Re: Biking

The Lodge bike stand is open for the season.

Are there many bike trails in the valley? I am deciding whether to bring my bike or not. If there aren't many, I might just rent one to deal less with the hassle of getting it up there.

I'm not sure there are many trails. I see people bike mostly on the roads. Often, bike's are prohibited to go pass certain points when you get to the hiking trails.

There aren't many dedicated bike roads. I would be careful when it gets crowded like in July though because you won't have much room to bike except early AM.

There are no bike trails, but there are bike paths. We use our bikes to get around to avoid the crowds. It is a nice way to get around and enjoy the scenery! There are bike racks at many popular stops, but bring a lock! The rental bikes don't come with a lock and people might accidentally walk off with yours

The nps.gov/yose site has a map of the paths you can ride.

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/biking.htm

Thanks. I guess it is a good source of transportation around the valley anyhow. We will try to bring our bikes.

We always bring our bikes when we go to the valley. It's just a great way to get around.

Biking is one of the better ways to enjoy Yosemite. In general there are bike paths (which at times on the east end are shared with shuttle buses) that will take you all the way from Yosemite Lodge in the west to Happy Isles and Mirror Lake in the east. A really nice ride that gets you away from traffic and crowds is from Awahnee Meadow up to the back side of the Awahanee hotel (you cross two bridges that give you great views of the river and Half Dome) and on to Mirror Lake, and back down to Yosemite stables. Also from the Pines campgrounds up the shuttle bus road, around the Happy isles/Stables loop is really nice. You can't take bikes on the hiking trails. Oh by the way rental bikes aren't exactly cheap.

The bike rental is pretty pricey and the bike paths are really limited. It is however nice just to bike around the roads and meadows. It provides a different experience all together.

Is this run by the National Park or private? How pricey? I don't mind paying if it goes to the park.

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caldrich
Is this run by the National Park or private?

Do you mean bike rentals? If so, it's private.

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How pricey? I don't mind paying if it goes to the park.

$25/day http://www.yosemitepark.com/Activities_Biking_BikeRentals.aspx



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/20/2011 09:18PM by eeek.

Thanks eeek. That's not too bad for a full days rental. Less hassle then trying to bring our bikes up.

Come early too because they do sell out quick.

With the congestion during the summer months, biking will probably save you a lot on time waiting for the shuttles or driving. You also get a 360 view of the valley.

The catch is that, the cars will take up the roads and it is extremely difficult and maneuver on the roads. You will have to stick to paths closed to cars.

I agree that it isn't usually a good idea to ride on roads open to cars, but you can get to (or very near) Yosemite Lodge, Curry Village, the Pines campgrounds, Happy Isles, Mirror Lake, the Ahwahnee and Yosemite Village without ever having to leave bike paths or roads closed to traffic.

I love biking through the meadows towards Alawhanee. It is very surreal.

Thanks guys. I'll probably just rent the bikes then if I decide to bike there.

Glad to hear that there are paths we can bike. Going to load the children's bikes on the roof!

If you are fortunate to have sites in a less crowded loop, they would have fun biking around. Just let them know to be careful become some of the drivers do drive pretty fast through the campsites, especially the college kids.

Bikes are now $28/day or $10/hr. There's also an extra charge for helmets and if you are under 18 you have to wear one.