Travel

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.

The weather is warming up and the time could not be more fitting to get your bikes out of storage if you have been winterized our bike. Besides checking the best motorcycle protective gear, here are some tips to get our bike ready for the spring and summer riding season.

Always remember that you cannot simply ride out of your storage unit on your bike. Before you hit the road, there are some essential safety precautions you must take.

• Start off with a spring bike cleaning to make the bike look great for your first ride. Remove dust and dirt that has accumulated on the bike by rinsing the bike from top to bottom with a garden hose. Clean the bike with warm soapy water and use soft-bristled brush to clean the pedals. Rinse again and dry with a clean cloth.
• Check your fuel tank. You may need to drain the tank and re-fill it. You should also replace the filter
• Inspect the tires and rims for damage and repair. Replace the tires if necessary. You can find motorcycle parts online should you need to replace any.
• Look at the tires for wear and tear, fraying, cracks, holes and bald patches. Replace the tires if you see any noticeable damage. Once visual inspections are completed, check the air in the tires by squeezing them. If they are too squishy, then the tires will need to be inflated
• Inspect the brake. Make sure that the brakes will allow you to slow down, be in control and be safe.
• Even if you changed the oil before storing your motorcycle for the winter, you probably need to change it again before the upcoming riding season. You should also check all fluid levels. You may need to top them off or completely flush and replace some.

Once you are done checking on the bike, do not forget to look at the motorcycle gear for the summer. Dressing for riding in the summer heat is not the same as dressing for riding in cooler weather. A little research will help you find gloves, motorcycle helmets and jackets that offer the right balance between protection and the increased ventilation to help you stay cool.