Route and Story Guides
There are two types of route guides linked on this page. The first type are original routes that I designed and wrote detailed route guides for on Bikepacking.com. The second type of route guide are ‘story guides’ written about some of my favorite rides on routes that were designed by other people, in which I share my own experience riding them in an effort to inspire you to try them out as well. In this case, I will link to the current author of the guide for that route, as well as a link to my story guide of the route. I originally wrote these story guides for Lonely Planet’s book, Epic Rides of the Americas.
While these routes were heavily researched and vetted, many of them can/will change since the time they were created. If you choose to ride a route that you have found on this page, I expect that you will seek out the latest information related to the route via the comments on bikepacking.com and elsewhere. Ride at your own risk.
How To Support Route Design and Management
If you would like to share your appreciation for the experience or inspiration one of my route guides provided you, please consider kicking a few bucks my way. It encourages me to keep maintaining routes I have already made and to make new routes for your future enjoyment. Venmo: @sarahjswallow / Paypal: swallowbicycleworks@gmail.com
These route and story guides were written between 2016 and 2018. Since many of these pieces were written, I have stopped using certain colonialist, gendered, and appropriative terms that I used in the past. I have also developed a better understanding of how route and travel guides can promote a “discovery complex” and other harmful settler colonialist narratives. Know that I am committed to decolonizing the culture of route and trip reports to the best of my ability as this page develops.
For an archive of more of my favorites pre 2016, click here.
Sky Islands Odyssey Project
Photo by John Watson
The Sky Islands Odyssey is a journey through the vast borderlands of the Southwest, featuring a diverse network of dirt, rocky, and sandy roads that traverse the ever-changing landscapes characteristic of the Sky Islands bioregion in the Sonoran Desert of Southern Arizona.
There is something for everyone, with three route options in the Sky Islands Odyssey: The West Loop and The East Loop range in distances from 125 to 170 miles. These route options were designed so that you could enjoy the Sky Islands Odyssey in two separate weekend parts. Or, you can complete the full route in one 230 mile loop, depending on how much time you have. Each route tells its own story of flora and fauna, land management, and the human and wildlife consequences of the US immigration policies.
Central Oregon Backcountry Explorer
The Central Oregon Backcountry Route serves as an introductory ride through the Ochoco Mountains and the geologic wonderland of the John Day Basin. Ride twisty dirt, gravel and paved roads through old-growth ponderosa pine forests, past stunning volcanic landscapes, old mines and settler ghost towns, the Painted Hills, all the way to the friendliest hostel around. The availability of water, great camping, and fairly non-technical terrain makes this a great ride for all levels of experience, just watch out for goat head thorns!
Elkhorn Crest Trail
The Elkhorn Crest Trail runs along the Elkhorn Mountain ridgeline in the Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon. This technical trail traverses sub-alpine forests and grasslands and offers panoramic views of Baker Valley and the Wallowa Mountains to the East, and the Blue Mountains to the West. Camp at one of the high mountain lakes, enjoy views of the rocky nearby peaks, and maybe even catch a glimpse of a herd of elk or resident mountain goats.
The Trans-America Trail (TAT)
The Trans America Dirt Road Trail (also known as the TAT), is a transcontinental route that primarily uses unpaved roads. The routes origins are in the ADV community but, recently bicyclists have been making the journey. The GPS files included below are based on the route completed by Sarah and Tom Swallow in 2015.
The Buckeye Trail Bicycle Route
In the 1950’s, a foot-trail was created from the Ohio River to Lake Erie to encourage young people to slow down the pace of day-to-day life, and learn about their homeland. An association was formed and the Buckeye Trail was built along the back roads and trails through some of Ohio’s most scenic terrain and historic locations. The Buckeye Trail Bicycle Route follows the paved and dirt roads of the original hiking trail and is 90% marked with blue blazes.
The Alpine Loop
A spectacular scenic route along steep and rugged dirt roads over the high 12,000 ft (3,658 m) passes of the San Juan Mountains in Colorado. This one is a lung buster!
Oaxaca to Zipolite
A romantic get-away from the colorful and charming city of Oaxaca that winds through the rugged and mystic Sierra Madre del Sur Mountains and down to Mexico’s exotic pacific coastline.
Whitefish to Banff: The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route
This is an epic journey through the vast stretches of wilderness past pyramidal peaks of the Canadian Rocky Mountains along rugged terrain including a demanding hike-a-bike and a river ford.
Glacier National Park Loop
Venture into the Montana wilderness of Glacier National Park to ride through old-growth forests, to crystal clear lakes, along the towering peaks of the Northern Rocky Mountains.