Exploring the Best Road Biking Routes in South Carolina

South Carolina is a cyclist's dream come true, with its winding back roads, world-renowned gardens, majestic historic homes and battle fields, mountain peaks and crystal clear lakes that provide a stunning backdrop of beauty, picturesque and ever-changing charm. From long, flat, paved trails for long-distance rides to mountain routes with great hill climbs and stunning beach trails for trips along the East Coast, South Carolina has something for every cyclist. Whether you're a beginner or a professional cyclist, you can find your “happy place” in this sunny, green and welcoming state. One of the best road biking routes in South Carolina is the Pinckney Island Ride Trail.

This trail was once part of the Magnolia Line railroad and is perfect for history buffs. It extends beyond the location of the Battle of Port Royal Island during the Revolutionary War and Pick Pocket Plantation. As you travel through swamps full of wildlife and under the branches covered with Spanish moss that characterize this trail, you'll be able to appreciate the beauty of South Carolina's nature. The Cayce Riverwalk in West Columbia is another great route for novice cyclists. This oasis along the Congaree River is like leaving the bustling state capital and entering another world of shady forests with animals carved from trees and trunks by local artists.

You'll cross historic bridges and boardwalks, and you can continue cycling past the riverwalk to the 3.5-mile Timmerman Trail. Huntington Beach State Park is one of the many places to ride bikes in Myrtle Beach. Biking in Myrtle Beach is busy but great fun for the whole family. You'll pass through swamps and saltwater lagoons with loggerhead turtles in the state park. You can also ride bikes along the waterfront full of shops, restaurants and attractions, such as a colossal Ferris wheel.

Biking along the beach from the boardwalk to the pier is a 10-mile ride along the Atlantic Ocean. Croft Park is another great spot for cycling enthusiasts. This former military base and training facilities from World War II have been reused on cycling and hiking trails. The trails feature impressive hardwood trees and old farmhouses, as well as the remaining foundations of what was once a 4-story hotel. The Southside Loop is one of the most popular bike trails in Croft Park, but you can also ride the Palmetto Trail for a slightly longer 12-mile ride. Bike trails are tiring and technically challenging, but also a lot of fun.

You'll experience smooth, rugged surfaces on this trail. Incorporating strength training into your cycling routine will make you a more powerful and faster cyclist. We'll show you 10 stability and strength training exercises that will help you increase your cycling power. Designing a personalized cycling jersey allows you to exercise your creative side and differentiate yourself, your team or your brand from the competition. We'll guide you through the design process, share expert design tips, and reveal 10 of our favorite cycling jersey designs to inspire your creativity. The Mary Black Foundation rail trail located in Spartanburg was part of the former Norfolk Southern Railroad. The 1.9-mile urban multi-purpose rail trail runs through restaurants, shops, and recreational facilities on its way to the historic city center. The Three Rivers Greenway located in Columbia is nearly 10 miles long and is still growing.

This series of riverfront trails, where the Broad, Saluda and Congaree rivers meet, offers exceptional views of the downtown skyline. The Waccamaw Neck Bike Trail runs 16 miles through historic Waccamaw Neck, a long, narrow peninsula tucked between the Atlantic Ocean and the Waccamaw River which links Pawleys Island to Murrells Inlet. Built along the old Magnolia railway line, this 16 kilometer trail offers spectacular views of rivers and swamps while traveling through historic points of interest from Beaufort to Port Royal. Finally, Charleston's Ravenel Bridge isn't an attraction in the park but it's worth crossing it for its fantastic views of Charleston Harbor. This 2.7-mile bridge is North America's longest cable car so you'll burn a few calories crossing it but you'll be rewarded with an enjoyable ride on your way down.

Carol Toefield
Carol Toefield

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