The best road cycling routes around Troy

Road cycling routes around Troy, Illinois, primarily utilize former railroad beds, resulting in gentle grades and relatively flat terrain. You'll find paved, traffic-free paths winding through woodlands, suburban areas, and open fields, often featuring waterfront views along rivers.

Yes, Troy, Illinois, offers a great selection of easy road cycling routes. Out of over 35 available routes, 24 are rated as easy, making the area very accessible for cyclists of all skill levels. Many of these routes follow former railroad beds, ensuring gentle gradients.

Several popular loop routes are available. The MCT Goshen Trail – Bridge on MCT Goshen Trail loop from MCT Goshen Trail is an easy 34.2 km ride. For a slightly longer option, consider the moderate 50.8 km Bridge on MCT Goshen Trail loop from Maryville, which offers varied local scenery. Another favorite is the 44.9 km MCT Heritage Trail – Marine Heritage Park loop from Maryville, leading through woodland and suburban areas.

While cycling around Troy, Illinois, you can enjoy waterfront views along rivers and wooded areas. The routes often pass by natural spaces like the Watershed Nature Center and the extensive MCT Nature Trail. You might also encounter local parks such as Hoppe Park.

Yes, many of the road cycling routes in Troy, Illinois, are ideal for families. The prevalence of paved, traffic-free paths and gentle grades, particularly those utilizing former railroad beds, makes them safe and enjoyable for cyclists of varying ages and abilities. There are 24 easy routes to choose from, perfect for a family outing.

The road cycling routes around Troy, Illinois, vary in length, with options ranging from shorter rides like the 21.78 km Roadbike loop from Maryville, which takes about 1 hour, to longer moderate routes such as the 50.8 km Bridge on MCT Goshen Trail loop from Maryville, typically completed in around 2 hours.

The road cycling routes in Troy, Illinois, are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.5 stars from over 30 reviews. Cyclists often praise the well-maintained, traffic-free paths, the gentle gradients, and the varied scenery that includes woodlands, open fields, and waterfront views.

Yes, some routes offer scenic views of water. For instance, the Horseshoe Lake loop from Maryville is an easy 43.48 km route that provides views of Horseshoe Lake, offering a pleasant waterside cycling experience.

Given the varied local scenery and the nature of the trails, spring and fall are generally excellent times for road cycling in Troy, Illinois, offering comfortable temperatures and beautiful foliage. Summer can also be enjoyable, especially on routes with shaded sections through woodlands.

Yes, the MCT Goshen Trail and the MCT Nature Trail are part of the extensive Madison County Transit (MCT) Trails system, which offers a network of paved paths throughout the region, often built on former railroad beds.

While many routes are easy, there are moderate options for those seeking a bit more challenge. For example, the Bridge on MCT Goshen Trail loop from Maryville is a moderate 50.8 km route with slightly more elevation gain, providing a good workout while still enjoying the varied local scenery.