It is incontrovertible how wonderful biking makes you feel, especially when the trail goes through beautiful landscape and interesting cityscapes. But biking can also have wider benefit, to local communities, the environment, regional economies. Here are just a selection of hosted rides – some long-distance, multi-day adventures that involve camping; others that accomplish enormous good in a single day,
Registration Opens for Parks & Trails New York’s 18th Annual 400-Mile Cycle the Erie Canal Bike Tour
Registration is now open for Parks & Trails New York’s 18th annual Cycle the Erie Canal 400-mile, eight-day bike tour, an unparalleled opportunity to experience great cycling while taking in the rich history of the legendary canal that helped transform America.
The 2016 tour kicks off in Buffalo on July 10 and arrives in Albany on July 17. This year, the Cycle the Erie Canal tour offers:
2-day and 4-day Options: If you can’t take off a full week, consider joining us for half the tour or for a weekend. With 4-day options from Buffalo to Syracuse and Syracuse to Albany, you’re halfway to becoming an Erie Canalway Trail End-to-Ender. These shorter options are great for children, too.
Return Shuttle: Riders from Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Toronto, and points west will be happy to hear we’ll once again be offering our return shuttle from Albany to Buffalo at the end of the ride. Less driving means more time to discover the Erie Canal, and there is so much to discover.
Erie Canal Trailblazers: Interested in cycling the whole tour for only $100? Become a Cycle the Erie Canal Trailblazer and help PTNY promote the Erie Canalway Trail and bicycle tourism! Registration includes a free Cycle the Erie Canal Trailblazer jersey and guidebook and special recognition on the tour.
Last year’s ride, which I joined (one of the best trips of my life!) had more than 600 riders and was frankly amazing, with all the sights to see and special activities arranged, not to mention to camaraderie and the adventure of camping out. The trip – superbly organized – really touches on all pistons.
For more information about Cycle the Erie Canal, call Parks & Trails New York at 518-434-1583 or email eriecanaltour@ptny.org. Also, check out the new Cycle the Erie Canal website to learn more about all the Erie Canalway Trail has to offer (www.ptny.org/cycle-the-erie-canal)
Rail-Trails Conservancy Taking Registrations for 3 Remaining Sojourn Bike Tours
For the first time in the 14 years of hosting a Sojourn bike tour showcasing a rail-trail, the Rail-Trails Conservancy has expanded the series to four rides: the first, in Florida, was held in February. The next, on the popular Allegheny Passage in Pennsylvania, is scheduled May 6-8; the third is a four-day/three-night North Bend Rail Trail out of Parkersburg, West Virginia (June 19-22; and the last is four-days/three nights from Cleveland to Columbus on the Ohio-to-Erie Trail, Ohio in September (date to be announced).
“The Sojourn Series is much more than just a bike ride. It’s a trail building tool for Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, and allows us to pull advocacy into participants’ trail use experience.”
The sojourn rides are crafted to weave experiences that go beyond simply riding from point A to point B. Each sojourn aims to transform trail users into advocates and create the economic case for trail networks nationwide.
For example, the West Virginia Sojourn is being held on the North Bend Rail Trail out of Parkersburg WV. It is an incredible trail but does not yet connect to the two communities on either end, Parkersburg and Clarksburg. This ride serves to bring attention to those gaps and advocate for their completion. The corridor is also part of a much larger trail development effort being undertaken by the Industrial Heartland Trails Coalition.
“The West Virginia ride will allow you to get on a new trail and take part in some of the advocacy that our organization is known for.”
The May ride is on a 120-mile section of the Great Allegheny Passage, to allow for a short, three-day excursion (a great way to celebrate Mother’s Day weekend). from Meyersdale to Pittsburgh.
The ride features gorgeous mountain vistas and relaxing river scenes, historic bridges and tunnels that showcase the GAP’s railway heritage. Highlights include Historic Pump House (Homestead), Salisbury Viaduct, Casselman River Valley, and Great Allegheny Passage Trail towns: Meyersdale, West Newton, Confluence and Ohiopyle
Repurposed from a rail line, the Great Allegheny Passage is one of the most popular trails, and was the first inductee in Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s Rail-Trail “Hall of Fame.”
Since 2001, more than 3,000 riders have joined RTC’s sojourns—many of them on the GAP. These rides not only highlight incredible trails, but they also help empower communities to complete trail networks that will benefit the entire region.
Equally importantly, they highlight the economic benefit to communities, particularly those who have seen older industries shut down, along with the rail lines.
RTC’s 2015 Pennsylvania Rail-Trail Sojourn brought visitors from 35 states and had an economic impact of more than $245,000 – something significant for a town like Dunbar, Pennsylvania, which once depended upon mining.
The rail-trail could be an engine for a new economy fueled by lodging, restaurants and gear shops. In fact, RTC estimates that the trail would generate more than $40 million in direct spending from trail users annually.
“The Sojourn Series is a real-world example that show how trails can provide an economic boon to local economies,” says Liz Thorstensen, vice president of trail development for RTC. “By providing these rides, we’re creating more opportunities for people to experience and advocate for these trail networks.”
For more information about the rides and to register, visit railstotrails.org/sojourn.
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization with more than 160,000 members and supporters, is the nation’s largest trails organization dedicated to connecting people and communities by creating a nationwide network of public trails, many from former rail lines. Founded in 1986, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s national office is located in Washington, D.C., with regional offices in California, Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.railstotrails.org.
39th Annual TD Five Boro Bike Tour in NYC
On Sunday, May 1, 40 miles of New York City’s streets winding through all five boroughs will be closed to vehicles and instead, be taken over by 32,000 bicycle riders for the With registration closed for the immensely popular 39th Annual TD Five Boro Bike Tour Presented by REI, the only way to get into the ride this year is to sign up with one of the teams riding for charity. Those registrations also close April 8, unless they fill up first (Doctors Without Borders has already filled up).
In addition to being one of the largest mass rides in the world, the 5 Boro Bike Tour is also America’s largest charitable bike ride but Bike New York’s free bike education program is not the only beneficiary of the Tour. Bike New York partners with more than 50 charities to raise money in support of health, education, human rights, and civic causes. To find out about riding on behalf of a charity partner, click here. (http://www.bike.nyc/events/td-five-boro-bike-tour/charity-partners/).
The pleasure of riding through New York’s culturally rich and diverse neighborhoods, being greeted by bands and cheering, waving people along the way, on streets and bridges closed to traffic, is unbelievable. The feeling of camaraderie and sheer exuberance rushes over you as you get views of the city that are so special. (Favorite views are coming over the Queensboro 59th Street Bridge, and from Brooklyn Bridge Park).
The ride also highlights the benefits of biking in New York City, with its network of dedicated bike lanes and bike-share program has become one of the best major cities for bikers.
Bike New York is New York City’s leading proponent of cycling as a practical and fun means of transportation and recreation (and sightseeing!), but also has increasingly focused on the important message of sustainability. And while, cycling is a zero-emissions activity, a large-scale ride isn’t, so the organizers have implemented myriad initiatives to make the TD Five Boro Bike Tour as green as it can be. As a result of their efforts, the Tour was awarded Silver-level certification by the Council for Responsible Sport, a nonprofit that recognizes sporting events that promote and demonstrate environmentally and socially responsible measures that help reduce the environmental footprint within the event’s host community.
Among the initiatives: Bike New York partnered with the New York Restoration Project to plant trees in Astoria Park, a Rest Area along the route of the Tour, worked with Grow NYC, the City of New York Department of Sanitation, and the NYC Composter’s Project to divert 83.8% of waste from landfill, composted 1O% of waste and recycled 73.6%.
The organizers also collaborated with the City’s Department of Environmental Protection to provide fresh NYC drinking water, thereby eliminating the use of more than 4,4OO gallons-worth of bottled water; provided cyclists with an eco-friendly Rider Identification Kit, comprising an UltraGreen bike plate, reusable helmet cover, and Tyvek bib; produced 3,OOO organic cotton T-shirts for staff and volunteers; donated all leftover food to City Harvest, a local nonprofit dedicated to feeding New York’s hungry; and partnered with a local, 1OO% wind-powered vendor to print all 35,OOO Tour Programs on 1OO% Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper.
“It has been a pleasure to work with the team at Bike New York on the certification application for the TD Five Boro Bike Tour,” said Keith Peters, Executive Director of the Council for Responsible Sport. “Their commitment to producing an event that is both environmentally and socially responsible is remarkable.”
“Our hope is that this certification will encourage other organizations and events to join us in going green,” says Ken Podziba, CEO and President of Bike New York. “We look forward to the day when being sustainable is the rule – not the exception – and certification is a thing of the past.”
As a charter member of the World Association of Cycling Events (WACE), Bike New York is part of a worldwide effort to promote cycling as a healthy and sustainable mode of transportation and recreation, and is promoting six of the world’s most prestigious mass participation bike rides (see a new video from WACE, featuring some jaw-dropping scenery and iconic landmarks.). The first one, the Cape Town Cycle Tour, just took place. Remaining 2016 rides include:
- TD Five Boro Bike Tour – Sunday, May 1
- Vatternrundan – Friday, June 17
- Etape du Tour – Sunday, July 10
- RideLondon – Sunday, July 31
- Granfondo di Roma – Sunday, October 9
See more at www.bikenewyork.nyc.
Bicycling Around Minnesota August 18-21, 2016 Open For Registration
The Bicycling Around Minnesota (BAM) Tour is headed to Minnesota’s South Central Region for four days of cycling through some of the state’s most beautiful scenic areas August 18-21, 2016. Registration is open and accepting riders. This relatively small tour—BAM limits the number of riders to approximately 275 bicyclists—will cover 60 to 80 miles each day on this loop route that begins and ends in Waseca.
Riders overnight August 18 in New Ulm, August 19 in Springfield, and August 20 in Madelia, ending back in Waseca on August 21.
“The people in this area of Minnesota are always welcoming,” said BAM Tour Director Mary Derks. “Each day has fun and interesting stops along the way including a number of quaint towns, a tour of Schell’s Brewery in New Ulm, the Buttered Corn Days Festival in Sleepy Eye, the national historic site of Jeffers Petroglyphs, the Butterfield Threshing Bee, the Farm America Center, and much more.”
The 2016 route includes trunk highways, local streets and bicycle paths and most riders camp and take in local festivities in the host cities. BAM is a fully supported tour with daily maps, volunteers SAGs, and onsite mechanics. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Riders have the option of camping under Minnesota stars or staying in hotels. A shower truck with private shower stalls will be available each day for riders to use.
Bicycling Around Minnesota is a nonprofit organization focused on highlighting Minnesota communities to an ever growing bicycling audience. This annual tour, which began in 2006, promotes Share the Road, fitness, tourism, bicycling as transportation, and the scenic bikeways system of Minnesota.
For more information about the 2016 Bicycling Around Minnesota event, visit www.bambiketour.org.
Pure Adventures Creates New Self-Guided Cultural Bike Tours of Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia
Pure Adventures, a pioneer in self-guided cycling vacations, is introducing bicycle vacations exploring culture and countryside in Southeast Asia.
“Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia are very affordable and accessible to cyclists,” says Loren Siekman, founder/owner. “Our knowledgeable bilingual, in-country guides help us arrange bike rentals, unique lodging, ride itineraries and local cultural experiences found nowhere else. All the new tours feel like self-guided trips but include a guide and support vehicle for every ride to enjoy two-wheeled explorations of brand-new worlds.”
Pure Adventures announces hand-crafted cultural immersions that are unique to this company and to the regions explored. Because these are not pre-set group tours, guests determine their own departure dates and are possible with just two participants. The trips can also be customized based on cultural and culinary interests.
Rates include lodging (upgrades available for an additional cost), all breakfasts, some lunches and dinners, luggage transfers from hotel to hotel, bikes and gear, sightseeing tickets, briefings, guides, support vehicles, airport transfers, and more. Inclusions vary by itinerary. They will even help manage tourist visas!
Myanmar – Cycling Discovery of Old Burma: Marco Polo called Myanmar (Burma) “The Golden Land.” From Mandalay to Yangon (Rangoon), guests pedal up to 55 kilometers daily over nine days, along the way discovering the secrets of gold leaf that embellishes statuary and temples and the secrets of gold that are the kindness and generosity of the people of this long-neglected country. Short flights, including by hot air balloon, reveal the temple fields of Old Bagan, the ancient capital of the Burmese empire. Village life comes into focus while pedaling by carts pulled by oxen, or climbing to an extinct volcano, Mt. Popa, home of macaque monkeys and nats (spirits), or exploring a wine making venture and traditional silk weaving techniques of the Inthar people near Lake Inle. The pastoral world fades in Yangon (Rangoon), a bustling city that mixes up the stupas of ancient and modern Burma with British colonial architecture and modern edifices. Here is the country’s holiest shrine, Shwedagon Pagoda, a golden stupa covered with 60 tons of pure gold. This trip, available from October through April, is priced from $1,287 per person, double.
Vietnam – Central Coast Highlights Bicycle Tour: In Vietnam, guests biking some 45 kilometers daily over eight days explore south from Hanoi along the Central Coast, passing through cultures spanning more than 1000 years and bisecting daily village life. Travelers may opt to swim and kayak on Halong Bay, where some 1,900 islands and islets create a marine landscape of limestone pillars. At Hue, the former royal capital, monuments, tombs and pagodas reveal a vanished feudal empire. In a region rarely visited by tourists, guests cycle around Hoi An Town, following small paths linking rarely-visited villages, rice fields, shrimp ponds and coconut palms. Privately hosted meals and carefully selected lodgings enhance this carefully textured journey. Available year-round, this trip is priced from $1,972 per person double.
Thailand – Chiang Mai Cycling and Culture 7N Tour: Thailand unfolds while biking on average 45 kilometers daily over eight days. In Bangkok guests lodge overlooking the Chao Phraya River and pedal seldom-visited neighborhoods rife with open air markets and tea shops. A flight north to Chiang Mai reveals Doi Saket and the Lost City of Wiang Kum Kam, once the capital of the Lanna Kingdom. Guests have the fun of overnighting at a resort with treehouse accommodations. A morning cycle along Sri Lanna National Park secures a boat ride and transfers into kayaks, and perhaps a swim. This adventure is available from $1,250 per person double.
Cambodia – Siem Reap & Angkor Watt Cycling: This is a five (or three)-day stand-alone tour or it can be combined as an add-on with another cycling vacation in Southeast Asia. Guests bike from 25 to 65 kilometers daily. After touring the temples of Angkor Wat, guests bike into the countryside where children practice English on visitors. One stop is at a floating village; another stop is the Roluos Group, a series of Pre-Angkor temples; and yet another stop is at the ancient ruins of Beng Melea, undiscovered and untouched for centuries and only recently accessible to the public. This tour is available year-round. The per person double rate is from $393.
Seikman notes that these new biking programs, along with new self-guided walking tours in Japan, round out Pure Adventures’ calendar that now offers bicycle vacations year-round somewhere in the world.
Pure Adventures was created to meet North America’s growing demand for high-quality, self-guided cycling tours. Pure Adventures leverages and utilizes local expertise for route development, sites to see, people to meet, where to eat, and shop and experience life as a local would. Pure Adventures award-winning tours are competitively priced and meticulously planned with substantial behind-the-scene support creating a unique combination that makes a bicycle adventure more easily accessible to today’s active traveler.
The company which pioneered self-guided tours in Europe in 1994 now offers programs in Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland, plus 20 programs in the American West.
Pure Adventures was recently recognized with a Best of Travel 2015 award by OUTSIDE Magazine for their California tours that elevated that state to the top destination in the category of Best Road Biking.
For more information on all Pure Adventures guided, self-guided and supported, self-directed tours, call: 800-960-2221 or 480-905-1235, Email: info@pure-adventures.com, or visit online: http://pure-adventures.com.
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