Best State for training?

Although I live in NC, I would love to be able to train pre-season in Florida, it's almost always above 70 and sunny.

Cyclist14 said:

Although I live in NC, I would love to be able to train pre-season in Florida, it's almost always above 70 and sunny.

But the highest point in the state is about 300 feet above sea level. The longest climb is the on-ramp of the freeway. The weather is great (except for the occassional hurricane), but if was serious about training, I would look for someplace with mountains.

Western North Carolina is not bad. The winters are not that long and the hills are good. Colorado has the advantage, though, that even when you are in the "valley", you can be 5000 feet above sea level, and the climbs start from there. If you train at those altitudes all of the time, and then travel to somewhere closer to sea level to compete, you will notice a difference. It is similar to blood doping or EPO, but it is legal. Of course, the winters in Colorado are long and cold. Again, everything is a trade-off.

I was just in Tucson and was very impressed. The temperature was 68 degrees, there were tons of riders, and almost every single road had a shoulder and a bike lane. Plenty of climbs in the area also. Good place for winter training.

I live in Florida, and find it great for training. Here, you can pretty much train all year round, because of the weather. Depends on what your trying to train for though. If you want hills, you could come to Florida, we do have some, but by no means do we have mountains. If you just want good steady training, come here. So, I recommend Florida as a place to train.

New Mexico - Sacremento Mountains. Live in Alamogordo, okay the town isn't like Metropolis but you're there to ride - focus is your mantra. You can ride road, MTB, flat, mountains, etc. or any combo, your pick - all freaking day long - then end those days with some great Mexican food.

HR

Arizona, specifically Tucson. Year round riding. Tons of climbing....our desert definitely is not flat. Bike friendly. Some pretty awesome shops. Tons of group rides. Did I mention year round riding and tons of climbing? Girls, girls, girls.

NOT South Carolina.

bicycling magazine just did a little thing about what cities in the US are best to live in. i only looked at the big ones cuz i really hate small cities. Overall best rated i think was portland, oregon. though i think it could get cold there. lately i have been thinking i will move to CA as soon as i am done with school, so that i can ride more often. Either there or NYC, because i feel like it would be really easy to meet people to ride with in central park. and for all its worth philly isn't too bad. I mean we did use to have the USPRO race...

I live in San Diego (duh! look at the handle!) I can't complain about about the weather. Mountains nearby, plenty of flats and everything in between.

John

P.s. Recovery rides on the boardwalk at Mission Beach....ahh the beautiful views!!!! Lotsa nice views to keep you from riding too hard (or maybe not 😉 )!

Thanks for the ideas guys. I am also looking to move next winter. I am in CT and I DESPISE winter with all my heart. I am a sprinter and I feel like I am in prison with weather below 50 degrees. The hotter the better IMO.

I am considering either Tuscon or San Diego from what I am hearing. I might look to transfer to a college down there. San Diego would be best because of the velodromes nearby. What are the rents like there? I don't want to live in a ghetto either.

velomanct said:

Thanks for the ideas guys. I am also looking to move next winter. I am in CT and I DESPISE winter with all my heart. I am a sprinter and I feel like I am in prison with weather below 50 degrees. The hotter the better IMO.

I am considering either Tuscon or San Diego from what I am hearing. I might look to transfer to a college down there. San Diego would be best because of the velodromes nearby. What are the rents like there? I don't want to live in a ghetto either.

[font='Times New Roman']Having been born & raised in SD and now living in NOR-CAL (silicon valley) I would say hands down NOR-CAL. It is a cyclists paradise, the job market is awesome! [/font]
[font='Times New Roman'][/font]
[font='Times New Roman']Look into: Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos, etc[/font]
[font='Times New Roman'][/font]
[font='Times New Roman']You can't beat California and for cycling you can't beat this area, why do you think they had the Tour of California here 🙂[/font]

Allan
I agree with you on Cali. I haven't ridden up your way yet, but would like to. Since I haven't ridden (nor really been) up there, I can comment..... It's still Cali though!

RUBBER SIDE DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! John

Dieseldan said:

NOT South Carolina.

I can second that motion - I just moved from Sumter SC. Three syllables sums it up, it's the pits!!! Never have I been crused at, had trash trown at me, threatened, and the list goes on- bad, bad, bad. In fact SC could be a whole new thread - where NOT to ride!

HR

Well, since you mentioned international, may I suggest Tuscany.

Great riding, great bikes, great history, great riders (you will regularly train with dozens of pros) and the food ain't bad either. 😉😎

I live in Northern CA. SF bay area. I do lot's of training here a little of everything flats, hills, etc. I do part of Amgen Stage 2 route and love it. This area is full of cyclist aficionados.

Powerful Pete said:

Well, since you mentioned international, may I suggest Tuscany.

Great riding, great bikes, great history, great riders (you will regularly train with dozens of pros) and the food ain't bad either. 😉😎

i would love to move to europe, but i feel like it would be very hard for an american to pack up and move to europe

inSANe DIEGO said:

I live in San Diego (duh! look at the handle!) I can't complain about about the weather. Mountains nearby, plenty of flats and everything in between.

John

P.s. Recovery rides on the boardwalk at Mission Beach....ahh the beautiful views!!!! Lotsa nice views to keep you from riding too hard (or maybe not 😉 )!

I would second San Diego. Cost of living, from what I hear, is a bit high, but otherwise it is beautiful. I do a half ironman in LA Jolla every year and am so ernvious of people who live there during the entire bike!

Florida's nice too, although I lived there for 5 years and couldn't really find a great place to take my bike out. Or a great time. I like to ride in the afternoons, but that's the hottest part of the day. Heat index is WAY too high!

I would recommend NC at this point, after living here for 4 years. Great hills, average weather (cold in winter, hot in summer) and reasonably close to great cities. . Plus, there are a bunch of great races and riding clubs. There's a good mentality around here. 🙂

But if I had the money...I'd move to SAN DIEGO!!

On the international front I'd have to say Mallorca Spain, what a fantastic place!! Having to live in the South Limburg reagion of The Netherlands is pretty nice too. Also there is Zweibrucken Germany, the riding is stellar there too, and...

HR

inSANe DIEGO said:

Allan
I agree with you on Cali. I haven't ridden up your way yet, but would like to. Since I haven't ridden (nor really been) up there, I can comment..... It's still Cali though!

RUBBER SIDE DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! John

Drop me a line if you do and we'll ride!