May is when spring kicks into high gear – which is why it’s the perfect time for
National Bike Month. This time of year is as much a reminder to get on a bike, as it is an emblem of the times: cycling is en vogue, especially in the travel space. Next time you’re in a boutique hotel, look around – my money says you’ll spot a cycle, maybe two. This is a good thing. It means we’ve finally rediscovered the magic of exploring via pedal power, an open-air touring experience that is at once slow and fast. Biking is still the best way to discover a city. It’s the only thing that affords all the pleasures of walking a street, perusing shops, while also allowing the extra mobility to get from one neighborhood to the next. Bikes go well with pretty much everything. While you’re exploring, find your own biking power couple; one that goes beyond national trends like beer; one that opens you to the ethos of the destination – like touring Albuquerque for the best Chile. Then have your (insert hyper-local, obscure craft brew here). Here are a few National Bike Month Power Couples to consider.
Hamilton County, Indiana — Bike & Small Towns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kyKfacmuhQ The quaint countryside of
Hamilton County, Indiana is unmatched when it comes to biking destinations. It even has a bike-throughway, the Monon Trail, which is teeming with bikers, whether commuting or just cruising. Its four cities, all in close proximity to each other, offer the quintessential middle-American bike tour. You won’t find a chain store in site.
Albuquerque — Bike & Chile
Spice up National Bike Month with a
New Mexico Chile Bike Tour,
Albuquerque’s first signature bicycle experience that takes guests onto the streets of the southwestern city to explore New Mexico’s infamously flavorful red and green chiles. Guests will pedal to Albuquerque’s best-kept secret spots for chile for ample tastings of New Mexican iterations in delicious combinations of classic, sweet, savory during the guided tour. Bikers will also stop along some of Albuquerque’s most scenic locations during the bike tour, including the cottonwood forest along the Rio Grande River.
Houston — Bike & Street Art
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krszj_7J54U Beauty is in the eye of the beholder – in
Houston, that means street art. The spray-paint beauties lie hidden all throughout the city, one of the most diverse cities in the US. The best way to catch them all? Via bike. Guests can join organized street art rides through
BikeHouston, or they can seek them out on their own, via the
Houston Street Art Map.
Tupelo — Bike & History
While
Tupelo is most know as the birthplace of pop culture legend Elvis Presley, the city’s historical legs actual extend much further, all the way to the Civil War. One of the best ways to explore the town’s storied past, is via bike, stopping at heritage outposts along the civil rights trail.
San Louis Obispo County — Bike & Wine
Paso Robles in
San Luis Obispo County is the third largest wine region in California, and one that is always severely overshadowed by Napa Valley/Sonoma County. California Bicycle Tours offers both half and full day options for guests to explore the beautiful wine country in all its glory, via two-wheels.
Oregon — Bikes & Waterfalls
Oregon is synonymous with water: from its coastal towns and beaches to its lush green forests to its rivers, the state if full of the element. So, what better way to explore than to see its magnificent waterfalls?
Sunriver Resort, a Destination Hotel, is the mecca for all things outdoors, and offers a bike tour that explores the area best falls, and highlights beautiful terrain along the way.
Aspen/Snowmass — Bikes & Farms & Ghost Towns
At
Viceroy Snowmass, the cycling experience works in tandem with a local guiding company to set up the trip of every cyclist’s dreams. The program is entirely customizable, but the best way to book it is via the three-day (long weekend) option. The weekend kicks off Friday midday, with a 25-mile ride down valley to Sustainable Settings Farm. There, Viceroy’s Executive Chef will prepare a real farm-to-table dinner. Guests are transported back to the property via vehicle. On Saturday, riders depart from Viceroy and hit Maroon Bells (one of the most scenic rides on earth), followed by Castle Creek/Ashcroft (an old ghost town). In Ashcroft, the property has a tent stocked with a full lunch (featuring charcuterie and cheeses hand selected by Chef’s team). Guests ride back to the property for a massage, and ride again Sunday if desired. The piece de resistance is that guests will walk away with a brand new Pinarello bike, which had been customized pre-arrival to fit their exact measurements.
Edmonton — Bikes & Rivers
You wouldn’t know it unless you’ve been there, but Edmonton,
Alberta is green. In fact, Edmonton is actually home to the largest expanse of urban parkland in Canada. The North Saskatchewan River runs right through the middle of the city, and there are 20 back-to-back parks, which span both sides of the river. One of the best ways to explore it all is through Revolution Cycles, which offers
e-bike tours (so even the less physically fit can cruise up hills).
Park City — (Motor)Bikes & Mountains
This summer,
Waldorf Astoria Park City is reimagining the bike ride altogether, elevating the experience from the peddles of a clunky basket-bicycle to the epic high-output twin cam engines of a Harley Davidson. Waldorf Astoria Park City’s acclaimed restaurant, Powder, will pack the perfect gourmet picnic lunch that guests can take with them on a windswept cruise of Utah’s most scenic (and highest elevation) roads. Some of the world’s most scenic picnic locations are just a quick ride away; the hotel will even offer a map with select favorites like Mirror Lake, the Bald Mountain Pass, or even the Provo River Falls. To make life easy, Park City Motorcycles will deliver and pick-up the bike directly to/from the hotel, along with fuel for the day’s ride.
Denver — Bikes & Food Halls
Yes, a bikes and brewery tour would do just as well, but there’s a new kid on the block, specifically, Food Halls. Denver has played a large role in the new trend, and is now home to five of the most innovative food halls in the country.
The Source Hotel, a brand new hotel next to The Source food hall, is the perfect location for exploring Denver’s other food halls via two-wheels, and has the bikes on-property.
More Biking Options
BERMUDA: Two-wheeled transportation is the best way to get around the small island of Bermuda, making it easy to ride and park just about anywhere.
The Bermuda Railway Trail National Park
Rental bike company: Elbow Beach Cycles
- Family-owned and operated shop is headquartered new to Elbow Beach Bermuda Resort on the South Shore
- Where to stay: Elbow Beach Bermuda Resort
Rental bike company: Oleander Cycles – Dockyard
- Various locations throughout the island, with shop in the Royal Naval Dockyard
Rental bike company: WeRide Bicycle Rentals and Tours
- Offers hourly or all-day rentals or guided bike tours through scenic coastlines, museums, cemeteries, historic forts and beaches
TORONTO: You can tour Toronto by bus, car, public transport or on foot. However, hopping on a bike is another great way to enjoy the best of Toronto and he routes are ideal during spring, summer, and fall.
Toronto’s Waterfront Trail (and other top cycling routes)
Rental bike company: Bike Share
- 200 bike stations and thousands of bikes spread all across the city. Swipe your credit card (or use the handy app) and customize your ride by the day
Rental bike company: Sweet Pete’s (Annex)
- Offers road, hybrid, mountain, and children’s bikes from three locations. They also sell a large range of bikes and offer repair and tune-ups
Additional Toronto rental bike companies for reference
SOUTH WALTON: With more than 40 percent of Walton County’s total acreage dedicated to preservation, hikers and bicyclists can explore hundreds of acres of forests with breathtaking views of unspoiled natural vegetation, rare coastal dune lakes, and some of the nation’s most endangered bird species.
Rental bike company: Bamboo Bicycle Company
- Nestled in Rosemary Beach and features bikes for all ages as well as tandems, kids’ trailers, wagons, baby joggers and tag-a-longs
Rental bike company: 30A Bike Rentals
- Located along 30A in Seagrove and offers delivery service of Bicycle rentals and beach wheel chairs to the entire 30A highway
Additional South Walton bike trails for reference.