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The 10 Most Bikeable Cities in California

From Redfin.com

California, a state renowned for its stunning coastlines, towering redwoods, and vibrant cities, offers more than just picturesque views. It’s also a haven for cycling enthusiasts, with numerous cities that prioritize bike-friendly infrastructure.

In this Redfin article, we delve into the top bikeable cities in the Golden State, exploring everything from the tech-savvy streets of Mountain View to the sun-drenched paths of Santa Monica. Join us as we pedal through the most bike-friendly cities in California.

1. Mountain View, CA

Bike Score: 92
Median Sale Price: $1,850,000
Median Rent Price: $3,280

Mountain View, a suburb of San Jose, is the most bikeable city in California with a bike score of 92. One of the most bikeable cities in the country, the region boasts several cyclist-friendly neighborhoods, like Old Mountain View and Monta Loma. These areas contain bike lanes and numerous attractions accessible by bike.

Photo by Jack Finnigan on Unsplash

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Why The Tarmac SL8 Could Be A Disadvantage

Alex is back from the Tour Down Under, and joins Ollie to ask ‘are all-rounder bikes like the Specialized Tarmac SL8 slower than racing on specific climbing, or aero bikes’? There’s the usual look through the latest news stories from the world of cycling technology, and make sure to check out which of your bikes are supernice this week

Firecracker Fun Ride/Half-Century – February 24th

From Firecracker10k.org

BIKE RIDE

LET’S RIDE!
FIRECRACKER EVENTS ARE IN PERSON AND VIRTUAL
  • Celebrating 46 years with the Year of the Dragon!
  • New for 2024: Fun Ride/Half-Century through historic Los Angeles Chinatown and surrounding neighborhoods in person or virtually in a course near you
  • Proceeds from the events are donated to local elementary schools and non-profit organizations
BIKE RIDE FINISHERS WILL RECEIVE
  • Ultra-soft commemorative short sleeve t-shirt
  • Goodie Bag
  • Finisher Medal
IN PERSON EVENT
  • February 24, 2024
VIRTUAL BIKE RIDE
  • February 24, 2024

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L.A. is home to a thriving cycling culture. These 13 bike shops will help you discover it

From LATimes.com

MICHAEL CHARBONEAU

In our car-choked, freeway-stitched metropolis, this might sound strange or possibly absurd, but it’s something I believe to be true: Los Angeles is an amazing place to ride a bike.

Yes, there’s lots of evidence to the contrary. In 2022, L.A. reached a grim milestone — 312 people died in traffic collisions, including 20 cyclists. Wide arterial roads filled with speeding vehicles crisscross the city, creating a dangerous environment for people on bikes. And despite much fanfare, L.A.’s proposed citywide network of bike lanes and paths remains largely just an idea on paper (though a proposed ballot measurecould change that).

L.A. is far from perfect. But if you look beyond the bad news, the City of Angels has so much to offer cyclists. From nearly ideal year-round weather to an abundance of terrain options for riding, the city stands out for many reasons, but none is more important than the incredible community of cyclists who live and pedal in L.A.

Don’t believe me? Spend some time in the city’s bike shops.

“I’ve been riding bikes in Los Angeles for almost 20 years now,” says Kyle Kelley, co-owner of Allez LA bike shop in Highland Park. “I’ve never gone anywhere and felt the love that I feel with the bicycle community here.”

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We Race The BEST Riders On The Planet…Here’s What Happened

Jonas Vingegaard and Sepp Kuss. Grand Tour winners and two of the biggest names in professional cycling. They are amongst the fittest men on the planet, with legs and minds of steel. No one can beat them. Or can they? We have the perfect athlete to challenge the Visma Lease-A-Bike’s lead riders. Dan Lloyd. Can the pull-up king push Kuss and Vingegaard out of Zone 2?

 

The Best Bike Routes for Exploring New York City, According to an Avid Cyclist

From CnTraveler.com

Cycling in New York can be intimidating, but with a bit of research and planning you can glide through iconic spots like Coney Island and Central Park on two wheels.

By FRANCESCA CARINGTON

I began my exploration of the countless bike paths in New York City as soon as I arrived. As a longtime cyclist in London, I knew that cycling is a satisfying way to get to know a city as a newcomer, and it’s no different in New York: you whip through neighborhoods, witnessing the landscape changing character dramatically between blocks. (My first ever bike ride took me past the copper-colored mansions of Brooklyn Heights, along the tourist-crowded cobbled streets of Dumbo, through Hasidic South Williamsburg and ended outside a crummy dive bar on Grand.) Riding a bike also requires a certain mindset, a kind of calm hyper awareness as you assess your surroundings. It means that you really notice things on a bike: potholes and perfectly flattened rats that need dodging, but also scraps of conversations, or the gauzy silhouette of the Empire State Building peeking out behind skyscrapers to signpost where you are.

While biking through Manhattan has its chaotic charms, I love to cycle around Brooklyn most of all, past elaborately named churches and along brownstone-lined streets, getting splashed by the water from hydrants as children play in the water on scorching summer days, wheeling my bike down streets closed for block parties, or pausing to admire families’ dramatic Halloween decorations. And when you puff uphill over the bridges from Brooklyn to Manhattan on a bright winter morning, the saturated colors of the city etched onto a clear sky, New York can literally take your breath away.

Navigating the bike paths in New York City can be intimidating, even for locals, but with a bit of research and planning you can take advantage of both official bike lanes and quieter backstreets. There are also riverside bike lanes running up both the east and west sides of Manhattan (with a thirty-block gap around the United Nations on the east side), as well as cycle paths contouring the key routes through Brooklyn. Whatever your style, on a bike, the city reveals itself to you.

Here are some of my favorite routes through New York‘s various boroughs.

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Stay cycling fit over 60 — all the tips you need to enjoy riding into your 60s and beyond

From Road.cc

by JAMIE WILLIAMS

You might have seen our recent article on how to boost your fitness when aged over 50, but then asked, “what about us cyclists who’ve had a few more birthdays?” One of those people was no other than road.cc founder Tony Farrelly, who at the age of 61 has set himself a goal to improve his fitness in 2024.

To help Tony out and defog the mysterious world of fitness as you age, we’ve drafted in the help of Jason Streather of PDQ Cycle Coaching(link is external). Jason works with plenty of aged 60+ athletes, and even coaches cyclists in their 80s who are still racing.

Don’t worry though! We realise that not everyone wants to race or even be fast. Tony, for example, is now far less interested in his wattage output and simply cycles because that’s what he loves doing, and finds it a good way of keeping fit. In this feature and video (at the top if you prefer to watch), we’ll cover changing motivations as you get older, how you might want to modify your training, plus tips and advice on how to avoid injury.

Why is cycling good for over 60s?

Other than the fact that most sports are good for you no matter your age, Streather explained to us that cycling is particularly attractive because of its low-impact nature.

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How Much Better Have Bikes Got In 50 Years? | Retro Vs Modern Campagnolo Edition

We know that bike technology has changed a lot in the last 50 years, but how much? And beyond the tech, how does a modern bike with the latest wireless Campagnolo Super Record compare to the iconic Nuovo Record, ridden by the legend Eddy Merckx? Does it have the same soul? Si takes out two bikes to compare them.

The Best Places to Live in the United States if You’re a Bicyclist

From MomentumMag.com

Where are the best places to live if bicycles are a big part of your life? Within the dynamic tapestry of metropolitan existence, where the lively cadence of urbanity merges harmoniously with the tranquil rotation of bicycle spokes, lies an expedition to discover a sanctuary that epitomizes perfection for bicyclists. This odyssey traverses realms imbued with equilibrium and unity—an exploration enveloped in equilibrium and accord—where seekers yearn to find their utopia on two wheels.

Let’s have a look at cities that elevate cycling from a sporting hobby to not just transportation but an intrinsic part of its identity. From dynamic neighborhoods to bustling streets, we delve into unique and often overlooked urban gems, exploring key facets such as bicycle-friendly infrastructure, affordability, weather, economy, cultural richness, culinary delights, and community spirit.

Boulder, Colorado

Nestled beneath the majestic Rockies, Boulder emerges as an urban cyclist’s utopia, adorned with its Platinum-level Bicycle-Friendly Community status. But beyond the allure of mountainous trails and bike lanes, Boulder surprises with a robust and diverse economy. The city’s innovative tech scene and outdoor industry giants create a flourishing job market, ensuring that urban cyclists thrive both on and off the saddle.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Enduring harsh winters, Minneapolis emerges as a Platinum-level Bicycle-Friendly Community, offering picturesque trails like the Chain of Lakes. Beyond the bike-friendly infrastructure, Minneapolis boasts an affordable cost of living, making it a hidden gem for cyclists. The city’s cultural offerings and thriving job market contribute to its appeal.

Portland, Oregon

Venturing to the eclectic city of Portland reveals another Platinum-level Bicycle-Friendly Community. Known for its unconventional spirit and artistic neighborhoods, Portland’s cultural richness aligns harmoniously with its commitment to cycling. Then there is the rich history of bicycle culture that makes the city so unique.

Photo by Justin Shen on Unsplash

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The Best New U.S. Bike Lanes of 2023

From PeopleForBikes.org

By: Martina Haggerty, senior director of local innovation

From bustling cities to small towns, communities from coast to coast amplified their commitment to better biking with an unprecedented surge in safer, more comfortable places to ride in 2023. And, with thousands of additional projects planned across the country and more federal funding for bikes available than ever, we can reasonably expect the pace of construction to increase more dramatically in the coming years.

Even for the most ardent naysayers, it’s difficult to deny that the landscape of bicycling in America is transforming (although not as quickly as many of us would like to see). While we have yet to see any U.S. cities emerge with truly bold citywide plans for bike networks as we’ve seen in places like London, Paris, and Bogota, many are (slowly) beginning to envision a future where cycling takes center stage. Although there remains a substantial amount of work ahead of us to cultivate a safe and comfortable environment for people of all ages and abilities to ride bikes in the U.S., it’s well worth pausing to commemorate the significant infrastructure victories U.S. cities achieved in 2023.

Photo by Dário Gomes on Unsplash

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