Featured Image Credit: Holy Spokes Facebook
With summertime temperatures in full swing and the kids out of school, what better time is there to get out and pedal your worries away? Whether you want a scenic view, a killer workout or a few drinks stops along your ride, we’ve picked out the best places to ride your bike around the Charleston area.
Folly Beach
Biking around Folly is perfect for the casual rider who wants to enjoy a breeze and some booze. Starting at Center Street, there’s just a 4-mile bike ride and a short walk to the far end of the beach where you can see the Morris Island Lighthouse and Cooper River Bridge. On your way back to Center Street, you can swing by Bert’s, grab a quick bite to eat, then hop back on your bike and pedal your way to all the restaurants and bars on Center Street.
Intensity: 1 out of 5
Sawmill Branch Trail
The Sawmill Branch Trail is a 6.5-mile bike ride just on the outside of Downtown Summerville. This trail is perfect for those trying to escape from people for a day and enjoy nature. You should expect to see plenty of wildlife and greenery and most of the trail goes under roads, keeping you away from the traffic. People have been known to spot alligators in the canal, owls and many dogs, as the trail is dog-friendly.
Intensity: 3 out of 5
Ravenel Bridge
This bike path is far more so for the fitness seeker than the day drinker, with its 2.7-mile span and intense slope, but the views make it worth the workout. Spanning from Downtown Charleston to Mount Pleasant, there’s plenty of room on the path for both runners and bikers, and gives each a spectacular view that will give you the perfect excuse to stop and catch your breath.
Intensity: 4 out of 5
Sullivan’s Island
Starting at Breach Inlet in between Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms and biking down to the Charleston Harbor end of Sullivan’s Island will give you a 7-mile ride and access to Fort Moultrie. Don’t worry, if you work up an appetite on your bike ride, there are plenty of delicious restaurants to stop and grab food before finishing up back at Breach Inlet. There’s always room for a burger from Poe’s Tavern.
Intensity: 3 out of 5
Downtown Charleston
One way streets and busy roads can make Downtown a stressful bike ride, so we recommend going early Saturday and Sunday mornings, but Charleston makes for a beautiful bike ride. There are so many routes to choose from, whether you bike along the Battery, Waterfront Park, White Point Gardens or a few random streets with historic homes, you’re sure to get Instagram worthy pics.
Intensity: 2 out of 5