The best cycling routes around Ridgecrest

Ridgecrest offers a diverse range of terrain for touring cyclists. You'll find everything from flat desert roads, perfect for long-distance cruising, to more challenging mountain passes and unpaved routes suitable for gravel or mountain biking. The area is nestled between the Sierra Nevada and the Mojave Desert, providing a unique blend of high desert landscapes and mountainous backdrops.

Yes, Ridgecrest has many options for less experienced riders. Out of the 26 touring cycling routes in the area, 22 are classified as easy, making them suitable for beginners or those looking for a relaxed ride. These routes often feature gentle elevation changes across the desert floor.

The Ridgecrest area is rich in natural beauty. You can experience the stark beauty of the Mojave Desert with its unique flora and vast open expanses. The Sierra Nevada mountains provide dramatic backdrops to the west. Other notable features include the otherworldly tufa spires of the Trona Pinnacles, the striking desert cliffs of Red Rock Canyon State Park, and the Rademacher Hills, popular for their ridge line trails.

Mild winters make year-round outdoor activity feasible in Ridgecrest. However, it's important to exercise caution regarding the intense summer desert heat. Spring and fall generally offer the most pleasant temperatures for touring cycling, allowing you to enjoy the diverse landscapes comfortably.

While specific family-friendly touring routes are not detailed, the abundance of easy routes (22 out of 26 total) suggests many options suitable for families. These routes typically have gentle elevation changes and can be a great way to explore the unique desert environment together.

The touring cycling routes in Ridgecrest are highly regarded by the komoot community, holding an impressive average score of 5.0 stars from over 16 reviews. More than 210 touring cyclists have used komoot to explore the area, often praising the varied terrain and unique desert landscapes.

Yes, the Ridgecrest area offers a variety of loop routes for touring cyclists. These routes allow you to start and finish at the same point, making logistics like parking simpler. Many of the easy and moderate routes are designed as loops, providing a convenient way to explore the region.

For those seeking more challenge, Ridgecrest does offer moderate touring cycling routes. While there are no routes currently classified as 'difficult' for touring bicycles, the region's proximity to the Sierra Nevada mountains and diverse terrain means there are opportunities for significant elevation gains and longer distances, such as routes extending towards Death Valley Junction.

Ridgecrest serves as an excellent base for exploring several renowned natural attractions. You can visit Death Valley National Park, known for its diverse landscapes, or Joshua Tree National Park, famous for its distinctive trees. Other options include the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, Kern River, Fossil Falls, and the Trail of 100 Giants in Sequoia National Forest.

For general information about the city of Ridgecrest, you can visit the official city website at ridgecrest-ca.gov. This can provide useful context for planning your visit and cycling adventures in the area.

Elevation changes vary significantly across Ridgecrest's touring cycling routes. While many easy routes feature gentle, almost flat profiles across the desert, some routes venturing into the surrounding mountain ranges, like the Sierra Nevada or El Paso Mountains, can involve more substantial climbs and descents, offering a good workout for those seeking it.

While this guide focuses on touring cycling, the Rademacher Hills are a local favorite for mountain biking, featuring ridge line trails and flowy downhills. Touring cyclists interested in exploring unpaved or gravel routes might find these areas appealing for a different kind of ride, though specific touring routes through these areas would require careful planning.