Hypno Toad

Lisa is jonesing for a bike trip this winter, I'm overjoyed! It'd likely be a long weekend trip. We may bring bikes or rent. I'd like to find a low price destination that offers the option of renting road bikes. Las Vegas comes to mind as a cheap place to fly too and I think there is some good riding in area (outside the city). San Diego is another option that seems like a good option.

Please make suggestions about places that would fit the bill for a quick bike trip, with good weather, good bike-friendly routes, and access to quality rental road bikes. Thanks!

bikemig 

The US SW (and I'm including SD in this) is the obvious choice. Less obvious choice might be a city like New Orleans. You can rent a bike and ride the river levee to get some miles in. The bike scenery will be nothing like the SW but the food and music is pretty darn good.

You could rent a place near the upper end of St. Charles (near where it runs to Carrollton ave.) (I grew up in that neighborhood) which will put you right by the bike path on the river levee. It's a great neighborhood and the city has a lot of amenities.

fietsbob

Right on the Pacific coast The rain water is Just Wet , not Frozen..


How about Cuba?

Clipped_in

Vegas would be a good choice. Red Rock Canyon is a fun ride, and there are a lot of other good options. I'll let some locals take it from there.

Jadesfire 

Just a quick addition- if this trip is to be done within the next month, it's Mardi Gras time in New Orleans. Hotels, if that is the direction y'all are going, might be difficult to book and will be more expensive. Lots of craziness, too. Not that that's a bad thing. Just something to think about .

diphthong

didn't you do san diego fairly recently? how about orange county between san diego & los angeles?
there's plenty of great coastal riding, from the huntington beach bike path and the newport (beach)
back bay trail to the length of pacific coast highway (pch) from seal beach south to san clemente.
a lot of people are uncomfortable with the stretch on pch from laguna beach south to dana point because
of high/fast traffic and the lack (in most places) of a bike lane/path. it is doable and gorgeous tho
but i would use a taillight or two. the stretches south of dana point and north of laguna beach have
good bike lanes.

inland has santiago canyon road and plenty of hilly/spirited riding in laguna niguel & mission viejo.
plus, there's always this: https://www.strava.com/activities/75371067

it's pretty easy to do some coastal riding then head inland a little for some nearby hills if you want 'em.
also a nice assortment of bike paths in the eternal flatitudes of the irvine area.

here's a bike path map of orange county: https://www.octa.net/pdf/BikewaysMap_2013-0504.pdf

Phil_gretz

I lived in Irvine during the 1980s and early 90s. Very true - excellent riding, particularly up the canyons into the foothills.

Why not go to Maui and ride Haleakala?

Hypno Toad

Thanks & Good memory (or a stalker) - sadly that trip didn't have much bike time, a few miles one day on beach cruisers out on Coronado, fun! And a few miles on DecoBikes, not as fun.

Hypno Toad

Watopia is high on my list, but the flight is too long and expensive.

Actually, VA is high on the list too, but not likely until later this year. My brother is in Williamsburg and been riding my case about riding your state.

ColaJacket

South Florida, especially The Keys would be good. In Key West, it is best to get around on a bike, rather than your car.

GH

Cougrrcj

I've seen some bike shops in the Phoenix area rent bikes as well.

redcon1

I would recommend Tucson AZ. I have rented a bike there twice in December and had a great time. Mt. Lemon is not to be missed.

diphthong

all hail the hypno toad.

indyfabz

My GF is headed there in 3 weeks for a supported tour.

1nterceptor

Have a brother in San Diego county; nice biking area. I have visited him in the winter; there was frost one morning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNuu...6zPoymgKaIoDLA

Had a lot of fun in Puerto Rico the last time I was there:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jea4...A&spfreload=10

Viginia was nice, too. The town I visited a quiet rural community:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9Aq...IoDLA&index=27

VegasTriker

If you are looking for really warm weather, Las Vegas isn't on top. Phoenix is warmer and SoCal is much nicer. Maybe I'm grumpy because it has been below normal (58 high/maybe 40 low is average mid-January) every day since January 1 and we have had a succession of cloudy days and a few days of rain. Generally we get at least a few days above average and it is sunny 90+% of the time in the winter. Try to find out if there are any large conventions in town when you plan to be here. Hotel prices go through the roof anytime large conventions are on. Here's a list of bike rental places in LV Bicycle Rentals | Local Resources by Category | Biking Las Vegas Cycling. The larger bike shops I'm familiar with are away from the strip. I think that those are the places you are likely to find better bikes, not just entry level bikes.

There are a couple hundred miles of bike routes and separate bike paths in the valley. You can see maps of the entire area here: https://www.rtcsnv.com/cycling/bike-route-trails-map/

Machka 

Too bad it's only for a long weekend! It's summer here in Australia. Lots of good cycling!

If you have to stay in the US, try the Bryce Canyon area ... or San Diego ... or the San Luis Obispo area ...

johnlp37

Bryce Canyon is 11 degrees F right now. High of 35 today. Think I'd skip that option.

Machka 

That might be tropical compared with Minnesota.

I used to go to places like Vancouver in early spring. Manitoba was still waist deep in snow and running around -20C ... Vancouver was about 5C or 10C. To me, at that point, that was a major heat wave. Plus the roads where clear and I could ride.

Meanwhile the people in Vancouver were complaining about the cold.

diphthong

well if you decide on san diego area again, i'm full of route options and beer tasting recommendations. just sayin...

Hypno Toad

Thanks for all the help! Still trying to find a weekend that works (too many business trips complicating the schedule).

Wingsprint

Phoenix and Tucson have been our favorite winter ride locations for many years.

Check out AOA for rentals. They have exceeded our expectations every time!

https://aoa-adventures.com/scottsdal...-bike-rentals/

Hypno Toad

Update: Looks like Lisa is going to opt for a new Bianchi instead of a trip. But I'll keep this thread in mind for the next time her bike travel bug bits.

RushFan2112

I'm obviously a bit biased, but Northern California has some of the best cycling in the universe. Even during winter the high usually gets into the 50s.