Last fall my husband, Jay, and I accomplished a 6,000-mile trek from our summer home aboard our 42’ sailboat in Michigan to the Canadian Rockies and Pacific Northwest, finishing at our winter home in Hendersonville. Our trip took us through 17 states, with the goal of seeing some of America’s National Parks, and a few places on our bucket list, plus visiting friends. Along the way we witnessed some amazing scenery and realized how many places have bike trails of one sort or the other that offer an even more expansive way to experience an area.

Driving versus flying allows a more in-depth appreciation of the beauty and ecosystem diversity of the North American continent. And biking increases that appreciation of details even more. Our bucket list item of Lake Louise (where I stood at the same place my mother and grandfather posed for a framed photo on August 27, 1940), Canada involved more hiking than biking; however, we did do a short bike on the Banff Legacy Trail as it winds through the very busy tourist area of town. The beauty of the Canadian Rockies is almost overwhelming as each time you turn your head it generates another “Wow, look at that” moment. One of the prettiest spots was Emerald Lake just west of Lake Louise and Banff.

On the way to Lake Louise we, of course, visited Yellowstone National Park, and Custer State Park. A hike around Devils Tower led us to the nearby town of Deadwood to see the graves of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. There we discovered by chance the Mickelson Trail. The George S. Mickelson Trail traverses over 100 glorious miles of the Black Hills of South Dakota. A former rail line, the trail crosses more than 100 railroad bridges and goes through four tunnels. We have already decided we definitely want to come back to ride more of this one!

Another of the most beautiful areas seen on our travels was Bryce Canyon, Utah. Not only is there a trail within the park, but on the way from Bryce west toward Zion National Park there is a longer paved trail that offers some equally amazing views. The first is a shared use trail and provides the best way to cycle the first 3 miles of the Bryce Canyon scenic drive. It provides 5 vehicle free miles connecting the shuttle station north of the park with the Visitor Center, Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, and Inspiration Point (the first three scenic turnouts). Bicyclists who are more adventurous than I can achieve a longer ride by traveling along the main park road to the southern end of the park.

But I’d suggest opting for that paved trail along Highway 12, The Red Canyon Trail. It starts, as does the shared use path (and just about everything else in these parts) at the iconic Ruby’s Inn; and offers a
15-mile round trip, fairly level, through red canyons and expansive vistas. For mountain bikes there are lots of other options in the area, for which a link is below.

One of my favorite rides on the trip was along the Truckee River Trail at Lake Tahoe, and the path up the valley to the lodge at Olympic Valley. It is a trail that I have done often, since I have visited the area frequently due to the fact that my best friend from high school in Hinsdale, Illinois, and matron of honor in my wedding, lives there. Bike trails hold so many memories of beautiful and interesting places, but also memories of a more personal nature. I first rode this trail when my friend’s 2-year-old daughter went with us, and this fall I got to spend time near the trail with that daughter’s own young children.

After 45 days on the road, it was nice to be back home in North Carolina, and recently take another spring bike ride on the Swamp Rabbit Trail after attending a Garrison Keillor performance at the Peace Center in Greenville. While more urban trails may not have the grand vistas of those out in the rural west, there is much beauty to be found, especially during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall.

Having seen so many bike trails in almost every area and the benefit they provide to communities along their path, upon our return it was great to see the progress being made on the Ecusta Trail. I, along with so many others, look forward to its completion of the first 6-mile segment by the end of this year.

By Cindy Ruzak