In such a metropolis as Moscow, walking is already difficult. But what if there is no car, you do not know how to drive it, or simply do not want to stand in traffic jams? The best travel option is not "for two," but with the breeze and not by car - by bicycle. And where and how can you ride in the capital on this democratic form of transport, so that it is interesting and safe? We will try to talk about this in our article, and also recommend you the best cycling routes in Moscow.
Healthy lifestyle
Some people find that promoting jogging, charging, walking and cycling is too intrusive. Perhaps, but it helps many to think about how to extend their life, and most importantly - to make it enjoyable. Nowadays, Moscow has also begun to approach in sympathy for sports and active pastime to such world capitals as New York, London, Berlin and Paris. People are increasingly buying food with the words "natural" and "organic", running in the mornings, and in addition, in the city laid bike paths and opened many rental points. It’s a sin not to use them not only to residents of the capital of Russia, but also to its guests. Photos of bicycle and walking routes in Moscow can be seen in our article.
Benefits
Why do you think it is difficult to attract people to a healthy lifestyle? Laziness, inertia, reluctance to move away from familiar stereotypes? That's right, but boredom plays a key role. But with a two-wheeled horse, this is not so. It is cycling trips that often attract those who do not want to attend fitness clubs or sit in four walls with a simulator. They not only require physical exertion and patience, but also combine perfectly with the interest in what you contemplate along the way. They also train strategic planning skills. After all, first you need to think about how to build a bicycle route. Moscow is a big city, there are many interesting places here. And then you, as if on your own, arrange an excursion, traveling through new corners and unexplored surroundings.
Moscow bicycle routes: amenities
Now, right before our eyes, a new subculture of people who call themselves “Wellers” has formed. Of course, they immediately became unloved by both pedestrians as they drive onto sidewalks and by car owners, creating unnecessary obstacles for them. But Moscow is becoming more convenient for wellers: new paths are being laid, there are convenient paths in the parks, and you can come up with a completely environmentally friendly route. You only need to learn to follow safety rules, and most importantly - respect each other and pedestrians. Be sure to take a supply of water with you, because you will feel thirsty on the road. So, let's follow the most interesting trails for wellers. What do they hide for the average person?
Walk in Yauza
Describing the best cycling routes in Moscow, one cannot ignore this interesting trip with a length of about 14 kilometers. It starts from the Park Future Park near the Botanical Garden metro station. From there, past the seventeenth-century church of the Position of Our Lady of the Robe, you need to go down to the pond, cross it on the bridge, go around the former factory - and here you have Yauza. Wellers recommend moving to the other side of the river. Then dive under the Rostokinsky bridge - and you are already in a beautiful recreation area near the Second Aqueduct built by Catherine. Further our journey goes along the Yauza valley. On the way - Bogatyrsky bridge, forest park and numerous embankments. True, in some places you have to go around industrial zones. But basically there are few barriers on this path, but there are many interesting things - old locks, Lefortovo park, Spaso-Andronikov monastery. The end of the route is a skyscraper on Kotelnicheskaya Street, although you can continue to move along the Moskva River.
From VDNH to Ostankino
This route begins at the metro station near the Exhibition and lasts more than 12 kilometers. Its advantage is that at first you can ride along the paths and between the pavilions of VDNH itself. Then you need to follow to Ostankino, past the famous tower of the television center, and then along Botanicheskaya street. Here you can also turn off the route and take a ride through the garden and its alleys. The main thing is to avoid central roads, where there are many pedestrians, especially in good weather, when people walk with young children. Then the road goes through the huge Botanical Garden. Here you can ride at least all day, because this green zone has an area of as much as 450 hectares. You can end the route at the Garden of the Future, near the metro, or you can make it circular by driving along the avenue to the VDNKh metro station.
Cycling routes in Moscow: what is suitable for beginners
Those who are just starting to ride, it is best to choose a simple, but informative tour. For example, one of the most suitable options is a route that runs from the center of the Moscow City center to the Crimean bridge. It lasts about 12 kilometers and does not require tremendous effort. You need to start from the embankment of Taras Shevchenko. On your way will be the Sparrow Hills, St. Andrew, Neskuchny Garden, Gorky Park. What other cycling routes in Moscow can I recommend for beginners? An equally pleasant and easy ten-kilometer road, which beginners can easily overcome, lies from Izmailovsky Island to the Kuskovo estate. It starts from the Partizanskaya metro station, then turns onto the Bauman bridge and passes through a protected park. There are already laid tracks and there are signs. We drive through Lebedyansky and other ponds, then along Svobodny Prospekt through the Terletsky massif and the Novogireevo metro station and, finally, we arrive at Kuskovsky forest park. Here you can leave your bike and go to the famous estate or continue to ride along the paths of the green zone.
Night rendezvous
Moscow's cycling routes are no less interesting after sunset. Fewer cars, a very small number of pedestrians and a sea of lights - what could be more attractive? Therefore, one of these routes begins in the sparkling Moscow City, then passes the Ukraine Hotel, which at that time looks somewhat mystical, follows through Europe Square and Kievsky Station. On the Rostov embankment, you must definitely make a stop at the observation deck. From there you can clearly see the Borodino bridge flooded with lights and the Foreign Ministry building. And now we will slowly drive along the Arbat, where there are no longer such crowds of onlookers and tourists as during the day, and we will drive to Red Square. The main thing is not to forget to fix a flashlight on the bicycle handlebar, and reflectors on the seat and wheels. The night route from the Turgenevskaya metro station to Kitay Gorod may also be interesting.
Moscow region
Keep in mind that even near the capital there are places where not too experienced wellers can get lost. Therefore, choosing bicycle routes in Moscow and Moscow region (especially in the latter case), you need to stock up on a compass and a detailed map of the area. And you need to start with not very distant areas. For example, from the Moscow region of Elk Island. Although this forest park begins on the territory of the city, but if you drive a little outside the MKAD, you will not find any civilization at all. There are many ponds, ponds, lakes, streams and old dams. Three kilometers from Koltsevaya are the famous Lytkarinsky quarries, attracting fans to ride a bicycle. The coating there is sandy, downed, there are steep slopes, including the highest category of complexity. But the most picturesque place for skiing in the suburbs is undoubtedly the Meshcherskaya Valley. However, there are no signs or signs, so getting lost is easy. If you want to ride on some routes, then know that most of them begin and end at the railway stations. For example, this is the road from the village of Zapolitsy to the station of Petushki and further, to the Krivandino platform. But this route is mainly suitable for mountain bikes. And for beginners it is better to choose the road from the Podosinki platform to the Pavlovsky Posad mountain. The terrain here is smooth and picturesque, but no water bodies are found along the way.
Reviews
Wellers, who regularly ride around Moscow and the surrounding area, note that over the years this type of outdoor activity is becoming more accessible. Starting with the fact that it is no longer necessary to own a bicycle in order to enjoy the above and other routes. You can rent a city bike in one place in Moscow and return it in another. Paved many bike paths. Most of those who practice this type of relaxation are students. It is they who most often leave reviews on the Web. Young people believe that riding around Moscow is best because of the beautiful views. They are usually panoramic and impressive. Among the 3 best cycling routes in Moscow, photos of which adorn our article, those that go along the embankments are named. After all, it is these streets that are almost entirely dominated by pedestrians and wellers. There is a lot of greenery, quiet, little movement. In addition, such routes are interesting, easy and picturesque.