Several long running, very popular bike tours call the Mid-Atlantic states of Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina home.
The trio of states, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina have long traditions in bicycle touring. These centrally located Atlantic coast states each offer all the things any bike enthusiast could desire. Attractive mountain and flat scenery, temperate and enjoyable climates, good low traffic bike routes, bountiful lodging accommodations, and warm southern hospitality for locals and visitors. There’s no wonder cyclists from far and near enjoy bike routes in the region each year.
Bike Tours and Riding in Maryland
Just to the North of Virginia, The state of Maryland (MD) is nestled in against Washington DC. While the proximity might bring to mind big highways and high-rise buildings, do not let this fool you into believing that the only cycling is spin classes. Bike Tours and bike routes in Maryland offer you amazing scenery and relaxing roads in its top riding locations. 
Maryland’s eastern shore is a bike rider’s favorite. The Tranquil setting makes a great place to ride bikes. Cyclists enjoy many bike routes that have low trafficc, beautiful waterside views, and delicious food like regional seafood! It’s hard to beat a big Maryland Crabcake at the and of a day of biking!
In the more westerly regions of the state Maryland has green rolling mountain terrain like that surrounding Antietam, and farmland that pleases the eye of riders. The area is thick with history.
For riders that like organized bike events, bike tours in Maryland offer several riding options. Bike Maryland, advocacy organization, hosts an annual Baltimore based event the Tour du Port.
Smaller boutique tours like those offered by Adventure Cycling can also be found. Generally these self—guided or supported tours have 30 or fewer riders. If you’d like charity rides consider Maryland’s MS 150
The Bike Virginia Tour also loves to visit Maryland when we are in the region. Bike Virginia’s returning riders request the destination often due to the great scenery and rich interesting history like that we enjoyed in 2012 near Antietam.
Bike Tours in Virginia
The state of Virginia is between Maryland and North Carolina. The state has an abundance of great bike routes the cycling enthusiast whether you like the Blue Ridge Mountains, deep green valleys, or rolling hillsides. The state is also filled with interesting history. Many regions still have rural roads with farmland and beautiful views. The state is conveniently positioned along three major highways Interstates 81, 64, and 95, providing easy, fast access to great riding throughout.
Bike Tours of every type can be found in Virginia (VA) from single day events in every region to the long running, 28 year old Bike Virginia Tour which is a 6 day bike event, much akin to a festival.
Some of the state’s most popular bike tour / bike ride events, are the Tour de Chesapeake, the Storming of Thunder Ridge, Bike Virginia, and Cap 2 Cap ride.
Bike Tours in North Carolina
The southern side of this trio of states that cyclists enjoy is North Carolina. The state has widely varied geography, just like its neighbors, featuring both mountains and coast. Bike rides of every difficulty can be found. Drive west for the mountains, to central North Carolina for rolling terrain and east for flatter roads. North Carolina has a vibrant cycling culture that includes bike events nearly every week of the season. Bike riders in NC can find charity bike tours like the MS 150 in several regioins. The state is also home to an annual cross-state ride, Cycle North Carolina. The region also attracts many smaller boutique tour organizers like Adventure Cycling for those that like self guided and guided tours under 30 people.
History
You just can’t beat the history you will find on bike routes in Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland. In Maryland you should definitely visit Antietam, it is undoubtedly one of the most moving and beautiful places to ride a bike. In Virginia be sure to visit Colonial Williamsburg, the city has great bike routes and lots of preserved history. Richmond has a great cycling culture and offers beautiful river views alongside historic battlefields. North Carolina’s coast is covered rich with maritime history that us unparalleled. Cycle down Highway 12 on a challenging (windy and sandy) and very memorable route that explores the Graveyard of the Atlantic.
Conclusion
Bike Tours in Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina offer amazing scenery, great bike routes, history, and hospitality. These mid-atlantic states have mountains and beaches and everything in between. That means cyclists can find bike routes for touring that have something enjoyable with easy reach. Whether you want an organized bike event, a fundraiser event, a self-guided tour, or a boutique tour your can find something that is pleasurable for you, your friends, and family.