While most of us can’t spend our lives on a bike tour (as much as some of us wish we could), our brains are still full of tour memories and dreams of upcoming trips. The winning photos from this year’s contest highlight the unplanned human moments that are pure magic. From the spontaneous one-person dance party at the top of a climb to the determined faces of Day One riders, these photos remind us why we love bicycle travel. –Carolyne Whelan
Epic
Honorable Mention
Over the Rainbow
Riding our first miles of Day Six on the Selkirk Loop, we came across this colorful intersection in Kaslo, BC, along the Kootenay Lake.
RJ Sakai
Around Camp
Honorable Mention
Lunch Break on the Way to Inyo National Forest
My 18-month-old daughter and I take a break on the steps of a church before venturing out — for the first time — to bear territory.
Marco Triverio
Epic
Winner
Bikepacking the Laugavegur
Riding between thermal vents and persistent snow fields on the Laugavegur Trail in Iceland’s interior. This 55-kilometer-long trail is designed for hikers, not bikers, and requires a considerable amount of bike-pushing and carrying. But it’s totally worth it for the beautiful landscapes you get to experience.
Greg Maino
Adventure Cycling Route Network
Winner
Celebration Dance
I had just spent three months crossing the country by pedal power and had just made it to the Oregon coast. Mac Miller’s “What’s the Use” came on my headphones and I felt moved to jump off my bike and wiggle on the side of the road.
Lisa Festa
Adventure Cycling Route Network
Honorable Mention
Joy on the Road
Riding along the Columbia River in Oregon.
Angela Vincent
People/Portraits
Honorable Mention
1 Family, 2 Tandems, 3 Weeks, 4 Pairs of Cyclist Legs
We packed two tandems and our camping gear into a rental van for the drive to central Michigan to meet up with our son and his girlfriend. My wife’s thighs get sun blisters, so she wears tights and misses out on the “leg warmer tan.”
Kevin Sossong
People/Portraits
Winner
Setting Out
When our neighbors across the street announced their plans to ride the TransAmerica Trail west to the coast from their home in Missoula, Montana, I made a point of seeing them off on the morning of their departure. John is a seasoned cyclist with many miles behind him. For Kristina, it was her first venture out as a self-contained cycle tourist.
Greg Siple
Around Camp
Winner
Alone at 3500m
After a long day of pushing our bikes, the mountains opened to reveal this flat, grassy pasture. We set up the tent and enjoyed the peacefulness of the place. A cold, quiet evening that reminded us why we liked doing this so much.
Belén Castelló
Best Cover Photo
Winner
The Way to Tre Cime
Tre Cime is known within the cyclist community for being a leg breaker. This five-kilometer climb averages 15 percent gradients, so we were very happy to do it this time on Tout Terrain Skane eBikes. The views, though, left us in awe the whole way.