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Madison bike-sharing plan back on the road

The mayor of Madison, Wis., and Trek Bicycle Corp. have reached a deal to ensure that a bike-sharing program can begin there next month as planned.

It's one of several bicycle-sharing projects that are scheduled to launch this spring and summer in forward-looking communities searching for ways to reduce the use of cars for short trips.

The Madison bike-sharing program faced a rough road, however, until Trek came forward and to pay the city's cost for the program over the next five years.

Wisconsin-based bicycle maker Trek is a partner in the B-Cycle …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/04/27/madison-bike-sharing-plan-back-on-the-road/

From Bulgaria with Bicycle

Some bicycle travelers set off on an around the world bicycle tour in pursuit of a record, such as the UK's Vin Cox and his Guinness World Record achievement of 163 days, 6 hours and 58 minutes.

Then there's Heinz Stucke, the German who quit his job as a tool-and-die-maker in 1962 and left on a never-ending around the world bicycle journey that continues today.

In between those extremes is Volodia Sorokin of Bulgaria, left. The 58-year-old has been taking an on-and-off bicycle journey around the world for the past 16 years.

Presently, Sorokin is finishing his 4,600-mile cross-country bicycle travels in the U.S. He started in Washington DC in October and rode his bicycle across the southern tier and up the Pacific Coast from southern California to Alaska……

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/04/25/from-bulgaria-with-bicycle/

Near perfect spring cycling in western Washington

With the sunny weather and temperatures in the 60s, Saturday had to be one of the best days for a bicycle ride in western Washington this year.

These guys in red team kit would have to agree. This had to be one of the few times this year they could train on dry pavement and not have to rinse the wet, sticky road grit off their bikes once they returned home.

I shot this from an overpass along the Cedar River Trail between Maple Valley and Renton on Saturday. The river is running high, flowering trees are blossoming and the first leaves are just starting to sprout …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/04/24/near-perfect-spring-cycling-in-western-washington/

Put a couple of “wins” in the bicycle column

Bicycle advocates should be happy about racking up a couple of victories toward the end of the week.

On a nationwide scale, bicyclists were able to turn back an attempt to weaken the federal regulations that require bicyclists and pedestrians get “due consideration.” On a smaller scale, a brouhaha over a suggested 10 mph speed limit for bicyclists on the Golden Gate Bridge prompted the bridge agency to study the matter further.

It just goes to show that we bicyclists can have a powerful voice when we speak together. ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/04/23/put-a-couple-of-wins-in-the-bicycle-column/

Bicycle ride to a Natural Area makes any day an Earth Day

Riding my Rockhopper out some rural roads recently, I spotted one of those blue King County Natural Area signs out of the corner of my eye and decided to have a stop.

I used to blow past these. Now, if I'm just doodling along on my bicycle, I've found them to be friendly places to get off the road and explore or to go find a rock, sit and have a snack.

This one is located on Cedar Ridge Road near the intersection of Issaquah-Hobart Road. There is no identification sign at the entrance, just a space for a couple of cars and a locked gate. The blue sign lists the rules. There's no mention of bicycles, so I scooted around the gate and pedaled down the welcome double-track ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/04/22/bicycle-ride-to-a-natural-area-makes-any-day-an-earth-day/

“Cycling Home from Siberia” on frozen roads and jungle paths

Some days in the life of a Siberian cyclist… a dazzling rush through some random encounters from Rob Lilwall on Vimeo.

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“Who begins a bicycle tour in Siberia?”

That was my first question when I cracked open the “Cycling Home from Siberia,” the latest bicycle travel book sent me by a publicist. After reading the first few pages of Rob Lilwall's travelogue, that first query was quickly expanded to:

“What inexperienced cyclist begins a bicycle tour of more than 3,000 miles across Siberia in September on a frozen highway known locally as 'The Road of Bones.'”

Although I knew Lilwall survived the ordeal (how could he have written the both otherwise), I was relieved to learn that the bicycle touring companion he was waiting for in Magadan was Alastair Humphreys. Today he's a well-known English bicycle adventurer and motivational speaker ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/04/21/cycling-home-from-siberia-on-frozen-roads-and-jungle-paths/

2011 Bicycle Sundays and Summer Streets begin in May in Seattle

Seattle's Bicycle Sundays returns to the shoreline road along Lake Washington for 12 Sundays this summer beginning May 8.

The 2-1/2 mile scenic stretch of Lake Washington Boulevard will be closed to motor vehicle traffic from Mount Baker Beach to Seward Park between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Unfortunately, the number of dates offered by the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation has been cut back from 19 the previous two years. ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/04/20/2011-bicycle-sundays-and-summer-streets-begin-in-may-in-seattle/

“One if by land and two if by bicycle”

“Get on your bike and you can steer
Along the path of Paul Revere…”

Checking on something else this morning, I stumbled across the fact that today (April 19) is the 236th anniversary of the battles of Lexington and Concord and “the shot heard 'round the world.”

You might remember that Paul Revere famously rode a horse throughout the Massachusetts countryside to warn that British troops were on the way.

If you're a history buff, or just like new places to ride, I found some links that bicyclists can use for maps and bike tours that follow his route of 1775.

I also learned he didn't shout “The British are coming!” ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/04/19/one-if-by-land-and-two-if-by-bicycle/

Bike Overnight website supports short bicycle tours

Not every bicycle tour has to be an epic adventure across blazing deserts or the frozen tundra.

In fact, most of us can probably find somewhere to camp within a short day's bike ride from where we live. And when you slow down and take the back roads to a destination on your bicycle, even the shortest camping trip can be a personal adventure.

The bike touring enthusiasts at Adventure Cycling Association realize this, as they've launched the “Bike Overnight” website to help inspire and enable short bicycle tours. Like they say in the title, “Don't wait to go cross-country. Go overnight …..

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/04/18/bike-overnight-website-supports-short-bicycle-tours/

Cedar River Trail detour in Renton (WA)

This old railroad trestle on the Cedar River Trail in Renton will be closed for approximately the next 10 days for repairs.

The sign says that a detour around the bridge over the Cedar River will be marked.

The detour takes bicyclists and other trail users through Riverview Park, out along Maple Valley Highway, and back to the trail about 150 yards east of Maplewood Roadside Park. ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2011/04/18/cedar-river-trail-detour-in-renton-wa/