As cyclists we generally ride our bikes six days per week during "the season" that approximates to the months of December through September.  And even during "the offseason" we're often on our bikes regularly even if our pursuits are biased towards R&R with the occasional muffin ride. On some of these days spent riding our legs feel heavy or the weather is horrible and there is no option but to put our heads down and eagerly count the minutes until we can stop. Other days the riding is easy, we never want to stop and can only wonder "why aren't I racing today."

Across these various categories of rides there are also those very special days. We generally don't wax poetic about epic this or epic that, but there quite simply are days when either the weather is so amazing we don't care about our legs or our legs are so good we don't care about the weather. Or perhaps the roads and their surroundings are so incredible that the good and bad of legs and weather fade into the background and the ride simply becomes pure bliss.

When reflecting back on the past twelve months we can remember plenty of good rides and bad rides (some of which were captured in our Year in Review Video), but the perfect rides are the ones that keep us coming back. Before we officially start 2014, here is a look at our favorite rides from the 2013 season.

Zero Visibility – January 16, 2013

If you are from Northern California you probably do this ride every day. Here in NYC it’s much rarer. The fog rolled in overnight and the team hit the roads a few hours after sunrise. At times we could not see 3 riders ahead of us. Easily the most unique ride of the year, as captured by Photo Rhetoric.

http://team.sixcycle.com/2013/01/16/zero-visibility/

Rain Ride – February 23, 2013

It was 35 degrees and called for rain around 11am. We set out at seven in the morning trying to sneak in a few dry hours. No such luck as the rain set upon us during the return trip. This is the ride that became the cover of the Litespeed Bikes 2014 catalog.

http://team.sixcycle.com/2013/02/23/classics-season/

Fall Riding – October 20, 2013

With the leaves on fire and a relaxing post season atmosphere within the team, including the obligatory coffee and muffin stop, this one is tough to beat, particularly ahead of winter's rapid descent on New York City.

http://team.sixcycle.com/2013/10/20/fall-riding/

Belgium – April 2013.

Need we say more? Belgium during Ronde van Vlaanderen week. It doesn't get much better.

http://team.sixcycle.com/2013/04/25/team-sixcycle-in-belgium/

Beach Riding – August 2, 2013

A rare break in the race calendar let us escape to the Hamptons for a much needed relaxing weekend on the beach. These weekends are all too rare but thoroughly enjoyable with spirited riding in the crosswinds and excessive eating afterwards.

http://team.sixcycle.com/2013/08/02/beach-riding/