10 great places to blaze a (bike) trail of good food
— -- After a day of cycling, the food always tastes better, says David Howard, executive editor of Bicycling magazine. "Riding burns up to 800 calories an hour, so you've got a calorie deficit to make up." With more locally sourced restaurants and markets, riders have some great options for eating on the road. Fall is a perfect time to explore, says Howard, who shares some favorite areas with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.
Hudson Valley, N.Y.
With several bridges spanning the Hudson River, it's easy to map bike loop tours through the scenic upstate valley. "You can ride right alongside the Hudson River and get these amazing sweeping views," Howard says. Work up an appetite on the hills and stop to eat at St. Andrew's Café at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park and the Rhinebeck Farmers Market. 800-232-4782; travelhudsonvalley.org
Portland, Ore.
Howard calls Portland the cycling capital of America, so it's no surprise that riders find wonderful places to pedal here. But it's also a good place to eat. "Anyone who has watched Portlandia knows it has a highly refined sense of local food. It's like being a kid in a candy store." He recommends building a bike trip around Kruger's Farm Market, which has produce for sale, available to pick, and frequent farm-to-plate dinners. 800-962-3700; travelportland.com
Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin's capital has long been a national leader in creating bike lanes and routes. "It's a place you can feel very comfortable not being mixed in with traffic," Howard says. After cycling for an afternoon, stop at the Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. for a famous brat and bacon burger on a soft pretzel bun. 800-373-6376; visitmadison.com
Smoky Mountains, Tennessee and North Carolina
This popular region offers challenges to seasoned riders, but less-experienced cyclists can find fun in the foothills, too. "It's well-known for winding climbs through misty high mountains," Howard says. The Dancing Bear Lodge in Towsend, Tenn., runs an annual Bicycle Bash in late summer, hosting riders for bluegrass, beer and barbecue. 865-436-1200; nps.gov/grsm
Puglia region, Italy
The heel of Italy's boot is a perfect place for cyclists to move their own heels. "It's a lot of narrow, winding roads and tracks that are kind of perfect for cycling. You're going through all these ancient little villages and riding right along the coast," Howard says. Trips pass by fields of wheat used to make pasta and olive groves that provide the region's famed oil. An easy way to experience it is on a cycling tour like ones provided by Ciclismo Classico. 800-866-7314; ciclismoclassico.com
Marin County, Calif.
Howard says this area north of San Francisco has everything that makes a ride special: "Gigantic redwoods, ridgeline views of the Pacific Ocean and beautiful windswept fields." The meals, he says, are just as notable. "The number of choices in terms of fresh local foods is ridiculous." He suggests riding between Sausalito and Point Reyes Station, with frequent snack stops along the way. 866-925-2060; visitmarin.org
Northern Ohio
It was food, not biking, that first led Howard to this region. "It stands out so much that the cart led the horse." He suggests a multi-day, 140-mile ride from Cleveland to Columbus, across a gently rolling landscape. Stops should include Cleveland's Flying Fig, which gets seasonal food from family farms, and the Great Lakes Brewing Company, overnighting at the Morgan Farm Stay in Ashland. 800-282-5393; discoverohio.com
Hill Country, Texas
Cycle over to one of Austin's food trucks â?? it's hard to beat Holy Cacao on South First Street, which serves cake balls on a stick â?? and then hit the road for an 80-mile trek to San Antonio, easily split into a two-day trip. "There's great riding and a number of little foodie spots you can hit on the way, and some good stopover locations," Howard says. traveltex.com
Flavor Trail, Quebec
Howard spent time last fall cycling this gorgeous area near Charlevoix, along the St. Lawrence River, east of Quebec City. He took ferries and explored villages â?? and ate. "It felt like every 100 yards, you passed a farm stand â?? a lot of pick-your-own fruit, a ton of vegetables," he says. "There's a lot of care put into the meals and emphasis on homegrown food." 877-266-5687; bonjourquebec.com
Detroit
Motor City has become a cycling town, Howard says. "Detroit has sort of discovered the bicycle. It's quite flat, quite easy riding." Riders have great dining choices if they just cruise around the city, stopping for Slows Bar BQ's Triple Threat Pork sandwich, and then beer samples at Atwater Brewery. Ambitious cyclists could try a multi-day 140-mile trip to Kalamazoo. 800-338-7648; visitdetroit.com