There are many ideal locations for cycling in the world and I think I have found mine.
At least the parameters are there:
1. Beautiful location
2. Wide shoulders
3. Smooth pavement
4. Challenging hills
5. Low traffic
6. Long distance (over 100 miles)

Where: David Thompson Highway (Hwy 11) in central Alberta

So where is your?

More photos of our Saturday adventure:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14302884@N04/sets/72157605871338498/

Nice! for me here in central Florida all I see on my rides are a ton of orange grooves and farms. wanna trade?:D

Never been to Italy, but I've heard there are a number of places where the drivers completely respect cyclists and give them the road and cheer them on. It's not just the roads and scenery that's important; the culture and treatment of cyclists is important too.

Finger Lakes region of upstate New York fits the bill.

>1. Beautiful location -- check
>2. Wide shoulders -- check (NY State generally has great shoulders on state roads)
>3. Smooth pavement -- for the most part, check
>4. Challenging hills -- yes
>5. Low traffic -- lots of roads
>6. Long distance (over 100 miles) -- limitless choices

Oh man, that photo... that beautifull shoulder... it makes me cry, soo pretty... me wanna

At least the parameters are there:
1. Beautiful location > yup
2. Wide shoulders > sometimes, when on pavement, how about endless dirt roads and low traffic country roads
3. Smooth pavement > sometimes, when on pavement
4. Challenging hills > and mountains
5. Low traffic > yup
6. Long distance (over 100 miles) yup

Where: Vermont, right out my back door... (and a ferry ride away from the Adirondack Park, just across the lake)

http://lh6.ggpht.com/mike.beganyi/RUfGhaPJABI/AAAAAAAAA9o/id-ccS3BEms/s800/IMG_2455.JPG


http://lh4.ggpht.com/mike.beganyi/SEPfuOmE1XI/AAAAAAAAEzc/roZvk-ejkGU/s800/IMG_4903.JPG


http://lh5.ggpht.com/mike.beganyi/SEPfxemE1YI/AAAAAAAAEzk/yGgUefpgli0/s800/IMG_4905.JPG


http://lh5.ggpht.com/mike.beganyi/SG5LwkAAGuI/AAAAAAAAE_o/vXYIrEBa_QQ/s800/Photo_062908_010.jpg


http://lh3.ggpht.com/mike.beganyi/RSL1QmvSABI/AAAAAAAAAGs/MV_SLoZKgLI/s800/IMG_1656.JPG

Great pics.

When I am on the motorcycle, those are the exact type of roads I like to be on. Rt 100 in VT is amazing.

However, when I am on my bike, I like riding in downtown Boston. I grew up skateboarding in the city (well, I still do), and I love the obsticale course and mindset that only a city can provide.

OK, I'm convinced, I'm working on integrating this road into my upcoming tour. Locals: any thoughts on using this as a part of a loop with Jasper on the North end? Road recommendations for the connection?

thanks

Beautiful photos and area. Reminds me of the one good thing about living in Upstate South Carolina years ago. There were similar vistas and the Blue Ridge was a great place to hike, bike, and have a good time.

OK, I'm convinced, I'm working on integrating this road into my upcoming tour. Locals: any thoughts on using this as a part of a loop with Jasper on the North end? Road recommendations for the connection?

thanks

If you want to work in Hwy 11 (where those photos on my Flickr site, and what Cadillac posted wre taken) just come up the Icefield Parkway, then do an out-and-back on Hwy 11 when you get to Saskatchewan River Crossing. Out to Lake Abraham and back would be a day ride of about 90-100 kms, depending on how far along Lake Abraham you want to go.


If you've got a couple days, and like hiking, check out Siffleur Falls along the way. :)

Great pics.

When I am on the motorcycle, those are the exact type of roads I like to be on. Rt 100 in VT is amazing.

However, when I am on my bike, I like riding in downtown Boston. I grew up skateboarding in the city (well, I still do), and I love the obsticale course and mindset that only a city can provide.


The last photo in the set is from atop Appalachian Gap, between Waitsfield and Bristol, on Rt 17.
I do love Rt. 100 - but it can be busy in the north during tourist season... (now!).

Thanks! THat's what it looked like on the map, too. Trying to loop it gives many many junk miles.

we've got everything except the low traffic in the seattle area - and instead of challenging hills, how about some challenging mountain passes?

plus you could see snow in june, like i did last month: http://flickr.com/photos/archivalclothing/2566303627/

..