11 Places to See on Your Next Drive Across Kansas (and Why You Should Stop)

When it comes to two-wheeled adventuring, sometimes self-guided exploration is part of the thrill. Other times, you’d rather leave the wayfaring to an experienced guide so you can focus on soaking up the scenery as well as the eats (and drinks) along the route. Whether you’re a hardcore cyclist looking to press your daily mileage or just out for a Sunday cruise with plenty of stops for Instagram photos, there’s an offering that’s just your speed. In recent years, operators have expanded their offerings to include a wide range of interest and skill levels, from ambitious tours of California’s coast and wine regions, to food-centric cruises to Denver’s food halls, to historic rides through Maine’s lighthouses—and everywhere in between. In honor of National Bike Month in May, here are 10 of the best bike tours in the U.S. 1. Denver for Fantastic Food Halls A post shared by The Source (@thesourcedenver) on Mar 24, 2018 at 12:41pm PDT Denver has become a food-hall capital as of late, thanks to five destinations dotting the Mile High City and its suburbs with a mouthwatering array of restaurants and artisanal food shops. Take a bite out of all five spots over 10 miles of urban road riding, from Avanti Food and Beverage in the LoHi neighborhood to Stanley Marketplace in Aurora, home to 50 local businesses housed in a former airplane hangar in Aurora. Get rolling at The Source, a hotel/market hall hybrid in a former iron foundry with 25 indie food vendors and bike rentals. 2. Albuquerque for Chiles A post shared by Sharon Kotas🐨🌸 (@kotaskoala) on Jul 2, 2015 at 11:52am PDT This kicky little veggie, whether in its red, green, chopped, and sauced forms, is ubiquitous in New Mexico. The crop is the basis of the state’s signature regional cuisine—and one of Albuquerque’s most popular outings from Routes Bicycle Tours. The 10-to-12-mile tour cruises along the Rio Grande’s cottonwood forests to six of the city’s top foodie hotspots, like Golden Crown Panaderia for green chile bread, and Pop Fizz, home to red chile chocolate popsicles. 3. Austin for Live Music A post shared by Visit Austin TX (@visitaustintx) on Jan 8, 2017 at 1:37pm PST During Austin's thriving festivals—and there are plenty of them—ditch the car and make like the locals, opting for a bike instead, which gets you past the inevitably snarled traffic to the stage way faster. And you’re sure to stumble across live music venues on the Austin Icons tour offered by Austin Bike Tours and Rentals. The two-hour outing pedals past Sholtz’s Beer Garden, the oldest operating business in Texas that’s had a grand influence on local culture and music. 4. Santa Barbara, California for Beaches and Wine A post shared by Visit Santa Barbara (@visitsantabarbara) on Nov 24, 2017 at 9:51am PST It’s hard to decide which is more relaxing: the beach or wine country. But California Bicycle Tours’ multi-day rides from Southern California up the Central Coast promise the best of both. Riders pedal along scenic coastlines, past quaint seaside towns, and along the scenic vines of Santa Barbara’s wine country. Tours vary based on itinerary; however, they cover 22 to 40 miles per day, so they’re better suited to riders who are accustomed to being in the saddle. 5. Los Angeles for Tacos A post shared by Sydney Kramer (@crepesofwrath) on May 6, 2018 at 9:29am PDT La La Land’s taco scene is spicy, and an outing from LA Cycle Tours wraps up some of the city’s best known and off-the-beaten-path spots. The nine-mile tour through several L.A. neighborhoods and past historic sites helps justify that extra side of guacamole. 6. Portland, Oregon, for Craft Beer A post shared by Krystal Sutherland (@km_sutherland) on May 13, 2018 at 6:08pm PDT Portland has earned the nickname "Beervana" for good reason—it’s home to more than 70 breweries, at last count. Get a sampling of what’s on tap with Pedal Bike Tours, which guides thirsty riders along the five-to seven-mile route past 11 of the city’s sudsy spots and inside a handful of them to see the brewing process and—of course—taste. 7. New Orleans for Cuisine A post shared by @eater_nola on Feb 14, 2018 at 7:23pm PST You probably won’t come close to pedaling off the calories you consume, but who doesn’t come to the Big Easy to overindulge a bit? The Confederacy of Cruisers’ New Orleans Culinary Bike Tour itinerary changes with the seasons, but you can expect a sampling of NOLA classics like gumbo, po’boys, crawfish, Cajun pork boudin, and jambalaya, as well as a few off-the-tourist-track surprises from the city’s Italian and African influences. This caloric cruise follows six- to 10-mile routes (but don’t count on your pedaling to offset the feast). 8. Atlanta for Neighborhood Gems A post shared by Lauren Neidrauer (@lauren.neidrauer) on Aug 14, 2017 at 12:16pm PDT The Atlanta Beltline will ultimately encircle A-Town, connecting 45 in-town neighborhoods along trails built on former railroad corridors. That neighborly spirit prevails on free weekly tours, organized by the Atlanta Beltline Partnership. Saturday morning rides follow the 16-mile Eastside Trail or the 11-mile Westside Trail; routes alternate each weekend. 9. Oak Park, Illinois, for Architecture A post shared by Wild Horse (@unsavory_pun) on May 5, 2018 at 6:30am PDT Architecture aficionados will find their match in the summer tours (June through September) of the world’s largest collection of buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The outing begins and ends at the iconic architect’s home and studio, and cruises through a picturesque neighborhood filled with 21 Wright-designed structures. 10. Portland, Maine, for Lighthouses and Lobster Rolls A post shared by Kevin Dunn (@coachdad815) on Sep 9, 2017 at 1:24pm PDT Summer Feet Cycling’s Lighthouse Bike Tour follows the scenic shores of Casco Bay by bike to five of the state’s picturesque lighthouses, with guides sharing Portland’s history along the way. along the 10- to 12-mile tour, you’ll work up an appetite for lunch, which features the city’s best lobster roll. Or, for the foodie-centric cyclists who prefer their tour with more lobster rolls than lighthouses, Summer Feet also has an offering exclusively devoted to taste testing one of New England’s signature dishes. Written by Ashley M. Biggers for RootsRated.

Hardest hike in America? That's a bold claim, but one that hikers of the Cactus to Clouds trail can certainly make with a straight face. Starting in Palm Springs, Calif., the trail offers an extreme physical challenge while also providing a unique outdoor setting with amazing views. It's a day hike that puts your skills to the test, and it should certainly be on the bucket list of any serious hiker. Let's break it down: The hike is actually a combination of two trails, the Skyline Trail, and the trail to the San Jacinto Peak. The Skyline Trail is approximately 10 miles long and features 8,000 feet of elevation gain from the desert floor of Palm Springs up to the Long Valley Ranger Station. You are home free once you get to this point—or are you? The hike up to the San Jacinto Peak is much easier (but by no means easy). You want a challenge, yes? The trail up to the peak is an additional 5.5 miles long with 2,600 feet of elevation gain from the ranger station. Remember, at this point you have just finished hours of one legged squats with each step up the Skyline Trail. Intrigued? A Palm Springs Sunrise on the Skyline Trail. Craig Pulsipher Such an attempt requires dedicated preparation. Most reviewers say this hike is not for the faint of heart. I'd take it one step further and say that it is custom-designed for those looking for an extreme challenge. Most veterans recommend starting the hike at 3 a.m.; I began this trip up at 4:15 a.m. The important thing is that this hike is started several hours before daybreak in order to get through as much of the steep grade climbing as possible before the sun starts beating down. Increases in altitude will provide a nice cool breeze. The landscape of the Skyline Trail is very representative of the desert from which you will start, and the trail offers many amazing components that make for a fun adventure. The rock formations to climb up, over, and around provide an interesting and stimulating course. Overlooking the entire Coachella Valley, you will see the lights, wind farms, and highways as the sun rises to peak over the eastern mountains. After trekking further up the trail, the terrain changes from a dry desert landscape to a wooded forest of pine trees. The air will begin to taste crisp and cool. The shady canopy is just in time for the steepest grade of the day finishing off the Skyline trail up to the Long Valley Ranger Station. Mission accomplished. This is the place to take a much deserved recovery break, eat some food, refill water bottles, and prepare mentally to get back to it. The rest of the way is mostly forested with plenty of tree coverage, and the climate feels magnificent. This point of the trail has plenty of foot traffic from fellow adventurers in quest of the spectacular view from the peak. There are several things to take into consideration before starting this hike up the Skyline Trail. First, think about the season. The summer months will increase the risk of heat exhaustion and dehydration. Winter months will result in extreme lows, especially when you get farther up the mountain. If there is any snow coverage, there will be parts of the trail that will be very difficult to follow. The Aerial Tramway will give hikers a ride back to down the mountain. Craig Pulsipher Other seasons will provide temperature extremes of both hot and cold. Next thing to consider is the fact that the first bail out point is not until you get to Long Valley, which is 10 miles from the trailhead. If you get half way up Skyline and decide it is too much, it is safer to continue up to the ranger's station for a ride back down on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Another thing to consider is the chance of injury. I was personally scolded by the ranger because I did this hike alone. A twisted ankle, a pulled muscle, snake bite, or inadequate water supply could have been disastrous. Use the buddy system. My journey was in the end of summer, and I went through six liters of water heading up the Skyline Trail. Some advice: Plan for weather fluctuations, pack a first-aid kit, and carry plenty of food and water. Preparation is key to making this adventure a positive experience. Cactus to Clouds is an accomplishment. Completing it will be a defining moment in life. Consider the reward. Think of the peace that follows such physical and mental exertion, the challenge itself, stunning views, being one with nature, bragging rights, and the satisfaction of conquering one of the most difficult hikes in America. So, is Cactus to Clouds the hardest hike in America? Hmmm. A total of 20 miles, 10,600 feet of elevation gain, temperature extremes on both ends, and 10-14 hours on the move. Putting this hike to the test is the only way for you to know for sure. Written by Craig Pulsipher for RootsRated in partnership with Greater Palm Springs CVB.

My partner Jacob and I don't have children. We have a dog, Shylie—our 10-year-old wolf-like black-and-tan mutt. We are insane parents. Shylie gets filet mignon on her birthday. She has an Instagram account and a blog. We’ve designed Shylie-themed t-shirts, calendars, and bumper stickers. We sing to her all day, every day, that she’s the best dog in the world. This dog is adored. Shylie's bred for dogsledding, but she's spent her whole life on the beach, in Santa Cruz, California. Jacob and I are aware that she has only a few good years left, so we decided this summer, before she gets too old, to show her what she's made for: the mountains. A big yawn from Shylie. Kara Guzman For two long weekends each month, we've gone backpacking near Lake Tahoe, in the Desolation Wilderness, 200 miles northeast of San Francisco. It's dog heaven: pine forests and wildflower meadows full of chipmunks and dozens of alpine lakes to jump in. We already knew that Shylie loves running at altitude, in cool mountain forests. We’ve taken her mountain biking near Lake Tahoe dozens of times (since unlike Santa Cruz, the trails are dog-friendly and don’t have poison oak). But Shylie’s never gone backpacking before. As much as we love this dog, we’ve never spent four days and nights around the clock with her. Days of quality time with her humans, and of all places, in the mountains? It was a no-brainer. We knew she would have the time of her life. Shylie faithfully follows the author on the barren climb to Middle Velma Lake. Jacob Meyberg What we didn’t realize was that the 100-square-mile Desolation Wilderness, with its roughly 130 lakes and patchwork of creeks, is perfect for dogs. We don’t carry water for Shylie since there are freshwater stops less than a mile apart on almost every trail. Plus, she loves to jump in, shake, and cool off. Out here, the old dog plays like a puppy. At dusk, when we pitch our tent at one of the hundreds of lakeside campsites, she freezes in a play stance, with her butt in the air. Then she’s off, careening around the campsite like her tail’s on fire. It turns out the Desolation Wilderness is perfect for Jacob and me, too. We had snowball fights in July. We taught ourselves to fish for trout. We swam naked to granite islands in ice-cold lakes all to ourselves. We were surprised by a hailstorm on an 80-degree day and huddled for cover with the dog under a warm, sun-baked boulder. We hiked portions of the Pacific Crest Trail, and as according to custom, made trail nicknames. (Mine was ‘Squiter Heaven.) Shylie briefly tolerates a portrait with a juniper tree overlooking the Desolation Valley. Kara Guzman Another highlight during our Desolation excursions this summer have been the meals. Jacob’s parents gave us a food dehydrator, and I’ve been using my backcountry cookbook. In my pack, I lug a bear canister stuffed with homemade dried goodies, like duck soup, carrot salad, and even masoor dal. One night at Dick’s Lake, we had peanut chicken stew under the stars, watching bats eat mosquitoes. While the food heated on our tiny stove, Jacob hand-fed Shylie her kibble, which I portioned into plastic bags for each meal. The nights are cold and windy in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, so Shylie sleeps in our tent, where she pins me like a wrestler as she snuggles my sleeping bag. Then each morning, we climb a new granite peak and count all the lakes. Occasionally, Shylie surprises a grouse on the trail, and it heaves its plump, brown body into flight, drumming its wings before gliding to a branch. Yellow-bellied marmots—chubby gopher-like rodents that look like teddy bears—squawk as they poke their heads from the rocks, like a real-life game of Whack-a-Mole. Each day, there are new flowers, too. This summer the Desolation Wilderness was simply blooming with wildflowers, after the first wet winter in a five-year drought. Each weekend, the landscape’s colors have shifted and I'm constantly delighted, as we hike from one terrain to the next. My partner Jacob checks out a snowbank while Shylie looks for chipmunks Kara Guzman Shylie, meanwhile, constantly sniffs for chipmunks. When she hears the tiniest squeak, she surges up rocky cliffs or down steep ravines, like a kamikaze pilot. Some of the trails are made of sharp, granite shards, which are tough on Shylie’s paws, but the terrain doesn’t phase her. She’s at home in the mountains. She runs twice as far and as fast out here compared to anywhere else. She's finally doing what she's meant to: She’s exploring the wilderness with her "pack." And in a way, so am I. When I can go consecutive days without seeing a screen, I’m happy. That little voice in my head, the one that worries about stupid things, disappears. My focus narrows to the view at hand and the trail ahead. Part of me though, hears the ticking clock. It knows this paradise won’t last, and these weekend escapes with the dog are numbered. Shylie hangs her tongue after climbing to the top of the Bayview Trail. Eagle Lake is seen from above. Jacob Meyberg The cruel trick of loving a dog is how fast they age. I’m dreading the future, when Shylie’s eyes are too cloudy to see and her hips too creaky to chase. And—I don’t even want to write it—I’m dreading that horrible veterinarian appointment, when we say our goodbyes. If my crazy love affair with this dog has taught me one thing, it’s to be conscious and aware of every single moment. I’ve literally spent days gazing into the dog’s eyes, wondering what she’s thinking, what that voice in her head sounds like. I mean, is she barking in there? After months of observing Shylie, I’ve realized that she is the ultimate Zen master. She’s not thinking at all. When she’s outside, she’s listening for chipmunks. She’s sniffing coyote markings on a tree. She’s picking a line across a granite scree. She’s scratching her back on a pile of pine cones. She’s tasting the snowmelt. Take note. This is what life is about. The author follows Shylie on the descent to Granite Lake. Jacob Meyberg TIPS: Backcountry camping permits cost $5 per person per night. Campers must pick a “zone” for their first night, then are free to camp anywhere on their next night. Reservations can be made online, but most of the popular zones are filled through September. A limited number of walk-in spots are available for each zone. Same-day walk-in permits are available at the four Forest Service Permit OfficesForest Service Permit Offices throughout the Lake Tahoe area. The line starts forming around 7 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, so get there early. According to the rules, dogs should be on-leash in the Desolation Wilderness, but most owners don’t follow those rules in the backcountry. However, if you’re going to take your dog off-leash, it should be well-trained, and know the “come” and “leave it” commands. Some wildlife can be dangerous to dogs, such as porcupines and ticks, etc. Many of the trails in the Desolation Wilderness are rocky and tough on dog paws. We’ve used Musher's Secret wax with some success. (Our dog likes to lick it off.) Others use booties for their dogs. Written by Kara Guzman for RootsRated.