What is your dream cycling destination?

[rlklein07]

I would love to cycle near the Cloisters in NYC (with a view of the water.)

[KC13]

The Amalfi coast sounds nice

[Lss555]

I think Tasmania would be pretty cool

[enkei]

In normal times, this would be a simple, practical even, tour. At the moment, amidst COVID, etc., the idea of a meandering bike-packing ride across the Low Countries (northern France, Belgium/Flanders, Luxembourg, Frisian Germany) seems like a far-flung fantasy.

In any case, I would love to enjoy a relaxed exploratory journey through the history and culture of this part of Europe, making the most of the flat ground, quiet countryside and excellent cycle routes.

[meamoantonio]

(11-02-2021, 02:22 PM)Nicholas Wrote:  Hello, bike riders!
In November, let's share our personal cycling desires.
If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be? What is your most desired cycling destination? Is it a specific mountain route? Is it an event?

I will share mine - it's Mt. Ventoux!
I would love to do this legendary climb on my road bike and taste a tiny piece of what professional cyclists feel at Tour de France.

Road Cycling = highest and steepest climb in Taiwan
Mountain biking = st.moritz switzerland

[TrailJoe]

Cycling in Portugal greatly appeals to me, thanks to the country's varied terrain and temperate weather. From coastlines and beaches to mountain roads, ancient towns and forests, its diverse landscapes seem perfectly suited for multi-day bicycle trips. Portugal offers cycling routes for all abilities, whether along the shore or on hills and inclines further inland. Many accommodations also cater well to cyclists. If I hope to explore areas less traveled or tailor an itinerary entirely to my interests, the local guides at https://gowithguide.com/portugal/guides could design custom tours. This would let me handpick destinations while gaining insights from a guide with whom I connect. As I learn more about Portugal's cycling opportunities, the prospect of experiencing its varied scenery and culture from the seat of a bicycle grows ever more attractive.

[meamoantonio]

(12-23-2022, 04:27 AM)meamoantonio Wrote:  

(11-02-2021, 02:22 PM)Nicholas Wrote:  Hello, bike riders!
In November, let's share our personal cycling desires.
If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be? What is your most desired cycling destination? Is it a specific mountain route? Is it an event?

I will share mine - it's Mt. Ventoux!
I would love to do this legendary climb on my road bike and taste a tiny piece of what professional cyclists feel at Tour de France.

Road Cycling = highest and steepest climb in Taiwan
Mountain biking = st.moritz switzerland

An update: There's a hotel in Malaysia that caters to cyclists and the location is right in the middle of the most popular and routes for cycling in their area, would like to try this one day and since its in Asia, it's easier for me since I am also in South East Asia

[GirishH]

Hello Trailjoe,

Portugal seems great on paper. Sadly, i felt deathly scared last time i rodé there. I rented a bicycle in Madrid and rodé for 3 or so days before entering Portugal. Spain was great with wide and clean shoulders. So i never felt unsafe.

But as soon as I entered Portugal, I started feeling really on the edge even though I used a route recommend for cyclist. Lots of heavy vehícular traffic and non-existent shoulders. I even tried to get a lift but nobody helped me. .:-(

Fortunately, I got to my destination of Évora in one piece and happily put my bike away..

(04-23-2024, 01:25 AM)TrailJoe Wrote:  Cycling in Portugal greatly appeals to me, thanks to the country's varied terrain and temperate weather. From coastlines and beaches to mountain roads, ancient towns and forests, its diverse landscapes seem perfectly suited for multi-day bicycle trips. Portugal offers cycling routes for all abilities, whether along the shore or on hills and inclines further inland. Many accommodations also cater well to cyclists. If I hope to explore areas less traveled or tailor an itinerary entirely to my interests, the local guides at https://gowithguide.com/portugal/guides could design custom tours. This would let me handpick destinations while gaining insights from a guide with whom I connect. As I learn more about Portugal's cycling opportunities, the prospect of experiencing its varied scenery and culture from the seat of a bicycle grows ever more attractive.

[TrailJoe]

(04-23-2024, 01:39 PM)GirishH Wrote:  Hello Trailjoe,

Portugal seems great on paper. Sadly, i felt deathly scared last time i rodé there. I rented a bicycle in Madrid and rodé for 3 or so days before entering Portugal. Spain was great with wide and clean shoulders. So i never felt unsafe.

But as soon as I entered Portugal, I started feeling really on the edge even though I used a route recommend for cyclist. Lots of heavy vehícular traffic and non-existent shoulders. I even tried to get a lift but nobody helped me. .:-(

Fortunately, I got to my destination of Évora in one piece and happily put my bike away..

(04-23-2024, 01:25 AM)TrailJoe Wrote:  Cycling in Portugal greatly appeals to me, thanks to the country's varied terrain and temperate weather. From coastlines and beaches to mountain roads, ancient towns and forests, its diverse landscapes seem perfectly suited for multi-day bicycle trips. Portugal offers cycling routes for all abilities, whether along the shore or on hills and inclines further inland. Many accommodations also cater well to cyclists. If I hope to explore areas less traveled or tailor an itinerary entirely to my interests, the local guides at https://gowithguide.com/portugal/guides could design custom tours. This would let me handpick destinations while gaining insights from a guide with whom I connect. As I learn more about Portugal's cycling opportunities, the prospect of experiencing its varied scenery and culture from the seat of a bicycle grows ever more attractive.

Thank you for sharing your experience cycling in Portugal, @GirishH. It's important to consider safety and road conditions when embarking on a cycling journey. Your account highlights the differences in cycling experiences between Spain and Portugal, emphasizing the need for caution and awareness of traffic conditions. You're fortunate to have reached Évora safely despite the challenges you faced. Might have to look into cycling in Spain instead.

[GirishH]

I have some friends from Portugal with whim I used to cycle in the Boston área. They kind of agreed with my experience but they still rodé while in Portugal. They rodé with other cyclists so may be that gives then slightly more sense of safety.

But, Madrid to Spain-Portugal border was fantastic and felt safer than I used to while riding in the "rural", cycling-popular backroads of Northeast of US.

The roads in Spain had a wide and clean enough shoulder that I could ride safely. By the way, i was able to rent a Trek or similar hybrid bike for a week. I rented it one-way and it cost less than shipping my own bike from the US or renting a car..

Feel free to ask any questons. I can dig-up my route and probably the contact info of the bike shop.

Take care and good luck.

(04-24-2024, 11:15 PM)TrailJoe Wrote:  

(04-23-2024, 01:39 PM)GirishH Wrote:  Hello Trailjoe,

Portugal seems great on paper. Sadly, i felt deathly scared last time i rodé there. I rented a bicycle in Madrid and rodé for 3 or so days before entering Portugal. Spain was great with wide and clean shoulders. So i never felt unsafe.

But as soon as I entered Portugal, I started feeling really on the edge even though I used a route recommend for cyclist. Lots of heavy vehícular traffic and non-existent shoulders. I even tried to get a lift but nobody helped me. .:-(

Fortunately, I got to my destination of Évora in one piece and happily put my bike away..

(04-23-2024, 01:25 AM)TrailJoe Wrote:  Cycling in Portugal greatly appeals to me, thanks to the country's varied terrain and temperate weather. From coastlines and beaches to mountain roads, ancient towns and forests, its diverse landscapes seem perfectly suited for multi-day bicycle trips. Portugal offers cycling routes for all abilities, whether along the shore or on hills and inclines further inland. Many accommodations also cater well to cyclists. If I hope to explore areas less traveled or tailor an itinerary entirely to my interests, the local guides at https://gowithguide.com/portugal/guides could design custom tours. This would let me handpick destinations while gaining insights from a guide with whom I connect. As I learn more about Portugal's cycling opportunities, the prospect of experiencing its varied scenery and culture from the seat of a bicycle grows ever more attractive.

Thank you for sharing your experience cycling in Portugal, @GirishH. It's important to consider safety and road conditions when embarking on a cycling journey. Your account highlights the differences in cycling experiences between Spain and Portugal, emphasizing the need for caution and awareness of traffic conditions. You're fortunate to have reached Évora safely despite the challenges you faced. Might have to look into cycling in Spain instead.

[enkei]

I dream of conquering scenic alpine passes. Alas, thanks to AFib, I'm not sure I could achieve that dream while keeping my heart rate to its doctor-mandated limit.

Maybe one day when cryoablation has come on a bit. I'll keep the dream!

[Jesper]

@GirishH I do not know when you last cycled in New England, but many roads have been improved (smoother pavement and wider, but NO shoulders; watch out for trees and stone walls!). My road in front of my house (Hubbardston MA) was pure danger (gravel, narrow and bumpy, no shoulder [okay for your fat bike]), but now is even worse with more traffic and faster speeds since it went from gravel, to oiled gravel, and now fully paved. Still last time home I lived it with already knowing the area. Rhe rural roads are being improved for vehicular traffic, but not for bikes even though I think those responsible for the improvements think that they are helping cyclist concurrently. I still know a lot of "hidden" back roads not passable on road bikes, but okay for mtb's and fats. If I was you I would not look at the standard road maps, but use the local maps for each township. Near me is the Mass. Midstate trail, Appalachian trail (no bikes, but I cheat a little), and the Mass. Central rail trail (great fun, fairly flat), Ware river trails. Mostly know by folks with local knowledge, but still can be found online nowadays. I also rode in New Hampshire which gets hillier, but nothing like European routes (which at my age and injury are not possible for me without walking up ascents. I would ride from my house in New Hampshire near Mt Monanock, NH to my old home in near Mt Wachusett in Princeton, MA. The old Longsjo Classic road race would climb the Mt back in the day, but it is no longer being held.
I still love exploring the side trails near my home on whatever bike I have since I will just dismount and carry the bike through terrain which cannot be passed while on wheels (even by a fatty).

[Dusan]

I would love to do a long bike tour of the United States, just taking my time exploring national parks and going off the beaten path to find some hidden gems.

Seeing places like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, the giant sequoias, and riding through the Yellowstone park would be a dream come true for me.

Hopefully one day I'll get enough time and sort out the logistics to do it.

[GirishH]

Hello Jesper,

The last time I rode in New England was in Aug'23, but I mostly rode around Boston during this short trip. In the past, I've ridden through Hubbardston a few times, but riding outside of Boston is still manageable as I ride in a defensive mode. :-) Riding within Boston has become quite scary. On my daily commute, I would pass by so many "ghost" bikes. Eventually, I started remembering the names of these departed cyclists.

Sadly, just this past week, another cyclist died in an accident with a truck in Cambridge. This happened just 5 houses down from where I lived in 2023, in the heart of Cambridge where there are bike lanes but not protected. Unfortunately, both cyclists and motorists rarely obey the rules and everyone's in a hurry. Cyclists cannot win this clash, so I ride defensively or pick trails when available. On a trail, I only have to worry about terrain and branches than fellow cyclists and cars.

https://www.cambridgeday.com/2024/06/21/second-bicyclist-dies-in-cambridge-in-a-month-following-crash-in-an-intersection-with-a-truck/

Lately, I’ve stopped using online maps and usually ask locals for cycling paths. So, I discovered and rode on the Mass. Midstate Trail, the Mass. Central Rail Trail, Ware River, Minuteman Trail, Nashua River Trail, and the Air Line Trail in CT. I rode to NH/VT a couple of times, and this is the NH bordering VT area which gets hilly fast but is truly fun. I didn’t find many side trails there, but I guess I was also in a hurry to get to my destination for the night. I’ll be honest, with my fat bike, I have a lot of advantages and should start making the most of it. :-)

(05-16-2024, 03:43 AM)Jesper Wrote:  @GirishH I do not know when you last cycled in New England, but many roads have been improved (smoother pavement and wider, but NO shoulders; watch out for trees and stone walls!). My road in front of my house (Hubbardston MA) was pure danger (gravel, narrow and bumpy, no shoulder [okay for your fat bike]), but now is even worse with more traffic and faster speeds since it went from gravel, to oiled gravel, and now fully paved. Still last time home I lived it with already knowing the area. Rhe rural roads are being improved for vehicular traffic, but not for bikes even though I think those responsible for the improvements think that they are helping cyclist concurrently. I still know a lot of "hidden" back roads not passable on road bikes, but okay for mtb's and fats. If I was you I would not look at the standard road maps, but use the local maps for each township. Near me is the Mass. Midstate trail, Appalachian trail (no bikes, but I cheat a little), and the Mass. Central rail trail (great fun, fairly flat), Ware river trails. Mostly know by folks with local knowledge, but still can be found online nowadays. I also rode in New Hampshire which gets hillier, but nothing like European routes (which at my age and injury are not possible for me without walking up ascents. I would ride from my house in New Hampshire near Mt Monanock, NH to my old home in near Mt Wachusett in Princeton, MA. The old Longsjo Classic road race would climb the Mt back in the day, but it is no longer being held.
I still love exploring the side trails near my home on whatever bike I have since I will just dismount and carry the bike through terrain which cannot be passed while on wheels (even by a fatty).

---

Hello Dusan,

I was trying to find a route that covers the national parks you mentioned, and I think the following routes cover some of them.

During my last ride, I started daydreaming about the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. (Un)fortunately, I have done parts of it, so I have a taste of what it offers. I can't wait to go back and do it again! :-) This route goes through Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton in the US. In Canada, it passes through Jasper and Banff. So, there's a lot of wilderness and nature to enjoy.

https://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/great-divide-mountain-bike-route/
https://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/grand-canyon-connector/

Here are somethings dream more..:-)

(05-17-2024, 11:50 AM)Dusan Wrote:  I would love to do a long bike tour of the United States, just taking my time exploring national parks and going off the beaten path to find some hidden gems.

Seeing places like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, the giant sequoias, and riding through the Yellowstone park would be a dream come true for me.

Hopefully one day I'll get enough time and sort out the logistics to do it.