where to go for a 2 week cycle vacation in USA
06-01-09, 10:24 PM
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where to go for a 2 week cycle vacation in USA
Hi,
Suggestions are welcome for a spot to go for a two week cycling vacation in the United States. We are a couple that can do high performance recreational rides. Prefer a location in which we can be central and not have to drive too much to start our daily rides. Also if a location has club rides that would be great to be able to meet local cyclists.
Thanks for your suggestions,
regards, curt wally
Suggestions are welcome for a spot to go for a two week cycling vacation in the United States. We are a couple that can do high performance recreational rides. Prefer a location in which we can be central and not have to drive too much to start our daily rides. Also if a location has club rides that would be great to be able to meet local cyclists.
Thanks for your suggestions,
regards, curt wally
06-01-09, 11:07 PM
#2
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what time of year?
06-01-09, 11:24 PM
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I recommend California. Spend a few days riding down the coast from San Francisco to San Diego. Then head for the mountains and ride some more.
06-01-09, 11:37 PM
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Seattle would work. Not too hot, even in the middle of summer, no humidity.
You can do a century and never really leave the metro area, or head out into the Snoqualmie Valley. Drive to Greenwater and climb up to Sunrise Visitor Center at Mt. Rainier.
In early September there are organized rides like the High Pass Challenge or the climb up Mt. Baker near Bellingham.
Ride around Vashon Island, Bainbridge Island, Whidby Island. Ride out to Port Angeles and climb Hurricane Ridge.
Drive up to Anacortes, take the ferry to the San Juan Islands, spend several days riding around the San Juans.
Here's a maps library:
https://www.seattlebiketours.org/members/library.html
Daily rides at www.cascade.org.
Some nice bike shops in town, too, if you want to look at gear...
You can do a century and never really leave the metro area, or head out into the Snoqualmie Valley. Drive to Greenwater and climb up to Sunrise Visitor Center at Mt. Rainier.
In early September there are organized rides like the High Pass Challenge or the climb up Mt. Baker near Bellingham.
Ride around Vashon Island, Bainbridge Island, Whidby Island. Ride out to Port Angeles and climb Hurricane Ridge.
Drive up to Anacortes, take the ferry to the San Juan Islands, spend several days riding around the San Juans.
Here's a maps library:
https://www.seattlebiketours.org/members/library.html
Daily rides at www.cascade.org.
Some nice bike shops in town, too, if you want to look at gear...
06-01-09, 11:44 PM
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Everyone is going to recommend their location.
Come to San Fran, there are a million rides in every direction. I have a 3300' climb, a 4300' climb within reasonable-riding distance and 5 solid 2000' climbs within an hour of my place.
Climbs featured on the Tour of CA in that list: Tunitas, Bonny Doon, Sierra Rd...
Weather is usually temperate. 70s-80s in summer, cooler along the coast.
No kidding, Nor Cal is great for cycling and we have an active forum with various recreation rides posted each week.
Come to San Fran, there are a million rides in every direction. I have a 3300' climb, a 4300' climb within reasonable-riding distance and 5 solid 2000' climbs within an hour of my place.
Climbs featured on the Tour of CA in that list: Tunitas, Bonny Doon, Sierra Rd...
Weather is usually temperate. 70s-80s in summer, cooler along the coast.
No kidding, Nor Cal is great for cycling and we have an active forum with various recreation rides posted each week.
06-02-09, 02:27 AM
#9
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For sure. California or Colorado..
Up State New York has some nice cycling areas too. Up around the Finger Lakes. Most bike friendly. I'd say Calif. Check out cycling about
California's central coast. Santa Barbara area's wine districts.. Big Sur About Calif tho. Sorry with the Financial crisis, not sure how the Redwood area will play out. The state parks are closed thanks to the fact, there is no cash.. Not sure how much of the Redwoods can be visited , if you are disallowd to enter the state parks.
Up State New York has some nice cycling areas too. Up around the Finger Lakes. Most bike friendly. I'd say Calif. Check out cycling about
California's central coast. Santa Barbara area's wine districts.. Big Sur About Calif tho. Sorry with the Financial crisis, not sure how the Redwood area will play out. The state parks are closed thanks to the fact, there is no cash.. Not sure how much of the Redwoods can be visited , if you are disallowd to enter the state parks.
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06-02-09, 04:29 AM
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Northern California would be my first choice as well.
Charlottesville, Virginia is also a beautiful area with lots of nice rides.
Charlottesville, Virginia is also a beautiful area with lots of nice rides.
06-02-09, 06:25 AM
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Just travel up and down the Blue Ridge Parkway. Drive in the afternoons after the day of riding is done.
06-02-09, 06:34 AM
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Another vote for California. Start in San Francisco. Do the wine Country from there.
Then drive to Yosemite, (skip the riding there) and ride the big mountains in the Sierras around Bishop.
Then drive to Yosemite, (skip the riding there) and ride the big mountains in the Sierras around Bishop.
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06-02-09, 07:15 AM
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A week in Santa fe and a week in Moab would do it. A bike ride from one to the other would be epic.
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Last edited by Barrettscv; 06-03-09 at 05:28 AM.
06-02-09, 07:35 AM
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Upstate NY is very nice. You have everything from wine country around the finger lakes, to the Catskill and Adirondack mountains, to sites like Niagara Falls. Not far from NYC and the east coast.
06-02-09, 09:06 AM
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While Catskill and Adirondack mountain ranges are nice for this area, it certainly doesn't compete against Colorado or San Fran, in my opinion.
06-02-09, 10:29 AM
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I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and I think that the cycling is great, especially if you like hills. If you stay in SF, the riding in the city isn't great, but you'll be surrounded by some great riding 0.5 to 1.0 hours of driving away. Alternatively, you could take the train down to the Peninsula or BART over to the East Bay or cycle across the Golden Gate bridge to Marin County. You'll need a car to access the Sonoma and Napa county wine regions and the Sierras.
Check out the Northern California Bike Forum subsection. We've always got something going on.
Check out the Northern California Bike Forum subsection. We've always got something going on.
06-02-09, 10:51 AM
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Referring to the Finger Lakes region as "Wine Country" is an insult to all Wine regions in the world...except maybe Long Island.
While Catskill and Adirondack mountain ranges are nice for this area, it certainly doesn't compete against Colorado or San Fran, in my opinion.
While Catskill and Adirondack mountain ranges are nice for this area, it certainly doesn't compete against Colorado or San Fran, in my opinion.
As for the mountains, I see no reason to compete. It's all about what you are trying to accomplish and or include. I'm looking forward to riding on the west coast. But every state has something to offer.
06-02-09, 11:25 AM
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06-02-09, 12:51 PM
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I'd have to say that having over 100 wineries that produce over 40 million bottles a year, with some being award winning makes it wine country.
As for the mountains, I see no reason to compete. It's all about what you are trying to accomplish and or include. I'm looking forward to riding on the west coast. But every state has something to offer.
As for the mountains, I see no reason to compete. It's all about what you are trying to accomplish and or include. I'm looking forward to riding on the west coast. But every state has something to offer.
concord grapes really dont count