Are you in search of really beautiful bike trails in the U.S. that provide you with some amazing sights and a great place to spin your wheels?

Well, the search is over!

Biking is a great way to stay fit and enjoy God’s beautiful creation. And, the United States has no shortage of trails passing through mountains, along the coasts, through forests, and past plenty of wonderful communities.

Best Bike Trails In The U.S.

This list below features 10 of the best scenic bike trails throughout the U.S. These trails have been selected from feedback of real riders so that you can find that perfect one for your next big adventure. You’ll find routes that are safe, mostly free of traffic, and perfect for a day trip — or even for an extended, multi-day epic ride.

These bike trails highlight the best of America’s natural beauty, from lakeside routes in Vermont to oceanfront trails in Florida.

So, whether you prefer smoothly paved routes, gravel road trails, or mountain paths through the forest, you’ll find something for every cyclist!

1. Island Line Rail Trail, Vermont

One of the most lovely lakeside bike paths in the U.S. is the Island Line Rail Trail in Vermont. About 13.4 miles of the route run along Lake Champlain, bringing you from Burlington to South Hero Island.

Ideal for casual riders, sunset photography, and waterfront views, this trail offers a peaceful experience with stunning natural scenery.

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2. Katy Trail, Missouri

The Katy Trail is the nation’s longest rails-to-trail system, extending more than 240 miles from the heart of Missouri to St. Charles. It travels the former Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, crossing the beautiful Missouri River.

If, for you, cycling is about overnight rides, bikepacking, and scenic touring through the Missouri countryside, this trail is the trail for you.

3. Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, Alaska

The first paved section of the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail just north of Anchorage, and is one of Alaska’s most popular bike trails. Winding 22 miles from downtown Anchorage to Kincaid Park, the paved trail offers stunning views of Denali and the Cook Inlet, not to mention wildlife including moose, bears, and bald eagles. It’s perfect for summer cycling when the sun is up and the weather is cool.

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4. Minuteman Bikeway, Massachusetts

The Minuteman Bikeway is a 10-mile urban rail-trail in Cambridge and Bedford, Massachusetts. This smooth, paved trail is packed with American Revolutionary War history, stopping off in Lexington and Arlington, where there are historic commons, museums, and old mills.

5. Greater Allegheny Passage (GAP), Pennsylvania to Maryland

If you are a distance rider, the Great Allegheny Passage, or “GAP Trail,” is a must. At 150 miles long, this path goes north from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Cumberland, Maryland, and can be combined directly with the C&O Canal Towpath for a 335-mile scenic ride to Washington, D.C.

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6. Erie Canalway Trail, New York

The Erie Canalway Trail is a combination of gravel and paved surfaces spanning 360 miles from Buffalo to Albany to make up a portion of the Empire State Trail. Cyclers can pass through small towns, farms, historic locks, and a section of Adirondack Park. It’s a great ride for fans of cultural heritage and pretty countryside.

7. Summit County Recreational Pathway, Colorado

Stretching through the Colorado Rockies, the heart of Summit County boasts a more than 55-mile connected network of multi-purpose paths known as the Summit County Rec path that connects Frisco, Dillon, Breckenridge, and Copper Mountain. The most popular stretch is the descent from Vail Pass to Frisco, with jaw-dropping vistas of alpine lakes, wildflowers, and snowcapped peaks.

8. Olympic Discovery Trail, Washington

The trail is a combination of pavement and gravel and is sectioned into various trails. Cyclists frequently see wildlife and take in views of the Pacific Ocean. This trail is perfect for adventure riders, hikers, or anyone who enjoys the misty charm of the Pacific Northwest.

9. Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail, Florida

While some sections require riding on the shoulder of US-1, large parts of this trail are protected. With access to state parks, snorkeling spots, and scenic beaches, it’s a dream ride for winter cycling, ocean lovers, and those chasing tropical sunshine. For riders seeking comfort over distance, a Letrigo electric trike can be an ideal choice, offering extra stability and ease over longer or hotter stretches of the trail.

10. Whitefish Bike Path, Montana

The trail is primarily flat, making it perfect for families, nature enthusiasts, or anyone looking for a leisurely ride near town. Not far from local cafes, breweries, and access to Glacier National Park, it’s the perfect combination of outdoor beauty and small-town feels.

Tips for Planning Your Scenic Cycling Trip

When you’re getting ready for your amazing bike ride, it’s not just about finding the perfect trail, you want to make sure that you’re not missing anything you’ll need for a safe, fun, and comfy trip. 

A bit of preparation in advance, whether you’re heading out for a short day ride or a multiday “bikepacking” trip, swill make all the difference. From gear and weather to trail etiquette and timing, the following tiddbits of wisdom will help you get the most out of your ride.

• Before your ride, be sure you check the forecast so you aren’t venturing out into inclement weather.
• Always wear a bike helmet, even on trails with little traffic. Safety first!
• Carry plenty of water and snacks, especially on the longer or more remote trails.
• Ride an appropriate bike for the trail surface: hybrid or mountain bikes for gravel, and road bikes for paved paths.
• Be sure to pack a small repair kit with a pump, tire levers, and a multi-tool.
• Be to carry a paper map and also utilize a GPS app to keep you on course.
• Beginning your biking trek early in the day will ensure cooler temps and less bike traffic.
• Utilize seat padding for support on longer rides.
• Put on some sunscreen and sunglasses to shield your skin and your eyes from harmful UV rays.
• Observe trail etiquette, hug the right side, pass on the left, and give a friendly bell or call when overtaking another rider.
• Look for seasonal closures — or ferry schedules (as on the Island Line Rail Trail).
• Check the location of food, bathrooms, and bike rental facilities in the area before you head out.

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Now, Get Out On The Bike Trail!

From lakeside cruises in Vermont to tropical treks in Florida, these 10 best U.S. bike trails have something for every type of cyclist. Treading through breathtaking landscapes, serene nature trails, active historical sites, and grueling long-distance challenges, these paths are ideal for experiencing unforgettable moments that are about more than just biking.

With the right planning and some gear, your next bike trip can be fun, stress-free and great exercise. So, find your perfect trail, get on your bike, and start pedaling!

 

Triathlons are often a solution for athletes who think one sport just isn’t enough.

Triathlons, which consist of a swim, cycle, and run event across varying durations, present a significant challenge in terms of endurance, strength, and mental toughness. And, while triathlons consist of running, swimming and biking, the bike component often accounts for around 60% of the race, regardless of the overall distance of the event.

Sounds difficult, right? Well, that’s because it is!

What Is A Triathlon Bike… The Details

Let’s take a look at some the characteristics of a triathlon bike and what makes them unique from other bikes…

Seat position

The geometry of any bike has a significant impact on its purpose, and triathlon bikes are no exception. Triathletes need to be comfortable in an aerodynamic position for extended periods of time, in addition to being able to run long distances once off the bike.

Because of this, the seat tube angle and top tube length are the two key differences between triathlon bikes and road bikes, which are designed to recruit different muscle groups and provide comfort without sacrificing performance.

Triathlon bikes feature a substantially steeper seat tube angle than road bikes, often starting at 74 degrees and increasing to more than 80 degrees.

This huge push forward stimulates more glutes and hamstrings during the pedal stroke, sparing the quadriceps for the race’s run leg. It also enables riders to take an aggressive aerodynamic position and lower their frontal profile.

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However, while this hyper-aggressive positioning is excellent for aerodynamics, it can also be challenging to maintain for long periods, particularly for people who lack flexibility and mobility in their hips and lower back.

To mitigate this, triathlon bikes typically have a somewhat shorter crank length than road bikes, and seats are designed to better accommodate the pronounced anterior pelvic tilt caused by bending forward.

These minor adjustments increase the hip angle, enhancing comfort and allowing riders to remain in that position for extended periods.

Triathlon bikes also have a longer top tube and an expanded reach. This adjustment is intended to stretch out the rider, placing them in a more aggressive, horizontal stance that increases their aerodynamics. This also helps to distribute a rider’s weight across both wheels appropriately.

Note: Triathlon bikes can be expensive, so if you’re looking to ease your way into owning one, take a look at these used tri bikes for sale at QR.

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Aerodynamics

Triathlon bikes are not limited in the same way as time trial bikes are, allowing for significantly more imaginative designs. Now, the flip side is that triathlon bikes must have a lot of storage space, which adds more elements to the aerodynamic jigsaw.

Triathlon bikes use the same computational fluid dynamics and dynamic wind tunnel testing as road racing bikes, but in most cases, the testing is done when the bike is race-ready and equipped with fluid, tools, and food storage. Some manufacturers employ these tweaks and enhancements to improve the bike’s aerodynamics.

One way to improve aerodynamics is to use bigger tube profiles. The larger profiles allow the wind to pass smoothly along the bike, reducing turbulent airflow and increasing drag.

This is usually found on the front forks, downtube, and seat tubes. Other manufacturers will replicate this oversized tube profile by basically chopping the “tail” off an oversized tube profile, reducing overall weight, creating a stiffer frame, and simulating the same airflow.

Another way manufacturers increase a bike’s aerodynamic efficiency is to “hide” or integrate components such as brakes, wires, and storage. Triathlon bike brakes are often found behind the forks, inside the forks, or disguised behind the bike’s front fairing. They are positioned at the rear of the bike, either underneath the bottom bracket area or out of the wind in partial tube cuts on the seat stays. Internal cables are now standard on the majority of bikes, improving aerodynamics and lowering the risk of damage from environmental causes.

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Another popular way to improve aerodynamics is to change the geometry of the frame. Some manufacturers have traditionally used a dipped downtube, which lowers the gap between the downtube and the front wheel, thereby boosting airflow.

Dropped seat stays are another common modification that limits the frontal area contacting the wind and thus reducing drag. Some brands have even removed the seat stays entirely, and now you can find triathlon bikes without seat tubes or seat stays.

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Lastly, triathlon bikes also improve their aerodynamics by adding wheels. Although a deeper wheel profile is generally more aerodynamic, it makes the bike more difficult to handle because it is more susceptible to side winds than a shallow rim.

In addition to this, the additional material needed makes the ride harsher because it provides less compliance (comfort) than a shallower wheel.

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Storage

Triathlon bikes used to have several after-market modifications, such as rear water bottle holders behind the seat, saddle bags, chunky food storage containers on the top tube, and sticky tape for attaching gel packets to the top tube.

Modern triathlon bikes have considerably more complex storage options built into the design, removing the need for retrofitting equipment.

Some bikes have a front hydration storage device designed with a frame to hold the same amount of water as a standard sports bottle while also increasing the bike’s aerodynamics.

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Others have an integrated tool storage system that fits between the front and rear wheels, while others offer a ‘draft box’ that lies behind the seat tube and millimeters above the rear wheel to improve airflow while also providing excellent storage for parts, tubes, and tools.

Specialized brands have an integrated hydration system that sits within the extra-thick downtube and eliminates the need for water bottles.

Of course, all of these features come with a price, and more storage means a higher price.

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Entry-level models often have basic cockpit setups with a classic fork, steerer tube, stem, and handlebar combinations, with no integrated storage systems.

This can be useful from a functional standpoint because it allows for simple adjustment and maintenance as necessary.

Top-tier versions, on the other hand, feature fully integrated cockpit layouts with various fairings, modifications, and integrated storage systems. This strategy improves aerodynamics and integration while making modification and maintenance more challenging.

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Final Thoughts On Triathlon Bikes

There is no right or wrong triathlon bike to go for. It all depends on you and your preferences. Hopefully, this article has helped you understand what exactly a triathlon bike is and have gotten a starting point for the types of features that will be important to you on your triathlon journey!

 

Biking can be fun exercise. But how much of a calorie deficit will biking helping you achieve?

For that matter, what’s a calorie deficit?

Let’s take a look at these questions and more, so that you can optimize your health routine and shed those extra pounds!

First Things First… What Is A Calorie Deficit?

One of the most basic rules of weight loss is that you need to burn more calories than you eat.

So, when you burn more calories through exercise and normal bodily processes than you take in through food and drink, you have a calorie deficit.

To optimize your weight loss goals, this caloric deficit should be monitored very strictly.

How Many Calories Do You Burn Biking?

So, how many calories does riding a bike burn exactly? 

Well, one quick way to find out is a calorie deficit calculator.

Calorie deficit calculators are extremely helpful for tracking how many calories you burn while biking. An online calculator like this will give an estimation of your calorie burn during biking so that you can be sure you are maintaining a calorie deficit.

This way, you can balance your bike rides with your meals (caloric intake) and customize your diet and exercise routine to achieve your weight-loss goals.

Although a calorie deficit calculator is a great tool to measure your calorie burn while biking, there are many determining factors.

So, let’s examine the mechanics of riding and how it relates to burning calories!

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Factors Affecting Calories Burn While Biking

Several things affect how many calories you burn while biking. These include:

• Your weight
• How hard you bike
• How fast you ride
• Environment

When two people do the same exercise, the person who is heavier will often burn more calories because his/her body has to work harder to move their weight.

Similarly, the more intense the riding, the more calories are burned. Also maintaining a faster speed while biking will also increase calorie burn.

It takes more energy to walk uphill or on the rough ground than on the smooth ground, so more calories are burned. The same is true with biking.

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Biking and Calorie Counting Tools

It is recommended to use a biking calculator approximately 6 times, altering the effort and length, in order to acquire an average estimate of your calorie burn per biking session.

Calculating Energy Expended While Biking/Cycling:

• Leisurely Riding: For people who are new to biking, a slow ride (less than 10 mph) is a good way to start. For someone weighing about 155 pounds, this kind of ride burns about 200 to 300 calories per hour.
• Moderate Effort: Riding a bike at a moderate speed (10–14 mph) can burn between 300 and 600 calories an hour, based on your weight and the surface.
• Biking Fast: If you ride your bike faster than 20 miles per hour, you can burn up to 1,000 calories an hour, which is a lot for someone who weighs about 155 pounds.

Keep in mind that these numbers are just estimates. A calorie deficit calculator can help you get more accurate numbers for your specific situation.

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How To Burn The Most Calories While Biking

Do Intervals

Adding interval training to your riding routine can help you burn a lot more calories. Changing between short bursts of high intensity and rest times helps your body burn more calories during the workout and for hours afterward.

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Get Off The Road

Most of the time, mountain biking or off-road biking burns more calories than street cycling because the terrain is more difficult and takes more physical effort to get through.

Be A “Regular Joe”

When you bike regularly, your stamina and muscle strength improve. This lets you perform better, which means you burn more calories because you can keep up higher intensities for longer.

Use Technology 

Cycling apps and gadgets that work with calorie deficit calculators can give you more accurate information that helps you keep track of and improve how many calories you burn.

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Cycling And Biking To Maintain A Calorie Deficit

A single bike ride can certainly help you lose calories for the day.

But, to keep the weight off, you need to maintain a calorie deficit over time. Biking, eating well, and using a calorie deficit calculator on a daily basis can help you keep the calorie deficit you need to lose weight.

Remember that it’s best to lose weight slowly and not all at once, because a big calorie shortage can be unhealthy or impossible to maintain.

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FAQs About Calorie Burn From Biking

How accurate are bike calorie loss calculators?

Although calorie deficit tools can give you a good idea, they aren’t always right because they can’t tell what your metabolism is like or how hard you are working. But, they are a good way to get a rough idea of how many calories you burn.

Is it possible to burn a lot of calories just by biking?

Indeed, biking can help you burn a lot of calories, especially when you do it regularly and combine it with a healthy diet. The important thing is to bike at a speed and distance that will result in burning more calories.

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How often should I ride my bike to maintain my calorie deficit?

How often you bike should depend on your fitness level, your goals, and your routine.

Most standards say that to stay healthy and help with weight loss, you should do moderate-intensity cardio for at least 150 minutes or vigorous-intensity cardio for 75 minutes per week.

Does riding a bike burn more calories than walking?

Biking is usually a better way to burn calories than walking because it’s more active. However, walking can indeed burn a lot of calories, especially if you do it for a long time.

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Final Thoughts On Biking For Calorie Burn

Biking is not only a fun activity, but it can also help you lose weight and keep it off.

To burn the most calories, use a calorie deficit calculator and make sure your bike routine is right for your fitness level. 

You can reach your calorie-burning goals by biking in a variety of ways, from slow rides in the country to fast rides on difficult terrain.

So, have fun on your bike ride and remember that biking is good for your mental and physical health in many ways!