The Hill

Two kids came riding up to me in the middle of Saskatchewan, waving and smiling.

"Hey Mister. Did you come all the way up the hill?"

I looked to behind me to the west and then ahead to the east. It was flat as the eye could see. I hadn't encountered a hill for at least a week.

These kids were obviously joking.

But, fortunately, before I laughed or opened my mouth, I looked into their eyes and saw nothing but earnestness.

There was a ever-so-slight grade coming into town. Two percent. Max. But in their world, this was the steepest hill you could pedal.

I've met plenty of folks on my travels who have never traveled fifty miles beyond their home town. And for at least hundred miles in each direction ... this WAS the hill.

I smiled at the boys and said, "You bet I did. Never thought I'd make it."

We pedaled into town together and I bought them an ice cream to celebrate our accomplishment. I bought one for me too. Couldn't let them eat alone.

Over the course of my lifetime, my own definition of "hill" or "big climb" has changed. But whether it's a two percent grade, or twenty-two percent ... getting to the top has always been a reason to celebrate.

Happy Climbing (and even happier summiting) in 2011.

Photo: Canada 1988 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.

Forums for Planning Your Bike Tour...and a Lot More

Way back in April 2009 when I wrote my first GeoPoints Bulletin blog post, I mentioned our Forums as a good resource for route planning. At that time, the number of registered users was in the neighborhood of 3,700. Today that number is over 21,000 -- talk about explosive growth!

Now I don't want to say my mention is what spurred that burst in numbers. I think there have probably been a number of factors at play -- not the least of which was the upgrade to a new software implemented by our IT guru, John, making interacting an easier process -- but it didn't hurt.

Discussions range all aspects of bicycle travel from routes, gear and swapping out equipment through classified ads to reminiscing about Bikecentennial, and exchanging ideas of how to get youth involved with bicycling. A couple of hot topics the last time I checked were DIY Tips for touring and the availability of propane on the TransAmerica Trail.

There is a section devoted to the USBRS and a regional discussion area, both designed to share information specific to a locale. We recently added a new discussion area for our latest set of maps in development, Bicycle Route 66.

Anyone can read and search the discussions. Participation is absolutely free, all that is required is an email address and username created through a simple registration process.

The next time you have a question about the route you are planning or you want to upgrade some piece of your equipment, I recommend you head over to the Adventure Cycling Forums and see what other bicycle travelers have to say on the subject. The breadth of knowledge and opinions available here is deep and ever evolving.

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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. She also wants to remind you that map corrections and comments are always welcome via the online Map Correction Form.

Reflections on 2010 & Quick Look Ahead

The U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS) has had a big year.

With almost 30 states working at some level on implementing the National Corridor Plan (pdf) into on-the-ground routes, we can't thank enough the people who are making this happen.

There are a few that deserve some special recognition from me.

First and foremost, Kerry Irons -- our steadfast volunteer from Midland Michigan who has served as a volunteer staff person for the U.S. Bicycle Route System since 2003 -- has been instrumental in helping secure resolutions of support for Michigan's U.S. Bike Route (USBR) 20 and 35 and is now helping train other volunteers across the country.

Next, Scott Anderson, the volunteer that initiated the process in Michigan and developed the USBR 20 route from Marine City to Ludington. He is now working on how to get the route signed and promoted.

Paul VandenBosch, city manager of South Haven, saw the bike tourism opportunity for Michigan and stepped into the role of volunteer USBR 35 committee chair.

And of course, Josh DeBruyn, Michigan Department of Transportation (DOT) bicycle and pedestrian coordinator. Josh has diligently tracked the progress of routes in his state, met with upper management to gain support, oversaw volunteer progress, and is now "ground-truthing" USBR 20.

From the state next door, I have to thank Mario Vian and Richard Vonnegut from Hoosier Rails to Trails who are working diligently to draft the USBR 35 through Indiana.

And I would be remiss to not recognize Eric Weis, trails coordinator from the East Coast Greenway Alliance who is working on USBR 1 in multiple Atlantic Coast states, and Tony Barrett who has been instrumental in developing Maine's USBR 1.

Let's not forget the amazing work being done by other state DOTs. Special kudos to Byron Rushing from Georgia, Mary Anne Koos from Florida, Tom Huber from Wisconsin, Bob Laurie from Alaska, and Melissa Anderson from Missouri. Your time and energy devoted to this project is truly appreciated!

Finally, the AASHTO U.S. Bicycle Route Task Force chair, Richard Moeur who is always willing to provide guidance on any number of questions that come up.

There are many, many more cyclists, advocates, and supporters to thank. Be sure to read the State Status Report (pdf) and learn what's happening in your state.

As for 2011, well, let's just say, it's already gearing up to be a banner year for the U.S. Bicycle Route System. There's the potential for having three or four route applications go forward to AASHTO -- these would be the first U.S. Bicycle Routes since 1982!

And for those of you with a New Year's resolution that involves helping make the world a better place to bicycle -- consider getting involved with the U.S. Bicycle Route System. Some states are in need of volunteers and support. Donations to support our work in coordinating states are also very helpful. Think about it, you could help create the largest bicycle network in the world!

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BUILDING THE U.S. BICYCLE ROUTE SYSTEM is posted by Ginny Sullivan, the coordinator for the project 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.

An Exciting New Year

There's a lot of excitement brewing in our Montana headquarters. We've enjoyed powdery snow, a wonderful 2010, and are getting lots of sign-ups for our 2011 tours season.

We're also looking forward to lots of great pro-bicycling program work in the coming year, including these highlights:

• creation of the first official U.S. Bicycle Routes in nearly three decades;
• research on our next long-distance route: Bicycle Route 66;
• development of new partnerships to elevate bicycle tourism in the travel industry;
• release of a new Underground Railroad Bicycle Route alternate through Detroit;
• work with America Bikes for better federal policy and resources for cycling;
  
• development of a new member log-in system for our fantastic website;
  
• unveiling of new resources for "bike overnights" -- 2-3 day bike trips; and
• production of nine more award-winning Adventure Cyclist magazines.

We can't do this work without the support of our members and donors. Please give today to support Adventure Cycling's program work. With your tax-deductible donation, we can keep taking biking and bike travel to a higher level!

Thanks so much and happy New Year.

Jim

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JIM SAYER is the executive director of Adventure Cycling Association.

Best Of 2010

One of my favorite parts of December is reading the Best Of lists. While I don't always agree with them (Really, NYT? Another book by Jonathan Franzen?), I love reading the opinions and getting ideas. So following, in no particular order, are my favorite bits of bike-related 2010. So I don't go on forever, I'll make it a Top Five.

1. My Farm Fresh Tour. Great food, great wine, great riding, great friends. What more could you ask for? A highlight of my year for sure. It's not being offered next year: may I suggest California Kick Start instead?

2. Ibex Bibs. I know there's some debate over girls wearing bibs. Can they? Can't they? I do and I love it.

3. Adventure Cycling Socks. Ted designed these so of course they're awesome. I use them for riding, running, and general fashion statement-making.

4. Long-weekend bicycle adventures. When we don't have a week, sometimes we'll go on a bicycle adventure for a long weekend. I loved the mountain biking trip we did near Dylan, with a base camp.

5. Making Big Plans. One of my very favorite things.

Photo by Josh Tack

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SHIPPING NEWS is brought to you by Sarah Raz, sales representative/outreach coordinator/lover of all things outdoors.

Twas the Dawn of 2011

'Twas the dawn of 2011 and all through Adventure Cycling

Not a single wheel was turning not even one small ring.
New tours were all posted on the website with care
In hopes that our members soon would visit there.

The tours staff were all poised in front of their screens
While visions of sign-ups danced in their dreams.
There was Sam in his hat, Mo with her papers, and Paul at his desk.
They all planned with Rod to make next year a big success!

Now California! Now Arizona!, Now Texas!, and Trans-AM!
So many choices, but how do I plan?
Click once and click twice, it's as simple as that,
Or if you're old school we'll just send you a paper app.

Don't dally, even though snow blankets the ground.
Not a single tour opening soon will be found.
TransAm, Death Valley, and Yellowstone Loops are all going fast.
From Coast to Coast these spots just won't last!

But wait just a minute, there's no need to fret.
Bicycling is fun and should reduce stress!
So for 2011 plan any trip you dream or desire.
You'll see the world anew, from across your bike tire.

I hope you don't mind I twisted Moore's poem.
The 'On the Road' blog posts might sometimes roam.
I wish you much cheer this holiday season,
And that bicycling for you need only joy as its reason.

Just remember the tours team is here, just give us a shout.
If you have any touring questions we can surely help out.
Ride-On and Ride safe, as you spin with delight.
Happy Holidays to all and to all a good-night!

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ON THE ROAD is written by Mo Mislivets, tours specialist and intrepid cyclocross maven, covering all things related to Adventure Cycling's tours department. Check out our 2011 guided tours today.

Three Bicycling New Year's Resolutions

Here are mine:

1. Get to West Texas for some trail riding.

2. Worry less about the bike and more about the ride. This one’s easy for me, because it’s the way I already am and always have been. Still, this article has provided additional inspiration.

3. Ride a significant stretch of the Great Divide.


What are yours?


Photo of the blogger on the upper Snake River by Roger 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. Mac also compiles the organization's twice-monthly e-newsletter Bike Bits, which goes free-of-charge to some 40,000 readers worldwide.

Boxing Your Bike at Maximum Capacity

This is a busy time of the year for airlines, and if you are flying with your bike, get ready for some stiff baggage fees. But, as long as you're paying to get your bike on a plane, you may as well make the most of it.

Most steel touring bikes with racks are still going to weigh in under 40 pounds, which gives you some wiggle room to top off your 50 pound baggage limit. If you will be carting home gifts and souvenirs, take advantage of this weight limit to further pad your bike with clothing, towels, or other soft goods. If you are really efficient, you may even be able to check only your bike box on the plane.

Some other tips are to use a cardboard box, as it will be a lot lighter than a hard shell bike box. Just make sure it is in good condition, and taped up well with packing tape. You can also save some weight by carrying heavier objects on board with you, such as pedals, saddle, and maybe even a pannier or two.

With all of this said, be sure check in with the airline you will initially board with to double check on fees and size/weight limits. If you don't need your bike back home right away, shipping it can often save you some money.

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.

Holiday Medley

Our latest bike journey ended in the beautiful city of Sevilla (Seville), Spain.

I'm a sucker for Christmas/holiday music and also a huge fan of street performers. These musicians add life to any city. And I love being in the crush of holiday crowds ... especially when I'm observing, rather than shopping.

As we wandered through the streets of Sevilla, I recorded the street performers we encountered. Quite an eclectic bunch. In the United States, once Thanksgiving has rolled by, the songs you will hear performed on the streets is pretty much limited to the canon of 20-30 holiday tunes. I still love them. But some variety would be welcome.

Well. That's what we got. Sure, we heard some traditional tunes. But street musicians in Sevilla do not all march to the holiday tune drum ... unless you consider "Knights in White Satin" a holiday classic.

Happy Holidays from Spain.

May your days be merry and bright. And may all your bicycle gear be light.

Holiday Street Music Medley




Photo Spain 2010 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

Final Call For Your Bicycle Travel Photos

There is only one week left to enter your best shots in Adventure Cycling's 2nd Annual Bicycle Travel Photo Contest. I have included a few samples from this year's entries to get your wheels turning. After you finish perusing them, start going through your photos and add a few to the group.

The winner will have their photo appear in the March issue of Adventure Cyclist magazine, as well as on our website. The winner will also receive a 2-year membership to Adventure Cycling and a $100 gift certificate for our online store.

photo by Robert Thomson

photo by errinvasquez

photo by Tim Strand

photo by salvatore.ferro

photo by Matthew Kadey

photo by bsell17

photo by georgeupstairs

The contest closes December 31, 2010. Submit your photos today!

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MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS is typically posted on Fridays by Amy Corbin, membership and marketing coordinator. Membership Highlights 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.

Holiday Cheer from Home

While we spend a lot of time talking about the joys of bicycle travel here at Adventure Cycling, it's also important to bear in mind that sometimes the true journey comes in remembering that there's no place quite like home for the holidays.

Cheers to you and yours for a delightful celebration this holiday season.

Photo by Jenn 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. She also wants to remind you that map corrections and comments are always welcome via the online Map Correction Form.

Celebrating the Holidays Montana Style

Happy Holidays from Montana!

A few weeks ago, an old friend sent me this photo (left) of her son, Owen, on his homemade snow bike as he cavorted around their ranch in the early days of December. Colleen said she knew I'd appreciate her son's innovative adaption of two of my favorite things to do into one fun ride. Clever little cowboy, isn't he?


Colleen and her family live in the shadow of Glacier National Park on the Two Medicine River. She says that while the snow bike is fun, Owens other ride is a trusty stead of a different sort.



Which really works much better when bringing up the rear on this crowd.

Whatever your ride and where ever you reside -- may you have a wonderful holiday season.



Now get out there and enjoy it!


Photos by Colleen Gustafson.

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CONNECTIONS is posted 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.

Top 10 Places to Bikepack in the American West

It's the end of the year, which seems to me to be a great time to make a list. The following is a list of the top 10 routes on which to take a mountain bike trip in the American West.

10. White Rim Trail: Ride 100 miles along spectacular red rock cliffs in Canyonlands National Park. Permits for camping are required. A flood in 2009 washed out part of the road, so it can not be completed as a loop until further notice. For more information, visit www.utah.com/offroad/white_rim_trail.htm.

9. Utah Cliffs Route: Pedal through national parks and stunning red rock country on rugged back country roads, bike paths, and jeep tracks in this 287-mile loop developed by Adventure Cycling Association. Road surfaces on the Utah Cliffs Loop Route are approximately 50 percent dirt and gravel roads and 50 percent paved roads. For more information, check out Adventure Cycling Association's description of the route.


8. Maah Daah Hey Trail: This 97-mile-long singletrack trail in North Dakota traverses dramatic badlands and rolling prairie in an area teeming with wildlife. Four fenced overnight campsites with hitching posts, vault toilets, and campfire rings are available along the trail. The north end of the trail begins at the US Forest Service CCC Campground in McKenzie County, located 20 miles south of Watford City, off Highway 85. For maps and more information, visit www.mdhta.com.

7. TransUtah: Not an official route or trail, this endeavor is part of a small but growing trend of visionary bikepackers armed with maps, ideas, GPS devices and lots of enthusiasm who strike out to invent their own routes. TransUtah is the brainchild of St. George cyclist Dave Harris, and in its current state travels the far back roads and trails of Southern Utah between St. George and Boulder, Utah. It's little more than a cue sheet and a GPS track, and there are few resupply options or water sources along the way, so this route is only for the truly prepared, knowledgeable, and adventurous. For more information, visit Harris's website to download a track and cue sheet.

6. Kokopelli Trail: This 142-mile red rock route starts in Loma, Colorado, and winds its way through sheer canyons, desert plateaus, and high mountain landscapes on its way to Moab, Utah. This well-marked route includes singletrack, 4x4 trails, gravel roads and some pavement. The elevation changes can be daunting, with the lowest point below 4,000 feet and two massive climbs reaching elevations near 9,000 feet. Drinking water is scarce and resupply non-existent along the route, which normally takes three to six days to complete. Visit the Bureau of Land Management's website for more information.

5. Oregon Three Rivers: The Oregon Three Rivers route showcases the Middle Fork Willamette Trail (about 30 miles), North Umpqua Trail (about 80 miles) and Mackenzie River Trail (about 30 miles). For more information and a GPS track, visit www.bikepacking.net/bikepacking-routes/oregon-three-rivers.

4. Coconino Route: According to the Bikepacking.net site, the Coconino Loop seeks to highlight the best of Northern Arizona mountain biking. From buffed singletrack among the pines of Flagstaff to technical red rock Sedona country, this ~250-mile loop is a grand tour of Coconino Country. For more information, visit www.bikepacking.net/routes/coconino-loop.


3. Colorado Trail: This 535-mile route across the Colorado Rockies is an ultimate adventure for any singletrack enthusiast. Expect high altitude riding, stunning alpine landscapes, spectacular storms and not a small amount of bicycle pushing. But most who have completed this route say the scenery and world-class riding is more than worth it. It is possible to complete the trip without any vehicular support by re-supplying in Frisco, Leadville, Buena Vista, and Silverton. Allow 15 to 20 days for the trip. Because bicycle riding is prohibited in wilderness areas, through-cyclists are required to detour around each of the six wilderness areas through which The Colorado Trail passes. The official Guidebook carefully describes each required wilderness detour. For more information, visit www.coloradotrail.org/bike.html.

2. Arizona Trail: The 700-plus-mile Arizona Trail travels from Mexico to Utah through the low Sonoran Desert to the north rim of the Grand Canyon. Although bicycles are allowed on much of the trail, the Grand Canyon crossing requires cyclists to either take a long detour around, or carry their bicycles on their backs across 24 miles and 6,000 vertical feet of trail. Camping along the trail also requires permits in some areas. For more information, visit www.aztrail.org.

1. Great Divide Mountain Bike Route: Adventure Cycling Association's own 2,745-mile off-pavement route from Banff, Alberta, to the Mexican border remains a classic and a worthy goal for any mountain bike travel enthusiast. Check out the route description for more information.

Photo courtesy of Jill Homer

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BIKEPACKER is written by Jill Homer, deputy editor for Adventure Cyclist magazine. It appears the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month.

Santa's Little Helper

Even as you're busy with your holiday planning, Santa's elves are hard at work at Adventure Cycling (with a little help from the USPS). Witness the photo below.




Photo by the one and only Greg Siple

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SHIPPING NEWS is brought to you by Sarah Raz, sales representative/outreach coordinator/lover of all things outdoors.

Mackinac Bridge at Night

I was really struck by this photo taken by Thomas Vanden Eynden on our 2010 Great Lakes self-contained tour. The group was camped right on the water's edge at Straits State Park near the town of Saint Ignace on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This photo was the view out Thomas' tent door that night.

Our 2011 season includes three tours in the Great Lakes region. These tours are of three different varieties:

Great Lakes (self-contained)
Great Lakes Inn-to-Inn
Great Lakes Relaxed

Enjoy exploring our full slate of guided tours for 2011!

Bike poem #2

ordinary end
we spin into dream like lands
lights swirl and sparkle
halcyon stillness rises
kingfishers dance atop waves


Many thanks to Thomas for use of his wonderful and inspirational photo.

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ON THE ROAD is written by Mo Mislivets, tours specialist and intrepid cyclocross maven, covering all things related to Adventure Cycling's tours department. Check out our 2011 guided tours today.

Twelve Ways (to Give) of Christmas

Still trying to figure out a holiday gift for that cyclist who has everything? How about making a donation in his or her name to a bicycle-related charity? There’s no better antidote to the cynicism accumulated through Christmas-consumerism overload than anonymously helping out someone who really needs help. Here’s a dozen possibilities:

Bikes to Rawanda sends … well, the name is rather self-explanatory. More specifically, they provide cargo bicycles to cooperative coffee farmers in that country.

Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust is “committed to saving young people’s lives by promoting safe cycling and, in particular, the use of cycle helmets.”

Yield to Life is pro cyclist David Zabriskie’s nonprofit aimed at creating a safer environment for cyclists.

Bikes Not Bombs, one of the more creatively named charities, sends recycled bicycles to locations throughout the world where they are needed.

The Safety is Sexy Campaign has a slogan of “You’d look hotter in a helmet.” Their mission: To erase the stigma that wearing a helmet is dorky or uncool and to encourage the idea that wearing a helmet is attractive, cool, and smart.

Pedals for Progress donates used bicycles and helps developing world economies by promoting self-sustaining bicycle repair businesses.

Trips for Kids, operating in the United States, Canada, and Israel, has introduced the world of cycling to over 60,000 at-risk youth through organized mountain bike rides and its other programs.

World Bicycle Relief provides “access to independence and livelihood through the power of bicycles” in various locations throughout the world.

Wheels 4 Life, founded by former mountain bike world champion Hans Rey, provides bikes for people in developing countries in need of transportation to get to work or to school, including health care workers.

Re-Cycle states as its mission to “collect secondhand bicycles and ship them to Africa. Our partners distribute bikes and teach riders the skills to repair and maintain them.”

Pedals for Progress so far has received, processed, and donated over 115,000 bicycles, 1,000 used sewing machines, and $10.8 million in new spare parts to partner charities in 32 developing world countries.

Elves & More, the most locally based of the dozen nonprofits listed here, focuses on providing bikes to at-risk kids in the greater Houston area.

There you have it. Enjoy the holidays!

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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 some 40,000 readers worldwide.

David Byrne's Bicycle Diaries: Audio Book

In last year's December/January issue of Adventure Cyclist, I wrote a bit about David Byrne's book Bicycle Diaries ("Byrne's a Writer — and a Rider"). It was a brief overview of the book and I mentioned that Byrne has been an avid transportation cyclist since his early days in New York City and that he's taken a bicycle just about everywhere with him when he's traveled around the globe. But he doesn't just take them with him, he actually rides in these places. And when he rides, he thinks — about a lot of things.

If you're a David Byrne fan and have wanted to crack the cover of Bicycle Diaries but haven't gotten around to it yet, you should consider the audio book version. Heck, even if you're not particularly a David Byrne fan, you should consider it.

This is the first audio book I've ever listened to and, even after reading the book over a year ago, I found the audio version fascinating. The difference between reading words and listening to words is substantial. When reading, you can't help but assign your own voice to the words and this action in itself influences how you comprehend what you're reading. When you listen to an audio book, the voice is already supplied, and when the voice is that of the author himself, you're listening to their thoughts as if you were having a one-sided conversation. And for this reason, and the included background music, I found the audio book version of Bicycle Diaries more enjoyable than the written version. (A couple of other benefits are that you can do other things while listening, which, in my case, prevents dozing.)

To be clear, Bicycle Diaries isn't really a book about bicycling. It's a book about many issues and subjects that affect the way human beings interact in physical settings, particularly cities. That's not to say it's devoid of specific cycling thoughts but these are most prevalent in Chapter One: Introduction and Chapter Two: American Cities. It seems that, for Byrne, the Steve Jobs quote that “… the computer is the equivalent of a bicycle for our minds,” couldn’t be more appropriate. You can just see him toodling around all of theses cities on his bicycle and thinking … hard, meanwhile I kept thinking, “Watch out for that pothole Dave!”

The other chapters cover the cities of Berlin, Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Manila, Sydney, London, San Francisco, New York, and include an epilogue. Some of the of the topics, amongst a myriad, that Byrne hits on are culture, politics, art, music, history, religion, transportation, architecture, philosophy and economics, although not necessarily in that order. He even manages to weave in one of the most chilling comments made by Adolf Hitler, as asserted by his secretary Traudl Junge: “In order to make an omelette, you first have to break a few eggs.” (Did it just get really cold in here?)

During the Istanbul chapter, Byrne seems bemused with himself as he states, “A million thoughts run through my head as I sing.” Thanks goodness he doesn’t try to share them all!

A thread that kept running through my head as I listened: "Someday, humanity will look back on late 20th/early 21st century cities with a strange fascination. They’ll shake their heads and wonder, 'How the hell did they live like that?' I guess we’re in transition (aren’t we always?), and these periods are usually ugly, nasty and dirty, as traditionalists and the powerful fight progress tooth and nail to maintain their advantages. Regardless, unless the topic of human overpopulation is addressed, not much that’s being discussed will matter.”

But it's not all gloom and doom by any stretch, there's quite a bit of good natured banter. On the whole, I found this listening experience to be enjoyable, despite the fact that at times it seems Byrne is simply reading from the book (although at other times the passion and intensity for the subjects discussed is clearly conveyed in his voice.) He asks a lot of questions but doesn’t offer any answers, which is good, because the questions are meant to make the listener think, not be told what to think. I’m glad for this because I get enough of being told what to think from any assortment of American media and political outlets.

Warning: If you don’t like the occasional cuss word, are somewhat of a closed-minded person, think the George W. Bush administration was good for America and the world, are a bit of a puritanical prude, or aren’t much interested in non-American subjects, Bicycle Diaries might not be for you. After all, David Byrne was a key member or the Talking Heads, not The Carpenters.

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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.

Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance

The winter season is a great time to get on top of some bike maintenance projects, or to learn some basic mechanical skills to help save time and money spent at the shop. Regardless of your skill level, the book Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance is a great manual to have on hand.

In its 5th edition, Lennard Zinn's book adds on to an already impressive knowledge base, keeping things up-to-date with current innovations and tools. The book is heavy on dialogue, but there are still plenty of diagrams that are well-referenced, and provide great detail as well as expanded views of parts that illustrate how the nuts and bolts of various components fit together. Like the previous editions, the writing style does not talk down to the reader, and makes no assumptions about your skill level when explaining how things work. The books is also well organized, so you won't waste any time trying to find answers to your question.

To get an idea of how challenging a repair or adjustment will be, the book rates its level of difficulty based on the tools required for the job. The easiest level consists of a basic tool kit that you could possibly carry on a day ride, such as allen wrenches, screw drivers, a pump, and tube. The second level is still fairly basic, but includes tools you probably wouldn't carry on the road, such as crank pullers, cable cutters, and socket wrenches. The third level demands a solid garage shop, and includes not only more advanced (and expensive tools), but also spare parts, such as a cassette and cables. The fourth and final level is reserved for professional shops or serious home mechanics who want to do it all, with items such as bearing replacement and frame alignment tools. This is probably more than you care to know now, but it gives you an idea of the range of skill levels that the book covers.

My favorite feature of Lennard Zinn's book is that it doesn't spend all of its 464 pages going over installation and maintenance procedures. There are also a lot of useful tips and tricks mentioned, such as changing a flat tire without a tube or patch kit. There are also a couple pack lists for single and multi-day rides that can be very helpful.

The book isn't something you will want to tote around on your next tour, but it is certainly worth making space for on your workbench. If you're looking for something road specific, there is also a book Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance available.

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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.

"Coasting" in Portugal

There are few things in this world that are as awe inspiring as cycling along a dramatic coastline. The problem is you often have to share the route with others ... who are driving cars, motor homes, trucks, etc.

There have been a few places on the planet where I've cycled a coastline sans traffic. Cuba. South Africa.

Now I can add Portugal. Specifically the coastline of the Alentejo region south of Lisbon.

Most people visit the southern coast of Portugal, and for a good reason. The weather is milder. The water warmer. The access easier. But you also get gobs of traffic and a skyline often filled with ugly concrete condos.

The west coast in the Alentejo offers dramatic cliffs, stunning views, and little-to-no traffic. You'll have to work to get there. Due to the topography, there isn't a long continuous coast-hugging route. But the small sections that are accessible by bicycle are well worth the effort.

Check out some other photos of this region on Yellow Tent Adventures (my website), and I'm guessing you'll add Portugal to your "must tour" list.

Photo: Portugal 2010 by Kat Marriner


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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.

Share the Joy Winners

Our Share the Joy program for 2010 will close at the end of December and we will choose our final winners for the year. Until then, we want to share the last of our monthly prize winners with you. (The Share the Joy program offers members the chance to win fabulous prizes when you purchase a gift membership, or successfully encourage a friend to join Adventure Cycling Association.

Our October winner was Thomas Berkey, an 8-year member from Eugene, Oregon. Thomas won a set of Ortlieb Sport Packer Panniers.

Our November prize, a Detours Toocan Carrier, went to Steven Osterlind, a new member, from Columbia, Missouri.

Congratulations to our winners!

In January, we will select our two grand prize winners. The person who recruits the most new members will win a $500 Adventure Cycling shopping spree, and another lucky winner, drawn randomly from all entries, will win a Drakkar bicycle from Rawland Cycles, valued at $2500.

Visit the contest page to learn about all of the ways that you can get entered to win.

All of our prizes were generously donated by these businesses because they believe in the mission of Adventure Cycling and support the work that we do. Please consider supporting these great sponsors as you gear up for the 2011 touring season. Many of these brands can be found in the Adventure Cycling Cyclosource store.

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MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS is typically posted the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month by Amy Corbin, Membership and Marketing Coordinator. Membership Highlights 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.

Texas Twang

I'm just back from a true Texas roadshow -- eight days, about a thousand miles and a dozen-plus presentations and meetings. Whew! There were many highlights but let me share the top ones:

A Texas state cycling network? I hung out a lot with Robin Stallings, executive director of Bike Texas, and we looked at the potential for the establishment of a a Texas Bicycle Tourism Trails System, which would mesh with the U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS). When Texas starts to move on this project, that will make 30 states working on the USBRS!

The men in my life: I had great support on the trip from three important guys: Robin Stallings (along with his crew at Bike Texas), Adventure Cycling board candidate George Mendes, from the Woodlands near Houston, and my dad! Don Sayer lives in Georgetown, TX, just north of Austin, so I got to spend some time catching up -- and of course, I wouldn't be here without him.


Age range: I spoke at seven regional gatherings and also the annual Austin Cycling Association holiday luncheon -- and I was really impressed by the wide age range of participants, from 4 to 82 (including 4-year-old cyclist Viviana with me at the left), and lots of cyclists in their 20s and 30s. True to Texas form, cycling is big and getting bigger in the Lone Star State!

Bike shop legends: One of the reasons cycling is so great in Texas is all the bike shops. I connected with quite a few shop owners, including the legendary Jimmy and Rhonda Hoyt, owners of the gigantic Richardson Bike Mart, and the folks who first sponsored Lance Armstrong's racing career, and Hill Abel, owner of Bicycle Sports Shop in Austin and a huge supporter of all kinds of cycling. (Bless their hearts, Jimmy and Rhonda are also Adventure Cycling life members.)

Long haul truckers: Hundreds of people came to the Adventure Cycling gatherings but I was bowled over by people like Marc and Claudia Brown of Denton, TX, and Fred Richard and Kim Waggoner of Edmonds, OK, who drove hundreds of miles to join us at these events. Of course, I'm also grateful to everyone who rode their bikes!

Double-down donors: I met a half-dozen major donors and was deeply gratified by their generosity, including several who wrote checks on the spot, doubling their prior gifts (including one from $5,000 to $10,000!). Thanks for the big vote of support.

Go San Antone! During my trip, I heard some of the greatest excitement about San Antonio, which recently passed a major bond measure, with $45 million for greenway development. At our regional gathering at the very cool Jump Start Theater, the local bike/ped coordinators, Julia Diana and Lydia Kelly, and local cyclists were brimming with enthusiasm.

Eight days a week: For the first time ever, and most unusualy, I got a ride in every day of my trip. The most interesting was with member Richard Chambers, who took George Mendes and I on the Trinity River trail system, on an eclectic mix of a Surly Pugsley, a Big Dummy, and a cool Ahearne. If you don't know these bikes, google them and see what I mean about eclectic (and fun!). Or ponder the picture below, including those big tires.

Austin advocacy: I was impressed by all the groups and individuals pushing for better biking in Austin and enjoyed meeting everyone from Gil Martinez, president of the "other ACA" (Austin Cycling Association) to Eileen Schaubert (outreach director at Lance Armstrong's Mellow Johnnys bike store) to Chris Riley, an Austin city councilman who wants to create a broader regional bike network. Yes!


Thanks and big hugs to the hundreds of people in Texas who were so helpful and hospitable during my whirlwind tour. We look forward to more great things from your great state!

Captions: Image 1: Texas routes ahead? Image 2: l to r, Viviana and Jim. Image 3: l to r, George Mendes, Richard Chambers, Jim Sayer. Image 4: l to r, Gil Martinez, Eileen Schaubert, Jim Sayer, Chris Riley, Robin Stallings.


Images courtesy of Bike Texas, Ann Harkness, and Jim Sayer

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JIM SAYER is executive director of Adventure Cycling Association

(Mostly) Map Related Gift suggestions

Today I've got some suggestions for stuffing those stockings (though probably not the ones that Amy gave away earlier this month!) to please the bicycle traveler on your list.

Map Case: Regardless of whether your recipient is using an Adventure Cycling map or not, they will need a way to keep that map handy while out on the road. Our online store, Cyclosource, has some good options to choose from:

• An Adventure Cycling map case attaches to your handlebars and they are a perfect fit for most of the Adventure Cycling Route Network panel-style maps.

• The Bar Map OTG offers the map viewer a bigger picture at once and is ideal for use with the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route maps.

• The Cue Clip would fit the bill for the ultralight tourer on your list.

Permanent marker(s): A good pen will not go unused on a tour. Sharpie permanent markers are the best for jotting down notes on plastic-coated maps. They come in a wide variety of colors and widths.

Journal or blank book: In spite of the ever-increasing popularity of online journals and blogs, sometimes there is just no substitute for putting pen to paper to capture a roadside thought. A blank book is also a great spot to note recommendations from locals, including a hand drawn map of how to get there.

Memory card: Digital cameras and GPS units are always hungry for more space. These lightweight, compact gems can be invaluable to the long distance bicycle traveler. Just be sure you know the kind your recipient needs for their particular gadget.

These are just a few of the options. What would you like to find in your stocking?

Photo courtesy of *BlueMoon's photostream on Flickr

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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. She also wants to remind you that map corrections and comments are always welcome via the online Map Correction Form.

Trail Issues

A few weeks ago, Adventure Cycling Association was notified that the Clark County Park District had closed their sections of the Little Miami Scenic Trail (pdf) and the Ohio to Erie Trail (pdf) due to a levy failing to pass.

In a November 16, 2010, Columbus Dispatch article, Jerry Rampelt, executive director of the Ohio to Erie Trail states,"It is disastrous news and extremely disappointing that Clark County has made this decision...these closures create a gap in what has become a major transportation thoroughfare."

On November 25, the Dispatch reported that the State had ordered Clark County to keep its section of the Little Miami Trail open because state and federal grants were used in its creation. Clark County says they don't have the money to pay staff, or keep the trails open.

This brings up a much larger question for the U.S. Bicycle Route System.

Trails are often managed by departments of natural resources, state or county park districts, or city parks departments. When the agency pocketbook is squeezed, difficult decisions are often made and the results have much deeper implications than just the cost savings to the agency.

Long trails like Ohio's are a major tourism and recreation draw, bringing money into the county from all over the world. We know this for a fact (read about the economic impact of trails). The Ohio to Erie Trail serves a portion of the Underground Railroad Bicycle Route and the Little Miami is the favored option for USBR 25 (pdf) from Cincinnati to Yellow Springs.

So what happens after a U.S. Bike Route is designated on a trail or road and the local agency can no longer afford to maintain it? Yes, roads are under threat as well. Such is the case in many states where they are turning paved roads into gravel in order to reduce maintenance costs. Then there are the issues that ferries and bridges pose to a well connected bicycle transportation network.

So I ask, how do we ensure that our public agencies have the ability to keep these systems open and running smoothly?

As for the immediate threat to Ohio to Erie Trail, please contact Jerry Rampelt and offer your assistance.

Photo of Xenia Station, the intersection between the Little Miami Scenic Trail and Ohio to Erie Trail, by Ginny Sullivan.

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BUILDING THE U.S. BICYCLE ROUTE SYSTEM (USBRS) is posted 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.

Top Ten Posts of 2010

To celebrate our first full calendar year on our blog, let's take a quick look at the top ten most popular posts!*

10. Ride the Divide, posted March 10, 2010, announced the Vail premiere of the film Ride the Divide -- a film about the world's toughest mountain bike race. It won Best Adventure Film at that festival, and later went on to many more screenings and enjoyed a run on the Documentary Channel. Check out the movie trailer!

9. Touring Bikes Under $1500, posted by Joshua Tack on March 20, 2010, highlighted nine affordable rides that might just do the trick for you on your next tour. (Also be sure to check out the Adventure Cyclist Touring Bike Buyer's Guide.)

8. 7 Secrets to Successfully Packing Your Panniers was posted December 3, 2009, by guest columnist Darren Alff, whose own BicycleTouringPro.com also has tons of great tips for touring cyclists.

7. Bicycling Ban in Blackhawk Update, posted June 15, 2010, updated readers on the then emerging issue. Recently, a municipal judge upheld the ban. Get the latest at Bicycle Colorado.

6. Bike Summit Report #1: Online Bike Maps, posted by our executive director, Jim Sayer, on March 16, 2010, explored some of the online mapping tools for cyclists that were discussed at this year's Washington, DC event.

5. Our Photo Contest Winner, posted February 23, 2010, announced the winner and runners-up for our 1st Annual Bicycle Travel Photo Contest. Marco Meijerink's photo won 1st place and was published in the March issue of Adventure Cyclist. (Learn about this year's contest and submit your best bike touring photos by December 31, 2010: http://www.adventurecycling.org/photocontest/.)

4. Raleigh Sojourn Touring Bike was posted October 24, 2009, by Joshua Tack -- yet another excellent piece from our popular Touring Gear and Tips blogger.

3. Dual Terrain Touring Bikes, posted October 3, 2009 ... another post by Josh summarizing his findings from Interbike 2009.

2. Surly Long Haul Trucker, posted July 18, 2009, by... you guessed it...Josh. This piece has been one of our most popular posts since the launch of the blog (and it looks at one of the most popular touring bicycles available).

1. And, our most popular blog post for our first calendar year of blogging? Ginny Sullivan's U.S. Bicycle Route System 101 post, published February 3, 2010. If you're interested in the U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS) -- this is the place to start. It's truly been a fantastic year for the USBRS with lots of media, cycling organizations, and leaders taking notice and getting involved.

And that's it. Here's to the coming year and more great news, tips, and inspiration!

*Top ten positions were calculated by the total number of pageviews that each blog post received between December 1, 2009 and December 1, 2010. These posts were not necessarily published in 2010, but were the most widely read during this timeframe.

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NEWS, NETWORKING, AND NEW MEDIA is posted by Winona Bateman, Adventure Cycling's media director, and highlights cool media (articles, videos, photos, etc.) and meet-ups related to Adventure Cycling and bicycle travel. Writing a story about bicycle travel or Adventure Cycling Association? You can contact Winona via pressATadventurecyclingDOTorg. Visit our media room, view our news releases, or follow us on Twitter.

Sock Giveaway Winner!

Thanks for all of the inspiring and fun comments on last week's sock giveaway post!  From all of the Facebook and blog comments, we have chosen a winner at random for a week's worth of socks made with COOLMAX® EcoMade fabric.

The lucky winner is Susan Lash:

If you didn't win, but want more info about these socks, visit www.coolmaxecomade.com. Again, thanks for your participation, and be safe in all your winter cycling adventures this year!

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MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS is typically posted on Fridays by Amy Corbin, membership and marketing coordinator. Membership Highlights 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.

Winter Rolling

This time of year finds me hunkering inside underneath my down comforter and adding more to my Netflix queue than my bike mileage, and feeding my cycling urge has involved watching bicycling films.

So, I thought it would be nice to poll the Adventure Cycling Association staff to find out their top bicycle related movie picks. Through this process I was alerted to the Bikes on the Big Screen article that appeared in the March 2010 issue of Adventure Cyclist, also the September 2010 issue of Bicycling, which included an article on nine must see bicycle films. Another excellent resource was the following website: http://www.ionet.net/~tslade/bikefilm.htm.

With all of these already available resources and recommended films, I thought it would be nice to focus on films that are not just about bicycling, but which had memorable bike scenes and/or made interesting use of the bicycle throughout the film. I have listed these fun responses including film title, year, country, as well as the staff member who recommended the film.

The Adventure Cycling Staff List:


I Heart Huckabees, 2004, USA, from Mo
E.T., 1982, USA, from Eliot
Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, 1985, USA, from Derek
American Flyers, 1985, USA, from Rod*
Il Postino : The Postman, 1994, Italian, from Jim
Bicycle Corps: America's Black Army on Wheels, 2000, USA, from Julie
Wizard of Oz, 1939, USA, from Jennifer
The Great Muppet Caper, 1981, UK, from Derek
Over the Edge, 1979, USA, from Paul
The Goonies, 1985, USA, from Mo
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, 1969, USA, from Ted
Lady is the Boss, 1983, China, from Josh
The 40 Year Old Virgin, 2005, USA, from Sheila
Better off Dead..., 1985, USA, from Richard
Transporter 3, 2008, France/UK, from Josh
BMX Bandits, 1983, AUS, from Ted
Project A, 1983, China, from Paul

Have fun cozing up, and being transported to dreamier lands and getting your bicycle fix in creative ways. Also, discover some new methods of satisfying your cycling cravings during the winter months on the Adventure Cycling Facebook Page.

* Note: Adventure Cycling's very own tours director, Rod Kramer, was part of the film crew that set-up all the race start and finishes for the film, American Flyers.

Thanks to all the staff who entertained me with their film picks and for pointing me toward some great resources!

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ON THE ROAD is written by Mo Mislivets, tours specialist and intrepid cyclocross maven, covering all things related to Adventure Cycling's tours department. Check out our 2011 guided tours today.

Put Mini-Music on Your Christmas List!

Musicians — professional, amateur, and wannabe — take note: there are plenty of instruments small and light enough to pack along when setting out on a bicycle adventure.

If the six-string axe is your weapon of choice, as it is for so many, for $200 you can pick up an authentic C.F. Martin backpacker guitar, either steel string or nylon string. “Built to withstand the rigors of camping, hiking, and off-road traveling,” says the product description. “Weighs less than 2-1/2 lbs.”

Alternatively, if you’re not interested in downsizing, a classic Hohner harmonica could be your ticket to nightly entertainment. There’s nothing quite like sitting around a roaring campfire and blowing a few notes of Red River Valley to liberate your inner Hopalong Cassidy or Annie Oakley.

Hohner also produces easily packable recorders, as well as a line of accordions, certain models of which are probably small and light enough to take along on a cycling adventure. Then there’s the melodica, described by the German company as “a fascinating wind instrument, easy to learn and powerfully expressive. Played like a piano, it is so compact that you can take it with you anywhere.”

If you play something larger — say the stand-up bass or the tuba — you might take a cue from Kristin Rule, an Australian musician we've reported on before. She tours by bicycle while toting her cello, mixing desk, portable stage, and more.

What’s your instrument, and your experience taking it on tour ... and entertaining (or annoying) your fellow campers?

Gibson Hummingbird guitar photo by Michael 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. Mac also compiles the organization's twice-monthly e-newsletter Bike Bits, which goes free-of-charge to some 40,000 readers worldwide.