Boo Cycles

Boo Cycles does not have a touring bike available at the moment, but there are three reasons I want to talk about them today.

1. Boo Cycles creator Nick Frey not only has the riding experience under his belt, but was brought up by a family of bike tourists, and has the education to back up his designs with an engineering degree from Princeton.

2. Not everyone tours loaded, and bamboo provides very comfortable ride while also exhibiting great strength. There's no reason you couldn't take their road or cyclocross bike and set it up with a BOB trailer that mounts through the wheel axle.

3. It's Halloween, and it's hard to resist writing about a company named Boo.

For a company in its infancy, their attention to detail is very impressive. For starters, they don't just grab a stalk of bamboo for any tube. Each tube incorporates its own breed of bamboo that exhibits the best characteristics for the stresses that are put through that part of the frame. From there, they hand wrap the joints with carbon for reinforcement, and sand it down for a smooth, seamless finish.

While bamboo bikes are often advertised as a 'green alternative,' Boo Cycles maintains an emphasis on performance. Bamboo is very strong, lightweight, and absorbs vibration efficiently. Combine that with a good frame design, and you have a bike that is light like aluminum, smooth like carbon, and strong like steel.

Currently, you can only find the R9 road bike on the Boo Cycles website, but don't count them out of the touring scene yet. They are very aware of touring cyclists (as well as Adventure Cycling Association), and are in the process of adding a few more bikes to their arsenal, including the pictured bike with an integrated rack.

It's my personal opinion that this is one of the sleeker looking bamboo bikes available right now, but that's my opinion and perhaps not yours. If you want to check out some other bamboo bikes, take a look at Renovo, Calfee, and Organic Bikes.

photo by Josh Tack

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TOURING GEAR AND TIPS is written by Joshua Tack of Adventure Cycling's member services department. It appears weekly, highlighting technical aspects of bicycle touring and advice to help better prepare you for the journey ahead.

Two Giants

Every once in a while you run into a giant. A tree that stops you in your tire tracks and warrants a couple of hours of your life.

The giant on the right dwells in a sleepy town, barely on the map, near San Cristobal, Venezuela. We were looking for an alternate route to get to the border of Colombia and bumped along the cobblestone streets into the town square of San Pedro del Rio. Oh my God. The tree. It spanned the entire park. A living umbrella shielding us from the relentless sun. This is a tree you could spend a life under.

The road from San Pedro del Rio winds up into the mountains before steeply descending to Agua Caliente. Colombia is a stone’s throw away, but you have to continue to San Antonio del Tachira to legally cross the border into Colombia.

The giant on the left resides in the former homeland of Venda in South Africa. Legend has it that the gods plucked the baobab tree out of the ground and shoved it back upside down. The trunk is designed to store water in a land of frequent drought.

I stopped and lingered at the base of this giant, pondering what a baobab bike would look like.

photo (Two Giants, 1995 South Africa/2007 Venezuela) by Willie Weir
click photos for larger image
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SIGHTS AND SOUNDS appears on Friday afternoons. Willie Weir is a columnist for Adventure Cyclist magazine. His latest book Travels with Willie: Adventure Cyclist compiles his favorite writings over the last twelve years. He lives in Seattle with his wife Kat. You can read about their local adventures and life without a car at www.yellowtentadventures.com.

More Miles in Missouri?

One of the first routes I remember working on for Adventure Cycling Association is the Great Rivers Route where approximately one third of the route runs through Missouri, including a spur into St. Louis. Why does this matter now? Last week, the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) announced their Fall 2009 Bicycle Friendly Communities. Two Missouri communities appear on that list and the state as a whole is ranked at a respectable 17. The city of Columbia attained LAB's Silver status while St. Louis earned Bronze.

LAB's announcement comes on the heels of a Parade magazine article about the bicycle friendliness of Columbia and what they are doing to promote bicycling. While not everyone agrees on the methods, it is a major achievement for cycling to become a greater focus of the transportation planning infrastructure.

All of this says to me that perhaps we need to look at expanding the Adventure Cycling Route Network in the Show Me state. (Beyond the miles already covered on the Great Rivers, Lewis & Clark, and TransAmerica routes, of course.) Do you have a favorite area of Missouri for riding that we should take a look at?

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GEOPOINTS BULLETIN is written by Jennifer 'Jenn' Milyko, an Adventure Cycling cartographer, and appears weekly, highlighting curious facts, figures and persons from Adventure Cycling's Route Network with tips and hints for personal route creation thrown in for good measure.

USBRS in Oregon and Michigan's Mid America Trails and Greenways Conference

I am presently at the Mid America Trails and Greenways Conference, participating in a full-day session entitled Connecting Mid America with Trails and Greenways. Not only am I learning about the various trail projects happening across the region (Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin) I am hosting a 2 hour break-out session specifically focused on the U.S. Bicycle Route System.

Very exciting.

Especially since I just came off a full week in Oregon talking to the Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, the Scenic Bikeways Committee, and Cycle Oregon. While it isn't surprising that Oregon is ready to engage in developing U.S. Bicycle Routes (after all the state has a very progressive attitude toward cycling), it is great to see progress.

And things really are heating up across the country, with Florida, Georgia, Maine, New Hampshire, Michigan, Wisconsin all actively engaged in route development for the U.S. Bicycle Route System. Others are beginning to talk to us about process, including New Mexico, South Dakota, Missouri.

Who will be the first to develop a new U.S. bike route and submit an application?

photo of Ginny Sullivan courtesy of Ginny

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BUILDING THE U.S. BICYCLE ROUTE SYSTEM is posted twice per month by Ginny Sullivan, USBRS coordinator, and features news and updates related to the emerging U.S. Bicycle Route System.

A Tours Testimonial: Community, Camaraderie, and Transformation

Even my mom always says it’s not appropriate to spend a lot of time patting yourself on the back. However, I feel like this is a special case: I really want to share this fantastic testimonial from a recent C&O/G.A.P. tour participant. Not only did this fellow’s love of cycling grow, but he also gained an unforgettable community. Feedback like this makes me love my job:

“During the introductions [at the start of the ride], I was surprised to learn that many of the people had SO much more touring experience than me…I left that meeting impressed. As the trip progressed, I found my riding ability to be exactly what I expected. What I didn’t expect was the growing sense of community and camaraderie with the other riders. I experience true spiritual growth by looking outside of myself, and becoming a part of the group. I can’t wait to do it again!”

I’d really like to issue an enormous thank you to all the folks that make these transformative experiences possible. From the tour leaders to the mechanics, to the luggage truck drivers; your commitment to the Adventure Cycling mission continues to motivate and inspire.

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ON THE ROAD is posted each Tuesday by Sarah Raz, Adventure Cycling's Tours Specialist and Intrepid Traveler, and shines a spotlight on the daily delights that take place on Adventure Cycling Tours.

Blue Roads Going Green?

Remember that classic country song by Crystal Gayle, "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue?"

You don't?

Oh well, regardless, in a twist on its title, in Michigan they could soon be singing, "Don't it make my blue roads green?" That's because, according to an October 10 story in TIME magazine, a woman named Kim Gallagher is lobbying to have the state's narrow, forgotten "blue roads" turned into slow-ways (speed limit of 35 mph) for those traveling by bicycles, electric cars, horses, scooters, and so forth. Eventually, electric-car charging stations would be situated along these green highways, which in some cases could bring life back to dusty towns that've seen better days.

It's a fascinating idea, but I think it's going to be a tough sell to the locals who are accustomed to driving these roads, as well as to highway engineers, who would have to think waaaay outside the box. Already in Iowa there's a movement afoot to ban bicycles from the state's farm-to-market roads, which often are narrow, low-traffic roads, much like the ribbons of pavement Gallagher talks about in Michigan. Might a relatively radical idea such as hers spawn similar petitions in other states as a way of motorists "fighting back"?

Not that I personally wouldn't like to see it happen; in fact, I think it would be great. But I just don't know ...

What about you — do you think it's a good and/or viable idea?

And really, except for lowering the speed limits, isn't this precisely what Bikecentennial/Adventure Cycling has been doing for almost 35 years — finding and mapping the blue highways of America?

photo of blue highway by M. McCoy

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BIKING WITHOUT BORDERS is posted every Monday by Michael McCoy, Adventure Cycling’s field editor, and highlights a little bit of this or a little bit of that — just about anything, as long as it’s related to traveling by bicycle.

Raleigh Sojourn Touring Bike

One reason I have always been drawn to touring bikes is because they manage to withstand the test of time in many regards. They avoid trends, incorporate ideas that have been proven by time, and through simplicity, look very classy.

The Raleigh Sojourn is stylish, yet unassuming from top to bottom, and the steel frame and fork comes with all the bells and whistles you would hope for in a touring bike. Spare spoke holders, pump peg, full fender and rack eyelets, three water bottle mounts, long wheelbase, and a slightly sloping top tube, which makes mounting and dismounting the bike a little easier.

The components on the 2010 Sojourn will go unchanged from the 2009 model, so if you purchased your bike last year, you can be rest assured that you didn't miss out on any big improvements. The components are highlighted by a Shimano 9spd drivetrain using Dura Ace 9spd bar end shifters, a triple crankset (30/39/50t chain rings), and an 11-34 tooth rear cassette, along with a Deore rear derailleur. These are all durable, and long lasting components that will not only give you plenty of gears for any terrain, but piece of mind on the road.

Disc brakes seen on this bike are a little unusual for a touring bike, but we're starting to see this more and more. While some may find disc brakes intimidating as far as service/repair is concerned, the Avid BB5 mechanical disc brakes are pretty user friendly and use a cable as opposed to hydraulics. Just carry some spare pads and cables similar to the fashion in which you would with cantilever brakes, and you should be in good shape. The braking power with these are very good in both wet and dry conditions.

The wheels on this bike are as well built as everything else. The Freedom Ryder rims are touring specific, and have a nice wide section to ease the process of pulling off the 700x35 Vittoria Randonneur tires when that fateful flat occurs. Both the front and rear wheels have 36 spokes, which improves the strength and comfort of the wheels.

As for the rest of the parts, the WTB handlebar is easy to spot, and flares out at the drops, putting them somewhere between mustache bars and normal drop bars. While this may look a little funny to some, it puts you in a more upright position when riding down in the drops, and gives you a wider hand position for great stability. The Brooks B17 aged saddle is outstanding, and the Brooks leather bar tape not only has a good feel, but looks sharp as well.

Raleigh has some really nice extras that come along with this bike, which include full coverage fenders, Leyzne pump, rear rack, and a bell. With pedals included, this bike just needs a front rack and panniers before it's ready to take on your next tour.

Like I promised last week, this bike runs under $1200, but only by a dollar, and there's some good news and bad news here. The bad news is that $1199 is the 2009 price, and it should be bumping up to $1249 for the 2010 model. The good news is that REI has a great deal on this bike at the moment for $949.93 (price accurate at the time of post) with limited sizes available.

photo by Josh Tack

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TOURING GEAR AND TIPS is written by Joshua Tack of Adventure Cycling's member services department. It appears weekly, highlighting technical aspects of bicycle touring and advice to help better prepare you for the journey ahead.

Lesotho Serenade

When I pedaled across Lesotho (the mountain kingdom completely within the borders of South Africa) there was exactly one paved highway. I was never on it. Instead, I pedaled on roads that could only be described as linear collections of large rocks. I remember one day's progress ... 9 hours of struggle ... 17 kilometers.

I wheezed my way up to a small school at about 11,000 ft. I was invited to visit a classroom. The teacher spoke enough English that he could translate for me. I talked with the students and answered their questions about my bicycle journey.

In return, the students decided to sing for me. Now this was not the school's choir. This was a history class.

Chills ran up and down my spine for the next 20 minutes as I listened to the soul of a country expressed in song.

I wish I had a photo of the faces, but for some reason not a single image from that roll of film turned out. Which, in some ways, makes my memory that much more ethereal. You can hear their singing at the link below. (The rough translation I was told: "When the sun goes down I am lonely. When it gets dark, where will I sleep?).



audio recording (Lesotho Serenade) by Willie Weir
photo (Lesotho hut 1995) by Willie Weir

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SIGHTS AND SOUNDS appears on Friday afternoons. Willie Weir is a columnist for Adventure Cyclist magazine. His latest book Travels with Willie: Adventure Cyclist compiles his favorite writings over the last twelve years. He lives in Seattle with his wife Kat. You can read about their local adventures and life without a car at www.yellowtentadventures.com.

A Photo Contest Teaser

These are just a few of the great images that have been submitted to our 1st Annual Bicycle Travel Photo Contest.

We are looking for photos that capture the beauty and wonder of bicycle touring adventures, both past and present, and we would love to have you add your photos to the pool! The winner's image will be printed in the March 2010 issue of Adventure Cyclist magazine — reaching over 50,000 people worldwide. It will also be featured on Adventure Cycling’s website, which is visited by more than a million people annually.

Please take a few moments to read through the contest rules and then join in the fun!

photo 1 by Jean-Philippe Chartrand
photo 2 from chrisch's photostream
photo 3 photo from bicyclesonly photostream
photo 4 from thirteenvegetables' photostream

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MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS is posted each Friday by Amy Corbin, Membership and Marketing Coordinator. It spotlights the various benefits of membership, what we have accomplished thanks to member support, and even interviews with some of our most passionate and dedicated members, both individual and organizational.

New-ish Online Mapping

On Gene Bisbee's blog at Biking Bis, I often read some great stories that I don't see elsewhere, or stories where he ties another related piece to what everyone else is reporting. On October 13th, he reported on Google's latest developments in rolling out more detailed data including college campuses, parks, water features, and even trails and paths. Best yet perhaps, is that they plan to begin offering Bike There riding directions at some point in the not-so-distant future.

In Gene's blog post, he points out a competitor who already offers this service, Ride the City. The creators began working in the fall of 2007, and currently the service is limited to a handful of cities: New York City, Chicago, Austin, Louisville, and San Diego. Seattle is also available as an 'alpha' city. Not only does this service attempt to route cyclists on paths, greenways, and bike lanes first, it offers the option to rate the route it creates. This feedback mechanism ought to allow them to bump up the accuracy of their database and hence give better and better results over time. If you live in any of the cities that they cover, be sure to check them out and let them know how they are doing.

I believe it is services like these that help get cyclists on the road to adventure whether in their own city or a new one. (Of course, paper maps are still a good bet, too!)

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GEOPOINTS BULLETIN is written by Jennifer 'Jenn' Milyko, an Adventure Cycling cartographer, and appears weekly, highlighting curious facts, figures and persons from Adventure Cycling's Route Network with tips and hints for personal route creation thrown in for good measure.

Tourism Trains

I travel often for work and have great opportunities to visit some very interesting places. Most recently, I was in Waterloo, Ontario Canada, for the Ontario Bike Summit.

This pleasant town is home to two universities and about 40,000 students. When I had a chance to exit the conference hotel, I was pleasingly greeted by cyclists and pedestrians at every turn; possibly due to the number of students using bikes as their main means of transportation. It gave the city a great vibe -- a bit groovy, and very welcoming.

I've found this to be true of all southern Ontario. My experience cycling the in 2007, from Niagara Falls to Owen Sound, proved the province is very hospitable to cyclists.

Along with the hospitable people and beautiful landscapes, there's even more reason to bike tour in southern Ontario. Did you know about the Bike Train that takes cyclists between Toronto, Niagara, and now a host of other destinations across Ontario? During my visit to Waterloo, I met project founder Justin Lafontaine, who shared that pilot projects are the way to go when trying to convince rail agencies, in this case VIA Rail Canada, to cater to touring cyclists.

The Bike Train connects cyclists with “wine, culinary regions, northern lakes and forests, off-the-beaten-path towns and villages, world-renowned natural and historical sites, and thousands of kilometers of recreational trails and on-road cycling routes.” Maybe a visit to southern Ontario lies in your future?

For those of you interested in traveling with your bike in the U.S., visit Amtrak's bicycle information page.

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CONNECTIONS is posted twice a month by Ginny Sullivan, Adventure Cycling's special projects director and features the cultural, historical, geographical, and human connections created through bike travel. Find out about our award-winning Underground Railroad Bicycle Route.

More Free Web Resources: magazine, mountain bikes, & more

In September I blogged about Free Web Resources for Traveling Cyclists, featuring a round up of some of the information and tools that we provide on our website at www.adventurecycling.org. This is quick follow-up post.

In the last week, our Adventure Cyclist features page was updated with stories from the June and July/August issues. These archived PDFs are a great way to share your favorite story with friends and family who are already into bicycle touring and travel, or with those whom you want to inspire to hop in the saddle. Or, if you're not a member and have never seen the magazine, this is a great way to check it out (you can also request a free sample issue).

Next, in follow-up to all my silly hoopla over the Tour Divide, if you are passionate, or curious, about touring by mountain bike, you may want to check out these pieces from our How-To Department: How-To Mountain Bike Tour, The Top Ten Mountain Bike Tours in North America, and Aaron Teasdale's excellent primer on Ultralight Cycling.

For those of you looking for riding pals or places to ride, our Discussion Forums now boast Regional Discussion Areas (which include Canada and an International board), where cyclists can "meet, organize rides, and discuss cycling issues." These forums are open to Adventure Cycling members and to non-members (but you do need to create a simple log-in to participate).

More free online resources coming soon!

photo by Aaron Teasdale

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NEWS, NETWORKING, AND NEW MEDIA is written by Winona Sorensen, Adventure Cycling's media director, and appears weekly, highlighting cool media (articles, videos, photos, etc.) related to Adventure Cycling and bicycle travel. Get media updates from Adventure Cycling.

Full 2010 Tours Roster Ready!

Our 2010 tours line-up was just announced! Week-long tours, epic adventures, family fun trips, relaxed tours, Intro to Road Touring; rides on roads, dirt, up mountains, and through beautiful valleys -- we basically have something for everyone. After you check out this year's offerings, feel free to call the tours department with questions at 800-755-2453, ext. 3.

photo by Chris Guibert

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ON THE ROAD is posted each Tuesday by Sarah Raz, Adventure Cycling's Tours Specialist and Intrepid Traveler, and shines a spotlight on the daily delights that take place on Adventure Cycling Tours.

Wanted: More Women on Bikes, Part II

Typically in this column, I try to cover a fresh subject each week. But last week's blog about cycling participation's lopsided male-to-female ratio sparked so many interesting comments (most of them on our Facebook page) that I think I'll revisit the topic here.

Consider first what a reader named Andrea wrote in response to the column: "American women tend to go 'dormant' once they are married and have children. But American men do not go dormant. They continue to enjoy their hobbies, while wife stays home with the kids. Women need to assert themselves more to continue to do the things they love after they have families."

And this from Denise: "Women in Europe wear whatever they have on to bike, including their nice high-heeled boots. And women here [in the U.S.] tend to spend much more time on their hair, so they don't want to mess it up with a helmet. Women here think bicycling is only for fitness and sport, while in Europe they think of it as a viable form of transportation. Also, I don't think women trust bicycle stores any more than they do their auto mechanics, and don't necessarily get straight answers or good service."

Jamie (he's a he) said this: "I think a huge problem in the bicycling community is that most cycling organizations seem to cater to racers (speed) and tourists (long distance). Although I love these organizations, I feel they sometimes intimidate those thinking about taking up cycling as a hobby/activity."

And, finally, Tracy offered up her own personal Intimidation List of reasons why more women don't ride:
Mechanical things like changing tires are intimidating;
Traffic is intimidating;
[Pedal] Clips are intimidating;
Riding solo is intimidating;
Cyclo computers are intimidating;
Gear is intimidating;
Mostly, and above all, bikers are intimidating.

In closing, I'll share some links my colleague and fellow blogger Jenn Milyko zipped over to me from a couple of entities that are striving to increase the number of female riders (I sense that the two sites might be related). Bike Shop Girl is an online bike shop and more, with the mission of "Helping women find their way in cycling." And Women's Cycling Magazine is both a print and online resource covering many aspects of cycling, with a racing emphasis. I could not find the words 'touring' or 'travel' on their category list, so hopefully those will appear sooner than later.

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BIKING WITHOUT BORDERS is posted every Monday by Michael McCoy, Adventure Cycling’s field editor, and highlights a little bit of this or a little bit of that — just about anything, as long as it’s related to traveling by bicycle.

Internal Hubs: Part II

Welcome to the second segment of internal hubs. Last week I took a look at the innovative NuVinci hub, as well as the very popular Rohloff Speedhub. This week, I'll check out two more competitors on the market that are a little more economical for the everyday rider.

The Shimano Alfine 8 speed hub improves upon the Shimano's older Nexus 8 speed hub by adding on disc compatibility, as well as improving the clutch engagement for smoother, quieter, and more efficient shifting. The gear range isn't very wide, and of all gear ratios mentioned in my posts, this has the largest jump from gear to gear. If you have a 22 and 39 tooth rings up front, you will be in pretty good shape for long climbs, as well as a reasonable gear for the flats. The hub costs around $275, and will work with both Alfine and Nexus 8 speed shifters, which add another $60 or so to the price.

The SRAM iMotion is your next mainstream option, and offers a 9th gear with a larger range. The low end remains very similar to the Alfine hub, but extends out to give you a bigger gear for the road. The shifting is not as refined as the Alfine, but the gaps between the gears on the low end are much smaller, which is a huge benefit when climbing loaded. You can find an iMotion hub for around the same price as the Alfine, and the shifters usually run under $40.

If you're on the fence as to which of these two hubs to choose, here's the general breakdown. The Shimano Alfine will shift more smoothly, and the iMotion will give you a superior range at a similar price. Both are great options, you just have to decide which one suits your preferences.

Thanks for hanging in there for two weeks of internal hubs. On tap for next week will be a classic styled, complete touring bike for under $1200.

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TOURING GEAR AND TIPS is written by Joshua Tack of Adventure Cycling's member services department. It appears weekly, highlighting technical aspects of bicycle touring and advice to help better prepare you for the journey ahead.

Greetings and Beisball

First, let me introduce myself. My name is Willie Weir and I've been a columnist for Adventure Cyclist magazine since 1997. My posts (Sights and Sounds) will mostly focus on international pedaling. A chance for me to dig through photos and sound recordings from a world of travel. I'm not an avid cyclist in the classic sense ... not much of a gear guy or mileage hound. The bicycle is simply my passport to adventure ... in my neighborhood, my city, my country, and my planet.

Dream. Pedal. Travel. Repeat.

It's fall. Time for raking leaves, extra pots of coffee ... and baseball. Once again, my team (The Seattle Mariners) won't be in the post season. But I still enjoy watching the playoffs and the World Series. I am one of those who truly believes that baseball is our national sport.

Ironically, one of my favorite baseball moments isn't from the United States. Kat and I spent three months on a tandem bicycle in Cuba in 1998. Cubans love baseball! If you plan on going (legally or not), make sure you attend a baseball game in any of the major cities. In fact, where ever you travel, make sure you take the time to attend a sporting event of some sort. Cricket in India. Lawn bowling in England. Rugby in New Zealand. It is a great window into the life and culture of a place.

The audio file below is the commentary I wrote after we attended a game in Santa Clara, Cuba. It originally aired on public radio station KUOW in Seattle.




audio recording (Beisball) by Willie Weir
photo (Dugout View, Santa Clara, Cuba 1998) by Willie Weir

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SIGHTS AND SOUNDS appears on Friday afternoons. Willie Weir is a columnist for Adventure Cyclist magazine. His latest book Travels with Willie: Adventure Cyclist compiles his favorite writings over the last twelve years. He lives in Seattle with his wife Kat. You can read about their local adventures and life without a car at www.yellowtentadventures.com.

Our Bike Bits E-Newsletter

Some of you have been Adventure Cycling members for years, ridden many of our routes, taken a tour with us, and even donated some cash to help support our programs. Some of you are new to bicycle touring or bike travel. You may have been cycling for years, or just a few months, but the idea of using your bike for a longer, or even epic adventure intrigues you.

If you want more great tidbits about the happenings in bike travel, you should definitely sign up for our free e-newsletter, Bike Bits, which is edited by Mac McCoy, our intrepid field editor. Mac also writes a fine piece every Monday for this blog: Biking Without Borders. He gathers newsworthy items from around the globe and passes them on to his eager readers, so if you are looking for just one more bike touring information fix, this could be a great choice. You can sign up or check out back issues in our publication archives. Just one more way to feed your cycling addiction!

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MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS is posted each Friday by Amy Corbin, Membership and Marketing Coordinator. It spotlights the various benefits of membership, what we have accomplished thanks to member support, and even interviews with some of our most passionate and dedicated members, both individual and organizational

Non-Ride Report: Sacramento, California

Though I wish I'd been able to work in a bike ride on my recent trip to Sacramento, California, I was able to cover ground in another favorable way.

On Tuesday, October 6th, Kevin McManigal, Casey Greene and I hosted a regional gathering for Adventure Cycling at the Sacramento REI store. We had a fabulous turnout, 44 people, most were members. Many thanks go out to our volunteers who helped set up the meeting and provide snacks, to REI for offering their community room, and to Bil Paul, Sierra Cascades route researcher, for a ride to and from the meeting.

The topic for the evening was our current route-in-progress, the Sierra Cascades Bicycle Route and routes & mapping at Adventure Cycling in general. I haven't asked Kevin and Casey, but I think we all felt a bit like rock stars. We were welcomed warmly by all who attended and were asked a bevy of great questions. I can't wait to host another meeting!

in this photo: Jennifer Milyko, ACA Cartographer and Lou Cross, NACIS executive director

photo courtesy of Jennifer Milyko

The next three days we spent at the North American Cartographic Information Society (NACIS) annual meeting. It was a great opportunity to share our mapping process, learn about other methods and simply meet and mingle with other mapping professionals. An added highlight for me was my election to the NACIS board. For the next two years I will be participating in guiding the organization in reaching its goals to share the cartographic wealth.

Both of these events were incredibly fulfilling. As much as I love making the maps, meeting new people and learning new things is pretty great, too.

in the top photo: Kevin McManigal giving me (Jenn) the "thumbs up" at the Sacramento Regional Meeting
top photo by Jennifer Milyko

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GEOPOINTS BULLETIN is written by Jennifer 'Jenn' Milyko, an Adventure Cycling cartographer, and appears weekly, highlighting curious facts, figures and persons from Adventure Cycling's Route Network with tips and hints for personal route creation thrown in for good measure.

The Future is Now: Virginia's U.S. Bicycle Route 1

Picture yourself for a moment, standing on a rural road somewhere near Richmond, Virginia. You look north and imagine yourself pedaling into Portland, Maine; you look south and envision you and your bike standing on the ocean shore of the Florida Keys. Abruptly you pull yourself back to the present, jump back on your trusty steed and pedal your way down the road to your sister's house for Sunday dinner.

Okay, we aren't there yet, but the image you see above isn't wishful thinking. US Bike Route 1 (USBR 1 henceforth) is signed in Virginia (thanks in large part to the Virginia Bicycling Federation and the Richmond Area Bicycling Association who worked in partnership with the Virginia Department of Transportation) and is partially signed in North Carolina. The states of Florida, Georgia, Maine and New Hampshire are working on completing the route and more will follow. In some cases, the USBR 1 follows Adventure Cycling's Atlantic Coast Route, in some cases it doesn't, and in some cases new additions to USBR 1 will follow portions of the East Coast Greenway.

Have I peaked your interest? Want to learn more about how USBR 1 and a host of other interstate routes developing across North America?

The U.S. Bicycle Route System blog will be posted twice a month, providing news and updates related to the work going on across the country. You will learn how Adventure Cycling is supporting the development of this interstate bike route system, what states and regions are actively pursuing implementation and how you can help the effort. Review the National Corridor Plan (PDF) and be sure to visit our Discussion Forums to voice your ideas and suggestions, or chime in here!

in this photo: Champe Burnley pauses to reflect on the newly posted USBR 1 sign with fellow RABA cyclist, Dale Peacock, photo by Richard Halle

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BUILDING THE U.S. BICYCLE ROUTE SYSTEM is posted twice per month by Ginny Sullivan, USBRS coordinator, and features news and updates related to the emerging U.S. Bicycle Route System.

3 Short Videos Answer 3 Big Questions

Will Lance Armstrong ever take on the Tour Divide? According to Chris Carmichael...See last week's letter to Lance to understand what the heck I'm talking about. Thanks to Matthew Lee for pointing me to this footage from Mike Dion's upcoming documentary on the Tour Divide.



Looking for tips on splitting kindling at your campsite after a long day in the saddle? Russ Roca -- from Pathlesspedaled.com -- offers this demonstration.



Also, check out Russ' website if you have a chance, and peruse the absolutely gorgeous photography from his current adventure.

Lastly, what emerging trend might inspire even more cyclists to join the growing ranks of bicycle travelers? Really styling outfits! Big questions for me...who in the design world is prepared to take on the challenge of cross-country travel fashion? And, how does tweed hold up after a full day of rain?



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NEWS, NETWORKING, AND NEW MEDIA is written by Winona Sorensen, Adventure Cycling's media director, and appears weekly, highlighting cool media (articles, videos, photos, etc.) related to Adventure Cycling and bicycle travel. Get media updates from Adventure Cycling.

Slowpoke

Fall is most certainly in the air here in Missoula, with nightly lows dipping into the teens and I’m definitely wearing gloves during my morning commute. This year, for the first time ever, I’m trying my hand at another autumn bicycle custom: cyclocross racing. For anyone who has never tried racing before, I urge you to give this sport a shot. I find that, as racers zoom around me on either side lapping me over and over, I get a chance to learn an important lesson in humility. I’m good at getting from Point A to Point B…I’m just not good at doing it quickly!

Bicycle touring is special to me because there’s nothing rushed about it. Riding can be difficult, sure, but, unless I’m desperately behind schedule or hurrying to meet up with someone, the entire experience is about being in the moment. When I have all day to get to my next camping spot, I’m free to really savor the feeling of sunlight on my skin, and to thoroughly absorb the landscape around me. Although my touring bicycle may be hung up for the time being while my racing bike enjoys a little action, I’ll be dreaming of a time in the near future packed full of open roads, extended snack stops, and leisurely pedaling.

photo by Tom Robertson

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ON THE ROAD is posted each Tuesday by Sarah Raz, Adventure Cycling's Tours Specialist and Intrepid Traveler, and shines a spotlight on the daily delights that take place on Adventure Cycling Tours.

Wanted: More Women on Bikes

Last week I received an email containing the link to an intriguing story in Scientific American, titled How to Get More Bicyclists on the Road. According to the author, Linda Baker, "In the U.S., men’s cycling trips surpass women’s by at least 2:1. This ratio stands in marked contrast to cycling in European countries, where urban biking is a way of life and draws about as many women as men — sometimes more. In the Netherlands, where 27 percent of all trips are made by bike, 55 percent of all riders are women. In Germany 12 percent of all trips are on bikes, 49 percent of which are made by women."

Why such a wide discrepancy between the male-to-female ratios in the U.S. and Europe? Well, says Baker, for a number of reasons, women in general are less prone to taking risks than men are, and the perception is that cycling in U.S. cities is less safe than in European cities. This makes women an "indicator species," Baker writes, reflecting the relative bike-friendliness of a given community.

We don't know if the strong showing of women cyclists in Europe extends into the realm of touring outside the cities, but here in the U.S. the smaller number of female city cyclists does seem to correspond with the touring crowd — consider, for instance, that the membership of Adventure Cycling Association is 78 percent male, or a male-to-female ratio of greater than 3:1.

Do you think Baker's article is on the money, or are there other factors at work that she has overlooked? Could the fact that most bikes are designed for men's body proportions rather than to fit women enter into the equation? Maybe, but that still wouldn't explain the higher percentage of female cyclists in Europe. And, one way or the other, what do we need to do to get more women on bikes, and joining in the fun with Adventure Cycling?

Mickelson Trail photo by M. McCoy

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BIKING WITHOUT BORDERS is posted every Monday by Michael McCoy, Adventure Cycling’s field editor, and highlights a little bit of this or a little bit of that — just about anything, as long as it’s related to traveling by bicycle.

Internal Hubs: Part I

While we haven't seen a lot of domestic riders in the U.S. using internal hubs, our European and around-the-world cycling contingents have been heavily spotted with this style of drive train over the years. Why haven't internal hubs become widely used for touring? For starters, it's an aftermarket product that goes against the current standard. When you purchase a bike with a cassette and derailleur that works just fine, it's hard to put down more money on something that is already functional.

So why in the world would you want to consider an internal hub? Perhaps you want to ride around the world. The maintenance required with an internal hub is very minimal. Think of it as having your derailleur and cassette completely sealed inside your hub, safe from dirt and debris. While many people associate internal hubs with 3-speed cruiser bikes, they have advanced to compete with standard derailleur drive trains by offering 8-, 9-, and 14-speed options.

Since an internal hub doesn't use cogs like a cassette, 'gear inches' can be used to determine how hard or how easy it is to pedal. On a standard bike with a cassette and derailleur, you convert your cassette to gear inches by multiplying your wheel diameter by the ratio of the front chainring to the rear cog. For example, if you are riding a 26 inch wheel, and you are in the 48 tooth chainring up front, and 16 tooth cog in rear, your value in gear inches would be 26 x 48/16 = 78 gear inches. Just to give you a sense of range, the easiest gear on a mountain bike (22x34 cogs) would be around 17 gear inches, while the hardest gear on a road bike (53x11 cogs) would be around 130 gear inches. I hope that I didn't make that too confusing.

There are four major players when it comes to internal hubs (Shimano, SRAM, NuVinci, and Rohloff), and as much as I would love to run through all of them today, it might be a bit easier to break them down into two segments. Today I'll cover two of the more unique internal hub designs out there, the NuVinci and Rohloff.

The Rohloff Speedhub 500/14 has 14 gears that are operated by a twist shifter on your handlebars. While the hub will only accommodate a 32 spoke rim, it is built for symmetrical spoke lacing, meaning the spokes on both sides of the hub are laced in the same pattern. This style of lacing puts less stress on the spokes, and lets you get by with a lower spoke count. The only other limitation of the hub is that it is only available for 135mm dropouts (most road bikes have 130mm spacing).

One of the biggest benefits a touring cyclist can gain from the Rohloff hub is the gear range. Beating out all of the competition, it can give you a low end of 20 gear inches (close to the lowest gear on a mountain bike), all the way up to 110 gear inches (close to a 48x12 on a mountain bike). The shifts are spaced out nicely to keep the low gears closer together, and the high gears further away. The thought behind this is to give you smaller gear changes when you're grinding through a climb or headwind, and larger gear jumps when you have a Wyoming style tailwind at your back.

While the performance you gain from the Rohloff hub is top notch, the start up price can be a big hurdle. The hub, shifter, chain tensioner, and cables will run upwards of $1400, and from there you still need to lace it up to a rim. If you're going to consider purchasing an internal hub of this quality, you need to be thinking about the long term use. This is something we see on bikes that are out on the road for years at a time. While that style of touring is not for everyone, it gives you an idea of how rugged these hubs are.

If you want to drop down in price a bit, the NuVinci hub is a relatively new company jumping into the mix. It doesn't quite have the range of gears that the Rohloff has, but it does have a very unique way of shifting gears. From the low range to the high range, you have an infinite amount of gears. Inside the hub there are no cogs turning. Instead there are high density rolling balls that tilt as you shift to change their contact points on the transmission. This means you never have to worry about making a large jump from one gear to the next, as the transition is absolutely seamless. This system also allows you to shift at any time, whether your standing on the pedals, or standing on the ground at a stop light. With so few moving parts inside the hub, there are fewer parts prone to malfunction, and the manufacturing cost decreases.

The only issue for a loaded touring application is the gear range. While it can achieve a decent high range of 95 gear inches, the low range at 25 gear inches can make loaded climbs quite a challenge for some. Regardless of limitations, the hub, twist shifters, and cables cost around $400. It's 6-bolt disc brake compatible, and comes with either 32 or 36 hole spoke drilling, with 135mm dropout spacing.

Stay tuned for next week's Internal Hubs: Part II, where we'll take a look at offerings from Shimano and SRAM.

Photo by Josh Tack

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TOURING GEAR AND TIPS is written by Joshua Tack of Adventure Cycling's Member Services Department. It appears weekly, highlighting technical aspects of bicycle touring and advice to help better prepare you for the journey ahead.

More Member Meetings

October is a big month for informational gatherings and membership meet and greets here at Adventure Cycling. Here is a quick run down of the schedule:

Salem, Oregon -- October 20th, 7:00-9:00PM at the First United Methodist Church, 600 State Street

You’ll learn about Adventure Cycling’s latest routes and activities, and meet others who share your passion for bicycle adventures. Special projects director, Ginny Sullivan will present on our efforts to initiate the largest bike route network in the world, the U.S. Bicycle Route System, and offer the latest news in bicycle travel.

Manhattan, NY - October 22nd, 6:30-8:00PM on Manhattan’s Upper West Side at the historic HI-AYH Building -- also home to Bike New York -- at 891 Amsterdam Avenue (West 103rd Street). The subway is nearby on the #1 train at 103rd Street.

Come for a presentation and gathering with Jim Sayer, executive director of Adventure Cycling Association. Jim will provide the latest news and resources on bicycle travel including new bike-friendly routes, maps, tours, and policy initiatives at the national level (such as an official U.S. Bicycle Route System, now being considered by Congress). There will also be time for Q&A and for folks to share stories and tips. Whether you’re a bike travel veteran or a newcomer, there will be new insights and inspirations for you.

Detroit, MI - October 29th, 5:30-8:00 PM at the Historic Second Baptist Church, 441 Monroe Street

This is a special meeting being hosted by Adventure Cycling Association, Michigan Freedom Trail Commission and Michigan Trails and Greenways. During this meeting, you’ll learn about Adventure Cycling’s plans to expand their Underground Railroad Bicycle Route through Detroit, expanding on projects already underway to make Detroit a cycling-friendly city and Underground Railroad tourism destination. Special projects director, Ginny Sullivan will also present on information the U.S. Bicycle Route System.

All events are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided at each event and you are encouraged to bring along your friends and cycling buddies. You can find more information, including directions, on our Events webpage. Please RSVP for any of the events (so we know how many people to expect) by emailing Beth Petersen at bpetersen@adventurecycling.org or calling 800-755-2453 x211.

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MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS is posted each Friday by Amy Corbin, Membership and Marketing Coordinator. It spotlights the various benefits of membership, what we have accomplished thanks to member support, and even interviews with some of our most passionate and dedicated members, both individual and organizational.

When to Ride What

In my almost daily perusal of our forums, as well as the email I receive directly, a question that seems to be in regular rotation is, "what is a good time of year to ride xxx route?" or some variation.

There are definitely times of the year that are better than others for tackling certain routes. Undeniably, I wouldn't want to be on our Southern Tier Bicycle Route in July or August, while that can be the perfect time to ride the Pacific Coast Bicycle Route.

Over the years we have developed recommendations of appropriate seasons for our routes. As you start planning your next trip, scroll down to the seventh question in the Routes & Mapping FAQs to see them.

But then, there is the adventure factor. How about riding the TransAmerica Trail in January? It is probably not a time I would choose, but you go when time permits. Folks more hardy than I consider and complete it.

If you have the luxury of choosing any route and any time frame, why not choose the ones best suited to each other? Or, if your window of opportunity is narrow, let that guide your geographic selection. Either way, you'll have the chance to create memories for the long run.

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GEOPOINTS BULLETIN is written by Jennifer 'Jenn' Milyko, an Adventure Cycling cartographer, and appears weekly, highlighting curious facts, figures and persons from Adventure Cycling's Route Network with tips and hints for personal route creation thrown in for good measure.

Hey Lance - What About the Tour Divide?

Hi Lance;

I know you just trounced the other riders in the spectacularly challenging Leadville Trail 100; and yesterday, I got a press release about the forthcoming documentary about this year's event, screening across the nation on October 22nd:

"NCM Fathom and Citizen Pictures take movie audiences on a ride only the most intense cyclists have experienced -- including seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong -- as they compete in one of the world’s most grueling mountain bike races in Race Across the Sky -- Leadville Trail 100 . Shown exclusively in select movie theaters on Thursday, Oct. 22nd, this one-night special in-theater event will feature a panel discussion with Armstrong, his coach Chris Carmichael, six-time defending Leadville Trail 100 (LT100) champion Dave Wiens, as well as other elite and amateur cyclists, in addition to the debut of the documentary, Race Across the Sky."

This is an unbelievable race: 14,000 feet of elevation gain and 100 miles in 12 hours or less, and, I can't wait to catch the panel discussion and documentary, but I have this other race that I'm obsessed with too, so...

...next summer, would you consider taking on the Tour Divide? Riders race over 2,700 miles down the spine of the Rocky Mountains along the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route to Antelope Wells, New Mexico. Pedaling the entire distance to the Mexican border primarily along dirt roads, and with no outside assistance, competitors climb nearly 200,000 vertical feet from start to finish. Racers carry everything they need -- food, water, shelter -- on their bikes and backs, with refueling stops in small-town stores along the way. No support crews, SAG vehicles, or massage teams allowed.

Ok, I'm being silly, Lance is totally not reading my blog post, which probably means that he is not likely to sign up, but what about you? I seriously dream of doing this race, and joke with my very experienced mountain biking colleagues about the glory of a casual road rider taking on the Rocky Mountains after a mere less-than-a-year of training...a girl's gotta have dreams.

Maybe...I'll do it if you do it? Any takers?

For inspiration, check out this work-in-progress trailer for Mike Dion's upcoming documentary about the Tour Divide or these photos from the start of the 2009 Tour Divide by our own Aaron Teasdale -- they might just wet your whistle.

June 11, 2010 -- see you on the starting line?

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NEWS, NETWORKING, AND NEW MEDIA is written by Winona Sorensen, Adventure Cycling's media director, and appears weekly, highlighting cool media (articles, videos, photos, etc.) related to Adventure Cycling and bicycle travel. Get media updates from Adventure Cycling.

The Things We Carry

The packing list we send out for our tour participants is fairly basic. For our supported trips we require participants to bring their own tent and sleeping equipment. Longer, self-contained rides suggest that participants bring personal eating utensils. Everyone is asked to bring cycling clothes, of course, and most choose to bring some off-bike attire, as well as hats and gloves for the unexpected shower. Of course, though, everyone brings something extra along.

Greg Siple, art director at Adventure Cycling Association, has been asking cycling tourists for years about the most unusual object they’re toting. Listed below, you’ll find a smattering of the responses:

-My mother’s ashes
-Christmas oven mitt
-Two cans of paint
-Marimba mallets
-Piece of coal from Kentucky
-A Broken Heart
-Pants

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ON THE ROAD is posted each Tuesday by Sarah Raz, Adventure Cycling's Tours Specialist and Intrepid Traveler, and shines a spotlight on the daily delights that take place on Adventure Cycling Tours.

Colorado Ramblings and Namesakes

My enthusiasm for baseball's Colorado Rockies grew even greater after September 8, when the team brought up an infielder from the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox by the name of Mike McCoy.

Of course, this column is about bicycling, not baseball. But thinking about the Colorado Rockies baseball team got me ruminating about autumn cycling in the team's namesake mountains. And that's about as good as it gets: crisp mountain air, groves of shimmering aspen in their brilliant fall finery, cool temps, fewer cars on the roads ...

Where to ride in Colorado? For beginners, check out this article focusing on five of the state's most spectacular scenic byways (it also includes a useful locator map at the bottom). Or, if you're looking for something a little longer, look no further than Sections 6 and 7 of the Great Parks Bicycle Route. That fantastic route will lead you 700 miles through the heart of the Centennial State, from Steamboat Springs in the north to Durango in the southwest.

If you're rarin' to go off-road in Colorado — or off-highway, at least — you could do no better than to put your fat tires on Section 4 of the Great Divide, tracing the Continental Divide from Silverthorne in Summit County to tiny Platoro, located not far north of the New Mexico border. This entire section (almost) is stunningly beautiful at any time of the year, but with an exclamation point in the autumn.

Speaking of exclamation points, the Rockies are in the playoffs!!!!

photo by M. McCoy

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BIKING WITHOUT BORDERS is posted every Monday by Michael McCoy, Adventure Cycling’s field editor, and highlights a little bit of this or a little bit of that — just about anything, as long as it’s related to traveling by bicycle.

Dual Terrain Touring Bikes

Now a week removed from North America's premier bike industry gathering, Interbike, I've had some time to catch my breath and collect my thoughts.

Throughout the weeklong Interbike show, I noticed a few emerging trends among all the bikes and bicycle pieces and parts. One such trend is the concept of building a bike that could take you across the country on the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail one year, and down the spine of the Rockies on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route the next. You can call them dual-terrain, all-purpose, or all-arounders—but whatever you choose to call them, the following three are examples of this new style of bicycle.

Co-Motion Pangea

The Co-Motion Pangea will mark its third year of production in 2010. It accompanies the ever-popular Nor'Wester and Americano in Co-Motion's touring bike lineup. Featuring mountain-bike geometry, the bike is set up with road (drop) handlebars, and includes all the eyelets you need to run front and rear racks and fenders, as well as three water-bottle cages. The 135mm dropouts take on 26-inch wheels, which increase durability and allow you to run slick tires for road riding or wide knobbies for the dirt. Like all of Co-Motion's steel bikes, the Pangea is handmade in Eugene, Oregon, using the company's custom-drawn steel tubing. The one improvement that will be made on the Pangea for 2010 is the addition of disc-brake mounts. The bike can be purchased as a frame and fork only for $1,835, or complete for around $3,600. The components on the complete build are top notch, highlighted by a Shimano XT/XTR drivetrain, Race Face triple crankset, Shimano Dura Ace bar end shifters, and your choice of BB7 disc brakes or Avid single digit 7 V-brakes. Add on an additional $800 for the Pangea Co-Pilot that features S&S couplings, which permit the bike to be broken down to fit in a hardsided suitcase and checked as baggage on airline flights.

Salsa Fargo

Photo by Josh Tack

The Salsa Fargo puts an expedition spin on this dual-purpose style of bike. With six water bottle mounts, it allows riders to concentrate more on the ride and less on the next watering hole. The CroMoly frame and fork combined with 29-inch wheels provide a fast, smooth ride on the pavement, and a forgiving ride on the dirt. While the 29er wheels make the bike sit a bit higher, the top tube slopes downward to accommodate easy mounting and dismounting. An exceptional deal at around $1,800, this bike features a full Shimano XT drivetrain that gives you plenty of gears with a triple crankset (26/36/48T) and 11-34 tooth cassette. And bringing the loaded bike to a stop is no problem with the Avid BB7 mechanical disc brakes, which are easily serviced in the field.

Rawland Ravn

Photo by Josh Tack

Rawland is a relatively new company focusing on affordable, practical, and well-built steel frames. The Ravn is their go-anywhere/do-anything model. Set it up with drop bars and mount up your racks, and you can head out on whatever ride you're in the mood for. Your braking option is limited to disc brakes, and with a 135mm dropout spacing, the frame is best suited to run 26-inch tires. One unique feature of the bike is the horizontal dropouts with a derailleur hanger. This gives you the option to run a single speed setup with an internal hub, or mount up a standard derailleur and cassette. Available only as a frame and fork, at $630, there's a lot of spending room to add on a nice group of components.

Top Photo by Josh Tack

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TOURING GEAR AND TIPS is written by Joshua Tack of Adventure Cycling's Member Services Department. It appears weekly, highlighting technical aspects of bicycle touring and advice to help better prepare you for the journey ahead.

Stocking Up for Cyclists' Needs

After last week's post about how to be a Bicycle Travel Friendly Community, I received an email from Tim and Meg LeSuer, owners of LeSuer's Country Cupboard in Edinboro, Pennsylvania. Their little town is situated along one of our Adventure Cycling Routes, the Underground Railroad Bicycle Route. They wanted advice on what types of food and supplies to stock in their store for the cyclists passing through.

We passed the question around to our staff, but I also want to pose it to our members, readers, and fellow cyclists. So, what do you look for in terms of food and supplies when traveling by bicycle?

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MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS is posted each Friday by Amy Corbin, Membership and Marketing Coordinator. It spotlights the various benefits of membership, what we have accomplished thanks to member support, and even interviews with some of our most passionate and dedicated members, both individual and organizational.

Pennsylvania Route S

We recently got wind of an effort to improve Pennsylvania Route S, one of nine bicycle travel routes in the state. Chris Henrick and Steve Spindler have decided to explore what it would take to increase the value of the original research done by Joe Stafford of Bicycle PA and the Bicycle Access Council, and cycling advocate Bill Hoffman. I heard directly from Chris, and this is what he had to say:

"The first of the routes we are working on, Route S, crosses the southern portion of the state east-to-west. The eastern portion begins just north of Philadelphia in Washington's Crossing Historic Park in scenic Bucks County. It then meanders along the southern portion of the state, passing through Valley Forge, Lancaster, and York. Route S has an alternate to Gettysburg, and includes 65 miles of the Great Allegheny Passage rail-trail route.

"The current idea we have for the map layout is an 8.5" x 5.5" spiral-bound book that will have all the routes broken down into panels at a scale of 1:150,000. It will also include elevation profiles of the routes, listings of services along the route, an overview map of the state showing the 9 Pennsylvania bike routes, and other relevant information.

"Ideally, we would like to get local tourism bureaus on board with promoting bicycle touring in Pennsylvania, as well as garner support from local bike shops, especially those that lie along the routes. We are encouraging people to 'test ride' the routes and give us feedback about them. The best time to bicycle tour in Pennsylvania in my opinion is right now, during the fall, with the cool weather and changing foliage."

Have you been on this route? What feedback do you have for Chris and Steve?

in this photo: Chris relaxing on a tour of Glacier National Park
photo courtesy of Chris Henrick

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GEOPOINTS BULLETIN is written by Jennifer 'Jenn' Milyko, an Adventure Cycling cartographer, and appears weekly, highlighting curious facts, figures, and persons from Adventure Cycling's Route Network with tips and hints for personal route creation thrown in for good measure.