Route 17, also known as Cycling Road (Japanese: サイクリングロードCycling Road), is a north-south route in central Kanto. Only people with Bicycles or Motorcycles are permitted to travel on the road, making the route a favorite hangout for motorcyclists and bicyclists alike. The northern terminus of Route 17 is at Route 16 on top of the steep hill that makes up the entire length of Route 17. The southern terminus is at the base of the hill, where it becomes Route 18.
The hill makes traveling towards Fuchsia City a breeze. The slog uphill towards Celadon City is considerably slower and more difficult.
From Route 16 south, two stone paths in the grass provide bikers with a guide on where to travel. Just south of the northern terminus is a grassy area containing wild Pokémon east of the eastern path. South of the grass, a third stone path begins, paralleling a narrow channel of water along its entire length.
Several paces south of the north bank of the channel, the middle stone path ends, becoming a dirt path as it runs between the aforementioned water body and a second channel that begins at this point. The west stone path runs along the west bank of the new channel, meeting the dirt path at the southern end of the channel.
About 20 paces south of the junction between the western and central paths, a small strip of land connects the western and eastern paths and separates a small body of water from the long channel to the north. The two paths merge into a single Route 17 just south of this point.
Two more stone paths form at this point, lining the western and eastern edges of the route. They come to an end at a ledge that also marks the end of Route 17.
Though the water is not blocked off from the route, fishing and Surfing along Route 17 is prohibited.
A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.
A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.
A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.
A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.
Trainers with a telephone symbol by their names will give their Pokégear number to the player, and may call or be called for a rematch with higher-level Pokémon.
Trainers with a telephone symbol by their names will give their Pokégear number to the player, and may call or be called for a rematch with higher-level Pokémon.
Differences among generations
Generations I and III
Besides graphical updates, only few noticeable changes are present between this generations. In Generation III, the flowers are removed and lampposts are added in both sides of the route.
Generation II
In Generation II, the southern portion of Route 17 was substantially reduced in length. Also, the number of trainers along the route was reduced from 10 in other Generations to four. Every signpost is removed and a portion of Route 18 is moved to this route as well.
Generation IV
In Generation IV, the layout of the route is completely changed. Route 17 is finally depicted as a metal bridge, matching the Midori Harada artwork more closely. Hills are added in the north, due to this time the bridge actually is going down, creating a camera effect similar to that when the player steps in stairs. The water ponds in the center of the route are removed. The bridge has a unique design this time, with textures not found in other places. From both the south and north, the route starts as a single path but later divides into two segments. While the west path is wide, with lampposts designed similarly to that of Generation III, the east path is narrower with lights above the road. Like Generation II, the signposts are removed.
Also, heading north on the route no longer causes a decrease in speed.
In the manga
In Pokémon Adventures, Route 17 (or the Cycling Road) debuted in Blame It on Eevee in the Red, Green & Blue arc, where Erika's Tangela causes Red to crash his bike. About to complain to the owner, Red is stopped by some of her minions, claiming that she is from the richest family in Celadon City and the Gym Leader of Celadon City as well. After hearing that she was the Gym Leader of Celadon City, she says she will only challenge him if he finds an Eevee. Red tries to contact Professor Oak at the Route 17 Pokémon Center to find out what an Eevee is, but he was out. Suddenly, Red gets a call from his old friend Bill, who helps him find an Eevee.
Trivia
One of the signs along the route says "Don't throw the game, throw Poké Balls instead", probably referring to the fact the player may get frustrated with the fact that they're losing a battle, and also it is common for someone to throw a game controller, or a hand-held console, if they get frustrated at a game.
A glitch exists in Generation I that allows the player to get on to Cycling Road without a Bicycle. If the player exploits this glitch without ever obtaining the item and gets on Cycling Road, the player will still be riding a bike. This is because the game assumes that the player has a Bicycle if they can get past the guard in the checkpoint.
