The Best Cycling Routes in the Central Valley of California

The dry heat and abundant sun make the Central Valley of California one of the best places to ride a bicycle for recreation or exercise. There are plenty of roads and trails for you to ride, whether you want good exercise or if you want to increase your wattage and pedal to the next level. Cycling is a fun, accessible, and fulfilling way to recover from injury or improve your cardiovascular fitness. However, it’s also essential to know how you can prevent injuries while cycling. After checking our list of Central Valley cycling routes, keep reading to learn more about cycling, injuries, and how physical therapy can help.

Cycling Routes in the Central Valley

Using crowdsourced heat maps from cycling apps, we’ve put together routes that you can ride starting in various Central Valley cities—some explore favorite local trails, some urban viewing, and some bring you from one town to another. Feel free to cut these routes short or add on to them if you feel they are too long or short. Please use caution while riding the routes as they require sharing the road with vehicles. Consider these tips to enhance your ride.

• Bring water and snacks on your ride, especially if it’s a longer route.
• Use a phone or GPS device to map your route. Our routes can be uploaded to your Google Maps app.
• Consider using apps such as Strava and Komoot to join an online community of local cyclists near you.
• Try to keep a consistent RPM pace.
• Wear layers and weatherproof clothing if it’s expected to rain or get cold.
• Get an air quality app, such as IQAir, to make sure you aren’t cycling on a day with bad air quality on your route.

Madera: Fresno River Cycling Loop

The Fresno River may be mainly dry in the City of Madera, but the trails that run through it are great for cycling or walking!

• Distance: 8.4 miles
• Elevation change: 45 feet
• Grade change: 0.3% to -0.7%

1. Start at the beginning of the route, in the 3400 block of Riverview Drive.
2. Take the trail to the right.
3. Cross North Granada Drive at the intersection and continue on the trail.
4. Veer left to the underpass and round back along the trail.
5. Head back on the trail, passing the starting point of the route to Road 23.
6. Take a left, heading south, on Road 23.
7. Take a left onto Howard Road.
8. Turn right, into Madera-Lions Town and Country Regional Park.
9. Loop along the paths and exit back onto Howard Road, taking a right.
10. Take a left onto North Schnoor Street.
11. Take a left onto Riverview Drive/Jefferson Avenue and head back to the starting point.

Fresno: Lewis S. Eaton Bike Trail Route

This beautiful route starts in Fresno’s famous Woodward Park and heads north along the Lewis S. Eaton Bike Trail for about 4 miles until it ends.

• Distance: 10.6 miles
• Elevation change: 390 feet
• Grade change: 6.3% to -4.9%

1. Start at the beginning of the route, at the intersection of East Audubon Drive and North Friant Road.
2. Take the bike trail straight north.
3. Continue north along the trail until you reach the San Joaquin River Parkway & Conservation Trust building.
4. Turn around and ride back down the trail.
5. Veer right when you first hit Woodward Park, before the Art of Life Healing Garden, onto the segment of the trail that heads east.
6. Continue on the trail and turn right along with the trail before Highway 41.
7. Merge north onto Cobb Rnch Boulevard and continue until the end of the houses.
8. Turn around and head back along the trail.
9. Turn right at the end of the trail segment to head back to the starting point.

Clovis: Dry Creek-Old Town Route

This north-south route combines two of Clovis’ most traveled trails: the Dry Creek Trail and Old Town Trail.

• Distance: 13.6 miles
• Elevation change: 63 feet
• Grade change: 0.6% to -0.6%

1. Start at the beginning of the route, at the Dry Creek Trailhead on East Shepherd Avenue.
2. Ride the Dry Creek Path, crossing North Clovis Avenue and cycling around Cottonwood Park.
3. When you hit the Old Town Trail, turn left and continue on the trail.
4. Continue on the trail, crossing several streets and passing through Downtown Clovis, until you reach the end of the trail passed Dakota Avenue.
5. Turn around and head back on the same path to the Dry Creek Trailhead starting point.

Sanger: Sanger City Discovery Route

This route starts at Squirrel’s Run Park and explores the rest of the city along Academy Avenue and South Newmark Avenue.

• Distance: 7.3 miles
• Elevation change: 46 feet
• Grade change: 0.4% to -0.7%

1. Start at the beginning of the route, in Squirrel’s Run Park.
2. Continue south along the trail that is north of Acacia Avenue to Sanger Holding Park.
3. Take a left on Greenwood Avenue.
4. Take a left on Jensen Avenue.
5. Take a right on Academy Avenue.
6. Take a left on North Avenue.
7. Take a left on Newmark Avenue.
8. Continue on the bridge over Centerville Kingsburg Canal onto South Rainbow Route.
9. Take a right on Quality Avenue.
10. Take a left on 5th Street.
11. Take a right back onto Greenwood Avenue.
12. Continue on the same route back to Squirrel’s Run Park.

Selma + Kingsburg: Lincoln Park to Memorial Park Loop

This route starts in Selma’s Lincoln Park and combines farmland riding with urban strolling in Kingsburg, on the way to Memorial Park, before heading back via an alternate path.

• Distance: 14.1 miles
• Elevation change: 79 feet
• Grade change: 0.9% to -1.1%

1. Start at the beginning of the route, in Lincoln Park.
2. Take a right on Rose Avenue.
3. Take a right on Selma Street.
4. Take a left on Cross Street.
5. Take a right on Keith Street.
6. Take a left on Mill Street.
7. Veer right onto Fig Street.
8. Take a sharp left on Locust Street before taking a right on Peach Street.
9. Take a right on Olive Street.
10. Take a left on Fig Street.
11. Take a right on Dockery Avenue.
12. Continue left on Valley View Avenue before taking a right on Tucker Avenue.
13. Take a right on Pacific Avenue.
14. Take a left on East Saginaw Avenue.
15. Take a right on South Bethel Avenue.
16. Take a left on Kamm Avenue.
17. Take a right on South Academy Avenue.
18. Continue on 10th Avenue, and then Marion Street.
19. Take a left on Lewis Street.
20. Take a left on South Mendocino Avenue and continue until you arrive at Memorial Park.
21. Continue on Mendocino Avenue.
22. Turn left onto East Rose Avenue.
23. Continue until you reach back to Lincoln Park.

Reedley + Dinuba: Reedley Community Parkway to Dinuba Route

This extended route is highlighted by the beginning stretch of Reedley Community Parkway before giving you a clear view of the countryside before arriving in Dinuba. This route is flexible, and you’re encouraged to adjust it depending on your level of comfort and exertion.

• Distance: 17 miles
• Elevation change: 76 feet
• Grade change: 0.7% to -1%

1. Start at the beginning of the route, at the start of the Reedley Rail-Trail by the Kings River.
2. Take the trail east, continuing and crossing traffic circles until you arrive at South Buttonwillow Avenue.
3. Cross South Buttonwillow Avenue and continue on East Huntsman Avenue.
4. Take a right on South Englehart Avenue, continuing on Road 72.
5. Take a left on Avenue 424.
6. Take a right on North Crawford Avenue.
7. Take a right on East. Saginaw Avenue.
8. Take a left on Lincoln Avenue.
9. Take a right on East North Way.
10. Take a left on Eaton Avenue.
11. Take a right on East El Monte Way.
12. Take a right on Alta Avenue.
13. Take a left on West Saginaw Avenue.
14. Take a left on North Euclid Avenue.
15. Take a right on Ashley Avenue.
16. Take a right on Viscaya Parkway.
17. Take a left back onto Avenue 424.
18. Continue past Road 72.
19. Turn right on Route 64.
20. Turn left on Avenue 426.
21. Turn right on Road 56.
22. Turn left on West Olson Avenue.
23. Turn right on South Reed Avenue.
24. Turn right on 8th Street.
25. Turn left back onto the Reedley Rail-Trail, continuing back to the starting point.

Lemoore + Hanford: Lemoore-Hanford Route

Starting in Lemoore City Park, this route travels Hanford Armona Road into the heart of Hanford. For a shorter experience, just ride the 7-mile Hanford loop.

• Distance: 19.6 miles
• Elevation change: 35 feet
• Grade change: 0.4% to -0.4%

1. Start at the beginning of the route, in Veterans Memorial Park.
2. Turn left on West Bush Street.
3. Turn left on Lemoore Avenue.
4. Turn right on Cinnamon Drive.
5. Turn right on East Hanford Armona Road.
6. Veer left on Front Street into Armona.
7. Turn right on 14th Avenue before turning left on 6th Street.
8. Turn right on Oak Avenue.
9. Turn left back onto East Hanford Armona Road.
10. Stay on Hanford Armona Road through the traffic circle and Highway 198 underpass.
11. Continue into Hanford.
12. Turn left on 10 1/2 Avenue or South Irwin Street.
13. Continue on the road past Highway 198.
14. Turn left on West 7th Street.
15. Turn left on Redington Street.
16. Turn right on West 6th Street.
17. Turn right on South 11th Avenue.
18. Turn left on West 7th Street, using Garner Avenue to avoid intersection traffic, if needed.
19. Turn left on Mall Drive.
20. Turn left on 12th Avenue.
21. Turn right on Glendale Avenue.
22. Turn left on 13th Avenue.
23. Take the first right at the traffic circle to merge back onto Hanford Armona Road.
24. Continue on Hanford Armona Road back to Lemoore without turning into Armona.
25. Continue on the same route back to the starting point.

Visalia: Visalia City Loop

This cycling route gives you a taste of all the main regions of Visalia. You can cut the route in half by heading up or down North Demaree Road.

• Distance: 21.1 miles
• Elevation change: 76 feet
• Grade change: 0.4% to -0.4%

1. Start at the beginning of the route, at the south end of Plaza Park.
2. Ride north on West Airport Drive.
3. Turn right on Plaza Drive.
4. Turn right on West Goshen Avenue, riding through the Shell gas station if needed.
5. Turn left on North Kelsey Street.
6. Turn right on West Doe Avenue.
7. Turn left on North Roeben Street.
8. Turn right on West Ferguson Avenue.
9. Turn left onto Dinuba Boulevard and cross the canal before turning right onto the Modo Ditch Trail.
10. Continue on the trail and turn right onto Levee Drive before the Saint Johns River.
11. Cross North Ben Maddox Way and continue on the St. Johns River Trail.
12. Veer right, off the trail onto Road 140 / Lovers Lane.
13. Cross East Houston Avenue and continue on Lovers Lane past Highway 198.
14. Turn right on East Walnut Avenue.
15. Continue on East Walnut Avenue, using side streets if needed.
16. Turn right on South Garden Street.
17. Turn left on East Laura Avenue.
18. Turn right on South Court Street.
19. Turn right on West Whitendale Avenue.
20. Turn right on South Roeben Street.
21. Turn left on West Walnut Avenue.
22. Veer right to continue onto South Plaza Drive back to the starting point.
23. Cross North Granada Drive at the intersection and continue on the trail.
24. Veer left to the underpass and round back along the trail.
25. Head back on the trail, passing the starting point of the route to Road 23.
26. Take a left, heading south, on Road 23.
27. Take a left onto Howard Road.
28. Turn right, into Madera-Lions Town and Country Regional Park.
29. Loop along the paths and exit back onto Howard Road, taking a right.
30. Take a left onto North Schnoor Street.
31. Take a left onto Riverview Drive/Jefferson Avenue and head back to the starting point.

Exeter: Rocky Hill Loop

Make sure to take water and any snacks you need to conquer the challenging hill up Rocky Hill Drive. Once you clear Yokohl Creek and head back, enjoy the descent!

• Distance: 13.8 miles
• Elevation change: 697 feet
• Grade change: 7.2% to -6.7%

1. Start at the beginning of the route, at Monarch Stadium.
2. Turn right and head east on Rocky Hill Drive.
3. Continue on Rocky Hill Drive, uphill and downhill, and cross Yokohl Creek.
4. Turn right on Yokohl Drive.
5. Veer right onto Road 228 and cross Yokohl Creek again.
6. Turn right on East Myer Drive.
7. Continue on East Myer Drive to West Myer Drive, crossing Route 65.
8. Turn right on Road 192.
9. Turn left on West Glaze Avenue.
10. Turn right on Road 188.
11. Turn right on West Visalia Road.
12. Turn left on Palm Street, right after Brick House Park.
13. Turn right on Kaweah Avenue.
14. Turn left on Rocky Hill Drive back to Monarch Stadium.

Porterville + Lindsay: Orange Belt Drive Route

This challenging Central Valley cycling route is both long and full of hills and valleys. Choose to either ride the whole route, or cut it off from either town to Avenue 196.

• Distance: 22.7 miles
• Elevation change: 249 feet
• Grade change: 1.5% to -1.3%

1. Start at the beginning of the route, at the south end of Zalud Park.
2. Head south on North E Street.
3. Turn left on West Belleview Avenue.
4. Turn left on North Sunnyside Street before turning right, back on West Bellview Avenue.
5. Turn left onto North Main Street, using side streets if necessary.
6. Continue on North Main Street as it turns into Orange Belt Drive.
7. Continue on Orange Belt Drive as it turns into South Mirage Avenue in Lindsay.
8. Turn right on West Tulare Road.
9. Turn right on North Strathmore Avenue.
10. Turn left back onto Orange Belt Drive.
11. Continue on the same route back to the starting point.

Tulare: Tulare Sante Fe Trail Route

Ride on the Tulare Santa Fe Trail before taking a tour through the city’s best cycling streets. This route gives you a pit stop at Del Lago Park to get you ready for connecting back to the Trail.

• Distance: 17.1 miles
• Elevation change: 60 feet
• Grade change: 0.5% to -0.5%

1. Start at the beginning of the route, at one end of the Tulare Santa Fe Trail.
2. Head northeast on the trail.
3. Continue on the trail, crossing streets and taking the overpass past North I Street to North J Street, or go around the block.
4. Continue on the trail past Highway 99.
5. Turn right on North Laspina Street.
6. Continue on South Laspina Street, past East Bardsley Avenue.
7. Turn left on East Foster Drive.
8. Continue left onto South Mooney Boulevard.
9. Turn left on Prosperity Avenue.
10. Turn right on North Laspina Street.
11. Enter Lago Park on the right and ride any trail, exiting back to North Laspina Street and turning on Corvina Avenue.
12. Continue on Corvina Avenue and turn right on North Hillman Street.
13. Turn left on East Cartmill Avenue.
14. Pass Highway 99 and turn left on M Street.
15. Turn right on North Oaks Street.
16. Turn left on North Beatrice Drive until it ends.
17. Turn left on Welch Drive then immediately right on North L Street.
18. Turn right on East Cross Avenue.
19. Turn left on North I Street.
20. Turn right, back onto the Tulare Santa Fe Trail.
21. Continue on the trail back to the starting point.

Cycling, Physical Therapy + Injuries

Benefits of Cycling for Physical Therapy

Cycling is a terrific exercise option to help you rehab from injury. We often ask patients to warm up on a stationary physical therapy bike or a recumbent bike to get their heart rate up and blood circulation going as we start our physical therapy sessions. Cycling has many benefits for physical therapy patients:

• Improves cardiovascular health
• Improves respiratory health and lung capacity
• Relieves stress through repetitive movements
• Improves muscle tone in ankles, legs, thighs, and glutes
• Easier on the knees than running

Ride any of our routes above, or simply ride a stationary or recumbent bike at a gym. A stationary bike is simple and can be done on a rainy or cold day while cycling outside gives you a different sensory experience.

Cycling Safely on Roads

While cycling is often a good exercise choice, it needs to be done safely. Follow these steps to prevent bicycle collisions and injuries.

• Wear a helmet.
• Check your bicycle, including your brakes and tires, before your ride.
• Obey traffic rules that apply to vehicles, including stop signs and lights.
• Ride with traffic (on the right side of the road, to the right of traffic).
• Wear bright clothing during the day and reflective clothing or accessories during the night or during times of low visibility.
• Use bike lanes when they are available.

Common Cycling Injuries

While cycling collisions are a serious and noteworthy cause of injury, you are more likely to end up with one of these common muscle-related injuries while cycling, according to a study published in the American Family Physician. Causes include bad form and overuse & overextension of involved muscles.

• Foot/ankle – metatarsalgia, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis
• Knee – patellofemoral syndrome
• Hip – trochanteric bursitis, iliopsoas tendonitis
• Neck/back – cervical strains, lower back pain
• Head – concussion

Check out any of our dedicated, quality physical therapists at the closest clinic to you to recover from these injuries, or to learn how to prevent injury while cycling.