2 minute read
HAVE BICYCLE WILL TRAVEL
A few years ago, I was on a road trip from Colorado to Florida when an impending hurricane threw some shade on the Sunshine State. I’d made it across the border into Missouri, where the skies were clear and the sun was bright and warm, so I unclipped my specialized road bike from the rack atop my trusty Land Rover and shifted into exploration mode. Surely, Missouri would have a trail or two I could ride.
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Just off the highway, I found a bike shop where they pointed me toward a town called Defiance, and the start of the Katy Trail. Bordered on either side by big, old trees with stories to tell and clad in soft, agreeable crushed gravel, the sundappled, former rail trail meanders more than 200 miles along the Missouri River.
No one at the bike shop had mentioned the wineries, but they weren’t easy to miss. The Katy Trail boasts 17 of them in all. I stopped at the Sugar Creek Winery and ordered a glass of their Vidal Blanc, which surprised me with it’s vivacious pear and apricot start and crisp sauvignon blanc-style finish. Sitting there on the grassy hillside, I marveled at all that I would have missed if I’d stuck with my original travel plan.
A few days later, I tapped into Florida’s TrailLink for some cycling fun around Orlando. The paths were lush, well-managed, and not crowded at all. And, just like that, I was hooked. Turns out, biking your way around the U.S. is good, clean fun.
Thanks to the efforts of nonprofits and conservancies, unused railways are being transformed into hiking and biking trails from sea to shining sea. I was astounded to learn that the U.S. is now home to a mesmerizing network of routes and rides for cyclists of all ages and abilities. According to the Adventure Cycling Association, the U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS) currently connects 31 states.
When it’s finished, we’ll have the largest public cycling network in the world! Since my side trip to Missouri, I’ve found heaps more of these sweet rides, hikes, and walks. While some are clearly laid out for more experienced riders, many are easy-going cruisers suitable for the whole family.
All Trails is a great resource for accessing maps, photos, and rider ratings for over 100,000 trails.
