Best Cycling region, USA?
#26
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Rain here is tremendously overstated.
It rains less per year in Seattle and Portland than it does in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Honoulu or any number of other large cities without the reputation.
But... it is GRAY here for 8 months straight, not a hint of sun. It's not the rain that drives Californians away, it's the perpetual gray.
It rains less per year in Seattle and Portland than it does in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Honoulu or any number of other large cities without the reputation.
But... it is GRAY here for 8 months straight, not a hint of sun. It's not the rain that drives Californians away, it's the perpetual gray.
#27
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Asheville NC. Hands down, what is the matter with you guys?
Almost all the federal roads in this area are in perfect condition and if you are on the Parkway before noon on a weekday (or even a weekend) there is virtually no traffic. I have done this climb and descent a number of times when I am all alone. The Asheville area is vital and up and coming. Housing prices are steep for the area but low nationally. Lots of two wheel activities bike and motorcycles abound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yjGNCSwnLQ
Almost all the federal roads in this area are in perfect condition and if you are on the Parkway before noon on a weekday (or even a weekend) there is virtually no traffic. I have done this climb and descent a number of times when I am all alone. The Asheville area is vital and up and coming. Housing prices are steep for the area but low nationally. Lots of two wheel activities bike and motorcycles abound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yjGNCSwnLQ
Last edited by bykemike; 08-31-15 at 05:55 AM.
#28
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#29
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Before you say, right here! Think about it. What part of the country, state, or even city has the best of what any cyclist would want? Criteria?
-Terrain? Mountains, Flat, rolling
-Favorable seasons? Cant be stuck inside 6 damn months out of the year!!!!
-Reasonable cost of living?
-Plentiful job market?
-Air quality?
-Great food? Gotta have amazing places to eat, right?
-Arts/Culture?
-Heck, even cycling variety might be important. Road(of course), MTB, Cyclocross
I know I'm probably missing something but, you get the point.... Where?
-Terrain? Mountains, Flat, rolling
-Favorable seasons? Cant be stuck inside 6 damn months out of the year!!!!
-Reasonable cost of living?
-Plentiful job market?
-Air quality?
-Great food? Gotta have amazing places to eat, right?
-Arts/Culture?
-Heck, even cycling variety might be important. Road(of course), MTB, Cyclocross
I know I'm probably missing something but, you get the point.... Where?
#30
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Asheville NC. Hands down, what is the matter with you guys?
Almost all the federal roads in this area are in perfect condition and if you are on the Parkway before noon on a weekday (or even a weekend) there is virtually no traffic. I have done this climb and descent a number of times when I am all alone. The Asheville area is vital and up and coming. Housing prices are steep for the area but low nationally. Lots of two wheel activities bike and motorcycles abound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yjGNCSwnLQ
Almost all the federal roads in this area are in perfect condition and if you are on the Parkway before noon on a weekday (or even a weekend) there is virtually no traffic. I have done this climb and descent a number of times when I am all alone. The Asheville area is vital and up and coming. Housing prices are steep for the area but low nationally. Lots of two wheel activities bike and motorcycles abound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yjGNCSwnLQ
#32
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The natural tendency is to make opinions on past experience. What else do we have to go by? Those considerations take on a lot of territory in a broader sense of that word.
#33
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Los Angeles, By far had the best Cycling. I could ride out the front door & just about have anything, cyclingwise that I needed/Wanted. However, the cost of living, the unhappy(or angry) people, the lack of seasons & smog made it pretty miserable for us.
Vermont is pretty amazing as well. One huge drawback being that the Winter's are long & cold. Not to mention the job market is bleak & pay, generally low/cost of living, high.
We've considered moving back to the Pacific NW, family there. But, again, we'd like to find the perfect balance of of things we need & enjoy.
#36
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IMO trying to come up with any "best" list is just mental ************. And, having ridden a motorcycle all over this country I'm pretty sure there are tons of places that would qualify if you did attempt such a list. What matters to me is where I live and ride and how it feels. I'm really happy in my corner of northeastern CT and New England generally. And, there are a lot of other places I could like as well.
#37
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The local roads going up to and along the parkway are plentiful to say the least. If you are in Asheville itself there is a road (Town Mountain Road) that goes from the downtown area right up into
Bull Gap, the climb from Bull Gap up Craggy Peak is transcendent.
I did this climb/descent everyday for 6 days in a row last year. My legs were toast but what a rush.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xi4aOWKmBZY
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Last edited by bykemike; 08-31-15 at 08:04 AM.
#38
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Don't even consider coastal Rhode Island ans SE coastal Massachusetts. Fugeddaboutit. While hills can be found and terrain is pretty and there are many quiet country roads for rides of any length and farms and wild flowers, the roadways are clogged with bikes.
#39
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Except for the cost of living, South Orange County in California is pretty stellar for riding. Not as nice as it was 30 years ago when you could get out and ride through orange groves with few cars, it is still a great place to ride. West takes you to the beach and east takes you to the mountains. A lot of good mountain biking close by. Irvine has miles of MUP.
John
John
#40
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Ok, here's what I think, & the reason for asking. I've lived in Seattle, Portland/OR, Los Angeles & now Vermont.
Los Angeles, By far had the best Cycling. I could ride out the front door & just about have anything, cyclingwise that I needed/Wanted. However, the cost of living, the unhappy(or angry) people, the lack of seasons & smog made it pretty miserable for us.
Vermont is pretty amazing as well. One huge drawback being that the Winter's are long & cold. Not to mention the job market is bleak & pay, generally low/cost of living, high.
We've considered moving back to the Pacific NW, family there. But, again, we'd like to find the perfect balance of of things we need & enjoy.
Los Angeles, By far had the best Cycling. I could ride out the front door & just about have anything, cyclingwise that I needed/Wanted. However, the cost of living, the unhappy(or angry) people, the lack of seasons & smog made it pretty miserable for us.
Vermont is pretty amazing as well. One huge drawback being that the Winter's are long & cold. Not to mention the job market is bleak & pay, generally low/cost of living, high.
We've considered moving back to the Pacific NW, family there. But, again, we'd like to find the perfect balance of of things we need & enjoy.
#41
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What I'm doing here is brainstorming, in a sense. I know that your gem may not fit my ideals. But what if I hadn't thought of that area. If nothing else, it's fun to explore & see things through others eyes. Take in new points of view.
#43
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So why shouldn't you submit your ideal? You afraid that one might judge, or not be smart enough to realize that it's your ideal & not theirs?
What I'm doing here is brainstorming, in a sense. I know that your gem may not fit my ideals. But what if I hadn't thought of that area. If nothing else, it's fun to explore & see things through others eyes. Take in new points of view.
What I'm doing here is brainstorming, in a sense. I know that your gem may not fit my ideals. But what if I hadn't thought of that area. If nothing else, it's fun to explore & see things through others eyes. Take in new points of view.
The "criteria" should or should not be limited to geographical location. That would add to brainstorming for new ideas.
#44
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#45
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Except for the cost of living, South Orange County in California is pretty stellar for riding. Not as nice as it was 30 years ago when you could get out and ride through orange groves with few cars, it is still a great place to ride. West takes you to the beach and east takes you to the mountains. A lot of good mountain biking close by. Irvine has miles of MUP.
John
John
#46
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seems to be the norm, just about everywhere. The further you get from the city, the more affordable the housing but job market becomes bleak. We a all Need to find that balance.
#47
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Roanoke, VA... The weather is pretty good--mild winters and not devastatingly hot in the summer, and the cost of living is not bad, especially compared to many of the areas being touted here. Roanoke has a nice greenway system, we have mountains, plenty of nice roads to ride (you can also get on the Blue Ridge Parkway here), plenty of trails for mountain biking (Carvin's Cove has a big batch of trails specifically for mountain bikers, We're hard by the Appalachian Trail, and there's all sorts of other trails you could ride on that are close).
There's some great places to eat in town and plenty more a short drive away, there are three excellent breweries in town (Soaring Ridge, Parkway Brewing Co., and Roanoke Railhouse) and several more within an hour's drive, not to mention quite a few wineries.
The job market seems good here, too, especially if you are in the medical field.
There's some great places to eat in town and plenty more a short drive away, there are three excellent breweries in town (Soaring Ridge, Parkway Brewing Co., and Roanoke Railhouse) and several more within an hour's drive, not to mention quite a few wineries.
The job market seems good here, too, especially if you are in the medical field.
#48
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My vote is Southern Oregon, far superior to Portland Oregon. Weather is better, more hills, less people, less signal lights, less traffic, more wine, more trees, less hipsters and fixed gears, as much beer, more space, more scenery, more fishing, and we have Keith Anderson, Jeff Lyon, Land Shark, and more. Cost of living is low and the plants grow well. Lots of water, not a lot of competition for it.
shall i carry on?
shall i carry on?
#49
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Anywhere where it is over 100 degrees for significant portions of the year should not be included. Southern CA and Arizona are fun to ride in winter, but summer? how much do you like to spin on the machine in AC?
#50
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It's skyrocketing in Sonoma and Napa Counties
COL Price and Heat ..
Rocky fire has been burning in Lake/Napa/Yolo county area.. https://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents...cident_id=1161
Last edited by fietsbob; 08-31-15 at 12:43 PM.