Ritchey Break Away Frames

A few months ago I put up a post about S&S couplings. Reading through some of the comments on that post, I was thrilled to see someone mention the Ritchey Break Away system. While Ritchey does not offer a true touring bike, their Steel Break-Away Cross Bike is an excellent choice for long distance touring, and it's the bike I chose for my most recent, month-long, loaded tour of Mexico.

The first, and most obvious, talking point about this bike is the way in which it goes from a full size bike, into a travel friendly suitcase in literally a few minutes. The frame is linked together in two locations, which are very intuitive. The seat post clamp binds the top tube and seat tube together, so all you have to do is insert the seat post through both pieces of the frame, and tighten two 5mm bolts. The next step involves clamping the frame near the bottom bracket and down tube with a replaceable hinge clamp. The clamp takes a 4mm Allen wrench, and keeps the frame locked together by grasping onto two flanges that flare out at either end of the tubes. I will admit, this was an area where I had some skepticism, but throughout my tour, I never heard the clamp creak, never had to re-tighten the bolt, and couldn't feel any excessive flex in the frame.

Any time you pull apart a bike, dealing with the cables can be a bit of a trick. To keep things simple, Ritchey includes cable disconnects for your rear break, and both derailleurs. You will need to use two lengths of cable to get them working, but once they are set, you can split the cables with just a few twists, eliminating the need to readjust your brakes and derailleurs when reassembling your bike.

Looking at the rest of the frame, another thing to take note of is that this is the cyclocross geometry, which puts this between a road bike and a touring bike. You still get a pretty long wheelbase that helps smooth out the ride, and provides plenty of room for wider touring tires, and fenders. The head tube is set a little higher than a road bike, giving you a slightly more upright position, and there are some nice small touches, such as eyelets for fenders and a rear rack. The steel frame is very durable, and if you are interested, this bike is also available in a titanium version.

As for the ride quality of the bike, it was refreshingly predictable. The smooth feel of steel wasn't too damp that the bike felt sluggish. I was very happy to discover that the bike maintained a solid feel while hauling a trailer with 50 pounds of gear. There was no noticeable flex where the bike was linked together when climbing, and it handled with confidence on the descents.

One of the biggest selling points for this bike, aside from the money it can save you with airlines, is that the travel suitcase is included. Once disassembled, packing the bike into the suitcase safely and securely is pretty simple. You are provided with easy to follow instructions on the most efficient way of fitting everything inside, and you also get soft pads that fit around each tube to keep the bike from getting scratched or dented, in addition to a large divider that keeps the wheels from coming into contact with the frame. Some nice small touches consist of pockets for small parts (pedals, skewers, tools, etc), and there is a clear window to insert an identity card. The case measures 9"x26"x29", and will accommodate any of the Break-Away bikes, from a 48cm up to a 60cm.

A word of caution, airlines are becoming pretty tricky these days, and some of the major airline companies are starting to charge an inflated fee for bikes, regardless of how much they weigh, or how small of a case you can fit them into. The Ritchey travel case is about as stealth-like as they come, and doesn't have any indication that it houses a bike inside. I successfully made it both ways without paying excessive fees.

The Steel Break-Away Cross frame and Ritchey WCS Carbon fork retail for $1295, which includes the travel case, cable disconnects, frame pads, and spare down tube clamp. Be sure to check out the Ritchey website for other bikes with the break-away technology, as they have offerings in road and mountain bikes as well, in both titanium and steel. Lastly, while you're cruising through the Ritchey website, be sure to take a look at the history of the man behind the bike, Tom Ritchey, as well as his commitment to Project Rwanda, which, according to its website, is dedicated "to furthering the economic development of Rwanda through initiatives based on the bicycle as a tool and symbol of hope."

Photos 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.

La Lamparita

I listen to this recording and I'm transported back inside the shack of a roadside restaurant in Baja California.

It's 1991 and I'm on my first bike trip in a non-English speaking country. I don't speak the language. I've been warned not to drink the water--not to eat at roadside restaurants. I'm traveling alone. I'm nervous. I'm lonely. I'm hungry.

I lock my bike (there isn't anyone to steal it within 50 miles) and walk inside this restaurant and timidly order some tacos and a coke. The kids at the next table have a guitar and an accordion. They smile and laugh when I attempt to introduce myself in Spanish. But the laughter is good natured and they ask if I want to hear them play.

The kid and his friend perform "La Lamparita", a Freddie Martinez hit written by Johnny Herrera.

La Lamparita--as performed inside a roadside restaurant in Baja California



They're nervous (listen to his voice crack in the recording). They're young and inexperienced. But man, they're giving it all they got.

They're just like me.

I walk out of the restaurant, several tacos and cokes later, and Mexico is feeling a lot less foreign. As I pedal down the dusty highway, I hum the new song in my head. I don't know it at the moment, but the world has opened up to me in a way that I'll spend the rest of my life exploring.

audio recording (La Lamparita, Mexico) by Willie Weir
photo (Baja California Restaurant, Mexico 1991) 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.

The Frugal Cyclist in Missoula

Adventure Cycling is excited to be sponsoring a fabulous bike touring event close to home!

Willie Weir, adventure cyclist extraordinaire (and columnist on this blog and for Adventure Cyclist magazine) will be presenting next Thursday, February 4, 2010, at 7:00pm at the Urey Lecture Hall on the University of Montana campus in Missoula, MT. His presentation, entitled "A Frugal Cyclist's Guide to the Universe: An Evening with Willie Weir" is free and open to the public and a great opportunity to hear first hand stories from Willie's adventures on a bike. Here is just a little bit more about the presentation:

"Call him cheap, frugal, a tightwad, or an initiator of kindness, but Willie Weir knows how to get the most bang for his buck when it comes to traveling the world, whether he's giving the world's cheapest engagement ring, protesting an insanely over-priced fish dinner, knocking on doors for free lodging, or eating his way to free ice cream.

At this event, Willie will share vivid tales from his latest book, Travels with Willie -- stories that will have you chuckling and wanting to chuck your day job and hit the road! This lecture is co-sponsored by UM Campus Recreation and Adventure Cycling Association."

So if you are in the Missoula area, stop by for a night of inspiration and stories from this intrepid world traveler. You can check out Willie's full presentation schedule for additional dates and stops on his tour.

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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.

Going Off Route

I recently corresponded with a touring cyclist, Dave, who has lived on our TransAmerica Bicycle Trail route near Springfield, Oregon, since the Bikecentennial days. He's seen his share of cyclists passing through, some only a few days into their trip and a little confused while others are just shy of completing their cross country goal, maybe dragging their feet a bit as they near the end of the journey. A piece of advice he often gives both types of cyclists, "... is to get off the thoroughfare once in awhile. Pick up a state DOT road map and part company with the cycling crowd."

His point being that the residents and business people along our routes, especially the heavily traveled ones like the TransAm, Northern and Southern Tiers and Pacific Coast, have become accustom to seeing colorfully dressed persons riding bag-laden bicycles through their communities. They often extend a warm welcome and a friendly smile as a natural course of their summer day. While on the other hand, when cycling into a community NOT on an Adventure Cycling Bicycle Route, you might be the first touring cyclist a local has seen in their town.

"The residents on your routes are profoundly nice people and for the most part, well adjusted to our presence. The one thing they are not, is awestruck. We're a dime-a-dozen to folks on the Route. Get off to the side a few miles and people are blown away: 'You're doin' what? Damn, come on in and have a piece of pie!'", continues Dave.

The merits of using our route maps for a bicycle tour are widely known. This is why we created them in the first place. It is good to know how far you will pedal between services and what those services will be, especially if you are in need of a bicycle repair or a library where you are likely to find a free internet connection. Not to mention the economic benefits to the community you are traveling through.

However, all that being said, quite possibly you will find your experience enriched by riding off the edge of the map once in a while. Any reason is worthy and the additional adventure into the unknown is the cherry on top.

Photo: A BBQ is a good reason to go off route!

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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.

Bicycle Tours = Bonding Moments

Long tour or short, it seems like the bicycle is the perfect vehicle for making new friendships and bonding with important people in our lives.

Sarah and Sue were friends in college. Last year, they reconnected by participating in just their second Adventure Cycling tour, Heart of the Underground Railroad (their first was Bikecentennial's TransAm in 1976!). As you can see, they had a fabulous time, despite the weather that rainy summer day last July.

Mary Alice, at twelve years old, wasn't sure if she could do 30 miles a day, but with her Grandmother, by her side, she did fabulously, and she learned a lot about the struggles of slavery and the Civil War; though her favorite part of the tour was cycling through the Amish farmland. Later, Mary Alice and Kathy sat down and chronicled their adventures, with the hopes of some day publishing their story.

These are but a few of the amazing connections made because of the bicycle. When riding along side each other, taking in the landscape, offering a bit of encouragement, sharing a drink of water or a snack; a bicycle tour is a great way to make a lasting connection. Don't you agree?

Be sure to tell us about your amazing connections on our Ride Registry or on our Facebook page.

photos by Ginny Sullivan

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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.

80 for Haiti: Cyclists Unite

Many of you have already contributed to the Haiti relief effort but if you haven't, or would like to do more, consider getting involved with the upcoming "80 for Haiti" event hosted by AdventureCORPS which starts and ends in Pine Valley, California. You don't have to ride to give, you can simply give now through AdventureCORPS' Mercy Corps fundraising page.

100% of all proceeds from the ride (and donations) will benefit Mercy Corps which, according to its website, is "bringing food to patients at Port-au-Prince's overwhelmed main hospital, which was destroyed in the earthquake." Mercy Corps is also working to improve neighborhood sanitation, help kids overcome trauma, and engage Haitians in their own recovery.

According to the AdventureCORPS website, 80 for Haiti "will be an 80-mile ride, on Old Hwy 80 in southeastern San Diego County, with an $80 entry fee. The route is spectacular, on absolutely quiet roads through rolling terrain."

Sign up to ride "80 for Haiti" on February 13th, or simply give now. So far AdventureCORPS has raised over $6,000 but their goal is $20,000.

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NEWS, NETWORKING, AND NEW MEDIA is written by Winona Bateman, Adventure Cycling's media director, and appears weekly, highlighting cool media (articles, videos, photos, etc.) related to Adventure Cycling and bicycle travel. Writing a story about bicycle travel or Adventure Cycling Association? You can contact Winona via press AT adventurecycling DOT org. Visit our media room or view our news releases.

Montana on my Mind

I think a lot about how lucky I am that the Adventure Cycling headquarters are located in Montana; I’ve traveled quite a bit and I’ll say with complete honesty that I’ve never been anywhere that’s held the same allure as Big Sky Country. K. Ross Toole, in Montana, an Uncommon Land, wrote, “There is nothing little or moderate about Montana.” It is indeed a land of grandeur--stunning, mountainous landscapes and wide open spaces.

This summer I’d like to invite you to cycle through beautiful southwestern Montana: to discover Bozeman, the Big Hole, and Butte from a different kind of saddle. Round up a group of your friends and family members and get ready for a week-long supported tour through the wild, wild west. I’m pretty sure that, by the week’s end, you’ll know exactly why I choose to call Montana home.

photo by Sarah Raz

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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.

Rick LaBelle, Rocky Mountain Snow Biker

My good friend Rick LaBelle, who's currently commuting between Teton Valley, Idaho, and Park City, Utah (where he's opening a storefront for the Baffin boot company), is one avid bicyclist — road bike, mountain bike, and now snow bike. I interviewed him recently about this cold-weather style of riding he most recently added to his cycling quiver.

MM: How did you get into snow biking?
RL: A friend in Driggs [Idaho] introduced me to it, back in 2006. I had introduced him to mountain biking several years earlier, and he then returned the favor with snow biking. My wife and I were both immediately hooked by the novelty, fun, and workout aspects. It has been a great winter alternative to skiing.

MM: What kind of bike do you ride, and what's special about it?
RL: I ride a Surly Pugsley, 18-inch frame with Endomorph 3.6-inch tires. The super-wide tires are run at low pressure, creating flotation on the snow. It has disk brakes, platform pedals so you can wear big warm boots, grip shifts, and regular mountain bike gearing. It's like pedaling a monster truck!

MM: Could a person snow bike with a regular mountain bike under some conditions?
RL: Yes, but you would need well-packed trails, and would have to run your tires at very low pressure.

MM: How do you stay warm?
RL: It varies tremendously depending on the temperature. For my body, I dress like I'm XC skiing plus a little more. The tricky part is feet and hands, which are exposed and require more warmth. So, I usually wear winter pac boots and very warm gloves ... and often change out a layer during the ride when conditions change. Sunglasses and beanie hat are fine on mild days, but cold days require goggles and a balaclava.

MM: Where's your favorite place to snow bike?
RL: I would have to say the Horseshoe Canyon to Packsaddle Canyon trail west of Driggs. It's a nice mix of up and down, and receives regular snowmobile grooming, which keeps it in good shape for snow biking. Plus, you've got frequent, priceless views of the Tetons to the east.

MM: Any memorable experiences you can share?
RL: Fortunately, my rides have been breakdown-free for the most part, so no near-death survival experiences yet. The most noteworthy experience, really, is the novel reaction I get from others I see out there. Their mouths drop open, and there's usually a remark about the huge tires and questions about the unique bike. You can see their minds open up to new possibilities.

MM: Where would you go for your dream ride?
RL: Wow, great question. Alaska would be awesome if I was into 30-below conditions ... but since I'm not, I'd have to say the trails around the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The combination of snow, riding a funky bike, and those huge views would be something special.

Snow biking photos courtesy of Rick LaBelle

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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. Mac also compiles the organization's twice-monthly e-newsletter Bike Bits, which goes free-of-charge to more than 40,000 readers worldwide.

Compact Cranks

Compact Cranksets have been becoming widely used on road bikes and cyclocross bikes over the past few years, but they are more recently working their way into the the realm of touring bikes. The benefit behind a compact crank is that it allows you drop down to a 34 tooth gear for the second ring. Component manufacturers also benefit by simplifying the their component offerings, allowing them to designing shifters and derailleurs for double and triple systems.

Unfortunately for touring riders, climbing loaded can sometimes demand that extra relief that a 26 or 30 tooth ring can offer. The third ring also allows a little more diversity with your rear cassette and derailleur choices, so you're not always stuck grabbing a mountain bike derailleur, and an 11-34 cassette.

By and large, most stock touring bikes are still outfitted with a triple, however, there are a few out there making the transition to a compact double, such as the Masi Speciale Randonneur. My rule of thumb is if you are unsure on which is best for you, go with the triple. It's better to have it and not use it, than to not have it and need it.

On the industry front, SRAM currently has no road triple offerings, and Shimano has recently dropped a few of their triple options. Oddly enough, the company that brought the compact crank to the forefront, FSA, is one of the few companies still producing a decent array of road triple cranks. Also check out Sugino and Andel for classic touring cranks.

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.

Watching the Parade

Photographing people can be a challenge on a bike trip. Sure, you can get all kinds of shots of groups of people smiling directly into the camera lens. But sometimes it feels like that's all you can get.

The loaded bicycle attracts a lot of attention. That's a good thing, most of the time. But it's hard to capture natural photos when you are always the center of attention.

That's why I love it when something else is going on to draw the attention away from me--a busy market, a sporting event, a wedding, a concert. Or, in the case of the photo above ... a parade. We had stopped in the town of Chachopa, Venezuela to take a break. We were pedaling up to the highest pass in the country (over 13,000 ft).

The bright light of the green wall of a corner store is contrasted in the somber look of the little girl. Why such a sad face while watching a parade? I turned around to see the street filled with students in a marching band.

This little girl didn't want to watch the parade. She wanted to be in the parade.

photo (Watching the Parade, Venezuela-2008) 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.

Encouraging the Chickens

I love our mission -- inspiring people to travel by bicycle. And I really appreciate hearing real-world examples of how our efforts (with your financial support) help people move from the dream into reality. Take for example, Michael Freed.

Mike is a 12-year member and a donor. When his daughter, Caroline, graduated from high school, the two of them planned and completed an unsupported bicycle tour together from Grand Rapids, MI, to Mike's childhood home on the New York/Vermont border. Mike wrote that he felt lucky "to have had the opportunity to make so many memories together " on an unsupported bicycle trip.

I believe there is nothing that compares to traveling by bicycle. You are forced to slow down and take each day at a time, soaking in the landscapes and interacting with people in a way not possible when you travel by automobile. The slower pace forces human interactions that create lasting memories.

Mike encouraged Adventure Cycling to keep doing what we are doing.... because it makes a difference.

"So you see, when you publish stories, and sell touring gear, and create maps, you constantly encourage a lot of us 'chickens' to try to make memories that we would probably never attempt without your help.

"It may take a lot of encouragement to get us to try, but it's worth it if you can create the lasting impressions that you've created for my daughter and me."

It's true. It's what we strive for here at Adventure Cycling. With your financial assistance, we work hard so you have the tools to travel by bicycle. Or in some cases, chase the chickens onto their bikes.

Come on all you chickens -- get pedaling!

in this photo, Mike Freed and his daughter Caroline stand in front of Niagara Falls
photo courtesy of Mike Freed

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BICYCLING INSPIRATIONS is posted the first and third Friday of each month by Julie Emnett, associate development director, and examines stories that illustrate why and how cyclists support our programs. Learn how you can support Adventure Cycling.

Thank You, Florida!

If you’re from the frozen northern reaches of our great country, what could be more appealing than heading to Florida in January? Little did I know that it would be all of 15 degrees when I arrived in Tallahassee in the middle of the month (while it was 30 degrees in Missoula!).

Fortunately, the Florida cold was offset by the warm welcome I received from many hundreds of cyclists up and down the state. I was there to meet Adventure Cycling members and donors, see cycling conditions on the ground, talk with the media (great article in the Tallahassee Democrat), and work on U.S. Bicycle Routes with transportation officials from Georgia and Florida

Frankly, it was an exciting trip, and I came away more hopeful than I expected about the cycling future of Florida, which sometimes has a less-than-stellar reputation for safety. We had turn-outs at evening gatherings of 55 to 90 (including ambitious cycling adventurers like mother-daughter combo Rosemary Taugher and Chelsea Taugher-Dias) in Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Orlando, Coral Gables, and Tampa. We also had sizable turn-outs at morning and afternoon sessions in Fort Myers, St. Augustine (terminus of Adventure Cycling’s Southern Tier route), the Villages (near Ocala), and West Palm Beach. Special thanks to the Florida Bicycle Association, the East Coast Greenway Alliance, and incoming Adventure Cycling board member Donna O’Neal for helping spread the word.

I also met with leaders of efforts to establish extensive new trail networks in northern Florida (First Coast Trails Coalition) and the southern part of the state (River of Grass Greenway), which will establish safer cycling facilities on the coast and through the Everglades.

Finally and perhaps best of all, I had a fantastic time riding with the Ballroom Bicycling Brigade, a group of 12- to 18-year old young folks around Clearwater, who are raising funds right now to ride the entire Underground Railroad Bicycle Route this summer. After practicing pace lines with them, my advice to you is: drop them a line and drop them a few dollars to help with their inspiring journey.

On the last day of my trip, I got up early and pedaled through the early Florida dawn to join George and Isidro Mendes on the beach in Venice, Florida, to launch their 1,200 mile loop around the state on Adventure Cycling routes to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Great guys, great cause – check out their journal on crazyguyonabike. I’ve gotten a lot of calls and emails telling me how excited and inspired Floridians were by my visit and the work that Adventure Cycling is doing. Believe me, the feeling is mutual – and thanks for bringing those temps back to the 70s before I left!

top photo: George and Isidro Mendes with Adventure Cycling's Jim Sayer at Casperson Beach in Venice, Florida
lower top photo: Riding along behind the Ballroom Bicycling Brigade on the Pinellas Trail
lower photo: Jim with Maureen Bonness (l) and Patty Huff (r), who are working on the River of Grass Greenway
photos courtesy of Jim Sayer and Patty Huff

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Jim Sayer is executive director of Adventure Cycling Association.

Cyclists' Only Lodging: Ordway Trail Angel ready to serve again

I've written about trail angels and cyclists' only lodging in the past. Today is about both at the same time.

Our 2006 Trail Angel award winner was Gillian Hoggard from Ordway, Colorado, (conveniently located on the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail). She was awarded this honor by virtue of her welcoming heart, free accommodations to cyclists, and her efforts to make her community friendly to cyclists of all sorts. She is no stranger to bicycle travel herself and cycled 1500 miles around Europe with her three-year old.

Sadly, in April 2008, the town of Ordway was hit hard by fire and Gillian, as well as most of her neighbors, lost their homes to the flames. Gillian's welcoming ways are not her only passion, she also took great pride in the oasis of flowers and trees that surrounded her home so was doubly hit by the loss as she watched them be engulfed by the fire. We reported the situation in the Adventure Cyclist column, Riding Sweep. Money was collected and work parties organized on her behalf to help her restore her property.

I recently received notice that Gillian is back in the saddle again as a cyclists' only lodging host. In her note she tells me that she has "invested in a 30 foot trailer/caravan in English speak... for cyclists to use while enroute." No need to have her address to find the place when you arrive, "when they ask [for Gillian] in town it will work...small place...and many more now know of this stopover for cyclists...even with this 'prehistoric' method I still get tons of people."

Welcome back, Gillian!

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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 Economic Impact of Bike Travel

If you like to travel by bicycle but dislike having to deal with motor vehicles, you've probably ridden, or at least heard of the Great Allegheny Passage (from Cumberland, MD, to McKeesport, PA) and the C&O Canal Tow Path (from Washington, D.C. to Cumberland) which, when combined, create a 318-mile-long continuous trail between two busy urban areas.

Thousands of people use the Great Allegheny Passage for travel and recreation. Trail user demographics and the economic impact on local businesses were documented over the last few years and were released in August 2009 in a report entitled, "Great Allegheny Passage Economic Impact Study".

This detailed economic analysis consists of three phases: 2006/2007 sales revenue (Phase I), user demographics, habits, unmet needs, and spending (Phase II), and 2008 sales revenue (Phase III). Here's a summary of some of the key points:

• Business owners indicated a quarter of their gross income was attributed to trail users and two-thirds saw an increase in their revenue due to being along the trail.
  
• Despite the economic downturn in 2008, businesses saw an increase in gross revenue attributable to the trail (from $32.6 million in 2007 to $40.6 million in 2008) and paid nearly 20% more wages because of it. Total wages in 2008 = $7.5 million.
  
• Travelers staying one or more nights spent an average of $98/day whereas locals and day-trippers only spent an average of $13/day. Overnight users traveled an average of 290 miles to the trailhead and back.
  
• Over one-third of these overnight trail users reported household income of $100K or more.
  
• Eight out of every ten trail users were 35 years of age or older.
  
• One-third of the businesses along the trail expect to expand their business operations/services and/or hire additional staff because of the impact of the trail.

So what can we extrapolate from this report to the broader economic impact of 1) long-distance bike/hike trails, and 2) long-distance bicycle routes? And what does all this have to do with the U.S. Bicycle Route System?

First, in order to get the trail built or the bicycle route designated, there has to be buy-in. Businesses, transportation, and land management agencies, city leaders, tourism organizations, and financial supporters all want to know, "What's in it for me? Why should we support this route through our community?"

The quick answer is the daily spending amount of $98/day. (This is a nice number which transfers beyond trail users to anyone going on an overnight adventure by foot or bike.) The demographics of the overnight traveler, mature and affluent, speak to their spending capacity (but by no means do you have to be wealthy to travel by bicycle and you can certainly do it for less than $98/day!).

The fact that these businesses are expanding and employing more people because of the trail is also a key finding.

Finally, though the businesses in this study are along a popular trail that bridges two highly urbanized regions; the general insight is that business benefits. We know from the Adventure Cycling routes that touring cyclists bring a nice economic boon to numerous small-town grocers, cafes, campgrounds, motels, tourist sites and shops across the American landscape.

For the U.S. Bicycle Route System, these numbers may help convince a skeptic that a bicycle route through their community, their region, and across their state is a good economic decision.

photo by bikegeezer on Flickr

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BUILDING THE U.S. BICYCLE ROUTE SYSTEM is posted twice per month by Ginny Sullivan, USBRS coordinator at Adventure Cycling, and features news and updates related to the emerging U.S. Bicycle Route System. The USBRS project is a collaborative effort, spearheaded by a task force under the auspices of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Members of the task force include officials and staff from state DOTs, the Federal Highway Administration, and nonprofits like the East Coast Greenway Alliance, and Mississippi River Trail, Inc.

Fear and the Bicycle

Blosting. This is fun. See, I already made up a word, but it’s cool, it’s the internet (is that supposed to be capitalized?) This being my first blost, I’m just going to flat out say I’m not sure what I’ll be blosting about. But I do know that I’ll be blosting once a month. Sometimes it might be about issues that concern adventure cycling: bike camping, rough riding, bicycle travel, bicycle touring — choose whichever term makes you comfy — other times it might about commuting issues, bike racing, mountain biking, kickstands, groupos, (is that still a word?), handlebars, or even BMX. Just kidding — no BMX.

Keep in mind, this isn’t my column for Adventure Cyclist. Chances are I'll be writing about subjects that relate to my favorite bicycling magazine, but in these blosts I'm going to be a bit more free to discuss things that are on my mind. I mean, that’s what blosting is about, right, what’s on the bloster’s mind. So, no promises — except it won’t be about subjects unrelated to bicycling or the bicycle. The beauty of that promise is that I think I can relate almost any subject to bicycling. So hang on to your hats, the Mental Calisthenics blost is going to be an interesting ride — get it?

So let’s unleash this first blost with a subject that’s always intrigued me — fear of the unknown. Most people I interact with think I’m a bit off kilter because I’d rather load up a bike and head off to various points around the globe, including these comparatively tractable United States, than sit on a beach and talk about the finer points of the Troubled Asset Relief Program, mortgage-backed securities, or precision German automobiles. But when the conversation shifts to riding a bicycles — the same non-threatening machine we all rode from the ages of 5 to 15 — stupefaction sets in. So what’s changed since those days when one would lovingly decorate and even name their favorite machine?

But my premise is already in tatters. I typed "fear of the unknown", but the bicycle is anything but unknown. (Now I realize there are people who have never ridden a bicycle, but I’m going to go out on a limb and say that it’s a small minority, and it’s an even smaller minority who have never heard of a bicycle.) Let’s face it, the real issues are the fear of physical effort, the fear of how one will be perceived, the fear for one’s safety, or a combination of all three. I hold other reasons as well, but these are my front runners.

So the bicycle is a known, and that’s what my blosts will be about — things related to the bicycle that I think I know. At least that’s what I think.

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AND THEN THE MENTAL CALISTHENICS is written by Mike Deme, editor of Adventure Cyclist and publications director for Adventure Cycling Association.

Being There

I’m fresh off a fantastic month long cycling tour in Mexico, and really excited to be back as the 2010 Adventure Cycling Tours Season kicks into full gear. I had the notion during my trip that one of the best things about visiting beautiful places by bike is that I’m rewarded with a real sense of ownership: I know that I deserve to be there! I’ve paid my dues, and every climb, every rough patch of road, every bit of sweat along the way has only served to make me feel more connected to my surroundings.

One of my favorite memories of my trip is our stop in Playa Ventura, a tiny beach community just off Highway 200. It had been an extraordinarily hot day, and my weary legs were glad to take a break. The surf was spectacular and palm trees were waving softly in the warm breeze. I basked happily in both the sunshine and my own sense of accomplishment, pleased to have gotten to such a lovely place by the strength of my own legs.

photo by Senor Jose Tack

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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.

TransA(r)m-Chair Travel

I'd like to share a pair of slide shows involving the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail that I personally can't get enough of. One of them I saw for the first time about two weeks ago, while I ran across the other one a year or two back.

My first fab fave is a YouTube video titled Bret Taylor's view of the TransAm. Bret, who was on a supported group fundraiser ride for MS on the TransAm Trail last summer, mounted a camera on his handlebars and set it to snap a shot about every five miles. He strung all the photos together and set them to an irresistibly rousing piece of music by the band Railroad Earth. (BTW, witness the power of Bike Bits: Since we highlighted this video in the January 6 edition of the e-newsletter, viewings of it on YouTube have skyrocketed from fewer than 40 to almost 9,000.)

My other favorite goes back 34 years, to a time when people managed to communicate and have fun even in the absence of cell phones, Twitter, and FaceBook. It's of scanned photos, mostly black & white, from a group of five Bikecentennial '76 riders hailing from the small town of Warmond in The Netherlands.

Watch, and enjoy, but heed this fair warning: It doesn't get any better than these slide shows, so viewing them might make you want to hit the road immediately ... if not sooner.

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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. Mac also compiles the organization's twice-monthly e-newsletter Bike Bits, which goes free-of-charge to more than 40,000 readers worldwide.

Shimano PD-M324 Pedal

Whether you prefer your pedals to be platform, clipless, or toe strap, the Shimano PD-M324 pedal can accommodate you. While Shimano bills this as an all-purpose mountain bike pedal, it has rapidly become one of my favorite pedals for touring.

One side of the pedal features an ordinary metal platform, which provides plenty of grip for wet conditions. On the flip side, the pedal has a cleat platform for SPD style cleats. Just in case you like toe straps, the sides of the pedals also come with holes drilled to allow for toe strap baskets, or Power Grip style straps.

The full metal construction is very durable, cleat tension is adjustable, and the bearings are sealed and serviceable, making this a pedal that will last through the harshest of tours and beyond.

The pedals retail for around $75, and are widely available through most bike shops.

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.

The Market Singer--Chiang Mai--Thailand

For a concentrated look at a country's culture, you can't beat a bustling market. The once quiet town of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand has grown to close to a million people and is sometimes referred to as Bangkok North.

Wandering around one of the many markets in this city was a sensory overload. Produce stacked to unthinkable heights. The smell of fish, curries, incense, overripe fruit and grilled meat. Above the food and produce, the multi-storied market had more shops and goods to be sold in one building than could be found in an entire shopping mall in the United States.

Amongst the cacophony of sounds whirling around, a single voice grabbed my attention. It was sweet and sad at the same time. Just outside the market walls I discovered the source--a blind man singing. He held a harmonica that he occasionally played, but it was his unaccompanied voice that somehow seemed to represent the Thailand we had learned to love while pedaling the back roads from Bangkok.

Photos can capture the the face of a country, but I find more often than not, it is the music that captures its soul.

Market Singer--Chiang Mai, Thailand





audio recording (Market Singer, Thailand) by Willie Weir
photos (Chiang Mai Market, Thailand-2004) 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.

More Value for Your Membership

Here at Adventure Cycling we are always looking for new resources to help our members with their cycling adventures. This winter we created two new partnerships to bring added benefits to some of our Adventure Cycling members.

For our general membership, we are now offering a 10% discount on all bike rentals through RentaBikeNow.com, giving them a way to easily find and reserve quality bicycles from hundreds of participating bike shops before traveling throughout the U.S. and select cities in Canada.

By simply selecting a destination and travel dates, travelers can search among available bikes and reserve the specific model that suits their size and riding style. Bikes are presented with specs, photos, pricing, shop hours and location to help travelers find the perfect bike and most convenient bike shop. RentaBikeNow.com even provides a printed confirmation with a map to the store and includes bad weather protection for hassle-free cancellations if needed.

Adventure Cycling also added a new benefit for our 120+ member bike clubs. We worked closely with ClubExpress to form a partnership that offers a 20% discount to our member clubs when they sign up to use ClubExpress’ robust club website and database management system. This internet platform allows clubs and associations to run their operations completely online, including website, memberships, events, credit card payments, finances, documents, and photos.

“We’re excited to be partnering with Adventure Cycling to bring the benefits of ClubExpress to more cycling clubs.” said Dan Ehrmann, president of ClubExpress. “Our platform will help these clubs focus their efforts and volunteers on promoting cycling and its many benefits, creating a richer experience for current and prospective members.”

These new partnerships help to make Adventure Cycling membership even more valuable.

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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.

Cycling Resources in Wisconsin

Late last year it looked like I was going to attend a business meeting in the spring of 2010 in the great city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin (only 81 miles south of Manitowoc and the North Lakes Bicycle Route). Though I knew the weather might not be optimal in March, I started planning a way to get myself on a bike for a day or two while there.

I started by visiting the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's bicycling web page with links to maps as well as the Department of Tourism's cycling page. Next I looked at the maps provided online by the City of Milwaukee and wrote to ask for specific recommendations of what to see while in town for a short visit. I received an email in return rich with details: restaurants, breweries, parks and lakefront bike paths that I should not miss. I even set myself up with a meeting-related warm showers host. Then I got the news, the meeting was not to be for me in old Milwaukee. The location had been moved.

Fortunately, it was relocated to another cyclist friendly Wisconsin city, Madison. The planning began again. I've already got my accommodations settled (she's a cyclist, too!). I'll be downloading the map Madison provides on its website so I can plot a day of carefree cycling in between meetings. On a whim, I also checked mapmyride.com and found that there are 630 routes posted in the 0 to 20 mile category. Now all that's left to do is see about borrowing or renting a bike and hope for the best in the weather department.

In many other states I'm not sure I could have made this planning transition quite so easily. Thanks Wisconsin!

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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 Underground Railroad Bicycle Route Expanding to the Motor City

Last October I had the opportunity to bicycle through the Motor City, and I had an outstanding tour guide in Todd Scott, the Detroit Greenways Coordinator for the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance.

Todd really loves his home city and was game to take me all over, but limited time kept us contained to the heart of the city, much of which involved the Detroit River. A few items on the agenda were a priority for us -- including the Dequindre Cut Greenway, which leads to the Detroit RiverWalk (where you can rent bikes from the Wheelhouse) and eventually, the sculpture you see me standing by, which is dedicated to the Underground Railroad.

Long before it became the car capitol of the world, Detroit was known as a major crossing point for freedom seekers into Windsor, Canada.

Speaking of Canada, Ontario is extremely important when talking about the Underground Railroad. Canadian Slavery was abolished in 1833, almost 30 years before the Civil War. Many black settlements were formed in southern Ontario, especially after the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 (freedom seekers could be legally recaptured north of the Mason Dixon Line and returned to their southern owners). Geographically, southern Ontario provided the closest access to Canada from many of the slave-holding states, but Lake Erie, the Detroit River and Buffalo River all had to be forged to reach the shores of freedom.

You might remember that in 2007, Adventure Cycling released the Underground Railroad Bicycle Route maps and ran our first tours along the 2,008 mile-long corridor. Starting in Mobile, Alabama, the route runs north to the confluence of the Ohio River; from there, it heads north-east to Erie, PA and then Buffalo, NY -- another important crossing point into Ontario. The route terminates in Owen Sound, a community that has held an Annual Emancipation Day Celebration since 1862.

Though hundreds of communities played an important role in helping freedom seekers find safe haven throughout the north and south, we couldn't include them all. We planned for the main route to become a spine from which connections, like day-trip routes and additional Underground Railroad spur routes might evolve.

In 2008, we added the Pittsburgh spur connecting Pittsburgh, home to our partners at the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Minority Health, to the main route via Erie, PA.

Now, at the urging of the National Park Service's National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program (and with support from Adventure Cycling members), we're pleased to say we'll be expanding the Underground Railroad Route once more -- to south eastern Michigan (including Detroit) and south western Ontario (including the Buxton Historic Site).

There is an intense amount of passion in Detroit for this history. I witnessed a small sampling during my visit. The Michigan Freedom Trails Commission and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History will play an important role in helping us incorporate the best sites and history into this route, and cycling advocates will help us ensure the route stays true to the Adventure Cycling standards of scenic and safe roads and trails.

Though there's a lot of work to be done to get this route from concept to map, I am honored, once again, to be working with dedicated people on something that will bring economic and active transportation opportunities to a city once known as the Paris of the Midwest.

photo by Todd Scott

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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.

U.S. Bicycle Route System on Facebook

Do you support the creation of a U.S. bicycle route system? If so, become a fan of the U.S. Bicycle Route System on Facebook.

You can also get more information about the USBRS on our website: www.adventurecycling.org/usbrs.

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NEWS, NETWORKING, AND NEW MEDIA is written by Winona Bateman, Adventure Cycling's media director, and appears weekly, highlighting cool media (articles, videos, photos, etc.) related to Adventure Cycling and bicycle travel. Writing a story about bicycle travel or Adventure Cycling Association? You can contact Winona via press AT adventurecycling DOT org. Visit our media room or view our news releases.

2010 Bike Tours: Going, Going, Gone?

I'm trying to figure out which of this year's tours I will take for my bike respite. (Here at Adventure Cycling we're very fortunate to have added days of vacation if we dedicate them to riding.) Our tours department offers such a wide variety of trips that it is really hard to figure out. One thing I know for sure, I'd better decide soon. My husband and I were dreaming of going on the Cycle the Divide, Montana, tour but we thought about it just a little too long and poof! Suddenly there was a four person waiting list!

In fact, our tours department has seen such a steady clip in sign-ups, there are already 6 trips sold out with waiting lists. So, if you're considering a tour with us this year, don't wait too long to grab a spot (my husband and I waited a week). Luckily though, we're offering more than 40 bike tours this year and there are great trips all across the country with spots available. Here are some highlights, including supported, self-contained, family, and relaxed format tours:

Blue Ridge Bliss, June 5 - June 11, supported
The Blue Ridge Parkway is often called America’s Favorite Drive. It could just as well be nicknamed America’s Favorite Bike Tour. In all, the parkway runs for 469 miles, connecting Shenandoah National Park in Virginia with North Carolina’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park. On this very special bicycle tour, you’ll explore almost 300 of the very best of those miles.

Cycle Montana, June 19 - June 26, supported
Come see what Big Sky Country is all about. We’ll travel through spectacular mountain ranges and broad, scenic valleys, enjoy lightly-trafficked roads, and terrain that boasts loads of history — and hosts more cattle than humans.

Tetons-Yellowstone, June 26 - July 3, self-contained
As noted by Ken Burns in his PBS documentary series, the national parks are perhaps America’s best idea and one of our country’s greatest gifts to the world. It all started with Yellowstone National Park, which we’ll visit on this great bike tour that also takes us through Yellowstone’s sister to the south, spectacular Grand Teton National Park.

C&O Family, July 10 - July 16, supported
For the first time ever, we’re offering a special twist on our ever popular C&O Canal tour. The new, Family Fun version of this trip will provide both adults and children a chance to explore the living history of this storied route.

Heart of the Underground Railroad, July 23 - July 30, supported
The Underground Railroad Bicycle Route honors the bravery of those who fled bondage and those who provided shelter before and during the Civil War. Important landmarks line this historically rich segment of America's Road to Freedom and moderate daily distances and full support should ensure time to fully grasp all the social, political, and historical significance that this route offers.

CO Relaxed, August 8 - August 14, supported
This ride offers a fantastic opportunity to do some alpine riding in a more laid-back state of mind and body. On this fully-supported tour, participants can expect sumptuous, catered meals, well-stocked food stops, luggage transport, and care-free cycling.

Pueblos to Peaks, August 21 - 29, self-contained
If you’re looking for some of the finest cycling in the Rockies, this tour is for you! We’re taking the back route between two cycling meccas: Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Boulder, Colorado. Plus, we’ll enjoy some evenings in the comfort of indoor lodging.

Find out about our full 2010 tours schedule.

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Winona Bateman is the media director, standing in for the intrepid Sarah Raz, our regular "On the Road" columnist.

Riding to School, 1918-style

One of the things I most enjoy about my association with Adventure Cycling is the fascinating stories I often get to hear or read. Consider the following, a correspondence sent recently by a fellow named Nick:

"Before I set off to ride the Northern Tier last summer, my mom gave me a photocopy from a family history book about my great-great-uncle, who made a similar trip nearly a century ago. I thought of him a lot as I rode, and thought you guys might like this story of old-school touring.

"[Donald Snedden] entered Stanford University in 1918, after bicycling alone from New York City to California. When he left home, his parents gave him money [equal to what it would've taken] to buy a transcontinental railway ticket, a Pullman berth, and meals in the dining car. But the exertion of bicycling made him so hungry, and the poor roads of that time were so hard on bicycle tires, that his money went fast.

"On entering one western restaurant he ordered breakfast for two. 'Where’s the other fellow?' asked the waitress. 'He is here all right,' Donald answered, prior to downing both breakfasts.

"He slept out almost every night, rolled diagonally in the large black-and-gray checked Canadian blanket he was carrying strapped on his luggage carrier. He stopped to work in the harvest fields of Nebraska, earning as much money as he had started out with, and then decided to detour north through Yellowstone Park. The roads grew steadily worse. He left Twin Falls, Idaho, with a new rear tire on his bicycle and carrying another new one. Yet by the time he had reached the Nevada desert both tires were cut beyond patching. He bought a length of garden hose at a railroad station, strapped it around his rear wheel rim, and rode on that as long as it lasted. [After the hose was shot], he walked down the center of the railroad track for sixty miles to Reno, pushing his bicycle. He could find only 'soda pop, apples, and crackers' at the primitive roadside food stands in this part of the country.

"Donald's money was again gone by the time he reached Reno, so he pawned his camera to buy another tire and some new golf stockings to replace those torn to pieces by sagebrush. He had promised his parents never to bicycle more than a hundred miles in a day, and he kept his promise — until he began to coast down the western side of the Sierras, when he took off and reached Oakland in one day.

"The next morning, after buying his ferry ticket across the bay, he found he had only four cents left. With it he bought four whole wheat buns for his breakfast and bicycled down the peninsula to San Mateo, where his uncle, Ernest Sisson, lived. He then borrowed his uncle’s car and drove to Stanford, where he found awaiting him clean clothes and a check for college expenses. He had bicycled on fifty-three days, though he did not arrive for almost ninety days after leaving home."

I asked Nick if any photos existed from his great-great-uncle's adventure, but he knew of no such images. One cannot help but wonder about things like the bicycle Donald rode. Was it something like this 1918 Speedway Special Pneumatic Safety Motobike, perhaps?

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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. Mac also compiles the organization's twice-monthly e-newsletter Bike Bits, which goes free-of-charge to more than 40,000 readers worldwide.

Where the (Used) Rubber Hits the Road...and the Wallet!

Ever wonder what to do with all your old, popped bike tubes? One company, Retread based out of Adventure Cycling's hometown of Missoula, Montana, has come up with some great solutions. Wallets! Belts! Bike pants straps! I ran into this company at our annual MissoulaMade Festival, where local artisans sell their crafts and wares to enthusiastic, local holiday shoppers.

Adventure Cycling’s executive director, Jim Sayer, sports a bicycle tube wallet and can attest to their durability -- he’s had his for over 10 years! He purchased it from a company called Used Rubber USA. (They also makes bags and briefcases from waste truck inner tubes).

My favorite Retread product is their Strap, a pants leg bike strap made from a bike tube, velcro, and reflective tape. Brilliant -- why didn’t I think of making that?

Beyond recycling bike tubes, Retread also uses old billboard banners to make bags and billfolds.

And while I was excited about their bags and wallets, I was most inspired by their business cards -- they run old cereal boxes through their printer to make their cards. Though people always warn you not to do so, I tried this at home. Alas, it did not work. Best to leave it to the experts!

photos courtesy of Retread

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GREENCYCLE is posted each Saturday by Kylie Paul, Adventure Cycling’s sales and shipping specialist. With a lifetime commitment to conservation, Kylie hopes to share the many ways that bicycling and Adventure Cycling are helping to improve our planet!

Bike Locks

No matter where in the world your bike travels take you, one accessory to remember to drop in your pack is a bike lock. It's not that people can't be trusted, for the most part, the strangers you encounter will be far more courteous than you would expect. But there is a great deal of money and often sentimental value put into a bike, and you want to make sure it is safe from misfortune (especially if you are camping, and are unable to store your bike behind a locked door).

Right now there are tons of options available for buying locks, and chances are, you already own one of them. There are U locks, cable locks, chain locks of all sizes that use either keys or combinations. I always suggest anyone on tour steers clear of a lock that uses a key. If you lose your key, you may have to cut your lock and buy a new one.

Between cable locks, U locks, and chain locks, I have always leaned towards the cable lock option (about a quarter inch thick). They are often easily coiled, which makes for simple packing, and relatively light compared to U locks and chains. If bike specific locks are too pricey, you can always head to your nearest hardware store and find a length of steel cable, and a combination lock for under $15.

No matter which route you choose, all options are breakable. The main goal of a lock is to send a would-be thief off in search of an easier target. In the end, knowing one of your most prized possessions is safe will help you sleep better at night, giving you more energy for the next day's ride.

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.

Simple Gifts

You are leaving on long trip to Africa or South America or Asia or an extended world tour ... what do you bring for gifts?

There is only so much room in a set of panniers. I'm from Seattle--do I pack 50 bags of gourmet coffee or smoked salmon? A box of Space Needle key chains would take up less room, but tourist trinkets have never been my thing.

Some travelers pack pens or candy or balloons. Anybody who has traveled in India knows the "One pen--One pen--One Pen" chant little kids on the street greet you with.

What has worked for me over the years is to pack a box of 100-plus bike tube patches and a couple of large tubes of glue.

Fixing a flat for a fellow cyclist in the U.S. would be seen as a courtesy. A nice gesture. In a country where wages are insanely low, fixing a flat tire or two can be an invaluable gift.

In Cuba, it cost 6 pesos (at the time) to have a flat tire fixed. That was a full day's wage for most laborers. One house we stayed in had three bikes stacked in the corner of the living room. They'd been that way for months. An hour and three patches later, the kids were out riding them on the street.

I believe my record for fixing flats was 17 in one afternoon in Mexico. A kid walked his bike up to me in a town square. Both tires were flat. I got to work and in the middle of fixing his second flat I glanced up and 8 more kids were in line. The bike doctor was in. My hands were filthy and sore when I finished, but the pack of smiling kids pedaling behind me as I left town was well worth the effort.

Light weight. Little cost. Big results.

Now that's a gift worth packing.

photo (fixing a flat on a Gotcha Royal, Turkey-2002) by Kat Marriner (click the photo 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.

Bicycling = Belonging

In my position as associate development director, I am privileged to have the opportunity to hear many bicycling stories -- some that tug at my heart, some that inspire me to ride even more; all remind me of the importance of what we do at Adventure Cycling Association.

One such story arrived via a telephone call right before the holidays. The caller, Bill Maurey, had a story to tell about a fellow bicyclist. "Fritz" had recently died of a heart attack. A relatively young man (41), Fritz had never felt that he fit in most of his life. He struggled with his weight and physical disabilities.

That is, until he joined the Cleveland Touring Club. There, Fritz found that his fellow bicycle club members were accepting and welcoming. His mother recounted that this was the first time in life that Fritz felt like he belonged.

Understanding the important position bicycling held in Fritz's life, his friends at the Cleveland Touring Club -- led by Bill Maurey -- came together to make a donation in honor of their friend. In their letter, they made clear that Fritz was an honored member of the club and that the donation should support the U.S. Bicycle Route System -- something that Fritz believed in.

Cycling is a true equalizer among people and a way to bring people closer together. Most people can bicycle, despite their physical limitations. And when we bicycle, we tend to interact with one another -- so unlike travel by automobile.

And Fritz, for one, found that to be true.

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BICYCLING INSPIRATIONS is posted the first and third Friday of each month by Julie Emnett, associate development director, and examines stories that illustrate why and how cyclists support our programs. Learn how you can support Adventure Cycling.

Milestone Routes: TransAmerica Bicycle Trail

This entry is the first in a series showcasing milestone routes in the Adventure Cycling Route Network. A milestone route is one that is viewed as a notable landmark in Adventure Cycling Association history: a first of its kind or marking an important milestone in total network mileage.

Let's start with the first -- the first Adventure Cycling route. Over the years, a lot has been written about the history of the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail so I won't even try to cover that territory. Instead, let me tell you a bit about an oft unsung pioneer of the Bikecentennial movement, Lys Burden.

She was a Hemistour rider (Hemistour being the 1972 expedition Lys and Dan Burden with Greg and June Siple undertook to cycle from Alaska to the southern tip of Argentina), Bikecentennial co-founder, and a University of Montana student majoring in geology, when she set out to create a route across the country. According to Greg Siple, co-founder of Bikecentennial (now Adventure Cycling), "Our organization was more theory than reality. She and Dan [her husband and another co-founder] were living in a small apartment going to school, taking odd jobs and for a time were on food stamps. There were no computers or internet."

In the credits on every one of the TransAmerica map sections, 'Original Route Design' is followed by her name. This very capable young woman went on the road in a VW micro bus, with a shoestring budget, and put together a route that, for the most part, is still intact today.

Her maiden voyage set the standard for route creation. It continues to live on as we prepare to release our latest milestone route, the Sierra Cascades Bicycle Route, in April.

Fast Facts about the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail:
Total Miles: 4,256
Number of map sections: 12
Number of states it crosses: 10
Number of Continental Divide crossings: 9, (Montana - 1; Wyoming - 6; Colorado - 2)
Highest elevation: Hoosier Pass, CO 11,542 ft. (Section 6)

This piece was written in collaboration with Greg Siple, co-founder and art director of Adventure Cycling Association.

in this photo: Three years after Lys Burden began work on designating the TransAm Trail she looks on as the Montana state governor, the Missoula mayor, and others officially open the Bikecentennial office with a a ribbon cutting ceremony. Lys is on the far right of the photo.
photo from Adventure Cycling Association archives

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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.

Who's Hot and Who's Not: U.S. Bicycle Route System Implementation

After the recent successes in getting the U.S. Bicycle Route System Application & instructions drafted, and the AAHSTO Purpose and Policy Statement revised, we at Adventure Cycling sat back and asked, "What next?"

The answer became obvious when I was contacted by Florida DOT special projects facilitator, MaryAnne Koos about implementing routes through Florida. I immediately contacted Georgia's newly hired bicycle and pedestrian coordinator, Byron Rushing, and set the first of many regional meetings between these two states. Next week, Jim Sayer will be participating in one of these meetings in person.

(Next week Jim will also be holding a series of regional gatherings in Florida to highlight Adventure Cycling projects and U.S. Bicycle Route developments. These events are free and open to the public, so invite your cycling friends!)

Over the past several months, Florida and Georgia have discussed processes, prioritized corridors, defined potential roads within the corridors, and identified trail connections; all things that will help lay the ground work for other states gearing up for implementation. Through the work of Tony Barrett of the East Coast Greenway Alliance, Maine has made similar progress. These states are hot on the list of potential early implementers (along with New Hampshire, Michigan, Wisconsin, and a few others you'll be learning about soon).

"So who else in on the hot list?" That's the question other state bicycle and pedestrian coordinators will ask in order to know with which neighboring state to start collaborating.

Adventure Cycling sent a short survey to state department of transportation (DOT) bicycle and pedestrian coordinators late last summer. The questions asked how interested state DOTs are in implementing U.S. bicycle routes, what existing systems and processes for long distance bicycle routes they already have in place, what working relationships they currently have with other agencies and non-profits, and what barriers they perceive.

We received 35 surveys back and below is a quick summary of what states are hot, and what states are not; we're thrilled that 32 of the 35 states are interested in some level of implementation.

• 9 high interest (+2 active states that weren't able to answer the survey): Arizona, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, Tennessee, plus Florida and New Hampshire


• 12 medium interest: Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota (will be contracting for route development in 2010), Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia

• 11 need to address other priorities first: Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan (though this state is now actively engaged in defining 2 U.S. Bike Routes), New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and Wyoming

• 3 states indicated little or no interest in implementation: Connecticut, Montana, South Carolina


• A variety of barriers were listed, but most the most common was staffing and funding.

(I invite you to read the full 5 page report, "Implementation Readiness: Survey of State Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinators".)

The barriers listed were of course no surprise to us -- state budgets have been hit hard and furloughs take affect on capacity. That's why Adventure Cycling continues to take an coordinating role, matching willing partners like Michigan Trails and Greenways, Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin, California Bicycle Coalition, Cascade Bicycle Club and others to work with their state DOT on implementation.

We sent the survey report to the bicycle and pedestrian coordinators in December, and are already receiving updates (welcome Ohio bike/ped. coordinator, Heather Bowden!) which lead us to believe we'll need to reassess state interest in the next few months. Momentum is shifting as states and partners begin to talk about roles and possibilities. The mood is catching and I believe we'll see the hot list grow.

photo by Dennis Coello/BRAG

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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.