Are you looking for your next challenge?
Tired of the same old cycling routes?
It’s time to pack your bike and take a flight to one of these destinations. When it is all said and done you’ll come back both a stronger and smarter cyclist.
1. French Alps
The French Alps are among the best cycling destinations in the world. After all, it is home to the premier cycling race in the world, the Tour de France. Every July, millions of people around the world flock to France to watch the world’s best cyclists race for the yellow jersey. Now’s your chance to ride some of the same roads and climbs that the pros do during some of the toughest stages. During our 2018 High Alps of the Tour de France tour from July 7 to July 14, 2018, you can climb the infamous 21 hairpin turns of the Alpes d’Huez. If that isn’t enough, you can also push your limits on the 35 kilometers, 2000 meter vertical climb up Col du Galibier.
2. Utah’s Canyon Country
If spectacular and mind-altering landscapes are at the top of your list, then you’ll want to head to Utah’s Canyon Country. Utah’s Canyon Country has it all – long climbs, fast descents, and stunning views. Our Boulder, Bryce, and Zion tour and Utah Mountains and National Parks is great for cyclists who like to spend time both on and off the saddle. Ride all 124 miles of Utah’s Scenic Highway 12 and then swap your cycling shoes for hiking boots. This route gives you plenty of opportunities to hike in the many National Parks and Monuments our route goes through over the course of seven days.
3. Mallorca, Spain
The island of Mallorca, Spain has been the home base for many past and current pro cyclists for years. It’s the perfect spring training destination for any pro or recreational cyclists.
Escape the early spring of the northeast (or elsewhere) for the sunny Spanish island. If you’ve wanted to become a better climber, this is the tour for you. Mallorca is home to some epic climbs, like the Sa Calobra, which is a 9.4 kilometer climb with an average gradient of seven percent. Don’t be surprised if you’re passed by some of the professional cycling teams out on their morning training ride. Can you keep up?
4. Moab’s High Desert
Are you looking to get a jump on your competition in 2018? Join one of our 5-day Desert Climbing Camps that are designed to build your base mileage and prime your legs for lots of climbing. The Moab High Desert is a rugged country with elevations ranging from 4,500 feet to 10,800 feet. Short on time? The 4-day Moab & The Back of Beyond tour is the perfect long weekend cycling tour. We also offer a 6-day tour, too. Based in our backyard, we love this route. Surrounded by the natural beauty of southeastern Utah and Southwestern Colorado, this tour offers big challenges for cyclists looking to push themselves to the next level or simply start the cycling season early. With temperatures in the 70s, the Moab Desert is the perfect destination for climbing and strengthening your legs after a long winter.
5. Crested Butte, Colorado
Crested Butte offers what we feel are the most beautiful mountain biking trails in the world. But, we’re also a little biased. Our Crested Butte Singletrack Trail tour transverses the challenging and remote terrain of the Elk Mountains. This challenging trail has a great mix of singletrack climbs, laugh-out-loud downhills, and 360-degree Colorado mountain views. Our tour is one of the most flexible options. Choose from 3, 4, or 6 days of riding in the remote mountains and a camping-based or lodge-based accommodation. The highlight climb of this route may be the long ascent up to Teocalli Mountain at 11,300 feet, but you can decide for yourself ;-).
6. Hayduke Trail
The Hayduke Trail is one of the American West’s ultimate point-to-point off-road mountain bike tours. It offers over 400 miles of world class riding through mind-boggling Utah’s National Parks and National Monuments. The Hayduke Trail is a “gravel grinder” and not an overly technical trail so it’s will give you plenty of time to take in the stunning scenery around you while you pedal. The trail rides through the new Bear’s Ears National Monument. Outside Magazine’s Christopher Soloman recently rode with us and said, “We have ridden 260 miles and climbed about 20,000 vertical feet. We’ll be mining the sand and dust from gear and ears for days.”
7. Death Valley National Park
With its name, Death Valley National Park is probably not the first place on your mind to ride your bike. Early spring (February and March) is a magical time in Death Valley – colorful flowers, temperatures in the upper 70s, and cool nights. Death Valley offers easy spinning and also for those that seek it, a good deal of climbing. You’ll get to ride down to Badwater Basin, the lowest point (below sea level) in North America. Join us for our inaugural tour through Death Valley National Park in March 2018.
8. Pike’s Peak, Colorado
Pike’s Peak is the most arduous road bike climb in North America. You’ll climb over 7,000 feet with 162 turns in over 18 miles to the famous peak at 14,100 feet. While climbing, you’ll experience roughly 10 miles of the climb with a 10% grade that is above 10,000 feet! You’ll suffer and doubt yourself, but it will make you both a physically and mentally a stronger cyclist. Plus, you’ll have major bragging rights in your local cycling club. You can climb Pike’s Peak on our Aspen to Santa Fe Bike Tour and our Colorado Cols: Durango to Colorado Springs Epic.
9. Vermont
Vermont in the autumn is an experience all cyclists should enjoy at least once in their lifetimes. The Green Mountain state is picturesque, verdant, and bike friendly. Cyclists can spin in the valleys or climb up to six mountains gaps in Vermont with our New York and Vermont to Montreal, Canada Bike Tour.
The Four Gap option offers up to 107 miles and 7,500 feet of climbing fun over some of Vermont’s most famous mountain gaps. Despite all the climbing, there is a lot of downhills and flatter riding. Plus, you’ll love all the quiet mountain roads that wind through the Green Mountains. There is plenty of Vermont Maple Syrup to keep you fueled on your ride to Canada.
Are You Ready to Be a Stronger Cyclist?
Lizard Head Cycling Guides specializes in running cycling tours on and off the road for the cyclist who wants to ride E.F.I or as we say, “every freaking inch,” or intermediates who enjoy riding the best sections of road on any given day. We seek out destinations to run our cycling tours that offer beautiful and challenging landscapes with few cars. These destinations make you feel safe while making you an all-round stronger cyclist. Whether you compete against the strongest cyclists in the world or against yourself, we can help you find the perfect cycling destination.
Get in touch today to start planning your ultimate cycling vacation, or if you’re not quite ready to commit to booking a trip, sign up to our free email course where you can learn all the information you need to know about planning a bicycle tour.