Winter Escape Routes for Your Bike Friday: Community-Picked Pedals

Fold up, fly out, ride free. When the northern chill bites, Bike Friday owners know the drill: pack the bike that fits in a suitcase, chase the sun, and turn winter into prime pedaling season. Our community chimed in with dream destinations for November through February—spring-to-summer down south, dry-season bliss in the tropics, or crowd-free mildness up north. We’ve sorted their picks by region and paired each with a standout ride (or two) that’s pure joy on a folding bike. No suffer-fests, just beauty, bite-sized distances, and easy fold-and-go logistics.

OCEANIA / SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE SUMMER

Spring blooms into high summer; daylight stretches past 9 p.m.

• New Zealand – South Island Recommended by Robert Clark, Jenny Currie, Graham Smith, and Hugh Larkin Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail (301 km, Queenstown to Oamaru). Glide past glacial lakes, braided rivers, and penguin colonies on a mostly off-road path graded 1–2. Tackle it in 4–6 relaxed days; shuttle services welcome folded Fridays. Top Tip: Lake Dunstan Trail at dawn—mirror water, vineyard cafés, zero traffic.

• Australia Recommended by Robert Clark and Brenna Sullivan Great Ocean Road (243 km, Melbourne to Allansford). Iconic coastal cliffs, koala-dotted forests, and the Twelve Apostles glowing at sunset. Split into 3–4 comfy days; fold and train back from Warrnambool. Top Tip: Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail—wine, cheese, car-free cruising. Check out this 7,000km epic tour across Australia and New Zealand on two Bike Friday’s.

SOUTHEAST ASIA / TROPICAL DRY SEASON

Cooler mornings, lower humidity, roads bone-dry.

• Thailand Recommended by Chris Owen Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai Loop (~300 km). Temple-hop through rice paddies and hill-tribe villages; quiet back roads, songthaew taxis for tired legs. Top Tip: Mae Hong Son’s misty 1,864 curves if you crave elevation with your coffee.

• Peninsular Malaysia Recommended by Kona Bros Solo Stylo Georgetown to Ipoh Heritage Trail (~200 km). UNESCO street art, limestone towers, legendary street food every 10 km. Flat, shaded, delicious. Top Tip: Cameron Highlands tea plantations—18 °C air, strawberry farms, fold-and-bus descent.

• Taiwan Recommended by Brenna Sullivan Sun Moon Lake Circuit (29 km lakeside path). Emerald water, aboriginal culture, cable-car vistas. Sunrise lap, then high-mountain tea. Top Tip: East Rift Valley rail-trail—rice paddies, hot springs, hot-air balloons. Check out Yang Cheng-Hsieh short account of touring Taiwan

SOUTH AMERICA / PATAGONIAN SUMMER

Long days, shoulder-season solitude.

• Patagonia Recommended by Travis Sydes Carretera Austral (pick any 200–300 km segment). Gravel ribbons past turquoise rivers and hanging glaciers. Grade 2–3; support shuttles love a folded bike. Top Tip: Lago General Carrera marble caves—ferry aboard with bike in tow. Read Gordon & Kay M’s account of their tour from southern Patagonia to Chile on their Bike Friday’s.

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE WINTER SUN

Mild temps, empty trails, January light all to yourself.

• Mediterranean Europe Recommended by Brenna Sullivan (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy) EuroVelo 8 – Costa Blanca (Valencia to Alicante, ~200 km). Orange groves, paella pits, Moorish hill towns. Flat, 20 °C, pure January. Top Tip: Portugal’s Ecovia do Litoral—Algarve cliffs, grilled sardines every 5 km. Read Shirley Proctor’s story of traveling through Spain

• Japan Recommended by Nina Sabghir Shimanami Kaido (70 km across six islands). Swooping bridges, citrus orchards, Seto Inland Sea sparkle. Lockers for panniers; fold and train back from Onomichi. Top Tip: Kyoto to Nara Deer Path (45 km)—temples, moss gardens, zero cars in the park. Read Scott Shaws fantastic account of his travels in Japan 

Whether you use your Bike Friday companion for adventures abroad or pedaling your local trails, snap a picture and share it with us! marketing@bikefriday.com