Biking Vacations, The Best of the West
If you are looking for great places to go on vacation without spending a ton of money check out some of my favorite riding destinations. Biking vacations always soothe my soul and are a great to actually experience a place. You won’t just be driving through or around these towns. You will get out and experience them. There are lots of great places to ride your bike, these are a few of my favorites in the West.
Black Diamond Coal Mines, WA. Located on the edge of the historical town of Black Diamond, the trails here are an adventure as well. There is no shortage of trees to count and marvel, but the trails also wind through Lake Sawyer, Frog Lake and Ravensdale Creek. Few areas can rival the Pacific Northwest for natural beauty.
Oregon, Hagg Lake. This lake is so beautiful that when you arrive you may think you accidentally stepped onto the backdrop of an old western. The trail is enough that you know you went riding but easy enough so that you can still enjoy your evenings. At 15 miles you may decide to ride it more than once unless you bring the kids along. Either way make sure to jump in the lake to cool off and have fun.
Napa Valley, California. Known for its ability to produce some of the worlds greatest wines, Napa Valley California is also a phenomenal place to ride your bike. The rolling hills of some of the worlds best vineyards provide a relaxing backdrop for easy rides. The Mt St Helena North Peak is one of my favorite easy rides in the world, providing me with the zen feeling that comes with getting lost in some foothills. If you enjoy wine, this place is not to be missed, just make sure you bring your bike and do your drinking after your ride.
Monterey, CA. Ranging from zero to 150 feet above sea level, 17-mile-drive is one of the beautiful rides in the entire country. Starting from Lovers Point in Pacific Grove (be sure to visit the monarch butterflies), the route follows the rugged shoreline on Oceanview Boulevard and Sunset Drive before turning into the gated community of 5,300-acre Pebble Beach.
Kona, HI. Due to a lot of rainfall, this area of Hawaii is especially lush and green. There are so many natural wonders to see in Hawaii it is hard to narrow it down. The trails on this area will include such incredible sights as Hilo Bay, Pepeekeo Scenic Drive, Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, and Akaka Falls.
I am sure you can tell by now that I love the Western US. There are so many incredible places to visit and to ride your bike. It was hard to narrow it down to just five places to visit. While there are many other places I could recommend, these five are an incredible way to start your discovery of the west. Pack your bag, bring your bike and have an awesome adventure.