TOURING TIPS
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Written by Scot Meyer
SwitchYard Media, Inc. - contact | website
Designed and produced by Kent Harris
Tin Can Rocket, LLC. - contact | website
A production of SwitchYard Media, Inc.
Photo Credit: Michael Toomey/Bike New York
New York's Five Boro Bike Tour
Billed as the largest recreational cycling event in America, the Commerce Bank Five Boro Bike Tour attracts about 32,000 riders of all ages and skill levels for its 42-mile trek through New York City.
The ride starts in Battery Park, then heads north through the heart of Manhattan to Central Park and Harlem, before crossing over into the Bronx and then Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island. Although crowded with cyclists, the route (including a section of the Brooklyn-Queens expressway that offers a panoramic view of the Manhattan skyline) is closed to car traffic for the event.
The tour ends with a festival, followed by a short ride to the Staten Island Ferry for the trip back to Manhattan.
WHEN: Every May.
WHERE: New York City.
WHAT TO KNOW: Money raised is used to support Bike New York, a group that promotes bicycling and bicycle safety. Participants must register in advance. Click for more information.
Photo Credit: Bob Kessler
Chicago's Bike the Drive
The Bank of America Bike the Drive is a non-competitive ride along a 15-mile, car-free stretch of Chicago's Lake Shore Drive.
The ride actually starts in the middle of the course, giving cyclists the option of heading either north or south for a 15-mile round trip circuit. Many people complete both circuits for a 30-mile tour through the heart of Chicago and along the shore of Lake Michigan. The drive opens to bicycles at 5:30 a.m., and riders can start any time from then until just before 9:00 a.m. At 9:45 a.m. volunteers will direct cyclists to the nearby Lakefront Trail, so that car traffic can resume.
Participants also have the option of lining up sponsors and making the ride as part of the American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure fundraising effort.
WHEN: Every May.
WHERE: Chicago.
WHAT TO KNOW: The event's proceeds support the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation's efforts to make the region more bicycle-friendly, or the American Diabetes Association. Click for more information.
Photo Credit: Mark Cardenas
San Diego's Pedal to the Park
Fun is the focus of this ride, which starts in San Diego's Balboa Park and ends at the Petco Park baseball stadium, where a guarded facility lets participants securely park their bikes and enjoy a Padres game.
Cyclists can choose from several routes, including a 10-mile fun ride for novices and families and a 25-mile option for intermediate cyclists. Advanced cyclists can add one or two special legs, for extra distance. All routes converge on San Diego's waterfront, and approach the ballpark on the Martin Luther King Promenade.
After the game, the cyclists retrieve their bikes and pedal two miles back to Balboa Park to complete the ride.
WHEN: Every May.
WHERE: San Diego.
WHAT TO KNOW: Money raised benefits Therapeutic Recreation Services, a cycling program for people with physical or developmental disabilities, and the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition. Click for more information.
Photo Credit: American Diabetes Association-Tour De Cure
Napa Valley Tour de Cure
California wine country provides the backdrop for this ride, which is one of more than 80 held around the country as part of the American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure fundraising effort. The ADA estimates that the Tour de Cure, established in 1991, raises more than $12 million a year for diabetes research and education.
In the Napa ride, cyclists choose from four routes -- 10, 25, 50 or 100 miles. The three shorter routes feature mainly gently rolling terrain, ride organizers say, while the 100-mile route includes steeper hills at the Napa/Sonoma county line.
After crossing the finish line, riders can relax with lunch, live music, a massage or (appropriately enough) some wine.
WHEN: Every May.
WHERE: Yountville, Calif.
WHAT TO KNOW: Money raised supports the American Diabetes Association. Click for more information.
Photo Credit: National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Ride the Vineyard
Popular with Bostonians, bicyclists can take the ferry to historic Martha's Vineyard for a ride that takes in the island's beaches, lighthouses, historic towns and magnificent ocean views.
A 25 kilometer (15.5-mile) family ride starts at noon, and individual cyclists who want more distance can choose either the 50 kilometer "countryside" ride or the 100 kilometer "countryside challenge," which starts at 9 a.m. and takes in the cliffs of Gay Head, the beaches of Katuma and the views from East Chop.
All routes begin and end at Martha's Vineyard High School, a three-mile bike ride from the ferry. The weekend kicks off with a "Welcome to the Island" party with live music, and after the ride cyclists are welcomed back with a barbecue.
WHEN: Every May.
WHERE: Martha's Vineyard.
WHAT TO KNOW: Money raised supports the National MS Society. Click for more information.
Photo Credit: National Multiple Sclerosis Society
San Francisco's Waves to Wine Ride
This two-day cycling event, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2008, expects to host more than 2,000 riders and volunteers and hopes to raise more than $1.5 million for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
The route starts at AT&T Park in downtown San Francisco, continues down the Embarcadero, over the Golden Gate Bridge, and up Highway 1 before stopping for an overnight celebration and campout in Rohnert Park.
On day two, riders meander through Sonoma's wine country on the way to the final destination in Healdsburg, Calif. It all adds up to 150 miles of cycling, or 75 miles a day, but shorter routes are available for those looking for an easier ride.
WHEN: September.
WHERE: San Francisco.
WHAT TO KNOW: The money raised benefits the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Click for more information.
Photo Credit: Bicycle Coalition of Maine
Maine's Lobster Ride and Roll
Participants in the annual Maine Lobster Ride and Roll receive a pair of commemorative bike socks and free passes to local museums. But the event's real draws are the scenery (complete with lobster boats and buoys) and the lobster rolls waiting at the finish line.
The ride winds along country roads and follows the rock-bound coast, offering ocean views and sea air as cyclists pass lighthouses in Owl's Head and Port Clyde. Four routes are available, with distances of 16, 30, 50 and 100 miles.
All the options end at the Rockland High School in Rockland, Maine, where the ride began. There cyclists will be served a freshly made lobster roll dinner (tuna and vegetarian options will be available as well).
WHEN: July.
WHERE: Rockland, Maine.
WHAT TO KNOW: The event benefits the Bicycle Coalition of Maine's cycling improvements. Early registration is $65 for adults, $25 for teens and free for children 11 and under. Click for more information.
Photo Credit: Gaetan Fontaine
Le Tour de l'Île de Montréal
Capping off the week-long Montreal Bike Fest, the 50-kilometer (31-mile) Tour de l'Île de Montréal attracts about 30,000 cyclists each year.
Organizers say the ride is designed to be family friendly, allowing cyclists of all abilities to proceed at their own pace along the banks of the St. Lawrence and through the city of Montreal, from the business district to the Lachine Canal. The route is closed to car traffic for the event.
Other bike fest events include a night tour of the city and The Metropolitan Challenge, which offers more serious cyclists the chance to ride 75 to 100 km through the greater Montreal area.
WHEN: June.
WHERE: Montreal.
WHAT TO KNOW: The Bike Fest starts on May 25 with the Metropolitan Challenge. Click for more information.
Photo Credit: National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Bay to Bay Bike Tour
The Land Rover Miramar MS Bay to Bay Bike Tour follows the Pacific Coast from Orange County to San Diego, traveling through Laguna Beach, San Clemente, Del Mar, La Jolla and other communities along the way.
Cyclists can ride either 30-mile, 100-mile or 150-mile routes, with rest stops available every 10 to 15 miles. A celebration dinner on Saturday night has live music and dancing for those whose legs are not too tired from the ride.
The National MS Society holds nearly 100 cycling events each year, including one-day and two-day rides, and cross-state rides. Nearly 100,000 people ride each year, and last year they raised nearly $77 million.
WHEN: October.
WHERE: Southern California.
WHAT TO KNOW: The money raised goes to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Click for more information.
Photo Credit: Jon Brunk Photography
Tour de Blast
This scenic and challenging ride takes cyclists into the heart of the blast zone of the 1980 Mount St. Helens volcanic eruption.
The route starts just north of Longview, WA., and follows the Spirit Lake Memorial Highway as it winds its way up from the Toutle Valley to the Johnston Ridge Viewpoint.
The open highway ride, sponsored by the Longview Rotary Club, offers a choice of three round trip distances: 33 miles to the Hoffstadt Bluffs rest area/viewpoint, 67 miles to the Coldwater Visitor Center, and 82 miles to the Johnston Ridge viewpoint. Those who finish the longest ride will have also climbed a total of 6,240 vertical feet.
WHEN: June.
WHERE: Longview, Wash.
WHAT TO KNOW: For their $45 registration fee, participants receive a T-shirt, food, drink, support, and a post-race pasta feast. Click for more information.