The Roads That Made Us - A Rapha Guide to Riding to the best cycling destinations in the USA
We’re not treading new ground by telling you that America is vast. Plenty of artistic and literary work has been created from road tripping this behemoth from ocean to ocean, but we think that to truly know this continent, you have to ride it. So, what are the best cycling routes in the USA? Where do you even begin, with 50 states of wildly different topography?
Ancient misty forests in the Pacific Northwest, sun-baked pop-cultural icons in Southern California, a burgeoning yet still widely underappreciated interior up to the towering, oxygen-starved Rockies. Ride on the myriad of roads between Atlantic and Pacific and you shall not come away disappointed.
Curated by ride leaders and seasoned locals from our Clubhouses and Rapha Cycling Club hubs, this is an ode to American riding and the nation's beauty through the lens of the people who know it best.
California & The West Coast
San Francisco: Muir Woods Loop
A great 2-to-3-hour loop that is a popular early weekday ride for the morning people amongst us, or a nice social weekend route for many folks who can’t get out before work.
Terrain: Coastal climbing
Los Angeles
Los Angeles: RCC | Fernwood + Saddle Peak
Terrain: Winding, technical road climbing This is our go-to Santa Monica Mountain classic that ascends toward our most popular scenic junction, Saddle Peak. It is a winding, technical climb with sections of tree cover, massive rock faces that jut out into each bend and fern-covered edges that seem out of place with the other vegetation. It is a beautiful climb with amazing views.
Los Angeles: RCC | Panda's Ponies
Terrain: Rolling urban-adjacent hills The Ponies route is short, but packed full of world-famous viewpoints such as the Hollywood Sign, Downtown LA and the beaches of Santa Monica and Malibu, passing along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway - a California staple. It serves as a rolling social gathering of riders from all over LA and on many occasions, the world.
The Rockies & The Heartland
Bike routes in the Colorado Rockies are numerous and very accessible. But be prepared. You’re going to start at altitude, and the only way is up.
Boulder: Gold Hill
A rugged, historic front-range test of endurance that winds up into the mountains toward the unpaved streets of Gold Hill, offering massive alpine views.
Terrain: High-altitude mountain climbing (mixed surface)
Boulder: Flagstaff HC
Boulder’s quintessential hill climb, featuring steady switchbacks and steep pitches that reward you with clear views of both the plains and continental divide.
Terrain: Steep road climb
Bentonville: The Square to Gravette
Rolling out from Bentonville, this route showcases the best of Northwest Arkansas gravel, linking together quiet backroads, flowing hardpack and the region’s signature punchy climbs. Expect a mix of smooth dirt, loose sections and fast descents as the route winds through tree-lined hollows and open farmland, offering a true taste of riding in the Ozarks.
Terrain: Premium gravel, flowing hardpack, and punchy climbs
Chicago: Spring Road to Hinsdale
A punchy ride taking you through the southwest suburbs, with the best long straights and open roads you can get this close to the city.
Terrain: Flat, fast, long straights
The East Coast
New York: Boxer Loop
This route features all the climbs in and around Nyack, where you can loop multiple climbs back-to-back before descending into Nyack for a cafe break at Boxer Donut or the Coffee Ride Cafe. The route offers great views of the Hudson River and the city in the background.
These loops, climbs and gravel roads represent just a portion of the parcours America has to offer. Whether you want to push your limits on an alpine ascent or join a fast suburban paceline, our Clubhouse doors are always open. Stop by, grab a coffee, download the routes and roll out with us.
Terrain: Successive, punchy road climbs
Seattle & The Pacific Northwest
Bainbridge Island Tour
Distance: 30 miles (approx. 48 km) Duration: 2 hours Terrain: Rolling Just a short ferry ride from downtown Seattle, this 2-hour, 30-mile loop around Bainbridge offers some of the best riding the Pacific Northwest has to offer, including lush evergreen forests, stunning views of the Olympic and Cascade mountains and constant rolling hills. Bainbridge is also home to several local pro cyclists, so eyes peeled for fast-moving locals.
Bridge to Bridge Loop
Duration: 2 hours Terrain: Rolling A quick 2-hour loop across Lake Washington via its iconic floating bridges (I-90 and 520) and around Mercer Island, an area sometimes called the world's largest outdoor velodrome.
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