Where Would You Go.?? Bike Vacation
10-23-18, 03:16 PM
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Where Would You Go.?? Bike Vacation
I skied the New England states for many years with the dream of skiing the American west before I die. I got it done in 2007 and 2010. 2007 I skied 5 resorts in Utah and in 2010 I skied Tahoe. Both trips were just awesome. Powder and scenery everywhere. Just a really great time.
So now, I dream of biking the American west. And guess what, Utah and Tahoe kinda top the list.
So much to consider when planning for a bike trip.
In this thread post up where you would like to bike in the USA. Post up any tips, states, regions, maps, ideas and more. Lets hear where you've biked on vacation or where you'd like to bike, on vacation, with biking being the sole purpose of the trip. Did you mountain bike.?? With a guide.?? Road bike.?? Day trips or did you bike town to town.?? Pictures would be awesome, too.
I think you get the picture. Have at it...
10-23-18, 03:47 PM
#2
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For ideas, perhaps look at the itineraries of Backroads and similar companies. Those would tend to be tried-and-true routes that people have liked.
10-23-18, 03:53 PM
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We took a short trip to Wisconsin and rode some of the trails around New Glarus. I'd like to go back someday for a longer trip on those same trails.
10-23-18, 04:42 PM
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Depends on climate, but I'd like to do a ride that passes me thru multiple States, but not to exceed 2 weeks.
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10-23-18, 05:17 PM
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I spent a lot of time in northern New Mexico, did a lot of cycling all through the SW, missed Moab as it was summer, so would like to go back there, maybe do a multi-day White Rim Ride. Also got to do the Bike Tour of Colorado in ‘99 and wanted to do it again, but just read they went out of business.
Also in my list is the Northern California coast, SF north to mid Oregon or so. I’ve driven it and it’s something I’d like to see at a slower pace.
Biggest bucket list item is a cross country self supported tour. That’s #1 on my list.
Also in my list is the Northern California coast, SF north to mid Oregon or so. I’ve driven it and it’s something I’d like to see at a slower pace.
Biggest bucket list item is a cross country self supported tour. That’s #1 on my list.
10-23-18, 05:26 PM
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Maybe this thread should have been retitled. As a Canadian who has done various bicycle vacations in the US and elsewhere, I would say that there may be places other than the US that you should consider
Instead of saying Where would you go for a bike vacation? Specify that the vacation has to be in the USA
I have had very good bike vacations in the US, but they pale in comparison to European bike vacations
Instead of saying Where would you go for a bike vacation? Specify that the vacation has to be in the USA
I have had very good bike vacations in the US, but they pale in comparison to European bike vacations
Last edited by alcjphil; 10-23-18 at 05:36 PM.
10-23-18, 05:43 PM
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Maybe this thread should have been retitled. As a Canadian who has done various bicycle vacations in the US and elsewhere, I would say that there may be places other than the US that you should consider
Instead of saying Where would you go for a bike vacation? Specify that the vacation has to be in the USA
I have had very good bike vacations in the US, but they pale in comparison to European bike vacations
Instead of saying Where would you go for a bike vacation? Specify that the vacation has to be in the USA
I have had very good bike vacations in the US, but they pale in comparison to European bike vacations
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10-23-18, 06:54 PM
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I wouldn't mind spending a few days doing a Paris-Roubaix (France) bike race route trip, maybe even an out-and-back-to-Paris trip. It would really be special if I could take a lap around the Roubaix velodrome. 
Across the USA and a SFO to LAX trip, too (the latter might happen in 2019).
Across the USA and a SFO to LAX trip, too (the latter might happen in 2019).
10-23-18, 06:56 PM
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I spent a lot of time in northern New Mexico, did a lot of cycling all through the SW, missed Moab as it was summer, so would like to go back there, maybe do a multi-day White Rim Ride. Also got to do the Bike Tour of Colorado in ‘99 and wanted to do it again, but just read they went out of business.
Also in my list is the Northern California coast, SF north to mid Oregon or so. I’ve driven it and it’s something I’d like to see at a slower pace.
Biggest bucket list item is a cross country self supported tour. That’s #1 on my list.
Also in my list is the Northern California coast, SF north to mid Oregon or so. I’ve driven it and it’s something I’d like to see at a slower pace.
Biggest bucket list item is a cross country self supported tour. That’s #1 on my list.
10-23-18, 07:00 PM
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hawaii. not sure of the riding but if it's bad you're still in hawaii, but yeah out west sounds awesome too
10-23-18, 07:35 PM
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Been lots of places during lots of trips, including Seattle to Ocean City, NJ via Bar Harbor, ME and Philly, and seven weeks in Andalucia.
From last year's two-weekm self-contained trip in Montana (with one night in Idaho):
From last year's two-weekm self-contained trip in Montana (with one night in Idaho):
10-23-18, 07:44 PM
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Some critters during Erie to Philly last year:
Black Hills of South Dakota in 2015:
Black Hills of South Dakota in 2015:
10-23-18, 07:48 PM
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Looking back down while climbing Gibbons Pass, Montana, 2014:
10-23-18, 07:57 PM
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10-23-18, 08:33 PM
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I also agree. If fitness weren't an issue for me I think it would be a topper among destinations.
Blue Ridge Parkway would be nice, but see above.
As far as do-able in my current and foreseeable condition....
I would really like to do a trip down through the glades and out Key West in the "off" season. A buddy of mine lives in Tampa area and I very much enjoy riding down there around the February time frame. It would be really cool to plan a drive down to cycle the southern tip.
Blue Ridge Parkway would be nice, but see above.
As far as do-able in my current and foreseeable condition....
I would really like to do a trip down through the glades and out Key West in the "off" season. A buddy of mine lives in Tampa area and I very much enjoy riding down there around the February time frame. It would be really cool to plan a drive down to cycle the southern tip.
10-23-18, 09:35 PM
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If you can stretch USA up into Canada one beautiful trip is Jasper to Banff along the Columbia Icefield Parkway.
10-24-18, 02:27 AM
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Lets hear where you've biked on vacation or where you'd like to bike, on vacation, with biking being the sole purpose of the trip. Did you mountain bike.?? With a guide.?? Road bike.?? Day trips or did you bike town to town.?? Pictures would be awesome, too.
I think you get the picture. Have at it...
I think you get the picture. Have at it...
https://www.bikeforums.net/general-c...ou-ridden.html
More specifically, the places here ...
https://www.machka.net/RTW_2012/RTW_2012.htm
And of course, lots and lots and lots and lots of photos here ...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/machka-bb/collections/
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Last edited by Machka; 10-24-18 at 02:43 AM.
10-24-18, 04:12 AM
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10-24-18, 04:35 AM
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In the USA I would like to spend a weekend in Cloudcroft, NM and rent a cabin. I used to go there when I lived in El Paso, it's a hidden cycling gem no one talks about. Bring a road and MTB. I've been to most states and NM has the most beautiful scenery. Unfortunately, most of the towns are like a 3rd world country.
10-24-18, 06:12 AM
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Thanks for the posts everyone. This is great. Incredible pictures. Montana... Oh my. Beautiful.
That's I'm talking about.!! Keep them coming....
That's I'm talking about.!! Keep them coming....
10-24-18, 07:40 AM
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I also live on the east coast, and MTB is my first passion. I’ve spent time riding in and around Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Fruita, Moab, Jackson Hole, and Tahoe, with single rides around Santa Fe NM, the Black Hills on the WY/SD border, and Bozeman MT.
The place I pine for the most is Tahoe.
The riding is of course epic, Amazing scenery. But I guess that is true of a few other places as well.
But there are a few other things that make Tahoe so awesome in my book:
The biggest one is the weather. From June through mid-September, there a near 0% chance of rain. I spent three summers there and I think it may have rained 5 times in all.
Every day is clear, intense blue sky with the perfect outdoor temps. It never ceased to amaze me how the weather was just too good to be true. Every. Single. Day.
I liked the fact that you could ride anywhere at any time at any elevation and not worry about getting caught in a sudden storm, which I run into often riding in the Rockies, especially in higher elevations.
Nor is there the intense mid day heat of many desert destinations.
I also liked the towns around there a lot in the summer. Lots going on.
In terms of just shear mind blowing riding, Moab has to be mentioned. I do think that in terms of the trails and terrain, if you want something both gnarly and fun, Moab is hard to beat. The only issue for me is that the town itself is not that great to visit, IMO. pretty ugly, actually.
While the riding itself is nothing special (by mtb destination standards) I really love Crested Butte. It may be my single favorite town out west to visit in the summer. The town just seems magic to me. It is also among the couple of most beautiful areas in the country I have driven through and around.
A few years ago some buddies and I did an MTB trip out to Moab and then Crested Butte. Spent about 4 days in each. I think the consensus among us was that the riding in Moab was better, but the overal experience in Crested Butte was better (because the town is just awesome). They went again last year without me (Injury) and they said they felt the same this time.
So many great options out west, and IMO most places are actually better in the summer.
The place I pine for the most is Tahoe.
The riding is of course epic, Amazing scenery. But I guess that is true of a few other places as well.
But there are a few other things that make Tahoe so awesome in my book:
The biggest one is the weather. From June through mid-September, there a near 0% chance of rain. I spent three summers there and I think it may have rained 5 times in all.
Every day is clear, intense blue sky with the perfect outdoor temps. It never ceased to amaze me how the weather was just too good to be true. Every. Single. Day.
I liked the fact that you could ride anywhere at any time at any elevation and not worry about getting caught in a sudden storm, which I run into often riding in the Rockies, especially in higher elevations.
Nor is there the intense mid day heat of many desert destinations.
I also liked the towns around there a lot in the summer. Lots going on.
In terms of just shear mind blowing riding, Moab has to be mentioned. I do think that in terms of the trails and terrain, if you want something both gnarly and fun, Moab is hard to beat. The only issue for me is that the town itself is not that great to visit, IMO. pretty ugly, actually.
While the riding itself is nothing special (by mtb destination standards) I really love Crested Butte. It may be my single favorite town out west to visit in the summer. The town just seems magic to me. It is also among the couple of most beautiful areas in the country I have driven through and around.
A few years ago some buddies and I did an MTB trip out to Moab and then Crested Butte. Spent about 4 days in each. I think the consensus among us was that the riding in Moab was better, but the overal experience in Crested Butte was better (because the town is just awesome). They went again last year without me (Injury) and they said they felt the same this time.
So many great options out west, and IMO most places are actually better in the summer.
Last edited by Kapusta; 10-24-18 at 10:51 AM.