Whether you’re an avid cyclist or a recreational rider, the best way to experience a new place is on a bike. That’s because pedaling is much more immersive than driving—you’ll see, hear, and even smell additional things that you may miss otherwise, while working up a sweat—and the fact that you’re on two wheels allows you to cover more ground than walking.
In the spirit of cycling meets vacation, companies around the world are offering guided destination cycling tours of varying length, locations, price points, and difficulty. Of course, you’ll want to consider if it’s safe to travel because of the coronavirus pandemic. Yes, you should still confirm that any restaurants, hotels, and air travel you’re booking for a cycling trip makes sense, and that the areas you are traveling to are actually open and operating.
Once you feel like you’re ready to take on some travel, consider some of these ride experiences that you may just want to build a vacation around.
From afternoon-long urban tours to overnight trips to National Parks, wine country, idyllic farmlands, and even international hotspots, the following tours—all hosted by highly-reviewed and reputable companies—may help fulfill your two-wheeled wanderlust.
Four Great Touring Bikes to Elevate Your Next Adventure
Blendr stem for cleanly mounting Bontrager lights and accessories.
Can be converted to a singlespeed.
Carry more gear with pack mounts on the fork.
Massive tire clearance, and compatible with internal droppers.
Sonoma County Wine Country Road Cycling Tour - Pure Adventures
If you prefer to pedal without a guide, but hate planning logistics, this organized, self-guided tour by top-rated Pure Adventures is for you. It tours through a less-trafficked area of California’s wine country, offering a mix of “spectacular” backcountry roads, plus coastal scenery and “challenging hill climbs,” says Loren Siekman, president and founder of Pure Adventures.
At night, you’ll stop in local cities to rest and refuel with farm-to-table meals and of course, lots of world-class vino. The route, which is scalable in distance from 179 miles up to 275 miles, is primarily for experienced road riders. Cost includes lodging, luggage transfers, in-person orientation, and on-route telephone support.
Location: Sonoma County, California
Duration: 5 days/4 nights
Price: From $400
Death Valley Weekend Tour - REI Adventures
Explore the otherworldly wonders of Death Valley National Park—think volcanic craters, multi-colored sandstone, and towering sand dunes—with this three-day cycling tour that’s great for intermediate riders. Compared to more trafficked National Parks, Death Valley is “very remote,” says Arlen Hall, former adventure program manager of cycling for REI Adventures. Most days, cyclists will encounter just eight or nine cars on the quiet, smooth paved roads.
The nights are equally epic, thanks to the “starfield sky above you,” he says, and the “awesome sunrises and awesome sunsets.” Plan your visit in the spring, and you’ll likely see a large super-bloom of wildflowers spread across the valley.
Another highlight, no matter when you go, is the day three stopover at Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America (elevation: 282 feet below sea level). One more plus: Compared to other tour groups, this group minimizes the amount of time spent in the van. In total, you’ll pedal 119 miles with just six hours of driving.
Location: Death Valley National Park, California
Duration: 3 days/2 nights
Cost: From $1,799
Pedal the Coast Tour - Summer Feet Cycling
This week-long, small group tour (max size: 12 riders) offers cyclists a breathtaking tour of Maine’s diverse coastline with cozy stays at local inns along the way.
The journey ranges in distance between 322 and 428 miles (multiple distances are offered most days), beginning at coastal village Boothbay Harbor and then traveling north along the shores of Penobscot Bay, a popular cruising bay, and Blue Hill Bay, before finishing with two full days of riding in Acadia National Park.
Along the way, you’ll hit top tourist spots, like Camden, a quintessential New England town dubbed “the Jewel of the Maine Coast,” while also touring several not-as-famous, equally beautiful seafront towns, like Port Clyde and Castine, says Norman Patry, owner of Summer Feet Cycling. You’ll fuel for it with a variety of Maine delicacies, including lobster, smoked salmon, fresh blueberries, and the local favorite whoopie pies.
Location: Portland to Acadia National Park, Maine
Duration: 7 days/6 nights
Cost: From $3,795
The Carolinas Bike Tour - Backroads
Traverse the Carolinas, climb the Blue Ridge Mountains, and experience Southern Appalachian culture with Backroads, an over 40-year-old company known for its upscale, active trips. Highlights of this five-day itinerary include riding on the Blue Ridge Parkway (a 469-mile roadway famed for its sweeping views and thrilling elevations), navigating famed American cyclist George Hincapie’s Gran Fondo route, staying at Hincapie’s Hotel Domestique, and visiting Asheville’s 8,000-acre Biltmore estate.
When you’re not pedaling, you’ll likely be eating classic Carolina fare (think farm-to-table meals and craft beer), listening to live bluegrass, viewing local art, and/or simply soaking in the beauty of Carolina countryside. The distance and difficulty of the cycling is scalable to your fitness level, ranging from 103 to 172 total miles and 7,400 feet to 14,100 feet in elevation gain.
Location: Greenville, South Carolina, to Asheville, North Carolina
Duration: 5 days/4 nights
Cost: From $3,299
Midtown and Broad Ripple Bike ’N’ Dine Tour - ActiveIndy Tours
Indianapolis is a fast-growing cycling and cultural hub. In 2013, the Midwest city unveiled the Cultural Trail, an 8-mile route connecting six districts through the heart of downtown.
Immerse yourself in the burgeoning community with this daylong tour by ActiveIndy Tours, a top-ranked TripAdvisor company. The 20-mile journey, which rides on the Cultural Trail plus other local pathways, passes iconic MLK Memorial Park and the Landmark for Peace Memorial before weaving through historic neighborhoods with 19th-century architecture.
You’ll stop for lunch at a local joint in Midtown or Broad Ripple and then continue on the scenic Central Canal Towpath through the Butler University campus and past the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Another cool feature: with every pedal, you’re paying it forward—proceeds support Nine13sports, a local nonprofit that implements bike programs in schools across central Indiana.
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Duration: 5 hours
Cost: $75 (plus cost of meal)
Glacier National Park Bike Tour - Trek Travel
Soak in the splendor of this million-plus acre National Park with a guided tour by Trek Travel, a Wisconsin-based company praised for its thoughtfully planned trips, high-end bikes, and knowledgeable guides.
Over the six-day trip, you’ll pedal 163 miles and climb 9,000 feet of mountainous terrain, including a stint on iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road, a nearly 50-mile road that brings together the east and west sides of the park and intersects the Continental Divide, per the National Park Service.
As you cycle, you’ll see glacial lakes, snowy mountains, cedar forests, alpine tundra, and more. The itinerary also features time off the saddle, including a rafting trip along the Flathead River (keep your eyes peeled for bears, moose, and other wildlife), plus a trip to the local farmer’s market in the resort town Whitefish.
Location: Glacier National Park, Montana
Duration: 6 days/5 nights
Cost: From $4,199
Denver City Tour - Mile High Bike Tours
Explore Colorado’s capital city in this 9-mile tour that combines history, architecture, public art, and more. Operated by Mile High Bike Tours, which currently holds a 5-star rating on TripAdvisor, the route charts through downtown Denver and along the Cherry Creek and Platte River Trails, highlighting landmarks like the historic Daniels and Fisher Clock Tower, Mile High Stadium, Coors Field, the Pepsi Center, and more.
All tours are led by native Coloradans, who provide a local’s perspective on great things to do both in the Mile High City and around the Centennial State, according to the company. These folks will also adjust the experience to local happenings, per the company. If there’s a festival on the route, for example, the group will take a pit stop to listen to the music; or, if it starts raining, everyone will duck inside for a beer.
Location: Denver, Colorado
Duration: 2.5 hours
Cost: $65 with no bike rental
Vietnam and Cambodia Bike Tour - Backroads
For cases of far-flung international wanderlust, consider this eight-day tour that encompasses two southeast Asian countries with plenty of scenery (think: French colonial architecture, green rice paddies, ox carts, water buffalo, and more), historic monuments (read: iconic temples), and local cuisine (two-hour Vietnamese cooking class, anyone?) along the way.
You’ll start pedaling in Vietnam’s capital and then make your way south to Hué, a smaller town that’s home to the Royal Citadel; Hoi An, Vietnam’s oldest town, per Backroads; Danang, “a seaside city known for its sandy beaches and colonial past,” according to Backroads, and the island of Cam’Kim. From there, you’ll hop on a flight to finish the trip in Cambodia, where you’ll tour iconic temples and Angkor, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and “one of the most important archaeological sites of Southeast Asia,” per UNESCO. Activity level for the trip is scalable, ranging from levels 1 (easygoing) to 3 (active).
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam, to Siem Reap, Cambodia
Duration: 8 days/7 nights
Cost: From $6,299
