Jumping into Bicycle Travel

This week, a few inspiring online media bits for getting involved with bicycle travel.

In their July issue, Bicycle Paper featured an article by our own Mac McCoy on "Prepping for a Big Tour". Kicking off with Mac's early experiences with touring, the piece gives a great overview of the basic decisions you need to make before embarking on a bicycle adventure. Of course, you can also check out our How-To Department or get on our forums to find advice and travel tips from its more than 4,000 users.

For our Long Beach, California readers, you have a special opportunity to learn about bike touring from a couple of inspiring young bicycle travelers, Laura Crawford and Russ Roca. Check out their presentation on Saturday, July 18th about the basics of bike travel, some info about Adventure Cycling, how to document your adventure, and more. Get more info.

Russ and Laura also have a special request from those of you out there who are gripped with wanderlust, spin to the sound of your own bicycle, and basically are not afraid to meander off a well worn path. Say Russ and Laura on their website, "All around us are amazing stories of people who are trying something that’s beyond the status quo - people following an impulse or a desire to try something new and different. Is this you? If so, we want to hear from you. Tell us your story and why we should come visit you - and we’ll add you into our itinerary. " Share your story.

Lastly, read the story of Bill Bliss, a truly-inspired and dedicated bicycle traveler, and the Bliss family triplet pictured above.

in the photo: Bill Bliss and his daughters riding the TransAmerica Trail in '76 on their custom built triplet
photo courtesy of Greg Siple