A while back the Gorp.com travel website published its “Top Ten U.S. Road Biking Routes.” I counted 12 on the list, but I'm sure they struggled to whittle the list down to so few.
When I scanned the list, I was surprised and amazed that I'd ridden on 5 of the routes and been very close to 2 others. At first I felt proud, then I wondered if I'm ever going to ride the rest.
I have to agree that they chose some great rides, but I'm not much of a critic when it comes to good bike routes. Any road where there's not a lot of traffic is a great bike route for me. Here's their 12 (starting with the rides I did):
(Hint: If you want to read the Gorp descriptions without being hassled about signing up to their website, read the version at ESPN sports)
Okanogan Region, Washington (see picture) — Thanks to Ride Around Washington, my son and I got to experience this and other amazing parts of the state. It was hilly, but too much so. It's on the side of the Cascades that gets little or no rain in the summer.
Sugarloaf, Maryland — Did it a couple of times on Cycle Across Maryland. It's a very steep climb near the Antietam battlefield. The heat and humidity of summer added to the wonderful misery.
Skyline Drive, Virginia — Did a portion on a self-supported bike tour of Virginia with a buddy. Until I got up there, I always thought the ridge would be level. Wrong.
Natchez Trace Parkway, Tennessee — Started at the Meriwether Lewis Park (Grinder's Stand) and biked south to Tupelo and back. The whole route wasn't open at the time, and my bike suffered some severe spoke problems when I took it across the dirt-graded right-of-way that some locals said I could probably handle. The Trace is a “designated bike route” now. I was on it for five days and did not see another cyclist, but this was back in the late 70s.
Highway One, California — I bicycled along the Pacific Coast all the way from Los Angeles to San Francisco. It was beautiful. But the prevailing winds tend from San Francisco to Los Angeles, and that had an impact on my enjoyment of this ride.
Kaibab and Kailab Plateaus, Arizona — North of Grand Canyon; includes canyonlands of Utah. I've been there, but not on a bike. It's part of the Colorado Plateau, which also includes Coconino Plateau, which is where I approached the Grand Canyon.
More good rides
Route 66, Arizona — Between Seligman and Kingman. Gorp likes the historical significance of the legendary road, and Arizona has the longest stretch that is still intact.
Peak to Peak Highway, Colorado — 55 miles from Boulder to Estes Park. The climbing appeals to the masochism of some cyclists.
Mount Desert Island and Acadia Park, Maine — Bicycles are welcome on many trails in this park, from mountain to coastline.
Three Bridges, New Jersey — A rural ride through the rustic part of New Jersey.
Driftless Area, Wisconsin — Southwestern Wisconsin is marked by steep hills and narrow valleys.
Cajun Country, Louisiana — Touring past the swampy bayous and saltwater marshes puts cyclists in close contact with the Cajun and Creole cultures.
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