Bike Around Plymouth
Eastern Massachusetts is a flat, picturesque area dotted with many popular bike trails. Two highly-rated trails begin in Plymouth and head out into the surrounding countryside. The Cranberry Country Cruise and Plymouth's Cruise Ride start at the harbor and follow county roads to Myles Standish State Forest, which has its own network of bike trails. October is prime time for a bike ride here, because the cranberry bogs turn red, but November also can be good, depending on the weather. Except during peak hours, you can take your bike with you when you ride a Boston commuter train. Train service is limited on Thanksgiving Day.
Palisades State Park
For a great view of New York City, take your bike to Palisades State Park on the Jersey side of the Hudson River. Cycling is permitted on Henry Hudson Drive from River Road in Edgewater to and including Alpine Approach Road. You can also take your bicycle on old Highway 9W to the State Line Lookout.
Bray's Bayou, Houston, Texas
Take a short ride on Bray's Bayou Hike & Bike Trail from Superior to Gessner in downtown Houston. This is not the most spectacular ride in the country, but it's usually warm and you'll enjoy this short ride along the bayou. San Jacinto State Park is also worth a visit. Texas does not have a lot of bike trails, however, so you'll have to put your bike in the back of a pickup and drive to the state park. Here's a link to the bike-and-hike trail that runs through the city: http://www.co.harris.tx.us/Comm_Lee/PBrays/index.htm
Big Sur
Try riding a section of the Pacific Coast bicycle route that runs from Canada to Mexico. Of special interest is the picturesque piece between Carmel and Santa Barbara, California. Any section is good for a day trip, or you can be ambitious and spend the entire Thanksgiving weekend pedaling the entire route. Weather usually is not a problem here.
Washington, DC
While the President is busy pardoning a turkey, you can hop on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal towpath and pedal out to the Great Falls of the Potomac. The towpath, which follows the canal for 180 miles, all the way to Cumberland, MD, is a trip back in time. The falls are 15 miles one way from Washington DC, but any part of this famous landmark is a good ride.
