There are many ways to see the world: by plane, car, train and bus. But for an intimate, up-close view of exciting new places, criss-crossing the globe is an incredibly rewarding experience. Some travel destinations are best explored by bicycle to make the most of little-known local stops and scenic views. Not only will you get an excellent workout when you travel by bike, but you will also feel more connected to the people and places around you and be more attentive to small details along the way.
While mountain biking is an adventure sport of its kind, road cycling generally involves travelling long distances and often with your own equipment with you to set up camp. These are some of the most incredible cycling destinations and routes best seen on two wheels.
Credit: bigstock.comLa Route Verte, CanadaLa Route Verte, Canada
La Route Verte, Canada
Canada is a huge country in terms of square mileage, which makes many cyclists intimidated to tackle it on two wheels. But one of the best ways to explore this beautiful terrain and wilderness is on La Route Verte, a fairly new bike trail that stretches over 2,485 miles from east to west across Quebec. You will enjoy beautiful mountain and river views on this route, as well as plenty of fresh air and wide open spaces. This is a great route because it has helpful signage and plenty of places to stop and see the views along the way.
Credit: bigstock.com Toubkal, Morocco Toubkal, Morocco
Toubkal, Morocco
Morocco is a fascinating tourist destination that offers some of the most beautiful rides in the world. A popular option for cyclists is to take a nine-day scenic bike tour of Toubkal. This route covers about 425 miles and is very mountainous. Make sure you do some training before trying this route because there are many uphill and downhill descents. You will see the beautiful mountains and desert regions of Morocco as you cycle through Toubkal. This is a great cycling trip for travellers who want to get off the beaten track. Other beautiful coastal rides in Morocco are the route between Marrakech through the Draa Valley to the Sahara Desert and the route between Essaouira and Agadir.
Credit: bigstock.comGalway, IrelandGalway, Ireland
Galway, Ireland
There is just something purely magical about exploring the lush green hills and valleys of Ireland on a cycling trip. Although the country is notorious for rainy days and you'll need to pack sturdy rain gear, the Galway area offers some of the most serene views you'll ever see. Tours often last for around eight days and take in the rugged, non-touristy parts of the west of Ireland. The summer months are best for this trip, where you'll see Connemara, Mayo and much of Galway.
Credit: bigstock.comGreen Mountains, VermontGreen Mountains, Vermont
Green Mountains, Vermont
People in Vermont love their bikes and the sustainable, eco-friendly, nature-centred culture here lends itself well to a bike trip of your own. The Green Mountains are a wonderful place to take your bike. There's a 70-mile loop on Appalachian Gap that's definitely worth checking out, and Middlebury Gap features a tough 11-mile climb with scenic views at the top. The Burlington, Vermont area is also very bike-friendly if you want to plan a city break for tasty local food and beer.
Credit: bigstock.comHanoi, VietnamHanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Vietnam has some fantastic cycling opportunities and is a budget-friendly destination that has long been favoured by backpackers and adventurous travellers. To experience the local culture and beaches, cycle the route from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's largest urban areas. The complete route is 746 miles and you will often encounter uneven road surfaces. This is a route best suited for experienced cyclists who have developed their strength and endurance. Along the way you will encounter the Hai Van Pass, which divides North and South Vietnam, and some beautiful beaches to take a break and recharge.
Credit: Bigstock.comFriendship Highway, ChinaFriendship Highway, China
Friendship Highway, China
Plan your trip along the China Friendship Highway between the city of Lhasa in Tibet to the Nepal border, which stretches about 500 miles. This is a high-altitude race that requires serious training at high altitudes. You will really need to plan ahead for this race because there are some big distances between cities, some difficult terrain and high political tensions between neighbouring nations. But if you are up for the challenge, you will be among an elite few who have completed one of the world's greatest adventures. Highlights of this race include the Gyatso La mountain pass, prayer flags at the Gampa La mountain pass and views of Mount Everest.
Credit: bigstock.comMundaring, Western AustraliaMundaring, Western Australia
Munda Biddi Trail, Australia
Perhaps the best bike trail in Western Australia is the Munda Biddi Trail, which means 'path through the forest' in the native Aboriginal language. You'll pass through eucalypt forests and may even see some native wildlife along the way, including western grey kangaroos and the western brush wallaby. If you're travelling from Mundaring to Collie, this stretch is just over 200 miles away, but you can also take routes to Albany. Another great place to go in Australia is Tasmania, where bike tours start in St Helens and travel along the coast to Bichero.
Credit: bigstock.comCorsica, FranceCorsica, France
Corsica, France
The famous Tour de France started in Corsica because this is a cycling destination par excellence that promises an epic race. The Tour de Corse is an organised seven-day tour that you can sign up to experience even if you are not experienced enough to compete in the big race. You will start your journey and finish in Bastia, a pretty seaside town, and then continue on a 450-mile round trip. Expect to pass through walnut trees and pine forests, sparkling blue waters of the sea, and the red granite rocks of Calanques de Piana.
Credit: bigstock.comCosta RicaCosta Rica
La Ruta de los Conquistadores, Costa Rica
Costa Rica is another major adventure destination worth visiting for all cycling enthusiasts. You can easily rent a bike and cycle around the Arenal volcano and nearby villages to get a feel for Costa Rica's culture and landscapes. A great ride is the Ruta de los Conquistadores, which is an off-road tour that covers about 270 kilometres. It runs from the west coast to the east coast of the country and requires some extreme mountain bike tyres. There is actually an annual bike race on this route in November. Expect muddy roads, mangrove forests, sandy beaches and steep climbs!
Credit: bigstock.comLithuaniaLithuania
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia
The Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are often bypassed by travellers, but that would be a shame if you are a person who loves cycling. Local tour operators conduct tours of the Baltic States for cyclists from all over the world in several languages. The best times to do this itinerary are May or August and involve a minimum of 12 to 34 miles per day. Most of the terrain is fairly easy, so this is a great tour for many people. Expect to see many things along the way, including churches, castles, forests, national parks, beaches, picturesque towns and monasteries.
Credit: bigstock.comGreat Divide
Great Divide, Canada in Mexico
One of the greatest American bike trails is the Great Divide, which runs south of Canada, around Banff in Alberta, going south to the Mexican border. Keep in mind that this route requires mountain bike tyres and suspension forks as much of the route is unpaved and has rough terrain. If you plan to tackle the entire route, make sure you have about three months to spend on the road.
Credit: bigstock.com Carrarrera Austral, ChileCarretera Austral, Chile
Carretera Austral, Chile
Patagonia is a travel destination par excellence for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, so why not incorporate a long bike ride into your Patagonian adventure? The Carretera Austral route stretches about 1,000 kilometres and is not for the faint-hearted. The road is mostly unpaved, so make sure your tyres are up to the challenge. Only attempt this route in summer due to weather conditions and road closures. But during this warmer time of year, your hard work will be rewarded with views of mountainous terrain, glaciers and lakes.