The historic town of Jacksonville always is a great destination for cyclists, especially during the colder months. I recommend these five different routes to put a little distance on the legs and end up at a destination where you can get warm before you return home.

I enjoy cycling with friends, but there are times when I just want to get on my bike and ride by myself. It gives me time for sorting out mental and muscular tensions. I seek routes with long stretches uninterrupted by stop signs or traffic lights. This allows me to get into a good pedaling rhythm so I can reach that "zone" where moving the bicycle seems effortless.

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine called and said his son was in town visiting, and looking for a bike route around the Medford area. He obviously called the right guy.

Some of the most pleasant early-fall weather in the Pacific Northwest is right here in Medford. Cool early mornings warm to moderate temperatures by mid-day, making it ideal for outside activities. Add the changing colors of foliage along Bear Creek and you have great conditions for a scenic and relaxing bicycle ride.

Most cyclists have pretty strong opinions about climbing hills — many cringe at the thought, while others relish a good, long, sustained hill climb. If you ever get into cycling to the point where you are in "training mode," trying to improve performance, climbing will improve your endurance and leg strength quickly and dramatically.

Century rides (100 miles) are to bicyclists what marathons are to runners. If you catch the bicycling bug and begin to crave higher mileage rides, you'll soon be training to ride a century.

One of my favorite bicycle rides in the valley is through the rolling countryside to Eagle Point.

One of the epic annual bicycle events in Southern Oregon is expanding its format this year.

When temperatures are cool during early spring, bicycling routes that offer flat rides help cyclists produce a smooth, consistent pedal cadence. Flat routes are also easier on the leg muscles when it's cool.

Are you trapped in the city, tired of fighting traffic, annoyed at the frequent stops at traffic lights, and yearning for the wide open spaces where you can put some miles on those cycling legs?