For cycling enthusiasts, few things beat gathering with other bike-lovers to celebrate the thrill of two wheels at exciting festivals and events. Destinations worldwide host rides, races, conventions and other special biking happenings year-round. If you want to combine your passion for cycling with global travel, add these epic bike fests and events to your must-do list.
North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) – Various Locations
The North American Handmade Bicycle Show travels to different stunning locales like Denver and Sacramento annually. NAHBS showcases incredible craftsmanship from small independent frame builders. Peruse gorgeous custom bicycles, components and accessories while mingling with makers. With specialty local brews, great rides plus mechanical seminars, NAHBS lets you immerse in a two-wheeled extravaganza highlighting bespoke bicycles.
Sea Otter Classic – Monterey, California
Starting in 1991 from humble beginnings, this four-day event exploded into the world’s premier cycling festival enjoying springtime in Monterey, California. Sea Otter hosts over 10,000 athletes plus thousands more fans with an expo village housing hundreds of vendors. Road cycling, mountain bike racing and other competitions like dual slalom take place along with kids’ races, stunt shows and recreational group rides. Sea Otter’s celebratory atmosphere and temperate weather makes this a must-do fest.
The Cape Epic – Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town sets a sensational stage for this iconic eight-day mountain bike stage race crossing roughly 620 kilometers total. Teams tackle immense climbs, technical terrain and winding trails exposing gorgeous landscapes of the Western Cape. Described as the “Tour de France of mountain biking”, this endurance challenge lets you test fitness amongst 1,500 participants from dozens of nations united by demanding riding through majestic country.
RideLondon FreeCycle – London, England
As part of Europe’s largest cycling festival, the FreeCycle invites all riders to pedal cars-free streets. Enjoy routes passing by London’s world-class landmarks and attractions over 13 miles on safe thoroughfares. RideLondon also includes a 100-mile course on closed roads for amateur cyclists plus iconic races for professionals. Time your visit to experience the FreeCycle reveling on pathways past Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and other icons with fun rest stops along the route.
Philippine International Criterium – Manila, Philippines
Dubbed the “Cyclocross of Asia”, this racing event fuels fierce multiday competitions across age and skill brackets. Set in the Batangas mountains, the criterium features exhilarating climbs and picturesque vistas. Racers shred dirt trails and winding singletracks surrounded by lush rainforest dotted with dramatic rock formations overlooking crystalline waters. Offroad rides, cyclo expos and cheering fans amp excitement at this beloved Asian racing institution.
Festival of Slow Roll Chicago – Chicago, Illinois
Chicago keeps things stylishly midwest for this inclusive multi-route ride celebrating cycling culture through the city’s diverse neighborhoods. Expect thousands riding vintage wheels decked out in custom threads rolling over 10-30 miles based on chosen circuits. Along each course, culture stops provide interactive experiences with community partners, eateries and public art activations. Summer Slow Roll events happen weekly, but the flagship September festival delivers maximum fun with live music, pop-up parties and more two-wheeled magic across the metropolis.
The Paris Brest Paris Randonneur – Paris, France
As an ultradistance event, Paris Brest Paris measures itself as a grueling test of mental fortitude on two wheels. The iconic 1,200 kilometer brevet was first ran in 1891, continuing today to celebrate cycling endurance through tradition, ambiance and countryside vistas as competitors ride from Paris to coastal Brest then back. Solo riders and teams pace out this cycling quest over 90 hours in a choose-your-own adventure format through checkpoints. Finishing earns entrance into an elite club bearing the PBP medal since its inception over a century ago.
Cycling offers pathways to explore landscapes from city streets to remote mountains in athletic adventures. Choosing rides at immersive festivals worldwide lets you connect with freshly energized communities in beautiful locales. Bond over a shared passion while collecting unforgettable experiences unique to these beloved institutions.