Still growing from the first group of Bikecentennial pioneers who pedaled cross-country in 1976, the Adventure Cycling Association is offering 36 self-contained or supported bike tours and events in 2008.
It's the most comprehensive bicycle touring lineup ever for Adventure Cycling. The Missoula, Montana-based nonprofit also sells maps and provides other bicycle routing and travelling information, such as the Cyclists' Yellow Pages.
For cyclists who are chomping at the bit in the spring, bike tours start earlier than ever next year. It all starts with a California “Winter Warmer” in the San Diego area running from Feb. 16-22, followed by similar rides in Arizona in March and Virginia and Texas in April. A cross-country bike tour across the Souther Tier begins in late March.
Supported cross-country
Also new in 2008 is a van-supported 76-day bike tour on the TransAmerican Bicycle Trail. There are also self-contained cross-country bike tours across the TransAm route, as well as the Northern Tier and Southern Tier routes.
Another first-ever ride is the self-contained Great Western Loop, which covers 4,000 miles in 11 weeks. The loop begins and ends in Frisco, Colorado, and visits portions of the TransAmerica route, Lewis & Clark trail, Pacific Coast Route, and the Western Express Route. Among the parks it visits are the Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Bryce, Mesa Verde and Gunnison national parks. It also skirts along the Pacific Coast and takes in California's wine country.
Among the repeat rides in 2008, Adventure Cycling is offering its Great Divide Expedition, an 82-day tour that follows dirt roads from Banff, Alberta, to the Mexican border. The Great Divide route, developed in the 1990s, is considered the world's longer mountain bike route at 2,700 miles.
The bike tours
Seven educational rides are also available for bicyclists wanting to learn more about touring or how to lead tours.
The self-contained rides:
TransAm
Northern Tier
Southern Tier
Great Western Loop
Great Divide
Northstar
Underground Railroad
North Rim
Grand Canyon
Golden Circle, Alaska
Denali Adventure, Alaska
Pacific Coast
Land of Enchantment, New Mexico
Great Divide-Canada
Great Lakes
The supported rides:
TransAm
Black Hills
C&O Canal/GAP
Cycle Montana
Cycle the Divide-Colorado
Cycle Utah
Cycle Washington
Cycle the Gorge
Great Parks South
Southern Arizona Road
Texas Hill Country
Base Camp Fruita
Canyon Country
Vintage Virginia
Underground Railroad Celebration
California Winter Warmer
Farm Fresh
Family Fun-Idaho
Idaho Relaxed
Sierra Sampler-California
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