Top 10 Western US City Bike Paths

Since we love the Top 10 Lists, here's one that combines three of my favorite things: A Top 10 Ranking, Bicycling, and Colorado cities...

The October issue of Sunset magazine, which focuses on western U.S. living, names the Top 10 City Bike Rides [link upcoming when available]. Boulder ranked No. 2, Denver No. 3, and Albuquerque, New Mexico earned the top spot.

“With so many people looking for travel destinations that are fitness-friendly, the list offers the top ten places for both exercise and fun,” said Sunset PR Manager Karen Affinito.

The entire top ten list was ranked as follows:

1. Albuquerque, New Mexico: Paseo Del Bosque Trail

2. Boulder, Colorado: Boulder Creek Path, also here, & photos here

3. Denver, Colorado: Cherry Creek Trail

4. Los Angeles, California: South Bay Bicycle Trail

5. Portland, Oregon: Willamette River Loop including East Bank Esplanade (plus bonus trails link here)

6. Salt Lake City, Utah: Jordan River Parkway Trail

7. San Francisco, California: Bike the Golden Gate (forgive the commercial link)

8. San Jose, California: Los Gatos Creek Trail

9. Seattle Washington: Burke-Gilman Trail

10. Tempe, Arizona: Rio Salado Paths

If Howard had a vote -- and Sunset was most wise to avoid this -- he would have added Eugene, Oregon's Ruth Bascom Riverbank Trail (Warning: Large PDF file) and Fort Collins, Colorado's Poudre River/Spring Creek Trail. Unsure which paths to remove from the Top 10, Howard would have filibustered for a Top 12 List.