Whether you like cycling for the wind in your hair, its social component, or the opportunity to see the world in a whole new way, you’ve probably thought of taking your riding to the next level. If you are up for a challenge, mark your calendar for some of the best cycling events in the US.
To simplify your planning, we’ve collected some verified places to rent a bike or stay over and marked them on the map. If you know any other places or want to share your riding experience and give advice, please write to us in our Discord community.
Texas Hell Week
Originating in 1991, Texas Hell Week is a fantastic spring cycling event in the US. It features nearly 1,000 miles of paved roads with minimal traffic, allowing riders to enjoy the beautiful sights of blooming wildflowers. The race offers 3 rides daily, approximately 30-50 miles, 50-80 miles, and 60-100 miles over 7 days. Additionally, participants can attend informative seminars on coaching, nutrition, and crewing in the evenings.
Next ride: March 24th – March 30th, 2024
Location: Fredericksburg, TX
Event website: https://www.raamchallenge.com/
Bike MS: Escape to the Lake
Embark on a thrilling cycling journey as you traverse the picturesque landscape of Western Pennsylvania, starting from the scenic South Shore of Moraine State Park. Your pedal-powered adventure will take you through charming small towns and rolling hills, immersing you in the region’s beauty. Bike MS: Escape to the Lake has been recognized as one of USA TODAY’s top 10 road cycling events, so adding this challenge to your list of goals is a must.
Next ride: June 1 – 2, 2024
Location: Portersville, PA
Event website: https://events.nationalmssociety.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=cms.page&id=1232
Tour of the California Alps – Death Ride
The ride is considered the best road riding event in California and the Southwest. Spanning 103 miles, the route takes participants through three demanding mountain passes: Monitor Pass (Hwy 89), Ebbetts Pass (Hwy 4), and the Pacific Grade (Hwy 4). Traffic will be restricted from Markleeville onwards to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride, with a designated turnaround point at Lake Alpine. From there, participants will make their way back to the finish line at Turtle Rock Park.
Those who successfully conquer all the ascents and complete the ride within the designated event timeframe will be rewarded with the highly coveted Death Ride® – Tour of the California Alps Finisher’s Jersey. All athletes and their supporters will be welcome to join the celebration at the finish line.
Next ride: July 15, 2024
Location: Markleeville, CA
Event website: https://deathride.com/
Vapor Trail 125
The Vapor Trail is a weekend bikepacking adventure that follows a 125-mile loop starting and ending in Salida, Colorado. This scenic route takes riders through high-altitude terrain and incorporates two historic rail grades. As riders traverse the trail, they will encounter breathtaking mountain passes and pass through historic mining settlements.
The difficulty of the Vapor Trail is rated as 7 out of 10. The singletrack sections along the route are partly technical, with rocky terrain that requires riders to possess skill and confidence in navigating successfully. The ride includes over 13,000 feet of elevation gain spread across just over 100 miles.
Next ride: September 7-8, 2024
Location: Salida, Colorado
Event website: https://vaportrail125.com/
Silver State 508
This 48-hour race takes place along Nevada Highway 50 and covers a distance of 508 miles. The route offers breathtaking scenery and remote roads, making it a truly epic cycling experience. The race is open to solo riders and two-person and four-person relay teams. There are various categories for different types of bikes, including standard bikes, tandems, recumbents, fixed gear, and single-speed bikes.
It’s suitable for both beginner racers and experienced ones who want to test their powers in this route along “the loneliest highway in America.”
Next ride: September 13-15, 2024
Location: Reno, NV
Event website: https://www.the508.net/#intro
Please visit the organizers’ official websites for comprehensive event details and registration requests. For all other questions about route planning and activity preparation, don’t hesitate to reach out to us in our Discord community. We’re always here to assist you!