DXchulo

Of the states I've ridden in, I'd pick California. Northern California was my favorite. I'd say Nevada is the most underrated. I've only done decent riding in 12 different states, so I have a lot more to see.

Of the states I haven't ridden in, I probably look forward to riding in Colorado the most.

botto 

uh huh.

nayr497

New York. Hmm, while I love my home state I have to say the winters can be rough. I don't mind the cold, but with the snow and ice I was usually forced inside to ride for a few months each year.

Now I'm living in NC and I didn't ride my rollers once this year. I definitely don't like the two months of 90+ temps, but then again, they beat 2 months on rollers. I find the drivers to be okay, not awful, not great. Until I live in Portland or Amsterdam I don't think I'm ever going to be gushing about drivers.

As for the new law...I have to check that out more, but it is no more than two wide, correct? During group rides I've never ridden more than two wide, outside of when exchanging at the front and it is four wide for a bit. Well...I guess it is four wide while the outer/inner drift to the back. But, what is a driver going to do, call 911? I've never seen a cop out when riding country roads, only in the city. I can't say I think this is going to be a big deal.

NC has the most miles of paved roads out of any U.S. state, right? I wish they'd invest in some pavement for shoulders on more roads. It's generally white line and jagged edge.

JacoKierkegaard

NC isn't bad in places, but I'm going with Cali.

str8jakett

I've only ever ridden in Virginia, and I think it is near the top, but judging from ride videos, pictures, and tv coverage of the ATOC, I vote California. One of these days.....

Homebrew01

That's the law in CT and it doesn't slow us down. You want to legally ride 3 across with cars behind you ?

redefine

West Virginia... empty roads; 1000 ft. of climbing every 10 miles no matter what direction you go; small towns

Baftap

I'm betting there are beautiful rides in every state - certainly in every state I've ridden in. But if I had to pick one, I'd have to say California. Best combination of terrain, road quality, driver awareness, weather, etc.

Staarkhand

California. It's so big and diverse it's hardly a fair comparison. If it were on the east coast it would be 12 states. No matter what kind of terrain or scenery you like, it's in California.

And if you get a windbreaker you're set for 12 months of riding out of the year. Contrary to what ToC coverage implies, even rain isn't much of a problem in the winter, and 55 and rain sounds pretty nice in a lot of states in January. Although like everthing else, the temperature depends on where you are. I did most of my riding in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, with some around Napa valley, no need to stop riding or get special gear all year long.

merlinextraligh

West Viriginia is a great place to ride. The Highland Scenic Highway is similar to the Skyline Drive, with 1/50th of the traffic.

10 percent of the State is National Forest. Which translates to lots of backroads with no traffic.

The Cheat Mountain Challenge route is about as good as it gets for road cycling.

All that said, I'd still take California (if I get to pick where in California), Colorado, and Oregon as 1,2,3.

But West Virginia is fantastic for the east and highly underated.

bostongarden

The answer is obvious.

joe_5700

I can completely agree with the wind part, but flat? Not where I live. Next time you come up north, IM me and I'll take you on some rides to prove you wrong.

Cone Wrench

Grace

valygrl

I can't choose between CA and CO.

The Weak Link

In some areas of the country this would be considered common courtesy. Perhaps you are not putting cycling's best foot forward. I'm sure the legislature is just a bunch of rednecks.

merlinextraligh

I think if you did a little research, you would find the proposed NC statute is already the law in many states, and some states are more restrictive in not allowing you to ride two abreast at all.

On an open road, with limited exceptions, such as taking a sbstandard lane, or taking a lane to turn, you shouldn't be riding more than 2 abreast, and you should be single file, and as far right as practical if you're impeding traffic.

And you can even ride a double paceline under that statute, as long as you're not impeding traffic.

There's nothing unreasonable in that statute, and the fact that it allows two abreast in appropriate circumstances is a good,, not a bad thing.

skol

Lived in both CA and CO and they get my vote - although I had to work 24/7 to afford living in both places so lacked sufficient time to ride

Velo Vol 

Any votes for North Dakota?

sqharaway

Living in Colorado now, I can say I agree. Moving to California in the fall, so I hope you're right!

valygrl

Where ya going? I moved from CA to CO b/c the rock climbing here in boulder is closer to the jobs, the cycling is great both places. There's probably some CA with bad cycling, but there's some CO w/bad cycling too.

lshaped

california without a doubt- riding in sonoma county was pure bliss

colorisnt

I am moving to Columbia, MO for my PhD program in the fall and it definitely looks like good cycling. Lots of cool people and everyone has a bike and spends time riding around, which is awesome. I'm from Indiana and while Northern IN (where I live) is mostly flat, the lakeshore has some nice rides. Bloomington, IN and the surrounding (Brown County, Nashville, Bean Blossom) has some awesome rides as well that I did with my parents as a kid. Traveling around and camping I can also vouch for upstate New York (amazing rides, views and adorable towns along the way), Colorado (what is there to say?), and West Virginia. If you love hills, these areas are great.

powpow

The answer is easy: CA.

And yes I'm quite biased.

powpow

So, I'm an elitist if I don't nod or wave all the time?

Cool, I've always wanted to be an elitist.

jasandalb

Best State... Anger, Rage, Envy.... helps me alot.
Then as I get on and ride...it usually turns to bliss..............ahhhh the road