If you’re looking for some new bike routes to explore, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve compiled a list of our favorite Rider Resources for you. You’ll find short and long routes, paved trails, and singletrack. Something for everyone! Take a look and then . . . happy trails!
Ride Spot App By People For Bikes
The Ride Spot App created by People for Bikes helps riders discover great bike routes created by local bike shops, advocacy groups, and other riders. There are three main features for users:
SUPER SIMPLE NAVIGATION: Easily follow routes with on-screen navigation and audible turn-by-turn directions.
CREATE YOUR RIDE STORY: Add images and comments to any ride to share your personal experiences with friends and other riders.
SCAN A RIDE CARD: ERIK’S has Ride Spot Ride Cards available, free of charge, in-store for customers to take. These Ride Cards feature routes created by ERIK’S Staffers near their shop. Grab a card next time you visit your local ERIK’S and use the in-app scanner to scan the Ride Card to see, save, and navigate the route.
Follow your local ERIK’S shop. We have active accounts in 10 regions:
- ERIK’S Bike Shop – Twin Cities
- ERIK’S Bike Shop – Madison
- ERIK’S Bike Shop – Milwaukee
- ERIK’S Bike Shop – Chicago
- ERIK’S Bike Shop – Kansas City
- ERIK’S Bike Shop – St. Cloud
- ERIK’S Bike Shop – Rochester
- ERIK’S Bike Shop – Eau Claire
- ERIK’S Bike Shop – Des Moines
- ERIK’S Bike Shop – Sioux Falls
Specialized Ride App
The Specialized Ride App makes finding, planning, and coordinating rides simple. It offers four main features:
DISCOVER: The Discover feature allows you to browse nearby rides led by cyclists in your community. And, you can adjust the search options based on your desires – time, type, effort, and distance.
CREATE: This feature allows you to plan an upcoming ride and invite others to join in the fun. During social distancing use this option to share your rides with friends you normally bike with so they can experience them too.
COORDINATE: Use the ride message board to catch the latest on route changes, additions, etc.
RIDE RECORDING: If you find a ride you love you can easily record your route, speed, distance, and time without leaving the app. Compatible with Strava.
Gravel Road Maps & Biking Routes
Gravelmap is an online, interactive database of the less-traveled, quiet, gravel, and dirt backroads one can take via bicycle. The routes are contributed to and managed completely by the people who ride them.
Gravelmap has four main features:
MAP SEARCH: When you land on the Gravelmap website the first thing you see is the interactive map highlighting all of the incredible gravel routes in your area. Scroll the map to discover new trails across the world!
BROWSE ROUTES: You can peruse through all of the newest routes that have been submitted or select a location to bring up all the gravel paths in that area.
ADD ROUTES: Help others navigate the gravel you’ve already conquered. Gravelmap’s easy point-and-click draw mode makes it simple to enter your route.
IMPORT ROUTES: Gravelmap allows you to upload your GPX or TCX route files. Once uploaded you can edit them, selecting all or part of the data to use to create a new route.
Biking With Kids
If you are seeking tips on riding with your kids, check out our blog post Tips for Biking with Kids. You’ll learn the key things you need to do to ensure a successful, safe, and fun ride for all!
Now Get Out There And Ride!
Whether you are just getting into cycling and need guidance on where to ride or you’ve been riding for years and simply want to expand your knowledge of bike routes, you’ll find these three platforms great resources. Use them to feel confident as you embark on a brand-new path! And as always, the staff at your local ERIK’S are cycling experts and are happy to suggest places to ride in your neighborhood.