Nothing evoke the carefree summer days like cycling to the shore with a towel and a good book in a bike basket. While the pristine beauty of Hamptons beaches is unmatched, they have more to offer than sand and surf. Splendid discoveries also await along the quiet back roads north and south of Route 27. From the horse farms to the vineyards and wetlands, there is no better way to explore the byways and beat the local traffic than to ride a bicycle.
You will find terrains, circuits and beautiful scenic routes for the avid cyclist. Below are some of the best bike places where you can spot many avid bikers on their beach cruiser bikes.
Cape Henry Trail
Away from the clamor of Virginia Beach lies the sparkling water of Cape Henry in First Landing State Park. This hiking and biking trail runs along the shore of Cape Henry Trail which stretches for approximately seven and a half miles. As you bike along, you will notice that the trail is fairly organic, having been created and improved over the decades by fellow bikers and avid hikers speeding and stamping along. Made of crushed stone, gravel and sand, the trail is lined with natural Spanish moss and filled with the serene sounds of birds chirping and water flowing with not a concrete slab in sight.
Virginia Beach Boardwalk
If you enjoy a lively crowd, you may want to head over to Virginia Beach Boardwalk where there are plenty of beachgoers. The bike path runs alongside the 28 meter-wide main boardwalk and cyclists get all the great views and atmosphere of the boardwalk, without having to worry about meandering pedestrians. Virgina Beach Boardwalk is where you will find the largest collection of rental bike vendors in one single place, all running perpendicular to the beach and sparkling blue Atlantic Ocean. You can also find city bikes for sale. It is one of the most popular bike trails in the state, despite being only 3 miles along, due to its ideal terrain and fun-filled locality. There is plenty of shops, restaurants, musical entertainment and King Neptune, the twenty-four foot, twelve-ton bronze statue that stands at the gateway to Neptune Festival Park.
False Cape State Park
For a biking experience that is more like a wild safari outdoor adventure, head over to False Cape State Park. It is just over four miles from Virginia Beach and can only be accessed by biking, kayaking, or taking a shuttle. Its abundance of hiking trails run along the soft, finely milled sand of the shoreline, so mountain bikes are most suitable for this terrain. If you like animals, False Cape is one of handful of places in the state of Virginia where you will snakes, turtles, sea rays, dolphins, and deer.
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