5 favorite Summer cycle rides

You know what makes me smile? Riding through gorgeous destinations in the warm, Summer sun. For me, nothing beats pushing myself to the limit as I climb a steep incline, biking through the most stunning locations, or cycling for a cause that is near and dear to my heart. In short, it’s all about the ride. If you’ve thought about tackling some truly amazing rides, see what I’ve chosen as my favorite of the Summer. Climbing Mont Ventoux in Provence, France The infamous, yet beautiful Mont Ventoux climb starting from Bedoin is a favorite of mine. The route is not far from our office in Provence and is a great test to see how my fitness has held up (or not) over the cooler months. I usually start the trek with a double shot of espresso before battling as hard as I can up the grueling ascent. Making it to the top never gets old, especially after beating one of our guides who has decided to challenge me to the ride. On the way down, I like to take it easy and enjoying the views of blooming poppies fields and nearby villages. Climbing Independence Pass in Aspen, Colorado, USA A few weeks ago I made my regular pilgrimage to Aspen for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. As an avid cyclist and fan it was, as always, the perfect place to be. There was a great mix of enthusiasts and pros all together on a few roads. The hardest day by far was going up Independence Pass, the fourth highest paved rode in Colorado at 12,095ft. The ride is 21 miles and over 4500 feet of climbing. While painful, I was determined to make it in good time and turn the screw – and it was magnificent. Riding in the Pan-Mass Challenge – Sturbridge to Provincetown, Massachusetts, USA This is one ride that I am more than proud to be a part of every year. Riding about 200 miles over two days, thousands of PMC riders cycle from Sturbridge to Provincetown to raise money for life-saving cancer research and treatment at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. This year the ride was cold and wet for August, but finishing the long trek is a humbling experience that leaves you feeling accomplished and proud to be a part of something much larger than yourself. Biking around Lake Como in Italy This ride was much shorter than most I choose to list in my favorites, but still has the difficulty of being in a mountainous area. However, heading out on this scenic ride around Lake Como was an experience that anyone can enjoy. It is an uplifting occurrence as you follow the winding paths around the lake towards the village of Bellagio on perfectly paved roads and smells of grass, flowers, and air filling your nostrils. Getting off the bike is just as satisfying, as you step into the “Pearl of the Lake” and wander through cobbled streets of ancient buildings and friendly people. This is a destination I would absolutely recommend visiting. Cycling up La Grande Soufrière Volcano in Guadeloupe This was an exciting one for me! I had never visited Guadeloupe, but had heard of this tropical cycling paradise many times and was ready to hit the smooth asphalt in the home of the rich biking traditions I had heard so much about. If you’re looking for diverse terrain and solid cycling, you may want to consider heading out to this French territory. A true thrillist, you can imagine my excitement when I learned I would be cycling the nearly five-thousand-foot volcano, La Grande Soufrière on Basse-Terre. EPIC VIEWS! Climbing an active volcano is worth the trip to Guadeloupe and a must do for anyone seeking a thrilling cycling experience. From one cyclist to another, what are some of your favorite Summer rides? Share them with me! Maybe I’ll even get to add some to my schedule for next Summer. Andy Levine is the President/Founder of DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.