Riding in Tucson, Ariz.

The 10 best cycling towns for Masters riders

For its marvelous routes for both mountain bikers and road racers, Durango, Colo., tucked in the southwestern corner of the state, earns Masters Athlete's nod as the No. 1 town for Masters cyclists to live.

Durango and the other nine cities on our list made the cut, because they each scored high in four areas: climate/terrain, training facilities, events and number of local riders. The large majority of the places populating our list are in the West, where the combination of hills and wide-open spaces tends to make for good riding.

All of these cities, however, may one day be eclipsed by a community in the eastern United States that is not on our list (but is described in greater detail at the end of this story). Currently in the planning stages, Pla d'Adet, in the hills of South Carolina, is a community that will be built around cycling, the way that developments in Florida and Arizona are built around golf.

The summaries of our top 10 cycling towns for Masters riders begin below.

Durango, Colo.
To hardcore cyclists, especially fat tire fanatics, Durango is the Promised Land with countless miles of singletrack, awesome mountain scenery and a local culture where everyone speaks "bicycle."

In 1990, the town hosted the first Mountain Bike World Championships.  Several world champions, including Ned Overend (still going strong in his 50s), call Durango home.
The Colorado Trail-Hoffheins Connection is classic Durango singletrack.  The 20-mile loop features steep climbs, technical sections and great views. Best of all, it starts right in town.

The Hermosa Creek Trail is considered one of the country's top rides, but is not for the faint-of-heart. The 20-mile trail has rocky sections and two creek crossings.

Each May, road riders descend on Durango for the one-of-a-kind Iron Horse Bicycle Classic. This 50-mile race pits riders against the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad from Durango to the former mining town of Silverton.

Climate/terrain: 4.5
Training facilities: 5.0
Events: 5.0
Local cyclists: 5.0
Total: 19.5 stars

Austin, Texas
The Texas capital has long been considered one of the country's premier cycling cities. Whether your forte is hills or flats, roads or trails, you'll find no shortage of rides or fellow riders.

A popular road ride is the 35-mile Dam Loop, which takes you high above the Colorado River on Mansfield Dam. The ride has its ups and downs -- in a good way.

The Barton Creek Greenbelt is a rite of passage for Austin's fat tire fans.  The mostly flat, mostly singletrack, 8-mile (one-way) trail winds through the woods along Barton Creek, making it easy to forget you're in the middle of the city.

Spring is a great time to ride the beautiful Texas hill country. April's Hill Country Ride for AIDS is an all-abilities, family friendly ride of 10, 50 or 70 miles.

Climate/terrain: 5.0
Training facilities: 4.5
Events: 4.5
Local cyclists: 5.0
Total: 19.0 stars

Bend, Ore.
In the past few decades, Bend has made an amazing transformation from timber town to world-class outdoor sports playground. The cycling scene, in particular, is in high gear with a growing number of pro riders calling Bend home.

With the Cascade Mountains to the west and the high desert plateau to the east, the Central Oregon community sits amid a diverse landscape of forests, lava fields and high desert canyons.

Road riders can test their mettle on the 85-mile Mt. Bachelor loop featuring a 20-mile sustained climb. Group rides are a daily occurrence and range from casual Saturday outings hosted by the Central Oregon Velo Club to race pace weekday noontime rides leaving from Hutch's Bike Shop.

In July, Bend hosts the Cascade Cycling Classic, the longest consecutively run elite stage race in the country.

Climate/terrain: 5.0
Training facilities: 4.5
Events: 4.5
Local cyclists: 4.5
Total: 18.5 stars

Moab, Utah
For sheer drama, few places on earth can match the desert and red-rock canyon landscape of Moab. Fewer places still offer the amazing variety of mountain biking options for riders of all abilities. The southeast Utah outpost is about four hours from Salt Lake City and five hours from Denver.

Just behind town is the Slickrock Trail, the world's most famous mountain bike trail. The expert-rated 10.6-mile loop traverses undulating sandstone formations high above the Colorado River. In October, the Suzuki 24 Hours of Moab brings 5,000 team and solo racers from around the world to a remote desert setting for the 24-hour race.

A growing number of skinny tire enthusiasts also have discovered the joys of Moab cycling. A 45-mile out-and-back ride takes cyclists through the unearthly landscape of Arches National Park. Diverse scenery is the theme of September's Moab Century Tour, which begins in canyon country and climbs high into the La Sal Mountains.

Climate/terrain: 5.0
Training facilities: 4.0
Events: 5.0
Local cyclists: 4.0
Total: 18.0 stars

Lake Tahoe, Calif.
Straddling the border of California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe is a popular year-round sports playground with a myriad of choices for two-wheeled recreation.

The Flume Trail, on Tahoe's eastern shore, has been called the best mountain bike trail in the West. The 22-mile intermediate ride features stellar lake views and rolling singletrack through stands of aspen and evergreen.

South of Lake Tahoe is Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. The roller-coaster trail features big climbs, exhilarating descents and some technical sections.

Each spring, 3,000 road riders gather for America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride. Cyclists can choose from a combination boat cruise/35-mile fun ride, a 72-mile ride around the lake or a full century ride. If you miss out on the popular spring event, you'll have another chance to circumnavigate the lake on September's Tour de Tahoe - Bike Big Blue ride.

Climate/terrain: 4.5
Training facilities: 4.5
Events: 4.5
Local cyclists: 4.5
Total: 18.0 stars

Asheville, N.C.
Surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains in western North Carolina, Asheville has earned a reputation as a center of art, music and some of the finest mountain biking the East has to offer.

Nearby forests, lakes and valleys serve up a variety of fat tire options, from winding riverside roadways to singletrack ridgeline trails. In the nearby Dupont State Forest, about 100 miles of trails traverse hilly terrain featuring technical climbs, gorgeous waterfalls and even stretches of slickrock in the form of huge granite domes.

At Tsali Recreation Area, four different loop rides offer 40 miles of fast, smooth trails along the hilly shores of Fontana Lake.

Road bikers are blessed with easy access to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The sinuous, undulating roadway extends for 469 miles without a traffic light or stop sign.

Climate/terrain: 4.0
Training facilities: 4.5
Events: 4.5
Local cyclists: 4.5
Total: 17.5 stars

Solvang, Calif.
The Danish-themed village of Solvang, 130 miles north of Los Angeles in the Santa Barbara wine country, was prominently featured in the hit movie Sideways. But that's not the town's only brush with celebrity. With great local riding and a favorable climate, Solvang has served as an early-season base camp for Team Discovery during Lance Armstrong's tenure and, more recently, team CSC.

The best of the local road riding landscape can be had on the 41-mile Alisos Canyon Loop ride. The scenic route features wineries, cattle ranches, country roads and 2,200 feet of climbing.
Mountain bikers head to the Mount Figueroa Catway Road for leg-burning terrain and views of the San Rafael Wilderness.

In March, the town hosts the Solvang Century. With 5,000 riders, it's the largest 100-mile ride in California. In November, the Solvang Prelude attracts 3,000 cyclists with a variety of ride options.

Climate/terrain: 5.0
Training facilities: 4.0
Events: 5.0
Local cyclists: 3.5
Total: 17.5 stars

Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson's dry climate and close-in desert and mountain environments provide a wealth of riding options for skinny and fat tire enthusiasts.

The Saguaro National Park, with sections east and west of Tucson, offers unique riding opportunities. The popular McCain Loop is a 34-mile road ride that begins at the University of Arizona and takes riders through vast expanses of towering cacti with a challenging climb over Gates Pass.

In the Santa Rita Mountains south of Tucson, the Elephant Head trail is a scenic mountain bike ride through open desert on jeep trails and singletrack.  More an endurance ride than a technical one, it's suitable for all abilities.

In November, El Tour de Tucson is one of the country's largest cycling events with rides for road cyclists of all levels. The courses, which range from 30 to 109 miles, are laid out around the perimeter of the city.

Climate/terrain: 4.0
Training facilities: 4.0
Events: 5.0
Local cyclists: 4.0
Total: 17.0 stars

Burlington, Vt.
Sure, Vermont has long winters. But when the Green Mountain State greens up each spring, its bucolic landscape offers up some of the country's finest cycling.
Burlington, located on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, is a vibrant college town within easy reach of a variety of great rides.

You could spend months exploring the Lake Champlain Bikeways, a 1,300-mile network of paved and unpaved interconnected bike routes in Vermont, New York and Quebec. It includes a 363-mile route around Lake Champlain as well as scores of loop rides of up to 60 miles.

North of Burlington is the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail, a 26.4-mile former railway corridor connecting St. Albans and Richford. The nearly flat crushed limestone trail passes through rolling farms and scenic river valleys.

The Catamount Family Outdoor Center, in nearby Williston, has more than 20 miles of well-maintained scenic mountain bike trails and offers biking camps and a summer weekly race series.

Climate/terrain: 3.5
Training facilities: 4.0
Events: 4.0
Local cyclists: 5.0
Total: 16.5 stars

San Diego
With a climate suited for year-round outdoor activity and scores of coastal, mountain and desert roads and trails within easy reach, San Diego claims a place on the list of the country's top cycling cities.

The region's Bayshore Bikeway has a bridge named after Gordy Shields, an 89-year-old racer and long time member of the San Diego Cyclo-Vets. North of San Diego, the 20-mile coastal route through Camp Pendleton connects Oceanside and San Clemente. An ID is required for entry.

At 5,800 acres, the Mission Trails Regional Park is one of the country's largest urban parks. Its 40 miles of mountain bike trails range from beginner level to expert.

The desert east of San Diego offers a unique contrast to the coastal landscape. The spring Stagecoach Century and fall's Salton Sea Century offer several distance options up to 100 miles on the lightly traveled roads around Ocotillo and Borrego Springs.

The Alpine Challenge, an April event, winds through the mountains of San Diego's East County. Ride choices range from an easy 20-mile route to a 72-mile course with nearly 7,000 feet of elevation gain.

Climate/terrain: 5.0
Training facilities: 4.0
Events: 3.5
Local cyclists: 4.0
Total: 16.5 stars

ALL CYCLING ALL THE TIME

Pla d'Adet hopes to be golf-type community, but for cyclistsIn a place known as a center of great cycling, a one-of-kind cycling center is taking shape. Tucked in the hills of western South Carolina is the future home of Pla d'Adet (PLAH-da-day), a resort, training facility and residential community designed specifically for cyclists and multi-sport athletes. The 300-acre site is 22 miles from Greenville and 43 miles from Asheville, N.C.

The team spearheading the development includes professional cyclist, 12-time Tour de France veteran and Greenville resident George Hincapie. In fact, the name Pla d'Adet comes from Hincapie's first Tour de France stage win, in the French Pyrenees in 2005. Rich Hincapie, George's brother and president of Hincapie Sportswear, is also involved in the project.

Plans for Pla d'Adet include a conference center, business center, pro shop, cycling maintenance center, restaurant, pub, media center and hotel and guest lodging. Homesites for 97 residences are located on the property.

At the heart of the community will be the Hincapie Performance Training Center. The 38,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility will include indoor and outdoor pools, exercise arena with weight training, strength and conditioning equipment, aerobic studio, group cycling studio, yoga studio, spa and sauna. The development also will include a four-mile track for cycling and running and a four-mile singletrack loop for mountain biking and trail running.

The scenic mountain roads and trails around Greenville, coupled with a mild climate suitable for year-round training, have long attracted cyclists to the region. In 2006, Greenville was selected to host the USA Pro Cycling National Championships. Pla d'Adet residents will have the opportunity to join regularly scheduled rides throughout the area led by professional cyclists.

Pla d'Adet will be available as a training center for elite cycling teams.  The Canadian National Cycling Team already has signed on for multi-year visits.  China's only pro cycling team also has expressed interest in using the facility. Development is scheduled for completion by January 2010.