Discover Adventure by Turning Daily Rides into Backyard Adventures

The extraordinary often hides in the ordinary. You just need to stop and look.

Virginia Capital Trail near Jamestown, image by author

I've been a fan of Alastair Humphreys, the microadventure guru, for several years. His goal is to inspire all cyclists, regardless of limitations, to find adventure. Microadventures, as he defines them, are overnight outdoor adventure that are short, simple, local, and cheap, yet still fun, exciting, challenging, refreshing, and rewarding.

Though I'd embraced his philosophy for some time, his recent newsletter on backyard adventures, a more localized version of microadventures, hit home. It made me wonder what undiscovered adventures lay outside my door, waiting for me on two wheels.

My cycling routine is comfortable, much like many riders. My week involves regular rides on familiar trails, with small variations in route or timing, often including a stop for food or drink. I'm lucky to have so many trails nearby. However, Humphreys' message made me question my routine. Could these ordinary outings transform into genuine adventures?

The Backyard Adventure Mindset Beyond the Usual Ride

Like Humphreys, I've always seen microadventures as short, overnight cycling trips to new places, offering fresh perspectives. Now, the idea of a backyard adventure is pushing me to further define adventure. What if it's about intention rather than just distance or duration?

Just as a good bike tour is about the journey, not merely the start and finish, the same philosophy should apply to local rides.

When someone asks me for bicycle touring advice, I want to know if you see yourself as a tourist who cycles, or a cyclist who tours. The former lingers, takes photos, and engages with the surroundings, truly being a tourist on a bike. The latter, often chases speed, distance, and elevation stats with stopping being quick breaks rather than opportunities for deeper engagement.

A backyard adventure changes this entirely. It equally values time spent off the bike. It encourages you to stop, explore off-bike, and discover the world beyond the path.

My Backyard Adventure Menu

Embracing this idea, I started brainstorming various backyard adventures, curating a menu of rides built around things I enjoy. Here are some I've riddenon or see in my future.

The Photo Safari Adventure

I love photography, especially capturing nature. So, what if a regular bike ride became a full-day photo safari? Instead of cycling past green spaces, I could stop often, seek out and explore, and find for the perfect shot.

The adventure could also involve nature in unexpected spots like a downtown sidewalk, an overgrown abandoned yard, a mural on an interesting building, or perfect sunlight hitting the trail bench during a water break. The resulting photo album would chronicle my day's bike adventure.

A Ride Through Time Adventure

As a history geek, I'm drawn to the past. Many Ohio towns and rural areas were established in the early to mid-1800s, reflecting the heritage of canals, railroads, industry, and agriculture.. Many artifacts stand as ghosts of the Rust Belt era.

Every building has a story etched into its architecture. This adventure seeks out historical markers, visits small-town museums, and talks with locals about the past. It gives a sense of how communities thrived and faded with the rise and fall of railways or canals. Some reimagined themselves as vibrant spots with cafés and antique shops.

While structures may decay, the culture, cuisines, and spirit of their past remain. This adventure is as much about time travel as it is about the ride. Short visits and conversations reveal history you otherwise bike by. The adventure lies in piecing together the story of what once was and what endures.

Adventure That Connects Nature and Reflection

Sometimes, all we need is peace and quiet. Trails offer paths of tranquility, perfect for mental reflection. Stop and venture down a hiking path you've cycled past. Take in the aromas of nature, the songs of birds, and the rustling of squirrels in the trees.

Sit along the riverbank, watching kayakers and tubers drift by. Dip your toes at the base of a waterfall, or hike along a stream to explore the underside of a bridge Turn your mid-ride snack into a longer pause to absorb your surroundings. Adventure is found when we look inward and spend time connecting ourselves to the larger world around us.

Adventure with Local Buzz and Flavor

Bike rides sometimes include coffee or beer alongside the miles. But what if the coffee shop, craft brewery, or small-town diner became the day's main event, rather than just a quick stop? Finding adventure through others focuses on people, conversations, and the overall vibe of the space and others sharing the space.

Whether you're sitting at a country diner counter, enjoying music in a coffee shop, or delving into a brewer's specialty beer on a patio, each stop adds flavor to your ride. The trick is balancing that local buzz with the ride itself. Sometimes, the best adventures are simply sitting back and soaking in the local flavor and atmosphere.

Adventures That Challenge Your Comfort Zone

Adventure doesn't always mean claiming Strava bragging rights. Sometimes, a backyard adventure is simply about challenging yourself and not others. If your usual ride is 25 miles, push for 50. It's not about how fast you go or how many hills you climb; the true challenge is greater happiness, confidence, and a greater sense of adventure.

Map out a metric century or even a century ride, piecing together your familiar routes to create a day-long adventure. Consider adding a loop on quiet country roads for a change of scenery. If you're typically a trail cyclist, challenge yourself by riding into a nearby city and using its urban bike infrastructure to explore different neighborhoods for a taste of city life.

Adventuring In Someone Else's Backyard

A backyard adventure can certainly extend to someone else's backyard. Consider a short one or two-hour drive to a trail on your bucket list or a familiar one you haven't ridden in ages. Turn it into a two wheeled staycation.

Each trail has its own distinct and ever-changing personality. Spend the day cycling, reliving old memories or uncovering what brought you there in the first place. Discover the surroundings, soak in the atmosphere, and recall the stories you've heard along the way.

Sharing Adventures with Friends

Take your adventure to a new level by inviting someone along for the ride. This could be a someone new to cycling or a bike buddy looking to break from their routine. These adventures can be a version of any of the ideas I've shared.

Even if you usually ride solo, a shared adventure offers fresh perspectives. Conversations deepen with the miles, allowing you to see familiar routes through someone else's eyes and learn more about both them and yourself.

Adventure Is a Mindset

The best thing about backyard adventures? They're incredibly doable as day trips. You don't need time off work or a lot of money, and you don't even have to leave your town. You just need to shift your mindset by transforming routine rides into opportunities for exploration.

When you start looking for adventure close to home, your world expands. That trail you've ridden a hundred times suddenly feels new. A small-town diner becomes a destination. Even a simple park bench offers a front-row seat to nature unfolding in front of your eyes.

Backyard adventuring is a wonderful way to blend your love of cycling with your curiosity about the world around you. It's a reminder that the extraordinary often hides in the ordinary. You just have to stop and look.

What About You?

Do any of these backyard adventure ideas resonate with you? What might your version look like? I'd love to hear how you find more wonder in your everyday rides.