A lot of emphasis has been placed on bicycles recently. With the current energy crisis and the movement toward energy-save modes of transportation, bicycle riding has experienced a surge in popularity. Cycling as a mode of transportation is cheap, energy-efficient and often time-saving, as bicycles are rarely caught in traffic and can be a quicker route especially in major cities. Bicycles have even become integral components of certain professions, from curriers and taxis to police officers and postal workers.
However, cycling, while a good transportation option, has other uses as well, even outside of athletic competition. Cycling is a good source of fitness and fun, as well as self-discovery and the discovery of nature. The Adventure Cycling Association, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to inspiring men and women of all ages to travel by bicycle, whether for work, pleasure or competition, but especially for the discovery of America’s natural beauty.
Purple Mountains and Blue Seas
Founded in 1973, the Adventure Cycling Association began with a single event. The Bikecentennial, created by Dan Burden, Lys Burden, Greg Siple and June Siple, was a cross-country bicycle event intended to celebrate the bicentennial of the United States. Over 4,000 cyclists participated in the inaugural 1976 tours. After the completion of the Bikecentennial, the organization lived on as the Adventure Cycling Association.
A non-profit member organization, it calls itself America’s bicycle travel resource and inspiration. It offers various programs for cyclists, including a national network of touring routes and organized tours and trips. The former Bikecentennial Trail remains its most popular route. Now titled the TransAmerica Trail, the route stretches from Astoria, Oregon to Yorktown, Virginia, with over 30,000 miles of mountain bike trails and road routes.
The Adventure Cycling Association has also published the Pedal Pioneers Guide, a manual designed to help with the planning and implementing of youth bicycle tours. A how-to guide for adults, it is intended to help leaders execute youth cycling tour projects, whether weekend tours or summer-long cross-country adventures. With its emphasis on leisurely enjoyment rather than competition or required transportation, the Adventure Cycling Association has helped to bring back the joy of cycling.
The TransAmerica Trail itself includes numerous national landmarks, including Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park. Due to the influence of the Adventure Cycling Association, various cafes, restaurants and hotels include journals written by former riders that provide new riders with a history of the route.
The TransAmerica Trail takes about three months to complete, and can be ridden from May to September. The highest pass on the route is over 11,500 feet, and snow can occur at any time in the Rock Mountains. Pueblo, Colorado is the halfway point of the route and is the largest city until Carbondale, Illinois. While some stretches of terrain are relatively flat, a lot of heavy climbing can be expected at different points on the trail, especially in the Rocky Mountains, the Ozark Plateau and the Appalachian Mountains.
There are many people who enjoy spending their free time exploring the wilderness areas around the country by adventure cycling in the mountains. It is a great way to see many of the wonderful sites of nature as well as a good way to stay physically fit. No matter the reason for going on such an excursion, two things are very important; a sturdy, quality bike made to withstand rough terrain and adequate bike gear for the trail.
While many people spend a great deal of time and money to get a really good mountain bike, some do tend to overlook the importance of the bicycle gear that should be taken along with you. You can have an excellent, top-rated, high-performance bike, but if there are problems out on the mountain trails, then you will also need to have the right gear along with you to ensure proper bike safety and that you are able to make it back from the adventurous terrain you might be exploring.
There is a large selection of different bike accessories that you can choose from to have with you on your biking adventures. Those that should be on the priority list of things to include for an outing are the items that will keep your bike running in top condition on the trails. Most mountain bikers will agree that a tube kit should be the first item of bike gear you pack when preparing to hit the trails.
With a tube repair kit on hand, even if you blow a tire on a rock or branch or other obstruction on a rough trail, you will be able to effectively repair it right on the spot. Next, you need to have some type of air pump along as well so that you can pump up your tire once it has been repaired. There are many small and portable tire pumps available today that are easy to carry, which can be a real life saver if you are out in the wilderness with a flat tire.
It is also very wise to include a small set of tools that are just the right size for making minor adjustments to the bike while you are out on the trails. Having a set of Allen wrenches, a crescent wrench, screwdrivers and other tools specific for your bike are basic items that should be in every bike kit.
Other items that are essential for cycling safety, no matter where you are riding, are bike helmets and properly padded bike clothing, in case of an accident. In addition, lighting is important as well. You should always include reflectors on the spokes, a lighted reflector on the back of your bike, and a powerful light on the front of your bike to illuminate the trail or road after dark.
All of these items of bike gear are important and should not be overlooked when preparing for a venturesome outing on your bike. Many riders feel that one of the most important items of gear is a very good bike seat. With your bike in good operating condition and the right gear with you, mountain biking can be both an adventure and a safe journey.
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