MISSOULA, Mont. – Adventure Cycling Association is broadening its offerings and making them more accessible to all, releasing 12 new Short Routes from major metro areas across the United States. Known for its epic long-distance routes like the TransAmerica Trail and Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, the organization produced its Short Routes for those new to bike travel or those with less time. And the Short Routes are available for free in digital formats that can be loaded onto smartphones and GPS devices, or printed as paper maps and cue sheets.
“Since the release of the TransAmerica Trail in 1976, we’ve mapped more than 50,000 miles of bike routes across the U.S. and into Canada – but recognizing that they aren’t for everyone, we’ve produced these new Short Routes,” said Nathan Taylor, Cartographer for Adventure Cycling. “While many of our epic routes can take weeks to ride in full, Short Routes are two- to five-day itineraries from cities like Los Angeles, Seattle, Minneapolis, Austin, Atlanta and Philadelphia. There are loops that start and end at the same point, out-and-back options and routes that can be combined with public transit like ferries, trains and buses. They’re a fun, accessible way to get out and explore at the pace of a pedal stroke. And, best of all, they’re free.”
The new Short Routes for bike touring and bikepacking include:
Los Angeles: Carpinteria to Refugio (37.28 miles)
Los Angeles: LA to Catalina Island (42.66 miles)
Los Angeles: Santa Monica Overnight (34.94 miles)
Seattle: Seattle to Fort Flagler (58.73 miles)
Seattle: Seattle to Kanasket-Palmer (77.89 miles)
Seattle: Seattle to Lopez Island (121.62 miles)
Minneapolis: Willow River Overnight (39.39 miles)
Austin: Central Texas Parks Loop (120.02 miles)
Atlanta: Panola Outing (19.47 miles)
Washington, DC: C&O and W&OD Loop (84.75 miles)
Philadelphia: Schuylkill and Wissahickon Trails (62.6 miles)
Boston: Cape Cod Weekend (140.66 miles)
Short Routes are available for free in digital formats from the Adventure Cycling website. They’re compatible with the RideWithGPS app for iPhone and Android, and can be exported for use in other apps and GPS devices. Maps and cue sheets can also be saved as PDF files or printed on paper.
As with all Adventure Cycling routes, Short Routes are more than lines on a map and turn-by-turn directions. Waypoints along each route include information on accommodations, grocery stores and restaurants, water sources, scenic stops and recreation sites, bike shops, public transit, and more.
And each route was produced with help from local cyclists familiar with the areas where they are located.
“The new Short Routes were developed in a slightly different way than our long-distance routes are – each was community submitted, and we worked in partnership with BIPOC, LGBTQ, women, and intersex bicyclists to gain a new perspective on these areas,” said Katie Harris, Adventure Cycling’s Director of Community Impact. “We are grateful to them for sharing, so that others can experience the joy of bike travel.”
Adventure Cycling Association inspires, empowers, and connects people to travel by bike. It is the largest cycling membership organization in North America with more than 50,000 members. Adventure Cycling has produced over 50,000 miles of meticulously mapped bicycle routes for North America, organizes more than 100 tours annually, and publishes bike travel information including Adventure Cyclist magazine. Adventure Cycling Association has also provided dedicated staff support to the U.S. Bicycle Route System since 2005, including research support, meeting coordination and technical guidance for states developing routes.
SEATTLE – REI Co-op is revising plans for the future of its experiences business with a goal of getting 3 million people outdoors each year through its experiences programs, which will focus exclusively on U.S. domestic adventures.
The co-op is investing in an expanded network of experiences close to iconic U.S. outdoor destinations, building on its expertise of small group active travel and local programming currently offered across the nation. REI expects to launch at least 12 new experience centers in the next two years where customers can tap into REI’s guided tours, gear rental and instruction. As part of the announcement, the co-op will discontinue its international adventure travel trips effective May 2021 in order to invest in its domestic travel growth strategy and expand offerings in hiking and camping, backpacking, cycling, women’s only, under-35, family and weekend adventures.
With more than 100 itineraries across the United States, REI adventure travel offers one of the broadest activity assortments of any U.S.-based tour operator. Sales of REI domestic adventure trips have gotten off to a fast start in 2021. As of March, domestic trips were up by 28 percent compared to 2019, making it one the strongest years in adventure travel sales.
“REI is a leader at getting people outside. We’re the only national organization with a wide range of experiences that provide life-changing outdoor moments, whatever someone’s skill level may be,” said Curtis Kopf, who was recently named REI’s chief experience officer. “The co-op’s bold investment in our U.S. experiences will help us welcome more people into the outdoors by making nature more accessible and attainable for everyone.”
A leader with REI since 2018, Kopf’s new role is an evolution of his previous oversight over REI’s experiences and digital divisions. As chief experience officer, he will oversee REI’s acceleration of efforts to design and build differentiated customer experiences that are interconnected across the company in physical locations, digital platforms and hosted experiences.
In recent years, REI annually has helped over 310,000 individuals across the country progress their outdoor interests and explore iconic outdoor destinations like national parks. Beyond multiday adventures, REI also offers fun and educational local experiences in major markets across the country through beginner-to advanced-level classes and guided day tours for hiking, cycling, paddling, climbing and more. REI is a top provider of how to ride a bike classes and wilderness training through its long partnership with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). The co-op also operates a destination adventure center based in Scottsdale, Arizona with gear rentals, day tours and education for residents and tourists visiting the region.
As REI focuses exclusively on U.S. domestic adventure travel and experiences, the co-op will provide full refunds to any guest who was booked on an international adventure. The co-op’s final international trip will depart in early May. All camping and hiking gear provided by REI to its international vendor network will remain in country for the continued use by individual operators.
REI Co-op
REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. One of the nation’s largest consumer co-ops, REI is a growing community of more than 19 million members. REI has 168 locations in 39 states and the District of Columbia. If you can’t visit a store, you can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the REI shopping app. REI isn’t just about gear. Adventurers can take the trip of a lifetime with REI’s active adventure travel company that runs more than 100 itineraries across the country. In many communities where REI has a presence, professionally trained instructors share their expertise by hosting beginner-to advanced-level classes and workshops about a wide range of activities. To build on the infrastructure that makes life outside possible, REI invests millions annually in hundreds of local and national nonprofits that create access to—and steward—the outdoor places that inspire us all.
Of the four itineraries, only Cape Cod and the Islands still has availability. Spend a week cycling along the beautiful Atlantic Ocean shoreline, viewing seaports, glacially formed kettle ponds, and lighthouses of southeastern Massachusetts, visiting historic sites from the days of colonial America, and exploring quaint shops on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard. Attractions of special interest include Cape Cod National Seashore; a full-scale reproduction of the Mayflower; the preserved village of New Bedford, once the whaling capital of the world; and the Chatham Marconi Maritime Center. Every day on this tour is spent within 15 miles of the Atlantic, and each night close to a large body of freshwater or saltwater.
This level 1 tour is suitable for all riders and is a great choice for anyone looking to learn the basics of self-contained touring, or for an experienced bicycle traveler looking for a week of relaxed cycling. The riding is relaxed, services are plentiful, and the campgrounds are outstanding. (Sept 11-18, 2021 8 days, $1349, https://www.adventurecycling.org/guided-tours/self-contained-tours/cape-cod-the-islands/)
The other tours have waiting lists:
Puerto Rico, Inn to Inn: The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is characterized by a mist-shrouded interior mountain range, long stretches of sand beaches, and numerous forest reserves, including El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. National Forest System. The route we’ll follow focuses on coastal towns and the regions encircling the central highlands with side excursions to interior sites and small neighboring islands. This tropical adventure begins and ends in San Juan, the capital city of Puerto Rico, founded in 1521 by the Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León. Travel back 500 years to Spanish colonial times by strolling down cobblestone streets, admiring ancient architecture and visiting museums, fortresses, and churches. The tour circumnavigates the island on a 339-mile journey visiting beaches, snorkeling, enjoying local cuisine, and appreciating the beauty of this tropical paradise. (Dec 5-16, 12 days, $3599, https://www.adventurecycling.org/guided-tours/inn-to-inn-tours/puerto-rico-inn-to-inn/)
Washington’s San Juan Islands, Inn to Inn: This weeklong inn-to-inn tour weaves along the glorious northwestern coastline of Washington’s Puget Sound and through its famous San Juan Islands, offering an irresistible combination of manageable daily mileages and world-class scenery. The tour spends days leisurely pedaling the waterfront, spinning inland through fertile farmlands and scenic villages full of interesting shops and top-notch seafood restaurants. On several days, cycling is broken up by ferry rides, with a chance to spot orca whales, seals, and bald eagles. (Level 3, 8 days, Sept 4-11, $2699, https://www.adventurecycling.org/guided-tours/inn-to-inn-tours/wa-san-juan-islands-inn-to-inn/
Hawaii-3 Island Inn to Inn features Maui, Molokai, and Lanai, three of Hawaii’s most beautiful islands. On Maui, ride along stunning coastal roads and make an epic climb from sea level to the top of the Haleakala volcano at 10,000 feet — one of the world’s longest paved climbs! A small plane takes cyclists and bikes on the short 15-minute flight to Molokai for three days of cycling on quiet roads with views of gorgeous valleys and the world’s tallest sea cliffs. A ferry takes the group out on the ocean, past migrating humpback whales to Lanai for a day of exploration by bike or shuttle van, or with snorkel and fins, before returning to Maui. The inn-to-inn format means restaurant meals, overnight accommodations at hotels and inns and riding lightly loaded bikes while experiencing a tropical paradise. (Level 4, 11 days, $4,999, Dec 3-13, https://www.adventurecycling.org/guided-tours/inn-to-inn-tours/hawaii-3-island-inn-to-inn/)
Adventure Cycling Association, with 52,000 members and 50,000 miles of mapped routes, has great articles on trip planning at its site (www.adventurecycling.org, 800-755-2453).
Ride & Seek is bringing its epic, historically-themed cycling adventures to North America with a new 28-day, 1,377-mile cycling tour from Maine to North Carolina. Split over two distinct stages, the route takes riders through 12 US states from Bethel, Maine to Cherokee, North Carolina, with the Appalachian Trail providing the thematic backdrop.
(Provence, France) — Ride & Seek is bringing its epic, historically-themed cycling adventures to North America with a new 28-day, 1,377-mile cycling tour from Maine to North Carolina. Split over two distinct stages, the route takes riders through 12 US states from Bethel, Maine to Cherokee, North Carolina, with the Appalachian Trail providing the thematic backdrop.
Starting with the rural and rustic splendor of Maine, cyclists will search out the road less travelled, exploring the states of New England and skirting around New York City before completing the first stage in the historic town of Gettysburg, PA. The scenery of the ride is enhanced by numerous National Parks and the second stage includes two of the best bike routes in the USA – Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Slated for May 30 – June 26, 2021, prices range from $5,590 to $11,200 USD per person double. The tour is a collaboration with Cycle of Life Adventures.
“This Appalachian tour is the combination of some of the finest cycling in the USA with a historical and gastronomical focus that provides for a wonderfully immersive travel experience,” said Ride & Seek Founder Dylan Reynolds
Tour Highlights:
Ride through 12 States alongside the Appalachian Trail
Cycle the longest linear park in the US on the extraordinary Blue Ridge Parkway
Explore the wilderness of northern Maine
Visit the illustrious Norman Rockwell and Robert Frost museums
Roll through the orchards of western Pennsylvania & Maryland
Cross the mighty Hudson River
Explore the historic Civil War towns of Gettysburg and Harpers Ferry
Discover the great Skyline Drive ridge ride in the Shenandoah National Park
Delight in the quiet roads and rustic scenery of New Hampshire and Vermont
“Reading through Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, the pertinence of his words is particularly apt at this time,” said Reynolds “As with all our tours, we embrace the history of the places we travel to give us a better sense of today. Our interactive cycling tour through the battlefields of Gettysburg is just one way in which we give you a chance to embrace the history along the route we ride.”
Ride & Seek is a worldwide adventure cycling company offering unique historical itineraries with quality lodging, fine gastronomy, and cultural immersion. The tours are designed so cyclists not only see and ride some of the greatest roads in Europe but also visit some of the most spectacular sites as well. Providing a cultural insight into the areas visited both historically and gastronomically is central to the company’s mission. Historical journeys and cultural adventures are specialties. https://rideandseek.com
World Bicycle Day, June 3, takes on new meaning this year as people across the globe look to bicycling as a socially distant transportation and recreation option. Bike New York is joining with organizations and individuals around the world in celebration of World Bicycle Day by announcing the official launch of an online resource made to help cyclists of all ages and skill levels empower themselves to ride at home. (c) Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
World Bicycle Day takes on new meaning this year as people across the globe look to bicycling as a socially distant transportation and recreation option.
Bike New York is joining with organizations and individuals around the world June 3 in celebration of World Bicycle Day by announcing the official launch of an online resource made to help cyclists of all ages and skill levels empower themselves to ride at home.
The new Virtual Bike Education Resource Hub is a comprehensive database of free- and low-cost materials designed for parents and educators to inform and inspire kids through the power of bicycles; for adult cyclists, Bike New York has initiated a series of easy-to-follow how-to videos, virtual classes, and riding tips adapted from their popular in-person class curriculum. Bike New York encourages their fellow New Yorkers and cyclists everywhere to use the Resource Hub to promote safe, informed, and socially distant rides to work (for essential workers), to the corner bodega, down the block, or just for fun around the nearest park or trail.
Established as a global annual event in 2018, this year’s World Bicycle Day comes during the COVID-19 pandemic and an unprecedented surge in bicycling. “Today, we celebrate biking–an activity that has provided a sustainable means of affordable transportation, recreation, and commerce for two centuries; now, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, biking is still the most effective and affordable means of travel to, from, and through our communities,” said Ken Podziba, President and CEO of Bike New York. “The bicycle is a simple, equitable, reliable, clean, wellness-focused, and environmentally responsible means of transportation that facilitates ready access to work, education, healthcare, and recreation activities. As we look beyond this pandemic, it is clear that the bicycle is an integral part of the recovery process from COVID-19’s global economic impact, especially for our most vulnerable communities.”
For Bike New York, the emerging role of bicycles as a critical component of the infrastructure of recovery means getting as many people as possible comfortable and confident riding–starting with our littlest cyclists. Bike New York’s new online resource hub is specifically curated for to provide parents and educators with a suite of digital bike learning resources–including reading lists, videos, movies, documentaries, activities, and curricula–to keep students from pre-K through high school engaged with the history, community, fitness, and fun of cycling. As a virtual companion to Bike New York’s in-person education programming throughout the five boroughs, the organization is continuing to build a digital curriculum of instructional videos and informative online materials for adults and children, aiming for this resource hub to promote easy online learning year-round. “Our goal with this bike education resource hub is to support your ride on World Bicycle Day and beyond,” said Podziba, who also serves as the chairman of the League of American Bicyclists. “We encourage cyclists of all ages to ride safely and remember that they’re riding in tandem with thousands of others around the world. We’re riding for a movement, so that World Bicycle Day will be celebrated in the next century!”
VOICES FROM THE GLOBAL CYCLING COMMUNITY
World Bicycle Day was established in 2018 by the United Nations General Assembly in recognition of the bicycle’s longevity and its status as one of the most environmentally friendly modes of transportation. The resolution encourages member states, civic organizations, and the private sector to improve road safety with the development of active transportation infrastructure, policy, and design with a focus on broader public health outcomes. In addition, the resolution notes the bicycle’s role as a means to foster sustainable development and strengthen education.
“Biking was always going to be a big part of New York City’s future, and that is more true than ever during and after this pandemic,” said New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson. “We are experiencing a bike boom, and those of us in government are working to provide the safe and open streets children deserve to learn how to bike safely. I just bought a bike myself and I hope to see more and more New Yorkers out there on two wheels with me in the days, weeks, months, and years to come. I thank Bike New York for their advocacy and all the work they do to help people bike safely.”
“Creating a culture of safe biking in New York City is a critical way we can improve access to affordable mobility and zero emissions mobility,” said Mark Chambers, Director of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Sustainability.“Bike New York’s effort today helps expand biking across the five boroughs and in turn, helps our city do the hard work of crafting a shared and just future for our residents and our planet.”
“Manhattan joins Bike New York in celebrating World Bicycle Day and the launch of their online resource hub, an important resource at a time when more and more New Yorkers, including myself, are using cycling as a form of transportation and recreation,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. “This online resource hub will serve the next generation of the bicycle community as we prepare to safely re-open our borough and our city for work and play.”
“One small bright spot during this enormously difficult time for our city has been the increasing number of people turning to biking as a commuting option. As a cyclist myself, this trend must continue after the COVID-19 pandemic passes. I have been proud to support safe biking infrastructure throughout the borough, and Bike New York has been an indispensable partner in the efforts to make our streets more bike-friendly. I wish a happy World Bicycle Day to all Brooklynites and New Yorkers who get around on two wheels!” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.
“As an avid bike rider and proponent of events such as the Tour de Bronx– the largest free cycling event in the country–I applaud the launch of Bike New York’s new online resource hub that will educate students and their parents about this great mode of transportation for Bronx residents,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “Alternative transportation has been an essential focus during my tenure, and bicycling is emerging as a great way to get around the city, as we rethink how we do things and adjust to our new realities.”
“My bet for the future is on the bicycle and an ever-increasing global cycling literacy. Take a ride with me (us) and celebrate World Bicycle Day not only on June 3, but every day thereafter,” said Leszek Sibilski, founder, World Bicycle Day.
“The bicycle is the best vehicle ever invented,” said Bill Nesper, Executive Director of the League of the American Bicyclists. “The bicycle remains a symbol of freedom, transforms lives and communities, and is a solution to personal and environmental health. We celebrate World Bicycling Day today by calling on decision makers everywhere to make biking safe, comfortable, and accessible to all.”
“As the world resets into a ‘new now’ post COVID-19, we at the Cape Town Cycle Tour believe that the bicycle offers the world a sustainable, healthy, and naturally socially distant transport solution,” said David Bellairs, Event Director of the Cape Town Cycle Tour. “We applaud Bike New York’s new online resource hub and join with them as we seek ways to promote bicycling as a global platform for change and mobility. Let us change the world for the better one pedal stroke at a time!”
“The bicycle will become more and more important for our future, after this difficult period, both for urban mobility and for fun,” says Matteo Gerevini, General Manager of Formula Bici, the Association that brings together the most important amateur cycling events in Italy. “The bicycle is the future for all the big cities in the world and also an important tool for the promotion of regional tourism–as evidenced by all the events affiliated to Formula Bici, which are organized in various locations, from large cities to high mountains, from sea to small villages, and the best possible way to visit them is by bicycle!”
“Bicycles have been an incredible lifeline in cities all over the world throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating the incredible potential of bikes as a resiliency tool for transportation, empowerment and active recreation,” said Dan Suraci, Principal of Urban Cycling Solutions. “We have an opportunity to crystalize these results and catalyze higher public health, economic and environmental outcomes by encouraging more people-centric transportation infrastructure such as open streets and a more robust network of protected bike lanes.”
Bike New York is also collecting stories, poetry, photography, and art submissions for a new editorial series celebrating the role of bicycling in city life and illustrating the myriad ways that bikes may have intersected or shaped people’s experiences of New York City. Original works may be submitted via this link:
E-bikes now put bike tours of the Green Mountains of Vermont within reach (c) Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarnandnear.com
Always popular cycling tours have gotten an extra charge in recent years with the addition of electric bikes, allowing guests to ride hills with ease or get a boost to keep up with others. E-bikes are now available as an option on tours around the globe, from the Green Mountains of Vermont to the Tuscan countryside and Taiwan’s coastline. They’re even making their way off road and onto trails on e-mountain bike tours among the dunes of Namibia and the Alps in Switzerland. E-bikes mean there are no excuses for not taking a tour because you are afraid you can’t do the hills, the knees aren’t what they used to be.
Here are seven bike tours where you can find an electric ride:
E-MTB Safari in Namibia: Pedal across vast plains and seas of sand dunes, along dry streambeds and rocky jeep tracks, and past shipwrecks and surf on the Skeleton Coast on H+I Adventures’ new E-MTB Safari in Namibia. From the saddle of an e-mountain bike, watch for elephants, giraffes, zebras and oryx, and connecting with local communities along the way.
Natchez Trace Path: Biking the Natchez Trace is a cyclist’s dream come true, and why Cycle of Life Adventures offers it four times a year. The ancient path through Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi began as a wildlife and Native American trail, and has a rich history of use by explorers, trappers and traders, post men and Civil War soldiers. An e-bike will ease the few days where the mileage may seem overwhelming.
Tuscan Countryside: On Tourissimo’s cycling tour of Tuscany, Italy, visit some of the region’s most iconic destinations, from Cortona, the delightful hill town made famous by Frances Mayes in her bestselling novel “Under the Tuscan Sun,” to the abbeys, thermal springs and wineries in the countryside outside Pienza. Upgrade to an e-bike capable of covering 70 miles on a charge to go the distance.
Alps by E-MTB: Climb mountain passes and descend to lush valleys on H+I Adventures new E-MTB Tour of Switzerland. Riders will put the country’s seamless transport system to use accessing backcountry singletrack and perfectly built flow trails as they traverse the beautiful Graubünden region by e-mountain bike. Refuel with mid-ride rösti, then unwind with a glass of wine and dinner made with local flavors.
Mediterranean Islands Ride: E-bikes are a great option on Ride & Seek Bicycle Adventures epic cycling tour across Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily. Split into three week-long stages, the tour explores the Mediterranean islands’ history, food, architecture and traditions, as well as their strikingly rugged interiors, white beaches and emerald waters.
Vermont Covered Bridges: Ride through more than a dozen covered bridges on a tour of Vermont with Cycle of Life Adventures. This iconic ride passes through Montpelier, Stowe, Middlebury and Woodstock, climbing from river valleys over the Green Mountains. The optional e-bike rental will help flatten out the roads.
E-Bike Taiwan: On Grasshopper Adventures’ Bike Taiwan tour, guests cycle the length of the country from the northern capital, Taipei, to the southern tip. Along the way, they take in the beauty of east Taiwan’s rugged Pacific coast, exotic hot springs and valleys like the stunning Taroko Gorge. Grasshopper is the first tour operator to offer e-bikes to cyclists in Southeast Asia.
Discover Sri Lanka over nine days, cycling 285 km from the capital, Colombo, through the lush highlands and rainforests down to the southern coast on Grasshopper Adventures new bike tour.
(Bangkok, Thailand) — Discover Sri Lanka over nine days, cycling 285 km from the capital, Colombo, through the lush highlands and rainforests down to the southern coast on Grasshopper Adventures new bike tour. Along the way, enjoy some of South Asia’s best biking, hike through national parks, take a jeep safari to see leopards, monkeys and elephants, relax in luxurious hotels, and indulge in mouthwatering Sri Lankan cuisine. Departures are available in January, February and March of 2020 starting at $2,850 per person double. Pedal-assist e-bikes are an available for an additional $385. For more information, visit https://www.grasshopperadventures.com/multi-day-cycling-tours/sri-lanka-by-bike-tour/
“Sri Lanka is a small island with a big heart known for its highland tea plantations that we will spend days riding through,” said Adam Platt-Hepworth, Grasshopper Adventures CEO. “We will also explore the city of Kandy with its sacred Buddha Tooth Relic, tour Yala National Park where we’ll see elephants, monkeys and leopards, and spend some time on the southern coast.
Tour Highlights:
Visiting The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum
Taking a Sri Lankan cooking class
Cycling through tea plantations
Sampling local delicacies like fresh dates and dried corn crackers
Touring Yala National Park by Jeep and seeing elephants, monkeys and
leopards
Trekking to World’s End Lookout
Hiking UNESCO World Heritage Sinharaja Rainforest
Descending by bike from the beautiful tea country hills to the southern
coast
“This is the perfect tour to see the best of Sri Lanka in just
over a week,” said Platt-Hepworth. “You’ll get a taste of the
highlights and hidden treasures and be blown away by the diversity this small
island nation boasts.”
Grasshopper Adventures is a cycling and active travel specialist, headquartered
in Bangkok. They host more than 25,000 travelers of all ages and abilities on
tours in Japan, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, China,
Uzbekistan, Taiwan, Bhutan and Myanmar. https://www.grasshopperadventures.com
(Bangkok, Thailand) — On this new cycling tour of Taiwan, Grasshopper Adventures guests will bike the length of the country, from the northern capital, Taipei, to the southern tip. Bikers will ride past emerald-colored rice paddies and Taoist temples dedicated to the sea-god Matsu. Along the way, they’ll take in the sheer beauty of Eastern Taiwan’s rugged Pacific Coast, with pristine beaches, exotic hot springs, and gorgeous valleys, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Taroko Gorge. The 9 Day/8 Night tour starts at $3,150 and covers 355-435 km. The terrain varies from gently undulating to steep ascents and descents over the coastal mountain range. Pedal assist E-bikes are available for $495 surcharge. For more information, visit https://www.grasshopperadventures.com/multi-day-cycling-tours/bike-taiwan-tour/.
“This classic cycling route takes us from Taroko Gorge down
along the coast and into the lush East Rift Valley before we re-emerge on the
rugged Pacific East Coast,” said Adam Platt-Hepworth, CEO of Grasshopper
Adventures. “Along the way, we’ll hike to the beautiful Shakadang Stream,
cycle narrow paths through banana palms to the coast for a beach-side rest
stop, and pedal into the little-visited East Rift Valley full of vibrant rice
paddies and small communities.”
Offering unparalleled scenery and challenging terrain,
Taiwan draws more and more visitors from across the globe each year. Riders
will visit the striking Saoba Monuments and hike along the Walami Trail to spot
wildlife. They’ll take a rest day to enjoy the beach of Dulan before the final
leg of the ride along the dramatic coastal cliffs and then inland across the
mountains to Kenting in the tropical south.
“Whether marveling at the sheer power of the Pacific Ocean, soaking
away the stresses of life in one of the island’s numerous hot springs, or
slurping down a hearty bowl of delicious noodles, Taiwan assaults the senses
and leaves guests hungry for more,” said Platt-Hepworth.
Tour Highlights:
Cycling through the dramatic Taroko Gorge on part of the
famous King of the Mountain route
Viewing monkeys, deer, eagles and Formosan black bears on a
hike into the Central Mountain Range on the Walami Trail
Pedaling through the lush East Rift Valley into the jungle
then past gorgeous beaches to Dulan
Soaking up the sun and swimming in the bright blue waters of
the Pacific Ocean
Grasshopper
Adventures is a cycling and active travel specialist, headquartered in
Bangkok, Thailand. They host more than 25,000 travelers of all ages and
abilities, on tours ranging from one day to two weeks in Japan, Sri Lanka,
Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, China, Uzbekistan, Taiwan, Bhutan
& Myanmar. https://www.grasshopperadventures.com
One of the best bike tours on the planet is in our own backyard: the annual Parks & Trails NY Cycle the Erie Canal ride, eight-days, 400-miles and 400 years of history, from Buffalo to Albany, a fully supported biking and camping trip (you can even hire Comfy Campers to set up your tent).
The
ride raises money and awareness for advocacy for new trail development and this
year’s ride will highlight new trails that take the riders off the roadway – this
year, cyclists will ride a new stretch west of Lockport in the town of
Pendleton and a gorgeous new trail between Amsterdam and Pattersonville (so you
no longer bike on the highway). Some 550
riders are expected this year, its 21st
annual Cycle the Erie ride, taking place , July 7-14; Parks & Trails NY is
still accepting registrations ($925/adult, 6-17 $545, 5-and under $280,
ptny.org)
The
organization’s key focus now is to build upon the state’s plan for 750-miles of
off-road recreational trails – the 360-mile long Erie Canalway, plus Empire
State Trail, north-south mixed-use, off-road trail system that will fully
connect New York City to Canada.
The
plans are already in place for the Empire State Trail to be completed by the
end of 2020. In 2019, PTNY launched Trails Across New York Campaign, to build
off the momentum of the Empire State Trail’s planned completion in 2020 and
support ways to turn the statewide trail system into a true network, connecting
local trails with the main spine of the Empire State Trail, including Long
Island, “and cementing New York’s position as the nation’s leader in multi-use
trails.”
Legislation
is currently pending in the NYS Assembly (A. 5035B) (S.4416B has already passed
the NYS Senate) would create a statewide multi-use trails plan. This important
bill would direct the state to come up with a blueprint for future trails
development, helping to turn our local trails across the state into a unified network
of trails with major spines and connecting routes, ensuring all parts of the
state have access to quality outdoor active recreation on trails.
The
Senate version has already passed; the Assembly version is in Ways & Means,
which directs the State Parks department to strategize and prioritize filling
in the trail gaps. Though it was considered possible for the Assembly to pass
its version by the June 19th close of session, if it languishes to
the next session, progress will not be lost. Parks & Trails was urging
people to contact their state legislator to ask them to cosponsor the
legislation and to make sure that the legislation is brought up for a vote
before the legislature adjourns for the year.
“Trails
Across New York envisions a future in which all New Yorkers will be located
only minutes from a trail and ideally will be able to access that trail easily
and safely by walking or bicycling. Throughout the state, trails, bicycle
boulevards, and Complete Streets will be acknowledged as essential and
mainstream elements of community infrastructure, much as utility lines and
sidewalks are thought of today.”
PTNY notes that New York State’s trail-rich and
trail-friendly reputation will attract visitors from across the nation and
abroad to experience the historic communities and varied and beautiful
landscapes accessible through the state’s trail network.
Trails
offer a wide range of benefits, including stimulating local economies, PTNY
notes. The Erie Canalway Trail alone has an estimated annual impact of more
than $250 million, and has created close to 3,500 jobs. New York’s outdoor
recreation economy annually generates $41.8 billion in consumer spending and
supports 313,000 jobs.
See
Cycle the Erie series on goingplacesfarandnear.com:
North American Epic Monument Valley. TDA Global Cycling’s North American Epic tour in 2019 covers 8,750 miles in 5 1/2 months; shorter segments are available (Courtesy TDA Global Cycling )
TORONTO – Pedal from Canada’s Arctic Coast over the Rocky Mountains and across the Southwest U.S., down the Baja California Peninsula and deep into Mexico, then through six Central American countries to the Panama Canal on a new route for TDA Global Cycling’s North American Epic tour in 2019. Covering 8,750 miles in 5 1/2 months, the North American Epic truly is TDA’s most epic bicycle expedition. The full tour begins July 4 and ends Dec. 15, 2019, starting at $24,900 per person based on double occupancy, with shorter sections available from $1,900 for nine days.
Starting from Tuktoyaktuk on Canada’s Arctic Coast, riders will depart along the first all-season road out of the community, traveling through tundra and historic gold rush towns, down the Alaska Highway and over the famed Icefields Parkway. Across the U.S. border, they’ll climb the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park, then continue past Yellowstone to the red rock arches, canyonlands, buttes and mesas of the desert Southwest. After entering Mexico, riders will find sunny seaside towns in Baja California, ferry across the Sea of Cortez and turn inland, then pass highlands and heritage sites from Mexico City to Oaxaca and Chiapas. Finally, riders will take in views of volcanoes and Pacific surf through six Central American countries, before crossing the Panama Canal as they arrive in cosmopolitan Panama City.
Along the way, the North American Epic will also present riders a variety of cultures to experience, from Inuit communities in the Arctic to indigenous hospitality in Chiapas, and the possibility of wildlife to watch, from moose, bison and bears in the Rockies to crocodiles and snakes in the Costa Rican rainforest.
TDA Global Cycling was established in 2002 after company Founder and Director Henry Gold managed a nongovernmental organization in Africa in the 1980s. Gold envisioned providing inexpensive, rugged mountain bikes as a solution to local transportation needs, funding them through a cycling race. In 2003, the first four-month Tour d’Afrique set a Guinness World Record for the fastest human-powered crossing of Africa. At the same time, the TDA Foundation was set up to give back to communities and raise awareness of bicycles as a means of transportation. TDA Global Cycling now offers 16 long-distance cycling expeditions in over 80 countries on six continents, and it has donated more than 2,300 bicycles in Africa and India through the TDA Foundation and local partners. TDA’s tours are staff- and vehicle-supported, and participants cover 60-70 miles a day. Tours range in length from 10 days to multi-month transcontinental expeditions. In 2015, TDA Global Cycling was chosen best adventure travel company in the world by the Independent Travel Awards.
