Fifty Plus (50+) - Dream ride?

Cabin fever hit hard today. Temps in the mid 40s, so I layered up and headed out for a wonderful 36-mile ride and life was good again. As I was pedaling away, I started thinking about my dream ride . . . I know this has been asked before, but since many of us are stuck wishing for better weather to ride in, it doesn't hurt to dream a little! :rolleyes:

My dream ride is to throw a sleeping bag on the rack, make sure the credit card is handy, and head north to Alaska. I'm five years from even dreaming of retirement, so i have plenty of time to get ready, and I've already worked out a couple of routes from western Colorado to Anchorage . . . haven't figured out a return route -- maybe hop the ferry and enjoy the inside passage and then follow the coast back home.

How about it . . . what would your next dream ride be?

Idaho Centennial Trail - - not the paved one that is an extention of Washington's. The REAL ID Centennial Trail: starts near the Canadian border and goes along the spine between MT and ID south to the Nevada border. Skirts the Frank Church Wilderness and still has a few hike-a-bikes, portions are so remote and nearly untracked. Someday my friend Dan and I are going to do it.

How about it . . . what would your next dream ride be?

How about the Mississippi River Trail (http://www.mississippirivertrail.org/) From the headwaters to the Gulf. Can you say 3,000 miles downhill? From Minnesota to Louisiana.

My dream ride would be to fly to Ireland and tour the countryside for a few weeks.

Checked out the Idaho and Mississippi trails online . . . both would be fun. Even toying with the idea of mixing the Idaho trail with my ride to Alaska from Colorado . . . a possibility but I grew up in Montana and would want to revisit some of my old haunts around Libby and Glacier National Park. Although I've always wanted to go back to Craters of the Moon in Idaho (another memorable outing as a kid).

And who wouldn't want to see Ireland by bike!

I'm going to think about this one. What about a ride that includes all your favorite sections from many rides? A favorite swoopy turn, a sprinter's hill from one place, a nice climb from another, that 6 mile down hill out east?

Mentioned this one in Stapfam's 'type of rider' thread, but for me a realistic and desirable possibility is the Quebec/New Brunswick 'Route Verde.' Essentially, this can begin in Montreal; down the St Lawrence to/through Quebec City (if you've never been there, go!), then on (and on) into the Gaspe peninsula; from there, I could stay on the coast through New Brunswick (the Mirimachi [Acadian] region) on to Moncton and hit the Fundy Trail network (part of the slowly developing Trans-Canada trail), winding up at our summer place in St Martin's (a small coastal village just east of St John N.B.). Maybe someday, if I'm fit enough, and have several weeks and the funding to do it! Some of the most beautiful scenery around, and (especially in Quebec) a great deal of the trip can be done on dedicated bikeways which have been/are being constructed, paralleling main routes and, where possible, running beside rivers. I've been along some short sections from time to time -- this route is astonishing!

I'm going to think about this one. What about a ride that includes all your favorite sections from many rides? A favorite swoopy turn, a sprinter's hill from one place, a nice climb from another, that 6 mile down hill out east?

Dream on . . . A dream ride can be anything -- from a coast down the driveway to an epic trek around the world. I'm just trying to get past my cabin fever by thinking about better riding days ahead.

I would love to ride Scotland. My alternate would be to ride from here to my family in Washington. Maybe we could ride together CP

A ride down Malibu Beach, on a funky looking cruiser and with all of the women rubbing my shaven legs.

Two hours on flat roads in the middle of the Giro gruppo with Bob Roll yelling "piano, piano." Kinda obscure if you don't know Roll or his commentary on the Giro.

The state of Virginia runs completely out of gasoline, and the only way to travel is by bicycle. I tool west on I-66 from Washington, D.C., and glide down U.S. 15, the two lane road passing through farmland and forests east of the Blue Ridge mountains. Gas stations stay open for refreshments and air pumps for bicyclists. I reach South Boston, Va., where my wife runs a bed & breakfast (she really does in the summer.) Unfortunately, business is down because of the gasoline crunch, but visitors travel by bicycle to her farm, with its rolling roads and no traffic.

I would load the camping equipment in the bike trailer and head off for the Natchez Trace for a week. My only concern would be poison ivy. Just about everything I've read about this ride mentions "poison ivy".

Does anyone know first-hand how bad the poison ivy is on this road?

In 1984 I took a six month bike tour across Europe, beginning in Greece and ending in Ireland. I'd love to retrace my route. Alternately, a bike ride through the Mediteranean lands of Greece, Italy, Southern France and Spain over a spring and summer would be nice. And I love the British Isles for cycling. Of course, New Zealand and Asia have always drawn me, and I've never been there. Heck, I just want to go everywhere.

I'll be experiencing my dream this summer - we're off to Italy for a wedding. I'll be riding in the Lake Cumo area - a big climb to the Madonna del Ghisallo is on tap - can't wait, though I'm glad it's a few months off so I can try to get into better shape.

While I dream of an epic trek across Canada and Alaska years down the road, I realize my dream ride actually will occur this summer. My 22-year-old son wants us to ride our first century ride together! :beer:

He works in Wyoming (Casper), so we are beginning to plot when and where. I'd like to do it in Wyoming, maybe in the Devil's Tower area . . . I'd welcome any ideas for possible routes.

While I dream of an epic trek across Canada and Alaska years down the road, I realize my dream ride actually will occur this summer. My 22-year-old son wants us to ride our first century ride together! :beer:

He works in Wyoming (Casper), so we are beginning to plot when and where. I'd like to do it in Wyoming, maybe in the Devil's Tower area . . . I'd welcome any ideas for possible routes.
One piece of advice. Stay out of that area when the Stugis motorcycle rally is on. Those guys ride in huge packs over all the roads (many of which up there are pretty narrow) as far west as Devil's Tower. You should also prepare for the heat (probably just as hot as Delta). Stopped in Moorcroft a while back. Asked the waiter in the diner what he did in the summer and he said, "There is nothin to do around here." Pretty country though. And did I mention the wind?

Thanks RockyMtnMerlin . . . I've been through Sturgis during the rally (and Mt. Rushmore) and it is a crazy place. We're talking about doing our ride in Sept.

We've talked about the wind. I've suggested we pick an area, wet our thumbs and stick them into the air, and then ride 100 miles in whatever direction the wind is blowing . . . find someplace to enjoy a beer (or pie) and call my wife to come pick us up!

A ride down Malibu Beach, on a funky looking cruiser and with all of the women rubbing my shaven legs.
Malibu Beach, 2/19/07...

I see I must be more careful with my wishes, or else Satan will take advantage of me and put me on Malibu Beach on a cold night.

My present dream ride is just an extension of my perfect day thread of a couple weeks ago. A nice hard-packed rail trail, winding through pretty countryside, small towns, and a couple of scenic overviews. Temps would be around 60, mostly cloudy with little to no wind. Spend about 3 days, picking how long I wanted to stay out each day. At present there would be no hills in my ride.

And at each stop there would be delicious pies.

Thanks RockyMtnMerlin . . . I've been through Sturgis during the rally (and Mt. Rushmore) and it is a crazy place. We're talking about doing our ride in Sept.

We've talked about the wind. I've suggested we pick an area, wet our thumbs and stick them into the air, and then ride 100 miles in whatever direction the wind is blowing . . . find someplace to enjoy a beer (or pie) and call my wife to come pick us up!Now that is the way to choose your route! :beer:

My dream ride is much more modest. I'd like to ride the lake/wine region in upper New York State for a week, drop down and ride a week in the Pennsylvania Dutch region, shoot west and ride a week in the Napa & Sonoma regions in California, and end with a week in the Chesapeake Bay area.

My dream ride is much more modest. I'd like to ride the lake/wine region in upper New York State for a week, drop down and ride a week in the Pennsylvania Dutch region, shoot west and ride a week in the Napa & Sonoma regions in California, and end with a week in the Chesapeake Bay area.

Here's a cool way to make part of that dream come true: http://www.bontonroulet.com/

Seven to ten days riding the roads of Tuscany, with my wife. :)

Whew! I'm going to have to adjust my dream rides . . . you folks have expanded my horizons with more places to go!

My wife looked over my shoulder and pointed out her dream ride is a fall color ride through Vermont and New Hampshire . . . then told me to get back to work :D

How about strapping on pontoons and a propeller and riding the Erie Canal?

I did a dream ride a few years ago, from Portland OR to San Francisco. Perfect weather, good roads along the beautiful Oregon Coast, and rides through the giant Redwood parks and Mendocino coast of California.

My next dream trip is in the planning stages, it starts in Milan, Italy, to Lake Como, on to Zermatt and Champex Switzerland, Chamonix France, then back to Milan. This route is all in the Alps, and circles the Matterhorn and Mt Blanc.

How about strapping on pontoons and a propeller and riding the Erie Canal?No need for the nautical gear. Except for a few miles in the where you're diverted to adjacent roads, the whole thing's bikeable. Even paved in some some sections. There's even a fully-supported annual tour (http://www.ptny.org/canaltour/index.shtml).

Living just a couple of miles from the canal, I ride it almost daily in-season, so that sort of removes it from my dream ride list. Well, except for those days when I dream of my commute home...

If I hit the lottery, I'd do a credit card tour of the Lower 48, finishing in Washington, turn North and go to Alaska, then catch a plane to Hawaii. :D

I did a dream ride a few years ago, from Portland OR to San Francisco. Perfect weather, good roads along the beautiful Oregon Coast, and rides through the giant Redwood parks and Mendocino coast of California.

My next dream trip is in the planning stages, it starts in Milan, Italy, to Lake Como, on to Zermatt and Champex Switzerland, Chamonix France, then back to Milan. This route is all in the Alps, and circles the Matterhorn and Mt Blanc.

That would be seriously cool. pezcyclingnews.com had some features on the area and the Madonna del Ghisallo Church (http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/default.asp?pg=fullstory&id=4424).

Has anyone ridden down (or up, for that matter) the California coast, perhaps San Francsico to San Diego? That seems like it would be a good ride.

My next dream trip is in the planning stages, it starts in Milan, Italy, to Lake Como, on to Zermatt and Champex Switzerland, Chamonix France, then back to Milan. This route is all in the Alps, and circles the Matterhorn and Mt Blanc.
Shifty,

Now that would be a ride! We are riding from Como up to the Madonna del Ghisallo this summer, the trip isn't strictly a bike trip (got a wedding to attend), but I'm going to fit some riding in around there. Your ride sounds like biker heaven, please keep us posted as you continue planning!

Has anyone ridden down (or up, for that matter) the California coast, perhaps San Francsico to San Diego? That seems like it would be a good ride.


I've ridden from SF to LA (twice and going again) as part of the AIDS/LifeCycle. We're on the coast from Half Moon Bay to Santa Cruz, then inland, then back on the coast at Morro Bay for a while, then again from Santa Barbara on down. We don't do the "Big Sur" area.