500 Adrenaline Adventures (Frommer's) - Lois Friedland [119]
Tours: China Roads ( 86/136/1888-7507;www.china-roads.com). Bike China ( 800/818-1778 in the U.S. For direct dials from other countries consult the website; www.bikechina.com).
When to Go: Mar–June and Sept–Nov.
Shuangliu Airport (18km/11 miles).
$ Traffic Hotel, Linjiang Zhong Lu 6, Chengdu ( 028/8545-1017;www.traffic hotel.com). $$$ Shangri-La Chengdu, Binjiang Dong Lu 9, Chengdu ( 028/8888-9999;www.shangri-la.com).
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Biking & More in El Salvador
One Thing After Another
El Salvador
Yesterday you were learning to surf in the postcard-perfect waves off white-sand, tropical beaches, but today you’re trying your hand at wakeboarding in a warm lagoon under the shadow of an immense volcano. Tomorrow you’ll be straddling a mountain bike that’s crashing down a dirt path through a lush rainforest. For thrill jockeys with a touch of Attention Deficit Disorder, Access Trips comes to the rescue with a multisport, adventure-instruction package that’s guaranteed to hold your attention for at least a week.
Your adventures begin shortly after you arrive in San Salvador, the capital of this Central American nation once torn by strife, but now poised to become the next eco-tourism mecca to rival nearby Costa Rica. You’ll be picked up from Comalapa Airport and taken to your seaside hotel. There’s time to relax or, if you’re rarin’ to go, indulge in a little sunset surfing. The next three days are chock-full of instruction in surfing and wakeboarding, all in small groups where the instructor-to-guest ratio is an admirable 1:5. Beginners are welcome, and veterans are given ample opportunities to hone their skills.
Once you’ve got those watersports activities down, you’ll head up into the mountains to the charmingly named El Imposible National Park. The edge of the park is lined with little-used singletrack paths that are perfect for practicing your mountain biking techniques. You’ll bike through jungles, on volcanoes, and by other resplendent natural wonders. While there, you’ll stay in a family-owned villa on the edge of a coffee plantation and, if time permits, take in a local falconry.
The instructors on this trip, as well as the co-founder of Access Trips, Alain Chuard, are former World Cup champions at snowboarding, surfing, and mountain biking. Their goal is to combine world-class instruction from seasoned professionals with unique travel destinations and fun activities. Other multisport offerings from Access include kayak/bike/hike tours of New Zealand and whitewater kayaking/biking in Costa Rica. —ML
Tour: Access Trips, Scotts Ferry, RD1 Bulls, New Zealand ( 650/492-4778;www.accesstrips.com).
When to Go: Year-round; check website for schedule.
Mountain Biking Around the World
There’s little to compare with the rush of shredding down a steep hill at breakneck speeds on a mountain bike. As a way of getting close to nature, exploring out-of-the-way villages, and trekking through isolated canyons, it really can’t be beat. It’s also one of most economical and eco-friendly ways to see the world while burning calories (instead of gasoline) and getting into great shape. The following destinations stand out as some of the most exotic and thrilling rides on the planet. —ML
Slickrock in Moab, Utah, U.S.A.: Many trails here take riders past red and gold cliffs that were once home to the Anasazi people—their cliff dwellings can be toured at nearby Canyonlands (www.nps.gov/cany) and Mesa Verde (www.nps.gov/meve) National Parks. You can choose from rides that feature spectacular vistas of the Colorado River, preserved dinosaur tracks, woodlands of piñon pine and juniper, or just spend the day soaking up the mellow culture of downtown Moab. www.discovermoab.com.