The best state to ride in
#1
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The best state to ride in
I thought it would be a cool idea for everyone to say what state they think is the best for cycling and why.
I gotta say New York (excluding the city, that place is horrid for cyclists, sorry NYCers)
In New York we got rolling hills with enough climbing to get your legs burning and heart pumping, but nothing that will require miles and miles of climbing. In the Hudson Valley where I live, we have beautiful reservoirs scattered throughout the area. Cars are cautious for the most part and leave at least 3 feet (with the occasional bad driver who wont)
We have plenty of bike paths in the state that go pretty far and many bike-friendly bridges and ferry's to get over the Hudson river. If you live up near buffalo, I hear they have an incredibly avid cycling community and Niagara falls.
also, most cyclists are friendly here, not to say they aren't elsewhere, but there are less "elitists" who won't even spare a wave or nod. (except in the city... which is odd because I don't know HOW you can train efficiently there)
So, anyone think another state is better for cycling?
I gotta say New York (excluding the city, that place is horrid for cyclists, sorry NYCers)
In New York we got rolling hills with enough climbing to get your legs burning and heart pumping, but nothing that will require miles and miles of climbing. In the Hudson Valley where I live, we have beautiful reservoirs scattered throughout the area. Cars are cautious for the most part and leave at least 3 feet (with the occasional bad driver who wont)
We have plenty of bike paths in the state that go pretty far and many bike-friendly bridges and ferry's to get over the Hudson river. If you live up near buffalo, I hear they have an incredibly avid cycling community and Niagara falls.
also, most cyclists are friendly here, not to say they aren't elsewhere, but there are less "elitists" who won't even spare a wave or nod. (except in the city... which is odd because I don't know HOW you can train efficiently there)
So, anyone think another state is better for cycling?
#2
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I'm going to go with Virginia, just because I ride there the most. There's climbs to challenge anybody, plenty of open country roads, and just lots of great areas to ride in.
the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline drive are amazing, and there's plenty of great mountain biking as well.
edit: also, to add, not Florida. It's hot, flat, and people try to run you down.
the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline drive are amazing, and there's plenty of great mountain biking as well.
edit: also, to add, not Florida. It's hot, flat, and people try to run you down.
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Well it sure as H*** isn't North Carolina, the state that's about to try and regulate pace lines. Yeah you read correctly, they're voting on a law to make it illegal to ride more than 2 across and, when a car approached from the rear, you have to go to a single line. It doesn't matter that such a law makes no sense, they're going to vote on it anyway. So it sure isn't NC.
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Minnesota. Some of the best cyclists I know are from there and they don't let the pesky 9 month winter interfere with cycling year round.
I vote Nebraska off the list. Too flat and WAY too much wind.
I vote Nebraska off the list. Too flat and WAY too much wind.
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I thought it would be a cool idea for everyone to say what state they think is the best for cycling and why.
I gotta say New York (excluding the city, that place is horrid for cyclists, sorry NYCers)
In New York we got rolling hills with enough climbing to get your legs burning and heart pumping, but nothing that will require miles and miles of climbing. In the Hudson Valley where I live, we have beautiful reservoirs scattered throughout the area. Cars are cautious for the most part and leave at least 3 feet (with the occasional bad driver who wont)
We have plenty of bike paths in the state that go pretty far and many bike-friendly bridges and ferry's to get over the Hudson river. If you live up near buffalo, I hear they have an incredibly avid cycling community and Niagara falls.
also, most cyclists are friendly here, not to say they aren't elsewhere, but there are less "elitists" who won't even spare a wave or nod. (except in the city... which is odd because I don't know HOW you can train efficiently there)
So, anyone think another state is better for cycling?
I gotta say New York (excluding the city, that place is horrid for cyclists, sorry NYCers)
In New York we got rolling hills with enough climbing to get your legs burning and heart pumping, but nothing that will require miles and miles of climbing. In the Hudson Valley where I live, we have beautiful reservoirs scattered throughout the area. Cars are cautious for the most part and leave at least 3 feet (with the occasional bad driver who wont)
We have plenty of bike paths in the state that go pretty far and many bike-friendly bridges and ferry's to get over the Hudson river. If you live up near buffalo, I hear they have an incredibly avid cycling community and Niagara falls.
also, most cyclists are friendly here, not to say they aren't elsewhere, but there are less "elitists" who won't even spare a wave or nod. (except in the city... which is odd because I don't know HOW you can train efficiently there)
So, anyone think another state is better for cycling?
#12
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Post this in the MTB forum and you will get a consensus of Colorado. I still like Colorado for road as well. If you're looking for scenery, get a post card.
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Cali. no other place is even close. Cali is diverse, but here is a rundown slightly simplified, but not much:
1 SoCal Coastal SB to SD, rideablbe virtually every day of the year. Some winter days you can need a jacket and knickers, maybe a rain shell and pants if you are out for several hours. Between LA and SD, less than between SB and LA. May-October f**k off, if you have two wheels you are the king (queen) of the road..
Central Cal coast, SB to SF a little more warmth is necessary most of the time. Definitely more rain protection in winter.
NorCoast SF to Oregon) requires more warmth and rain protection.
Coastal mountains, dial it up for warmth over coasts. Snow storms can cut you off totally. SoCal lesss than NorCal, but snow blockages occur Dec-April.
Valleys just behind the coastal mountains are a little drier than the coasts in the wet winter season, and they get warmer faster, can get really hot But it's dry heat) in June-Sept. Morning rides are really nice June-Sept. Even into Nov in Corona, Temecula and Escondido.
Central Valley, rideable just about all year north to south. Valley fog occurring sporadically Dec-Apriil (mostly San Joaquin, but Sacto too) can be really dense, not a good time to ride. You don't want to deal with this s**t. But this is not common. June-Sept can be really hot between 12 and 10 PM, mostly dry heat. . Not bad riding at all, but stay hydrated, or ride around the heat.
Mojave High Desert, windy a lot but ridable almost every day of the year, if you can do the wind, and don't mind some "sand-blasting". In July-Sept, ride early in the day, or late at night. Watch out for monsoon, sandstorms mostly happeneing in August.
Coachella?Imperial Valleys, some of the best Nov-April rides anywhere. Summertime gets oppressively hot, ride early (even late night is really hot and even early AM can be like, I got up at 5 AM and it's 85!) Fortunately it's dry heat.
Sierras are totally beautiful. A lot of the passes get closed Nov-April (sometimes May, even June). Winter, you have to dress like Minnesotans. Some passes you have to turn back. Summer, it's kinda cold early AM, but by 11-12 is like take your top off baby, it's warm even hot, but dry. Good till 8 PM easily.
Cascades and Siskyous, pretty much like the Sierras.
1 SoCal Coastal SB to SD, rideablbe virtually every day of the year. Some winter days you can need a jacket and knickers, maybe a rain shell and pants if you are out for several hours. Between LA and SD, less than between SB and LA. May-October f**k off, if you have two wheels you are the king (queen) of the road..
Central Cal coast, SB to SF a little more warmth is necessary most of the time. Definitely more rain protection in winter.
NorCoast SF to Oregon) requires more warmth and rain protection.
Coastal mountains, dial it up for warmth over coasts. Snow storms can cut you off totally. SoCal lesss than NorCal, but snow blockages occur Dec-April.
Valleys just behind the coastal mountains are a little drier than the coasts in the wet winter season, and they get warmer faster, can get really hot But it's dry heat) in June-Sept. Morning rides are really nice June-Sept. Even into Nov in Corona, Temecula and Escondido.
Central Valley, rideable just about all year north to south. Valley fog occurring sporadically Dec-Apriil (mostly San Joaquin, but Sacto too) can be really dense, not a good time to ride. You don't want to deal with this s**t. But this is not common. June-Sept can be really hot between 12 and 10 PM, mostly dry heat. . Not bad riding at all, but stay hydrated, or ride around the heat.
Mojave High Desert, windy a lot but ridable almost every day of the year, if you can do the wind, and don't mind some "sand-blasting". In July-Sept, ride early in the day, or late at night. Watch out for monsoon, sandstorms mostly happeneing in August.
Coachella?Imperial Valleys, some of the best Nov-April rides anywhere. Summertime gets oppressively hot, ride early (even late night is really hot and even early AM can be like, I got up at 5 AM and it's 85!) Fortunately it's dry heat.
Sierras are totally beautiful. A lot of the passes get closed Nov-April (sometimes May, even June). Winter, you have to dress like Minnesotans. Some passes you have to turn back. Summer, it's kinda cold early AM, but by 11-12 is like take your top off baby, it's warm even hot, but dry. Good till 8 PM easily.
Cascades and Siskyous, pretty much like the Sierras.
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Probably California, but I love Colorado.
Isn't that how it is for most states? That's how it already technically is here in Colorado.
Well it sure as H*** isn't North Carolina, the state that's about to try and regulate pace lines. Yeah you read correctly, they're voting on a law to make it illegal to ride more than 2 across and, when a car approached from the rear, you have to go to a single line. It doesn't matter that such a law makes no sense, they're going to vote on it anyway. So it sure isn't NC.
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I would say whatever state/province you live in - convenient location. I bike in a state of denial, but that's different.
edit: I would also have to say not Florida as it is too flat and the bridges in the Keys scare the **** out of me.
edit: I would also have to say not Florida as it is too flat and the bridges in the Keys scare the **** out of me.
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you say some of the best cyclists are from Minnesota. there is a reason why they ride somewhere else. I've been in Minnesota when it was 20 below and snowing...trust me it was not good riding weather.
#22
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Inside the US.. For sure California. It's got variety galore. Decent roads. Stay out of the big cities, motorists are pretty aware of the presence of cyclists.
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Tasmania ... lots of variety!!
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I thought it would be a cool idea for everyone to say what state they think is the best for cycling and why.
I gotta say New York (excluding the city, that place is horrid for cyclists, sorry NYCers)
In New York we got rolling hills with enough climbing to get your legs burning and heart pumping, but nothing that will require miles and miles of climbing. In the Hudson Valley where I live, we have beautiful reservoirs scattered throughout the area. Cars are cautious for the most part and leave at least 3 feet (with the occasional bad driver who wont)
We have plenty of bike paths in the state that go pretty far and many bike-friendly bridges and ferry's to get over the Hudson river. If you live up near buffalo, I hear they have an incredibly avid cycling community and Niagara falls.
also, most cyclists are friendly here, not to say they aren't elsewhere, but there are less "elitists" who won't even spare a wave or nod. (except in the city... which is odd because I don't know HOW you can train efficiently there)
So, anyone think another state is better for cycling?
I gotta say New York (excluding the city, that place is horrid for cyclists, sorry NYCers)
In New York we got rolling hills with enough climbing to get your legs burning and heart pumping, but nothing that will require miles and miles of climbing. In the Hudson Valley where I live, we have beautiful reservoirs scattered throughout the area. Cars are cautious for the most part and leave at least 3 feet (with the occasional bad driver who wont)
We have plenty of bike paths in the state that go pretty far and many bike-friendly bridges and ferry's to get over the Hudson river. If you live up near buffalo, I hear they have an incredibly avid cycling community and Niagara falls.
also, most cyclists are friendly here, not to say they aren't elsewhere, but there are less "elitists" who won't even spare a wave or nod. (except in the city... which is odd because I don't know HOW you can train efficiently there)
So, anyone think another state is better for cycling?
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I really love riding in the mountains of North Carolina, but I have to agree with California............ so diverse, warm weather, and yeah, the Tour shows it all!!