Category: Bike travel

Around-the-world bamboo cyclist struck by car in Illinois – updated

A Japanese bicyclist traveling around the world to draw attention to his home country's neglected bamboo forests is recovering from a mild concussion after he was struck by a car.

Takashi Matsumoto was riding his fully loaded bamboo bicycle near Goreville, Illinois, Friday morning when he was struck from behind by a motorist driving an SUV.

Matsumoto, 33, was knocked into a ditch and suffered a concussion. He was rushed to Carbondale Memorial Hospital by ambulance.

Calling himself the Bamboo Samauri ….

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2010/10/30/around-the-world-bamboo-cyclist-struck-by-car-in-illinois-updated/

Take Tennessee's long-distance cycling survey

Ever take a bicycle tour in Tennessee? Ever think about bicycle travel there?

If so, then the Tennessee Department of Transportation would like your input on a survey about long distance bicycle touring in the state.

The Volunteer State is updating its State Bike Route System and wants to know what people are looking for when they travel by bicycle there. …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2010/10/28/take-tennessees-long-distance-cycling-survey/

27 states making progress on U.S. Bicycle Route System

Two years ago this month, state and federal transportation officials endorsed a plan to create a 50,000-mile nationwide system of connected bicycles routes.

Today, 27 states and the District of Columbia are working toward implementing numbered bicycle routes that will connect to routes in other states.

Ideally, traveling cyclists will be able to ride from one city to another on the US Bicycle Route System by following a uniformly posted route system that crosses state lines.

Although not all states appear to be on board with the project, enough are involved to create tangible results with some interstate bicycle routes

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2010/10/15/27-states-making-progress-on-u-s-bicycle-route-system/

Cyclist killed on cross-country charity ride for oil spill victims

Cross-country cyclist Roger Grooters will be honored by a silent memorial bicycle ride in Pensacola Beach, Florida, on Sunday.

The 66-year-old cyclist was struck and killed last week near Panama City, about 300 miles from finishing a bike tour across the southern tier to raise money for victims of the BP oil spill.

He set off by bicycle from Oceanside, California, on Sept 10, followed by his wife, Vicki, in a car. She was behind him on Oct. 6 along Florida State Road 20, west of State Road 77 near Crystal Lake, when a motorist in a pickup truck struck him.

According to reports, the pickup drove onto the shoulder ….

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2010/10/14/cyclist-killed-on-cross-country-charity-ride-for-oil-spill-victims/

Bicycle tour to major league ballparks makes for 10,000-mile season

Thousands of baseball fans filed out of their home ballparks on Oct. 3 as the regular major league season drew to a close. They had memories of double plays, home runs, exciting victories and discouraging defeats for their teams over the past 6 months.

One of them, Romano Scaturro, remembered something more.

As he left Seattle's Safeco Field for the last game of the year, he could recall the 10,000 miles of road he traveled by bicycle to visit every major league ballpark in the US for a home game this season.

The 47-year-old restaurateur (shown above with his son from an earlier bike tour) from Cornville, Arizona, made the self-contained bike tour to raise money for future college tuitions for two orphans.

He formed the non-profit charity — Family Ride Across America to Nurture Kids (FRAANK) — with the goal of raising $1 for every mile …..

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2010/10/13/bicycle-tour-to-major-league-ballparks-makes-for-10000-mile-season/

Dutch cyclist is last to finish Bikecentennial bicycle tour

The Dutch cyclist Frank van Dijk has finally completed his TransAmerica bicycle tour, 34 years after he set off from Oregon with a group of countrymen in 1976.

Here's how Frank described those last few miles to Eureka, Kansas:

“With each car that you hear, you're especially careful. Eureka approaching! It is a short drive about 50km. Yet another 5 … 10 …. 3 …. more. I see the board Eureka City Limits.

No fanfare, no music …….. but a good feeling! I am here!! The champagne is chilled.”

Frank is celebrating after wrapping up some unfinished business …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2010/10/02/dutch-cyclist-is-last-to-finish-bikecentennial-bicycle-tour/

Lessons learned on bike travels passed along to students

Four Californians are teaching sustainability by example as they travel by bicycle around the US and make presentations at schools along the way.

The four cyclists — Aaron Viducich, Sara Dykman, Tommy Viducich and Matt Schiff — have logged some 5,500 miles on their estimated 15,000-mile journey around the lower 48 states and Alaska.

More importantly, they've spoken with about 1,500 students in more than 30 presentations over the past four months. …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2010/09/29/lessons-learned-on-bike-travels-passed-along-to-students/

Lonely Planet names San Juan Islands among Top 10 cycling routes

A global travel guide operation chose the San Juan Islands in the Puget Sound as its sole US destination on its Top 10 cycling routes list.

Considering the scenery, bicycle friendly roads, amenities, and remoteness of the three-island archipeligo, I can see why UK-based The Lonely Planet, in cooperation with BBC Worldwide, would make that choice.

Among other far-flung cycling routes on the list (named fully below) are the Isle of Wight, England; West Coast of Tasmania; and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy.

I've visited the three-island chain — San Juan, Lopez and Orca — on a couple of the many charity bike rides that target the islands every year and can understand how they could find their way onto this list. …..

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2010/09/23/lonely-planet-names-san-juan-islands-among-top-10-cycling-routes/

Charity cross-country bike ride – Bike Free – delayed in Portland

A cross-country bicycle tour by two friends trying to raise enough money to buy 1,000 bikes for the children of military families has been side-lined in Portland for a few extra days.

You guessed it. Someone stole one of their bicycles.

Paul Lebelle and Adam Burkowske pedaled themselves and their gear 3,500 miles across the U.S. from their homes in Baltimore on the trek they dubbed BikeFree. Along the way they spoke to organizations and raised funds to buy bicycles for the children of military families. Their destination is San Diego.

The two arrived in Portland over Labor Day weekend, and Monday afternoon Lebelle's green Cannondale T2 bicycle – nicknamed Buttercup (above) – was stolen from the front porch of a house where they were staying in north Portland. ….

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2010/09/09/charity-cross-country-bike-ride-bike-free-delayed-in-portland/

Things improving for bicycle traveler marooned in Missouri by bike theft

The past 24 hours have brought about an outpouring of assistance for Ty Robinson of North Bend, WA.

The cross-country bicyclist awoke from a nap in a Hannibal, MO, park earlier this week to discover his Fuji touring bike and all his gear had been stolen.

After a local newspaper wrote about his plight, help is on the way. A group of Hannibal cyclists announced a fund-raising ride, MoBikeFed is taking donations, a reward has been offered for the bicycle's return, and local businesses have offered better lodging and dining ….

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2010/09/04/things-improving-for-bicycle-traveler-marooned-in-missouri-by-bike-theft/