Summer gets a lot of attention in the cycling world. Mountain passes finally open, high-country roads become accessible, and long daylight hours make it easy to log big miles. Here in the Pacific Northwest, the end of summer has a way of sneaking up on us. As the days begin to shorten and the first hints of fall arrive, some of the year’s best cycling destinations are just coming into their prime. Cooler temperatures, thinner crowds, and seasonal highlights like harvest season and changing landscapes create outstanding riding conditions. You just have to know where to look. Dive in below as we explore some of our favorite destinations that come alive during the end of summer and into the start of fall.
Oregon Coast & Willamette Valley Bike Tour
Join Bicycle Adventures this September as we pedal from the craggy Oregon Coast to the rolling vineyard hills of the Willamette Valley, just in time for harvest season in the Oregon Wine Country. This fully supported cycling tour combines two of Oregon’s most celebrated regions into one ride that captures the best of the PNW. From sandy beaches and rocky headlands to enjoying some of the best Pinot Noir in the world, this bike tour has a bit of everything.
Departure: September
Highlights
- Riding from the rugged Pacific coastline into the Oregon wine country
- Harvest season in the Willamette Valley
- Covered bridges, coastal headlands, and vineyard backroads
- Fresh seafood, local wine, and small-town hospitality
- Two iconic Oregon landscapes in one trip
Best For
Intermediate riders looking for a classic Pacific Northwest ride with moderate mileage, coastal scenery, and wine-country exploration.
Columbia Gorge Bike Tour
The Columbia River Gorge is one of the most unique landscapes in the Pacific Northwest. As the Columbia River flows from the Cascades to the Pacific, the river winds through a mighty canyon that’s over 4,000 feet deep and 80 miles long. While the peak of summer can bring brutal heat to the river canyon, September brings clear skies and cool autumn temperatures. This ride takes you past volcanic peaks, towering waterfalls, and orchards on the Historic Columbia River Highway.
Departure: September
Highlights
- Waterfalls, vineyards, and volcanic peaks in a single ride
- The legendary Historic Columbia River Highway
- Orchard-lined roads during harvest season
- Sweeping views of the Columbia River Gorge
- One of the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic cycling destinations
Best For
Intermediate cyclists who enjoy rolling terrain, big scenery, and some of the Northwest’s most legendary roads.
Portugal’s Alentejo Coast Bike Tour
Early fall in western Europe is hard to beat, especially on the Iberian Peninsula. Pleasant warm temperatures linger as summer tourism fades with the changing seasons. Coastal towns return to a slower pace of life, allowing for thorough exploration on two wheels. This fully supported Portuguese bike tour explores national parks, charming fishing villages, cork forests, olive groves, and historic castles, and takes riders to some of the world’s best food and wine regions.
Departure: October and May
Highlights
- Quiet Atlantic roads far from Europe’s busiest cycling routes
- Whitewashed villages, castles, and historic coastal towns
- Cork forests, olive groves, and vineyard-covered countryside
- Exceptional food, wine, and Portuguese hospitality
- Warm autumn riding along Portugal’s wild coastline
Best For
Riders of all ability levels seeking relaxed daily riding, cultural immersion, and a warm-weather fall escape.
Joshua Tree & Anza-Borrego Multisport Tour
While nearly unbearable in the summer, Southern California’s famed desert landscapes come alive in late fall and early winter. Explore this iconic, otherworldly landscape as we pedal through Joshua Tree and Anza-Borrego on this desert bike tour. With plenty of sunshine and opportunities to hike and bike among some of the most unique rock formations in the country, this Joshua Tree and Anza Borrego Multisport Tour is the perfect way to spend your fall.
Departure: December, February, and March
Highlights
- Desert riding beneath towering rock formations and endless skies
- Joshua Tree National Park and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- A blend of cycling, hiking, and exploration
- Cooler temperatures and ideal fall conditions
- Landscapes unlike anywhere else in North America
Best For
All levels of riders looking to extend their season with comfortable temperatures and a mix of cycling and hiking.
New Zealand South Island Trail Bike Tour
Find summer with a trip to New Zealand on this fully supported South Island Trail Bike Tour. This ride combines gravel riding, rail trails, and backcountry routes that put you in the heart of some of the South Island’s most dramatic landscapes. Travel along some of the country’s most celebrated cycling routes, including the Alps 2 Ocean, Lake Dunstan Trail, Queenstown Trail, Roxburgh Gorge, and West Coast Wilderness Trail, while passing rugged mountains, rushing rivers, and a postcard-worthy rocky coastline. Beyond traveling by bike, riders will board a jet boat through Roxburgh Gorge and finish the journey aboard the scenic TranzAlpine Train crossing Arthur’s Pass back to Christchurch.
Departure: January
Highlights
- Extending your riding season into the Southern Hemisphere Spring
- World-class trail riding across New Zealand’s South Island
- Alpine passes, glacial rivers, and rugged coastlines.
- A mix of rail trails, backcountry routes, and purpose-built cycleways
- Some of the most spectacular scenery in the cycling world
Best For
Intermediate riders seeking an active adventure with a mix of trail riding, varied terrain, and longer days in the Southern Hemisphere Spring.
Cycling season doesn’t end when summer does. Some destinations hit their stride in September and October, while others are just getting started as winter approaches. Whether you’re looking for vineyard roads in Oregon, coastal riding in Portugal, desert sun in California, or a Southern Hemisphere escape, these Bicycle Adventures tours offer some of the best riding conditions of the year.
Valley of Fire & Death Valley Bike Tour
As temperatures begin to cool across the Southwest, some of the country’s most dramatic landscapes become ideal places to ride. This fully supported tour combines Nevada’s fiery red sandstone landscapes with the vast emptiness of Death Valley National Park, creating one of the most unique cycling experiences in North America. Ride beneath towering cliffs, pedal through colorful badlands, visit ancient petroglyphs, and explore iconic destinations like Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and Badwater Basin—all during the most comfortable time of year to experience the desert.
Departure: October, November, and February
Highlights
- Ride through Valley of Fire State Park and Death Valley National Park
- Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and Badwater Basin
- Spectacular desert scenery, colorful canyons, and sweeping mountain views
- Hiking opportunities alongside daily rides
- Ideal fall temperatures for exploring the Southwest
Best For
Riders of all ability levels looking for a warm-weather fall adventure with unforgettable desert scenery, comfortable temperatures, and a mix of cycling and hiking.
Bryce & Zion National Parks Multisport Tour
Southern Utah reaches its sweet spot as summer gives way to fall. The intense heat begins to fade, leaving behind crisp mornings, sunny afternoons, and ideal conditions for riding and hiking. This fully supported multisport tour explores Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks, combining scenic cycling with memorable hikes, including the famous Narrows. Ride through towering hoodoos, red rock canyons, and Zion Canyon’s scenic roads while experiencing two of America’s most spectacular national parks.
Departure: September
Highlights
- Cycling through Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks
- Hiking the Narrows and Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos
- Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and Red Canyon
- Cedar Breaks National Monument
- An all-levels multisport adventure combining cycling and hiking
Best For
Riders of all levels looking for a national park adventure that blends scenic cycling, memorable hikes, and some of the Southwest’s most iconic landscapes.
Arches & Canyonlands Multisport Tour
Fall is one of the best times to experience Utah’s canyon country. Cooler temperatures create ideal conditions for exploring the dramatic landscapes surrounding Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Based in Moab for the entire trip, this fully supported multisport adventure combines scenic road cycling, guided hikes through two iconic national parks, a Colorado River rafting trip, local wine tasting, and unforgettable desert stargazing. It’s an active way to experience one of the American Southwest’s most remarkable landscapes.
Departure: September
Highlights
- Guided hikes in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
- Scenic road cycling around Moab and along the Colorado River
- Half-day rafting trip on the Colorado River
- Wine tasting and desert stargazing
- Six days based in Moab with time to explore the town
Best For:
Riders of all levels looking for a multisport adventure that blends road cycling, hiking, rafting, and unforgettable desert scenery.
