5 Best Cycling Tours In The US: Pedal Through…
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The pedals feel lighter, today, as the crisp autumn air fills my lungs. Dazed by the untouched landscape and tightening in my thighs, I pick up speed to catch my teammates. The silence shatters with the crashing of the surf & a gust of salty coastal winds passing by. Beyond the sea-grass covered dunes, the sun bears down on pristine shorelines. Guiding our path through the Cape, a kaleidoscope of blues and golds meld together on the horizon. The seagulls catch my eye, swooping down, and I pretend to glide along with them. I’m cycling. On one of the best cycling tours in the US. And, it feels surreal. Falling in line, like me, you’ll cruise behind people you’ve known for only a moment. Then pushing your own limits, you suddenly realize, these are new found friends and memories that will last a lifetime.
Travel by bicycle?
Cycling is quickly becoming a front runner in the race for fitness & an exciting way to travel, worldwide. Groups have formed at the most epic destinations on every continent. Why? It’s pretty simple. Golf used to be the go to sport for sealing deals & social gatherings. Although the golf community thrives, cycling is a sport everyone can join, at any skill level.
Companies are even using these opportunities for team building exercises at conventions and conferences. Think of how a cycling team works. It runs successfully by the whole team staying in sync. You follow the person in front and the person behind you has your back. That’s why any skill level works. If it’s a harder task for you, the person behind you is riding with you, helping and encouraging. No one gets lost & the team doesn’t finish until the last rider finishes. It’s a true team effort.
When you think of a vacation, more and more people add these tours to their itinerary as a way to unwind and relax. What better way to explore breathtaking landscapes and local haunts, than jumping on a bike & pedaling there? What’s really exciting is, you can join a ride anytime you’re away, on tested routes or in tour groups. Want to meet the locals? Get acquainted by joining one of their rides! I show you, here, the 5 best cycling tours in the US & where to book them. Don’t have a bike? That’s okay, they’ll rent you one.
Where do you find Cycling Tours?
Whenever I book a cycling tour I go to my website ( OnceUponAPostcard.com ). In the menu at the top I click on Resources then click on Tours, Events & Festivals. Scrolling down I choose Tour Radar. When I get to their site I click on Travel Styles in their menu at the top, scroll down and choose the country I want to cycle through.
They’ve put together the most picturesque itineraries for a complete vacation package. With every diverse type of adventure and destination tour available, their cycling tours have an authentic twist on sightseeing experiences. They include the services of picking you up, first class accommodations, meals, wine tastings, shopping, special adventures, local haunts & providing the equipment….almost everything is included. The best part of booking these vacation packages is you can reserve your spot with just $99.00 down! The list below are just a few of my favorites. Each of these itineraries show you where you’re going, what you’ll experience & how to book it.
What if my Cycling skill is not as advanced as people I’m riding with?
The best part about the Cycling tours offered on TourRadar is the tours are built for all skill levels. It’s not uncommon for one person to be more advanced than their traveling partner or someone else on the team. Because of this, in their description of the tour details, they let you know how they accommodate those situations. There is usually a van following along that can let anyone on the team ride out some, or all of the trip in the van. Sometimes they have options of alternative routes that work with different experience levels. Either way, you have expert tour guides that help you through every ride! Book yours today, they fill up fast!
The Best Cycling Tours In The US
# 1 – Cape Cod, Massachusetts
This Cycling Tour Includes A Private Boat Tour, Wine Sampling at a Vineyard, Lighthouse & Cranberry Bog Tours
This epic 6 day tour starts & ends in historical Boston. It’s truly like getting 6 mini vacations in one. Visit picturesque lighthouses, while riding the quaint coastal villages of the Cape. Relax and breathe in the salty New England air on a private cruise . Then sip wines at the vineyard, visit a National Wildlife Refuge, climb the Pilgrim Monument & savor the treats in a mouthwatering bakery. Your tour comes complete with accommodations, an expert guide, all breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners, full van support and so much more.
If that wasn’t enough, accommodations arranged for you are top of the line. The first 3 nights are at the luxurious, award winning Chatham Bars Inn , Chatham, MA. Named one of the top resorts in the world by Travel & Leisure Magazine. The last 2 nights are spent just steps from the beach in luxurious rooms with spectacular ocean views, the Lands End Inn.
DAY 1
Starting on the first day, you’ll be picked up in Boston & whisked away to Yarmouth on Cape Cod to begin the adventure. From there you pedal your way through the quaint seaside villages & coastlines to the Cape Cod Rail Trail. Ending the evening with your welcome reception dinner, you’ll be overlooking the harbor in your luxury accommodations. Your home for the next 3 days.
DAY 2
From that point on, it’s a magical journey. The second day takes you through Monomay National Wildlife Refuge, visiting the lighthouse & browsing the shops. Finish the day with a private cruise across Pleasant Bay viewing the seals and New England marine life.
DAY 3
Your third day brings you along the Cape Cod Rail Trail to Eastham. Learn more about Cape Cod at the visitor center, grab those Instagram™ moments at Nauset Lighthouse, picturesque salt marshes & breathtaking bayside beaches.
DAY 4
Your fourth day finds you finishing the Cape Cod Rail Trail sampling treats at a mouthwatering bakery. Pedal charming villages and finish in Provincetown. Wrapping up the evening, relax at your new home for the next two days, Lands End Inn. From the highest point in Provincetown, you’ll take in iconic views of the bay.
DAY 5
Province Lands Bike Path leads you to the oldest life saving station in the US on the fifth day. Finish out the day perusing galleries and shops then climbing the Pilgrim Monument.
DAY 6
On the final day of your journey enjoy a hearty breakfast at the inn and a stroll through town for any last trinkets you want to pick up. When you finish, jump on the ferry for one last breath of the salty sea air It’s your final ride across Massachusetts Bay back to Boston.
To book this tour and for more details of what’s included in the itinerary at these epic locations (you can even print the tour brochure) visit Tourradar today by clicking on their highlighted name here. At the top of the page is a menu. Click on: Travel Styles then Click On: Bicycle. Scroll down and Click on USA. Scroll down and look for the tour named “Cape Cod, Massachusetts – 6 Days”. Book yours now…….remember you can reserve your spot with just $99.00 & spots fill up quickly so grab yours today!
The Best Cycling Tours In The US
# 2 – Oregon Coast To Crater Lake Bike Tour
This Cycling Tour Comes With Hiking, River Rafting & Boating Excursions Included
Your adventure along the Oregon Coast To Crater Lake is an 8 day excursion. Beginning in Portland and ending in Eugene. This picturesque tour is great for small groups. Get lost in the epic shorelines, marvel at the Oregon sea stacks, breathe the air of the majestic redwoods and raft the raging rivers. The breathtaking highlight of the week is the ride around the iconic Crater Lake. It comes complete with accommodations, an expert guide, meals, transportation & more.
Always choosing the finest lodging the area has to offer, you’ll find yourself in award winning bed and breakfasts and country inns. All lodging is based on two people sharing a room with a private bath. If you’re a solo traveler, you share a room with a teammate they match you with (of the same gender and often same age bracket) . If you prefer your own room, that’s perfect, just pay the Single Room Fee & they’ll make it happen!
Day 1
The journey begins today when you’re picked up at the meeting point, by a van in Portland. Take in the beauty on the two and a half hour ride south over the Coastal Oregon Coast Range to Newport. Jump off and start pedaling south. With the tailwinds giving you a gentle boost, marvel at the majestic views of the Pacific Coast & Oregon’s coastal sea stacks. Riding through villages, beachfront forests & sand dunes. The evening ends near the ocean in Reedsport.
Day 2
After a hearty breakfast, you’re heading south. Cycling today along the coast takes you through forests, along beaches, past sand dunes and lighthouses. Pedaling the rolling hills of Seven Devils Road drops you again on the coast to the quaint fishing resort town of Brandon where you’ll rest for tomorrows adventures.
Day 3
Today’s cycling is another day on Oregon’s epic coastline. Pass picturesque beaches, rocky cliffs & the areas iconic sea stacks. Finishing the tour today lands you in the heart of Oregon’s “Banana Belt” at Gold Beach. The untouched beaches in the sport fishing town are waiting for you to explore. This evening Dinner is on you, take your time, relax & unwind in town.
Day 4
Todays ride takes you further south to picnic on the border between California and the Winchuck River. After a well deserved rest, you’ll head south again to explore the Jedediah Smith State Park’s magnificent redwoods. Tonight you finish at Morrison’s Ridge River Lodge, a rafting and fishing resort set right on the river.
Day 5
The thrills continue today with a whitewater rafting trip through the gorges, canyons and old-growth forests along the Rogue River (included in tour price). After lunch jump on the bikes and cycle your way through Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest leading right into Crater Lake National Park. The ride across the meadow reveals volcanic pumice from the explosion of Mt. Mazama some 8,000 years ago. Stop to gaze over Crater Lake’s rim down 1,500 hundred feet revealing the azure blues of the iconic lake below. The next two nights are spent here at the famous lodge perched on the rim of this breathtaking Lake.
Day 6
Today’s journey finds you pedaling the 35-mile rim of Crater Lake. This ride is said to be one of the most spectacular one-day rides in the entire country, by Bicycle Magazine. A hike and boating expedition to Wizard Island is part of today’s itinerary as well. If you prefer hiking to boating, there is Mt. Scott or Garfield Butte for unmatched views of the lake & surrounding region.
Day 7
Today you’ll pedal north out of Crater Lake to another natural gem, Diamond Lake. The paved bicycle path around the lake takes you through wetland meadows and streams. Following the North Umpqua River through evergreen forests to farmlands near Rosenburg. Lunch today is a gentle rest in Clearwater Falls Park. Tonight you’ll lodge in Rosenburg.
Day 8
The final leg of this amazing journey takes you through Oregon’s countryside in Winchester Wine Country. Stop for a creek-side picnic in the shade. Then shuttle north to your drop-off point in Eugene or Portland.
To book this tour and for more details of what’s included in the itinerary at these epic locations (you can even print the tour brochure) visit Tourradar today by clicking on their highlighted name here. At the top of the page is a menu. Click on: Travel Styles then Click On: Bicycle. Scroll down and Click on USA. Scroll down and look for the tour named “Oregon Coast To Crater Lake Bike Tour”. Book yours now…….remember you can reserve your spot with just $99.00 & spots fill up quickly so grab yours today!
The Best Cycling Tours In The US
# 3 – California: Sonoma Wine Country & Coast
This Cycling Tour Comes Complete With Stops At Vineyards, A Wine-Paired Dinner in a Michelin Starred Restaurant, A Stay at A Spa, A Picnic Lunch & A Ride through the California Redwoods
This enchanted cycling tour is a 6 day excursion beginning and ending in Healdsburg. Travel through the regions most famous wine valleys, pedal through the towering redwoods. Observe the wildlife and add bird watching to your check off list of Bucket List ideas. Walk the cliffs of the Pacific Coast & pamper yourself in a soothing spa. This tour comes complete with accommodations, an expert guide, all meals (except 2 lunches & 2 dinners), full van support for a variety of route options & several extras.
Accommodations are always first class. Relax for the first two evenings at an estate with lush gardens, a Michelin starred restaurant and a pool, the Madrona Manor. The next two evenings are spent unwinding in the Four-Diamond Lodge & Spa at Bodega Bay. Dine on award-winning cuisine then lavish yourself in a full menu of spa services. Alas, rest your tired muscles in an ocean view pool and jacuzzi or lazily stroll a moonlit walk on the beach. Your final evening is spent in one of the Wine Country’s finest and most unique inns, The Inn at Occidental. Pamper yourself with a relaxing soak in the Hot Tub or Jacuzzi conveniently located in every guest room.
Day 1
You’re off to the races on the first day. Meeting up in Santa Rosa, you’ll be transferred to your first ride. Brace yourself as you cruise through the home to the world’s best Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley. Stops along the way at different wineries end only when you get to your first home for the next 6 days, Madrona Manor. There you finish off the evening with a wine-paired dinner in the Michelin starred restaurant.
Day 2
After a hearty breakfast, your ride today will take you through romantic vineyards along the hillsides. Traveling from Chalk Hill to the Alexander Valley. Stopping to savor a picnic lunch along the way at one of the region’s most beautiful wineries.
Day 3
Today’s ride will take you to a picnic among a grove of ancient redwood trees. Linger a moment to take in some that are over 300 feet tall and 1400 years old. This ride cruises along the Russian River Valley to the Pacific Ocean.
Day 4
Today’s natural beauties lie in a walk along the grassy headland surrounded by pounding surf. Witness deer roaming the fields and sea lions or gray whales. Capture the moments as they make their way through their natural environment in the waters below. Next you’ll jump on your bike and take a breathtaking spin down the Pacific coastline.
Day 5
Breathe deeply the eucalyptus in the air on your ride this morning. This peaceful corner of the county is the best kept secret in cycling. Country roads wind you through rolling farmland and groves of eucalyptus for a gentle healing end to the journey. This evening, explore the town of Occidental or wind down in a relaxing soak in your hot tub. The farewell dinner tonight is at one of their favorite restaurants!
Day 6
For a final epic moment on this journey, you’ll spend a leisurely morning riding the back roads of the world-famous Russian River Valley. The Pinot Noir, here, is among the finest in the world. Finish the tour by raising a glass to the friends you’ve made on this weeks adventures during the farewell lunch & wine tasting, at a classic winery. From here, jump on the transfer & enjoy the ride back to Santa Rosa.
To book this tour and for more details of what’s included in the itinerary at these epic locations (you can even print the tour brochure) visit Tourradar today by clicking on their highlighted name here. At the top of the page is a menu. Click on: Travel Styles then Click On: Bicycle. Scroll down and Click on USA. Scroll down and look for the tour named “California: Sonoma Wine Country & Coast”. Book yours now…….remember you can reserve your spot with just $99.00 & spots fill up quickly so grab yours today!
The Best Cycling Tours In The US
# 4 – San Juan Islands 6 Day Bike Tour
This Cycling Tour Includes Hiking, Sea Kayaking, Ferry Rides and a Seaplane Ride
Get your gear ready for a cycling tour of a lifetime. Your San Juan Islands Bike Tour is a 6 day tour that begins and ends in Seattle. While cruising San Juan Island you’ll marvel at the marine life in their natural habitats. Take in Orca Whales and Seals and even ride the “Free Willy” path. This tour comes complete with accommodations, hiking, sea kayaking, a ferry ride and a flight back to Seattle on a seaplane at the end.
Your new home for the tour will be in award winning bed and breakfasts and charming country inns, Lakedale Resort & The Edenwild. Lodging is based on two people sharing a room with a private bath. For their solo travelers, they provide accommodations pairing you with someone of the same gender and age bracket. Should you prefer your own room, they can accommodate by adding the Single Room Fee.
Day 1
On your first day you meet up in Seattle. Join your new group enjoying a scenic ride north to Anacortes on Fidalgo Island. After your bike fitting, join everyone on the Washington state Ferry and sail away to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, on the Salish Sea. When you arrive, jump on the bike and pedal to Cattle Point. Here, you’ll take in magical views of Lopez Island, San Juan Island, Mt. Constitution and other memorable places you’ll be exploring this week. Head back to Friday Harbor for a day of browsing the shops, art galleries and the Whale Museum. Relax for the evening at Lakedale Resort on Three lakes. The Fine Living Channel named your new home, for 3 days, one of the ’10 Most Romantic Hotels In The World’.
Day 2
This morning take a leisurely ride along the scenic shores of San Juan Island. Take in farmland and marine life from the quiet country roads. Visit English Camp, a national historic park, once part of the “Pig War” between England and the United States. Make your way to one of the best Orca (Killer) Whale viewing spots in the US, at Lime Kiln State Park. Let your body relax as you breathe in the Lavender Farms heavenly scents at Pelindaba. Then choose one of 3 routes back to the lodge & get ready for an evening out in Friday’s Harbor, your choice tonight to dine at any of their excellent dining options.
Day 3
Today’s adventure begins with kayaking the calm waters of the Puget Sound and the Salish Sea. A local outfitter provides the 2 person kayaks, guides and instructions. Travel the rocky tree-lined shore taking in abundant bird and marine life in their natural settings. A stop in Roche Harbor gives you time to wander the tiny coastal village. This afternoon, you can choose to relax at the lodge, swim in one of Lakedale’s three lakes or hike Mt. Young for iconic views of the island.
Day 4
You’ll be ferrying, today, to the largest of the San Juan Islands, Orcas Island. Jump on your bike and cruise to Eastsound where you grab some lunch and explore the town. Back on the bike, you’ll pedal to Moran State Park and Cascade Lake. You can choose here to either hike the trail to the summit of Mt. Constitution or ride to the top. Either way you get there, this is the highest viewpoint in the islands. Your reward? An unmatched view of the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges and the emerald islands below. When you finish you’ll be ferried to Lopez Island home of the Edenwild Inn, your resting place for the next two days.
Day 5
In a clockwise rotation, you’ll spend today exploring the quiet roads and gentle terrain of Lopez Island. This is the most populated island of the San Juans & considered the “bicyclists island’. While cruising along take in spectacular marine vistas & friendly residents waving when you pass. You’ll start at Spencer State Park, then south to Agate Beach. Take a stroll on Iceberg Point for lunch at the 7th Parallel. Marvel at the views of the Olympic Mountains and all you’ve explored this week. Look for the seals as you ride east to Watmaugh Bay. Then head north again to Edenwild.
Day 6
For your final day, enjoy a relaxing morning and breakfast at the Inn. Take one last run on the bike as you cycle your way on the ‘Free Willy’ ride out to Fisherman Bay. Head back to the Edenwild for lunch in the village. As a final adventure, hop aboard a chartered float plane for an unforgettable return flight over the islands and back to Seattle.
To book this tour and for more details of what’s included in the itinerary at these epic locations (you can even print the tour brochure) visit Tourradar today by clicking on their highlighted name here. At the top of the page is a menu. Click on: Travel Styles then Click On: Bicycle. Scroll down and Click on USA. Scroll down and look for the tour named “San Juan Islands 6 Day Bike Tour”. Book yours now…….remember you can reserve your spot with just $99.00 & spots fill up quickly so grab yours today!
The Best Cycling Tours In The US
# 5 – Grand Canyon & Arizona Trail Mountain Bike
This Cycling Tour Includes Camping, Riding The Rim of The Grand Canyon, Knocking Out A Stretch of The Arizona Trail & Stops at Local Haunts Including an Indian Trading Post
For the true outdoor experience, this tour covers the adventurers Bucket List. Your 4 day cycling tour takes your group camping in the most scenic locations from the Grand Canyon to the Arizona Mountain Trail. Ride the rim of the Grand Canyon, picnic with a view most people never see and find stops along the way including a famous Indian Trading Post. It comes complete with accommodations (camping gear), an expert guide, meals, transport and more.
Day 1
For the start of this unparalleled adventure, you’ll jump on the shuttle in Scottsdale/Phoenix and be whisked away to the Grand Canyon North Rim. Stops along the way today include the famous Cameron Indian Trading Post. Enjoy perusing the showplace for fine Native American and Southwestern Art. Grab some lunch then continue on to the Navajo Bridge. This scenic location is just down stream from “Lee’s Ferry” the launch point for rafting trips through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River. Stretch a moment and jump on your bike, you’re pedaling the 10 miles right into base camp. Finish the evening under the stars with your first night’s dinner in the remote back country of the Kaibab National Forest. Cycling: 11 miles, Meals Included: Lunch & Dinner, Accommodations: AOA Basecamp
Day 2
Today you bear witness to one of the seven wonders of the world. Waking up to the crisp, fresh air of the Grand Canyon, you grab a guide-prepared breakfast to fuel your day. Mount your bike and take on the Rainbow Rim Trail. Cruising along the north rim of the Grand Canyon, today makes your way in and around tributary side canyons. These connect to 5 main overlooks. The winding curves, occasional climb and high elevation riding are sure to challenge you. Rest this evening in the slower-paced back country in the quietness of the North Rim. Cycling: 30 miles, Meals Included:All Meals, Accommodations: AOA Base Camp
Day 3
The whiff of coffee, tea and breakfast are sure to lure you from your tents this morning after an evening resting under the stars. Pack up camp and head for the North Rim Visitor Center. Here you’ll grab a quality shower in a more established facility. Today you take on one of the most incredible vistas on the North Rim, most people never witness this view. After a picnic lunch, you’ll transfer to the East Rim where you begin the days’s ride along the Arizona Trail. This trail covers the entire state of Arizona…….from Mexico to Utah! Your ride today is one direction with a net elevation loss. Leading right into your new camp location for your final night together. Cycling 18 miles, Meals Included: All Meals, Lodging: AOA Basecamp.
Day 4
Your final day has you riding the remaining section of the Arizona Trail to Jacob Lake. This fun and flowing descent takes you out of the backcountry, enjoying a cool breeze through the pines. Time permitting, you can stop in at the Jacob Lake general store. From there return to the the Scottsdale and Phoenix area between 6:00 & 8:00 pm. Cycling: 14 miles, Meals Included: All Meals, Accommodations: For lodging you’re on your own tonight.
To book this tour and for more details of what’s included in the itinerary at these epic locations (you can even print the tour brochure) visit Tourradar today by clicking on their highlighted name here. At the top of the page is a menu. Click on: Travel Styles then Click On: Bicycle. Scroll down and Click on USA. Scroll down and look for the tour named “Grand Canyon & Arizona Trail Mountain Bike”. Book yours now…….remember you can reserve your spot with just $99.00 & spots fill up quickly so grab yours today!