Where should I go? (Another poll)

[pbray]

It's that time of year where my friend Stacey and I pour through all of the catalogs we've received from the various bike tour companies and decide where we're going on vacation this year. Below is a list of our current thoughts, if anyone would care to vote or comment.

[Poll #650849]

Past tours I've taken: Maryland, Vermont, Nantucket, Maine, Nova Scotia, North Carolina (Blue Ridge), New York (Finger Lakes), Utah (Bryce/Zion), Quebec and Ireland. As you can see, we've been heavy on the Northeast and are now branching out. We like to err on the challenging side, versus flat terrain.

Comments

[celisnebula.livejournal.com]

Michigan is alright I suppose, for bike riding, but nothing like Utah (my son and I did Bryce and Zion this past September) and it can't beat North Carolina. Honestly, I'd tell you to do a biking tour through Scotland (Oban and Skye) if you can swing it. It is definitely worth the trip and (if your like me) you can climb around in old castles.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Sentimentally Ireland is my favorite trip, but Bryce and Zion is my second favorite. I was stunned by the scenery and can't imagine a better way to see it than by bike.

Scotland sounds fabulous, and it's on my list of places I want to go. But to keep costs down we're trying to keep it in North America where we can take advantage of free plane tickets, which does limit our choices.

[quietselkie.livejournal.com]

Although the San Juans aren't the MOST challenging terrain, there are still plenty of hills to keep you from being bored. The islands are, after all, the tops of undersea mountains. They're charming and cycler-friendly (particularly Lopez), and you have the additional perks of the gorgeous ferry rides between islands.

I'm not biased just because I've spent a lot of time there *grin*.

I'd recommend rain gear unless you're there in late July into August.

[fancythat2.livejournal.com]

Yep.
Summer officially begins July 5th.
I can vouch for Lopez too.
The scenery around the area is beautiful.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the rain gear recommendation. After years of cycling, we both have the very finest gear, equipped for anythingr from a light drizzle to all day slogs in the pouring rain (accompanied by frequent shouts of "Are we having fun yet?").

[jennifer-dunne.livejournal.com]

I just like saying BANFF! Reminds me of NightCrawler of the X-Men. :-)

[pbray.livejournal.com]

As always you are a font of wisdom.

Then again, since your first (and last) cycling trip was so... memorable, your expertise in this area is suspect.

[jennifer-dunne.livejournal.com]

I have brilliant insights!
1. Use an automatic vehicle to get to location, not standard, unless all parties involved can drive a standard.
2. Choose B&B's that are on a single floor, or that have narrow stairs and substantial bannisters, so bikers whose knees have given out can get from their room to the dining area and back again.
3. If bikers are going to be boring overheated slugs, the least they can do is be ticklish!

[califmole.livejournal.com]

Sante Fe/Taos is beautiful, but I've heard mixed reviews from people who have taken bike tours in the area--lots of trash on the road meant cycling wasn't as enjoyable as it could have been. For my two cents, I'd recommend Washington state or the Canadian rockies.

[jlawrenceperry.livejournal.com]

Arizona. Either the Grand Canyon, Sedona, or Flagstaff/San Francisco Mountains.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Good thoughts. I'll have to take a look and see if any of those are available.

One of the issues that we run into is that Stacey works in accounting, so she can't take vacation during the account close window for each month. Sometimes that cuts down on which trips we can take, depending on the schedule that the bike tour companies put together.

I'm lucky in that my job isn't quite as rigid--anytime is equally bad for me to leave so I just go ahead and do it. And on a bike trip, there is no laptop. Anything that can't wait for me to be physically back in the office has to be solved by one of the other corporate monkeys.

How about the Coast Mtn Circle Route

[(Anonymous)]

If you are looking for a challenge...

Try the circle route from Vancouver, BC north to Squamish, then Whistler, then on to Pemberton over the pass to Lillooet - remote, beautiful scenery, Duffy Lake, etc. then down the Fraser Canyon to Hope and the Fraser Valley - Chilliwack, Abbotsford, etc.

Beautiful scenery - lots of variety - from the coast to the mountains (they call the first part the Sea to Sky Highway) then into the semi arid interior and back to the mountains then down to the coast.

Lots of opportunities for side trips...hop on a ferry at Horseshoe Bay, head up Pemberton Meadows to Meager Creek Hot Springs, etc.

Check out the website:
http://www.travel-british-columbia.com/tours/Coast_Mountain_Circle_Tour.aspx

I used to live in Pemberton and lots of tourists (well for Pemberton) came through driving the route, some cyclists, too. There are forest service campsites along the way.

Mary

Re: How about the Coast Mtn Circle Route

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the web link, that looks great. We'll definitely consider it.