Riding a bicycle on backroads and trails is actually, statistically speaking, quite safe. Still, it’s natural to feel anxious about “what ifs” when jumping into something new. The best way to cope with worry is to figure out what’s most likely to go wrong, make sure you’re prepared to deal with it, and then relax […]

Photo by Frederic Guyot Simply put, bikepacking is more fun when mind and body are on the same team. Many a long bike ride has begun with no training at all, and we’re not here to discourage anyone from trying if that’s your style. But there is freedom in feeling like your body is helping […]

At The Cycling House, we know the value of a reliable and high-performing bike. That’s why, after putting tens of thousands of miles on our Cervelo Aspero rental bikes over the past few years, we decided to stick with what works. The Aspero has been a fan favorite among our guests and guides, performing flawlessly […]

This story originally appeared as the Be Here Now feature of the 2024 Sept/Oct issue of Adventure Cyclist. Perched on a peninsula in the south- western edge of Casco Bay, the city of Portland, Maine, is infused with all things ocean. Even the city’s most famous district is called the Old Port, evoking its maritime […]

Photo by Laura Irwin If bike touring with panniers is like traveling with a big roller suitcase, bikepacking is like traveling with only a carry-on backpack. The goal is to have everything you need and also to need everything you have. Here are some tips for packing lighter: Bring less stuff! Ask yourself “What would […]

We were thrilled to host Dave Malwitz of Gravelstoke on our first-ever Chiricahua Gravel trip! Joined by seven other guests, Dave explored southeastern Arizona’s breathtaking desert landscapes and Sky Islands during this 5-day cycling adventure. “The Chiricahua Gravel trip with The Cycling House was a true adventure. Each day brought new and exciting challenges, from […]

At The Cycling House, we believe a great cycling trip goes beyond the ride. This month, we’re highlighting the memorable off-the-bike experiences that make our adventures unforgettable.Here’s a glimpse at a few favorites: Tuscany Pasta and tiramisu-making class; Tuscan culinary traditions. Stroll through the medieval streets on a walking tour of Siena. Indulge in a wine tasting in the […]

Riding in the winter can be rewarding, but it comes with challenges. Here are our top tips to protect your bike, ride safely, and stay motivated when the temperatures drop. Protecting Your Bike and Keeping It in Good Shape 1. Pay Attention to Chain MaintenanceWinter riding exposes your bike to precipitation, salt, and sand, which […]

Gender Equity Mechanics (GEM) is a gathering of women and non-binary people interested in learning hands-on bicycle maintenance and repair skills. We would like to give a shout out to Bikes Together, a non-profit in Denver, Colorado that uses recycled bicycles as a vehicle for equitable social change, as they inspired the name for GEM. […]

This story originally appeared in the 2024 Nov/Dec issue of Adventure Cyclist magazine’s Final Mile essay anthology. *** I rode with tears streaming down my face. I pedaled as hard as I could, hoping that being on my bike would fix it. It used to always fix it. But this time was different — for […]

This year, we were able to welcome 19 young people with adaptive needs (and their families), plus two adults with adaptive needs on our weekend bike camping trips for free.  Through our inclusive model, Bike Camping For Everyone, we address the physical, emotional, and social health of our participants. Physical activity such as cycling (as […]

There are many shades of adventure, and you have to start somewhere. I’ve learned from over 20 years of riding and leading group rides that adventurous cycling at any level results in a sense of competence, accomplishment, wonder, and joy. I’m an avid mountain biker, road rider and more recently enjoy gravel riding in New […]

At The Cycling House, we’ve been hosting women’s camps for over a decade, and we’re deeply passionate about creating experiences that bring women and bikes together. Our all-women’s trips offer a unique blend of adventure and community, where participants feel empowered, connected, and inspired on and off the bike. Here are the top 5 reasons why these […]

Give the gift of adventure this holiday season with a Cycling House experience! Send your loved one—or yourself—on a cycling journey filled with fully supported rides, delicious meals, and a warm, welcoming community from stunning cycling routes guided by the TCH team and support every step of the way. This is an experience they’ll cherish […]

This story originally appeared in the Sept/Oct 2024 issue of Adventure Cyclist magazine.  Apples got their start 12 million years ago in Central Asia in the area we now call Kazakhstan. There in the Tian Shan mountains, wild apple trees grew and evolved, creating fecund forests rich with birds, bears, and every variety of apple […]

Chicago United Cycling Club was so excited to receive an Adventure Grant from the Adventure Cycling Association. Our grant last year allowed our team to host its first bikepacking trip focused on WTFNB, BIPOC riders. We had fewer cyclists this year (six compared to 10 in 2023) but fewer had previous bikepacking experience. Our group […]

At The Cycling House, we live for the thrill of the climb. Challenge your legs and reward your determination with breathtaking views and exhilarating descents. We call these epic days our Queen Stages. Our guides and guests have tackled some of the most iconic and inspiring climbs on our trips, and we’re excited to share […]

In the summer of 2023 — thanks to the grant from Adventure Cycling Association — the Coalition for Appropriate Transportation (CAT) stepped up its game from hosting weekly women’s rides to our first van-supported overnight. In the summer of 2024, thanks to another grant, we bumped it up again and planned a two-night trip. Alas, […]

This story originally appeared in the 2024 Nov/Dec issue of Adventure Cyclist magazine’s Final Mile essay anthology. On the outskirts of Shanghai, the buildings began to grow skyward. Factories morphed into apartment complexes. Apartments stretched into office towers. It felt like I was cycling into a man-made canyon, its glass and steel walls a potent […]

This article originally appeared in the 2025 Nov/Dec issue of Adventure Cyclist magazine.  “The earth has a small negative charge of around 200 millivolts, and humans have about the opposite.” I nodded, unsure of the science behind this assertion, as Mark, a pediatric surgeon turned mental health therapist, explained his theories to me at the […]

Thanks to our Adventure Grant, ten WTFNB (Women, Trans, Femme, Non-Binary), BIPOC riders met for a multi-modal bikepacking trip from downtown Portland to Stub Stewart State Park in Banks, OR. The group included both experienced and first-time bikepackers, riding 45 miles and tackling 1,335 feet of elevation along a mixed-surface route on the Banks-Vernonia trail, […]

Time flies when you’re having fun, and 2024 has been an incredible ride for The Cycling House! We’re excited to share the highlights from our Spring & Summer seasons, plus some sneak peeks into what’s ahead. What’s new New Vans, Same Great Support & Fun Vibes: If you’re joining us on one of our domestic […]

At The Cycling House, once you’re a guest, you’re part of our family—a community that inspires us daily. To show our appreciation, we’re thrilled to offer two special programs designed to help you save on your next trip with us: the TCH Alumni Referral Program and the Group Organizer Program. TCH ALUMNI REFERRAL PROGRAM As a TCH alum, […]

In June of 1976, Adventure Cycling — then known as Bikecentennial — mapped and publicized their first route: the TransAmerica Trail. This cross-country route stretched over 4,000 miles from Astoria, Oregon to Yorktown, Virginia and became an instant classic. But even as the TransAmerica Trail was being finalized, another idea was taking shape: a second […]

This is a ride report for the Short Route: Eureka, CA: Redwood Coast Loop while the author and her husband were developing the route. Sweat dripped down my nose and landed on my handlebars. Gnats whirred in my ears, determined to steal my sanity.  By slapping them, I slapped my own face, and when I […]