In every corner of the world I’ve explored, there’s something unmistakably magical about discovering a destination by bike. The pace invites presence: the quiet whirl of tires, the changing textures beneath me, the sudden joy of stumbling upon a hidden courtyard or coastal overlook. These moments have become the foundation of what I call my Handlebar Highlights—My Top Ten Favorite Bike Rides Adventures Around the Globe.

From the smooth glide along Amsterdam’s canals to crossing historic bridges in Manhattan, cycling has offered me a way to connect with places not just through sight, but through sensation. It's a way of traveling that trades the fast lane for the personal lane, where each route is full of surprises and tells its own story.

This place is a vibrant blend of nature, recreation, and cultural charm right in the heart of Austin. Hike-and-Bike shaded with stunning views of the Austin skyline. Cycle until dusk and you might see bats take flight.

 

A Monument Bike Tour in Washington, D.C. is a dynamic way to explore the capital’s grandeur, blending history and architecture, especially when the Cherry Blossom Trees are blooming. At night, it is also very special when all the monuments are illuminated, a spectacular sight.

 

Northern Michigan is a cyclist’s dream, blending natural beauty, cultural charm, and a touch of indulgence. It’s rural, wooded and agricultural. Perfect for nature lovers. You'll pass by countless cherry orchards and vineyards.

 

 A bike ride from Manhattan across the historic Brooklyn Bridge to Brooklyn is a thrilling blend of history, skyline views, and urban energy. Having lunch in Brooklyn is a great way to break before heading back to Manhattan.

 

The Natchez Trace bike ride in Ridgeland, Mississippi, is a soulful blend of scenic beauty, Southern hospitality, and historic charm on this national parkway. Bikes are free in Ridgeland! This is a very historic and peaceful ride.

 

Traveling from San Francisco to Sausalito over the Golden Gate Bridge offers a tapestry of experiences that blend iconic views with coastal charm. Walk or bike across the bridge, which features special lanes. Return on a ferry from Sausalito.

 

Cycle through Rio de Janeiro, through iconic Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. The ride offers sweeping views of endless sugar-white sands, vibrant beachfront promenades, and the dramatic rise of mountains in the distance.

 

Biking from Amsterdam to Volendam is a quintessential Dutch experience—flat, scenic, and full of cultural charm. Picturesque Countryside & Volendam Harbor: A postcard-perfect fishing village with colorful boats, traditional costumes, waterfront cafés and fresh Edam Cheese.

 

A royal bike tour through London is like pedaling through the pages of British history—graceful parks, grand palaces, and iconic monuments. Finished at a pub with a cold beer and hot fish and chips.

 

A biking tour through Paris, Giverny, and Versailles is dreamy. It’s like pedaling through a living canvas, where history, art, and countryside charm unfold with every turn. Highlights: Paris Landmarks - Eiffel Tower, Louvre & Tuileries Gardens, and Notre-Dame & Seine Riverbanks. Giverny & Monet’s House - Monet’s Garden & Water Lily Pond, and Monet’s Gravesite. Versailles Palace & Gardens - Château Versailles, Royal Gardens & Grand Canal. Hidden gems like Marie Antoinette’s hamlet.

 

 

In my opinion, bike tours are one of the most immersive and delightful ways to explore a new destination. There’s an intimacy to pedaling through a place that walking rarely captures and that driving swiftly misses. You inhale the bakery’s cinnamon-sweet morning air, catch a fragment of local conversation drifting from a café, and feel the texture of cobblestones and forest paths under your tires. The world doesn’t blur past—it greets you. With each turn of the wheel, you stitch together a deeper story, one made not just of sights but of sensations and surprises. In alleyways untouched by traffic and trails embraced by trees, biking turns travel into discovery, and movement into memory, which has helped to create some of my favorite travel memories.