In Brasil, biking is an increasingly recurrent practice in major cities and also in the countryside towns.
It's no novelty that bicycle is a sustainability symbol. In Europe, for example, they are plentiful. Just land in Amsterdam to find many of them on the streets of the Dutch capital. In Brasil, "magrela" (affectionate nickname given to this two-wheeled transport) has gained more and more space, a result of the awareness that it’s necessary to preserve the environment and make physical exercises.
To begin, we must mention the traditional Boardwalk on the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro, a symbol of the athletic spirit of this city. In addition to the districts of Leme, Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas also has a cycling circuit. In the Marvelous City, there are more than 140 km of cycle tracks. If you search for mountain-bike trails, the Forest of Tijuca is what if you are looking for.
And when it comes to mountain biking, the Estrada Real extends for more than 1.600 km, from Diamantina, in the State of Minas Gerais, to Paraty, on the coast of the State of Rio de Janeiro. This path of earth, full of uphills and downhills, comprises historic cities, dating back to the colonial Brasil era. Between Ouro Preto and Paraty, Caminho Velho has 680 km length and crosses 38 cities. The route that separates Mariana and Ouro Preto, with only 11 km, can be crossed by cyclists of all ages.
In the Southern region of Brasil, more specifically in Vale dos Vinhedos (region responsible for the production of 90% of Brazilian wines), landscapes of Serra Gaúcha are ideal for a bike ride. The triangle formed by the cities of Bento Gonçalves, Garibaldi and Monte Belo do Sul composes the circuit of cyclists. It’s possible to stop and enjoy the local production of wine and typical dishes.
In the heart of Serra da Mantiqueira, in the city of Campos do Jordão, 170 km far from São Paulo, tourists can ride their bicycles, especially in the Horto Florestal, a natural reserve close to this provincial town, where there is no shortage of paths and trails to be crossed by bike.