9) Scenic Byway 12. Capital Reef, Utah, combined with Scenic byway 12 through Bryce Canyon Nat'l Park, Utah.
A morning ride downhill after the worst night of sleep in a windy dust bowl. Capital Reef National Park was gorgeous (a mix of Zion and Bryce). And at one major downhill I hit 51 mph. This all came after (in my opinion) the hardest biking day of the trip, Boulder mountain and some insane winds.
Byway 12 was obviously a great route. It stretched quite a ways. There was a bike path into Bryce as well. Seeing the Characteristic Bryce Hoodoos while riding was nothing short of spectacular. We also saw another touring couple, they were married and the man was also carrying a child in a BOB trailer. How cool is that??
8) The Virginia Creeper Trail, VA
This was a gravel path from Abingdon to Damascus. We finished the day in Damascus so the last 15 miles were on the creeper trail. It paralleled a river the whole time and had 20+ wooden bridges. I did get a flat, but that trail was worth 20 flats. The fall leaves were everywhere!!!!
7) Highway 58 South across Emerald Isle to Atlantic Beach ,NC
This one was special because it was the end. It was awesome riding along the island seeing the ocean on both sides of the road at times. 15 miles along the ocean before we hit Atlantic beach. No traffic. It was a perfect ending.
6) Highway 120 into Benton hot Springs from Lee Vining (Mono lake area), CA
We decided to tackle this 45 mile section after 3:30 PM because we connected with Dianne at Benton Hot Springs. We had some nice tail winds for a while and some beautiful climbs through a wooded area with lots of BLM camp areas. The downhills became extremely thrilling once we neared Benton and we flew in to our natural hot spring tub night after exceding 53 mph, the fastest moment of the trip. Bill and Dianne fixed us a perfect salmon dinner, and te natural hot tubs only added to the perfection of the road segment.
5) Highway 91. Jeb Stuart highway out of Damascus, VA
Right at the base of the Appalachians we followed another beautiful river as we entered the small section of Tennessee that we rode in. The section I loved was probably only 10 miles. The tress were beautiful, the river sounded so perfect, it was cold as ever, and it was an unforgettable moment.
4) Laurel Creek Road over Pine Mountain into Virginia from Kentucky.
The mist was rising everywhere around us and we had climbed some major Appalachian hills, I think in the first string (of two) Appalachain. Mountain runs. We descended into a coal mining valley and witnessed the coal train starting and beginning it's course. The trees were vibrant to say the least and the mist was covering the tree tops. What a perfect scene; a mental picture I will never forget.
3) Highway 9 out of Zion Nat'l Park, Utah
The ride was winding and steep, which was great because it kept our pace slow so that we could soak in the massive walls of Zion. We also had to hitchhike through a short tunnel and met some amazing canyoneers.
2) Highway 108 into Brightman Flat. Between Pinecrest and Sonora, CA
Redwood forest, huge grey rock faces, many amazing campgrounds along a small river... Can I go back now? The only downfall, or bonus depending on how you look at it, was Sonora pass coming up next where walking the bike by my side happened. The experience was very much still unparalleled.
1) Monarch Pass, CO.
The highlight of my biking career. THE HIGHLIGHT. 5000 foot climb and then descent. Met Mathias. Averaged 40 mph for 10 miles on the descent. Fiery yellow aspen trees all around in the Colorado pine forest. At the top we were above the tree line and also had some snow. Nothing better. NOTHING.
God bless,
Tailwinds,
Mark
Thank You for posting these Mark I needed the Atlantic Ocean shot for the right hand side of my bulletin board
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