If you've always wanted to see the country while riding on two wheels, you're in luck: the Adventure Cycling Association planned, created and recently debuted the Parks, Peaks, and Prairies (PPP) bicycle route, a new 1,287.7-mile bike path that runs through some of the United States' most beautiful natural wonders.
The route—which connects West Yellowstone in Montana and Minneapolis in Minnesota—is split into three sections. The first one runs 398.1 miles from West Yellowstone to Gillette in Wyoming, producer of 30% of the country's coal and known as the "energy capital of the nation." You'll pass through the area's waterfalls and geothermal hot spots, following the North Fork all the way to the Bighron Mountains.
The second part of the route goes east from Gillette, following the I-90 to Midland, South Dakota. Throughout the 379.7 miles, you'll ride along the Belle Fourche River and see the Devils Tower National Monument.
The last portion of the route—at 509.9 miles, the longest of the three—will have you ride along the Cross, Minnesota and Mississippi rivers before reaching Minneapolis.
Those of you not too familiar with the nation's geography should know that the path will take you through some truly iconic natural sights, including Yellowstone National Park, Mt. Rushmore, the Black Hills of South Dakota and more. We might not be able to venture too far on vacation this summer, but bike-riding along this route sure sounds like a pretty amazing and memorable alternative that allows us to still abide by social distancing measures.
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