In America, bicycle riders are lucky because we can choose to ride in open spaces, coastal vistas and mountain trails. At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter what the most popular features of the state are; you will always do best to explore them on your bicycle.
Here is a list of five of the best bicycle rides we know! They range from mountain tracks to gravel trails. It’s all up to you to pick the one that tickles your biking wanderlust!
Oak Mountain State Park, Pelham, Alabama
This park is well known for the Double Oak Trail, which is a whopping 22 miles long. It’s also known as the Red Trail and is a two hour drive from the metro. It‘s a mixture of wide double tracks as well as a skinny single track. Be ready to enjoy some awesome park views as you take a serene ride through this beautiful park.
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, Anchorage, Alaska
This is a paved road, free of cars, that stretches for a serene 11 miles. Located along the Cook Inlet, this trail meanders gracefully along the coast, allowing you to witness some beautiful views. But that’s not where it ends. The path also passes through some fragrant forests and you will even see the highest peak in North America. Seeing as the park is right by the beach, it’s pretty easy to access by road and even presents lots of opportunities for some good old glamping by the beach. There is nice flora and fauna too at the park, such as bald eagles, moose, and maybe a beluga whale or two.
Fantasy Island Mountain Bicycle Trail, Tucson, Arizona
Tucson, Arizona was conferred a gold medal by the League of American Bicyclists as the most bicycle-friendly community in the US. As long as you’re on a bicycle, you don’t have to feel like an outsider in this community. Come to think of it, whatever kind of ride you’re pedaling, you’re definitely going to feel at home. The Fantasy Island trails go on and on for more than 20 miles and lie within the limits of the city. It’s a pretty varied trail with lots of different terrain and little hillocks that will challenge you no matter what your skill level is as a rider. The area is a two hour drive from the city, though you’ll have to leave your car a little way off because the mountains weren’t built for four wheels! If what you’re looking for is a unique bicycle riding experience, then this is the perfect trail for you.
Arkansas River Trail System, Little Rock Area, Arkansas
This trail is actually a loop that runs for 88 miles. 38 parks are connected by it, along with six museums and over 5,000 acres of land designated to parks. If you want to go on a trail that never seems to end, then you will love this trail. Additionally, you’ll experience some of the most breathtaking views you ever will of the Arkansas River. The trail is very flat and makes for some pretty easy bicycle riding, with rural roads and paved off-road tracks for bicycles. This trail is loved by tourists and locals alike and is pretty easy to access by car. It has been designated as the best bicycle trail in the south.
Trail 401, Crested Butte, Colorado
This trail is found in the beautiful town of Crested Butte, which is an absolute paradise for outdoor lovers. In fact, this town is one of the origin points of the whole culture of mountain biking. There are literally hundreds of miles of trails in the alp-like mountains, including Trail 401, which is a loop. It has intermediate levels both up and down and is 14 miles long. It also leads to the summit of the Elk Mountain 11,339 feet in the air and offers a full view of the surrounding mountains.
America is as varied as it gets when it comes to bicycle trails. Just about each one of the 50 contiguous states has a trail to be proud of and it’s possible to do a tour of all of them. The only thing standing between you and the adventure of a lifetime is your comfort zone!
Serena Dorf is a social media savvy content writer at EssayOnTime. She is interested in innovations, sports, and public speaking. When she is neither writing nor cuddling up with a book, she is usually learning Swedish or taking a stroll along the Venice Canals. You can find her on Twitter.
If you would like to write about your experiences on a road trip or about a groovy set of road trips like the one from above, contact us at communications@motorists.org.
