Colorado Bicycle Tours …
Experience Beautiful & Diverse Landscapes On A Bicycle Tour of Colorado ….
Colorado is renowned for being one of the best places in the USA for Mountain Biking and Trail Biking.
The state is also geared up for more relaxed Colorado bicycle tours. It has extensive ‘biking trail systems‘ that criss-cross through all number of Colorado’s unique and varied ecosystems and its urban centers.
If you love scenic variety … then a bicycle tour of Colorado is for you!
Colorado’s vast natural assets are simply stunning …
There are over fifty-four rugged mountain peaks in Colorado that stand at over 14,000 feet or 4,267 meters tall … great for downhill biking but perhaps not so much on the way up!
Colorado also boasts ancient red rock formations, thick green forests, clear blue mountain lakes, golden grasslands, rolling emerald hills prairies and pretty valleys carpeted with colorful wildflowers.
What is most surprising however, is that Colorado also is home to the highest sand dunes in the whole of North America!
Many of the Colorado bicycle tours that are available, will take you through some of the forty-two State parks and/or the five National parks … you really are spoilt for choice.
Apart from the landscapes Colorado has fascinating archeological ecological and historical heritage for you to discover.
First thing you will need to decide before taking a bicycle tour of Colorado is ‘What type of cycling do you want to do?’ … Hardcore or beginners mountain biking, trail riding or gentle bicycle touring?
Advanced Bike Trails
If it is mountain biking through rugged terrain that you desire – then try the Rocky Mountain region located in South-Western Colorado. Some of the most sort after mountain trails are found outside the towns of Gunnison, Telluride, Crested Butte and Durango.
The San Juan National Forest also provides excellent mountain biking opportunities.
In Summit County they cater for mountain bikers by providing a free Summit Stage bus service for both you and your bicycle … and at Keystone, Copper Mountain, and Breckenridge to spare you having to hike up the mountain with your bike, there is a ski-lift service available.
Beginner Bike Trails
For beginner mountain bikers – Ute Valley Park in Colorado Springs is a great place to start. The landscape is beautiful – with gentle pastures, peaceful forests and interesting rock formations.
Another easy and pretty level route to cycle is the Pikes Peak Greenway in the Peaks Pike region. This terrific trail traverses into Monument Valley Park and finishes up at Dorchester Park.
Urban Colorado Bicycle Tours
For those of you wanting a bicycle tour of Colorado that passes through more urban areas there are a glut of great trails to try out.
In the state capital of Denver, there is the Denver Greenway Trail which takes in Chatfield State Park, winds it’s way north alongside the South Platte River and up into the metropolis.
About 10 miles or 16km, southeast of the capital, is the beautiful Cherry Creek State Park. This park is approximately 3,900 acres of lovely gentle, sloping grasslands situated along the banks of Cherry Creek. This trail is a nice cruisy route – ideal for beginners.
Weather Watch
Colorado’s weather varies widely across the state.
Summer
July is the warmest month with average highs of 77-88 degrees fahrenheit or 25-31 degrees celsius …
And lows of 40-59 degrees fahrenheit or 4-15 degrees celsius
Winter
December is the coldest month with average highs of 31-43 degrees fahrenheit or minus 0.5-6 degrees celsius …
And lows of 0-16 degrees fahrenheit or minus 16- minus 9 degrees celsius
Snowfall
The first signs of snow are usually September … so if you are considering any Colorado bicycle tours then July – Auguust are your best months for cycling weather.
If you love mountain biking in the snow then there is plenty of opportunity year-round, because somewhere in the state of Colorado it will be snowing – except perhaps during the month of August.
The average snowfall on the Colorado mountain resorts 25 feet or 7.6 meters a year.
It not only snows as early as September but also as late as June … and often as early as October, many roads are closed to all traffic.
Bicycle Tours In Tuscany …
Bicycle Tour of Arizona ….
Arizona is a wonderful biking destination if you enjoy long stretches of road cycling through stark and beautiful landscapes.
With it’s soaring cliffs and spires, plunging canyons and achingly beautiful desert sunsets – it is an experience like no other.
Alternatively if you are more interested in hurling down mountain trails on an MTB and camping under the stars – there is also plenty of scope for that too, in the various different regions of Arizona, (see below).
Despite contrary belief Arizona is not all rugged desert, sweeping canyons, cowboys, ghost towns and cactus, (although it does have this too!). It also is home to beautiful thick forests, terrific ski fields, state parklands and sparkling lakes.
Culturally, Arizona is a fascinating mixture of Spanish and Indian history, old pioneering spirit, wild western frontiers and conversely – cosmopolitan sophistication.
With days are endlessly sunny and deliciously mild – winter is the best time for you to undertake a bicycle tour of Arizona.
Arizona Bicycle Tour – Top Places To Visit
The Grand Canyon
One of the world’s most breathtaking natural wonders is found in Arizona – the majestic Grand Canyon.
This vast chasm spans a length of 277 miles / 445.7km. It’s sheer rock walls plunge over 1 mile / 1.6km into the torrid, blue Colorado River.
There is access to the Grand Canyon National Park from the North and South Rims. To the west are the lovely Havasupai Falls which can be visited via the Hualapai Indian Reservation.
The Grand Canyon should be on the top of your Arizona bicycle tour ‘To Do List’. It is an unmissable, awe-inspiring spectacle!!
Northern Arizona
Northern Arizona has miles of dramatic landscapes – virgin forests, soaring sandstone spires and sweeping canyons. It is home to the Grand Canyon, the White Mountains, Monument Valley and the quaint townships of Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside.
North Central Arizona
The state’s North Central is a fabulous spot if you are looking for a bicycle tour of Arizona . It has it all …
The craggy terrain of the high country, four distinctive seasons, heavily wooded forests, the vivid red hues of the Sedona Rocks, sparkling freshwater lakes, terrific recreational trails, and the stunning landscapes of the awesome Mogollon Rim.
Arizona’s West Coast
If you are looking for an Arizona bicycle tour that takes in all types of water sports – then Arizona’s West Coast is just the ticket.
This region is smattered with cool lakes, reservoirs and most importantly the spectacular Colorado River – which winds it’s way majestically from the mighty Hoover Dam all the way to colorful Mexico.
Central Arizona
A bike tour of sunny Central Arizona can take in the State’s regional delights including dude ranches and mountain trails or alternatively it can include more urbane pursuits.
Phoenix – located in the heart of the county – offers a more sophisticated bike tour experience. There are a glut of delicious restaurants, bars, shops, casinos, golf courses and resorts, to experience.
Southern Arizona
Southern Arizona is a heterogeneous mixture of exciting destinations and attractions.
The desert landscape is stunning with it’s stark rocky mountains, deep canyons, searing sunsets and giant artistic cactus, (saguaros), which adorn the sunburnt landscape.
Of course, no bicycle tour of Arizona would be complete without a visit to one of the South’s rugged and wild, western townships, ghost towns and / or fascinating Spanish colonial missions.
Weather Watch: For Arizona Bicycle Tour
Arizona is predominantly classed as being semi-arid – which is great news, if you are undertaking a bicycle tour of Arizona, because this translates into great cycling weather – little rain, low humidity and lots of sunshine.
However, avoid cycling in July-August, because this is storm season and the humidity tends to get much higher and more uncomfortable over this period.
The clearest months – and definitely the best for an Arizona bicycle tour – with the highest amount of sunny days, are: April, May and June.
The cloudiest months are July, August, December, January and February.
Rainfall
The wettest months are August, December and March.
The driest months are from May and June.
Summer
July is the hottest month with average highs of 105 degrees Fahrenheit or 40.5 degrees Celsius.
And average lows of 77.5 degrees Fahrenheit or approx 25.3 degrees Celsius.
August and June – in that order – are the next hottest months.
Winter
January is the coldest month with average highs of 64.8 degrees Fahrenheit or approx 18.3 degrees Celsius.
And average lows of 37.6 degrees Fahrenheit or approx 3.1 degrees Celsius.