Top Bicycling Vacation Destinations
What is better than a vacation? A vacation that allows you to spend most of your time doing the things you love. If cycling is one of your favorite hobbies and you are planning a much-needed vacation, why not combine the two? To give you some inspiration, here is a list of four of the best destination vacations for cyclists.
Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon, is considered one of the greatest destination vacations for cyclists in the United States. It offers the best of both worlds in that you can bike around the exciting downtown area and venture into more secluded natural settings and trails surrounding the city. Not only that, but there are also over 350 miles of bikeways to explore and a variety of scenic routes you are going to want to ride should you visit Portland. A favorite among both locals and visitors is Kelly Point Park, which straddles the border of Washington and Oregon. It’s a breezy eight-mile route that takes you to a secret riverside beach where you can jump in and cool off after an invigorating bike ride.
Another adventurous ride that is well-loved by cyclists is the Skyline Boulevard pathway to Sauvie Island. We should warn you that this route comes with one of the toughest hills in the city, but once you reach the top, it’s nothing but flat riding the whole way to Sauvie Island. Once you arrive, you’ll be rewarded with some of the best views of the city.
Tucson, Arizona
There are over 6,000 bike trails in and around the city of Tucson, so a lack of variety will never be a problem. If you are a serious cyclist, consider doing some road biking up to Mount Lemmon, a route Tour de France riders have used for training. It’s a 20-mile uphill ride along a cactus desert until you reach the top of the summit. The best part about this ride is after getting to the top, you have an exhilarating 30-minute downhill ride to look forward to.
If you want a shorter ride, take the 10-mile journey through the Saguaro National Park East, a winding loop with lots of descents and sharp turns. For cyclists looking to make their Arizona trip almost exclusively about cycling, consider booking a stay at the Cycling House’s six-day Mountain Bike Camp. It’s a wintertime retreat that includes cycling lessons, fun activities such as trips to local breweries, and—the best part—a daily massage after a long day of riding.
Seattle, Washington
There are so many different biking trails throughout Seattle, Washington, that boast spectacular views of the natural surroundings, so it may seem overwhelming when it comes to picking which ones you’ll ride. If you want a nice, long ride, embark on the tried-and-true Burke-Gilman Trail, arguably one of the most popular trails in Seattle. You’ll ride 20 miles to Kenmore and cycle along Lake Washington and the Ship Canal before getting to your destination.
If you want a leisurely, laid-back bike ride, take on the South Lake Union Trails and Ship Canal Trail, where you’ll do a loop around Lake Union. The entire ride is almost exclusively bike trails, so you won’t have to worry about traffic on the roads. Finally, if you just want to fit in a quick, brisk ride, try the five-mile Seattle Waterfront Trails. You’ll ride along Elliot Bay and have a chance to revel in the beauty of the waterfront while getting in a bit of invigorating exercise.
Boulder, Colorado
One of the best ways to explore the natural wonders surrounding Boulder, Colorado, is to hop on a bike and pedal your way through the region.
If you’re looking for a ride that’s not too hard and not too easy, you’ll love the Spring Brook Loop, a 12-mile loop that takes you along the foothills of the mountains and has minimal ascents along the way. If you are looking for a more challenging ride with rougher terrain, you’ll enjoy the Walker Ranch Trail, a 7.8-mile loop with a 1,500-foot ascent up and along a mountain.
Another great option is the Betasso Preserve ride, a 7.4-mile loop that takes you along hard-packed dirt (easy for riding) and through bike trails into forests with lush towering trees. If the Betasso Preserve ride isn’t long enough for you, opt for the slightly more challenging Super Betasso ride that begins in the city center and goes through the trails on the outskirts of town.
Head to These Destination Vacations for Cyclists
Ready to start planning your trip to one of these destination vacations for cyclists? Begin by buying your bus ticket on BusTickets.com today!
References
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/parks/finder/index.cfm?PropertyID=209&action=ViewPark
https://www.bouldercounty.org/open-space/parks-and-trails/betasso-preserve/