Groups typically see a destination by motorcoach. But cycling tours offer visitors a way to immerse in a destination. Imagine the scent of wildflowers, the feeling of sea breeze and the sounds of wildlife. Some tours even stop to taste local cuisines and brews.
Both green and healthy, the cycling wheel comes full circle with experienced guides who know the best routes and can accommodate mixed abilities. Slow down, stop and linger to notice the details with these cycling tours and trails across the West.
Cycle Alaska
Juneau, Alaska
Whether groups are visiting Alaska by cruise ship, plane or ferry, Cycle Alaska provides opportunities to experience Juneau by bike. Options include the Bike & Brew tour, Bike & Tram tour and custom tours.
“Our tours offer guests a glimpse into what makes Juneau such a wonderful place, from the breathtaking views of the Mendenhall Glacier and abundant wildlife to the diverse culture of the local community,” said Briana Swanson, general manager for Cycle Alaska.
Swanson said custom cycling tours are typically for groups that are looking for a longer ride. Groups can finish off the experience with a salmon dinner. Swanson’s personal favorite tour is the Bike & Brew, an opportunity to experience Alaska’s natural beauty and award-winning microbreweries.
“The Bike & Brew just can’t be beat with the views of the Mendenhall Glacier, but the best part comes at the end as groups get to finish the ride through the forest surrounded by trees and the sound of rain falling through the rainforest,” Swanson said.
In addition to tours, Cycle Alaska is known for its bike shop. Last year, the National Bicycle Dealers Association named Cycle Alaska one of America’s best bike shops. Fewer than 300 shops out of 4,000 total across the United States are given that title.
Big Island Bike Tours
Waimea, Hawaii
Whether the goal is to become a better cyclist or experience Hawaii’s scenery, Big Island Bike Tours can help. The company shows groups amazing ocean views, massive volcano climbs, breaching whales, hot lava, classic Paniolo round-ups and local cuisine.
“In addition to cycling experiences, we provide routes that are unique and oftentimes in exclusive areas of the island that only Big Island Bike Tours has access to,” said Alex Candelario, founding director. “We treat each guest with the true ‘aloha spirit,’ whether he or she is a first timer or someone looking to climb the tallest volcano in the Pacific.”
Prior to founding Big Island Bike Tours, Candelario was a professional cyclist for 15 years. He said a group favorite is the Anna Ranch mountain bike experience.
“Not only is the ride spectacular in views, but the private ranch trails are built specifically for mountain biking and offer guests a unique experience of Hawaiian history, as well as the ranch legacy of Waimea,” Candelario said.
In addition to day tours, multiday tours and mountain cycling tours, the company also offers custom options.
“A fun custom tour we created was for a group staying at the Four Seasons Hualalai,” Candelario said. “They took a helicopter to meet our crew in a volcano for an incredible ride in and around the park. Before they left, we had a beautiful lunch picnic out in the middle of the rainforest, where some of Hawaii’s rare birds and fauna provide an unforgettable backdrop.”
LA Cycle Tours
Los Angeles, California
Although Los Angeles is the land of movie stars, mansions and exotic sports cars, LA Cycle Tours shows groups a different side of the metropolis. As a mobile company, tours can start and end anywhere.
“We ride bicycles to places that no tour buses can reach,” said Arturo Palacios, LA Cycle Tours owner and tour guide. “In a metropolis like Los Angeles, riding bicycles is the best way to experience this huge city that changes with every block you pass.”
Cycling tours touch on history, art, architecture, culture and cuisine. A safety marshal rides behind the group to ensure no visitor is left behind.
Several tours are available to groups, including a Taco Tour that takes groups to a variety of taco stands and trucks to experience one of Los Angeles’ most popular on-the-go foods.
“I have poured my soul into perfecting and making each tour a unique experience,” Palacios said.
For more experienced cyclers, Palacios recommends workout tours, 30- to 50-mile rides. One of the workout tours, The Ride to the Beach, passes iconic landmarks and neighborhoods. The tour includes the Arts District, Staples Center, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Marina del Rey and Santa Monica Pier.
“The Ride to the Beach, if a group can complete it all, shows visitors almost all of Los Angeles,” Palacios said. “It is almost as if you did all our tours wrapped in to one.”
Cycling House
Missoula, Montana
Cycling House not only offers cycling tours in its home state of Montana, but also in Colorado, Arizona, California, Italy and Spain.
“Our mission is to provide our guests with an unforgettable experience they can’t get anywhere else in the world,” said Brendan Halpin, director of trips for Cycling House. “Our goal is to push the boundaries of what most riders think of a typical cycling trip and to ‘wow’ our guests. We’re passionate about what we do.”
Halpin said the best trips for beginners are the Glacier Loop trip in Glacier National Park (five days, four nights) and the Tucson, Arizona, trip (six days, five nights).
“Both offer a challenge with the support of an amazing team to help you learn, push yourself and ultimately have fun,” he said. “When choosing a domestic trip, I would go with one of our Montana adventures. It’s my home state and I love to show off our backyard.”
For advanced riders, Halpin recommends the Glacier to Yellowstone trip (seven days, six nights) or the Mallorca, Spain, trip (seven days, six nights). Mallorca offers a beautiful island setting with delicious food and an unparalleled cycling culture.
“All of our trips offer unique experiences that promote a sense of fun, relaxation, physical challenge and enjoyment,” Halpin said. “At the end of all our trips, groups feel like they’ve accomplished something and feel rejuvenated.”
Alien Run Trail
Aztec, New Mexico
Mountain biking may have been born in Colorado and California, but in the bucolic high desert terrain of Aztec, New Mexico, this adrenaline-infused sport has gained a major following.
“Aztec’s single-track trails are extraordinary,” said Wallace Begay, whose off-road biking passion has led to a successful race-timing business, Desert Fox Timing, for competitive runners and bikers. “In particular, we have two distinctive mountain biking venues — the Alien Run Bike Park and Mountain View Trails — which are not just enjoyable for every level of rider, but are regarded among the most challenging and scenic in the region.”
Alien Run is a mix of cross-country challenges. Challenges combine swooping flows, plunging rim drop-offs, technical rock intervals, elevation climbs and tumbling downhills. Underscoring the 5-mile, 12-mile and 19-mile unidirectional loops are scenic, photogenic overlooks.
“From a recreationalist’s standpoint, the Alien Run is simply out of this world,” Begay said. “Besides being a bike-only recreation area, the Bureau of Land Management prohibits motorized vehicles and horseback riders on bike trails.”
Alien Run was named for an infamous local legend. The legend stems from an alleged 1948 UFO crash site located immediately adjacent to the park. Every year in May, the Alien Run Bike Race celebrates the incident. The grassroots cycling event is regarded among the top mountain biking competitions in the Southwest.