When I biked aross the country in 1983 and 1989, I cycled in late summer and early fall. It's my favorite time to cycle. The furnace edge of summer is off and there's a sense of seasonal change in the air.
That time is coming upon us and I wanted to recommend my Top 5 places to bike that will leave memories to last a lifetime. Here, in no particular order, are Bicycle Stories' 5 Must Places to Ride a Bicycle:
1. Mount Evans, outside Denver in the Rockies. You like climbing hills? Time to hit the Major Leagues and bike up Mount Evans. Elevation: 14,240 feet. The alpine terrian is mesmerizing. The last 5 1/2 miles are pure switch back but the grind to 12,240 feet is worth it.
2. Hudson Valley, north of New York City. The Hudson Highlands and the sheer cliffs to the Hudson Riber's shores make for scenic cycling and a roller-coaster ride. Third week in October is perfect for fall foliage.
3. Oregon Coast. The most underrated cycling of the country. The Pacific coast in Oregon offers a variety pack of visual gems -- capes, dunes, beaches, mountains, fishing villages, affordable campgrounds and old bridges.
4. Blue Ridge Highway. The nation's oldest and longest parkway, the Blue Ridge Highway is home to Mount Mitchell. Visit Asheville and Boone, NC. Great roller-coaster cycling in North Carolina.
5. Finger Lakes, central New York State. There's a beautiful zen to cycling the long, gently rolling hills of the Finger Lakes region, where roads criss-cross through farms and small towns. Late September and early October are ideal times.
Tell me your Top 5 and Bicycles Stories will publish some of the best of the best places to bike.
1 comment:
Mount Desert Island on the coast of Maine, home to Acadia National Park. The national park roads provide great riding along the ocean, and the network of carriage trails through the mountains offer riding opportunities that I think are unique.
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