The Underground Railroad Bicycle Route is an American cycling tour that commemorates the homonymous Underground Railroad, a clandestine network used to help American black people to escape from slavery.
It was estimated that between 1810 and 1850, the organization supported by the abolitionists of the Underground Railroad helped over 30,000 people to reach freedom. The slaves on the run were housed and hid in the railway “stations” where they were given directions on how to continue the journey.
The Underground Railroad Bicycle Route trail begins at Mobile, Alabama and ends at Owen Sound, Canada, after approximately 3,327 km. The route crosses the United States from south to north through the states of Mississippi, Tenessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York.
Almost all the itinerary uses secondary roads in the nature and with little traffic, except for the more touristy months. Alabama and Mississippi, the starting point of the route, are quite easy to overcome because they don’t show significant climbs or slopes. Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana are more challenging hills.
In Ohio, the Underground Railroad Bicycle Route runs along the track of some now dismantled railways and turned into cycling routes.
Despite the natural wonders and the historical testimonies that come along the course in the United States, the most striking section of the entire itinerary is in Canada.
Pedaling along the Niagara River Recreation Trail, run along the famous waterfalls.
The best time to go on the Underground Railroad Bicycle Route is spring, but since the itinerary is more than 3,000 km long and runs from south to north, several climatic bands are crossed. In addition, the first stretch, in the south of the United States, is often lacking in services so you need to have the right equipment.