talking about adding some new tricks to our gig, so went in search of Zin, and found some other good stuff. Our first stop was at ...

    IMG_0005.JPG

    ... the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center, which is an outgrowth of the association of grape growers. It is a grape-centric culture up there, not an egofest of winemakers.

    We tasted through (yes, it's blurry, I was being hasty with my DSLR) ...

    IMG_1660.JPG

    ... and then hit a highly touted winery ...

    (We despised it so much we didn't even take a picture. If you must know, it was Macchia. And if you are a fan of big-alcohol, jammy-raisin, mouth-dessicating wine, this is your place, and they managed to pull that off with every varietal we tried, not just the Zin ICBMs.)

    Thankfully we discovered ...

    IMG_0021.JPG IMG_0058.JPG

    and

    IMG_0083.JPG IMG_0082.JPG ...

    ... also known as m2 and Klinker Brick.

    And a few of their fine products, mostly Zin, but not all, made it home with us ...

    IMG_1677.JPG

    It was a quick turnaround before heading to Chico, and we bunked here our one night ...

    IMG_0048.JPG

    John Fogarty might've felt like he was stuck in Lodi, but we look forward to going back again.
     

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  2. kevin853

    kevin853 High-Roller

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    Great pictures Ken. Really looks lovely.

    Great weather, food and wine.

    Thanks for sharing
     
  3. 93 Octane

    93 Octane Chief Bottle Washer

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    Sweet succinct TR of wine country. Well done as I thoroughly enjoyed.

    How many calories would you burn on 60 mile ride?
     
    Last edited: May 4, 2017
  4. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    With my intake never enough!
     
  5. GamblingGolfer

    GamblingGolfer VIP Whale

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    We stayed in Lodi twice, en route to Palm Springs for our golfing month. Both times hit here - http://lodibeercompany.com - for dinner. A couple of beers and glasses of wine, great food. Very enjoyable.

    GG
     
  6. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    We had a few pops there before dinner at Zin Bistro.
     
  7. Richard Alpert

    Richard Alpert LOST

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    That looked like a great time, ken!
    My bride and I work opposite hours so we rarely get to ride together!

    RICHARD
     
  8. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    Thanks, Richard.

    Our schedules aren't out of synch, thankfully, but it's still hard to schedule more than a ride or two each week. That's why we try to coordinate these charity rides with our travels, then add a few that are day trips.
     
  9. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    And I love my new ride ... IMG_1619.JPG
     
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  10. Richard Alpert

    Richard Alpert LOST

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    ...and so do I! :love:

    (But don't tell my Huffy!)

    RICHARD
     
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  11. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    Hey, braddah, I still have my Felt Z85. Make you a sweet deal!!!
     
  12. 93 Octane

    93 Octane Chief Bottle Washer

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  13. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    Good for you and the wife Ken! Love seeing Chico mentioned here... my 5 years there in the late 70's early 80's were the best year's of my life. I even left town with a bride whose family has resided in Chico since the turn of the century... 1900 that is... so we're still frequent visitors to town, but sadly you won't find me on a bicycle. I may be the only one though, as the university area is full of healthy bike rider types." You went at a great time too, as the heater will kick in shortly for the next few months throughout the whole valley.
     
  14. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    Pearl Izumi Elite bib w/chamois!
     
  15. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    Thanks, smart. Our second Wildflower. Here's something I wrote about Chico for the Times following our 2016 visit. It really is a fun town. Slightly off the grid, good university at its heart ... that's a good combo. I have a client who now lives kinda over your direction and he, too, is a former Chiconian. About seven years ago I was in Corning -- yes, Corning -- checking out Sewaillo for a few days after it opened. Corning? I drove over to Chico every evening to find food and civilization. lol

    http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-tr-escape-chico-20160629-snap-story.html
     
  16. BlueBellThunder

    BlueBellThunder VIP Whale

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    A TR Without gambling. Not on this site. Just kidding.
     
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  17. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    lol

    Our ratio of gambling to non-gambling trips runs far far to the non. Y'all should be thankful I don't write 'em all up!!!
     
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  18. sampson

    sampson Tourist

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    m2 is was a great winery in my opinion. And the Klinker Brick Old Ghost is amazing!
     
  19. ken2v

    ken2v This Space For Rent

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    Klinker has a deal going so on Saturday we ordered a case of Ghost. Funny thing at m2: Layne likes to roll his eyes at Pinot but his 2014 Carneros is great.
     
  20. hammie

    hammie VIP Whale

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    And all this time, I thought this was about Lodi, NJ. :wink2:



    Thanks for the TR Ken!
     
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