Cycling is a Can-Do in Puerto Vallarta

What is it about a bicycle race that inspires us to want to start pedaling? You can watch NASCAR all day long and never once decide to start driving in circles at a thousand mph. Racing horses are beautiful to look at, but what kind of nut rides one? A speeding two-wheeler seems to provoke an entirely different attitude, though, so if you have spokes on your mind, you might want to do a bit of planning before you dash out of your Puerto Vallarta vacation rental.
Rental bikes. If you didn't arrange your vacation around a bicycle adventure, and you really want to ride, you can rent wheels in town. Before you take off on someone else's bicycle, check it out to make sure it's working the way you want it to work. Do the shifters shift properly? Are the tires inflated? Does the seat need to be raised or lowered? Get your ride set up for comfort before you leave the shop. Bike Mex, at Calle Guerrero 361, and Ecoride Tours, at Miramar 382, rent bicycles, cycling helmets, gloves and other gear.
Self-guided tours. Puerto Vallarta is a great city for many types of sporting activities (golf, tennis, deep sea fishing, scuba . . . ), but it's the berries for cyclists. Local traffic is fast and furious and many of the streets are paved in cobblestone. If you're determined to set off on your own, you will probably need to load your machine into a taxi or on a bus and get out of town. One possibility – head to Paso Ancho and ride the road that follows the river upstream. Watch where you put your wheels, though, because this area is also popular with horse people.
Commercial bike tours. A commercial bicycle tour can be an ideal way to enjoy some sightseeing in the open air. Among the merits of this kind of excursion, you'll be in the company of someone who knows the countryside and, perhaps more important, the way back to town and your Puerto Vallarta vacation rental . Oscar at Bike Mex offers a variety of tours for all skill (and wind) levels. Tour packages include all your gear, water, snacks, and in some cases, insurance. Ecoride Tours will escort you along the banks of the Rio Cuale or take you into the jungle for an all-day adventure.Stuff you already know. Always wear a helmet. Slather on the sun block and drink plenty of water. Tell someone what you have planned.