Tour Bike-Friendly San Luis Obispo, CA for May “National Bike Month” 2012
Urban Paths, Bike Valets, Single-Track and Scenic Roads Make “SLO” a Cyclist‘s Dream
San Luis Obispo, CA’”halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco on the Central Coast of California’”is a cyclist mecca.
Home of professional cycling Team Highroad and past stage-host for the AMGEN Tour of California, “SLO” offers both challenging rides for serious cyclists and easy urban routes and conveniences for those who simply wish to honor National Bike Month during their vacations this May.
Whichever way you roll, plan a cycle-centric getaway in this uber-bike-friendly city with these wheelie deals and ideas:
Reap Riding Rewards: Leave the car at home and receive discounts on hotels, train tickets, dining and more by registering and pledging to be car-free with the SLO Car Free program.
Spin through the Countryside: Boasting more than 6,500 acres of scenic, protected open space featuring miles of mountain biking trails, as well as scenic roads passing by pristine beaches, vineyards, lakes and more, San Luis Obispo offers the ideal environment for a bike-based trip. Check out the trails and popular routes or watch a video of some of the cycling highlights.
Borrow a Bike: The Petit Soleil B&B offers “house” bikes to guests to explore the charming downtown area. Popular, centrally-located rental companies like Wally‘s, Art‘s Cyclery, and Cambria Bicycle Outfitters also make it easy to find wheels while on vacation.
Navigate Urban Paths: Take advantage of convenient public bike paths such as the new, paved Madonna Inn Bike Path from the heart of downtown to the entrance of the Madonna Inn; the Bill Roalman Bike Boulevard, a street that discourages vehicle traffic and gives right-of-way to urban cyclists; and the Railroad Bicycle Trail, a flat, traffic-free route from Cal Poly University to the southern city limit. San Luis Obispo also has exciting routes in development, such as the popular Bob Jones City to Sea Trail, which will eventually connect downtown San Luis Obispo with Avila Beach, 12 miles away.
Check it at the Bike Valet: In San Luis Obispo, “Farmer‘s Market” is a large, weekly festival that takes over downtown Thursday evenings, making parking tough. Visitors on bikes, however, get the royal treatment at the free bike valet station. Hand off your wheels and an attendant will see to its safe storage as you explore the food, music, games and other market highlights.
Catch the “Bike Happening”: Once a month, hundreds of cheery, costumed cyclists unite to peacefully circumnavigate the main streets of downtown San Luis Obispo and celebrate bicycle culture. Check-in to a SLO hotel for the first Thursday evening of the month to ride in or watch the unique event.