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10 best road cycling events for 2023
Best Road Cycling Event (2023)
First organized as a sport more than 150 years ago, road cycling events remain a popular way for professionals and enthusiasts alike to compete against the backdrop of some of the United States' most stunning scenery. Here are the 10 best road cycling events in the United States for 2023.
- Campagnolo GranFondo San Diego - San Diego, California
- Tour of St. Louis - St. Louis, Missouri
- Limestone Cycling Tour - Maysville, Kentucky
- Bike MS: City to Shore - Cherry Hill, New Jersey
- Bike MS: Escape to the Lake - Portersville, Pennsylvania
- Tour de Summerlin - Summerlin, Nevada
- Wilmington Grand Prix - Wilmington, Delaware
- Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hill Climb - Gorham, New Hampshire
- RAGBRAI L - Iowa
- El Tour De Tucson - Tucson, Arizona
Photo courtesy of U. J. Alexander // Getty Images
No. 10:
The Campagnolo GranFondo San Diego is a festive race that welcomes all levels of cyclists. Participants can choose from three route options: 34 miles, 60 miles or 101 miles. At the finish line, cyclists are cheered, awarded with a medal and ushered to the Fantastic Finish celebration with Italian pasta, live music, a beer garden and a bike valet.
Photo courtesy of Adkasai // Getty Images
No. 9:
The Tour of St. Louis is a springtime bicycle race in St. Louis, Missouri. The weekend event includes the flat 11-mile Wildwood Centaur Time Trial, the hilly 1.3-mile Carondelicious Criterium and the flat and fast Mike Murray Classic Criterium.
Photo courtesy of Limestone Cycling Team rider
No. 8:
The Limestone Cycling Tour takes cyclists along gorgeous rolling hills on curvy, seldom-traveled backroads in northern Kentucky. Riders of different levels are welcome, and they can choose from four routes: the century, metric century, 44-mile loop or 26-mile loop.
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Photo courtesy of Digital Vision. // Getty Images
No. 7:
Riders who participate in the Bike MS: City to Shore Ride raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, an organization dedicated to ultimately finding a cure for the central nervous system disease while also helping people with MS live their best lives. This ride lasts one to two days and it starts in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Riders can choose from 20-, 40- or 75-mile routes on the first day, and the truly ambitious can add an extra 25-mile loop to bike a full 100 miles. On day two, riders who took the 75-mile or 100-mile track to Ocean City can choose to ride back to Cherry Hill.
Photo courtesy of P_Wei // Getty Images
No. 6:
With a course that spans two days and multiple states, Bike MS: Escape to the Lake was created as a benefit for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, so we can ultimately have a world free of multiple sclerosis. It offers a variety of interesting route options, and participants can enjoy pre-ride activities each year. The two-day experience starts in Portersville, Pennsylvania and it takes riders through the hills of Western Pennsylvania before finishing in Conneaut, Ohio.
Photo courtesy of Mona Shield Payne
No. 5:
The Tour de Summerlin is unique with its many biking lanes throughout its routes, which were planned to provide a safe and “rider-friendly” experience. It starts and ends in downtown Summerlin, Nevada. Cyclists can choose from three different ride distances: 80, 40 and 20 miles.
Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy Wilmington Grand Pris
No. 4:
Located in Wilmington, Delaware, the Wilmington Grand Prix is a criterium-style weekend bike race. It starts with a festive kickoff event and time trial on Monkey Hill. Then, high-speed racing happens on Saturday, followed by the Grand Prix’s Gran Fondo ride through scenic northern Delaware on Sunday.
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Photo courtesy of Joe Vige
No. 3:
The Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hill Climb is a New Hampshire race that has been going strong for half a century. It’s a 7.6-mile ride from base to summit. Proceeds from this race benefit the Tin Mountain Conservation Center which provides educational programs to foster a greater awareness of the nature and the environment.
Photo courtesy of South_agency // Getty Images
No. 2:
RAGBRAI, which stands for Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, is a weeklong rolling festival for cyclists that’s been going strong since 1973. It’s a ride across the state that attracts participants from around the U.S., with a route that averages 500 miles. The race starts along Iowa’s western border and ends along the Mississippi River at the state’s eastern border.
Photo courtesy of canaran // Getty Images
No. 1:
El Tour De Tucson is a ride that’s been a part of the Tucson community for decades. It has route options for cyclists of all skill levels, and all routes start and end at or near the Tucson Convention Center. Options include The Century (102 miles), The Metric Century (62 miles), The Half Metric Century (32 miles) and the FUN rides (1-mile, 5-mile or 10-mile options).
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Ava Roxanne Stritt
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Ava Roxanne Stritt has been called the most influential person in the world for spa travel and also a top authority on luxury and wellness travel. Her fans say she is responsible for turning the spa day into a wellness adventure! You can find her always searching for unique experiences. Ava writes for multiple print and online publications such as Spa Travel Gal and many more. You can also find her here @SpaTravelGal
Ava Roxanne Stritt
Ava Roxanne Stritt has been called the most influential person in the world for spa travel and also a top authority on luxury and wellness travel. Her fans say she is responsible for turning the spa day into a wellness adventure! You can find her always searching for unique experiences. Ava writes for multiple print and online publications such as Spa Travel Gal and many more. You can also find her here @SpaTravelGal
Scott Hoffman
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Scott Hoffman likes to run, ski, cycle, and do anything outdoors in his hometown of Denver, Colorado – no matter the season. When indoors, he produces the weekly podcast "The Bro Pod with Scott and Todd." Scott used to be a crusher in the local 5K road race scene, but he's slowed with age and now just runs to stay fit. Don't challenge him to a drum-off, though; he will win.
Scott Hoffman
Scott Hoffman likes to run, ski, cycle, and do anything outdoors in his hometown of Denver, Colorado – no matter the season. When indoors, he produces the weekly podcast "The Bro Pod with Scott and Todd." Scott used to be a crusher in the local 5K road race scene, but he's slowed with age and now just runs to stay fit. Don't challenge him to a drum-off, though; he will win.
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Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
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USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
