10 multi-day bicycle tours worth considering

Must admit that I'm burned out on Bicycling magazine's monthly barrage of top 10 product lists or 10 ways to get faster, fitter, finer in 30 days.

But here's one that caught my attention: 10 of Bicycling magazine's favorite multi-day tours.

You could make the argument that any such bike tour you're fortunate enough to take would be a favorite. Here's their lineup:

(Shameless self-promotion alert: By the way, all of these, and many, many more, are listed at my state by state list of Across-State and Multi-Day Bicycle Tours.)

1. Bike Florida Forgotten Coast Tour ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/08/10-multi-day-bicycle-tours-worth-considering/

How bicyclist reached 10,000-mile goal while working, relocating

My annual goal is to ride my bicycle 4,000 miles. Last year I made it, partly because a bicycling buddy inspired me with this quest for 10,000 miles.

Russell Rogers had a full-time job, fixed up his house in Sequim for resale, and relocated to Pennsylvania last year. In spite of that, he still put 10,000 miles on his bikes in 2011.

How did he do it? He shared some tips in his blog, The Flying Abalone Bicycle Club, and in conversations with me.

“I think I can summarize it like this, physically speaking it isn't that hard. ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/07/how-bicyclist-reached-10000-mile-goal-while-working-relocating/

Alberto Contador banned in doping case; loses 2010 TdF and Giro titles

Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador has been stripped of his 2010 Tour de France and Giro d'Italia titles and banned from competing in any races until August.

The Switzerland-based Court for Arbitration of Sport handed down the two-year ban against Contador for doping with clenbuterol during 2010.

The court didn't believe Contador's claim that, during the latter stages of the 2010 …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/06/alberto-contador-banned-in-doping-case-loses-2010-tdf-and-giro-titles/

Railbikes ride in the tracks of the iron horse

Recently, I discovered the world of railroad velocipedes — bicycles that ride the rails.

What led me there was a TV reality show, “American Pickers.” One of the buyers is Mike Wolfe, a bicycle enthusiast who occasionally dredges up vintage bikes; I guess that's what originally drew my interest.

Recently, he dragged a vintage railroad handcar out of a building. It was a 100-year-old one-person machine used to inspect the railroad tracks.

It occurred to me that this might be a cool way to travel on some abandoned railways that hadn't been converted to rail-to-trail bike paths. ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/06/railbikes-ride-in-the-tracks-of-the-iron-horse/

2012 Ride the Rockies bike tour route — Gunnison to Fort Collins

Bicycling enthusiasts on the 27th annual Ride the Rockies bicycle tour will cross five mountain passes on their way from Gunnison to Fort Collins in 2012.

The organizers of the popular event presented by the Denver Post announced this weekend the 442-mile route and seven host cities for the event that draws 2,000 riders in a lottery that leaves others waiting in the wings.

Registration for this year's June 9-15 bicycle tour runs today (Sunday) through Feb. 24. Two thousand bicyclists will be chosen at random in the lottery …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/05/2012-ride-the-rockies-bike-tour-route-gunnison-to-fort-collins/

Federal criminal probe against Lance Armstrong closed; USADA still investigating

If you believed in Lance Armstrong through all the mud-slinging, government leaks and “60 Minutes” disclosures, I suppose you feel vindicated today.

Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles told the Associated Press that they've closed a criminal investigation into doping allegations against the 7-time Tour de France winner.

A statement from the U.S. attorney's office said Armstrong would not be criminally charged, but did not explain why. This is a breaking story as I write this; I expect more explanation will follow at VeloNews or CyclingNews.

Apparently Armstrong isn't free and clear yet, however. US Anti Doping Agency head Travis Tygert said they are still pursuing …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/04/federal-criminal-probe-against-lance-armstrong-closed-usada-still-investigating/

California teen wants to be youngest solo global bike traveler

While others her age are just getting used to life after high school, Erin Nelson is taking on the world on her bicycle.

At 18, she left her home in Turlock, California, in November 2010 and pedaled across the US, Europe and Asia on an around-the-world bicycle trip that now finds her in China. [See her video below.]

Why an around-the-world bike tour? She wrote an early blog about some many people living lives of contentment:

“I don't want to be happy being content. I want to be happy because I'm making the most out of my short life so when I die I don't have regrets ….

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/03/california-teen-wants-to-be-youngest-solo-global-bike-traveler/

Attempt to put bicycling funds back in transportation bill fails

An amendment to restore funding for bicycle and pedestrian projects in the federal Transportation bill failed Thursday morning.

Bicycle and pedestrian advocates earlier this week urged their members to contact Congressmen to support the amendment to the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act.

Committee member Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, made an impassioned plea to retain bicycle projects in the bill, …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/02/attempt-to-put-bicycling-funds-back-in-transportation-bill-fails/

Park closures in California could hinder bicycle travel

When I reached the West Coast after bicycling across country in the 1980s, one of the coolest things I discovered was the fact that many parks had hike or bike camping.

The state parks where I stopped on the Pacific Coast Bicycle Trail, for instance, all had a reduced-rate area set aside for travelers on foot or bike.

As I rode up the coast, I remember several nights sitting around the fire ring sharing route news and swapping lies with fellow cyclists.

Now these parks are seriously threatened. In an attempt to balance its budget, California has plans to close 70 parks in the state; X's mark the parks on the above map …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/01/park-closures-in-california-could-hinder-bicycle-travel/

Specialized adds new models to bike fork recall

Specialized Bicycle Components is adding two bicycle brands to its voluntary recall of bikes with a brake that can snap off from the carbon fork.

The new recall involves 460 bikes from the 2012 Tricross Sport and Tricross Comp models. The bikes were sold at authorized Specialized retailers between June and September 2011 for $1,250 to $2,000.

Last September, Specialized …

Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2012/02/01/specialized-adds-new-models-to-bike-fork-recall/