BICYCLING: PRODUCTS/EVENTS/TOURS & MORE

Bike enthusiasts and home décor aficionados will love the fun and functionality from Trophy Alta. These bike racks are meant to be shown off inside your home or in your garage. In fun and colorful designs like bull and deer, meant to mimic trendy taxidermy wall décor, Trophy Alta offers a stylish solution to stores bicycles, create more space in your home and maintain quick and easy access to your bike for a ride at any time. These bike racks are made from solid steel and 100% recycled eco-friendly wood, are easy to install with the fixing included and can hold up to 50 pounds. Free shipping and more information is available at https://trophyalta.com.

NoSweat Sweat Absorbing Disposable Hat Liner

Having sweat pour into your eyes while bicycling is most annoying - and dangerous since it blocks your vision. Now, NoSweat has come up with a sweat bsorbing disposable hat liner that promotes healthy skin hygiene, reduces sweat stains, keeps sweat out of eyes, locks-in odor & face oils, and extends the life of headgear.

It has no scent, is thin, soft & lightweight, and is a sweat stopper since it locks in sweat. It provides clear vision, is a fog controller, is breathable and easy to put onto your hat. Just peel it and stick it on. NuSweat's patented design and Dri-Lid technology is engineered to absorb forehead sweat and clear your line of vision. The company's technology permanently locks nd seals all sweat and is comp;letely dry even when it's fully saturated.

Made in the U.S.A. and available from Amazon and sporting goods stores

Body Glide Will Protect Your Skin and More

I tried this new product and it works very well for all kinds of sports activities, including Bicycling. It's easy to apply, long lasting, is sweat & water resistant, stops saddle sores, is never gereasy, never feels wet, and is the official sport lubricant for the USA Triathalon. It will protect your assets from rubbing that causes saddle sores or other irritations from clothing with a dry, invisile, non-greasy barrier. I used it under my arms to prevent my clothing from rubbing and it worked extremely well.

I preferred it over messy, wet creams, gels and powders, and it doesn't contain petroleum, lanolin or mineral oils. It's also effective and longlasting amd great in humid and dry conditions for it keeps pores clog free. Sweat escapes and lets skin breathe. The company says it's also clothing, footware and wetsuit safe.

It's applied before getting dressed to prote t against any rubbing that can cause sores or irritation, and is effective and long lasting. Be sure to use it only externally on intact skin and keep out of the reach of children or in your eyes.

For more information, contact web site BodyGlide.com. This product is available at amazon.com and most sporting goods stores.

Dero Releases New Two-Tier Bike Locker and New Metal Head for Public Bicycle Pumps

Dero takes long-term bicycle storage to new heights with the new Two-Tier Bike Locker. Building on Dero's popular single-tier bike locker platform and Dero Decker 2-tier bike rack, this multi-level locker is easy to load and provides a high-level of security.

The Two-Tier Bike Locker provides a space-saving solution to meet the increasing demand for covered bike parking. Municipalities, governments, universities, and businesses will love the sturdy steel construction with locking options that include a u-lock/padlock compatible handle or a keyed lock, while bicyclists will appreciate the enclosed security and optional gear hooks. The Two-Tier Bike Locker ships flat to save on freight, comes in galvanized and powder coat finish options, and has a modular design.

New Dero Metal Head

The new Dero Metal Head is ready to rock the world of public bicycle repair. As the only all-metal pump head currently available, the Metal Head's sturdy cast aluminum construction and easy-to-use functionality takes center stage. Additionally, the new pump head features universal Presta and Schrader valve compatibility, and its rubber gaskets are serviceable with a separately available kit. Paired with our steel-reinforced, rotating air hose and robust line of Air Kit bike pumps, people will be singing praises for the Metal Head's durability. The new Dero Metal Head now comes standard with all Dero public bike pumps. For Air Kit 2 and Air Kit 3 pumps with the older plastic pump head, the Metal Head (with hose) is an easy replacement to update. Metal Heads require occasional maintenance and replacing of parts to remain serviceable.

About Dero
Since 1995, Dero has been supplying innovative bike parking and bicycle transit solutions to architects, contractors, municipalities, higher education, and parks and recreation. Its bike racks, repair stands and pumps, shelters, and lockers are high quality, thoughtfully designed, and secure. Dero also offers the award-winning Dero ZAP, an automatic system to track bike commuters. Dero, a PlayCore company, is located in Minneapolis and is proud to support biking locally and nationally. Dero is recognized as a Platinum level Bicycle Friendly Business by the League of American Cyclists.

For more information contactDero, 42 Northern Stacks Drive Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55421 United States

Clean Clothes Anywhere, Anytime!

Wash Clothes Faster - in 3-5 minutes per load - and wash them cleaner (no more dirty sinks), plus use less water (3-6L - 1.5 gal.) per load) with the Flexible Internal Washboard when you use the Scrubba Wash Bag. It's lightweight, features a waterproof fabic (Polyesther-Tru Lining); has a super grip backing; a valve for releasing air, a roll down clip, a transparent window, and an Ultra-Flexible Washboard.

There are just 6 easy steps to free laundry:

Fill bag, roll & clip, deflate, rub, rinse and dry!

For more information check web site www.TheScrubba.com.

It's perfect for campers, backpackers, hikers, boaters and kayakers, business and vacation traverlers, RVers, aid workers, climbers, cruisers - and anywhere you want to save money and wear fresh clothing.

Macally Aluminum Bicycle Holder Mount with Adjustable Clamp Securely Grips Your Phone, Even In Rough Terrains

The Macally BIKEMOUNT is an aluminum bike holder mount with a vice like grip to securely hold a smartphone on a bicycle handlebar frame. It allows users to enjoy the bike ride and smartphones without worrying about their phone falling off the handlebars. It’s an ideal way to use a phone with cycling apps such as GPS logs, route planning, audio encouragement and more.

The BIKEMOUNT is weatherproof, easily installed with allen wrench (included) and fits bicycle handlebars or bike frames for road & track bikes with a drop bar as well as mountain bikes with a flat bar. The mount is compatible with phones up to 6.25 inches tall and from 2.25 to 3.45 inches wide so it'll work large phones like iPhone 6, 7, 8 Plus. Using a heavy-duty protective case or battery case? No problem, the BIKEMOUNT’s clamp will accommodate devices with a depth of .63 inches.

Precision craftsmanship, innovative design of double sided opening mechanism to give maximum secure grip, Knob tightened clamp provides a vice like grip of your mobile device to prevent from dropping in the rough terrains. Mount clamp fits bicycle handlebar with a width from 0.88 to 1.25 inches. Adjustable grip fits iPhone/smartphone with or without a protection case between 2.25 to 3.42 inches. 360° rotation view.

Never retighten your BIKEMOUNT because it features a nylon lined clamp
Item# BIKEMOUNT, MSRP $69.99
On Sale: $29.99 (sale price w/ $5.00 off coupon applied, for a limited time)

For more information contact Macally.pr-optout.com/

See in the dark with Brilliant Reflective, the D0-I-Y Safety Strips

When you outline the human form using Brilliant Reflective, the light reflecting back to a driver will be in the shape of a human. Studies show that drivers react more quickly when they know they're approaching a human rather than an unknown object. Brilliant Reflective is available in a variety of colors (black, blue, red and purple for fun customization) to blend with or accent your apparel and equipment. Made from 3M Scotchlite Reflective Material, it provides optimal visibility in low-light conditions. It's easy to iron-on and is permanent -- providing 30 square inches of high brightness color reflective. It's easy to adhere and comes in 12 strips per package. Place it onto your bike helmet, outdoor gear, safety boating vest, dog leash -- the applications for safety are endless!!

Great for bicyclists, runners, hikers, kayakers, etc., it is available at sporting goods stores, amazon.com, bike stores and more.

Bosch PowerTube 500 integrates powerful eBike battery technology into the bike frame

As eBikes transform into a "lifestyle product," smart aesthetics and attractive design play an increasingly important role. That’s why Bosch eBike Systems is setting the pace: for Model Year 2018, presenting the PowerTube 500, a battery which can be integrated into the frame of the bicycle. The PowerTube 500 combines modern design with first class Bosch technology for eBikers who prefer a clean and timeless look. New design dimension: PowerTube 500 combines style with efficiency

Bosch's new eBike battery can be integrated into the frame of an eBike, invisible from the outside. This considerably widens the range of options available to bike designers, manufacturers and end consumers. The PowerTube 500 combines style and practicality, offering the power of an eBike with an aesthetic that more closely resembles a traditional bicycle.

The PowerTube 500 can be built into different types of frames, and is therefore suitable for a wide range of cycles – from city bikes and roadsters to eMountain bikes. The battery can be removed from the top, bottom or side. A two-stage mechanism ensures complete safety and easy handling when the battery is being inserted or removed: when unlocked, the battery clicks out of the frame by less than an inch and can easily be handled. A safety device prevents the battery from falling out. The battery is also optimally protected by the frame. Alternatively, the PowerTube 500 can be charged directly on the bike. The recesses on the upper side can be used for a bottle holder or for design trims. The surface of the PowerTube 500 stands out with a high-grade anodized aluminum in black.

Maximum compatibility with Bosch product lines

The integrated battery has a capacity of approximately 500 watt hours (Wh); it measures just 13.7” x 3.3” x 2.6” inches and weighs only around 6.2 lbs. The PowerTube 500 has an impressive power density and is one of the lightest batteries currently on the market. The new lithium-ion battery is also available in combination with DualBattery: if it is installed horizontally by the manufacturer, the lower tube can be used for an additional frame battery or a bottle holder, for example. The PowerTube 500 is compatible with all of Bosch eBike Systems' product lines.

PowerTube 500 will be available for demo at Bosch’s Sea Otter Booth #702 on April 19th – 22nd from the following brands: Bulls, Gazelle, Haibike, Mondraker, Raleigh Electric and Riese & Mül

About Bosch eBike Systems

A new generation of bikes is taking town and country by storm and is already a part of everyday life. eBikes are a modern means of transport for modern people: people in a hurry and people who prefer to take it easy, the fit and the comfort lovers, commuters and pleasure cyclists and, of course, young and old. The tailwind of technology-leading eBikes made by what are already more than 70 leading brands in Europe is powered by components that Bosch is developing to perfection. The Bosch portfolio ranges from the highly efficient drive unit (motor and gearbox) and high-quality batteries to a smart on-board and cycle computer that can be used intuitively. Perfect coordination of components holds the key to typical Bosch performance in terms of both comfort and efficiency.

Like other Bosch products, the eBike systems benefit from the Bosch Group’s technology and production know-how. From conception and engineering to manufacturing, marketing and after-sales service, Bosch eBike Systems constantly set new standards for the eBike industry. The Bosch Group’s experience in the areas of electric motors, sensor technology, displays and lithium-ion batteries ensures that Bosch eBike systems use technology that is invented for life and that eBike users have their fun.

For more information please visit www.bosch-ebike.com

About Bosch

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 400,500 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2017). According to preliminary figures, the company generated sales of 78 billion euros in 2017. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. As a leading IoT company, Bosch offers innovative solutions for smart homes, smart cities, connected mobility, and connected industry. It uses its expertise in sensor technology, software, and services, as well as its own IoT cloud, to offer its customers connected, cross-domain solutions from a single source. The Bosch Group’s strategic objective is to create solutions for a connected life, and to improve quality of life worldwide with products and services that are innovative and spark enthusiasm. In short, Bosch creates technology that is “Invented for life.” The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 440 subsidiaries and regional companies in 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch’s global manufacturing, engineering, and sales network covers nearly every country in the world. The basis for the company’s future growth is its innovative strength. At 125 locations across the globe, Bosch employs 62,500 associates in research and development.

Additional information is available online at twitter.com/BoschPresse.

Cycle Sac Bike Pouch

This bike pouch is perfect for all types of commuters and serious cyclists alike. The clear tech pouch allows you to view and use your smartphone, while the dual adjustable straps on the back make it easy to put on and take off.

Offered by NOD Products, it costs only $5.25. For details, contact NOD at web site nodproducts.com.

Wicks Means Sweat-Free Vision to Enhance Your Athletic Performance

If you're tired of blurred vision or stinging eyes from sweat, Wicks has come up with a strip that keeps the sweat from your eyes that can be used in archery, while riding a bike, gardening chores, kayaking or, performing any sports activity or while working. They are great for any physically demanding activity where “Sweat Free Vision” is a must. When sweat drips into your eyes or onto your glasses it blurs your vision and stings your eyes.

After trying to wipe my eyes one crash too many, while mountain biking, the inventor - Joseph Vanderwoort -I thought there had to be a better way to keep sweat out of his eyes and s came up with WICKS. Standard Helmet Pads and Head/Sweat Bands just aren’t as effective, functional and simple as Wicks are.
THE SWEAT DOESN'T STOP, BUT YOU CAN KEEP THE SWEAT OUT OF YOUR EYES WITH WICKS!

Wicks comes in 10 pair backs for $7.99 and in an assortment of colors. For more information, please check web site http://www.eyewicks.com.

Biking Season Doesn't Have To End With Summer --

Get a warmer, longer ride with Seirus' Heatwave™ tech, which utilizes a dual kinetic and reflective heat system that breaks down escaping vapor to amplify temperatures 4-5°F while a reflective printed layer radiates 20% additional heat back to the body.

Dynamax™ Skull Heatwave Band Skull liner with Heatwave™ inner. Warm, wicking and fits easily under a helmet. $26.99

Heatwave™ Sock Outfitted with Heatwave™ tech and featuring flat seam construction designed to deliver comfort and warmth. $34.99

Soundtouch™Xtreme™ All Weather™ Glove Form-fit, flece-lined and waterproof, these gloves offer protection from the elements without limiting dexterity. Touchscreen capable. $54.99

Snowdana™ Flece-lined badana made from wicking, breathable 4-way stretch polyester. Elasticity makes for easy on-off transitions. $19.99 (Multiple print options)

For added core warmth, these mid-layers from Dare2b are quick-drying and beyond comfortable with an inner zip and chin guard for additional protection.

Women’s Outlay Core Stretch $70
Men’s Totality Core Stretch $70

Meet Blinkers: Ultra Safe Bicycle Lights

Next generation all-in-one bicycle light system - especially important in view of the rise of bicycle related deaths involving motor vehicles nationwide. Over 900 bicyclists were killed in the US in 2013 (16% increase from 2012) and there were an estimated 494,000 emergency department visits due to bicycle-related injuries. More than 70% of these accidents happen in roundabouts and crossroads, where visual interaction between cyclists and cars is critical. Velohub, a startup that’s building products to improve safety for urban cyclists, has introduced the world's first all-in-one bike light warning system called Blinkers. The system includes detachable magnetic LED lights with headlights, tail lights, turn indicators, brake lights, a 100 lumen tail light laser unit, and a handlebar-mounted RF controller.

With the press of a left or right hand switch on the controller, a strip of LEDs above each of the lights illuminates sequentially to indicate the direction in which the cyclist is turning. The dual laser lane markers are activated by pressing a button in the center of the remote, while an accelerometer and gyroscope cause the brake light to come on automatically when the bike decelerates. Blinkers is being offered exclusively on Kickstarter for $110 (€99)

-- Laser perimeter: Two laser beams are projected to the ground, creating a safety perimeter around the bicycle. Therefore, other cars know what area they need to respect to keep the cyclist safe, when riding under poor light conditions (night, bad weather). They can be activated and deactivated with the remote control so you can optimize the battery usage.

Smart lights: The Blinkers are automatically activated once you attach them to the mounts of your bicycle. They also have a light sensor which measures the ambient brightness. You can set your Blinkers on the 'smart light mode', so that the intensity of the front head light and the rear position light varies in order to ensure maximum visibility. By using this mode, you can also optimize the battery usage.

Control pad: All functionalities are controlled from the handlebar by an ergonomic remote, easily reachable with the thumb. The middle button activates the laser. Additionally, when Blinkers are running out of battery, a light on the control pad switches on to warn you.

Rechargeable battery: Blinkers includes a rechargeable battery, which can be charged with a micro USB cable. The current prototypes are using 1600mAh Li-ion batteries, which translated into usage hour means that if you use the Blinkers for 1h a day, you only have to recharge them once every week. If you want to know how much battery is left in your Blinker, you just have to turn it on and it will show on the LED screen for about 2 seconds. Otherwise, you can just plug in the micro USB cable.

Water resistant: The Blinkers are fully water resistant, so you can perfectly use them when it's raining.

Blinkers helps cyclists be seen, understood and expected by drivers in every situation and from every angle.

OTTO Unveils 60 Second Bicycle Derailleur Tuning System

Remove the mystery and frustration associated with home bicycle maintenance. OTTO has developed OTTO Tuning system 2.0, the industry’s first voice-guided iPhone vision tool and app which checks and guides adjustments of the rear derailleur in under 60 seconds. Designed with feedback from professional cyclists and mechanics, OTTO’s ease of use and step by step voice guided instructions make checking your shifting simple and painless. Cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts can both take advantage of the intuitive and precise instruction which quickly gets you back in the saddle, or gives your local bike shop details on the exact issue. The OTTO Tuning System 2.0 takes out the guesswork and offers quantitative information to help ensure your bike is always dialed with professional precision.

MSRP: 39.99 For Hardware, plus associated In App Purchases for tuning.

Use of OTTO Tuning System 2.0:

Based upon feedback from the beta version, OTTO 2.0 now gives users two ways to utilize its technology: CHECK and TUNE.

Download the voice-guided iPhone vision app itunes.apple.com/us/app/otto-tuning-system/id940271370, and order OTTO Tuning System gauges via the OTTO website or through a retailer. Follow the voice guided step by step instructions in the app, calibrating the gauges with the front facing camera on your iPhone. With properly installed hardware, OTTO will now walk you through rear derailleur alignment giving you an alignment score and getting you back to perfect shifting.

Watch the instructional set-up video www.youtube.com/watch
To view OTTO in action, visit the demo reel www.youtube.com/watch

Where to Purchase OTTO

The OTTO Tuning System is available at ottodesignworks.com and through a variety of national online distributors, as well as many IBD locations. The associated app can be downloaded via the Apple iTunes Store for free. Selected in-app features, such as tuning, are not an auto-renew subscription service, but rather require a one time in-app purchases for $3.99 a week, $11.99 for 90 days, or $26.99 for annual service.

ABOUT OTTO

Founded by bicycle lovers, innovators and service heroes, the OTTO DesignWorks team has a simple mission to create and deliver smart products for cycling and outdoor markets. Based in Portland, Oregon, OTTO DesignWorks combines technology with a passion for cycling, designing clever solutions to unmet needs in the cycling industry.

Ultimate Hydration -- Platypus revamps hydration pack line

Stay in the zone while shredding the trails with Platy’s newly updated hydration packs. The Seattle-based brand redesigned its Duthie™ all-mountain hydration packs, Tokul™ cross-country hydration packs, and women’s-specific Siouxon™ and B-Line™ collection for 2016 to fit everything you need comfortably and efficiently on your back.

Stay geared up and hydrated all day with ample internal storage, external carry options for body armor and full-face helmets (and beers, of course), and the low-profile 3.0L BigZip™ LP Reservoir that comes standard with each pack.

Duthie A.M. 15.0 - $149.95 (10.0 - $139.95)

Platy’s biggest hydration pack, the new Duthie A.M. 15.0 (also available in a 10.0L size) is built for full days on the mountain. Cavernous gear capacity, smart organizational options, and a carrying system for a full-face helmet and pads ensures your stuff is secure, while the new FloatAir™ back panel keeps you cool as you rail down the mountain.

B-Line 8.0 - $109.95

If hammering mile after mile of cross country singletrack is your jam, the low-profile, lightweight, and newly redesigned B-Line 8.0 is your ticket to the ride. It boasts enough space for your all-day riding essentials and is tailored specifically for women for an optimum fit. The new RidgeAir™ back panel ensures plenty of airflow for cool-riding comfort.

Tokul X.C. 5.0 - $89.95 (8.0 - $99.95)

The ultimate in versatility, the redesigned Tokul X.C. 8.0 pack boasts a combination of capacity, intuitive storage, a low-profile silhouette, and the new, airy RidgeAir™ back panel for quick, comfortable riding over miles and miles of trail.

Siouxon 10.0 - $89.95

Made for ripping all-mountain trails all day long, the newly redesigned Siouxon (Sue-sonn) 10.0 hydration pack offers a stable, tailored fit, plenty of space to organize your riding essentials, and boasts the new, airy FloatAir™ back panel to keep you cool all day long.

ABOUT PLATYPUS: Seattle-based Cascade Designs, Inc. has been the market leader in innovative flexible and modular hydration products for over a decade, designing easy-to-use, taste-free products for optimum performance under the Platypus brand. Unmatched versatility, quality and performance define the Platypus brand collection of BPA- and phthalate-free bottles, hands-free hydration systems, water carriers, insulators, accessories and a pump-free, fast-flow gravity water filter system compatible with Platypus hydration components. The majority of Platypus products are made in the Seattle, U.S.A. and Cork, Ireland manufacturing facilities. For more information on Platypus products, visit www.platy.com.

Trekking's Extreme Ultralite Backpacking & Travel Towels

No matter where you're going or what you're doing, pack up one or more of Trekking's Extreme Ultralite Backpacking & Travel Towels. It's great whether you're sweating or drying off -- and especially useful if you're involved in archery, boating, fishing, picniking, camping, hiking, shooting and more.

I tried the large 58” x 34” towel that weighs under 6 oz and packs into very small spaces. It’s large enough to wear as a sarong or wrap, and perfect for swimming or bathing! It makes an instant shawl for sun protection, and a wonderful travel blanket for the plane, car or train. I even tried it to cover my legs while paddling my kayak! For the serious backpacker, the 3 oz. half-size 34” x 28” towel is just right. Either size dries so fast, you won’t think you even had it wet.

For traveling minimalists, there’s an even smaller version weighing about 1.3 oz and about 19" square. Use it as a towel, neckerchief or headgear.
The Extreme Ultralite Backpacking & Travel Towel dries faster than any other towel on the market. Unlike microfiber towels that can take time to dry, the Extreme Ultralite Backpacking & Travel Towel dries quickly and is ready to use again in no time!

These towels offer superior odor resistance due to their Silver antimicrobial technology, so no need to worry about funky odors that come from bacteria. The Extreme Ultralite Backpacking & Travel Towel will stay clean and fresher between washings!

Both beautiful and functional, the Extreme Ultralite Backpacking & Travel Towel comes in vibrant patterns and colors that won’t fade. These towels range from $14.95 to $59.95.

For more information, please visit www.discoverytrekking.com or contact Chicblvd Inc 2, 820 Los Vallecitos Ste A-C, San Marcos, CA 92069 United States

SCS Magnum is a Pry-Bar and Bolt-Cutter Resistant Bike Carrier That Secures Bikes With Ease and Flexibility

According to the company, the world’s first truly anti-theft bike carrier, SCS Magnum, launched a crowdfunding campaign on December 3, 2015, on Indiegogo in hopes of raising $90,000 for production of the bike rack. Magnum is a hitch- mounted two, three or four-bike carrier designed for car, SUV, truck or RV use.

Unlike other bike carriers on the market, Magnum is virtually theft-proof. It protects against bike theft with a solid steel integrated security bar that is bolt-cutter resistant and pry-bar proof. The one-piece, hingeless structure also eliminates any other possible avenues for would-be thieves such as dismantling the carrier itself or cutting at a weaker, hinged area. Instead of fumbling with cable or chain locking security systems that thieves can cut right through, one simple movement slides the steel security bar into place, locking up to four bikes on the carrier.

It was after personally having three bicycles stolen from bike racks on his car that Johnson decided it was time to create a better method for securing his bikes. When he learned that more than 800,000 bicycles are stolen in the U.S. every year, he realized that a larger crowd could also benefit from his invention.

“Anyone who transports bikes frequently knows the pain of making sure they are secure,” Magnum creator Neil Johnson said. “Whether a bike is worth $200 or $2,000, no one wants to have to constantly park their car in places where they can watch the bikes or worry about their favorite bicycles being stolen right off their car.”

For more information about SCS Magnum, or to buy a bike carrier, please visit the campaign page at http://bit.ly/MagnumIndie.

ABOUT SCS RACKS
SCS Racks was founded by Washington native Neil Johnson. Combining traditional common sense with state of the art metal fabrication, the original and highly successful prototype model was named the “BoneLocker.” The BoneLocker was the first product built by SCS and became the blueprint for the advanced SCS Magnum. All SCS carriers are built with local craftsmanship and unmatched quality locally in Spokane, Washington. The company’s philosophy is quality over profit, and every product is guaranteed against manufacturer defects for one year. Learn more at www.scsrack.com.

ASSOCIATIONS

AIR FORCE CYCLING

The Air Force Association (AFA) is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association promoting understanding of aerospace power and the pivotal role it plays in the security of the nation. AFA publishes Air Force Magazine, conducts national symposia and disseminates information through various outreach programs. It sponsors professional development seminars and recognizes excellence in the education and aerospace fields through national awards programs.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Defense, Space & Security is a $31 billion business with 53,000 employees worldwide. Follow on Twitter@BoeingDefense.

International Mountain Biking Association(IMBA)

IMBA Announced New Plan for Wilderness

On February 18, 2016, the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) announced its 2016 advocacy position on its strategies regarding bike access and federally managed Wilderness were discussed in detail. Mike Van Abel, IMBA’s President and Executive Director stated, “After thoughtful deliberation and careful consideration, including conversations with many partners and stakeholders, IMBA’s board reasserted its longstanding commitment and approach to enhancing trail access for mountain bikers.”

The organization’s 2016 advocacy position is based on three key points:

Regarding future Wilderness proposals, IMBA believes it is unacceptable to lose access to trails currently enjoyed by people riding mountain bikes.

IMBA will investigate and pursue legislation that realigns existing Wilderness boundaries to re-open trails to people riding mountain bikes.

IMBA will not seek to amend the Wilderness Act of 1964

As an example of the organization’s strong commitment to increasing bike access, Van Abel pointed out that IMBA is actively considering the possibility of taking legal action in the Bitterroot National Forest in Montana and Idaho. Should IMBA determine there is precedence for legal action, it will ask the court whether the U.S. Forest Service properly applied the National Environmental Policy Act in its determination that bikes would diminish the wilderness character of a landscape.

In regards to existing Wilderness, IMBA will pursue legislation to redraw Wilderness boundaries that would open access to select trails and trail connections for mountain biking. This includes trails that government agencies have closed to bicycles without sufficient analysis and empirical evidence of adverse impacts. This legislative effort will be pursued where IMBA has strong grassroots chapters that represent local constituents. “IMBA will be strategic in directing resources toward land challenges that have the opportunity to be the most successful,” said Van Abel.

The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational association. Its mission is to create, enhance and preserve great mountain biking experiences. Since 1988, IMBA has been bringing out the best in mountain biking by encouraging low-impact riding, volunteer trail work participation, cooperation among different trail user groups, grassroots advocacy and innovative trail management solutions. IMBA's staff, chapters, partners and members work to benefit the entire mountain bike community. Learn more at IMBA.com.

NATIONAL INTERSCHOLASTIC CYCLING ASSOCIATION (NICA)

Scott Sports Continues Partnership with Utah High School Cycling League

The League is one of 15 teams in the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) and was the largest with 877 student-athletes in 2014. It consists of 54 teams representing 89 high schools throughout Utah.

The Scott Sports home office was relocated to Salt Lake City from Sun Valley, Idaho in September 2013. Since then, the company has established its identity on the Wasatch front as a committed supporter of local events and riders. In addition to supporting the Utah High School Cycling League, Scott sponsors events like the Tour of Utah, the Park City Point to Point, and the Scott Enduro Cup.

For more information about Scott Sports, go to www.scott-sports.com, and for information about the Utah High School Cycling League, visit www.utahmtb.org.

About SCOTT Sports
Since 1958 SCOTT Sports has pushed the limits of innovation, technology and design. From the first aluminum ski pole, to the introduction of aero bars and the original plastic motocross boot, we have led the way in the sports industry. Combining endless determination to improve with the methodical intricacy put into each bike-, wintersports-, moto- and running product, SCOTT prepares athletes to reach their highest potential. Learn more at www.scott-sports.com.

About The Utah High School Cycling League
Founded in 2011, the Utah High School Cycling League is one of 15 leagues in the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). Following NICA's core principles of developing strong body, strong mind and strong character through efforts on a mountain bike, and with the mantra of "Everyone rides," the Utah League has grown from 29 teams with 325 student-athletes when founded, to 54 teams and 877 athletes representing 89 high schools throughout Utah. Utah League was the largest league in NICA in 2014. It organizes 5 races each season, and provides training and education for coaches and volunteers, and produces an annual coaches training, fundraising events and rider camps and skills clinics. For more information about the Utah League and how to join or form a team, go to www.utahmtb.org.

The Utah League is generously supported by Scott Sports, Arches Health Plan, Bikes for Kids, Jerry Seiner Dealerships, Destination Homes, Enve, Soar Communications, Zions Bank, Energy Solutions, Utah National Guard, Intermountain Sports Medicine, Stewart Title, and First National Bank.

About The National Interscholastic Cycling Association
Founded in 2009 as a 501(c)3 non-profit, the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) develops high school mountain biking programs for student-athletes and coaches across the United States. NICA provides leadership, services and governance for local leagues to produce quality mountain bike events, and supports every student-athlete in the development of strong body, strong mind and strong character through their efforts on the bike. As of summer 2014, NICA is supporting over 1400 coaches and 4200 student-athletes from over 350 high schools in thirteen separate leagues.

USA Cycling (USAC)

USA Cycling (USAC) has historically been an organization representing elite cyclists, leaving strong contingency of enthusiasts under-represented…until now. To engage and to encourage novice riders, weekend warriors, and non-competitors, USAC has introduced RIDE, an affordable membership with a host of benefits.

For just $50/years members receive the following:

· 24-hour roadside assistance, including flat-tire assistance and a free lift home within 20 miles of the incident.

· $25k in supplement insurance for accidents during races of all kinds

· legal assistance for cycling issues

In addition, RIDE memberships contribute to safety advocacy and development programs.

Whether a semi-professional or an outdoor junky who likes to jump on their bike from time-to-time, the membership offers freedom and support from the foremost experts in the industry. Ride is ideal for college kids heading back-to-school and everyone on the holiday list.

BICYCLE BRANDS & Electric (E-bikes)

CANNONDALE

Cannondale’s All-New SystemSix is the Fastest Road Bike in the World

Cannondale, has announced the launch of its newest road bike, the SystemSix. Designed as a complete speed system, this race-bred machine is the lowest-drag, most efficient, all-around fastest UCI-legal road bike on the market today. Not only the fastest in the wind-tunnel, not only the fastest for a select few riders in a select few scenarios, but the SystemSix is the fastest road bike for anyone interested in going faster anywhere.

“SystemSix is the result of a ground up design where each element is optimized in pursuit of speed,” said Nathan Barry, Cannondale Design Engineer. “Aerodynamic drag is the single greatest resistive force that riders have to overcome so it is important to everyone, not just racers. SystemSix delivers more speed, to more riders, more of the time.”

The SystemSix is built on a six-part foundation – frame, fork, seatpost, bar, stem and wheels that all work together as a system. The disc-brake only design freed SystemSix from the constraints imposed by rim brakes, allowing engineers to achieve new levels of drag-reducing integration between the frame, fork and wheels. Precisely truncated airfoil profiles in the frame, fork and seatpost maintain air flow attachment across important yaw angles and minimize drag, while delivering world-class stiffness and ride feel.

Completing the system are Cannondale’s new HollowGram KNØT64 wheels and KNØT SystemBar. The HollowGram KNØT64 wheels are engineered to combine the comfort and feel of larger volume tires with the aerodynamic efficiency of the fastest wheelsets in the world, while the KNØT SystemBar provides the low drag and sleek look of a one-piece bar and stem, with the adjustability and convenience of a two-piece system. With a full 8° of pitch adjust, as well as the ability to change stem length and bar width, it makes it easy to dial in the perfect position.

With other thoughtful details like ready-to-activate Power2Max power meters, fast and convenient Speed Release thru-axles and easy-to-service internal cable routing, the SystemSix is a full tilt, fully integrated road racing machine. Riders will climb faster, descend faster, sprint faster and draft easier on the all-new SystemSix.

For full details on the science of speed, validation and test data on the fastest road bike in the world, see Cannondale’s whitepaper at www.cannondale.com/TheSystemSix. The SystemSix line-up features four men’s models, in sizes 47, 51, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 and one Women’s model, sizes 47, 51, 54. For more information on the new SystemSix, visit www.cannondale.com.

For more information please go to Dorel Sports, 1 Cannondale Way, Wilton, CT 06897

ECCO and Sole Bicycles

ECCO and Solé Bicycles announce their latest collaborative effort on a custom bicycle collection.

This limited time partnership blends Solé Bicycles understated-cool aesthetic with ECCO’s signature Scandinavian design, creating a bike that is fitting for those with an active lifestyle. The collection includes four custom models in both single speed/fixed gear and city cruiser options. Each bike’s seat and handles bars are wrapped in rich ECCO leathers. High performance features, ultra lightweight construction and stylish detailing make it perfect for the city commute or weekend adventure.

The collaboration debuted at the ECCO Pop-Up shop in San Francisco on April 17th, 2016, and is available by special order and will retail for $700.

ABOUT ECCO

More than 350 million pairs of ECCO shoes have walked the earth since 1963, when Karl Toosbuy founded the company in Denmark. ECCO is one of the few major shoe manufacturers in the world to own and manage every step of the shoemaking process – from leather production through manufacturing in its own factories and all the way to its stores. ECCO’s Scandinavian design philosophy, “The shoe must follow the foot,” is guiding the company. ECCO creates high-comfort, functional, stylish shoes and timeless bags, accessories, small leather goods and shoe care products. Still family owned, ECCO is headquartered in Denmark and employs more than 19,500 people of 57 nationalities worldwide. ECCO products can be found in the 1,100 ECCO stores and
14,000 other sales locations in 85 countries.

ABOUT SOLÉ BICYCLES

Solé Bicycles was founded in 2009 by a group of best friends in college who were fed up with the state of fixed and single speed bicycles. With a shared determination and a vision of change, we set out to introduce high performance and stylish bicycles that wouldn't break the bank. Fast forward four years, and we’re still doing what we love. Our passions for design, simplicity, and craftsmanship shine brighter than ever, translating into our best bicycles yet. We're constantly intrigued and influenced by the vast and intricate surroundings at our home here in Venice Beach, California. The Culture of this iconic city courses through our veins thus creating a unique umbrella of music, art, and apparel all delicately catered to your Solé experience. A Solé bicycle should be an extension of yourself, and we believe that we have cultivated a bond unlike any other.

GAZELLE BIKES

New Gazelle eBike Wins iF Design Award

Gazelle’s newest electric bike, the Arroyo C8 Elite won the prestigious iF Design Award!. The iF Design Award is a recognized hallmark of high quality and excellent design. The Gazelle Arroyo C8 Elite is specifically designed for ultimate comfort.

Features include:

Lightweight suspension in the front fork and seat post

Extra powerful and silent Bosch Active Line Plus motor

Safe mounting and dismounting with the Bosch PowerTube 500 battery integrated into the frame

Bosch has introduced two new systems and eMTB mode at Interbike

Bosch is highlighting two new systems and the new eMTB mode for the North American market for Model Year 2018.

Active Line Plus: Quieter with zero resistance

From the days of launching our very first eBike system in Europe in 2010, Bosch’s goal has always been to make an eBike retain the natural feel of a traditional bicycle. The earliest generation of our product came close and quickly jump-started the “pedal-assist” eBike market in Europe. Our 2nd generation system came even closer and has been a big factor in the rise of pedal-assist eBikes in the US since 2014. Through non-stop innovation at our Stuttgart headquarters, our latest drive unit generation, dubbed Active Line Plus (ALP), closes the gap even further between an eBike and bicycle.

Key improvements:

Smaller: the drive unit is 20% smaller (volumetric) which enables bike designs with a cleaner / integrated look, to more closely resemble traditional bikes. With the ALP, the drive unit is one step closer to disappearing within the frame of the bike.

Lighter: the ALP drive unit weighs approximately 7.1 lbs, a weight reduction of 19% compared with last year’s Active and Performance Line drive units. Lighter eBikes handle better during the ride and are easier to transport after the ride – both key enablers to eBike market growth.

Whisper-quiet: the completely re-designed drive unit features a new quieter gear concept and electric motor. As you pedal on a quiet road, now you just hear the wind in your face.

Zero pedalling resistance: due to this new gear concept, when the motor is in “off” mode or the rider surpasses the drive’s cut-off speed, the rider feels no more resistance in the pedals than on a traditional bicycle.

Multiple front chain ring possible: previously, all Bosch drive units allowed only one chain ring. ALP now features the ability to offer multiple front chain rings, for bikes that need a wider range of gears.

Superior range: the ALP combined with the 500Wh battery achieves 51 miles range (mixed-modes, favorable conditions), and a max of 130 miles-plus range (Eco mode, ideal conditions). This is achieved through key features such as high motor efficiency and lower max torque (50 Nm), which is set deliberately lower than Performance Line to cater to commuters & more casual cyclists.

“The New Active Line Plus is our proudest achievement thus far for pavement-style eBikes,” said Claudia Wasko, General Manager of Bosch eBike Systems Americas. “Active Line Plus gives riders the fun of an eBike with the feel of a bicycle.”

Active Line: Lighter and smaller

The new Active Line has all the same key features as Active Line Plus with three key differences:

40 Nm of torque rather than 50 Nm.
Weight is even less at 6.4 lbs.
5% percent smaller than ALP.

eMTB Mode for Performance Line CX

A mode for eMountain bikers: eMTB mode replaces the previous Sport mode of the Performance Line CX and switches between the Tour and Turbo riding modes. Depending on the pedal pressure, the progressive motor support automatically adapts to the individual’s riding style. Without changing gear, the motor always provides support at the ideal power level, even at low cadences. eMTB mode is available to dealers in the form of a software update.

“Our new eMTB mode is going to be a game changer for the e-mountain biker,” said Claudia Wasko, General Manager of Bosch eBike Systems Americas. “It takes trail riding to another level.”

About Bosch eBike Systems

A new generation of bikes is taking town and country by storm and is already a part of everyday life. eBikes are a modern means of transport for modern people: people in a hurry and people who prefer to take it easy, the fit and the comfort lovers, commuters and pleasure cyclists and, of course, young and old. The tailwind of technology-leading eBikes made by what are already more than 60 leading brands in Europe is powered by components that Bosch is developing to perfection. The Bosch portfolio ranges from the highly efficient drive unit (motor and gearbox) and high-quality batteries to a smart on-board and cycle computer that can be used intuitively. Perfect coordination of components holds the key to typical Bosch performance in terms of both comfort and efficiency.

Like other Bosch products, the eBike systems benefit from the Bosch Group’s technology and production know-how. From conception and engineering to manufacturing, marketing and after-sales service, Bosch eBike Systems constantly set new standards for the eBike industry. The Bosch Group’s experience in the areas of electric motors, sensor technology, displays and lithium-ion batteries ensures that Bosch eBike systems use technology that is invented for life and that eBike users have their fun.

For more information please visit www.bosch-ebike.com

About Bosch

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 390,000 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2016). According to preliminary figures, the company generated sales of 73.1 billion euros in 2016. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. As a leading IoT company, Bosch offers innovative solutions for smart homes, smart cities, connected mobility, and connected industry. It uses its expertise in sensor technology, software, and services, as well as its own IoT cloud, to offer its customers connected, cross-domain solutions from a single source. The Bosch Group’s strategic objective is to deliver innovations for a connected life. Bosch improves quality of life worldwide with products and services that are innovative and spark enthusiasm. In short, Bosch creates technology that is “Invented for life.” The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 450 subsidiaries and regional companies in some 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch’s global manufacturing, engineering, and sales network covers nearly every country in the world. The basis for the company’s future growth is its innovative strength. At 120 locations across the globe, Bosch employs 59,000 associates in research and development.

Additional information is available online at www.bosch-press.com

MASI BIKES

Masi Bikes unveils lightweight bikes reinforced by TeXtreme ®

California-based US bicycle company Masi Bikes has released new frames and forks, reinforced by TeXtreme® carbon fiber fabrics. By incorporating TeXtreme® into their designs, Masi was able to reduce the weight by 110 grams while improving stiffness.

“The goal wasn’t to just make the frame lighter, we also wanted to make it a bit smoother without giving up any drivetrain stiffness. By using TeXtreme®, we succeeded in making a frame that gives us what we want from it. Since TeXtreme® is so thin we could work with several plies to get the same thickness or less, resulting in significant improvements.” says Masi’s James Winchester.

TeXtreme® is the next-generation state-of-the-art carbon fiber material now being used throughout the bicycle industry. TeXtreme® technology it is based on using Spread Tows instead of traditional round tows to create ultra-light weight, high-performance products. Companies utilizing the TeXtreme® Technology achieve significant results in minimizing weight while increasing rigidity, strength, etc., in comparison to other carbon fiber materials.T eXtreme® technology is able to maximize the benefits of thin ply principles where research studies have shown the maximum strength until breakage is more than twice as high when comparing with conventional carbon fiber fabrics.

In addition to the bicycle industry, TeXtreme® can be found in Formula 1, America’s Cup, NASCAR and Le Mans racing, golf clubs, surfboards, tennis racquets, table tennis blades, rowing shells, skis, snowboards and ice hockey sticks as well as various industrial and advanced aerospace applications.

About Masi

Masi Bikes is a bicycle production company that was founded in 1950 and is known for its racing bikes. Masi was established in Italy by Faliero Masi, but is now based in California. Masi Bikes are sold through authorized distributors and dealers located across the U.S., Italy and the rest of the world. By carefully blending old world tradition with modern technology, Masi will continue to earn the respect of champions and discriminating cyclists everywhere. Faliero would be proud; you will be impressed. For more information check web site www.masibikes.com

About TeXtreme®

TeXtreme®, the market leader in advanced carbon reinforcement technology, is the ultimate choice for making advanced ultra-light composites products with superior mechanical performance and surface smoothness. TeXtreme® Technology is flexible and tow-size independent which enables the development of optimized reinforcement solutions which are tailor-made for specific needs of the application. Manufacturers of advanced aero, industrial and sports products have consistently found that using TeXtreme®Spread Tow carbon fabrics and UD tapes have enabled them to produce composite parts which are 20-30% lighter with improved mechanical properties and superior surface smoothness. TeXtreme® is a registered trademark owned by Oxeon AB.
For more information please check web site www.textreme.com

MONKEY FACTION

Capuchin Bike by Monkey Faction Fuses the Comfort of a Scooter With the Responsiveness of a Mountain Bike

Monkey Faction is on a mission to get people riding bicycles again. Whether you are young or old, your health and quality of life improves by riding a bike. In today's culture, bikes are too often viewed as being relics of the past or uncomfortable to ride. Thanks to the new Capuchin by Monkey Faction, the bicycle is dynamically brought into the present!

Monkey Faction Capuchin

#EvolutionaryFun

The bike combines the comfort and ease of a scooter, with the durability and responsiveness of a mountain bike. The result is a bike that is refreshingly new, looks amazing, and is incredibly fun to ride. Since the bicycle was invented in 1817, there have only been a handful of times where its design has been significantly updated. The release of the Capuchin marks one of these times.

It begins with the frame. For over a century, bicycles have used a basic, diamond-shaped frame. The Capuchin tosses that to the side and replaces it with a new, easy-on/off alloy frame with unique dimensions. The appearance of the Capuchin is of something that, at minimum, should require a special license to operate!

The Capuchin's frame is designed around its Scooter Saddle System™, which enables the rider to choose their optimal sitting position for proper leg extension and comfort. The system features a long, slender saddle reminiscent of the banana seats from the 1960s and early 70s.

The Capuchin features BMX-style wheels with massive four-inch tires for a smooth, stable ride. Shimano gears and disc brakes make for easy shifting throughout its 7-speeds, and ample stopping power for any situation.

Monkey Faction is led by three bicycle industry veterans who together have been designing and manufacturing bicycles for over two decades. Monkey Faction is the culmination of their shared vision to create fun, affordable bicycles that motivate people to ride again.

The evolutionary Capuchin bicycle retails for $449.99, and launches on February 1st 2017 with a 30-day Kickstarter campaign. The early bird Kickstarter launch price will be $349 to the first backers. Monkey Faction's founders understand that to achieve their mission of more people riding bikes, the price needs to be within reach of everyone.

For more information, visit Monkey Faction, LLC, 770.833.8965 or via e-mail 144307@email4pr.com

MOSI BICYCLES

European-Style Mosi Bicycles Is The Newest, Must-Have Spring & Summer Accessory

Mosi Bicycles, the newest company innovating vintage European-style bicycles with a modern twist, is the perfect addition to jazz up any outfit or adventure planned for this spring and summer season. For any person who is not afraid to mix eclectic, old-school elegance with personal style, these chic bicycles are a fresh touch and are sure to add excitement to the day ahead. With clean lines, classic colors and comfort all fused into four unique models, these sleek bicycles can be taken anywhere and everywhere during the upcoming seasons.

Mosi Bicycles currently has four very distinct styles in the Mode collection that flawlessly fit each person’s unique style. With high-tensile steel frames and rear roller-disk brakes, the rider has the ability to control performance as well as experience a consistently balanced ride. The specially crafted accessories that accompany these bicycles are of the Buck & Wing collection – the saddles and grips are made of genuine Australian leather which have been chosen for each ride with style and precision in mind. Mosi Bicycles is the most wanted look for spring and summer and will continue to be admired throughout the year.

For more information on Mosi Bicycles and its products, please visit www.mosibicycles.com. Follow them on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/mosibicycles, on Twitter @mosibicycles and on Instagram @mosibicycles.

AVENTO˜ ELECTRIC BIKES

Aventon announces the unveil of its innovative new ebike, the Level Step-Through, in a LIVE LAUNCH, August 3rd.

The Level Step-Through ebike is an urban commuter’s dream that could replace a car for running errands and riding to work or school. Monday, August 3 in a LIVE announcement, company leaders will introduce this sleek model that provides easy access with a step-through frame and a smooth, thrilling ride reaching up 28MPH with pedal assist. This ebike is a tweaked version of the company’s best-selling Level that was introduced in the Spring. Fans and partner bike shops suggested body changes to appeal to a broader fan base and Aventon built the Level Step-Through based on their wish list.

Monday August 3. SIGN UP FOR ALERTS AND TUNE INTO THE LIVE LAUNCH Or watch the live launch on Aventon’s digital platforms including You Tube, Facebook, and Twitter.

During Covid-19, more urban commuters are ditching public transportation and rideshares for ebikes. To answer exploding commuter demand, Aventon introduces the Level Step-Through, a sleek, innovative ebike that can replace your car for running errands and commuting to work or school.

The Level Step-Through is a tweaked version of Aventon’s popular, top-selling Level ebike that debuted in Spring. The Level Step-Through features a step-through frame that’s easy to hop on and off – a model built after repeated requests from customers and partner bike shops. It offers a super low stand-over height, perfect for shorter riders or those with poor flexibility. Just like the standard Level, it includes features urban commuters crave from a class III ebike such as speed up to 28 MPH with pedal assist, and features such as a rack, fenders, and kickstand at no additional charge.

“We are thrilled to introduce The Level Step-Through, the next generation of ebike for the urban commuter who wants to ride to work and school without the cost of a car, the germs of public transportation or the sweat from riding a regular bike,” says Adele Nasr, Aventon’s Chief Marketing Officer. “We got tons of feedback from our loyal fans and partner bike shops and modeled this bike with their wish list in mind. As the pandemic continues and beyond, we expect orders for this slick, technologically advanced ebike to skyrocket as an affordable, convenient mode of transportation that provides germ-free exercise and commuting.”

Level Step-Through Features

Available in two colors, Earth Grey and Rose Gold and two sizes for riders from about 5’1”” to 6’3”.
Class III ebike that reaches 28 MPH on pedal assist. Plenty of speed to keep up with traffic and lots of power from the 750-watt peak hub motor for help on hills. You can even pull a trailer.

Reaches 20 MPH on throttle. Just pedal for a moment, then engage the throttle with your thumb.

Equipped with at no extra charge: Suspension fork for extra comfort and hydraulic breaks for big stopping power, rack, fenders and kickstand.

Big battery that hides neatly inside the frame tubes. 14Ah battery capable of about 40 miles per charge. You can remove the battery with a key for security or for charging the bike.

Customizable with a variety of optional accessories like front and rear lights, panniers or a basket.

MSRP is $1599. Pre-order at Aventon.com or at Aventon partner bike shops. Estimated delivery is early September.

About Aventon: Aventon , based out of Ontario, California, is one of the world’s leading and innovative bicycle manufacturers and retailers. The company was founded in 2012 by CEO J.W. Zhang who discovered a major flaw in the market because bikes were either too cheaply made or too expensive. His family had an extensive background in manufacturing, so they inspired him to start his own factory to create affordable and quality bikes.

After creating a line of successful fixed gear bikes and experimenting with ebikes, in 2018, Aventon took the market by storm with the launch of the Pace 500, a high caliber and affordable ebike that won prestigious awards and catapulted the company onto the global stage. Aventon continues to launch more innovative products and is known as a leader in quality, precision engineering, and efficient manufacturing.

Aventon’s mission is to empower everyone to ride bikes regardless of their age or ability. We are passionate because we believe bikes change lives through the freedom of mobility. We are fully committed to building the best-value bikes in the industry that are fun to ride without compromising quality, durability, and comfort. Join us on our journey to innovate and create bikes that are accessible and affordable to more people. Your move. For more information, visit www.aventon.com

PEDEGO ELECTRIC BIKES

Pedego’s New “Trail Tracker Gorilla Edition” All-terrain Bike Goes Wild!

Pedego® Electric Bikes, the Number 1 electric bike brand in the United States, has announced the new Pedego Trail Tracker Gorilla Edition electric bike. Combining the power of a fat-tire bike and the comfort of a beach cruiser, the Pedego Trail Tracker Gorilla Edition is swinging into high adventure in time for holiday gift giving.

The Trail Tracker Pedego Gorilla Edition boasts a powerful 48-volt 14-amp-hour battery and four-inch-wide tires that empower riders to traverse sand, snow, mud or gravel at speeds up to 20 miles per hour. It will carry riders up to 40 miles on a single charge. Pedego’s sturdy 500-watt motor delivers excitement with the twist of the throttle. Five levels of automatic pedal assist fuel the excitement. Shimano 7-speed shifting provides the ultimate control, on paved paths or off-road, no matter what the terrain.

Yet, for all its wild nature, the Trail Tracker Gorilla Edition is also a great street bike, designed for comfort with cruiser-style handlebars that deliver an upright and relaxed ride. Its oversized saddle ensures comfort for any size rider. Its aluminum alloy suspension post takes the bumps in stride. The Trail Tracker Gorilla Edition’s 70-inch-long matte black frame can be accented with optional rim colors in black, blue, red or lime green. It is retail priced from $3,595.

Pedego electric bikes have 500-watt hub motors that help riders cruise distances of 20 to 60 miles without getting tired and sweaty. The twist-and-go throttle gives riders instant manual control over their speeds while Pedal Assist automatically adds power to their pedaling. Riders love Pedego’s California-style cruisers, including the Pedego Platinum Interceptor, a fully loaded cruiser bike with a 48-volt battery that propels riders with extra power; the Pedego Interceptor, which boasts the same powerful 48-volt battery; and Pedego’s Comfort Cruiser, which is powered by a 36-volt battery for gentle help with hills. Also available are the sleek City Commuter; the sturdy Stretch cargo bike; the Trail Tracker fat-tire bike for riding on sand, gravel and snow; the Ridge Rider electric mountain bike; and the Latch, an ingenious folding bike, designed for portability and convenience. Other models include the electric tandem bike for two and the accessible Pedego Boomerang with an ultra-low step-thru frame. Pedego also offers the Airstream model for camping devotees. Free test rides are available at every Pedego store.

About Pedego

Pedego® Electric Bikes is the Number 1 electric bike brand in the United States, according to Navigant Research. Pedego manufactures 12 high-quality, innovative models, including cruisers, tandems, commuters, fat-tire bikes, mountain bikes, cargo bikes and a convenient electric folding bike. Sold at more than 110 Pedego-branded stores and hundreds of independent electric bike dealers worldwide, Pedego’s stylish “pedal or not” electric bikes boast powerful, whisper-quiet motors that let riders sail up hills and breeze through headwinds with a smile. Available in hundreds of color combinations, Pedego electric bikes deliver a green alternative for transportation, exercise and recreation — transforming lives with fun and delight. Founded in 2008, Orange County, Calif.-based Pedego inspires riders to say, “Hello, Fun!”

RAWLAND'S NEW ADVENTURE BIKES

The Ravn

Adventure • Gravel • Rando • Bikepacking • Road Plus
Run 26", 27.5"/650B, or 700C | Custom Triple-Butted, Heat-Treated Steel | 12x142 Thru-Axle Disc
Clearance for up to 650Bx58mm or 700Cx44mm. Set for 26"x55mm or 650Bx42mm with fenders.

The Ulv

Adventure • Bikepacking • Singletrack • Midfat Rando • 27+ Drop-Bar MTB Run 27.5"/650B or 29" -- Custom Triple-Butted, Heat-Treated Steel -- 12x148 Thru-Axle Disc.

TREK

Revolutionary Lightweight Trek Emonda SLR Bicycle Now Available on Trek Travel Bicycle Touring Trips

Bicycling up the rugged Alps of France or Italy’s Dolomite Mountains just got a whole lot easier with the addition of the Trek Emonda SLR™ to Trek Travel’s bicycle fleet. As the lightest production road bike ever built, bicycling enthusiasts will appreciate its light weight when climbing mountainous (and hilly) terrain. While those looking to ride the best of the best on their next cycling vacation will appreciate the Emonda for it’s revolution design.

Thirty months in the making and weighing just 14.5 pounds, this lightweight carbon bicycle offers an incomparable bicycling experience. The Trek Emonda SLR’s light frame and chassis, coupled with its super simple electronic shifting gears (Shimano Di2), ensure that cyclists never miss a shift.

Retailing around $8,000 and introduced to the market in the summer of 2014, the Trek Emonda SLR is offered as an awesome upgrade bicycle option for Trek Travelers for a $300 upcharge. The standard bike used on Trek Travel trips is a high performing Trek Domane ™ 5.9 that weighs close to 16 pounds.

About Trek Travel

Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Trek Travel is an active vacation company specializing in cycling vacations. Each trip includes the use of a Trek Domane™ 5.9 bicycle featuring Garmin Touring Plus GPS devices and Di2 electronic shifting; accommodations; most meals, snacks and drinks for each day’s ride; daily route support; social hours; entrance fees to group events; transportation during the tour; comprehensive Trek merchandise, and more.

Trek Travel was formed in 2002 as the luxury bicycle touring arm of Trek, one of the world’s largest bicycle manufacturers. This year, the company marks its eleventh season offering luxury, economy, personalized bicycling vacations and Ride Camps around the world.

For further information contact Trek Travel at 1-866-464-8735 or visit www.trektravel.com

VINTAGE BICYCLES & ELECTRIC (E-Bikes) BIKES

VINTAGE 2020 Electric Cafe Bike With All New Design

Vintage electric bikes are known for crafting high-performance e-bikes while simultaneously creating a bygone-era aesthetic design complete with modern technology. Vintage is proud to present their newest electric bike, the 2020 Cafe, for any rider looking for the ultimate commuter bike. The Cafe features a versatile design and classic style, but is engineered for optimal performance to ensure a smooth ride no matter how long the journey. Crafted to produce a surreal level of speed, your commute just got amplified.

“The 2020 Cafe was not engineered in relation to other pedal assist bikes. It was benchmarked against our powerful 3000w throttle bike line,” Andrew Davidge, founder of Vintage Electric says. “We wanted to ensure that all of our models could ride together in a class of their own.”

When designing the new Vintage 2020 Cafe, the overall look features distinct original details. Classic finishes include supple leather handles while the all new wood inlay, made of either maple or walnut, offers a beautifully individual look to the Cafe. Incorporating the smallest details, Vintage is offering two colorwaves, Golden Gate Red and Skyline Bronze. Both colors are named after the beautiful scenery in Northern California offering even more character to the design.

The Cafe also features Vintage Electric’s latest upgrades in technology, including the innovative new 2020 Vintorque™ Drivetrain Technology. The pedal assist input, which includes Vintage’s most finely attuned torque sensor ever, reacts instantly and seamlessly to the motion of your feet melding you to the machine. The instant you need power, you’ve got it, resulting in a super-smooth ride, be it uphill or a long straightaway. The Cafe’s bluetooth-enabled controller guarantees frictionless integration between all components, pumping up performance and power for the top-of-the-line 750-watt rear-hub motor.

“The all new Vintorque™ drivetrain allows the rider to harness all of the power we are known for,” Davidge explains. “Our main focus on this project was to relay every rider input into a precise yet powerful riding experience.”

Available in three sizes, the timeless Cafe has a chromoly steel frame that is both strong and lightweight. Formed with sleek curves, the frame allows for an aerodynamic design. Sitting at the center of the artfully designed frame is the lightweight, removable 500 watt-hour battery. On a single full charge, the battery can power the Cafe to reach speeds of up to 28mph. An additional feature to the new Vintage Cafe is the electric bike model offering only the most advanced electronic interface conveniently located on the handlebar. The clear and intuitive display allows riders to access the speed and battery level with ease. In addition, the thumb-throttle provides convenient access to five pedal assist levels, giving the rider endless power possibilities in their commute.

For more information on the $3,995.00 Cafe bike or other Vintage models, please visit www.vintageelectricbikes.com, or call (408) 969-0836.
Location: Vintage • 1725 De La Cruz Blvd., Suite 4 • Santa Clara, CA 95050 • 408-969-0836

VINTAGE ELECTRIC INTRODUCES PEDAL-ASSIST OFF-ROAD BICYCLE WITH NEW EV RALLY MODEL

Vintage Electric specializes in crafting electric bikes that blend thoughtful bygone-era aesthetics with the latest technology. The company proudly presents the new Rally model. The Vintage Electric Rally is one of the world’s most dynamic electric-powered pedal-assist bikes with a performance suite made with versatility in mind to allow riders a smooth experience on both street and gravel or dirt paths. Engineered as a multi-terrain pedal-assist bike, the Rally offers classic styling with state-of-the-art technology. Featuring an incredibly smooth hub-drive motor, the Rally reliably delivers speeds up to 28 mph in an attractive platform that offers riders gravel-grinding confidence on and off the road.

“For the new Rally model, we incorporated performance influences from multi-terrain bicycles while still retaining classic American bicycle styling,” says Vintage Electric Founder/Lead Designer Andrew Davidge. “This is our first model with a decent dose of gravel-grinder DNA – we knew early on that the knobbies and suspension fork would be a crucial part of the package.”

Optimized for efficiency and adventure, the Rally design starts with a chromoly steel frame for the optimal blend of strength and comfort. The attached seat-post is crafted in a matte black color complete with an integrated LED taillight. The Rally includes seamless details throughout its design with powerfully arched leather-wrapped handlebars tucked above a 10-speed derailleur. The detailed design doesn’t stop there. The black leather handles are completed by the stealth-black frame to give this spectacular bike a sleek, sophisticated feel while the Schwalbe Smart Sam tires allow you to confidently take the Rally off the beaten path.

The Vintage Electric Rally is outfitted with intuitive cockpit controls, making it simple for riders at all levels to conveniently adjust their level of electric-assist while in motion both on the street and off-road. Located effortlessly on the left handlebar, the easy-to-use control system features buttons for power adjustment along with a clear screen that showcases battery power level and mileage ridden.

At the center of the Vintage Electric Rally design is a powerful 750-watt torque-sensing drivetrain that features five independent levels of pedal assist, ensuring commuters get exactly where they need to be. With quick recharge also a vital part of development, the Vintage Electric Rally features a removable battery pack in a cast-aluminum housing that can be fully charged in a very speedy two hours. The Rally reliably offers a range of up to 60 miles per charge.

For more information on the $4,995 Rally or other Vintage Electric models, please visit vintageelectricbikes.com or call (408) 969-0836.

Location: Vintage Electric Bikes | 1725 De La Cruz, Suite 4 | Santa Clara, CA 95050 | 408-969-0836 |

Xtracycle, Inc. Bicycles

The RFA (Ready for Anything): The new mid-tail utility bike from Xtracycle One Bike. Unlimited Possibilities.

For 2019, Xtracycle introduces the RFA, the world’s first “fu- ture-proof” electric-assist utility bike: It’s many things: a speedy city commuter, a practical utility bike, or a mid-tail cargo bike capable of carrying two children. “By ‘future-proof’ we mean this is a bike that can grow and change to meet the needs almost anyone, through all stages of life, from young adult, through parent- hood, into older-age,” said Xtracycle CEO and founder Ross Evans. “We wanted this to be a bike that never became obsolete. We’ve always aspired to that, but with the RFA, we think we’ve pushed the idea further than anybody ever has with regard to bicycles.”

The keys are Xtracycle’s patent-pending DynamicDrops rear dropout system and the array of available add-on components. DynamicDrops allow the bike to have two distinct wheel positions for the rear wheel. In “short mode” it has the wheelbase of a standard bicycle, and a zippy, agile feel. In “long mode”, the bike is a full mid-tail cargo bike, with a smooth stable and able to carry two children and four panniers.

Xtracycle’s lineup of racks and bags can outfit the bike to meet a rider’s cargo needs, heavy or light.

The RFA Sport Mode: The Ultimate City Bike
In Sport mode (short mode), the RFA is a super-capable city bike that goes with you anywhere. Pair it with our Sport MultiRack and you can carry two panniers or one child in a Yepp Seat in the rear. On the front, we’ve included our PorterRack mounts for attaching our patented PorterRack and PorterPack for additional cargo capacity. With a standard bike wheelbase, it will fit on bus racks, car racks, and on elevators. When your family grows or you need more carrying capacity, the RFA Sport can be elongated to become an RFA Utility mid-tail compact cargo bike.
The RFA Utility Mode: Serious Cargo Bike

In Utility mode (long mode), the RFA is transformed into a fully capable mid-tail car- go bike that can carry two kids in or out of Yepp seats, four standard pannier bags, or any of our RFA X3 Bag System components. With our modular Utility MultiRack, you can carry almost anything you can imagine or need. We’ve even engineered in the ability to rotate the handlebars 180o so the RFA Utility fits on bus racks, car racks, and elevators. Perfect for compact spaces and growing families that need to carry kids and cargo. When you decide you no longer need the cargo space or the kids are riding on their own, the RFA can be converted to Sport Mode for compact utility.

Built to Last
The RFA has a heavy duty chromoly frame and thru-axle fork for long lasting dura- bility and safety. It comes with large volume 24 x 2.5in Maxxis Hookworm tires for a smooth, supple ride. The frame can also accommodate high-volume 26” wheels for riders that prefer them. All RFAs come with a powerful, reliable Bosch mid-drive electric assist motor and several battery options depending on needed range.
“Thinking about a bike as transportation, e-assist is a game-changer,” Evans said. “Hills, heat, distance and time, things that might have been concerns on a regular bike become non-issues. Yet electric-assist is an investment, and that’s why we want- ed to make sure we created a bike that will hold its value in someone’s life for literally decades.”

About Xtracycle, Inc.
Our mission is simple: Xtracycle works to empower people with transformational tools that move the body and spirit. In 1995, an idealistic Stanford engineering student named Ross Evans landed in war- torn Nicaragua. There, in a tin-and-cinder-block shed, he took a welding torch and built what he didn’t realize at the time was a revolutionary invention: a longtail cargo bike designed to empower farmers to pedal their produce to market.
After returning home to California, Ross founded Xtracycle and the charitable or- ganization Worldbike, sharing his vision for transforming global transportation: give people a powerful, practical tool for vitality and connectivity and watch them grow and thrive. Together with countless early riders, Xtracycle ignited the cargo-bike movement. Around the world, Xtracycle’s message of utility cycling as a smart, sustainable solution for personal and economic development has gained incredible momentum.
Since 1998, Xtracycle has been called the best cargo bike on earth. Countless glow- ing customer testimonials and objective reviews by cycling experts from some of the most trusted media organizations in the world come to the same conclusion. Xtracy- cles are the safest, most fun, highest-quality, longest-lasting cargo bikes around, and each one is totally customizable to match your vision of the perfect ride—plus, with our innovative accessory ecosystem, they’re ready to grow and change with your evolving needs as you roll through life.
In fact, our mechanical and electric cargo bikes have been lauded for their ability to change people’s lives for the better, bringing them greater, more fulfilling connection to their family, kids, friends, neighbors, and community. Xtracycle cargo bikes also offer features and benefits you won’t find anywhere else.
Xtracycle is Made for You.

YUBA BIKES

Yuba Bikes Introduces the Supermarché Epic Front Loading Cargo Bike

It's the first front loading cargo bike to their collection. This beast will carry up to 220 lbs in the front and 80 lbs in the rear. Meant for hauling large loads like a week's worth of groceries, the kiddos, or a couple of kegs to get the party started. Cable actuated steering, stable geometry, confidence inspiring stability, this bike can do it all and it's available now!

For more information and pricing, check out Yuba's website at yubabikes.com/cargobikestore/supermarche

TWICYCLE

2WD Bike Twicycle Fulfills Crowdfunding Promise

Twicycle, a bike that doubles cyclists' workout by incorporating arm cranks in addition to regular ones, successfully completed first manufacturing run in early 2018 and has since delivered bikes to all of its crowdfunding backers. Twicycle debuted in this year's Eurobike, the world's largest cycling trade show.

Early crowdfunding backers along with customers who pre-ordered their bikes since the successful ending of the crowdfunding campaign received their bikes throughout the month of March 2018. While the delivery of bikes was delayed due to unforeseen manufacturing circumstances, the feedback from customers who have received the bikes has been overwhelmingly positive.

Twicycle showcased carbon fiber and aluminum bikes to showgoers at Eurobike 2018 in Germany in July with the bikes receiving positive feedback from gathering crowds at the grounds. Industry professionals were able to test the bike mounted on dual turbo trainers which allowed them to simulate both leg and arm propulsion. Users were able to measure wattage produced by either crank systems. The test measurements demonstrated that an additional 430 watts of power can be generated by arm propulsion only. Twicycle was also able to demonstrate to onlookers the extra acceleration possible with dual crank systems. It has been likened to E-Bike power by many.

Since the crowdfunding, Twicycle has only been offered for sale online, through the official website and numerous bikes have been shipped worldwide directly to end users. However, Twicycle has been in talks with bike distributors and retailers with the intention of stocking the bikes in physical shops worldwide. The initial distributor and retailer are Bar-Tek in Germany, with more to follow.

Twicycle referral sales program is available to viral social media platforms. Media outlets interested in referral partnership can reach out directly. Previous Twicycle viral videos which have been viewed by millions featured the bike prototypes in tropical settings of Miami, FL as well as the mountainous region of the Balkans. The upcoming videos will showcase the actual production model ridden through the Italian, Swiss and Austrian Alps, German Bavaria and Croatian coastline.

TwiCycle is aimed at people who enjoy cycling, the outdoors and would like to workout their full body equally well including their arms, chest, and back.

For more information or to request a bike for review, contact Goran Rista
PR, Media and Marketing
Twicycle
(+1) 786-486-9288 or e-mail 200288@email4pr.com. Web site http://twicycle.com

BICYCLE SHOWS

more soon

BICYCLE STORAGE

Dero

Dero Has A New and Improved Fully Built-Out Line of Bike lLockers made in Minnesota

Dero has announced its new and improved, fully built-out line of bike lockers made in Minnesota. Dero now offers five bike lockers: Two-Tier, Vertical, Double, Single, and Veloport™. One of Dero’s fully-enclosed bike storage lockers will meet anyone’s needs, whether it’s space efficiency, weather protection, and/or high security, these steel bike lockers are a perfect option for long-term bike parking applications.

Municipalities, governments, universities, and businesses will love the sturdy steel construction with locking options that include a u-lock/padlock compatible handle, while cyclists will appreciate the enclosed security. Customers are able to choose from either galvanized or powder coat finishes. Ventilating windows on the doors allow for easy monitoring of the locker’s contents. Installation is simple, with leveling feet for uneven surfaces and includes tamperproof hardware. Numbered plates, automatic door closers, and gear hooks are available options. The majority of the lockers ship flat to save on freight.

Next Level Security: Dero Two-Tier Bike Locker™
We take long-term bicycle storage to new heights with the new modular Dero Two-Tier Bike Locker. It’s upper tray lift-assist makes it easy to load and provides a space-saving solution to meet the increasing demand for covered bike parking.

Space-efficient Bike Storage: Dero Vertical Bike Locker™
The Dero Vertical Bike Locker unites the space-saving advantages of our Ultra Space Saver parking system with the additional protection of fully-enclosed bike storage. With its unique trapezoidal footprint, the modular Vertical Locker can be arranged in single or double rows or arcing configurations. Patent pending.

Maximum Security: Dero Double Bike Locker™
The Dero Double Bike Locker is bike security at its best. At a mere 38” wide, it is a perfect choice for long-term bicycle parking when you’re short on space, accommodating two bikes per unit.

Secure Bicycle Storage: Single Bike Locker™
The Dero Single Bike Locker offers bike parking for one bicycle per unit at only 32” wide, thus providing a narrower footprint when space is limited.

Secure, Stylish Bike Shelter: Veloport™
The graceful lines and modern laser cut design makes the Veloport stand out while still offering the security and durability you need in your long-term bike parking. Each bay of this all-metal, modular bike locker parks one bicycle on a lockable tray that helps guide the bike into the port. It’s user-friendly with a lift-assist door and wider fat bike trays are an option. Patent D803,762 S

ABOUT DERO
Since 1995, Dero has been supplying innovative bike parking and bicycle transit solutions to architects, contractors, municipalities, higher education, and parks and recreation. Its bike racks, repair stands and pumps, shelters, and lockers are high quality, thoughtfully designed, and secure. Dero also offers the award-winning Dero ZAP, an automatic system to track bike commuters. Dero, a PlayCore company, is located in Minneapolis and is proud to support biking locally and nationally. Dero is recognized as a Platinum level Bicycle Friendly Business? by the League of American Cyclists.

For more information please contact Bri Whitecraft at Dero. Email: bri@dero.com
or write to Dero, 42 Northern Stacks Drive Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55421 United States

BOOKS

Three Weeks Eight Seconds (Greg Lemond, Laurent Fignon, and the Epic Tour de France of 1989 by Nige Tassell

This is the gripping story of the greatest race in bicycling history, when Greg Lemond cinched victorey by a mere eight seconds. The Tour was three weeks of testing the limits of human endurance - to have the ultimate victory decided by a margin of just 8 seconds almost boggles the mind. . . and it happened on the final stage as the two sprinted down the Champs Elysees after more than 2,000 miles in the saddle. It remains the smallest margin of victory in the Tour's 100+ year history.

Available at bookstores and on-line for $25.95 and at 240 pages, it is filled with excitement.

The Official Tour de France Bike Maintenance Book: How to Prep Your Bike Like the Pros (Triumph Books)

This book is for anyone who owns a bike. Save money and time by fixing and maintaining it yourself rather than load it into your car to a bike repair shop. Discover how to apply the skills of pro mechanics. Complete with clear details and photos, you'll learn from the team who help riders move to the front of the peloton with this in-depth, how-to guide showcasing the ins and outs of bike maintenance. Bestselling author Luke Edwardes-Evans includes: An introduction to the various high-performance Tour bikes used at each stage of the race; The essential tools used for bike maintenance and repair; A day in the life of Tour mechanic, featuring an hourly schedule of their work; Easy-to-follow instructions on bike washing and aftercare, replacing worn components and non-bike and rest day maintenance; A complete overview of classic Tour bikes from the past 75 years and how to take care of them.

This 208 pages book is available at amazon.com and bookstores everywhere for $23.95. For more information contact Triumph Books at web site www.triumphbooks.com.

One Man. One Bike. One Tent. Without a Doubt, One Hell of an Adventure!

I couldn't stop reading Downhills Don't Come Free: One Man's Bike Ride from Alaska to Mexico once I began the book. This award-winning true story tells how a fifty-seven-year-old inexperienced and untrained distance cyclist pedaled his way solo across two countries, encountering “everything weird and wondrous North America had to offer.” Not too many folks have quit their corporate careers at age fifty-seven to embark on an epic adventure, especially when their most trusted companion is a bike they don’t know how to fix.

Jerry Holl isn’t most people, so he did exactly that. In his inspiring true story of resilience, strength, and overcoming fear, Holl reveals how his journey forever altered his life and why he embarked on it in the first place. In his book, Holl chronicles his anesthesized daily corporate routine and his fear of what he calls “this living death.” Having read every adventure story ever written, he wondered how he’d measure up if he embarked on his own adventure. His subsequent fifty-one-day journey from Anchorage, Alaska, to the Mexican border was replete with bad weather, flat tires, hair-raising roadways, and unpredictable grizzly bears. Holl notes that only a fool would have kept going.

Holl reflects, “I was just the right kind of fool. This is a story about personal initiative, personal R&D, my quest for explosive growth, and about creating my own new future instead of waiting for it to just happen or expecting someone else to create it for me. Unforeseen and unbelievable opportunities have come as a result, and I believe they can come for anyone who dreams big and mindfully proceeds in the face of uncertainty”

Even if you don't ride a bike, this adventure book needs to be read, for it will encourage you to overcome your fears, take calculated risks, and accept hospitality from complete strangers and it will even inspire you to plan your next trek so that you too will not give up on life and accept aging as most people do.

Author Jerry Holl is an award-winning author, a dynamic speaker and a relentless optimist. His messages are entertaining, informative, inspirational and 100% authentic. He’s also an independent business consultant, and weekend warrior. He holds an engineering degree, an MBA, and has over three decades of sales and leadership experience. Jerry resides in Minnesota with his wife and has three grown children. For more information, visit www.downhillsdontcomefree.com or email holljerry@gmail.com

This non-fiction 344 page book, including photos, is available at amazon.com and book stores everywhere.

A Guide to Cycling Taiwan’s East Coast: Hualien to Taitung

Hugging the coast from Hualien to Taitung is Highway 11; one of the most beautiful stretches of road in the entire country. We had heard about the option of cycling Taiwan’s east coast a few years previous and had long wanted to do it and it looked like this was our chance. A Guide to Cycling Taiwan’s East Coast: Hualien to Taitung first appeared on Wandering On Travel Blog http://wanderingon.com/guide-cycling-taiwan-east-coast-hualien-taitung. We researched these trails and the complete guide to cycling Taiwan's East Coast from Hualien to Taitung includesd where we stayed, renting bikes and what to do with your luggage.

Riding Sky High: A Bicycle Adventure Around the World (Skyhorse Publishing)

Did you ever dream about traveling around the world as a way to get around while touring different places? This book is a great read -- for it tells of one man's journey that truly will inspire the wanderlust inside all of us.

Written by Pierre-Yves Tremblay, you'll follow Tremblay, a trailblazing world cyclist, as he covers over 15,000 miles carrying everything on his back! Along his 863-day journey, he travels through Europe, past the deserts of the Middle East, conquers the Himalayas, and rides through Southeast Asia and the wilds of Australia before completing his journey biking across the United States and arriving back home in Canada.

Readers have a personal window into his grueling journey, displaying not only the physical effort it took to complete, but the psychological exertion as well. In addition to meeting new people and learning about new cultures, Tremblay was also forced to confront himself along the way. This modern-day Ulysses reflects how he tackled multiple pitfalls on the voyage to self-discovery.

Read, among other experiences, how he raced through the Pakistani desseert to beat an expired travel visa; his classic tale of love and loss surviving over thousands of miles apart; an emergency hospital visit due to a nasty car accident; being stranded in a remote port in Indonesia after a robbery; and the joys and wondere of conquering your fears while exploring the Great Barrier Reef.

Written in journal-form, this hard-cover 269 page book, is available on-line and at bookstores for $23.95. For more information, please contact the publisher, Skyhorse Publishering, Inc., at 307 West 36th Streeet, 11th floor, New York, NY 10018; 212-643-6816 or go to web site www.skyhorsepublishing.com.

30 Bicycle Tours in New Jersey (Backcountry Publications)

This book is written for those who enjoy leisurely bicycling with very little traffic and on some trips, no traffic at all! The 30 bicycle tours, which go throughout the state, are described in detail, including the total mileage, great places you'll be passing through, fishing holes, museums, and just fun places to take a break. For a brand-new book signed by the author, e-mail to azatz@funtravels.com for details. Or, order one on-line from Amazon.com or order from bookstores.

Training For Speed, Agility, & Quickness (Human Kinetics Publishing)

Athletes who want to be successful in their chosen sports should not take a casual approach to their speed, agility, and quickness training programs. Renowned kinesiology professor Lee Brown says athletes should have enough of a strength base to adequately complete each exercise without undue strain, using the training as a supplement to traditional resistance training. In other words, it should be conducted in addition to—and not instead of—lifting weights.

In the third edition of the best-selling book for which he serves as editor, Training for Speed, Agility, & Quickness (Human Kinetics, December 2014), Brown stresses that exercise programs for athletes need to take several parameters into consideration, such as years of training, level of fitness, and how often speed, agility, and quickness training will be performed. In addition to these concerns, he points to seven critical training variables athletes at all training levels should discuss with their coaches—choice, order, frequency, intensity, volume, rest, and progression:

1. Choice of exercise for a training program should mimic the athlete’s demands during competition. Exercises should be specific to the sport relative to direction of movement, velocity of movement, muscles used, and metabolic demands of the sport. Most important, every program must be designed with a specific goal in mind, such as a soccer player incorporating multiple repetitions of multidirectional drills.

2. Order of exercise should follow three main patterns: simple to complex, low to high intensity, and general to sport specific. Brown says ordering the exercises in this manner allows an athlete to gradually prepare to perform the most complex, intense, and specific movements required during their peak event.

3. Frequency of training refers to the number of training sessions completed in a given time, usually per week. Frequency should be altered according to the ability level of the athlete and where he or she is in a training program. “It is important that athletes begin with the basic techniques of each exercise before advancing to more technical aspects,” Brown comments. “Furthermore, learning proper mechanics of basic exercises will allow the athlete to progress to advanced exercises in a timelier manner.”

4. Intensity applies to the quality of work performed during muscular activity and is measured in terms of power output (i.e., work performed per unit of time). Training intensity may also be defined by the ease or difficulty of a particular drill and be altered based on the velocity of movement, whether or not the movements are planned or unplanned, and the degree of angle for the movement.

5. Volume is the quantity, or total number, of sets and repetitions completed in a training session. The inverse relationship between intensity and volume states that as intensity increases, volume decreases. Early in the program, volume is high while intensity is low. As the athlete nears competition, volume is progressively decreased as intensity increases. When it comes to assessing training progression, measuring training volume (number of sets times number of repetitions) is vital.

6. Rest, as Brown points out, is often the forgotten variable. Rest prevents overtraining and is critical to the success of a training program. The progression of a training program must include rest in order to maximize training adaptations that are specific to each sport.

7. Progression of the program should gradually increase as athletes reach their goals. It should also be specific to the sport. “Intensity should progress from low to moderate until movements are mastered, followed by a decrease in volume as the intensity increases,” Brown explains. “Progression from low to high intensity may depend on where the athlete is in his or her training year.” He says low intensity may consist of performing the exercises at 40 to 50 percent of maximal exertion, moderate intensity at 50 to 80 percent, and high intensity at 80 to 100 percent.

Brown also says each critical training variable should be manipulated according to the athlete’s level of training, dividing athletes into three major categories: novice, experienced, and advanced. With novice athletes, the potential for improvement is great. Experienced athletes have been training for one to five years and compete at a higher level, but there is still great room for improvement. Advanced athletes, meanwhile, compete at a national or international level, where events are decided by inches or hundredths of a second. Because their potential for improvement is small, the details of their programs must be precise.

As the most effective resource for building the movement skills to excel in any sport, the first two editions of Training for Speed, Agility, & Quickness have sold more than 100,000 copies. The third edition includes new drills, bringing the total to more than 200. The most dynamic and complex drills are housed in an online video library, giving readers exclusive access to streaming video of demonstrations that ensure the drills and exercises are being performed with proper technique.

For more information on the third edition of Training for Speed, Agility, & Quickness or other strength and conditioning books and resources, visit HumanKinetics.com.

This 280 pp book with 343 illustrations is available at bookstores and on-line for $24.95.

Fitness Cycling (Human Kinetics Publishing)

If you want to learn the basics of cycling, learning about workouts, and attaining your cycling goals, this book will answer all your questions and make you a more successful rider. From customized workouts to authoritative advice, you'll learn the most effective workouots -- 56 that are chosen to improve strength, speed and stamina -- for achieving peak physical conditioning. Author Shannon Sovndal, MD, through color photographs, charts, and advice, is a cyclist and physician for one of the sport's leading teams - and provides, through personal knowledge - a detailed approach to cycling based on specific aspects of riding, such as base building, interval training, sprinting, hill climbing, and time trialing. Each workout is color coded for intensity level, so you can create a targeted program based on your goal, current fitness level, and cycling experience.

With recommendations, advice, and professional insights on riding techniques, goal setting, training concepts, recovery, and preventing common cycling injuries, Fitness Cycling is the one training guide you'll turn to over and over again for a lifetime of cycling workouts.

Available on-line and bookstores, this 215-page book sells for $18.95.

BIKE NYC: The Cyclist's Guide to New York City (Skyhorse Publishing)

As the author of '30 Bicycle Tours in New Jersey' - I was extremely pleased to read 'Bike NYC.' Authors Marci Blackman, Ed Glazar and Michael Green have done an excellent job, and I do believe that the fact that regular bicycle riding has doubled in New York City in the past couple of years is due to their writing about Protected paths and bike lanes that have been popping up everywhere - from Broadway to Prospect Park West. Commuter biking and joy riding is now safer and easier than ever before.

Bike NYC is the definitive guide to navigating the city via its fastest growing mode of transportation. Three seasoned riders and bike tour guides, including the creator of Bikeblognyc.com, offer advice on fabulous rides through ALL five boroughs. Part guidebook, photo essay, history and human interest story, Bike NYC is all about rediscovering the city and being a part of the bike culture movement. In reading this book, you'll not only get exercise and be healthier, but you'll gain a new prospective on New York City with adventures such as:

Riding Manhattan tip to tip from 122-year-old Pier A to the Cloisters

Checking out the "Cemetery Belt," an 18-mile ride through ancient cemeteries of Brooklyn and Queens

Pedaling your waty through a Manhattan and Queens art crawl

Seeing Coney Island's beaches as never before

The book is small enough to carry anywhere and is packed with safety tips, historical facts, photographs, and listings of the best food stops and bike shops no matter where you are on your ride. The book is definitely a new key to the city.

At $12.95, the book is available at bookstores and online. For more information contact Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., 307 West 36th Street, New York, NYT 10018; 212-643-6816. Or go to web site www.skyhorsepublishing.com.

CLEANING & SAFETY PRODUCTS

Cleaning Products

Body Glide Protective Skin Care / Cycle Anti Saddle Sore Balm

Cycle Anti Saddle Sore Balm is injury prevention, Stops Saddle Sores, Keeps Hands Clean, is easy to apply, is long lasting, sweat & water resistant - never greasy and never wet. This product also stops saddle sores - protecting your assets from rubbing that causes saddle sores with a dry, invisible, non-greasy barrier.

When to apply is easy: Before you get dressed to protect against rubbing that causes saddle sores, apply dirrectly from the stick to your skin, shorts, or chamois. With this product applied, you can stay in the saddle longer - 100 mile rides, and more. Frequent re-application is unnecessary, and it is sweat resistant, won't clo pres, allows sweat to escape, and skin to breathe.

For more information contact BodyGlide.com.

New Febreze Laundry Odor Eliminator

After you've camped out and crammed all your smelly clothing, towels and gear into bags, it's bound to smell terrible when you arrive home. The question will be: How do I get the stink out completely? Most likely you figure that scented detergents, fabric softener and dryer sheets can mask those deep down odors - but they don't always work well. Here comes the new Febreze Laundry Odor Eliminator wash additive to give the laundry a fresh clean scent - maybe even if a skunk left it's scent on it.

The Febreze Laundry Odor Eliminator has the power to work seamlessly with any detergent, and while the dirt is cleaned away, the Eliminator fights the tough odors and can be used for all ltypes of odors such as smoke, sweat, mildew, pets, cooking, etc., with just one wash.

This product has a cap that is also a measuring cup, and works well for athletic uniforms, gym clothes, job uniforms, curtains, comforters and other materials that can be placed in the washing machine.

Sold at Walmart, Meijer, Kmart, A&P, Pathmark, Stop&Shop and other groceery, drug, mass retailers. It is available in a 50-fl ounce bottle in Fresh Scent for $8.99.

For more information go to web site www.newfebreze.com.

Safety Products

Leatt Corp. has introduced its new line of bike protective gear

This new line protects every part of a biker's body. Among these products are the following:

Leatt's DBX helmets --

for extreme, off-road and recreational bicycling. These include models featuring maximum ventilation, visor with break away function, 3D in-molded multi-density V-foam Plus, and Quattro Force Control.

The Adult Fusion Vest --

a first-ever neck and torso protection product for adults, provides lightweight, comfortable protection and is CE certified for impact protection.

A new neck brace --

featuring a carbon chassis with three-way adjustments, carbon matrix for increased rigidity and lower weight and improved helmet side clearance.

A new 3-point knee brace --

that has none of the pinching and discomfort that older-style knee braces have. It supports the knee completely while having no contact with the knee on the inside and is designed to help prevent meniscus, MCL and ACL injuries better than other designs.

A new multi-layer body armor --

including back and chest protectors and elbow, knee and shoulder guards.

CLOTHING

ISRAEL JERSEYS

Israel Cycling Academy unveils a redesigned jersey

Israel Cycling Academy riders will carry their new Peace Ambassadors title alongside the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation logo on their new jerseys after getting special permission from the UCI to redesign their kits in a last minute move.

It will be the first time a professional team will carry an outright message of peace on their jerseys and the first time that the world-renowned Peres Center for Peace and Innovation will be promoted by a sports team. The Peres Center was founded in 1996 by the late Nobel Peace Prize winner and former president of Israel, Shimon Peres, focusing on peace-building projects in the fields of innovation, peace education, medicine, business, and environment. Tens of thousands of people have participated have participated in the Peres Center’s programs as the organization works towards its goal of a prosperous Israel within a peaceful Middle East.

The Peres Center for Peace and Innovation said in a statement: “We see great value and importance that this unique professional cycling team is devoted to help build human bridges across religions and cultures and inspire the young generation of cyclists and others.”

During the team’s recent trip to Israel, the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation nominated Israel Cycling Academy’s riders to be peace ambassadors. Upon receiving this honor, the team set about redesigning their 2018 jerseys to reflect this distinguished responsibility. Because the team had already submitted its original kit design to the UCI, the team requested and received special permission for the redesign.

Israel Cycling Academy will wear kits from celebrated Italian apparel manufacturer Nalini, who commented earlier, “This year we decided to partner with Israel Cycling Academy. The Giro starts from Israel to celebrate the 70 years of this country but also to celebrate human values which the cycling word needs to globally share.”

The shoulders and sleeves of the updated jerseys prominently display the Peres Center’s logo of a flying dove carrying an olive branch. Each rider will carry the title of Peace Ambassador on the back of his jersey alongside his name and national flag. The bold blue of the new jerseys is vivid, bringing light and energy. Margaliot said that this blue is, “closer to the flag of Israel. We represent multiple cultures of Israel and the world.”

The team founder Ron Baron said, “For us this move carries the responsibility to demonstrate peace between people from different backgrounds.”

Israel Cycling Academy co-owner, Sylvan Adams, commented, “We are the most diverse team with riders from 16 countries and 5 continents. This diversity is emblematic of Israel’s pluralistic society, which is diverse, inclusive, and free. In that way, the team’s inclusive philosophy offers an example of how riders of various backgrounds and cultures can coexist in peaceful sportsmanship, and work together towards common goals. This is the model we represent all over the world.”

Former Mexican national champion Luis Lemus enthusiastically agrees. “This title puts a lot of weight on our shoulders. It’s a big responsibility and at the same time an honour: to live and act according to its principles in all aspects of our lives.”

L'ATELIER Collection by Café du Cycliste

Check out the new French cycling premium limited edition apparel brand Café du Cycliste

Two new jerseys for men and women, Octavia and Aretha, are available in-store and at www.cafeducycliste.com.

Atelier is a collection by Café du Cycliste comprising one-off pieces produced in small quantities. Uniquely styled by founder and Creative Director, Remi Clermont, the collection mirrors the freedom of riding within the design and development process itself. By limiting the constraints which are inherent in standard production, the creative possibilities increase exponentially, producing a richer landscape upon which to work. Fewer rules, less restriction, more freedom.

Aretha takes its cues from the blues and white of the Cote d'Azur and is badged with a heart while Octavia features a ribbed mesh construction and textured finish.

Octavia : €170 | £165 | $213
Aretha : €175 | £170 | $219

L'Atelier collection is available at web site www.cafeducycliste.com and in Nice, London, and Mallorca stores.

DZR

Women Cyclists - No Longer Choosing Between Style And Performance -- notes DZR

In the past, cycling trips have been male dominant with a ratio of at least 2:1, but that number is changing rapidly.The growing importance of women in the bicycle industry means providing female cyclists options for bike gear and apparel tailored to their needs. An adventurous woman needs accessories incorporating style and performance to match her free spirit.

About DZR:

DZR was born out of a passion for a life of riding – on city streets and mountain trails and anywhere else you can get two wheels. Which is pretty much everywhere. DZR has lived and ridden in many places and it is from this nomadic lifestyle that the concept of its shoes was born. Changing environments require a cycling sneaker to be a true shape shifter in order to charge everywhere.

DZR Tosca - A mix of full grain leather and a classic herringbone fabric, the Tosca like one of the world's most popular operas from Giacomo Puccini, brings a sense of eloquence lost in the world of cycling products.

Born in the Swiss Alps and rooted in San Francisco, CA. DZR provides well thought out footwear for life on and off the bike. The company believes that a cyclist's life should be a seamless transition from work, commute, bar, trail, home or anywhere you end up.

MALOJA CYCLI NG APPAREL

Maloja, pronounced "mah-low-yah", is a high performance apparel brand specializing in products for cycling enthusiasts. Maloja was founded with a mission of celebrating the outdoor experience and providing stylish yet functional gear. Headquartered in Germany, the brand is currently distributed worldwide at bicycle and outdoor specialty retailers and online at www.malojaclothing.com. Maloja’s high performance cycling apparel is ready for Fall with jackets, vests, tights, and jerseys for cooler temps and variable weather conditions.

Men’s Road Collection: Men’s Freeride Collection: www.malojaclothing.com/shop/men/mtb_freeride/

Women’s Road Collection: www.malojaclothing.com/shop/women/roadbike/

Women’s Mountain Bike Collection: www.malojaclothing.com/shop/women/mountainbike/
www.malojaclothing.com/shop/women/mtb_freeride/

METRO

New Metro Jacket Maximizes Style, Comfort and Performance

Urban style hides serious tech in this waterproof-breathable 2.5-layer shell, which features smart, practical design details and very light weight (size medium only 10.6 oz./300g).

Answering strong customer demand for a handsome piece of weatherproof outerwear that looks great on the street and works even better on the bike, the new Showers Pass Metro Jacket has arrived. Designed with the style-conscious commuter in mind, the Metro is made to withstand the rigors of real-world cycling, year-round, no matter the forecast. Throw in a supple build and soft, silky interior and you’ve got a perfect crossover jacket.

Showers Pass president Kyle Ranson is thrilled about this addition to the company’s lineup. “From the street to the bike and back again, with uncompromising style and performance—that’s what we set out to deliver,” says Ranson, “and it’s exceeded our expectations. The Metro performs brilliantly and looks amazing. And we put a premium on comfort: we spec’d our proprietary Artex fabric with a unique double-print technology. This lifts the membrane just a hair’s width farther away from the skin to allow it to breathe and wick perspiration better, killing any clamminess. It’s just a pleasure to ride in.”

TECH SPECS:

• Artex Hardshell 2.5-layer fabric for waterproof-breathable performance without the bulk
• Seam-taped construction for maximum wind- and waterproofing
• Reinforced panels across shoulders protect fabric from backpack and messenger-bag straps
• Asymmetrical front zipper reduces chafing under your chin
• Two-way YKK wide-tooth front zipper with interior storm flap
• Dual core vents and upper back “exhaust pipe” vent for airflow without billowing
• Articulated elbows, plus slightly longer tail for better coverage when riding
• Exclusive airflow-regulating cuffs
• Reflective accents on back hem and left sleeve for signaling turns
• Specially designed back pockets with water-resistant zippers angled for easy accessibility
• Soft, moisture-wicking lining at collar

The Showers Pass Metro Jacket retails for $199.

Showers Pass

Showers Pass clothing is technically engineered cycling gear for racers, commuters, messengers and everyday cycling enthusiasts. Showers Pass was born from the desire to develop clothing and gear that would get more people out on their bikes, no matter the weather. Inspired by the challenging rides and variable conditions of Northern California and the Pacific Northwest, they have been combining high performance materials with innovative functional design for cyclists since 1997. With roots in high performance waterproof-breathable outerwear, Showers Pass has grown to offer a wide range of apparel and unique accessories for anyone who faces the elements – from city dwellers heading to the pub to pro cyclists heading to the top of L'Alpe d'Huez.

For more information write to 1005 Market St
Suite 302
San Francisco, CA 94105
tel:415.658.7365>415.658.7365
tel:408.854.0854>408.854.0854

Sturmfist

Sturmfist 4 Four Finger' Gloves Built For Winter Biking-

If you're like me, you ride year-round, even in freezing temperatures. Finally, one company - 45NRTH - had the smarts to create a special glove called Sturmfist 4 that fuse the pinky and ring finger area together but leave enough room with separated fingers and thumb to do all the braking and shifting as necessary, and keeps your nice warm fingers on the handlebar grips.

Selling for the pricey sum of $130, these gloves are thin and lightweight even though they were bilt for cold temperatures. It was one of the Minnesota company's goal to provide the necessary warmth, while rating the gloves down to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Made of Polartec NeoShell, the gloves block water and wind but breathe so your hands won't sweat.They'll also last a long time, according to the manufacturer, because the palm material is made of goat leather, and the insulation is a synthetic down-like material called Polartec Alpha. Merino wool lines the gloves that fit nicely against the wearer's skin.

Zackees

World’s First Zackees Brand Turn-Signal Glove Now Available

Experience Zackees™ Turn Signal Gloves™ with semi-pro cyclist Charles Hobbs as he commutes around the chaotic streets of San Francisco, while signaling his turning intentions to other vehicles on the road.

Activating the Lights

The company spent months making the perfect activation switch between the thumb and index finger. They found that the patent pending custom metal rivets are by far the most natural to use. You’ll feel the solid metal click as the glove activates.

Signaling

Signal behind you just like any other vehicle on the road. Simply extend your arm out in the direction of your turn and then naturally activate the light panel.

Increase your visibility to oncoming vehicles. Our patent pending design allows you to signal while keeping your hands on the handle bar of your bike. The surprisingly bright LED lights grab the attention of everybody around you.

Product Features

Washable

This glove is tough enough to survive your washing machine. Remove the batteries and toss in the cold wash with your other dirty clothes. Hang dry.

Surprisingly Bright LEDs

How can they be so bright when using such a small battery? Efficiency. The LEDs the company uses are some of the most efficient on the market at converting power into light. A light sensor boosts light output during the day!

Long Battery Life

The company's gloves get 2 months of daily active use (when used with four minutes of active blinking a day).

High Quality Textiles

Since this company wanted to create the best possible glove that would compete against the top glove makers, it added comfortable leather palms, an absorbent towel around the thumb, retro-reflective trim and breathable spandex throughout.

For more information call (415) 857-5879, M-F 9am to 7pm PST.

GERM PROTECTION

GermBloc

GermBloc Products Will help Keep You Safe

If you touch something that someone else has handled, you are possibly leaving yourself open to germs, that can lead to serious infections - especially if you get scratches or cut. But don't worry, there's lots you can do to protect yourself. Germ Bloc makes antimicrobial Nanotechnology against bacteria - whether you're enjoying archery or traveling.

The company's hand Sanitizer Lotion is alcohol-free, won't chap or dry hands, provides protection for 3-4 hours and is non-flamable. Germ Bloc's Antimicrobial keeps high-touch areas clean (like bathrooms, water fountains, etc.) clean and bacteria-free, is non-toxic when dry and EPA-approved to provide 90 day protection against bacteria on treated surfaces.

Everthing is packaged in compact sizes, great for your pocket or sports case - and GermBloc's Hand Sanitizer Lotion and Foam is in a non-greasy formula that leaves hands soft and germ-free with protection for 3 to 4 hours. It is also alcohol-free, non-fammable, with 7 moisturizers, 2 vitamins and 6 botanical extracts and antioxidants plus it's made with 98% natural ingredients.

The company's other useful products include Hand & Skin Cream that will repair your hard working hands with its 4 moisturizers, 4 antioxidants, 4 vitamins and 6 botanical extracts --- Hand Repair Creams -- Laundry Rinse - great for creating a germ-free barrier on your clothes; UltraHand Soap, and much more.

For more information on GermBloc products, check web site www.germbloc.com or e-mail at info@geermbloc.com. The address is WillSpeed Technology, 2121 East Plaza Loop, Nampa, ID 83687

INSECT REPELLENTS

After Bite® KIDS™

The Itch Eraser

From the maker of the #1 selling insect bite treatment, After Bite®-- The Itch Eraser® -- comes a powerful new treatment just for children, After Bite® Kids^™.

As sure as the sun will rise this summer, it will happen: kids will be bitten by insects and will feel inclined to scratch at their bites, further irritating the skin in the process. And when parents try to apply any number of existing insect bite treatments the inevitable will occur: their children will experience yet more stinging pain.

Thankfully, this won’t happen with new After Bite® Kids™ - according to the manufacturer. With its special non-stinging antiseptic formula, kids will be happy to have their parents apply it. After Bite® Kids™ provides children with fast, gentle relief from insect bites. Containing Eucalyptus Oil, Tea Tree Oil (a known natural antiseptic), Baking Soda, Aloe Vera and Vitamin E, this unique cream formula will not only provide relief from insect bites but also helps to prevent infections. Being a cream just makes it that much easier to apply directly to the bite area and helps it to stay put on the insect bite. With ingredients that grandma used in her home, After Bite® Kids™ is today’s convenient, ready-to-apply relief from insect bites. Not only a salve for the pain and irritation associated with insect bites, After Bite® Kids™® is also effective at relieving other minor skin irritations.

After Bite® Kids™ will be a must-pack item for any parent with children on the go this summer. Available in an easy-to-apply .7 oz tube, After Bite® Kids™ (MSRP$3.99) fits perfectly in the first aid kit, medicine cabinet, glove box, tackle box and backpack.

BEN'S

Ben's® Wipes Offer Outdoor Enthusiasts Added Convenience & Less Waste

In its ongoing effort to provide hikers, hunters, anglers, campers and other outdoor enthusiasts with the most effective tools for defeating biting insects, Tender Corp. introduces Ben’s® 30 Tick & Insect Repellent Wipes. Ben’s® 30 Wipes offer outdoor enthusiasts the same effective alcohol-free 30% DEET-based formula, but in a delivery system that affords greater application control and convenience.

“Windy conditions often accompany our best days in the outdoors, which can make it hard to apply repellent using conventional methods without over spraying occurring,” says Tender Corp.’s marketing director, Jen Cusick.Cusick continued, “Since you can apply the repellent on the Ben’s® Wipes directly to the skin or clothing, neither wind nor rain can disrupt you from fully administering the product and protecting yourself.”

Along with greater control, Ben’s® 30 Tick and Insect Wipes also provide greater convenience. Available in a 12 pc box (MSRP$4.99) and 3 pc clamshell package (MSRP$1.99), Ben’s® Wipes can be easily stowed in your pocket or day pack, when you need to travel light.

Made by Tender Corporation (the makers of After Bite®), Ben’s® 30 Tick and Insect Repellent is comprised of a water-based solution containing 30% of the active ingredient DEET. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recognizes repellents containing DEET as providing consumers with the most effective protection against bites from mosquitoes, including those infected with West Nile Virus (WNV), and from ticks, which are responsible for the spread of Lyme Disease.

Unlike most DEET repellents, which contain alcohol, Ben’s® 30 is a water-based solution -- a significant difference for outdoor enthusiasts for several key reasons. By its nature, alcohol causes the pores of the skin to open, which means that more repellent gets absorbed into the body and there’s less repellent available on your skin to work against the bugs. Plus, alcohol evaporates at a faster rate than water, and when it does DEET goes along for the ride. Therefore, an alcohol-based repellent does not last as long as a water-based one. As such, with Ben’s® 30outdoor enthusiasts are getting more repellent for their money. Water-based repellents are also safer; since it contains no alcohol, Ben’s® 30 is less likely to catch alight. Lastly, whereas alcohol creates a strong aroma -- that traditional “insect repellent” smell -- Ben’s® 30’s water-based formula offers a milder and much more pleasant scent.

With West Nile Virus, Lyme Disease, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and other dangerous insect-borne diseases a growing concern during warmer weather months, outdoor enthusiasts need a repellent that they can trust will provide effective protection and Ben’s® 30more than fits the bill. Ben’s® 30 with DEET offers up to eight hours of protection per application and, best of all, it’s also safe to apply to children. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, repellents containing a DEET concentration level of 30%, such as Ben’s® 30, are safe to apply to children over two months.

For a stronger level of DEET protection, Tender also offers Ben’s^® 100 Max Formula, which keeps you protected for up to 12 hours with just one application. Containing 98% DEET, Ben’s 100 is ideal for hunters, anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts who are traveling in heavily bug-infested areas within North America or around the globe. (For additional advice on avoiding mosquito bites this summer, see “Tender’s Top Five Tips for Enjoying the Outdoors” document.) In addition to the Wipes, Ben’s® 30 comes in a variety of other sizes, including a large 6 oz. Eco-Spray can (MSRP$7.99); a 4 oz. pump (MSRP$5.99) for smaller storage areas such as backpacks, hunting compartments and tackle boxes; and a 1.25 oz bottle (MSRP$3.60), which can be stored conveniently in a pocket or glove box for quick retrieval. The 1.25 oz pump and 4 oz are also available together as a Home & Field pack (MSRP$7.99), allowing you the flexibility to keep the 4 oz for backyard use and refill the 1.25 oz as needed for other outdoor excursions.

Benefits of this product according to the manufacturer:

· Water-based solution allows less absorption of DEET

· Less Absorption means higher efficacy - water & Based formulas last longer

· Water-based DEET formulas are less flammable than alcohol based formulas

Water-based products are safer for the environment; they contain no VCS's (Volatile Organic Compounds)

About Tender Corporation

Tender Corporation is a privately owned and operated business located in the heart of the White Mountains in Littleton, NH. There are offices and distribution centers in Barrie, Ontario, Rotterdam, Holland and Newbury, England with distribution in over 40 countries. Founded in 1975, the firm manufactures the world-famous insect bite treatment, After Bite®, and a full line of well-known insect repellents, first-aid treatments and sunburn and windburn products and has recently added first aid kits through Adventure Medical Kits. Many Tender Corporation products are packaged in innovative ways that make them extremely convenient to use as well as environmentally friendly. Partial proceeds from the sale of many of the company’s products go to Tender Corporation’s Environmental Scholarship Fund. Complete product information is available on the company's web site: www.tendercorp.com

Don't Bite Me

Don’t Let Bugs Take a Bite Out of You!

Bug bites are often seen as a necessary evil of outdoor activity. They're annoying, causing itchiness, swelling and redness to the skin. But statistics show that they can also be extremely dangerous -- leading to West Nile Virus, Encephalitis, Lyme disease and even Malaria. Last year there were over 3,500 cases of West Nile Virus, resulting in 121 deaths, according to the Center for Disease Control. With the warmer, high-risk months fast approaching, individuals and families can rely on the innovative Don’t Bite Me! patch to help protect themselves against the annoying and potentially life threatening effects of bug bites.

The Don’t Bite Me! all-natural insect repellent patch offers a first of its kind solution. Available nationally for the first time after they flew off the shelves in limited distribution last summer, the discreet, all-natural transdermal skin patch delivers a blend of protective Vitamin B1 and aloe combination throughout the body, protecting individuals against bites from pesky, disease-carrying mosquitoes, gnats, ticks, chiggers, sand fleas and no seeums for up to 36 hours.

Concerns about increased prevalence of West Nile, Encephalitis and Lyme disease in the United States and also exposure to Malaria and other diseases have helped fuel sales of insect repellent, up over 30 percent since 2001. The potential of disease, coupled with concerns about the possible side effects of DEET, have led a growing number of consumers, particularly parents, searching for insect repellents that work but have low or no toxicity. The Don’t Bite Me! Patch provides the answer.

Vitamin B1 is the key effective ingredient in Don’t Bite Me! Patch, and when applied to the skin, provides protection from biting insects. The thiamine-based formula is absorbed into the bloodstream through the transdermal delivery of the Don’t Bite Me! Patch. Excess B1 is then secreted through the body’s pores, creating an odor that is almost undetectable to humans, but offensive to mosquitoes. This odor forms a protective barrier around the body that shields the user from mosquitoes and other biting insects. Aloe, the other active ingredient, accelerates the absorption of the B1 and serves as an anti-inflammatory, and in the event of a rare bite — it helps reduce the reaction, particularly for those who are sensitive to mosquito bites.

“Family and friends rave about the effectiveness and convenience of the patch,” adds Kauffman, whose friends have tried the Don’t Bite Me! Patch during a weekend camping trip with their family. When the mother of the family arrived at her campsite, she discovered she only had two patches with her instead of the four she needed to protect her family. She quickly applied the patches to her two daughters. All weekend, the girls were bite free, while she and her husband were swatting mosquitoes and covered with bites.

Don’t Bite Me! Patch offers the following positive attributes as compared to messy sprays, lotions or towelettes:

No DEET, safe for children and adults alike
Easy, no mess application– just apply a patch to your skin
Protects skin often missed with a spray, such as ears and scalp
Waterproof, no need to re-apply after swimming or exercise
Protects up to 36 hours
Patent pending, all-natural formula
Incredibly effective

Early testing with select Boy Scout groups, members of the U.S. Army, missionaries and healthcare workers in Africa as well as professionals who spend their days working outside in bug-infested areas has brought in rave reviews about the effectiveness of the Don’t Bite Me! Patch. More specifically:

· EODT, a security company for the U.S. government while helping to rebuild Iraq used the patches and re-ordered when they realized the patch works against sand fleas, a larger problem than mosquitoes in Iraq.

· More than 30 soldiers in the U.S. Army tried the product while in the deep woods near the Arkansas river and found they were effective during their three-week stay in the chigger infested woods. They reported NO bites from mosquito, chiggers, or ticks.

The Don’t Bite Me! Patch received the Most Innovative Product Award at the Natural Products Expo East Show in October 2006. At the same show, Supermarket Guru, Phil Lempert of The Today Show and Jeff Nibbler from SPINS highlighted the product’s “wonderful innovation.”

The Don’t Bite Me! Patch is available at natural food stores and major retailers nationwide including Kroger, Rite Aid, and select Walgreen’s and Wal-Mart stores nationwide. The product comes in a five-pack for a suggested retail price of $4.99 and a 10 pack for a suggested retail price of $7.99. For more information on where to buy, visit www.dontbitemepatch.com

Don't Bug Me!

Don’t Bug Me! Skin Patch Provides Effective All-Natural Insect Repellent and Protection for Up To 36 hours; DEET-free and Safe for Children

Just in time for summer, the Don’t Bug Me! insect repellent patch offers a first of its kind solution -- a transdermal skin patch that delivers a combination of protective Vitamin B1 and aloe combination throughout the body. One patch protects against bites from pesky, disease-carrying mosquitoes, gnats, ticks, chiggers, sand fleas and no seeums for up to 36 hours.

Concerns about increased prevalence of West Nile, Encephalitis and Lyme disease in the United States and also exposure to Malaria and other diseases have helped fuel sales of insect repellent, up over 30 percent since 2001. The potential of disease, coupled with concerns about the possible side effects of DEET, have led a growing number of consumers, particularly parents, searching for insect repellents that work but have low or no toxicity. This summer, the Don’t Bug Me! Patch may provide the answer.

Vitamin B1 is the key effective ingredient in Don’t Bug Me! Patch, and when applied to the skin, provides protection from biting insects. The thiamine-based formula is absorbed into the bloodstream through the transdermal delivery of the Don’t Bug Me! Patch. Excess B1 is then secreted through the body’s pores, creating an odor that is almost undetectable to humans, but offensive to mosquitoes. This odor forms a protective barrier around the body that shields the user from mosquitoes and other biting insects. Aloe, the other active ingredient, accelerates the absorption of the B1 and serves as an anti-inflammatory, and in the event of a rare bite — it helps reduce the reaction, particularly for those who are sensitive to mosquito bites.

Don’t Bug Me! Patch offers the following positive attributes as compared to messy sprays, lotions or towelettes:

No DEET, safe for children and adults alike
Easy, no mess application– just apply a patch to your skin
Protects skin often missed with a spray, such as ears and scalp
Waterproof, no need to re-apply after swimming or exercise
Protects up to 36 hours
Patent pending, all-natural formula
Incredibly effective

Early testing with select Boy Scout groups, members of the U.S. Army and professionals who spend their days working outside in bug-infested areas has brought in rave reviews about the effectiveness of Don’t Bug Me! Patch More specifically:

The Don’t Bug Me! Patch received the Most Innovative Product Award at the Natural Products Expo East Show in October 2006. At the same show, Supermarket Guru, Phil Lempert of The Today Show and Jeff Nibbler from SPINS highlighted the product’s “wonderful innovation.”

The Don’t Bug Me! Patch is available at natural food stores and major retailers nationwide. The product comes in a five-pack for a suggested retail price of $4.99 and a 10 pack for a suggested retail price of $7.99.

For more information on where to buy, visit www.dontbugmepatch.com

La Fresh

La Fresh Creates New, Easy-to-Use Insect Repellent Towelettes

The All Natural Biodegradable Insect Repellent Towelettes made by La Fresh are the perfect answer for always having insect repellent on hand - whether it's when traveling by car, train, boat, or bus. Carry the easy-to-use towelettes in yur purse or backpack where it takes up the tiniest space so they're always ready to use outdoors while enjoying your favorite activities. Carry them in your bike bag, too, or even your pocket! DEET-free, they are also biodegradable and TSA friendly.

The La Fresh Insect Repellent Towelettes are $4.99 for six or $19.99 for 30. For more information go to web sitewww.LaFreshGroup.com.

Proven Insect Repellent

New Non-Toxic Proven Insect Repellent offers Safe & Long-lasting Protection

Provenâ Repellent introduces a new range of health conscious and highly effective insect repellent sprays and lotions. The product line utilizes the active ingredient Saltidin (Picaridin), which is recommended by the EPA, Word Health Organization and CDC as an effective repellent against mosquito-borne illnesses. With a 20% concentration of Saltidin, Provenâ is more effective and longer-lasting than higher concentrations of DEET— but non-toxic. Made in the USA by EPA-approved factories, Provenâ provides 12-14 hours of protection against disease-carrying insects without the concern of harmful side effects.

Provenâ insect repellents are safe for populations that tend to be most vulnerable to diseases transferred by mosquito and tick bites: women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, babies two months and older and elderly people. Provenâ lotion is the preferred insect repellent for children and face application as there is no chance of inhalation and lotion has the longest duration of protection at 14 hours. The repellents are planet and people friendly while also protecting against a broad spectrum of biting insects.

Provenâ repellents have been tested to effectively repel mosquitos, ticks, black flies, biting flies, stable flies, ants, gnats, chiggers, sand flies and no-see-ums. Recently there has been warranted concern about certain varieties of ticks and mosquitos known to carry deadly and debilitating diseases. Provenâ repellents protect from species carrying Zika, Dengue, Chikungunya,West Nile Virus, Lyme Disease, Powassan Virus and tick-borne Encephalitis.

Saltidin’s molecular structure is modeled after piperidine, a colorless organic compound found in the black pepper plant. While derived from natural and plant-based origins, it’s a manufactured ingredient. Saltidin has near-ideal cosmetic properties and is compatible with skin, textiles, gear and plastic materials. Despite it’s known efficacy, DEET is a toxic chemical. Provenâ is non-toxic, gentle on skin and harbors none of the adverse impacts to the nervous system that DEET can have. Additionally, the repellency lasts for 12 hours in the spray and 14 hours in the lotion, so there is limited need for reapplication. For those outdoor enthusiasts worried about their gear, Provenâ is gear-safe and will not melt or damage plastics like DEET can.

“We understand that many people prefer all-natural products when available. However, if they aren’t effective, the tendency is to return to DEET,” said Emily Dix, Operations Manager at Provenâ. “In the current environment, when insect-borne illnesses are on the rise, we wanted to come to the table with a truly effective repellent that was still mindful of health. Something we would want to put on our own bodies and our children’s. When we began developing Provenâ, we kept coming back to the idea of ‘worry-free outdoor enjoyment’. Remove the worry of disease, remove the worry of toxic exposure, remove the worry of being pestered and eaten by annoying insects, if nothing else. Enjoy the best parts of being outdoors. The testing and proven efficacy of these products are so solid, and we feel proud and excited to be able to offer this effective alternative to consumers.”

Available in odorless or gently scented formulas, the non-greasy Provenâ insect repellent sprays and lotions are sold at Meijer, Westlake Ace Hardware stores and select Dick’s Sporting Goods stores. The repellents can also be purchased online in a range of sizes (travel size too!) at ProvenRepellent.com for $7.95-$12.95. Provenâ invites you to follow them on Facebook and Instagram for relevant news articles, coupons and other news (Facebook.com/ProvenInsectRepellent).

About Proven Repellent

As a family-run business and health-conscious consumer ourselves, we were frustrated by available insect repellent options: either toxic DEET-based repellents or ineffective natural repellents. We didn’t want to choose between the risk of disease and the risk of putting harmful chemicals on our bodies, especially our children’s. So, we developed Provenâ. After ten years in the repellent industry, we discovered the patented ingredient Saltidin (Picaridin) and found we could still maintain the integrity of a healthy product but the efficacy we lacked in natural products. Provenâ, as brand name, is a testament to the proven protection we can offer consumers. Provenâ promises transparent independently studied proof of its claims so that health conscious consumers can finally enjoy the outdoors, worry-free. You can read more at ProvenRepellent.com. For more information, e-mail info@ProvenRepellent.com or mail to Proven Repellent, P.O. Box 40066, Overland Park, KS 66204 ot vsll 800-336-2026.

ThermaCELL

ThermaCELL Mosquito Repellent Lantern -- Camping Just Got Better

ThermaCELL, manufacturer of the only portable, butane-operated, area mosquito repellent, offers an attractive upright lantern that provides not only unmatched protection from insects, but ambient outdoor lighting as well. No more swatting, no more lotions or sprays, and no need to buy expensive bug tents: the ThermaCELL Lantern is up to 98% effective at warding off mosquitoes, black flies, and no-see-ums.

The ThermaCELL Lantern is silent and odor free, has no messy wax, and turns off automatically if accidentally tipped over. It operates on a single butane cartridge, which heats a mat releasing Allethrin, an insect repellent that is a synthetic copy of pyrethrin, a natural insecticide found in the pyrethrum flower, creating a 15 x 15–foot comfort zone. Each mat contains enough repellent for four hours of protection and each butane cartridge will operate the unit for 12 hours.

The Lantern is available in a standard clear, as well as a mood version that provides a vivid, ever-changing “color show” of rainbow light. The Mood Lantern is best viewed in low-light conditions and adds ambiance to any patio, deck or campsite.

The Mood Lantern can be used as a Mosquito Repellent Lantern, as a Mood Lantern, or as both at the same time. The “color show” uses a proprietary battery-operated LED unit imbedded in the base of the lantern and is activated by pressing the “ON” button on the bottom of the unit. The zone of mosquito protection is activated by inserting a butane cartridge and repellent mat and lighting the lantern.

The Lantern comes with one butane cartridge and three repellent mats. The Mood Lantern comes with one butane cartridge, three repellent mats, and 4 batteries. Both lanterns are 8.5” tall and 5” in diameter at the widest point. MSRP is $24.99 for clear and $29.99 for the Mood Lantern. Both are available at mass merchants, hardware stores, and outdoor retailers.

ThermaCELL, a division of The Schawbel Corporation of Bedford, Massachusetts, utilizes patented technology to create cordless, portable appliances powered by replaceable butane cartridges.

For more information on ThermaCELL’s complete line of products call 1-8-NO-SKEETERS. For retail locations visit www.thermacell.com.

ThermaCell Mosquito Repellent System

I'm off to Florida where I'll be camping and kayaking. One thing I won't forget to take with me is Thermacell's new Mosquito Repellent System because, no matter who I'm with, I'm always the one who gets bitten - even through my clothing! With this unique butane-operated mosquito repellent system, I no longer have to use smelly sprays, greasy lotions, or cumbersome netting -- because not only is it highly-effective, but it's small, portable, and fits neatly into a pack or vest pocket.

The unit, which operates on a single butane cartridge, heats a mat releasing Allethrin, an insect repellent that is a synthetic copy of pyrethrin, a natural insecticide found in the pyrethrum flower. Each mat contains enough repellent for four hours of protection and each butane cartridge will operate the unit for 12 hours. The odorless 4.5 x 4.5 meter comfort zone offers up to 98% effective protection against mosquitoes, blackflies, and other biting insects. With the click of a button, ThermaCell is on and repelling these nasty insects, and the complete comfort zone is created in under 10 minutes.

This must-have, especially if you're tired of scratching those horrible, itchy bites, unit has been used by professionals around the world, including the U.S. Army in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan, and has been approved by the PRMA for safety and effectiveness. The unit is available in Olive, Grey, or Woodland Camouflage, and the suggested retail price is $21.99 for Olive or Grey, and $24.99 for Woodland. The unit measures 19 cm x 7.6 cm x 3.8 cm at the top, and 19 cm x 3.8 cm x 3.8 cm at the bottom, and weighs only 6.4 ounces with a full butane cartridge.

For more information on this and ThermaCELL's complete line of products, call 781-541-6900, or for retail locations, check web site www.thermacell.com.

Thermacell Introduces Team Realtree Mosquito Defense System

The world’s most effective area insect repellent is now available in the world’s most effective camo pattern--REALTREE^® Hardwoods Green HD™. With the announcement of a new Team REALTREE ThermaCELL^® mosquito repellent unit, this important tool can blend in just as well as all your other hunting gear.

The ThermaCELL system creates a 15 x 15-foot zone of protection that is up to 98% effective against mosquitoes and other biting insects. REALTREE, a highly regarded brand in the outdoor industry, produces some of the most realistic and recognized camouflage patterns on the market. With ThermaCELL now available in REALTREE Hardwoods Green HD, not only is the repellent undetectable to game, so is the unit.

The unit operates on a single butane cartridge, which heats a mat releasing Allethrin, a synthetic copy of a naturally occurring insect repellent. Each mat contains enough repellent for four hours of protection, and each butane cartridge will operate the unit for 12 hours.

The REALTREE ThermaCELL appliance , MSRP $29.99, measures 7.5” long and 1.5” thick, and is 3” wide at the top, 1.5” at the bottom. It weighs a mere 6.4 ounces with a full butane cartridge.

ThermaCELL, a division of The Schawbel Corporation of Bedford, Massachusetts, utilizes patented technology to create cordless, portable appliances powered by replaceable butane cartridges.

For more information on ThermaCELL’s complete line of products call 1-8-NO-SKEETERS. For retail locations visit www.thermacell.com.

ThermaCELLHolster Available in Team Realtree Hardwoods Green

ThermaCELL®, manufacturer of the world's only butane-operated, area insect repellent, offers a convenient way to transport the popular appliance in and out of the woods - the ThermaCELL Holster. This convenient holster, previously only available in Olive Green, is now available in Team REALTREE® Hardwoods Green.

The Team REALTREE Holster is constructed of heat resistant 600D polyester with two polyurethane coatings and a water resistant coating making it durable and water resistant. The holster snugly fits around the standard size ThermaCELL appliance, has two side pouches to carry additional butane cartridges and repellent pads, has a nylon-webbing strap with a quick release snap for ease of attachment, and new for the Team REALTREE version, a nylon-webbing belt loop. The Holster offers a hands-free method of transporting the ThermaCELL appliance and also enables the user to securely attach the appliance to a tree stand or boat.

ThermaCELL Mosquito Repellent creates an odorless 15 x 15-foot zone of protection that is up to 98% effective in repelling mosquitoes and other biting insects. The appliance operates on a single butane cartridge, which heats a mat releasing allethrin, an insect repellent that is a synthetic copy of a natural insecticide found in chrysanthemum flowers. Each mat contains enough repellent for four hours of protection and each butane cartridge will operate the unit for 12 hours. MSRP for the Team REALTREE Holster is $12.99.

ThermaCELL, a division of The Schawbel Corporation of Bedford, Massachusetts, utilizes patented technology to create cordless, portable appliances powered by replaceable butane cartridges.

For more information on ThermaCELL's complete line of products or store locations please visit www.thermacell.com or call 1-8-NO-SKEETERS (866-753-3837).

LIGHTS

Search Cart Introducing Luci Core --The power of the sun in your hands

Lightweight, portable, and packed full of power, all the company's products are thoughtfully designed for everyday use. Whether you’re venturing off-grid or relaxing in the yard, its products are always there to make life a little easier.

Luci OriginalInflatable Solar Light
$19.95
Luci Pro Series Inflatable Solar Light
$34.95
Luci Solar String Lights
Solar String Lights
$40.00

The off-grid, adventure loving, likes-to-get-wet kind of light. Each product sold helps the company provide clean energy to people around the world who need it most. 680,000+ tons of CO2 averted -- 3,300,000+ lives impacted -- 650+ non-profit and NGO partners worldwide

Donate a light for just $10 and help communities around the world who need it. From disaster relief, improving community health and safety, and education initiatives, your little light will make a huge impact!
Give Luci#lightuplife

Follow us @mpowerdinc for your daily dose of inspiration. Get the latest deals, news, and more.

For more information or to sign up for the latest news contact the company at 45 Main Street #522, Brooklyn, NY, 11201
Get 15% off!

Cycle Torch recently launched Shark 550R USB Rechargeable Bike Light

A must-have for the cyclist, the new bike light includes a replaceable battery for extra riding time with total visibility (no more limits for your night rides) and also offers outstanding safety flash mode when riding in daylight- up to 18 hours!

Knuckle Lights Are Bright, Easy to Use, Easy to See & Well Worth the Cost

When I first saw Knuckle Lights advertised, I was intrigued - not only because I'm a bicyclist who has written a book about bicycle riding in New Jersey - but I had tried lots of lights for safety while riding, hiking, camping, boating and fishing, but wasn't satisfied with any. Finally, I got to try this new product out and am truly delighted.
Frst, a little about the inventor, Dan Hopkins, who began running to lose some weight and get into shape.I

The first day he began running it was dark outside and he wasn't prepared -- no light, reflectors, or safety vest. Some streets had light; others were totally dark. After, he began shopping for lighting options but found only headlamps on the shelf. He bought one but when running his head began hurting. Loosening the strap made the light flap around. Nothing worked and he realized hand lights might be the answer. The next morning he strapped the headlamp to his hands and found it worked well, but as he swung his arms, it was only a narrow beam of light. He then searched for lights he could wear on his hands, but no such product existed. After many trials and errors with two headlamps strapped to both hands, the spot beams danced around too much on the ground.

Choosing a designer and coming up with a finished product drawing, Dan went on line, bought website KnuckleLights.com and FirstLights.com and launched a website with the drawing to see if anyone would would actually buy his idea. He began getting orders! Then the search began to LED manufactuers to see if they could make my vision. A startup company replied to his query wanting to produce LED products. Eight months later the product was produced and selling began. Later, Dan introduced a rechargeable version with no USB cord to fumble with making the nuckle Lights always fully charged and ready to go.

Knuckle Lights are not only great, but you can buy them with confidence since they come with a five year warranty, a 90 day money back guarantee and a return policy.

Since trying this product, I've used it while fishing at night, camping so I can find things in the dark and even read a book, hiking in the woods without fear of being lost in the dark after the sun goes down, hunting just as the sun comes up or goes down, and, of course, bicycling. I'm very grateful to Dan for inventing this useful, unique product.

Available at sporting goods stores, Walmart and other chain stores. Orders direct from the comp;any are sent postage free.

For more information please go to web site knucklelights.com.

SUNSCREENS

Coppertone Products

Coppertone Sunscreens Will Protect You from the Sun's Harmful Rays

Today, melanoma cases are on the increase - and is one of the major & deadliest Cancer killers. Be safe, apply sunscreen frequently, and stay out of the sun during peak hours. Coppertone makes various sunscreens to choose from depending on your outdoor activities and preferences, as follows:

Coppertone Sport AccuSpray Sunscreen

The company's Coppertone Sport AccuSpray Sunscreen is available in SPF 15, 30, 50, and 70 6 oz. continuous spray, and has a unique, patented technology that delivers a continuous spray you can control. Coppertone Sport sunscreens stay on strong when you sweat so they won't run into eyes and sting, while protecting skin during vigorous outdoor exercise. This first-to-market innovation from the #1 sport sunscreen brand provides an improved delivery solution designed to help reduce mess and waste through targeted sunscreen application.

According to the company, it is:

-- The only sunscreen product line with patented accurate spray technology

-- Continuous Spray Sunscreen you can control

-- High performance, durable formulas

-- Controlled application designed to reduce waste and mess

-- Stays on strong when you sweat; won't run into eyes ad sting

-- Water resistant (80 minutes)

-- Photostable, broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection

It is available nationwide at food, drug and most internet retailers for the suggested retail price of $9.99.

Coppertone Sport Lip Balm SPF 30

This lip balm worked great while I was kayaking, feels good on my lips and does the job.

It is a convenient new lip offering from the #1 sport sunscreen brand and helps smooth and soften lips while providing broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays.

It is portable; photostable, broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection; and water resistant (80 minutes).

Coppertone Sport Lip Balm SPF 30 is available in 15 oz., and available nationwide at food, drug, mass and internet retailers for the suggested retail price of $2.99.

Coppertone Sport Sunscreen Lotion

Available in SPF 30, 50, 80 and 100+. I especially liked the feel of this lotion which protected my skin during my kayaking with bright sun shining down. It didn't run into my eyes or sting and offered, according to the manufacturer, broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays and helped fortify skin's natural defenses by replenishing the antioxidants depleted during sun exposure.

It is water resistant for 80 minutes; photostable, broad spectrum, UVA/UVB protection, is enriched with replenishing antioxidants to help fortify skin's natural defenses and has a no slip grip.

Note: All Coppertone lotions and sprays with an SPF 15 or greater in stores today already meet the newly announced 2012 standard for 'broad spectrum' protection.

This product is available in SPF 30 and 50 in 8 oz. lotions; SPF 80 in 6 oz. lotion; and SPF 100+ in 4 oz. lotion. It is available nationwide at food, drug, mass and Internet retailers at a suggested retail price of $9.99.

Coppertone Sport Sunscreen Stick SPF 55

It is water resistant for 80 minutes; is portable; photostable, broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and specially formulated to provide spot protection for sun exposed areas like the ears, nose and face.

Available in 0.6 oz, at nationwide food, drug mass and Internet retailers at the suggested retail price of $5.49.

Perfective Ceuticals

Perfective Ceuticals' Ultra-light Sunscreen SPR 40 with Titanium Dioxide Not Only Protects Skin, It Improves Appearance

No doubt you've read or heard from your physician how important it is to protect against skin damage - especially when you're out bicycling. Perhaps you don't use a sunblock thinking it's cloudy out? Wrong. You can get severe skin damage even when the sun isn't shining. -- and especially while riding your bike! Thankfully, Perfective Ceuticals has introduced its Ultra-light Sunscreen SPF 40 with Titanium Dioxide.

This proprietary formula, developed by Perfetive Ceuticals with the help of biochemists and doctors, not only provides protection against UVA and UVB rays, but it improves the texture and appearance of skin the more it's used, according to the company. Perfect to wear alone, over daily moisturizer or as an invisible makeup primer, this sunscreen can help reduce the size of noticeable pores.

Its beneficial ingredients inclufe:

-- Titanium Dioxide: An earth mineral used in sunscreens. Capable of creating a physical barrier to block both UVA and UVB

-- Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract: An herb used as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-irritant.

-- Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate: A form of Vitamin C Ester. Works as a powerful antioxidant to prevent cellular aging by inhibiting the cross-linking collagen, oxidation of proteins and lipid percutaneous absorption and stability.

-- Prunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract: Has positive effects on improvement of noticeable pores, and improvement of skin elasticity.

Using an exclusive ultra-light technology, Perfective Ceuticals' Ultra-light Sunscreen SPF 40 with Titanium Dioxide glides on smoothly leaving the skin with a soft, non-grasy finish. It is non-comedogenic and fragrance-free.

This product retails for $36. For more details and to purchase, go to web site www.perfectiveceuticals.com.

About Perfective Ceuticals:

Perfective Ceuticals is allied with renowned biochemists, medical specialists and doctors in developing the finest and most advanced formulas to provide comprehensive solutions targeting the aspects of skin aging. The company addresses the importance of complimenting cutting edge science with naturally derived ingredients and century old methods that have proven results.

Solar D Skincare Sunscreen

According to the company, "It is the first and only sunscreen to provide protection from harmful rays while also allowing our bodies to produce Vitamin D." Solar D sunscreen technology is designed to let in some of the UVB light that your body uses to naturally produce vitamin D while also screening out the harmful rays with SPF30 and SPF50.

Vitamin D deficiency is known to contribute to serious illnesses like heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Available for adults and children in SPF50 and SPF30, which is two hours water resistant. It is silky smooth to apply, quickly absorbed into the skin and leaves no greasy residue or stickiness on skin. It is free from fragrance, oils, parabens, PABA, animal cruelty and hypoallergenic.

Available in 2 and 4 oz sizes; for details contact web site www.solar-d.com. It's available on amazon.com and other stores.

TIPS

How to KeepYour Bicycle Tires Safe, Clean & In Top Performance

Electric Bike Company believes that you should never overlook the quality of your tires when it comes to the safety and performance of your bike. That’s why all Electric Bike Company Cruisers come standard with MAXXIS EU E-Bike Puncture Resistant Tires.

The following are tips from the Electric Bike Company to keep your tires in tip-top shape:

1. Keep an eye out on debris that can puncture your tire
If you’re biking in an urban area, you may encounter broken glass or pieces of metal that can do some serious damage to your tires. Additionally, keep an eye out for dry grass while riding trails in the summer months. Pesky plants, like bull thorns, can pop your standard e-bike tires and keep you from enjoying your ride. While no tire is completely invincible, Electric Bike Company uses tires that are individually enhanced with a puncture resistant sealant to protect the tires against holes up to 3mm.

2. Avoid skidding or abruptly stopping while riding
By consistently stopping quickly, you will wear down your tires faster than necessary. It’s also proven that by abruptly stopping, you don’t stop any faster than normal. When caring for your bike, it’s important to remember that the quality of your brakes also plays a large role in the aging of your tires. For this reason, Electric Bike Company only uses hydraulic disc brakes to avoid unnecessary wear-and-tear on your tires.

3. Monitor the tire pressure for your bike
If you don’t pay attention the amount of air you put in your tires, you can cause excess flats and drop-offs in performance and comfort. We feel it’s important to keep a minimum of 40psi and a maximum of 60psi for your bike’s tires. The lower end of 40-45psi is ideal for comfort and speed, while 55-60psi is ideal for a firmer ride.

Electric Bike Company builds its bikes in the United States at Newport Beach, California.

Become One with Your Bike for Comfort and Performance, says Seattle Physical Therapist

Whether riding a bike to race, commute, explore or simply get outside, Seattle cyclist and physical therapist Izette Swan enjoys working with other cyclists to help them become one with their bikes through individualized biomechanical bike fittings.“ Bike fitting is taking a look at the person and the bike, figuring out how to make the bike fit the body so that the cyclist can ride in a relatively pain-free state with good mechanics,” said Swan, owner of Real Rehab Sports + Physical Therapy in Seattle.

Swan loves the feeling of freedom when on her bike. As a former Cat 2 road and endurance mountain bike racer, she understands the value of a good bike fit. And, it’s a service she’s been offering for about 14 years and has taken a variety of course work to support her fits. “Bike riding is such a great way of getting out, getting exercise, seeing places, going places, and commuting to avoid traffic -- which in Seattle can be a huge ordeal,” she said. “The more comfortable you can be, the more pleasurable that experience is.”

Swan and her team at Real Rehab Sports + Physical Therapy cover fittings for most types of bicycles, including road, gravel, mountain, cyclocross, track, time trial, and even Recumbents or electric bikes. She recognizes that it is no fun to ride a bike while experiencing pain. If you are riding with pain, she says, then there is also the potential for that pain to cause injury that could be felt in other areas of life.Knee pain could cause tears of the meniscus or patella joints, and lower back pain could result in a future disc bulge. Swan explains that it’s important to take care of these seemingly little discomforts before they grow into something else.

During bike fits at Real Rehab Sports + Physical Therapy, some common adjustments may include changing saddle position, modifying handlebars, and altering placement of the shoe on the cleat to better align feet, knees and hips.

Swan suggests getting a bike fit if you regularly ride for more than 10 miles, after purchasing a new bike, or if experiencing discomfort when riding. She also suggests following up with bike fits every two or three years as our bodies change and sometimes the bike changes without us realizing this. “The bike is a machine, and a person is a machine. One or the other can be faulty,” she said. “It’s good to have them both checked. As we age, we get stiffer and have these little issues that creep up, and we may not realize it but we may be compensating when we are riding the bike.”

While many bike shops offer fittings, a physical therapist who has training in bike fitting has the added benefit of a deeper understanding of the biomechanics of the body. “A biomechanical bike fitting with a physical therapist should take into consideration past injuries, current ailments and, with the help of a biomechanical screening, the current joint restrictions and/or muscle weaknesses of the rider,” Swan said. “The combination of the above should help prevent new injury while improving the comfort and performance for optimal riding enjoyment.”

About Real Rehab Sports + Physical Therapy
Real Rehab Sports + Physical Therapy has been returning people to the sport or activity of their choosing for 16 years. The physical therapy team strives to empower clients to take charge of their health, wellness, active lifestyles and performance by offering top-notch physical therapy, athletic enhancement and pain/injury prevention services in Seattle. Learn more at www.realrehab.com.

Essential Self-Defense Techniques

Run a simple Google News search for the term attack and you might never want to set foot outside again. Reports of women being pulled off bicycles and robbed, senior citizens randomly beaten, attacks with hammers, canes and knives are enough to make anyone question their safety in public. Being able to respond effectively during an attack can mean the difference between escaping unharmed and serious injury or death. While many people think being strong and knowing how to fight are what will save your life, it is actually training your body to function
during the stress and shock of a sudden, violent encounter that is most important.

Because attacks happen so quickly it's often difficult to predict which self-defense
technique is needed before the attack actually happens. It is because of this that
Krav Maga Worldwide training utilizes the body's natural reaction to being attacked to teach people to defend against common chokes, grabs, and strikes, as well as more serious threats involving weapons.

If you are training on a consistent basis you will cultivate a self- defense's kill set, a tool box if you will, that will help you be prepared for self-defense situations. The following are techniques that Krav Maga Worldwide recommends as essential forpeople to have in their self-defense tool box.

Straight Punch

The basic movement behind a straight punch is to push off from your legs, rotate
your hips and shoulders, and extend your arm out toward your target as explosively
as possible. Clench your fist tightly and aim to make contact with the two knuckles
at the base of your pointer and middle fingers against your attacker's chin, mouth,
or nose.

Front Kick to the Groin

The front kick to the groin travels on a vertical plane up the A frame form of an
attacker's legs and lower body. To deliver the kick drive your hips forward with
your knee bent so your heel is back. Let your knee and leg extend and with your foot
flat (shoelaces up and toes forward gives the most striking surface), kick up and through the attacker's groin. Imagine that your kick will travel through the attacker's groin and out the top of the head, as if you were going to split them in two from the
groin up. Recoil your leg back to it's original position.

Knees

Knee strikes are very useful for creating damage at close range. If the attacker is
close enough to grab you, that means you can grab that attacker and start making
damage using your knees. Grab as much skin, muscle (and whatever fabric the
attacker is wearing) at the attacker's trapezius (that's the spot between the neck and
shoulder) as possible. Keep the elbow of the arm grabbing the trap pointed down so
you can brace yourself if the attacker comes forward. Use your other hand to wrap
behind the elbow on the same side of the body you are already grabbing. This grip
on the trap and elbow will help you maintain a position from which to knee. Drive
your hips forward with your heel back (so your leg makes a triangle in profile view)
and imagine that you are going to punch your knee straight through the attacker in
front of you. Recoil your knee by bringing your foot back to the ground, and continue to deliver knees until you can get away safe.

Bear Hug Defense

If you are grabbed in a bear hug, from the front or from behind, the key to getting
out is to start fighting back right away. It's hard to start fighting back unless you
establish two things; base and space. Lower your center of gravity and base out by
bending your legs and widening your feet. You will immediately become more
difficult to lift off of your feet and more difficult to move in general. As soon as you've established a solid base, immediately begin striking at any open and vulnerable
areas that the attacker presents. Continue to strike (head butt, knee strikes, kicks,
punches, bites) until there is sufficient space for you to turn in (if attacked from
behind) and continue with more strikes, or to simply separate and run away.

Choke Defense

If a choke comes on from the front, back, or side and that choke happens in place
(which is to say that you are being attacked but generally standing in the same
place, not being moved or pushed while the choked) Krav Maga Worldwide students
are taught to pluck the choker's hands away and immediately strike back. Your
body (meaning your hands) will want to immediately go toward your neck if a choke
is put on you and will most likely end up on top of the attacker's hands as they are
already on the neck. Instead of trying to pull the attacker's hands off of the neck,
which could be impossible if the defender is a much smaller person than the
attacker, use your hands like hooks (thumbs against pointer fingers, hands in a shape) and explosively pluck at the attackers thumbs. The attacker cannot maintain a choke using their hands (it's a different defense if the attacker is choking with their arm like a rear naked choke or similar) if their thumbs are plucked off of the defender's neck. Immediately begin to strike vulnerable areas on the attacker's body.

For more information check out www.kravmaga.com, see the Facebook page (Krav
Maga Worldwide), follow on Instagram @krav_maga_worldwide or call 800.572.8624.

TOURS & RACES

ADIRONDACK BICYCLE TOURS

more soon

ADVENTURE TOUR-- TRIPSITE

South Africa Cycling and Safari Trip -- Wildlife, culture, and Conservation

Who has not heard of an African safari? How about cycling and a safari? Tripsite announces a new and exciting adventure that includes both cycling and the safari experience. Imagine biking through the South African bush and then going on an early morning game drive to spot the “Big Five” wildlife – Lions, Leopards, Cape Buffalo, Rhinoceros and Elephant.

This is 10-day experience in Northeastern South Africa in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces showcases Greater Kruger National Park and Blyde River Canyon, including God's Window and Bourke's Luck Potholes. Not only will travelers combine the safari experience with biking, but will also have the opportunity to participate in a different activity each day. Featuring stunning panoramas and game drives, as well as hands-on experience in cultural customs and everyday life, this tour has it all. The multi-adventure thrill seekers can even enjoy quad biking!

This unique tour is just one example of the dedication Tripsite promises to clients. They love to travel and love to share. A genuine passion for cycling fueled their creation and now this same passion continues to fuel their vision. They believe travel should be a way of life. For them, travel is not indulging, it is engaging with people, cultures, and destinations. Working with local partners in locations around the world, Tripsite staff go first so clients can travel with confidence. This assures a memorable experience for all who travel with them.

About Tripsite

Tripsite is your comprehensive marketplace for cycling holidays in Europe, Asia & beyond, showcasing hundreds of tours for the discerning cyclist, including bike and boat tours, bike tours, and multi adventure tours. Offering a diverse portfolio, there are tours to fit any budget, from luxury to value and tours to suit any interest including history, culture, and gastronomy. Tailored made tours are possible as well! Tripsite has been family owned and operated since 1999 and is renowned for their unsurpassed customer service and extensive knowledge of every tour they offer. Contact a member of the Tripsite team. Your perfect cycling vacation awaits! To view all trip options www.tripsite.com

For more information check web site www.adventuremedianews.com

AEG -- AMGEN TOURS

Cycling Fans Get the 'Wheel' Deal on Lodging Package Deals for the Amgen Tour of California Big Bear Lake Time

Trial Includes Discounts at Participating Restaurants, Shops & Activities

Big Bear Visitors Bureau is rolling out its Cycling Race ‘Wheel Deal’ Lodging Packages for this year’s Amgen Tour of California Stage 6 Big Bear Lake Time Trial. The packages come with overnight accommodations at a Big Bear lodge, hotel, or cabin bundled together with a wristband, which gives those who wear the wristband discounts at participating Big Bear restaurants, shops and activities.

AUSTIN ADVENTURES

About Austin Adventures

Based in Billings, MT, Austin Adventures (formerly Austin-Lehman Adventures) has spent more than 40 years building an international reputation as a provider of scheduled small group tours and customized trips to all seven continents. In 2013, Austin Adventures joined the Xanterra Parks & Resorts® portfolio of experiential leisure offerings that includes operations in Grand Canyon,Yellowstone, Zion, Crater Lake, Rocky Mountain and Petrified Forest National Parks; Mount Rushmore National Memorial; Furnace Creek Resort in Death Valley National Park; and five Ohio State Park Lodges as well as the Geneva Marina at Ohio’s Geneva State Park. Xanterra Parks & Resorts also owns and operates Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va., the Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel in Williams, Ariz., the Grand Hotel in Tusayan, Ariz., Windstar Cruises, VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, Country Walkers and Austin Adventures.

About Cloud Camp
Sitting at 9,200 feet atop Cheyenne Mountain is The Broadmoor’s newest wilderness experience, Cloud Camp. With unobstructed 360 degree views, the incomparable splendor of Colorado resides here. Cloud Camp’s 8,000-square-foot main lodge, with a design influenced by the historic timber and stone lodges of the American West, features hand-hewn beams and indigenous stone fireplaces. Its great room and bar area serve as the backdrop for inspired and relaxed gatherings, while an expansive wrap-around deck is an unparalleled location from which to absorb the magnificence of the Pikes Peak region. This is the former private retreat of Broadmoor founder, Spencer Penrose. The dark wood walls inside the main lodge are filled with Western art from owner Philip Anschutz’ private collection, including the Native American garb worn by Kevin Costner in his blockbuster film, Dances with Wolves. The signature piece of furniture is an extra-long communal dining table, where one could dine on Colorado-raised bison and lamb. www.broadmoor.com/cloud-camp/

About The Ranch at Emerald Valley
In 1923 Penrose acquired a bucolic slice of heaven, ringed by 11,000-foot peaks, which recently was transformed into The Ranch of Emerald Valley. This unique retreat offers refined luxury with the rustic charm and inspiration of a wilderness enclave. Surrounded by over 100,000 acres of the Pike National Forest, guests indulge in a private escape in one of 10 beautifully appointed cabins featuring gas fireplaces, rich furnishings and modern amenities. This haven is the perfect destination for everything from an intimate getaway to a quintessential Colorado vacation for a group, family and friends. www.broadmoor.com/ranch-reservations/

About The Broadmoor
The Broadmoor is the longest-running consecutive winner of both the AAA Five-Diamond and Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star awards. Since first opening in 1918, The Broadmoor has offered guests a unique way to experience the beauty of the American West, and it continues that tradition through the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star day spa as well as its restaurants (including the only Five-Star, Five-Diamond restaurant in Colorado, Penrose Room), 54 holes of championship golf, six tennis courts, indoor/outdoor pools, distinctive retail shops, specialty tours, activities and programs for guests of all ages and interests. www.broadmoor.com/

BICYCLE ADVENTURE TOURS

About Bicycle Adventures

Scenic byways, four and five-star accommodations and local dining and visits to National Parks are trademarks of Bicycle Adventures, founded in 1984. Types of tours include Classic (25-50 miles a day), Classic Plus (50-60 miles a day) and Epic (70+ miles a day with the most demanding terrain). Value-driven Frugal category of trips offers budget-conscious lodging and meals with full van support; Family tours offer multi-sport adventures and riding on safe, scenic bike paths.

Pre-set and custom tours embrace the Pacific Northwest into Canada, California and the Southwest, as well as Colorado, the Dakotas, New York, Hawaii, New Zealand, Spain’s Basque region and Taiwan. Excelling in its own backyard the Issaquah, WA-based company’s line-up includes a National Geographic ‘Tours of a Lifetime’ award-winning Empire Epic cycling tour from Washington to Montana’s Glacier National Park, urban adventures in Seattle and Portland and immersions into the craft beer industry in Oregon and Washington.

Bicycle Adventures Adds Chile To Expanding International Portfolio Of Vacations on Two Wheels

Bicycle Adventures, a Pacific Northwest-based active travel company specializing in two-wheel tours in North America, Hawaii (the Big Island) and internationally, announces a new bike tour itinerary in Chile venturing where few have pedaled before, embracing lakes and snow-capped volcanoes south of Santiago to the northern edge of Patagonia.

In partnership with a local, well-respected Chile-based company, Bicycle Adventures’ Chile Lakes & Volcanoes, a 10-day day cycling vacation, includes a ride on the Lake Ranco Route where until now no other bicycle tour company has been.

The tour begins in Temuco, Chile, just a short flight from Santiago. The first ride is from the UNESCO Araucarias Biosphere Reserve to the Corralco Hotel and Spa. Day 2 brings guests into the Kütralkura Geopark and The Andes Climb. From here they bike to Vicente Perez Rosales National Park with Osorno Volcano. A hike on Day 3 into Kütralkura Geopark to Coloradito Hill opens up views of four volcanoes followed by a walk through a forest of 2,000-year-old trees. After this serenity comes Pucon, the region’s adventure hub, for more rides up volcanoes, exploring the heart of the Chilean Patagonia rainforest and the Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve, with optional zip lining or spa-ing. Day 9 brings Vicente Perez Rosales National Park ride and an optional climb (chairlift available) of the Osorno Volcano, one of the steepest rides in the world.

Stunning accommodations including a lodge in tree house, a local family-hosted dinner and a lunch in a microbrewery are exclamation points to this over-the-top trip when trip it comes to unscripted adventure and mind blowing scenery.

For more details please see bicycleadventures.com/destinations/chile-bike-tours/Chile-Lakes-&-Volcanoes! For more information on all of Bicycle Adventures programs, domestic and international contact the company by phone: 800.443.6060, emailoffice@bicycleadventures.com or visit online at bicycleadventures.com/.

Bicycle Adventures Hosts New Camino de Santiago 14-Day Cycling Tour Through Hemingway Territory in Pyrenees

Bicycle Adventures, a Pacific Northwest-based active travel company specializing in two-wheel tours in North America, Hawaii (the Big Island) and internationally, now combines the passion for bicycling with a spiritual component intrinsic to Camino de Santiago, the famous pilgrimage route across northern Spain’s Basque region through the Spanish Pyrenees.

Cyclists pedal to Galicia on Spain’s northwest coast from Pamplona in the foothills of the Spanish Pyrenees. Enroute are ample samplings of the wines of Rioja, a tour of Burgos’ gothic cathedral and the tomb of Spain’s favorite son, El Cid, and the exhilaration of the wide open plains of Castilla Leon. The trip concludes with a toast at the destination, the shrine of the Apostle St. James in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

The biking route is the same that walkers take. However, rather than the mental and physical fatigue of a month on the journey and sleeping with upwards of 150 pilgrims in dorms at night, cyclists engage in sightseeing and enjoying relaxed meals and accommodations in delightful posadas (Spanish inns) and even a restored monastery.
This trip on two wheels, he said, is designed to test one’s mettle and have a lasting effect on your spirit and outlook on life.

As do walking pilgrims, cyclists obtain a Pilgrim's Passport and official Camino de Santiago stamps. Riders pass by trout streams known to Hemingway and settle into tapas bars for leisurely feasts. The route passes through Atapuerca, the UNESCO World Heritage site whose caves cradled the remains of the earliest known human beings in Europe. Not all, however, is ancient, as a day is spent in Leon where bikes are stabled and shopping and sightseeing pursued.

For more information contact Bicycle Adventures by phone: 800.443.6060, email: office@bicycleadventures.com or visit online at bicycleadventures.com/.

Bicycle Adventures Is First International Tour Operator To Bring Guided Cycling Vacations to Taiwan

A Pacific Northwest-based active travel company specializing in two-wheel tours in North America and internationally will be the first international bike company providing guided tours by bicycle of Taiwan, an island nation little known outside of Asia.

Taiwan has begun to embrace health and wellness as a cultural ideal, with new fitness-oriented facilities springing up in urban areas. More people can be seen outdoors walking and running for fitness. Several cities have even begun bike-share programs, according to Starnes.

The easy-to-access and, for the most part, easy-to-bike routes were designed with showcasing the island in mind. The tour itinerary Bicycle Adventures crafted includes stops at culturally significant sites, including the National Center for Traditional Arts and the Lanyang Museum that was created when a Chinese cultural leader was exiled some years ago to Taiwan. Following in his wake came a collection of Chinese artifacts more impressive than any in China or anywhere else in the world.

The gateway city is Taipei where guests are met at the airport. The following day a ride on a high-speed train to Kaohsiung City brings cyclists to the southern end of the island to begin the tour northbound.

On the itinerary that averages about 74 kilometers a day of biking, guests pause in aboriginal villages where people still live as they did hundreds of years ago. These are descendants of Austronesians who first settled on Taiwan.

Traversing the ups and downs and in-betweens of some of the island’s five vertical mountain ranges is part of the fun. This includes rides up to and through two national parks that reveal stunning canopies in near-rainforest settings of up to 8,000 feet. One of the biggest challenges will be an uphill ride in the Taroka Gorge, promised Starnes. “Our guests are welcome to try to ride all the way to the top. I didn’t make it.”

Taiwan, formerly known as Formosa or “beautiful island”, is separated from the Asian mainland by the South China Sea - variously known as Black Ditch, Taiwan Strait or Formosa Strait - across 110 miles of water. Loyalties of its people have been challenged over time as Japan and China have both claimed the island. Today it’s in China’s realm. Mandarin is the official language. Ma Ying-jeou is president of Taiwan.

Bicycle Adventures recently signed the 20,000-member Japan Cycling Association to be an exclusive provider of bike tours in North America. Starnes anticipated that the new Taiwan program will be popular with the Japanese as well. “It’s an easy flight from Japan and a way of introducing our company to the new Japan market.”

For more information, availability and reservations contact Bicycle Adventures by phone: 800.443.6060, email: office@bicycleadventures.com or visit online bicycleadventures.com/.

For more information check Bicycle Adventures website at bicycleadventures.com

Bicycle Adventures Announces New International Trips Including Taiwan and Spain’s Basque Country Plus Addition of “Frugal (Money-Saving) Tours.”

Note: Epic Tours promise rides of minimally 70 miles a day through phenomenal scenery, plus deluxe dining and lodging. “These tours are designed for avid cyclists who like nothing better than to ride 100 miles/day through spell-binding landscapes, with plenty of surprises, challenges and climbing,” said Todd Starnes,” Bicycle Adventures Founder/CEO. Classic Tours are designed for more casual riders who like the sound of “35-ish miles/day”, plus hiking, shopping and soaking up the sun.

For more information, 2019 availability and reservations contact Bicycle Adventures by phone: 800.443.6060, email: office@bicycleadventures.com or visit online at travelnewssource.us4.list-manage.com/bicycleadventures.com/.

BIKEMAINE

About BikeMaine:

Founded in 2012, BikeMaine is a fully-supported, seven-day cycling tour organized by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. Limited to just 350 cyclists, the tour takes a different course every year. Routes traverse uncrowded back roads, looping through small towns and scenic areas along the coast and inland. The terrain is moderately challenging with daily rides averaging 55 miles. The event includes meals made with locally sourced ingredients, optional afternoon activities and nightly entertainment. The event was founded to promote the state as a bicycling destination and to use cycling as an economic development tool for local communities. In 2014, BikeMaine generated an estimated $395,000 in direct economic impact. Proceeds from the tour go to support bicycle advocacy in Maine. To learn more, visit ride.bikemaine.org.

BMX TOURS

more soon

Butterfield & Robinson Bike Tours

About Butterfield & Robinson
As the world’s premier active travel company, Butterfield & Robinson has been designing incredible journeys in the world’s most amazing places for over 50 years. From the start, B&R has encouraged travellers to “Slow down to see the world,” executing itineraries focused on activity, adventure and cultural immersion for generations of travellers. With offices in Canada, France and Italy, B&R now offers 90 innovative itineraries in 60 destinations worldwide. For more information visit www.butterfield.com.

Explore historic Europe on Berlin to Prague Biking with Butterfield & Robinson

Butterfield & Robinson, the world’s premier active travel company, introduces Berlin to Prague Biking, a six day cycling adventure through historic European cities, the lush Spreewald and medieval countryside with hundreds of miles of dedicated bike paths. Travellers will tour the historic and evolving cities of Berlin, Dresden and Prague, choosing between short rides or longer rural routes peppered between luxurious stays in outstanding accommodations.”

From a perfect introductory ride through the flat Spreewald to gliding along the Elbe River Valley and on bike paths in the Swiss Saxony, travellers will ride through the former East Germany, the countryside and woodlands south of Berlin and towards what is considered Europe’s most gorgeous city, Dresden. While visiting the city itself is a rich experience, travellers will have the chance to see the Green Vault in Dresden, one of the richest treasure chambers in the world during a city walking tour.

Berlin to Prague Biking Highlights

Departing Berlin, travellers will venture to the western edge of the Spree Forest before reaching open countryside dotted with woodland and small silver rivers. Riding through the UNESCO protected Biosphere Reserve, travellers will then have the choice of a longer option through the tranquil Spreewald or the short, direct route to the hotel for a festive dinner. Ride along the banks of the Elbe River Valley en route to a private tour of the world-famous Meissen porcelain factory. The Albrechtsburg Castle acts as a looming beacon over the town of Meissen, known as the “cradle” of Saxony. From there, travellers trek along a dedicated bike path towards Saxony’s royal capital, Dresden, one of Europe’s finest cities.

Following a day exploring baroque Dresden, travellers will reach the Czech town of Melnik to start a day of riverside biking, following the Vltava bike path all the way to Prague. Prior to a final indulgent dinner, travellers will take part in an unbeatable Prague walking tour guided by a long-time friend of B&R and first-hand witness to the Velvet Revolution.

Activity Level

The level of activity for Berlin to Prague Biking is Occasional, as the riding is mostly flat, taking place on bike paths and quiet roads. Given that the routes are moderately flat throughout the trip, there are options for longer rides almost every day.

Hotel Details

Zur Bleiche Resort & Spa, Burg – This grand, luxurious resort and wellness centre was once a royal property, and was established as a hotel 25 years ago. The property is renowned for its massage and spa treatment, offering a long list of services to guests.
Hotel Kempinski Tsachenbergpalais, Dresden – Situated between the opera house and Dresden Castle, the Taschenbergpalais was first built in 1706 under August the Strong, and reconstructed following the Dresden bombing. The impressive residence hosts regal amenities such as sitting rooms, courtyards, spa and sauna.
The Augustine Hotel, Prague – Boasting an extensive spa, serene surroundings and contemporary décor, the Augustine is a former monastery in an unbeatable location. An urban retreat nestled at the foot of Prague castle, the spa offering and architectural features alone will make it tough to bring the trip to an end.

Availability

The 6 days / 5 nights Berlin to Prague Biking trip runs May through September from US$4,995, with single supplements starting at $700.
For more information or to download the Berlin to Prague Biking itinerary, visit: www.butterfield.com/berlin-to-prague-biking.

For all new and updated trips for 2021, visit www.butterfield.com/new-trips.

CANADA

more soon

CATSKILL BICYCLING ADVENTURES

The Catskills mountain bike trails traverse epic vertical feet and wind around the region's mountains and valleys. And the number of recreation areas is growing with the recently opened Windham Mountain Bike Park, home of the only World Cup circuit race in the United States.

If you're feeling jazzed on the spirit of competition and an American win at Windham, head to the Catskills to check out some of off-the-beaten-path mountain bike trails, including:

Windham Mountain Bike Center -- Opened in 2015, this lift-serviced park offers trails for a variety of skills and features flow style trails, new intermediate level terrain to compliment the World Cup trails, as well as a pump track. Rentals, lessons, guided tours and a cool base lodge with food and drinks available as well. To build the park, Windham partnered with Gravity Logic, the same folks who developed the Bike Park at Whistler in Canada.

Elm Ridge Bike Path -- Also in Windham, just two miles from the bike park, the Elm Ridge Wild Forest offers more than 20 miles of challenging terrain, as well as some beginner-friendly, non-technical trails and some of the best single track in the Catskills.

The Windham Path -- This scenic little 1.5 mile loop is a great way to warm up, offering picturesque views of streams, beaver dams and the surrounding Catskill Mountains. Trailhead located on South Street in Windham.

In the town of Round Top, Roundtopia is a local secret, offering over 20 mils of single track and fire roads maintained by the Round Top Mountain Bike Association (RTMBA).

Catskill Cycling Events Take Catskills By Storm with Challenging Endurance Racing Routes

Home to challenging hill climbs boasting names like the 'Devil's Kitchen,' the Catskills lay claim to some of the toughest cycling routes in New York, providing the ideal location for several highly anticipated annual cycling competitions.

For cyclists who just want to ride the Catskills‚ routes without competing, Catskill Cycles on Main Street in Catskill and Paddlehead Boards in Athens offer rentals, as well as a full sales and service staff. For additional information about bike routes and other cycling resources in the Catskills, go to www.greatnortherncatskills.com.

About Greene County:
Greene County is in the Great Northern Catskills, home to five of the 10 highest peaks in the Catskill Park, family resorts, outdoor adventure and year-round entertainment. Known as the nation's first wilderness, and renowned as the home of Thomas Cole's Hudson River School, the Catskills are a haven for outdoor recreation and artistic inspiration. Greene County was also the inspiration for Washington Irving's literary legend, Rip Van Winkle. Connect with the Catskills at GreatNorthernCatskills>Facebook.com and on Twitter.com/CatskillTourism

CALIFORNIA BICYCLING EVENTS

To learn more about Southern California’s Learn to MTB Headquarters at Snow Summit Bike Park visit www.snowsummit.com. For all there is to see and do in beautiful Big Bear Lake, make lodging reservations or request a free Visitors Guide log on to www.bigbear.com or call 800-424-4232.

Cyclo Sportives and Gran Fondos

Cyclo sportives and Gran Fondos are lengthy, challenging, mass participation cycling events that follow the same routes conquered by professional racers. Participating in one provides the opportunity to ride on some of the most notable and legendary climbs and descents in competitive cycling history.

Sports Tours International (www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk) offers travel and support packages to ride in a wide variety of the world’s finest cyclo sportive and Gran Fondo events. They secure entries for many annually over-subscribed events including perennial favorites such as La Marmotte, Maratona d les Dolomites and L’ Etape du Tour. These are also quite popular with North Americans looking to combine a cycling event with a European vacation.

For more information, available packages, space availability and reservations please visit online www.sportstoursinternational.com, email: sales@sportstoursinternational.co.uk, or call: (+44) 161 703 8161.

Sports Tours International is Europe’s leading specialist in sports travel. Since inception in 1973 they have hosted thousands of participants and spectators at major sporting events worldwide. With the tagline, Fanatical about Sport, the company’s initial roots came from a devotion to running when founder Vince Regan began taking runners to the NYC Marathon. Since the early 2000s, the company now embraces international cycling events and triathlon competitions, sports training camps and corporate hospitality.

COLORADO BICYCLING EVENTS

Hartman Rocks near Gunnison, Colorado

-- doesn’t have the mountain biking history or reputation of Crested Butte its neighbor to the north, but what it does have is a long season, a trail network with lots of fun intermediate terrain plus challenging technical features, and an ecosystem like no other place in the Gunnison Valley. Hartman Rocks lays in the shadow of Crested Butte’s huge trail network that extends for hundreds of miles, but what it can lay claim to is the best high desert riding in Colorado. Here's why:

Trails

Hartman has twice as many trails as 18 Road in Fruita--Colorado’s best known high desert riding spot. Come summer, the extreme heat in Fruita makes riding unbearable during the day. It gets warm at Hartman, and there’s not a ton of shade, but it’s rarely too hot for riding. Hartman has 41 trails and 77 miles of trails for mountain biking--8 trails for beginners, 21 for intermediate riders, and 10 for advanced and expert mountain bikers. Mellow trails like Sea of Sage, intermediate favorites like Top of the World, and some of the most technical singletrack in the valley like Freefall and Rattlesnake--don’t worry, there aren’t any rattlesnakes. Riders can build their own ride, mixing and matching flowy singletrack, switchbacks, and punchy technical trail. Hartman’s trails are meticulously maintained by volunteers led by trail advocacy group Gunnison Trails, so expect them to be in good shape all season long.

The Scene

Decomposing granite spires, pockets of pink and yellow wildflowers, and sagebrush surround riders. Panoramic views of the Collegiate Peaks, Anthracite Range, West Elk and San Juan Mountains appear as riders gain elevation and push south into the backcountry. The terrain here is greener and jagged cliffs shape the east and west boundaries. The remote and flowy Aberdeen Loop takes riders near the Aberdeen Quarry where granite was harvested for the State Capitol.

Stay and Play Harder

Gunnison is a cool college town meets laid-back ranching community and just 10 minutes from Hartman Rocks. From boutique inns to reliable hotel chains, accommodations are affordable and welcoming. Call Gunnison-Crested Butte Reservations at (877) 213.5357 and talk with a local about places to stay. Camping is a great way to experience Hartman Rocks and get first dibs at trails in the morning. Camping isn’t permitted in the base area, but dispersed camping is widely available wherever you find a fire ring.

Cuisine ranges from authentic Nepalese food, Mexican to Asian Fusion, great pizza plus a thriving local brewery. The I Bar Ranch outdoor live music venue offers an eclectic mix of bluegrass, classic country and alternative music performances nearly every day of the week. Grab coffee, savory and sweet pastries while getting a tune-up at Double Shot Cyclery, or stop in to Rock and Roll sports to meet owner Dave Moe, one of the original Hartman Rocks trail building pioneers.

About Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley

Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley are called the “Home of Mountain Biking”. Crested Butte in conjunction with Marin County are the birthplaces of the sport. The Valley has 750 miles of trails, more than anywhere in the world. To make navigating the vast network of trails easier, the CBGTrails map app was built. Creator and Crested Butte local Derrick Nehrenberg is a former behavioral neuroscientist who was inspired to start mapping after getting lost too many times in the backcountry. But that’s another story! Visit www.CBGTrails.com and download the app for free. From there maps of trails can be downloaded on your phone and are accessible without cell service which can be scarce in the backcountry.

For more information on Gunnison-Crested Butte, visit www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com.

303Colorado & BikeState38 Partner to Share Resources, News, and Events

The year brings to fruition a working arrangement between 303Colorado (parent company of 303cycling.com and 303Triathlon.com, news websites for the sports of cycling and triathlon in the state of Colorado) and BikeState38, an internet-based resource for recreational riding, organized events and travel/tourism in the state of Colorado.

In an effort to share work product, concepts, creative approaches and resources, this allied working arrangement will help spread news and information to a wider audience, better support the cycling and triathlon communities of Colorado and provide advertisers with a broader base for exposure.

About 303cycling & 303Triathlon: The 303 websites are your source for cycling & triathlon news in the state of Colorado and have the best consolidated calendar covering all events including racing, training, tours, events, and more. The jobs page allows those in or out of the state looking for employers who support your interest and values. Directories for coaching and clubs, as well as resources, rides and climbs are featured. Additionally, 303 is Colorado's daily news source for cycling and triathlon; whether your interest is in racing, training, commuting, advocacy, industry news, or recreational aspects, 303 has got you covered. For more information on 303Colorado (303cyling, 303Triathlon), please visit websites 303cycling.com and 303Triathlon.com, or email info@303Colorado.com.

About BikeState38: BikeState38 is your hub for all things cycling for the state of Colorado; a directory of resources to navigate all the rides, destinations, bike shops, manufacturers and nonprofits that make up Colorado’s cycling landscape. BikeState38 covers most means of biking but their primary focus is road cycling and touring; with an emphasis on organized recreational rides. From event directors to industry professionals, bicycling newbies to fanatics, BikeState38 has a little something for everyone with access to free wheeled experts, clubs and advocates. BikeState38’s site is undergoing a number of updates in preparation for the spring, when they’ll introduce Your Bike Hub, a Brand Ambassador program and a pilot membership/rewards opportunity called Pedal Points. For more information on BikeState38, please visit website BikeState38.com, or email info@BikeState38.com. Or, for more information, please contact: Chandler Smith: chandler@bikestate38.com or Dana Willett: dana@303colorado.com

Biking Bliss with 750 Miles of Trails in Crested Butte & the Gunnison Valley, Colorado

The Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley boasts the largest mountain biking trail systems in the United States with more than 750 miles of mostly singletrack trails and a jam-packed calendar of biking events.

Since the 1970s, when locals started retrofitting old Schwinn paperboy bikes with multiple gears, Crested Butte has been known as the home of mountain biking. Crested Butte is one of only five communities in Colorado to have the prestigious gold designation from the League of American Bicyclists, and Gunnison is one of only nine towns with silver status.

The first spot in the valley that bikers flock to in spring is the 8,000-acre Hartman Rocks Recreation Area in Gunnison, open now for riding and offering 40 miles of high desert single track and 33 miles of road open to biking once all trails are available. As spring progresses, trails at the north end of the valley begin opening and the chairlifts start running at Crested Butte Mountain from mid-June through the end of September, providing easy access to Evolution Bike Park including several Wednesday and Friday nights.

Townie Events & Casual Cruising

For those who just want to cruise with absolutely no schedule should consider staying at properties such as The Ruby of Crested Butte, Purple Mountain Bed & Breakfast and Old Town Inn in Crested Butte, which have complimentary townie bikes available for guests. Plus, bike shops in Gunnison and Crested Butte have colorful fleets and rent cruisers by the hour.

Travel Deals

Nordic Inn in Mt. Crested Butte has been totally remodeled and is a bike lover’s dream with close proximity to Trail 401, Snodgrass Trail and Evolution Bike Park. Plus, there is a secure bike storage room, bike cleaning station and plenty of space for bike trailer parking.

Vacation Packages & Visitor Information

For travel planning, general information and savings on flights, hotel rooms, vacation packages, car rentals and more, go to www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com or call (800) 814-8893. Also, follow GCBTA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gcbta. Later this spring, bikers can access all sorts of mountain biking information and the new trails app at www.mtbhome.com.

About Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado

Nestled in a valley with nearly two million acres of pristine, mountainous wilderness, Gunnison-Crested Butte has a prime location in southwest Colorado. Winter sports enthusiasts know the area for its world-class alpine skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and more. Fair-weather activities include mountain biking, hiking, wildflower and wildlife viewing, climbing, boating, whitewater rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing, camping and horseback riding. Year-round visitors enjoy distinctive restaurants, locally-owned shops, stimulating cultural opportunities and festivals galore ranging from the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival and Gunnison Cattlemen’s Days to Crested Butte Bike Week and Gunnison Car Show weekend.

Along a 31-mile stretch of wide-open vistas and stunning scenery, visitors can explore Gunnison, Almont, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte and connect with the quaint and historic burgs of Pitkin, Gothic, Tin Cup, Marble, Powderhorn and Crystal, also located in Gunnison County. Gunnison and Crested Butte, both founded in 1880, are known for their Victorian-era charm, friendly Western hospitality and free-spirited nature. Almont is a fishing, rafting and rock climbing mecca, and the resort village of Mt. Crested Butte is home to renowned Crested Butte Mountain. Visitors also can explore Curecanti National Recreation Area, home to Colorado’s largest body of water, and the nearby Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Gunnison County is part of the West Elk Loop and Silver Thread Scenic & Historic Byways.

Non-stop air service to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC) is provided year-round by United Airlines with flights from Denver (DIA). United also is offering non-stop service from Houston (HIA) this summer. The Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) is located just 79 miles from Gunnison, providing additional regional air service to the area.

For more information contact the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association, 202 E. Georgia, Suite B, Gunnison, CO 81230, www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com

ESCAPE ADVENTURES

Family-Friendly Camping + Mountain Biking Tour of Death Valley and Red Rock Canyon

On this 5-day camping and mountain biking tour being offered by Escape Adventures, guests will explore one of America’s largest national parks, the 3,373,063-acre Death Valley National Park. Despite its rather foreboding name, Death Valley represents a stellar mountain biking destination with more than 350-miles of roads and trails, astounding wildflower blooms, and mild temperatures in fall and winter. Guests will cycle the heart of the Mojave Desert, from Death Valley National Park to Red Rock Canyon, stopping to visit historic sites accessed by 1930s-era Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) roads. Highlights include Spicer Ranch Trails, Titus Canyon, Monarch Canyon, Chloride Cliffs, Stovepipe Wells and Cottonwood Valley. Prices start at $1,495 per person double and include all internal land expenses and services. Electric-mountain bikes are available upon request. For more information, visit escapeadventures.com/tour/death-valley-and-red-rock-mountain-bike-tour/.

Guests will move seamlessly from one day to the next, camping, and enjoying delicious homemade meals. The majority of campgrounds feature indoor facilities and showers. In more remote backcountry camping scenarios, Escape Adventures will provide portable toilets and private solar showers. A range of cycling and hiking options are offered each day, and support vehicles are available.

“There is nothing better than rolling into camp to fresh made chips and salsa, homemade guacamole, and Dutch oven enchiladas,” said Fisher. “Then making your way to the campfire, sharing your favorite story from the day, and enjoying a cold craft beer before retiring to your tent.”

Full Itinerary:

Day 1-2: Ride the new Spicer Ranch Trails, and finish with a cowboy dinner. The next day, descend epic Titus Canyon into Death Valley. Layover in beautiful Monarch Canyon.

Day 3-4: Climb to the top of Chloride Cliffs, explore ancient mining ruins, hike down Monarch Canyon to the portal view of Death Valley, visit massive sand dunes and Stovepipe Wells, and stop at the National Park Visitor Center. Next day, shuttle to Red Rock Canyon and ride to Bonnie Springs Old Nevada.

Day 5: Ride Cottonwood Valley’s fabulous trail network, nestled below the cliffs of Red Rock Canyon. Shuttle back to Las Vegas.

About Escape Adventures: Since 1992, Escape Adventures has been blessed to shape and lead adventure travel vacations through some of the most awe-inspiring natural destinations in the world. Building on over 100 destinations, Escape Adventures caters to the full spectrum of active traveler, respective to fitness level and activity type. From road cyclist to mountain biker to electric biker, hiker, and multi-sport enthusiast, and from first timer to friends and family groups of all ability levels, Escape Adventures looks forward to many new and exciting adventures with you. escapeadventures.com/

FLORIDA CYCLE EVENTS

Withlacoochee State Trail Offers Bicyclists Unique Journey
through 46 Miles of Old Florida Charm

Florida’s Nature Coast has no shortage of adventures for outdoor enthusiasts, many of them best experienced along a rambling network of well-maintained trails such as the Withlacoochee State Trail. One of the longest paved trails in Florida, the Withlacoochee State Trial converted more than 46 miles of old CSX rail line and is recognized as one of the best rails-to-trails conversions in the United States. A flat terrain and many entrance and exit points make it the perfect option for cyclists of all ages, skill and fitness levels. The expanse of the trail corridors covers Citrus, Hernando and Pasco Counties, giving cyclists an opportunity to discover quaint small towns, working ranches and six distinct natural environments. Highlights along the trail include the Withlacoochee State Forest, the Withlacoochee River (South) Canoe Trail and Fort Cooper State Park.

“The trail provides a really remarkable journey across more than 761 acres of Florida,” said Christopher Raby, Park Manager with the Florida Park Service “And we’ve made it as user friendly as possible, with modern restrooms, water fountains, convenient parking and multiple access points so riders can hop off and explore local restaurants, shops and historic sites, or spend the night at hotels and campgrounds.”

In addition to cyclists, the trail attracts runners, walkers, skaters and even equestrian riders on portions of unpaved trails running parallel to the main trail. The site was designated part of the Florida Greenways and Trail System and as a National Recreation Trail, with rich opportunities to view native plants and wildlife. Find out more information about the Withlacoochee State Trail and plan your visit today at DiscoverCrystalRiver.com.

About Crystal River Florida

Widely known as the Manatee Capital of the World, Crystal River, Florida, is the only place in the United States to legally experience the up-close encounter of swimming with these gentle giants. Located in Central Florida’s Gulf Coast, Crystal River and the surrounding cities of Old Homosassa, Inverness and Floral City are an authentic showcase of outdoor adventure and scenic beauty. Within tens of thousands of acres of protected state parks, forests and wildlife refuges, visitors can explore miles of bicycling, walking, birding, horseback riding and hiking trails to unlock a wild and wonderful world of natural, recreational and archaeological treasures. Pristine swimmable springs and a shimmering network of rivers, lakes, marshlands and mangroves make Crystal River perfect for kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing, boating, fishing and floating. Feeding the fun is a creative collection of restaurants, pubs, bistros and bars serving up freshly caught seafood and other seasonal favorites all year long – from summer scallop season, to fall blue crab season, to manatee season and a year-round fishing season. Begin your adventure at DiscoverCrystalRiverFL.com or call (800) 587-6667.

Paddle Naples

Paddle Naples Gives Tourists New Way to See Southwest Florida and Promises to Fill Itineraries

Tourists heading to Southwest Florida that want to experience something new and exciting should have local adventure company Paddle Naples on their radar. Already a hit with locals looking for a unique outing, the active firm offers paddle boarding, kayaking, and fishing tours for all abilities that gives thrill seekers incredible views and a chance to experience the natural beauty of the region.

Having been in operation for four years, the adventure guides at Paddle Naples take tourists to the best locations for spotting wildlife, from joining playful pods of dolphins to catching glimpses of manatees beneath the waves. The region where the business operates, from Naples to Fort Meyers, is teeming with sea creatures and intriguing birdlife, including pelicans, osprey, herons, and egrets, for those seeking an active tour to search for. Experienced adventurers that want to explore the local area by water alone have that option too, thanks to the flexible services offered by Paddle Naples.

Customers are given the ultimate flexibility when using Paddle Naples, with the option to choose hourly, daily, or multi-day rentals and tours. From full-guided eco tours through to getting local advice, the passionate experts working at the busienss help to give vacations the added wow factors for a memorable trip. Bensmiller added, “I started out kayaking the inlets and bay in the Bonita Springs area in 2010. On the first trip out, I kayaked within feet of a pod of dolphins and had such an amazing experience as they circled the kayak, as if I were part of the pod. After the first trip, I was craving more and began frequenting the same kayaking spots. I encountered dolphins on almost every trip out and it continued to be as magical as the first time. Needless to say, I was hooked and continued to get out on the water as much as possible. It’s this experience we want to give every customer of Paddle Naples.”

To find out more visit paddlenaples.com/.

FREEWHEEL HOLIDAYS

Biking Across Multiple Borders - Freewheel Holidays’ Self-Guided Cycle Tours ,,,Mix ‘n’ Match Several Countries on One Itinerary

Thanks to UK-based Freewheel Holidays, vacationers can cycle and sample multiple countries and cuisines on many of its self-guided biking adventures suitable for beginners to advanced riders. Below are bicycle vacation itineraries crossing into some countries that many Americans have yet to visit, such as Croatia and Hungary. Other tours, such as a bicycle trek from Amsterdam to Paris, may provide more familiar landscapes but in off-the-beaten path regions. Rates include lodging with breakfast, detailed route notes, point-to-point luggage transfers, 24-hour emergency support, complimentary bike rentals (with electric E-bike rental options) and suggested attractions and must-see sights noted in each itinerary. For additional routes and options see: www.freewheelholidays.com/

About Freewheel Holidays
A division of Sports Tours International, Freewheel Holidays specializes in self-guided, expertly supported European cycling holidays that strike the perfect balance between leisure pedaling and immersive sightseeing. The company offers easy cycling programs designed with special appeal to European and North American travelers. Guests cycle on their own, with enroute assistance and distinctive accommodations expertly chosen and secured by the company. A portfolio of over 40 established European holidays offers riders of all levels a freedom of choice. The company features a range of 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9-night itineraries to 12 European countries including the UK, Austria, France, Holland, Czech Republic, Italy, Malta, Switzerland, Spain, Germany, Sweden and Portugal. The majority of tours are self-guided with the exception of a few fully-guided vacation packages in Croatia, France, Italy and Prague to Vienna. The company also offers family-focused, coastal, wine lover, bike and boat, and solo traveler holidays.

GRASSHOPPER ADVENTURES BIKE TOIURS

Taiwan by Bike: a Nine Day Journey Across the Island

On this new cycling tour of Taiwan, guests will bike the length of the country, from the northern capital, Taipei, to the southern tip. Bikers will ride past emerald-colored rice paddies and Taoist temples dedicated to the sea-god Matsu. Along the way, they’ll take in the sheer beauty of Eastern Taiwan's rugged Pacific Coast, with pristine beaches, exotic hot springs, and gorgeous valleys, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Taroko Gorge. The 9 Day/8 Night tour starts at $3,150 USD and covers 355-435 km. The terrain varies from gently undulating to steep ascents and descents over the coastal mountain range. Pedal assist E-bikes are available for $495 surcharge.

For more information, visit www.grasshopperadventures.com/multi-day-cycling-tours/bike-taiwan-tour/.

Offering unparalleled scenery and challenging terrain, Taiwan draws more and more visitors from across the globe each year. Riders will visit the striking Saoba Monuments and hike along the Walami Trail to spot wildlife. They’ll take a rest day to enjoy the beach of Dulan before the final leg of the ride along the dramatic coastal cliffs and then inland across the mountains to Kenting in the tropical south.

Tour Highlights:

Cycling through the dramatic Taroko Gorge on part of the famous King of the Mountain route

Viewing monkeys, deer, eagles and Formosan black bears on a hike into the Central Mountain Range on the Walami Trail

Pedaling through the lush East Rift Valley into the jungle then past gorgeous beaches to Dulan

Soaking up the sun and swimming in the bright blue waters of the Pacific Ocean

About Grasshopper Adventures: Grasshopper Adventures is a cycling and active travel specialist, headquartered in Bangkok. They host more than 25,000 travelers of all ages and abilities, on tours ranging from one day to two weeks in Japan, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, China, Uzbekistan, Taiwan, Bhutan & Myanmar. www.grasshopperadventures.com

NEW Grasshopper Adventures Chiang Mai Kingdoms of Northern Thailand Bike Tour

Grasshopper Adventures is excited to announce a brand new cycling tour of Northern Thailand. This 9-day journey takes riders from the sites of Chiang Rai, through rural mountain landscapes and lush forests, to Chiang Mai. Northern Thailand, bordering Laos and Myanmar, is known for its forested mountains inhabited by several hill tribes, each with its own language and culture. Guests will discover impressive Buddhist landmarks by bike, enjoy breathtaking views, and immerse themselves in spectacular nature on this active holiday. Departures are available in October, November, and January with prices starting at $2,800 per person double. For more information, visit www.grasshopperadventures.com/multi-day-cycling-tours/chiang-mai-kingdoms-of-the-north-bike-tour

The journey begins in the city of Chiang Rai, home to the famous White Temple. After exploring the local night market, guests will ride to the dramatic Doi Chiang Dao Mountain, one of the highest peaks of the Daen Lao Range, where their efforts will be rewarded with jaw-dropping views. Here they'll have the chance to pedal through Pha Daeng National Park, past impressive limestone karsts and idyllic waterfalls.

Next, the group will cycle to the sloping landscapes of Maetang, where they’ll visit an elephant sanctuary. From there, riders will proceed to Chiang Mai, perhaps the most well-known city in Northern Thailand, where holidaymakers will delve into the local culture on a food tour showcasing the region's flavorful (and often spicy!) cuisine, and then visit the spiritual sites of Doi Suthep and the Monk’s Trail.

Tour Highlights:

Pedaling to the iconic White Temple, Wat Rong Khun
Visiting an expert in sustainable coffee plantations
Taking a longtail boat transfer up the Kok river
Cycling the hills of the Araksa Tea Plantations
Trekking, white-water rafting, or ziplining in Chiang Mai
Taking a cooking class about traditional Northern Thai cuisine
Enjoying a culinary tour of Chiang Mai
Riding to the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a Theravada Buddhist temple

Explore Thailand by bike from Bangkok to Phuket w/ Grasshopper Adventures

On this tour guests will cycle the Gulf of Thailand, Khao Sok National Park, and the Andaman Coast. Five days are spent riding along the Gulf of Thailand on deserted blacktop and concrete roads through sleepy villages and coconut groves, followed by three days of riding through Khao Sok National Park to the Andaman Coast and down to Phuket. The trip totals 574 km by bike and starts at $2,350 USD. Multiple departure dates are available throughout the year. For more information, call 844-874-3720.

On the gulf side of Thailand, guests will ride flat terrain and quiet backroads, with the exception of two short highway sections. In the hinterland, there are some more sustained hills, but these are rarely longer than 2 km and nothing that could be described as steep. Riders will share the road with some traffic through Khao Sok National Park due to the absence of backroads and from Khao Lak to Phuket.

Tour Highlights Include:

Visiting the sleepy beach town of Pranburi
Biking through Sam Roi Yod National Park and hiking to Phraya Nakhon Cave
Overnighting at a family-owned lodge on the beach in Chumphon
Cycling through rubber plantations and past limestone cliffs
Soaking in hot springs and indulging in delicious Thai cuisine
Riding over the bridge to Phuket Island and overnighting on the beach

For more information visit web site www.grasshopperadventures.com

Grasshopper Adventures Announces Diverse Cycling Tour of Sri Lanka

On this week-long cycling tour of Sri Lanka, guests will bike from the highlands to the coast, discovering the rich history, delicious cuisine, and welcoming people of this small but diverse country. Riders will weave through tea plantations, tour the city of Kandy and The Sacred Relic of the tooth of Buddha, explore Yala National Park (elephants, leopards, buffalo, and monkeys), hike the Sinharaja Rainforest Reserve (UNESCO World Heritage Site), and relax on the southern coast. This trip covers 320 km by bicycle and starts at $2,300 USD per person.

For more information, visit the Sri Lanka by Bike tour page.

Tour Highlights
Visiting the Temple of the Tooth, where the sacred tooth relic is placed with its supporting stories
Taking a train through the beautiful tea country hills
Cycling through tea plantations and sampling delicacies like fresh dates and dried corn crackers
Touring Yala National Park by Jeep and hiking to World's End Lookout
Trekking in the Sinharaja Rainforest Reserve
Descending from the rainforest to the beaches of the southern coast

ISRAEL BIKE TOURS/EVENTS

Israel Cycling Team Makes History, Competing in UAE Tour

Israel's only professional cycling team, Israel Start-Up Nation, will make history on Sunday by competing in the UAE Tour, becoming the first Israeli team to participate in the Middle East's top cycling race. The race will unfold over the next week, crossing all seven of the United Arab Emirates, from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. The race will be broadcast to a television audience across the world.

Israeli rider Omer Goldstein will be in the Israel Start-Up Nation team, alongside the team's biggest stars, to help secure a stage win for the team. "Competing in the UAE in the team uniform is an inspiring moment. Until recently, it would have seemed like an unrealistic dream," said 23-year-old Goldstein. He continued, "In all honesty, I am still finding it hard to digest, but once I am on the start line, I will be fully focused on just one thing – Helping the team win.”

Goldstein has was pleasantly surprised by the warm reception the team has received right from the start. When the team arrived at training the vastly impressive Al Qudra Cycling park, they stumbled into surprised local cyclists. After the initial shock to see the "Israel Startup Nation logo," some of them waived with friendly smiles and even asked for selfies. "It was amazing," said Goldstein. "I wish we had a cycling path like that. We need to learn from the Emirates".

Co-owner of the Israel Start-Up Nation team, Sylvan Adams will attend the race, to witness one of the most significant moments in the team's history. He commented, "Team Israel Startup Nation is excited to be competing in the UAE Tour for the first time in 2020. The participation in this race by our Israeli team in a Middle Eastern nation is emblematic of how cycling can be a force for diplomatic openness and progress. It is not an exaggeration to suggest that sport can be a force for peace, and this is one of the missions of Team ISN. Naturally, we are hoping for a good result at the UAE Tour, and hope our many fans will tune in to watch."

The UAE Tour is the Middle East's largest professional cycling race and the only one in the region which is part of the World Tour competition – The very highest level of the sport. Israel Start-Up Nation is competing on the World Tour for the first time this season, as one of the world's 19 biggest professional cycling teams. As a World Tour competitor, Israel Start-Up Nation gained automatic entry to the UAE Tour, where competitors will include the world's greatest riders such as multiple Tour de France winner Chris Froome.

Israel Start-Up Nation will compete at the UAE Tour with several top international riders in its team. They include two former world speed record holders, Matthias Brändle from Austria and British rider Alex Dowsett. Rick Zabel, (Germany), Danny Navarro (Spain), and Rudy Barbier (France) will also join with Goldstein to complete the Israel Start-Up Nation line-up, which is aiming to win one of the race's seven stages. Barbier, who secured Israel Start-Up Nation's first victory of the season in Argentina, is the rider who the team will be pushing for a win. "Our goal is to help Rudy win," said Goldstein, "I believe that we have a realistic chance, even though this is a race at the very highest level, and we will be facing some of the top sprinters in the world." The French Barbier said that for him, being part of the Israeli team racing in the Emirates was an extra motivation: "We are making history by racing here and it shows you that sports can break every barrier."

The UAE Tour will begin on Sunday on the artificial island of Abu Dhabi, taking the riders on a 148-kilometer course around the city, ending at its 'Silicon Oasis.' During the following stages, the race will traverse the deserts and streets of all seven Emirates, before finishing in central Abu Dhabi.

Israel's first professional cycling team was established in 2015 as "Israel Cycling Academy," including riders from Israel and abroad. The team began to compete at a higher level when Sylvan Adams joined as a co-owner alongside Ron Baron. In 2018, Adams was the driving force behind bringing the prestigious Giro d'Italia to begin in Israel – One of cycling's three Grand Tour races. This also saw the team compete in its first Grand Tour, with Guy Sagiv becoming the first Israeli to finish such a race. The team competed again in the Giro d'Italia in 2019, with Israeli Guy Niv completing the race. Later in 2019, the team took another historic step, joining the World Tour for the first time under the name Israel Start-Up Nation, securing its place in this year's Tour de France.

Loudest Yeller Bicycle Tours

-- is excited to be back giving tours for it’s third season of tourism. You., your friends, family and loved ones to come on a tour with us. We also have a few new things to tell you about. This year we have decided to move our headquarters to Times Square. The city has built beautiful bicycle paths that run, south, out of Times Square all the way to Wall Street. It’s an amazing step for the city that makes life in New York better. It is a magical gift to bicycle tourists. Our signature tour, The Living City Day Tour of Lower Manhattan, now begins with a ride down Broadway Avenue that is filled with stunning scenery, famous New York buildings, and plenty of people from all walks of life. Read more about the tour and make a reservation.

Loudest Yeller is now offering walking tours! The new Freehand Hotel just opened a few months ago and they asked us if we could create an edgy tour that incorporates some interesting history with an explanation of restaurants and other tourists activities. We’ve done just that with our walking tour titled: “From Revolution to Riots: The Progressive History of the Greatest City in the World” which focuses on radical women like Emma Goldman and Jane Jacobs, presidents like James Madison and Teddy Roosevelt and bold ideas like the Free Press, Birth Control, and Gay Rights. Sign up for a walking tour today .

For those of you in the know; we’re also giving a walking tour of NYC “By Wisconsinites for Wisconsinites” that will cover all things Wisconsin including; Kettle of Fish, the Bloody Mary Book by Brian Bartels, Wisconsin’s role in the Civil War, the shooting of Teddy Roosevelt in Milwaukee by a New York City bartender and much much more. Yes, we’ll stop for a drink along the way.

Sign up now for a tour at web site www.loudestyeller.com/calendar.html.
We offer tours of Lower Manhattan, North Brooklyn, South Brooklyn and custom tours of all kinds. If these times don’t work for you, or, if you have a private tour in mind, call us and we’ll figure out how to make it work.

Type “FORWARD” into the promo code and receive a 15% discount.

Minneapolis

More soon

Nevada's Carson Valley Mountain Rides

Carson Valley sits on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, a bona fide basecamp to over 50 miles and growing of multi-use singletrack. Many of these trails are still unknown, unmarred and fresh for the taking. While nearby and more crowded high-altitude trails sit under snowpack well into the late spring, the Carson Valley trails are rideable most, if not all, of the year. The Carson Range, rising between Carson Valley and Lake Tahoe, tempts riders with the likes of more than 3,800 feet of nearly continuous high-speed singletrack descent from the top of the Tahoe Rim Trail to the valley below.

For those seeking a solid pedal or just a casual route, singletrack out-and-backs and loops span the region. Be it high speed or high endurance, rides in Carson Valley often start among sage and bitterbrush in the high desert. Push on a little further and trails up their technical challenge but reward with creek crossings, shaded pine forests and spectacular valley views to the east and Lake Tahoe views over the summit to the west, each serving up an average of 300 days per year of bluebird skies. Rides finish just pedals away from a classic blend of authentic and down home services for refreshing and laid-back recovery, be it historic thirst parlors, satisfying sandwiches or hot spring soaks.

The development and maintenance of Carson Valley’s trails is due in large part to the efforts of many volunteers working with the Carson Valley Trails Association (CVTA). Clear Creek Trail and Sierra Canyon Trail are the jewels of the CVTA’s collaborative accomplishments. Several thousand volunteer hours have been invested in trail building, but CVTA and partners aren’t finished. Trail work continues with a focus on extending Clear Creek Trail with a connector to Spooner Summit South. CVTA’s tireless dedication is evident in the maintenance of the trails.

Sierra Canyon is the pinnacle of Carson Valley’s recent trail developments. The Sierra Canyon trailhead intersects the Tahoe Rim Trail and sits at an elevation of nearly 8,500 feet. The views from this vantage are spectacular with the entire Lake Tahoe basin to the west, the span of Carson Valley to the east and Jobs Peak and Jobs Sister peeking from the southeast. Dropping in here initiates a long ride to Genoa, Nevada with substantial elevation loss and terrain diversity. Ten miles of singletrack, 3,500 feet of descent, moderate difficulty, countless switchbacks and careful trail maintenance amount to a killer ride. Enjoy the descent via self-shuttle dropping you near the starting point or earn-your-turns by riding Sierra Canyon as an out-and-back. Sierra Canyon can also be enjoyed as part of a bigger ride, such as a climb up Kingsbury Stinger, north on Tahoe Rim Trail and ending down Sierra Canyon. No matter the ambition, all rides on Sierra Canyon end with a mandatory stop at Genoa Bar, Nevada’s oldest thirst parlor.

Carson Valley, home to Nevada’s first settlement, beckons you to check-out after a full day of dropping-in. The four communities of Carson Valley are a sweet balance of convenience (just 45 minutes south of Reno International Airport) and unhampered. There’s no attitude here, just a welcoming dose of character and love for the landscape.
For additional details on mountain biking in Carson Valley, visit visitcarsonvalley.org/top-mountain-biking-trails-carson-valley For more information on Visit Carson Valley, visit online.

About Carson Valley:
Nestled at the base of the Sierra, Carson Valley begs visitors to not just drive through it, but to it. Located 45 miles south of Reno-Tahoe International Airport and 12 miles east of South Lake Tahoe, the region’s natural beauty is legendary: wide-open farms, ranches, bands of wild horses and birds of prey dot the landscape. Outdoor recreation enthusiasts follow all points of the compass with more than 50+ miles of hiking, mountain biking or walking trails along with world class road biking. The valley’s museums, arts, antiquing, Basque dining, historic watering holes and more add to the destination's authentic culture. The region includes the communities of Minden, Gardnerville, Topaz Lake and Genoa, Nevada’s first settlement dating back to 1851.

Explore the land of everyday legends at VisitCarsonValley.org.

MISSOURI BIKE TRIPS

more soon

BIKE NEW YORK TOURS

About Bike New York

Bike New York is 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to transform lives and communities through bicycling. In 2018, they taught bike skills to more than 26,000 kids and adults. Funding for these programs comes from numerous annual events, including the TD Five Boro Bike Tour, Bike Expo New York, and regional events.

For more information contact Bike New York, 475 Riverside Drive, 13th floor, New York, NY 10115 or go to web site www.bike.nyc

RALLY CYCLING

more soon

Subaru Elephant Rock AnnouncesTwo New Courses

New Century and Sunrise Sunset Mountain Bike Courses Add to Colorado Cycling Festival. The unofficial start to Colorado’s cycling season, the annual Subaru Elephant Rock Cycling Festival, which features a range of road and mountain bike events and is entering its 28th year, announced new courses today for its signature Century course and the increasingly popular all-day mountain bike event, the Subaru Sunrise Sunset. These key changes, enhancing both the appeal and scenery of the two courses, will be instantly popular with ERock entrants.

The ERock’s Century course, the first early season test of a cyclist’s fitness, links roads previously unavailable and offers a scenic but challenging ride. According to event director, Scot Harris, "our riders are going to love the newly designed Century course. We’ve been waiting for some of these roads to connect for years to make this new loop possible. This quiet, scenic route connects the tranquil country roads through the horse properties east of Franktown to the scenic rolling hills of the Black Forest. Our ERock riders will enjoy a perfect early season century - beautiful and interesting miles without the high mountain passes.”

The all-day Subaru Elephant Cycling Festival offers five different well-supported course options – 100, 62 and 40-mile road courses, a 27-mile gravel course, a gentle, family-friendly 8-miler, and the popular kids race on a safe and easy off-road loop. The festival also includes food, music and an exciting expo, which features booths from a wide range of local and regional cycling-related, nutrition and apparel groups.

The new Century course, shown in blue on the map, travels through less populated areas, offering riders less traffic and more scenery. Still, at 100 miles, the ERock Century is no picnic. With well-stocked Aid Stations at frequent intervals throughout the course, riders can hydrate, fuel up and take the occasional much-needed break. Says Harris, “this new course is going to make the century even more popular than past years so riders should sign up soon in case we hit our cap.”

The ERock Subaru Sunrise Sunset event, a solo or team 11-hour mountain bike race, is also the beneficiary of a new course for 2015. The Subaru Sunrise Sunset event is moving this year to the freshly cut trails of the Philip S Miller Park in Castle Rock, Colorado. This amazing $30M facility offers an ideal endurance mountain bike venue less than a mile from the Subaru Elephant Rock start/finish. Playful and flowing, the new 6.5-mile course wanders through the hills and drainages of the new park and offers ample viewing for team members and spectators. The Subaru Sunrise Sunset offers recreational and competitive cyclists the opportunity to experience the thrill of competing in a challenging endurance race. The new off-road course is moderately technical and suitable for riders of all abilities. Riders can enter as a solo rider or part of a team of cycling cohorts (2-5 person teams, coed or single gender) for a memorable day of riding, racing, and camaraderie.

About Rocky Mountain Events
Headquartered in Denver, Rocky Mountain Events produces and directs road and mountain cycling events across Colorado for recreational cyclists of all ages and abilities. The Subaru Elephant Rock Cycling Festival in Castle Rock, CO, recognized as the unofficial start of the summer cycling season, offers both road and mountain bike courses of varying distances – from 8 to 100 miles – to kick off the season for cyclists. With the challenging 78-mile Colorado Cyclist Copper Triangle, which starts and finishes in Copper Mountain in early August, RME takes its cycling game to Colorado’s high country. With a course that covers 3 mountain passes (Vail, Tennessee and Fremont) and formidable Battle Mountain, the Copper Triangle is a solid mid-season test. RME completes its season with the October Ikon Tour of the Moon in Grand Junction, which gives riders the rare opportunity to cycle in the spectacular Colorado National Monument. RME has been successfully organizing and operating cycling events for nearly 30 years. For more information visit any of the individual event websites.

For more information contact Peter Downing at 720.261.6766 or peter@sparksideas.com

Exodus Travels

Celebrate National Bike Month With An Exotic Adventure by Two Wheels

About Exodus Travels

Celebrating 42 years, leading adventure tour operator Exodus Travels offers an extraordinary range of adventure and activity trips to over 100 countries worldwide. Specializing in Culture, Hiking and Trekking, Wildlife and Cycling itineraries, the adventure pioneer offers new takes on classic destinations like Italy, France, Thailand and Costa Rica to places as diverse and as exhilarating as Kilimanjaro, Machu Picchu, the Himalayas and Antarctica. Whether for solo travellers, couples, groups or families, Exodus has a diverse choice of small group journeys for all ages and activity levels. Exodus is dedicated to low impact, responsible tourism and contributing to local communities.

Exodus Travels invites travelers of all ages to celebrate National Bike Month with an exotic cycling adventure abroad. For more than 42 years Exodus has been crafting and developing the widest range of cycling tours in the world. From relaxing bike rides in France to cresting the highest roads over the Himalayas, nothing compares to the freedom of two-wheels.

Learn more at ExodusTravels.com.

Exodus’ dedicated cycling experts round up their 10 favorite cycling trips:

1. Cycle Nicaragua, Costa Rica & Panama

Exodus’ challenging ride through the tropics spans three of the most popular countries in Central America. The 571-kilometre route takes cyclists into Costa Rica's steamy cloud forests, alongside active volcanoes in Nicaragua and to the tropical Panamanian paradise of Bocas del Toro. Scenic climbs through monkey forests that drop onto postcard perfect Pacific beaches are worth the extra effort. Off the bike, energetic explorers raft the Tenorio River, peruse local handicraft markets in tiny pueblos and relax tired muscles in La Fortuna’s thermal hot springs. 15-days from $3,345 USD.

2. Cycling through Rajasthan

From the green rolling hills to the barren deserts of Rajasthan, travelers will be immersed into the authentic sights, smells and sounds of rural India. From Delhi, travelers board an overnight train to the walled city of Jodhpur. After cycling 40-kilometres across the Aravili Hills, they’ll transfer to Udaipur, known as the ‘Pearl of Rajasthan.’ Exploring desert back roads and small villages, riders wave to curious locals before arriving in The Pink City of Jaipur. The trip concludes at the iconic Taj Mahal’s white marble exterior in time for sunset. 15-days from $2,325 USD.

3. Cycle Southern Iceland

Iceland is quickly becoming the most popular destination for 2016. Cyclists will depart from the active geothermal area of Krisuvik and ride on the south west coast of the rugged Reykjanes peninsula to Selfoss’ volcanic black sand beaches. Along the journey, travelers will marvel at the infamous Eyjafjallajokull volcano and sky-high Skogafoss waterfall. After watching plumes of hot water jump 30 meters in the air at Geysir, the trip winds its way through Thingvellir National Park where travelers can relax with a well-deserved soak at the thermal pools in Laugardalur. Eight-days from $3,225 USD.

4. Cycling Vietnam

Senses will heighten from the moment travelers arrive in bustling Ho Chi Minh City. After an exploration of the narrow Cu Chi Tunnels, riders will hop on their bikes and head towards the sleepy beach town of Mui Ne, passing small fishing villages and arriving in time to watch the sky melt into a vibrant sunset over the South China Sea. Continuing along the coast, cyclists meander down the ancient streets of Hoi An before climbing the spectacular Hai Van Pass. The adventure continues off the bike with temple treks and kayaking the limestone cliffs of Halong Bay. 14-days from $1,865 USD.

5. Tanzania Cycle Safari

This two wheel adventure travels into Northern Tanzania and features some of East Africa’s best safari parks. Cyclists ride across banana and coffee plantations to the Great Rift Valley and the grasslands where Masai cattle graze. Afetr sleeping under the stars, travelers journey into the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti to spot giraffes, zebras, elephants, lions, wildebeests, rhinos, and if they’re lucky, a cheetah or leopard. 13-days from $3,735 USD.

6. Cycle the Camino de Santiago

The Camino de Santiago de Compostela across northern Spain is one of the world's oldest pilgrimage routes. Also known as 'The Way of St James,’ it originated in the region of Galicia where the tomb of the Apostle James the Great was discovered in the 9th Century. The journey is marked by the symbol of the scallop shell and its Gothic cathedrals, medieval monasteries and miles of beautiful rural scenery that make this section of the ancient route so popular with Exodus’ travelers. Eight-days from $1,835 USD.

7. Cycle Morocco’s Great South

In Marrakech, travelers are transported to a land of walled medinas and souks selling everything from street food to jewellery before journeying into the foothills of Mt. Toubkal. Their first challenging climb up the Tizi N’Test Pass rewards with expansive views towards the Anti Atlas Mountains, and the descent through lush citrus groves never disappoints. Deep in the desert, riders keep their eyes open for tree climbing goats, tour Paradise Valley’s narrow gorge and finish off in the charming fishing village of Essaouira. Nine-days from $1,695 USD.

8. Loire Valley Gastronomic Self-Guided Cycling – Premium

A self-guided bike tour through the whimsical countryside of France invites travelers to take lazy lunches by the river or wander local vineyards before retiring to their 4- and 5-star chateau accommodations. The culinary adventure includes divine dinners and wine pairings prepared by ambitious French sommeliers and artistic chefs. Riders will bliss out with daily rides to sleepy hamlets, flamboyant palaces and sunflowers fields. Seven-days from $1,745 USD.

9. Cycle Madagascar

Madagascar, the fourth largest island in the world, offers a cycling adventure like no other. The new adventure follows quiet roads through a landscape of dramatic highland plains, unique rock formations and natural swimming pools formed by geysirs. Cyclists can refresh with a swim under cascading waterfalls or a local pint from Antisarabe’s Star Brewery. Riders will push past eucalyptus tress, up jagged mountains and through tangled rainforests, making their way into Ranomafana National Park. The trip includes time to relax on the white sand beaches of Ifaty, dive above exotic coral reef, and shop the bustling artisan markets of Antananarivo. 14-days from $2,975 USD.

10. Tuscany Cycle Siena & Chianti

Exodus takes cyclists into the heart of one of Europe’s most romantic landscapes where they explore Tuscany’s rolling hills, ancient olive groves, vineyards and Renaissance cities. Beginning on the famous pilgrimage route of Francigena, riders break for a glass of famous vino nobile found in the wine centre of Montepulciano. Pushing almost 60-kilometers of track each day, cyclists head north through the villages of ‘Le Crete’ before entering the gothic city of Siena and the towers of San Gimignano. A final day of riding takes the small group along panoramic roads leading to the famous Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence. Eight-days from $1,525 USD.

To book with Exodus Travels call 1-800-267-3347 or visit exodustravels.com.

FLORIDA KEYS

Florida Keys visitor information: www.fla-keys.com or 1-800-FLA-KEYS (1-800-352-5397)

H + I Adventures

About H+I Adventures

H+ I Adventures specializes in premium mountain biking holidays. Based out of Inverness, Scotland, the company offers mountain biking trips in Namibia, Mexico, Slovenia, Spain, Yukon, Nepal, Ecuador and Whistler, with four destination trips in Scotland. They are committed to providing sustainable and responsible travel within the communities they visit. H+I Adventures is bonded by the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT)

H+I Adventures Takes Mountain Bikers from Sky to Sea

Adventure mountain biking company treats travellers to high peaks and salty waters on sky-to-sea trips through New Zealand, Spain and Slovenia

Top Sky-to-Sea Bike Adventures

H+I Adventures Goes Beyond Biking with New Culinary Experiences

H+I Adventures is paving the trail for epicurean adventures around the world. The mountain biking specialists have carefully crafted a collection of mouth watering and eye opening trips that combine active travel with local delicacies in some of the world’s most culturally rich destinations. This year’s roster of culinary mountain biking trips feature tapas tours in Spain, whisky tastings in Scotland and a full-day foodie feast with breakfast in Slovenia, lunch in Austria and afternoon espresso in Italy.

For more information, visit mountainbikeworldwide.com.

HOLIDAY RIVER EXPEDITIONS

About Holiday River Expeditions

Holiday River Expeditions (www.bikeraft.com/) began in 1966, when Dee Holladay and his wife Sue took the plunge to become river outfitters. Due to its respect for the lands, rivers, guests and employees, the family-owned-and-operated company has grown exponentially. Each of its guides is professionally trained in first aid and river safety, and with over 48 years of experience, the company provides guests the opportunity to explore the nation’s wild lands safely and securely. Holiday River Expeditions has a philosophy to protect the environment through education and conservation, and as such, uses oar-powered and paddle rafts exclusively.

Holiday River Expeditions Combines World-class Rapids with Epic Mountain Biking For Ultimate Combo Adventure in Moab, Utah

It was 1966 when, out of a love for wilderness, high adventure and the rush that comes from running whitewater, Holiday River Expeditions first began guiding people down the Colorado and Green Rivers in inflatable, muscle-powered rafts. This was more than a decade before another now-popular adventure conveyance, the mountain bike, was even invented. It didn’t take long for Holiday to recognize that the two meshed perfectly together and in the early 1990’s the multi-sport trip concept combining white water rafting and mountain biking was born.

Holiday River Expeditions continues to put its stamp on iconic adventures in 2016 by creating the ultimate Moab-based combo; two days of epic single and double track mountain biking with two days of world-class whitewater rafting through Westwater Canyon on the Colorado River. Per person rates start at $800 depending on the size of a pre-arranged group, or $905 if wanting to join a pre-set departure. Group size is kept to just 12 participates with a minimum age of 12. See web site www.bikeraft.com/multi-sport-combination/moab-sampler-bike-raft-hike for more information.

Mountain biking and Moab are nearly synonymous. This former uranium boom town is a mecca for bikers wanting to swoop, soar, climb and roll over the region’s sinuous sandstone and wild desert trails. Rides on single and double track with a professional guide over two days will be tailored to individual interests and skill levels. Whether it’s slaloming downhill past the Gemini Bridges, pedaling between dinosaur footprints at Klondike Bluffs, or exploring sections of the famous Kokopelli Trail, participants may expect a variety of daily options with just the right amount of challenge.

After getting their fill of rock hopping and slick rock descents, guests spend two days on the river, splashing through class III & IV rapids, including Skull, the narrowest section on this stretch of the Colorado. While floating beneath the sheer black walls of Westwater Canyon there’s ample time to kick back and relax. Those who aren’t too tuckered out may also opt to hike the side canyons in search of Native American cultural sites.

Holiday River Expeditions uses 18-foot oar rafts, inflatable kayaks, standup paddleboards and full suspension Camber Comp 29ers by Specialized, a leader in the mountain bike industry. Guests are invited to use the company’s camping gear or bring their own. Late model air-conditioned passenger and four-wheel drive vans transport guests to and from trailheads and river access ramps in comfort. Holiday-designed water tanks ensure that guests have enough clean water for drinking, “solar showers” and then some. Trained guides are in charge of all meal preparations.

In addition to Holiday’s new Moab Sampler the company offers these tried-and-true multi-sport bike and raft trip combinations:

For more details on all of these bike/raft combo trips please go to web site www.bikeraft.com/multi-sport-combination/

Note on prices: stated rates may or may not include BLM use fees (check the www.bikeraft.com/>website for full details).

For more information, availability, reservations or a copy of the 2016 catalog please call 800-624-6323, Email: holiday@bikeraft.com or log onto www.bikeraft.com/.

The Maze District of Canyonlands NP, Holy Grail for Most Intrepid Mountain Bikers, Offers America’s Premium Backcountry Ride

For over 45 years Holiday River Expeditions has been outfitting and leading oar-powered excursions by raft on the wildest rivers of the West. They helped introduce guided mountain biking in Utah and Colorado nearly 25 years ago. Veterans of the backcountry, they consider the Maze District of Canyonlands National Park their ultimate ride, best suited for only the most intrepid fat tire fanatic.

“The Maze is the least accessible district of Canyonlands, one of the main reasons it was so attractive to us,” explains John Wood, Co-Owner and President of Holiday River Expeditions. “The Maze is so remote and rugged it sees just 2,000 people per year compared to more than 264,000 in the park’s Island in the Sky district. It doesn't even have a visitor center and the ranger station is a long drive down along a dusty road.”

In spring and fall Holiday offers four-day, three-night mountain bike explorations of the Maze in small groups of no more than seven guests and two guides. Daily itineraries can vary widely from one trip to the next based on group desires, abilities, trail conditions and Mother Nature.

Groups meet at the Holiday River Expeditions headquarters in Green River, Utah, and board a shuttle for a three-hour ride to Bagpipe Butte Overlook where the fat tire fun begins. The first day’s ride follows the Flint Trail, the most technically difficult riding of the trip. Those with less experience feel no shame in walking a short stretch of this mile-long descent into the country the old-timers call “under the Ledge”. The trail takes a more serious descent off the Flint Cove onto the White Rim Sandstone layer, where it will be wide open riding to the Maze Overlook and camp for the night. Participants bike 20 miles this day and lose about 1700 feet of elevation.

On Day Two guests descend by foot into the labyrinths called the Maze. A half day walk through time leads to prehistoric Indian panel called The Harvest Scene, a message left a thousand years ago by the Ancestral Pueblo or Ancient Ones. Visitors then exit the Maze in the Land of Standing Rocks where bikes are waiting for the afternoon ride to camp.

Lizard Rock, Chimney Rock, the Wall, the Plug and The Fins are a few of the countless rock monuments that make Day Three’s ride border on surreal. Depending on group desires, this day’s riding will cover between 10 and 30 miles with plenty of viewpoints to stop and garner inspiration.

On Day Four Mother Nature serves up wide-open riding down gradual slopes and through occasional dips into desert washes. Shortly after lunch the road emerges at Lake Powell and Hite Marina. A passenger van meets the group for a two-hour ride back to Green River, Utah.

While this option is best for experienced and advanced riders, Holiday also offers other mountain bike adventures more suitable for beginners and intermediate enthusiasts.

Holiday’s 3-day San Rafael Swell Tour explores a rarely-visited region of Utah where dinosaurs, Native Americans and Butch Cassidy once roamed. Trips are $730 per person scheduled privately upon request.

Other tours that take in the La Sal Mountains and Dinosaur National Monument’s Yampa Bench are offered as pre-set dates or privately scheduled departures.

For more information, availability, reservations or a copy of the 2015 catalog please call 800-624-6323, Email: Holiday@BikeRaft.com or log onto www.bikeraft.com/.

INTREPID BIKE TOURS

Cycling tours

Cycle Vietnam
15 days from USD $2,130.

Jump in the saddle for a two-wheeled adventure tour of Vietnam. Take in cultural delights in Hanoi, white sand...

Cycle Cuba
7 Days from USD $1,340

Explore laidback Cuba on a two-wheeled round-trip adventure from Havana. Cycle along rural roads, roll cigars, swim...

Cycle Indochina
13 days from USD $2,495

See Southeast Asia from two wheels on this 13-day adventure from Ho Chi Minh to Bangkok. Cruise along dusty lanes...

Cycle Rajasthan
15 days from USD $2,045

Travel to India and cycle the romantic Rajasthan region. Tour from Delhi to Pushkar and travel to the Taj Mahal of...

Cycle Sri Lanka
14 days from USD $2,395

Discover a world of spice and splendour on a cycling trip across Sri Lanka, taking in Kandy, Mirissa, Negombo and...

Cycle Central America
16 days from USD $3,605

Ride across the many and varied landscapes of Central America on a cycling tour of Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.

Cycling tours by region

Asia
Europe
Africa
The Americas

NOTE: Cycling trips score an average of 4.81 out of 5 based on 263 reviews in the last year. Intreprid's local leaders are all cycling junkies, but they go through some pretty rigorous training before being allowed behind the handlebars of an Intrepid cycling tour. Each one has undergone on-road supervision and knows how to do safety checks, basic repairs and emergency first-aid. But they’re still regular Intrepid leaders, which means they know the best local bars, cafes and hidden spots (not to mention handling all the logistical stuff). You just focus on the ride.

The bikes Intrepid uses:

On most of our cycling trips we’ll be using hardtail mountain bikes, armed with front suspension. Depending on the country, we’ll use a mix of makes and models, like Giant Talon and Trek X Caliber 5, but they’re all pretty similar when it comes to form and function. Our bikes are serviced regularly in-country, by local experts who know their stuff. We’ve also got a support vehicle that travels around with the group, so any pesky broken chains or flat tyres can be fixed in a jiffy. Of course you can usually bring your own (check out the FAQ above for all the logistical info).

Responsible cycling tours

Everyone knows that riding a bike is good for you (even factoring in the odd Florentine gelato or Tuscan cellar door pitstop). But it’s good for the environment too. Our cycling itineraries (like all our trips) are 100% carbon offset, and obviously the majority of transport on the trips is powered by the greenest energy of all: yours. Each cycling trip has a support vehicle in tow, but it’s still one of the most eco-friendly ways to see the world. Trust us, we design it that way. For more info, check out our Responsible Travel policies.

Pedalling sets the perfect pace - you travel slowly enough to enjoy your surroundings but fast enough that they're constantly changing.

Why Intrepid

Our small group style of travel means you’ll stay under the radar, travel the local way, eat the local way and sleep the local way. Small groups, big adventures.

For groups of all sizes, organise a special departure of one of our pre-existing adventures, or tailor-make an itinerary to one of our destinations around the world.
Inquire now.

Destinations

Africa
Antarctica
Asia
Central America
Europe
Middle East
North America
Oceania
South America

WILDERNESS IRELAND BIKE TOURS

About Wilderness Ireland

Wilderness Ireland specializes in offering a range of adventure vacations, guided tours and incredible wilderness experiences. Operating independently from its award-winning sister company Wilderness Scotland since 2012, their trips are designed by locals and delivered by local legends. Wilderness Ireland's personalized, professional and innovative approach to travel ensures a perfect blend of the most stunning locations, authentic local experiences, beautiful accommodations and Ireland's growing reputation for fresh ingredients and creative cuisine. The team of knowledgeable and standout wilderness guides and staff know Ireland inside and out and are committed to providing travelers with excellent customer service and the best possible adventure experience of Ireland. For more information, visit wildernessireland.com.

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TOURISSIUMO BIKING VACATIONS

About Tourissimo:

Founded in 2015 by Beppe Salerno and Heather Dowd, Tourissimo designs and leads active vacations in Italy, providing turnkey, fully-supported programs primarily serving small (8-14pp) private groups through outbound tour operators, travel agents, and private organizations. All tours are designed to provide extraordinary educational hiking and bicycling experiences in regions where Tourissimo has outstanding expertise. These carefully crafted programs are active immersions into the local culture and cuisine for energetic, highly curious, young-at-heart travelers of all abilities that love the outdoors and seek fun, educational experiences with like-minded individuals. In 2018 they will run four Chef Bike Tours in Emilia Romagna, Piedmont, and Sicily.

NEW YORK BIKE RIDES

For details contact Bike New York, 475 Riverside Drive, 13th floor, New York, NY 10115

Hudson Loop Offers Bike-Riders, Walkers a 10-mile Exploration of New Jersey and New York Waterfronts, Linked by NY Waterway Ferries

Hudson County Executive Thomas A. DeGise, Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner, Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, Hudson River Park Trust President Madelyn Wils and NY Waterway President & Founder Arthur E. Imperatore today announced The Hudson Loop walking and bike-riding trail.
(www.nywaterway.com). The Hudson Loop offers bike-riders and walkers a 10-mile exploration of the two most exciting urban waterfronts in the nation, the West Side of Manhattan and the Hudson County waterfront in Weehawken, Hoboken and Jersey City, linked by NY Waterway ferries. (www.bike.nyc) Bike New York and the (www.njbwc.org) New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition both support The Loop.

The Loop runs from Battery Park City in Lower Manhattan, north on the Hudson River Park walkway/bikeway to the West 39th Street Ferry Terminal, where service is available to Port Imperial in Weehawken. NY Waterway ferries run every 10 minutes during weekday rush hour and every 20 minutes off-peak, seven days a week. The crossing to Port Imperial takes eight minutes.

The Hudson Loop continues south on the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway through Weehawken, Hoboken and Jersey City to the Paulus Hook Ferry Terminal where NY Waterway ferry service runs seven days a week, making a six-minute crossing to the Brookfield Place/ Battery Park City Ferry Terminal.

NY Waterway ferries are bike-friendly, with no stairways, no escalators or elevators. The ferry company is waiving the $1 bike fee on weekends.

The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail allows bicycles except during weekday rush hours. The Hudson Loop is served by Light Rail stops at Port Imperial in Weehawken, the Hoboken Rail/Ferry Terminal and the Paulus Hook Ferry Terminal.

Visitors from New Jersey and New York City can come into The Loop at any point and complete the circuit. The Loop serves as a base from which bike-riders and walkers can explore surrounding neighborhoods in New York and New Jersey, among the most exciting in the nation.

More ambitious hikers and bikers can expand their journey into areas such as Riverside Park, north of The Hudson Loop in New York, and Liberty State Park, south of The Loop in Jersey City.

Points of interest on or near The Hudson Loop include:
· The 9/11 Memorial in Weehawken;
· Pier C Park and Washington Street in Hoboken;
· The Powerhouse Arts District in Jersey City:
· The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum and other museums in Lower Manhattan.

The entire loop is car-free and suitable for family outings. Explorers never lose sight of the Hudson River and the views of the opposite shore. Walkers and bike-riders are never more than a few minutes from restaurants and restrooms. For drivers coming to The Hudson Loop, there is ample parking in garages near the waterfront in Weehawken, Hoboken and Jersey City.

For more information, go to nywaterway.com/Hudsonloop .

Loudest Yeller Bicycle Tours Introduces A New Family-Friendly Bicycle Tour of Lower Manhattan, NYC

Loudest Yeller Bicycle Tours opened in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, three months ago. Since then hundreds of tourists, and locals, have ridden through NYC on bright yellow bicycles to hear about the people and the events that have made New York the greatest city in the world.

The tours are fun for everyone but especially families. Kids 10 and up are encouraged to come on the tour. The tour visits sights of historic or cultural significance and the guide tells the stories about those places and the people that had their moments there. You don’t get a bunch of facts or a monotone tour guide talk. Loudest Yeller is dedicated to having fun while advancing the voice of social justice through the prism of storytelling; so, while these are lively and funny stories they also give a very unique historical understanding of NYC. Stories about the corruption of Boss Tweed, the murder of Stanford White, and how Jane Jacobs saved Washington Square Park are going to both interesting and enlightening.

Loudest Yeller Bicycle Tours is owned by Adam Benedetto who previously worked for Fat Tire Bike Tours – Paris for three years. He is famous in the West Village for having been the General Manager of Joseph Leonard, a restaurant that touts incredibly kind and friendly service. Before moving to NYC he lived in Wisconisn where he ran for Sheriff of Dane County for the Green Party and published a book of poems about his travels in Bulgaria. He has traveled to 43 countries and believes that cities are best when seen by bicycle.

The Living City Day Tour begins every day at 11AM, in Williamsburg, with a ferry ride to the financial district. Riders will see the Financial District, Little Italy and Chinatown before having a picnic in the West Village. After that they make their way through the East Village and back over the Williamsburg Bridge for some up high scenic views.

For reservations or more information contact Loudest Yeller Bicycle Tours, adam@loudestyeller.com, 718.501.4306, web site www.LoudestYeller.com or write to 141 South 5th Street,Office West #2 Brooklyn, NY 11211

ORTIZ INDUSTRY & UBERRUSH

Ortiz Industry Partners with Uber, Creates Elite Team of Bicycle Messengers

The ‘Rush Riders’ represent 10 of New York’s toughest bike messengers, who are now the most impeccably dressed cyclists on the road. Ortiz Industry is proud to announce its partnership with UberRush, in creating a team of the toughest – and now best dressed – bike messengers on the streets of New York City.

These unsung heroes of New York business and industry were overdue for an upgraded work wardrobe, and Ortiz Industry, the premier intelligent fashion brand, stepped up to provide hand-selected UberRush messengers with a new Ortiz Industry wardrobe. To acknowledge the grueling work these men do on a day-to-day basis, Ortiz Industry co-founders, Claire Ortiz and Heather Park, are outfitting them in the Fall 2014 line, which blends advanced innovation and technology with the cleanest, sophisticated design.

Each month, Ortiz and Park will outfit the Rush Rider team in an Ortiz Industry wardrobe to wear on-the-job. These riders will then document their experience via social media, to provide testament to the durability, comfort and strength of the Ortiz Industry apparel.

“After a full day of doing deliveries in these new Ortiz Industry waterproof, stain resistant and full stretch pants, they still look nice enough as dress pants to go to a Broadway show,” wrote Carl Zurhorst on his Instagram account. “So far so good.”

The Ortiz Industry brand uses proprietary and patent-pending fabrications and materials that have the following benefits – perfect for UberRush messengers:
·         ADAPTIVE: The ADAPTIVE group of materials offers their base level of functions and benefits, some of which include, anti-bacterial, moisture management and stretch.

·         RESPONSIVE: The RESPONSIVE collection, in addition to providing all the features of the ADAPTIVE group, has integrated movement and is designed to respond to external changes by adding such benefits as UV protection.

·         INTUITIVE: The INTUITIVE group is the ultimate in sublime comfort, cooling, 360 degree stretch and recovery, plus the protective features of being stain resistant and water repellant.
Going beyond futuristic fabrics, Ortiz and Park have considered the most meticulous of details, from their state of the art laser technology and dynamic motion engineering to their numerous patents pending including their system of stay-tucked waistbands and water repellant fabrics.

Ortiz Industry retails for $100 to $500 and is available at OrtizIndustry.com.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

more soon

NEW JERSEY BICYCLING TOURS

Contact Becky Free, for further details -- Director of Membership & Communications / phone: 609-859-8860 ext. 121
Pinelands Preservation Alliance 17 Pemberton Road Southampton, NJ 08088
www.pinelandsalliance.org/Phone: 609-859-8860

NORTH CAROLINA

Cycle of Life Announces North Carolina High Country Bike Tour

Exhilarating road biking, spectacular mountain views, small town charm, and exquisite dining awaits travelers in the northwest corner of North Carolina. On this six-day cycling tour guests will explore the rural counties of Watauga, Avery, Ashe and Mitchell, bike the famous Blue Ridge Parkway, and witness the majestic views of surrounding mountains and valleys. Guests will pedal 272+ miles along little-known country roads, past Christmas tree farms, one of the oldest general stores in the South, luxury mountain resorts, rushing waterfalls, college towns, remote mountain villages, and more. An e-bike upgrade can be added for $325. The price includes all lodging, transfers to and from the airport, all breakfasts, dinners and picnic lunches on riding days, cocktail social hour on the first evening, van support, maps, GPS mapping, a mechanic, and two or more experienced guides. For more information, visit cycleoflifeadventures.com/north-carolina-high-country.

"Day one takes us out of the town of Burnsville and its premiere private golf club community, Mountain Air," said Elli Sias, Founder of Cycle of Life Adventures. "Next, we pass through the remote town Penland where we will tour one of the country's oldest arts and crafts school, and then work our way to The Blue Ridge Parkway."

Day two takes riders past beautiful Christmas tree farms and around Grand Father Mountain, the highest peak on the eastern escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Those who wish can make the challenging climb to the top. From Grandfather Mountain, guests will follow the riverbeds to North Carolina's ski country, riding in the shadows of Beech Mountain, Sugar Mountain and Seven Devils. Banner Elk, another upscale resort town, provides lodging for the evening.

"As we leave Banner Elk, guests may actually see elk and bear," said Sias. "The next stop on the tour is Mast General Store, one of the oldest in the South. It was established in 1883 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places."

The cycling route takes riders past the bustling college town of Boone, home to Appalachian State. Flatter terrain follows as guests cycle against the flow of the New River in the wooded mountain gaps on the way to the historic towns of Todd and West Jefferson. Evening activities include enjoying hors d'eourves and cocktails while watching fireflies across the valley.

"Day four includes one of the flattest parts of the tour and then we make our way to a southward hop along the Blue Ridge Parkway to Blowing Rock," said Sias. "Truly deserving of the title 'Crown of the Blue Ridge,' guests will find popular family attractions including Tweetsie Railroad, a plethora of unique downtown shops, and outdoor adventures ranging from hiking to spelunking."

After leaving Blowing Rock, guests cycle on and off the Blue Ridge Parkway, enjoying the beauty of The Linville Falls, the magnificent views from the Linville Viaduct, the small villages of Pineola and Crossmore, and ultimately Little Switzerland.

"On our final morning, after a satisfying breakfast we ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway toward Asheville," said Sias. "You will definitely feel a sense of accomplishment after logging your miles in these beautiful mountains over the last six days."

About Cycle of Life Adventures: Cycle of Life Adventures offers bicycle tours across the USA including 45-day cross-country tours, 20+ day ‘Epic’ tours, weeklong trips, and four-day “Fundo” adventures. The 2020 tour schedule includes trips all along the East Coast from Maine to the Florida Keys as well as the Texas Hill Country, Colorado Rockies and many more. All trips include guides, hotel accommodations, and van support. Visit www.cycleoflifeadventures.com to learn more.

ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK STATE

From Country Roads to Scenic Trails, Orange County, N.Y. is Prime Destination for Cyclists

Orange County is a playground for road cyclists and mountain bikers to explore this spring and summer. About seven miles of trails have been opened to mountain bikers in previously closed off acreage in Elks-Brox Memorial Park in Port Jervis near the watershed and reservoir. For those who prefer to stay on the roads, there are several tours on the calendar over the next few months.
“Orange County is a destination for every level of bicyclist,” said Orange County Tourism Director Susan Hawvermale. “From flat trails to wooded mountain paths, take in the spectacular Hudson Valley scenery no matter where your wheels take you.”

Also visit Orange County Tourism’s new website: www.orangetourism.org.

PHILADELPHIA BICYCLING

10 Reasons Biking in Philadelphia Is On A Roll

The sound of ringing bicycle bells is constant in Philadelphia, where a grid layout, mostly flat terrain and 435 miles of bike lanes make it ideal for cyclists, whether they prefer mountain bikes, fixed-gears or classic cruisers. With the late April launch of Indego, the city's first bike-share program, even more riders can explore Philadelphia‚s great outdoors and fantastic attractions˜from historic sites to beautiful riverside trails.

Here are 10 reasons Philly's bike scene is taking off:

1. Indego: Everybody Rides

In 1776, Philadelphia became the birthplace of a nation. This April, democracy takes to the streets with the launch of Indego, the city's first bike-share program named for sponsor Independence Blue Cross. Here's how Indego works: Riders (ages 16+) can check out a bike--there will be 600 available--at one of the 60 Indego stations in the city, from the Delaware River to the east, 44th and Walnut streets to the west, the East Passyunk neighborhood to the south and Temple University to the north. Indego bikes are meant for quick trips of up to 60 minutes. Once the ride is over, the rider can return the bike to any Indego station. Bikers can pay for each ride individually, or Indego members can opt for one of two pricing plans. Built by Trek, the three-speed bikes feature step-through frames, front and rear lights, comfortable and adjustable seats and baskets˜making these check-out-and-go bikes the ultimate in convenience for both residents and visitors in Philadelphia

2. Festivals & Finish Lines

Every day is a good day for a bike ride in Philadelphia, but cycling enthusiasts have a few special dates circled on their calendars.

3. Spokes-People

As much as Philadelphia's ample sights and diverse terrain make it inherently bikeable, a few organizations are to thank for getting more and more people riding. Founded in 1972, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is the region's biggest cheerleader for safe cycling. In addition to educating Philadelphians about the environmental, health and economic effects of bike riding, the organization advocates for better opportunities and conditions--they've helped to create numerous new bike lanes and trails in the past half-decade alone. Seeing bicycles as excellent vehicles for personal growth, Neighborhood Bike Works focuses on helping young people and those with low-income backgrounds engage in their communities and green spaces by riding bikes they repair themselves. Programs include summer camps, group rides and classes for children and adults and its flagship Earn-A-Bike. 'Moving in the right direction' is the motto at Gearing Up, which helps women in transition--from abuse, addiction and incarceration--incorporate bike riding into their lives. Women track their milestones, participate in group rides and 'graduate' by earning refurbished bikes to call their own.

With all this riding around town, the CyclePhilly allows riders to record their routes and compare them with other users. Data from the app is shared with city planners who use it to prioritize the region‚s bike infrastructure improvements. Keeping tabs on the Philly biking world is SPOKE Magazine, a new publication chronicling the city's ever-growing cycling culture, infrastructure and community.

4. Pedaling To The Masses

Simple tasks often are compared to riding a bike, but Philadelphia‚s array of biking classes and group rides mean cycling can be as basic or challenging as riders choose.

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia proves it's never too late to try something new with its Adult Learn-to-Ride class, covering the basics of pedaling, steering and stopping.
The Bicycle Club of Philadelphia's free weekly rides range from slow, beginner-friendly trips to brisk, 50-plus-mile rides. With themes like 'Tropical Paradise' and 'Neon,' Philly Bike Party is a monthly series of nighttime rides featuring dancing, games, costumes and an outrageously fun time.Howling is encouraged during the monthly Philadelphia Full Moon Bike Ride, a nighttime jaunt with plenty of moonlight to illuminate a new route each time. Take Your Time Bicycle Rides specializes in socializing and slower paces. Its 'Ladies Only' ride, coordinated with the Bicycle Coalition's Women Bike PHL program, takes place every other month.
The pace picks up at shop Breakaway Bikes and Fitness, housing a Training Center that features classes and one-on-one coaching aimed at improving racing techniques and times. Its weekly Shake Shack Ride is a beginner-focused, 40-mile ride that ends, joyfully, with shakes and drinks at Shake Shack.The younger set loves Kidical Mass, a monthly bike ride with adults supervising their little riders--on big-kid bikes, since training wheels are discouraged--on a new route each month. Neighborhood Bike Works‚ Ride Club is a four-part, after-school group ride for kids 8--18.
Switching gears: People's inner bike mechanics come out during Neighborhood Bike Works‚ four-week Adult Bike Repair Class, where fixing flats and adjusting brakes become as easy as riding a bike.

5. Shop Around

An unexpected perk of biking through Philadelphia: With so many bike shops around the city, it‚s a great way to window shop or pop in for a tune-up, new gear or a fresh set of wheels. In the particularly active cycling community of West Philadelphia, Firehouse Bicycles advertises its selection of new and used bikes with a funky, colorful sign and bike sculpture on Baltimore Avenue, while Keswick Cycle pairs its original location in Glenside with a sprawling outpost near the University of Pennsylvania's campus. Neighborhood Bike Works operates the nearby and beloved Bike Church, where an all-volunteer staff offers inexpensive used bikes and helps cyclists fix their own bikes, free of charge. Repairs are the specialty at Fairmount's Philadelphia Bikesmith, where mechanics get raves for both their know-how and patience. In the same 'hood' Fairmount Bicycles stocks such a large selection of sporty and city bikes that it extends to the sidewalk. Bicycle Therapy in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood is ideal for repairs between rides on the nearby Schuylkill River Trail; Breakaway Bikes and Fitness near Rittenhouse Square is both a sleek showcase for bicycles and a training center for cyclists; fixed-gear and European-style bikes share space at the colorful Bicycle Revolutions in Queen Village; and Bell's Bike Shop in the East Passyunk neighborhood makes excellent repairs, builds custom bikes and holds the designation of being the sole seller of PUBLIC bikes in Philadelphia. Across town, Fishtown's aptly named Bicycle Stable (building once served as a stable for police horses) provides new and refurbished bikes and bicycle services, while Firth & Wilson Transport Cycles caters to urban cyclists with a collection of city and cargo bikes, meant for riding around town and hauling gear, groceries, Christmas trees˜whatever needs transporting.
Riders within city limits and well beyond count on R.E.Load to tote their stuff; the messenger, roll-top and hip bags pack the brand's Northern Liberties store.

6. Life In The Fast Lane

Thanks to Philadelphia's grid-like system of streets, designed by founder William Penn, the city is easy to navigate. And thanks to Philadelphia's 435 miles of bike lanes, it's safe to navigate, too. In Center City, bike lanes run east on Pine Street, west on Spruce Street, north on 22nd Street and south on 10th Street. Bike lanes also run on either side of Benjamin Franklin Parkway, making it easy to ride to big-name destinations such as the Barnes Foundation, The Franklin Institute and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
West Philadelphia, home to the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University, makes biking to class˜and the neighborhood's many coffee shops and restaurants safe with lanes on Walnut,Spruce and Market Streets and Baltimore and Woodland Avenues. Other major bike lanes in Philadelphia include Fairmount,Torresdale and Kensington Avenues north of Center City; Washington and Oregon Avenues to the south; and Columbus Boulevard at the city'‚s eastern edge, making biking along Philadelphia's waterfront equally safe and scenic.

7. Happy Trails

With two riverfronts and one of the country's largest urban parks, the country's fifth-largest city makes it easy for urban cyclists to hit the trail--hundreds of miles of trails, in fact. Opened in 2013, the Delaware River Trail connects riders to Philadelphia's waterfront, where they can take in views of the Ben Franklin Bridge and New Jersey in the distance. Once completed, the trail will stretch six miles. In Northeast Philly, the Delaware River connects to Pennypack Trail, offering a challenging singletrack network and a paved bike path along Pennypack Creek. Hugging both sides of the Schuylkill River, Fairmount Park encompasses some of the city' most popular bike trails: Cobbs Creek Trail, featuring a lovely footbridge and plenty of shade (read: perfect for hotter months); the short-but-sweet Bartram's Garden Trail, with a meadow that‚s especially beautiful in summer; the paved, family-friendly Centennial 5K Route, which passes Please Touch Museum and Shofuso Japanese House and Garden; the winding singletracks and seemingly endless loops of Belmont Plateau; and Boxers‚ Trail, once frequented by boxer Joe Frazier.

The newest bikers‚ delight in Philadelphia is the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk; starting at South Street, this four-block paved path angles over the river and connects to the 26-mile Schuylkill River Trail. Between Center City and the trail's end at Valley Forge, the Schuylkill River Trail connects to the leafy Kelly Drive-West River Drive Loop, the eight-mile East Falls Loop and the Manayunk Towpath that runs parallel to Manayunk's shopping and dining destinations. Farther west, a variety of bike paths and terrains populate Wissahickon Valley Park, whose most popular trail is the off-the-beaten-path Forbidden Drive; no kind of bike is forbidden, though mountain bikes are strongly encouraged.

8. Off-Road Riding

Philadelphia's bucolic countryside offers near-endless trail-riding possibilities. For bikers looking for something even more off the beaten path, a few off-road opportunities excite. The Philly Pumptrack in Fairmount Park is a dirt track geared for BMX bikes, with X Games-style ramps, rolls and sharp curves. With both beginner and advanced tracks, the Pumptrack is kid-friendly and always monitored by volunteers. The walkways along the Benjamin Franklin Bridge have gained popularity among cyclists, who enjoy the 1.5-mile ride to Camden-not to mention to spectacular view of Philadelphia'‚s skyline on the way back. Pros and amateurs alike are gearing up for the proposed velodrome, currently titled Project 250. The building would feature a 250-meter, Olympic-size track intended for both public use and international cycling races.

9. Touring The Town

Organized bike tours take the guesswork out of sightseeing. The Philly Bike Tour Co. operates a trio of three-hour tours: the greatest-hits Classic City Tour, the sculpture-focused Art Is All Around Us Tour and the leafy Fairmount Park Tour. Philadelphia Bike Tours offers another guided option, with a three-hour ride covering popular and lesser-known landmarks between the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers-with a snack included. DIYers love the self-guided tours from Wheel Fun Rentals, with detailed maps guiding the way through either Center City or Fairmount Park. The Association for Public Art's Outdoor Sculpture Bike Map, which includes more than 30 public works and six scenic views, strengthens legs and opens minds as it winds around the Schuylkill River and Philadelphia Museum of Art. Created in collaboration with the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, the self-guided tour (four-mile or 10-mile routes) includes stops featured in the Museum Without Walls˙AUDIO program, so cyclists can hear three- to four-minute segments about the sculptures on their phone or via an app.

10. Wheels To Go

While Indego is meant for short trips, those looking for a longer ride are in luck--bike rentals are available all over the city. No matter where visitors roam in Philly, they can rent bikes for an hour or more from Wheel Fun Rentals, with locations at Lloyd Hall on Boathouse Row, at Capriccio at Café Cret along the Ben Franklin Parkway and at the Independence Visitor Center on Independence Mall. Brewerytown Bicycles sits along Girard Avenue in the Brewerytown neighborhood, just a quick ride to the Philadelphia Zoo, Kelly Drive or anywhere in Fairmount Park; mountain and fat bikes are available for daily rentals or several days. Brewerytown's sister store is Fairmount Bicycles, located just north of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway; the fleet includes sporty and city-friendly options and Big Dummies--perfect for toting kids or shopping bags. Farther east toward Northern Liberties, urban-cycling specialist Firth & Wilson Transport Cycles provides city and cargo bikes for an hour, four hours or a full day.

More Bells And Whistles: 13 Philly Biking Facts

1. Philadelphia is the #1 big city in the country for bike commuters per capita, at 2.3%. (Source: Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, U.S. Census Bureau)

2. South Philly and Center City are among the top 25 neighborhoods in the country for commuting by bike. (Source: Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, U.S. Census Bureau)

3. With Indego, Philadelphia becomes the first U.S. city to offer a bike-share program that doesn‚t require credit cards. This makes bikes more accessible to a broader range of riders, including those from low-income backgrounds.

4. Between 2015 and 2020, the Indego program is projected to increase annual ridership in Philadelphia 500%, from 500,000 to 2.5 million.

5. Among the reasons Temple Universityreceived the honor of a 'Bike-Friendly University' by The League of American Cyclists: The school offers more than 1,700 bicycle parking spaces, free courses on urban bike safety and an on-campus bike mechanic.

6. The internationally renowned Fuji Bikes, launched in Japan in 1899, now calls its North Philadelphia headquarters home, and its bikes are staples in shops across the city.

7. North Bowland South Bowl, the ultra-popular bowling alleys in Northern Liberties and South Philadelphia, respectively, offer free shoe rentals to those who roll in with a bike helmet.

8. More than 100 artists--from Philadelphia to the Netherlands--submitted creative takes on bike racks for a 2014 contest held by the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. The top 10 designs were installed at Boathouse Row, City Hall and elsewhere in the city.

9. Hotel Palomar and Hotel Monaco, Philadelphia's two Kimpton properties, offer complimentary PUBLIC bikes for their guests. The Palomar'‚s Pedal for Perks program encourages bike riding by offering perks, such as room upgrades and glasses of wine, based on guests‚ total mileage.

10. Simon Firth, the owner of Firth & Wilson Transport Cycles, is the only certified Brooks saddle (seat) repairperson in the United States.

11. For those riders who want to keep up with their friends or improve their hill rides, Philly Electric Wheels in Philadelphia's Mt. Airy neighborhood rents and sells electric-assist bikes.

12. Old-school elbow grease and new-wave innovation collide at Bilenky Cycle Works, custom-creators of tandem bikes and other quirky rides that can run around $10,000.

13. One rider who doesn't mind the workout: Philadelphia Eagles linebacker and fan favorite Connor Barwin, who is often seen riding his bike to games at Lincoln Financial Field.

VISIT PHILADELPHIA® makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases the number of visitors, the number of nights they stay and the number of things they do in the five-county area.

On Greater Philadelphia's official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.

PURE ADVENTURES TOURS

About Pure Adventures

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.

This company pioneered self-guided tours in Europe in 1994. Tours span Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland. Twenty programs are available 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.

Self-Guided Cycling Vacations Represent Excellent Value – But Buyer Beware

Imitation may be the highest form of flattery. But when it comes to travel look-alikes, beware. For example, the concept of the self-guided cycling vacation introduced in 1994 by bike tour pioneer Loren Siekman of Pure Adventures was created in response to North America’s growing demand for independent yet professionally supported active travel. Since then, the marketplace has been crowded with competitors, many of whom offer packages that are deficient in one way or another. While, according to Siekman, competition creates awareness, all offers are not created equal, underscores the founder and owner of Pure Adventures.

Pure Adventures’ original version of self-guided is about half the cost of a guided trip, averaging $1,400 per person for a seven-night trip. A typical guided European cycling trip starts at 2,800. But it’s buyer beware when looking at the preponderance of self-guided programs out there, advises Siekman. “For example, in Europe, many local outfitters like to set fixed departure dates to maximize group numbers and lower their costs for luggage handling. Sometimes luggage transfers aren’t even included in trip prices. Navigation tools also vary from company to company from non-existent to high tech,” adds Siekman.

Questions that he suggests should be asked include; “How thoroughly researched are opportunities for cultural experiences? What is the quality of lodging and what meals are included? How new are the bikes and equipment and what are the qualifications of the people maintaining them?” Pure Adventures recommends that consumers create their own matrix of inclusions and then do a comparison study. To consider are:

Freedom to choose travel dates and customize the itinerary to their needs

Local support – what is it, who is it, and what can be expected? Meet and greet, telephone support throughout the trip, transportation if needed, arrival and departure transfers, any back stop for bad weather, sickness, or other unforeseen circumstances like mechanical breakdowns?

Rental equipment and navigation tools – what is included, or how much extra is it and what support is provided? What technology is available and how tech savvy must the user be to easily utilize it?

Lodging – an important area of scrutiny; be sure to look at ratings and seasonality, room category, group discounts, meals on site and what level menu, three course or five course?

Responsive – in the off season it’s easy to get email responses or phone calls, but what about when it is high season? Is there a dedicated agent assigned and available to accommodate your needs and time restraints?

Language, insurance, licenses, recourse, payment conditions, and so on.

“Our self-guided biking and hiking tours are truly the best value, situated between a fully supported and date-limited guided trip and a do-it-yourself option. On our trips, you travel on your own terms with all the help and support needed letting you focus on what matters most – enjoying your vacation,” Siekman goes on to explain. “Our company never cancels on its clients and can put trips together at the 11th hour in most of our destinations.”

Self-Guided Cycling Tours in North America include California, Colorado, and Arizona and just new in 2016 is Quebec. Pure Adventures also offers self-guided programs in 16 different countries throughout Europe.

A must-read for anyone considering a self-guided bike tour is The Beginner’s Guide to Self-guided Cycling Adventure Holidays, a new e-book by Pure Adventures’ founder Loren Siekman. This guide explores the reasons behind the growth in self-guided cycling, the differences behind different types of cycling holidays and how to choose a self-guided holiday tour operator (including a list of where to research tour companies). Short and to the point, this free e-book is an unbiased starting point for cyclists who have been on guided tours and feel ready for a more adventurous holiday experience.

For more information on all of 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: pure-adventures.com.

Pure Adventures Creates New Bicycle Vacations That Explore Culture and Countryside In Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia

Slowing life down on a bicycle has long been a vacation option in the States as well as in Europe. Now the pioneer of self-guided cycling vacations, Pure Adventures, says the time is right to consider 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. Seepure-adventures.com/show-tour/173/Myanmar+Cycling+Discovery+of+Old+Burma

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. See pure-adventures.com/show-tour/171/Vietnam+Central+Coast+Highlights+Bicycle+Tour

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. See pure-adventures.com/show-tour/170/Thailand+Chiang+Mai+Cycling+and+Culture+7N+Tour

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. See pure-adventures.com/show-tour/172/Cambodia+Siem+Reap+&+Angkor+Wat+Cycling

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.

For more information on all of 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 onlinee pure-adventures.com.

Sonoma County Wine Country Self-Guided Cycling --

at $1,445 per person double (before Scout discount) is a more intense road cycling trip over six days and five nights for those seeking longer, more challenging riding in a new destination. Off the saddle there’s ample wine tasting and relaxation. Top quality hotels are included with some upgrades possible. Sonoma County is known for its excellent cycling and scenic wine country, but few take the time to truly explore its hidden gems. Rolling hills, punchy climbs, quiet country roads and lush vineyards make this trip a road cyclist’s dream! On this journey, guests breathe in fresh wine country air and take in view upon view while exploring quiet lanes and roads that only the locals know.

The rate for each itinerary includes a personal orientation upon arrival in order to go over the route book. Staff assist in setting up the bikes while riders get pointers from local experts. Included are accommodation with breakfast for five nights, luggage transfers, detailed road book with maps, cue sheets and suggestions for visits and site information as well as restaurant suggestions, pre travel documentation and information, pre and post travel assistance and travel planning.

In addition to self-guided programs, Pure Adventures offers other ways to organize domestic and international bicycling and hiking vacations: Guided vs Self-Guided vs Supported, Self-Directed, See: pure-adventures.com/blog/2014/06/23/how-to-choose-the-perfect-bicycle-vacation/#.VUk4UvlVhHw

For more information on all of 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: pure-adventures.com.

The Newest Concept in Bicycle Touring? Pure Adventures Introduces Supported, Self-Directed Cycling Adventures

Newest Concept in Bicycle Touring, Supported and Self-Directed, Now Offered in Ireland through Pure Adventures

Bicycle vacation specialist Pure Adventures (pure-adventures.com/) recently announced a new way for bicycle enthusiasts to vacation on bikes in unfamiliar territory. The company’s new, supported and self-directed international adventures enhance trips with maximum rider flexibility plus the services of a trip leader and a sag wagon to transport luggage.

These conveniences leave adventurous cyclists free to enjoy the open road on their own terms on a supported, self-directed itinerary in Ireland this season.

Ireland - Biking Cork County to Kerry County, available April to October, is a challenging, seven-day program from €1540 per person, double (roughly $1,675 US), averages 65km a day through County Cork and on to the Dingle Peninsula. Included are six nights accommodation in quality guest houses and small inns, daily all-Irish breakfasts, seven days of dedicated support from the guide/driver and a support vehicle, luggage transfers between lodgings, some transfers, orientation, route maps and cue sheets and more. A choice of bike rentals is available starting at €105.

Guests arrive in Cork and are transferred to Clonakitty on the coast of County Cork where the briefing takes place and bikes are checked out. The destination today is Baltimore, the most southerly section of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way, a long-distance route that journeys some 2,500km from Cork in the South to Donegal in the North. Here overlooking the islands of Roaring Water Bay guests will sip their first pint of Guinness in Bushes Pub. Day 2 brings cyclists to Ireland’s most southwesterly point, the Mizen Peninsula and the village of Ballydehob before traversing historic back roads to one of West Cork’s most noteworthy villages, Schull. Enroute is a ferry ride to Cape Clear, a Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) island with megalithic standing stones, a 5,000 year old passage grave, a 12th century church ruin and a 14th century castle.

Quiet rural roads on Day 3 lead to Bantry Bay, its richly textured history displayed in part at Bantry House, a fully furnished stately home. Tonight guests lodge in Glengarriff, having said goodbye to Baltimore. They are positioned for the Caha Pass the next morning leading from Cork to Kerry. Views appreciated, cyclists move onto a single track road through the Black Valley to overnight in Sneem. From here the Ring of Kerry climbs up to Coomakista Pass, a vantage point that is a jewel in Kerry’s crown. Back roads again lead to Waterville on the Atlantic Ocean – and more Guinness.

Day 5 brings the Ring of Skellig winding up and down along the coast. The ride concludes with a ferry (weather permitting) to the Dingle Peninsula, another Gaeltacht region replete with ancient sites of iron-age forts, inscribed stones and historic churches. From dramatic Slea Head is a site known as Gallarus Oratory and Castle, not to be missed. The active part of the trip concludes at Dingle Benners Hotel, with toasts before the next day’s departures.

A less strenuous, self-guided trip is Ireland - Best of the Wild Atlantic Way, a self-guided, seven-day program from €910 Euros ($987 US) per person, double. This adventure focuses on Ireland’s west coast, from Galway City to County Clare, embracing the Aran Islands and Connemara.

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Pure Adventures Launches Brand New Way to Experience Western USA's Iconic Cycling Routes

Imagine reigning supreme over the inclines and passes of world famous Death Valley National Park, or conquering the notorious climbs of Arizona’s Sky Islands? This year, Pure Adventures, pioneers in cycle tourism, invites cyclists to experience Western USA’s most challenging and world-class routes with their newest label, Supported Self Directed: a brand new way to cycle and travel that retains the independence of a self-guided trip, but provides the peace of mind of expert guidance and essential support. Pure Adventures’ new SSD trips debut this fall across California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah.

Supported Self Directed travel is the clever touring option for cyclists who’ve graduated from guided trips and are interested in riding at an epic destination with logistics that are challenging to master independently. Pure Adventures’ SSD trips include:

4-day Epic Climbs of Arizona’s Sky Islands SSD Cycling Tour
6-day Yosemite to San Francisco SSD Bicycling Tour
6-day Death Valley Bicycling Discovery SSD Tour
6-day Tucson & Borderlands SSD Bicycle Tour
5-day Bryce Canyon & Zion SSD Cycling & Hiking Tour
6-day San Francisco to Los Angeles SSD Cycling Tour
6-day San Diego Surf & Turf SSD Cycling Tour
.........and more!

These trips open up difficult or isolated tracks to a wider range of rider levels, including the less-advanced set. Cyclists can tackle the route at their own pace and freedom, but benefit from having some support, like professional planned route notes and daily briefing, top quality bicycles, luggage and gear transfers, lodging, SAG stops, and access to a daily bike mechanic who’ll even share tips on where to try the best brew in the area.

Non-riding companions are also warmly welcomed, making it easier for couples to travel and experience the destination together - for example, enjoying meals, the hotel and nearby towns during leisure time. Best yet, Pure Adventures offers fixed SSD departure dates, allowing for a minimum of six participants to affordably share costs, without the confines of sticking to a group itinerary. Custom departures are also available for private groups of six or more.

For more information about Pure Adventure’s Supported Self Directed label, please call 1-800-960-2221 or visit<www.pure-adventures.com.

Bicycle Adventures Extends Summer With 14 New Fall Tour Departure Dates That Move South into November

The leader in North America bike tours, Bicycle Adventures, is extending summer with 14 new fall tour dates to make up for a wet and cool spring when folks couldn’t get on their bikes.

For more information, availability and reservations contact Bicycle Adventures by phone: 800.443.6060, email: office@bicycleadventures.com or visit online bicycleadventures.com.

Inspiring Reasons to Experience US Pro Challenge Bike Race in Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado

Bicycling fans not only have the opportunity to watch two of the most exciting stages of the USA Pro Challenge in the Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley, they can get in on the action by taking part in cycling events, festivals, kids activities and more. Crested Butte, Mt. Crested Butte and Gunnison have hosted a stage finish and a stage start three times since the race launched four years ago. Stage 2 finishes in Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte and Gunnison will host the start of Stage 3.

It’s no secret that the communities are bike crazy, with Crested Butte being one of only four communities in Colorado to have the prestigious gold designation from the League of American Bicyclists, and Gunnison among only seven towns with silver status. Crested Butte also is one of the birthplaces of mountain biking and host of the oldest mountain biking festival in the world. There is a wealth of other options for fun including hiking, boating, rafting, horseback riding, fishing, browsing art exhibitions, and enjoying a wide array of locally owned shops and eateries, making it a great place to catch a finish and a start all in one place and experience classic Colorado.

Find out more at www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com.

Stages 2 & 3 Overview

Each year, US Pro Challenge searches for ways to include more of Colorado’s deep cycling history. Last year it was the climb up Bachelor Gulch and this time around it will be the unpredictable Kebler Pass during Stage 2. The 105-mile route launches at 10:10 a.m. and opens fast by ripping down the Aspen Valley through the sprint cities of Basalt and Carbondale before tackling the 8,700-foot McClure Pass. A short descent brings the race to Gunnison County Road 12, which is a 20-mile rollercoaster that constantly changes from pavement to dirt and back again and tops out at 9,900 feet over Kebler Pass. A technical descent into Crested Butte brings the race back to familiar terrain. As in 2011 and 2012, the stage wraps up with a sprint through downtown Crested Butte and a steep finish climb up to Mt. Crested Butte. Keep up-to-date on www.facebook.com/GCBBikeLove Facebook.

During Stage 3, the Queen Stage, racers not only contend with a mountaintop finish, they also have to pass over it first, giving spectators a chance to see the race multiple times from the same vantage point. Stage 3 starts at 11:25 a.m. in Gunnison with three laps through town and heads east for 35 miles before tackling the 11,300-foot monster that is Monarch Pass. A descent on the eastern slope of the pass leads riders to two 9-mile loops through Salida and the surrounding countryside. Then it’s game time as they tackle nearly 20 miles of climbing to a finish at an elevation of 10,800 feet at Monarch Mountain ski area after a punishing day covering 96 miles. Check out the local www.facebook.com/GunnisonQPC>Facebook page.

For those wanting to watch both the start and finish of stage 3 in person, there is a bus shuttle from Gunnison to Monarch Mountain that costs only $10 for a roundtrip ticket. Seats are limited, so purchase a ticket at www.gunnisonprochallenge.com or Gunnison Community Center.

Vacation Packages & Visitor Information

To save on flights, hotel rooms, vacation packages, car rentals and more, go to www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com. For travel planning and general information, call (800) 814-8893, visit <www.GCBevents.com and follow GCBTA event promotions on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gcbta.

About Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado

Nestled in a valley with nearly two million acres of pristine, mountainous wilderness, Gunnison-Crested Butte has a prime location in southwest Colorado. Winter sports enthusiasts know the area for its world-class alpine skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and more. Fair-weather activities include mountain biking, hiking, wildflower and wildlife viewing, climbing, boating, whitewater rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing, camping and horseback riding. Year-round visitors enjoy distinctive restaurants, locally-owned shops, stimulating cultural opportunities and festivals galore ranging from the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival and Gunnison Cattlemen’s Days to Crested Butte Bike Week and Gunnison Car Show weekend.

Along a 31-mile stretch of wide-open vistas and stunning scenery, visitors can explore Gunnison, Almont, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte and connect with the quaint and historic burgs of Pitkin, Gothic, Tin Cup, Marble, Powderhorn and Crystal, also located in Gunnison County. Gunnison and Crested Butte, both founded in 1880, are known for their Victorian-era charm, friendly Western hospitality and free-spirited nature. Almont is a fishing, rafting and rock climbing mecca, and the resort village of Mt. Crested Butte is home to renowned Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Visitors also can explore Curecanti National Recreation Area, home to Colorado’s largest body of water, and the nearby Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Gunnison County is part of the West Elk Loop and Silver Thread Scenic & Historic Byways.

Gunnison-Crested Butte is conveniently located in southwestern Colorado, a scenic 4-hour drive from Denver via U.S. Highway 285 or a 31⁄2 hour drive from Colorado Springs on U.S. Highway 50. Air service to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC) for the 2014 summer/fall season is provided by United Airlines with direct flights from Denver (DEN) and Houston (IAH).

Biking on Rhode Island

The Ocean State, Rhode Island, has one of the most vibrant and diverse bike cultures in the United States-- particularly because of the state's extensive network of dedicated bike paths.

Rhode Island has become a leader in providing bike paths, bike lanes and bike routes to its residents and visitors. Today there are more than 60 miles of paved bike paths in Rhode Island and more than 25 miles of paths under design.

Some of Rhode Island’s longer bike paths – the Blackstone River Bikeway, the Washington Secondary and East Bay Bike Path – are part of an ambitious effort from the Rhode Island-based East Coast Greenway Alliance to create a contiguous bike path from Maine to Florida. Among the 15 states the East Coast Greenway would pass through, Rhode Island is a leader in getting its segments of bikeway built.

While you're in the state, there's plenty to see, do and taste! The aptly nicknamed Ocean State's narrow frame packs more than 100 beaches, primed for sunbathing, whale watching, or simply relaxing after a long bike trip. Worked up an appetite? With more degreed chefs per capita, Providence, Rhode Island is the culinary capital of the northeast. Newport has a casual yet lux feel, where you can go for a boat ride or sit by the waterfront and enjoy fresh seafood after a day exploring the opulent and historic Newport Mansions. Little Rhody's bike paths also connect to the Warwick, Blackstone Valley and South County regions, where you may enjoy fairs, festivals, and events celebrating the history, culture, and natural beauty of the Ocean State.

Biking at North Falmouth, Massachusetts

Cape Cruising: Sea Crest Beach Hotel has guests’ wheels happily spinning with Shining Sea Bike Package

Cape Cod’s beloved Sea Crest Beach Hotel invites its guests to cruise the Cape and soak-up spring with its new Shining Sea Bike Package. Just in time for May’s National Bike Month, guests can embrace the nearby Shining Sea Bike Trail that hugs the coast from Falmouth to Woods Hole and winds along the Vineyard Sound shoreline. Lined with colorful foliage and views of glistening Buzzard’s Bay, the trail provides ample stopping points to capture Instagram-worthy photos showcasing the beauty of the Cape.

Starting at $174 per night (based on a two night minimum), the Shining Sea Bike Package includes an overnight stay for two at Sea Crest Beach Hotel, one day’s bike rental for two, bottled waters and a map of the Shining Sea Bike Trail. For reservations or for more information on Sea Crest Beach Hotel, visit www.seacrestbeachhotel.com or call 800-225-3110.

About Sea Crest Beach Hotel

Set on a private beach in Cape Cod’s legendary North Falmouth and surrounded by traditional New England cottages along Buzzards Bay, Sea Crest Beach Hotel recently emerged from a multimillion-dollar renovation as the quintessential beach hotel for a new generation of travelers. With 264 guest rooms and suites, some with fireplaces and private water-view balconies, and a three-bedroom cottage that sleeps up to eight, the hotel is equally ideal for families seeking a fun beachfront setting and couples drawn by the romance of the Cape. Sea Crest Beach Hotel’s Nauset Center, the largest meeting and events space on Cape Cod, provides planners with expansive function space combined with superb dining and warm, personalized service. Red’s, named for legendary Boston Celtics coach and president Red Auerbach, serves a delightful menu in a setting replete with memorabilia. Sea Crest Beach Hotel is managed by Scout Hotels. For more information or reservations visit www.seacrestbeachhotel.com or call 800-225-3110. Connect online via www.facebook.com/SeaCrestBeachHotel and www.instagram.com/seacrestcapecod

The 7 Best Cycling Routes in Spain BY Lewis Evans Spain

1) Costa Brava
A Century Ride to Remember

One of the grandest Spanish rides is in Costa Brava, where your two-wheeled adventure starts in Pubol. The hard work on the hills is rewarded with views of small bays with turquoise waters along the coast…with plenty of opportunities to take a dip in the Mediterranean along the way! Riding through the medieval village of Pals adds to the magic of this epic ride which you can experience on our Costa Brava bike trip.

Route: Pubol-Pals-Palamos-Lloret de Mar-Calella
Distance: 116 km
Recommended Activity Level: Enthusiast (3/5 Difficulty)
Best time of year: June; mid-August to early October
2) Costa Brava
Medieval Majesty

Loop your way through some of the prettiest medieval villages in the Lower Emporda instead, on a wonderfully flat route that travels through undisturbed countryside, starting from the fortress town of Pals. As you make your way along, stop at charming plazas, and end in the coastal town of Palamos.

Route: Pals-Peratallada-La Bisbal d’Emporda-Palamos
Distance: 37km
Recommended Rider Level: Enthusiast (3/5 Difficulty)
Best times to ride: March-May; September-October
3) Camino de Santiago
Travel Back in Time

All roads lead to the same destination when you’re on pilgrimage: in this case, do it by two wheels while you travel the hallowed Way of St. James. On our Camino de Santiago trip, step back in time to peruse the well-preserved prehistoric stone and thatched-roof huts of O’Cebreiro, as you make your way from the top of a ridge and cruise downhill through the verdant lushness of Galicia, ending at a working monastery.

Route: O’Cebreiro to Monastery of Samos
Distance: 31.5 km
Recommended Rider Level: Enthusiast (3/5 Difficulty)
Best times to ride: May-July, September-October
Get Surreal in Spain

From your bike, you can see the peaks of the Pyrénées looming on the horizon as volcanic flats stretch out ahead, leading to unbelievably pastoral fields. This is no dream. On our Costa Brava Biking trip, the unexpected happens every day.

4) Mallorca
Balearic Biking

Mallorca’s legendary biking makes for a wonderful long ride along the coast, passing up and down the hills. From gorgeous lakes, you’ll sweep through wine country and the olive region of Caimari and Campanuet, the varied scenery a feast for the eyes.

Route: Deia to Pollenca
Distance: 68 km
Recommended Activity Level: Avid (4/5 Difficulty)
Best time of year: May-June; September-October
5) La Rioja
Century Ride through the Sierra Cantabria

Pedal past all of La Rioja’s famous wineries and architectural jewels. With the spectacular backdrop of the Sierra Cantabria mountains on one side, the fertile vineyards stretching out to the south, and the sparkling roof of the Marques de Riscal twinkling colourfully to greet you at the end of the ride.

Route: Torremontalbo – Briones – Haro – Brinas – Bastida – Rivas de Tereso – San Vicente de la Sonsierra – Abalos – Samaniego – Paganos – Guardia – El Campillar – Logrono – Fuenmayor – end at Marques de Riscal (hotel)
Distance: 102 km (63 miles)
Recommended Rider Level: Enthusiast (3/5 Difficulty)
Best times to ride: May; September-October
6) Madrid
Pedal in the paths of the pros

If you’re up to the challenge, follow along with Spain’s top bike race, La Vuelta, and pedal like you’re a pro possessed. This stage from the 2015 race will take you from the outskirts right into the city of Madrid.

Route: Alcala de Henares-Torreon de Ardoz-San Fernando de Henares-Coslada, Vicalvaro-Madrid
Distance: 98.8 km
Recommended Rider Level: Enthusiast (3/5 Difficulty)
Best times to ride: May, September-October

7) Andalucia
Southern Spain Mountain Climb

Some of the most stunning rides are in the south of Spain. Ride through the mountains of Grazalema through a protected natural park, rich in wildlife. Home to many colonies of vultures, you may even see the endangered Egyptian vulture if your eyes are up to the task!

Route: Ronda to Grazalema via Benaojan and Montejaque
Distance: 40 km
Recommended Rider Level: Enthusiast (3/5 Difficulty)
Best times to ride: May-June, September-October

Ready to Ride?

Browse our full portfolio of bike trips in Spain or feel free to reach out to our Bespoke travel team to plan a custom bike trip of your own!

Experts + Insiders The Slow Road
Lewis Evans

Veteran B&R Guide turned Trip Planner Lewis Evans can ask for a coffee in five European languages. And while this often results in him being served a crusty cheese sandwich, he’s terrific at pretending that’s what he ordered.

PARK CITY, UTAH

Deer Valley Resort Takes Mountain Biking to New Extremes -- New Expert Trail

Deer Valley Resort is continuing its largest-ever summer investment to modernize and update its existing mountain biking/hiking trail inventory with the creation of Tsunami, an expert-level flow trail. For the third summer in a row, Deer Valley has enlisted world-renowned bike park development company, Gravity Logic, to help deliver the highly successful trail updates.

The Tsunami trail will contain large 10-foot berms and jumps and 25-foot table tops and step downs. The trail begins in the meadow behind Bald Mountain at 9,000 feet and will end at Silver Lake Village at 8,100 feet. One and a half miles and 900 vertical feet of the trail will open in sections throughout the course of the summer season.

The previous two summers, Deer Valley has created Tidal Wave, an intermediate flow trail, and Holy Roller, a new beginner flow trail to offer an even greater mountain biking experience for all abilities and families.

“With the addition of Tsunami, the resort’s network of updated biking trails provides the type of downhill thrill and excitement sought after by all biking levels,” said Bob Wheaton, president and general manager of Deer Valley Resort.

In addition to Tsunami, Tidal Wave and Holy Roller, the start of the IMBA Epic Mid Mountain Trail is located near the base of Deer Valley’s Sterling Express chairlift and next to Silver Lake Lodge. Deer Valley has three lifts accessing more than 9,400 feet of elevation and an extensive trail network. With hiking trails, cross-country trails and technical downhill trails, Deer Valley provides a diverse web of single track in Park City.

Deer Valley Resort’s website provides detailed information on mountain biking and hiking/scenic ride lift ticket rates, as well as information on bike rentals, clinics and tours. Summer chairlifts operate from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (conditions permitting) and ample parking is available at Snow Park Lodge.

Adding to the resort’s new trail offering, each Wednesday in July and August, Deer Valley Resort will extend its mountain biking playground hours to host the Twilight Ride Series with SCOTT Sports. The SCOTT Twilight Ride Series takes place from 4 to 8 p.m. on the Silver Lake Express and Sterling Express chairlifts. All Deer Valley summer operations at both Snow Park and Silver Lake Lodges will remain open for the extended Twilight Rides. Private biking lessons will be available if reserved in advance.

For more information on Deer Valley Resort’s new expert Tsunami trail, general mountain biking and hiking information and all summer operations, please visit deervalley.com or contact the resort’s Senior Communications Manager, Emily Summers, at 800-424-DEER (3337) or 435-645-6522. To follow summer happenings at the resort on social media, search #DeerValleyMoment.
Deer Valley Resort revolutionized the ski industry by providing the first-class service one would receive at a five-star hotel. The resort offers 21 chairlifts, 101 ski runs, six bowls, 12 restaurants, 300 annual inches of powder, three elegant day lodges, 2,026 acres of alpine skiing, hundreds of luxury accommodations and a renowned Ski School and Children’s Center.

Pedal Minnesota

For more information contact Explore Minnesota, 121 7th Place East, Suite 100, St. Paul, MN 55101

Pedal Minnesota Launches 3 Mile Smile -- New campaign encourages residents and travelers to take short trips by bike

To kick off National Bike Month, Pedal Minnesota, a coalition of state agencies and private organizations, is launching its newest campaign, 3 Mile Smile. The multifaceted campaign encourages Minnesota residents and travelers to choose biking for trips of 3 miles or less.

Why? Because for every 3 Mile Smile you bike instead of drive, you reduce your carbon footprint by 2.66 pounds. Because every time you choose a 3 Mile Smile, you fulfill the American Heart Association's recommended physical activity for the day, reducing your risk for heart disease, obesity and diabetes. And, maybe most importantly, because biking for even just 20 minutes is proven to reduce stress levels, release some endorphins, and leave you feeling happy, healthy and focused. Now that's a 3 Mile Smile.

To learn more about 3 Mile Smile, visit exploreminnesota.com/3milesmile. The website features stories from people across Minnesota who use bikes for various short trips: bringing kids to daycare, getting to work, riding with pets, buying groceries, exploring a new city – there are all sorts of ways to enjoy a 3 Mile Smile! In addition to the numerous stories on the website, you'll also find detailed information about 3 Mile Smile events, and a list of studies and resources outlining the many benefits of taking a 3 Mile Smile.

Minnesota: A Destination for Biking

Minnesota stands out on the national biking scene. Thanks to 18 officially designated Bicycle Friendly Communities and 73 Bicycle Friendly Businesses, Minnesota is ranked the No. 2 bike-friendly state in the country by the League of American Bicyclists. In recent years, the state's also been recognized as the "Best Trails State" by American Trails (2010), and Minneapolis is regularly ranked as one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country (currently No.1 according to Forbes and No. 3 per Bicycling magazine).

Even the American Automobile Association (AAA) supports biking in Minnesota, recently introducing statewide coverage to members whose bicycle has become disabled or inoperable. With more than 4,000 miles of paved trails, endless biking routes, and one of the nation's largest bike share programs, Minnesota offers excellent options for all kinds of cyclists. Bicycling has a positive impact on the state, including benefits to individuals, communities, the environment and the economy, generating more than $1 billion in expenditures throughout the state.

Pedal Minnesota
Pedal Minnesota is a coalition of state agencies and private organizations that support the Pedal Minnesota initiative, encouraging people to get on bikes more often in Minnesota. Initiated by Explore Minnesota, the state's tourism promotion office, the partnership includes the Minnesota departments of Health, Transportation and Natural Resources, the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota, and sponsorship by HealthPartners.

PORTUGAL NATURE TRAILS

RIDE & SEEK

About Ride & Seek:

Is a worldwide adventure cycling company offering unique historical itineraries with quality lodging, fine gastronomy, and cultural immersion. On our tours, cyclists can not only see and ride some of the greatest roads in Europe but also visit some of the most spectacular sites as well. Providing a cultural insight into the areas we visit both historically and gastronomically is central to what we do. Historical journeys and cultural adventures are our specialties. For more information check web site www.rideandseek.com.

Epic 2,052 km "MÇori New Zealand Cycling Adventure" Unveiled by Ride & Seek

Ride & Seek is thrilled to announce its first foray into the Southern Hemisphere with the only cycling tour on the market traversing the North and South Islands of New Zealand. In keeping with the company's pioneering "luxpedition" format, the 24-day, 2,000+ km "MÇori New Zealand Cycling Adventure" leads intrepid travelers on a bold expedition from Auckland to Queenstown, through the thermal wonderland of Rotorua, Tongariro National Park, the land of volcanoes made famous by Lord of the Rings, unspoiled coastlines, and the stunning Southern Alps. Guests will finish each day at hand-picked hotels and lodges with ample opportunities to sample New Zealand’s world-class wine, fresh seafood, and unique coffee culture. Broken into two stages, Auckland to Wellington and Wellington to Queenstown, the tour is slated for February 6 - March 1, 2021 and starts at €5,265 for one stage. For more information, visit https://rideandseek.com/tour/maori-new-zealand-auckland-to-queenstown/.

"This unique New Zealand cycling tour follows the journey of a fascinating and inspiring people who traveled across the ocean 700 years ago to arrive on the North Island near the start of our adventure," said Ride & Seek Founder Dylan Reynolds. "As their newly formed settlements grew, the MÇori traveled south down through the land of volcanoes, geysers, and geothermal pools, which guest will experience by bicycle on this epic adventure."

New Zealand offers a distinctive bio-diversity comparable to the Galapagos Islands. The uniqueness of the flora and fauna, remarkable landscapes, and rich culture make this new offering an ideal 10th Edition to the Ride & Seek Epic Adventure roster. With a population of only 5 million and a geographic area similar to that of the United Kingdom, this new itinerary truly explores the road less traveled.

Tour highlights include:

Cycling along the rolling coastline of Queen Charlotte Sound.

Exploring the geothermal wonderland around Rotorua with its geysers bubbling mud pools.

Cycling through the land of volcanoes made famous by the Lord of the Rings films.

Ferrying from the North Island across the Cook Strait to the South Island

Experiencing Maori Culture and its fascinating history rich in song and dance

Photographing snow-covered peaks, glacier-filled valleys, waterfalls and the rugged coastline.

Cycling up Mt. Mount Ruapehu, an active volcano.

Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki, a premier nature lodge offering a natural paradise of ancient rainforest, pristine lakes and rugged beaches.

Sampling New Zealand's phenomenal wines

Numerous World Heritage National parks

About Ride & Seek: We are a worldwide adventure cycling company offering unique historical itineraries with quality lodging, fine gastronomy, and cultural immersion. On our tours, cyclists can not only see and ride some of the greatest roads in Europe but also visit some of the most spectacular sites as well. Providing a cultural insight into the areas we visit both historically and gastronomically is central to what we do. Historical journeys and cultural adventures are our specialties. https://rideandseek.com

Ride & Seek Unveils "Conquest of the Moors" Cycling Tour Across Morocco, Portugal and Spain

Ride & Seek is thrilled to unveil the 23-Day, 1,488 km “www.rideandseek.com/tour/conquest-of-the-moors-fez-to-cordoba/>Conquest of the Moors” cycling tour. Split into two stages, intrepid travelers will explore the history of the Moors by cycling from Fez to Tangiers, Morocco, before crossing the Mediterranean Sea to the Iberian Peninsula and riding from Silves, Portugal to Cordoba, Spain on a tour that provides wonderful insight into the legacy left by 700 years of Muslim rule. The epic journey is scheduled for September 28 - October 20, 2020 and ranges in price from $3,874 to $9,767 USD.
The first stage of this grand cycling adventure starts in Fez, a northeastern Moroccan city often referred to as the country’s cultural capital and primarily known for its Fes el Bali walled medina, medieval architecture, vibrant souks, and old-world atmosphere. The route incorporates the Imperial city of Meknes, the Roman archaeological site of Volubilis, and the enchanting town of Ifrane in Morocco’s Middle Atlas Mountains. Next, riders head north to the city of Chefchaouen, known to many in the West as the “Blue City” and Tetouan, known as the “White Dove.” The atmospheric city of Tangiers marks the end of stage one.

Stage two heads across the Mediterranean Sea to the Iberian Peninsula for a cycling journey from Silves, Portugal to Cordoba, Spain. This stretch affords guests a chance to explore a remarkable period of European history. The Islamic influence is still very apparent across southern Portugal and Spain.

“Beginning on the beautiful southern coastline of Portugal, stage two starts in the ancient capital of the region,” said Ride & Seek Founder Dylan Reynolds. “Under the Moors, it held significant strategic importance with boats arriving from North Africa along the Arade River and served as an important trading post and defensive stronghold.”

After crossing the border into Spain, the route heads into the Parque Nacional de Doñana before descending to the town of Jerez de la Frontera. “Known for its sherry production, equestrian art and flamenco music, Jerez de la Frontera merits a two-night stay and serves as a great place to enjoy some well-deserved rest,” said Reynolds.

Continuing eastward guests will explore the charming towns of Ronda and Antequera, with its rich Islamic architectural heritage. Walking the spectacular El Caminito del Rey, a path pinned along the steep walls of a narrow gorge, is a true highlight of this portion of the tour.

“We then reach one of the jewels in the Moorish crown, Granada, where again we’ll have a two-night stay,” said Reynolds. “Situated in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains this city is home to the sprawling fortress called Alhambra which is UNESCO listed and a true highlight of any visit to the area.”

Guests will have the opportunity to climb the highest paved road in Europe with an ascent of Pico del Veleta (3,380 meters). This 40-kilometre climb is a brutal ride. For most of the group, a day of exploring the enchanting town of Granada will hold more appeal.

From Granada, the tour heads north and slightly back towards the capital of Al-Andalus. Cordoba serves as a fitting end to the tour with the entire historic center UNESCO listed due to its Moorish heritage. The immense La Mezquita is a remarkable example of Moorish architecture and provides a great backdrop for the end of the Conquest of the Moors tour.

Conquest of the Moors Bike Tour Highlights:

Marvel at the remarkable UNESCO sites of Alhambra (Granada) & La Mezquita (Cordoba

Cycle the road less traveled in the southern Portuguese region of the Algarve

Explore the labyrinth-like medinas of Fez and Meknes

Indulge in wonderful Moroccan cuisine exemplified by the most wonderful tagines

Wander the streets of the enchanting ‘Blue City’ of Chefchauen

Compare the relative merits of mint tea and coffee at our rest stops in Morocco

Discover the wonders of Moorish architecture in the enchanting town of Ronda

Sample the finest sherry and marvel at the equestrian art and flamenco in the town of Jerez

Climb the highest paved road in Europe – the Pico de Veleta

Learn about the Moorish legacy with guided tours

Indulge in the varied gastronomy of Andalucia

Barcelona to Alba (968 miles, 16 days)

Stage 1 – Barcelona to Alba (968 miles, 16 days)
Starting in Barcelona guests will cycle up through Cataluña and over the Pyrenees mountain range. The crossing of the Pyrenees is obviously a tough undertaking but the route doesn’t tackle the highest peaks, which makes this stage a relatively relaxed introduction to what’s ahead. Guests enter France through the lovely town of Ceret, which was once home to Picasso, before continuing through the beautiful French countryside of the Languedoc-Roussillon. The second part of stage 1 provides an opportunity to take on a number of iconic climbs – Ventoux, Galibier, Alpe d’Huez, Agnel and Izoard among others.

Stage 2 – Alba to Rome (818 miles, 14 days)
Stage 2 takes riders across the spine of Italy – the Apennines – and through a landscape of vines, castles, agriculture, and beautiful hill towns. Starting in Piedmont, riders will traverse the spectacular Oltrepo Pavese and head into Emilia Romagna. From Pisa, guests venture farther into Tuscany through what can only be described as picture postcard scenes en route to Rome.

ROAD TITANS

more soon . . . . .

For more information check web site www.roadtitans300.com

SCOTLAND

About Wilderness Scotland

Wilderness Scotland, established in 2001, is rated Europe’s No.1 Rated Adventure Travel Company by National Geographic and is Scotland’s only five-star accredited adventure tour operator. In 2012, its outpost Wilderness Ireland was launched. Offering an unrivaled range of small-group departures, self-guided trips and custom vacations, Wilderness Scotland and Wilderness Ireland lead the way in active and nature-based travel to the remote and wild corners of Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the North of England. Popular outdoor experiences include hiking, road cycling and kayaking. Wildlife, cultural, photography and sailing adventures are also available. For more information, visit wildernessscotland.com.

TOURISSIMO TOURS

NEW Chef-Led “Slow Food” Tour of Piedmont + Michelin-Starred Restaurants

IRELAND

Bike Tour – The Kerry Peninsulas

From classic climbs to coastal cycles, this fully-guided bike trip through magical Kerry explores Dingle’s beehive huts, Beara’s rugged landscapes, Killarney’s sparkling lakes, and Kerry’s soaring mountains. Traverse the three peninsulas of Kerry – Beara, Iveragh - location of the Ring of Kerry - and Dingle – and discover the magic of the Kingdom of Kerry from the seat of a bicycle, all the while staying in fantastic local accommodations and rubbing shoulders with some of Kerry’s most intriguing characters. This moderately challenging bike trip is ideal for cyclists who want to discover the lesser-known corners of the Kingdom of Kerry.
6 nights from €1,895 per person.

Hiking the Wicklow Way

Over a week, hike the very best portions of the Wicklow Way – one of Ireland’s premier long-distance hiking trails – on this fully-guided hiking adventure. Trek through forests and glaciated valleys, over hills and peaks and across the famous heathery hills of Wicklow. Explore historical sites brought to life by passionate guides - like the ruins of the ancient monastic city of Glendalough, the impressive manor house with its award-winning gardens and waterfall at Powerscourt Estate, and the bustling historical city of Dublin. Enjoy an afternoon at a thermal suite and relax in comfortable lodgings, including a deluxe-grade ecolodge tucked into the green hills of Wicklow. This easy-paced hiking tour is perfect for anyone who wants a gentle yet authentic wilderness experience exploring the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East.
6 nights from €1,785 per person.

SCOTLAND

Road Cycling – Casks and Castles

Enjoy this easy-paced trip of Scotland’s whisky highland country, with the mornings spent rolling through quiet villages and along river banks. This trip covers visits to glorious museums, castles and distilleries in the afternoons, so whisky aficionados will particularly enjoy this experience. Cycle along the banks of the Spey, discover the Culloden Battlefield and indulge in lunch at Cawdor Castle, is one such typical day on this itinerary. Stay for the whole week at a country house hotel just outside the highland town of Grantown-on-Spey, and truly relax without the need to repack each morning. This flexible itinerary is perfect for seasoned riders and novices alike.
6 nights from £1,895 per person.

Road Cycling – North Coast 500

Scotland’s answer to Route 66, the North Coast 500 is one of the world’s most epic road routes, but one best enjoyed at a slower pace. This new week-long trip take cyclists to the NC500’s very best sections, from the ‘wee mad road’ on the Coigach peninsula, the rugged sea cliffs of Sutherland and John O’Groats. Enjoy the incredible scenery of northern Scotland on a winding tarmac past towering mountains, sandy beaches and rolling wilderness. On a rest day, delight in a boat journey with views of Scotland’s highest waterfall and a glimpse of the local seal colony. Stay in unique characterful hotels that serve the best of local produce.
6 nights from £1,695 per person.

Sea Kayaking – The Outer Hebrides

Explore some of the wildest places left in Europe on this sea kayak tour of the beautiful Outer Hebrides. Facing the wilds of the Atlantic, the archipelago boasts an intricate and interesting coastline. Among the turquoise waters look out for pods of dolphins, and kayak up to the iconic Standing Stones of Callanish. The first 2 nights on the island, keep your eyes peeled for sea eagles and stay in a traditional thatched black house in a heritage village. Paddlers will also enjoy their own castaway adventure with a 3 night wild camping expedition, visiting the uninhabited islands of Scarp and Taransay and setting camp on white sandy beaches each evening.
6 nights from £1,045 per person.

Wildlife Adventures – Mull, Staffa & Iona

On this brand new one week trip, explore the Inner Hebridean islands of Mull, Staffa and Iona, and seek out the archipelago’s thriving and varied wildlife. Spectacular landscapes and centuries old Scottish history mingle together on this itinerary to showcase a unique side of Scotland. The picturesque seaside village of Port Appin boasts the perfect site to spot statuesque herons fishing alongside seals and dolphins. Stay in Mull for four nights, and explore the nearby sites of; Staffa, home to the spectacular Fingal’s Cave; visit Whisky Cave where the ruins of the illicit still used to make moonshine are still visible; and hike out to a community-owned hide to marvel at white tailed eagles, UK’s largest bird of prey. On the spiritual side of things, visit Iona which is home to St Oran’s Chapel and thought to be the resting place for 48 kings of Scotland.
6 nights from £1,695 per person.

Wilderness Photography – Highland Landscapes Tour

Photographer enthusiasts will no doubt delight in this holiday that will take them to some of Scotland’s most photogenic scenery. From the forests and hills of the Cairngorms National Park to the spectacular coast of Torridon, it is no doubt some of the most picturesque landscapes in the country. Beginning in Aviemore, spend three days wandering among the atmospheric Caledonian Forest or hiking in Glen Feshie – ‘the jewel in the Cairngorms’ crown’ – with a walk into the spectacular northern corries. Transfer to Torridon and enjoy a private RIB ride looking out for sea eagles and seals, and capture the thundering waterfalls that punctuate the landscape. The excursions mostly take place at dawn and sunset, therefore the trip is planned around the ideal light circumstances for the perfect photograph.
6 nights from £1,445 per person.

For more information about Wilderness Ireland and Wilderness Scotland, visit www.wildernessireland.com and www.wildernessscotland.com.

Wilderness Scotland

Wilderness Scotland Celebrates the Bicycle’s 200th Birthday with the Launch of a New Bike Tour

Wilderness Scotland, specialists in crafting award winning outdoor adventure experiences, has launched a new 12-day bike tour covering nearly 500 miles through the five storybook-inspired countries of Great Britain and Ireland. The guided trip commemorates the bicycle’s bicentennial birthday in 2017. Starting in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the epic journey follows scenic roads made famous by the Tour de France, Tour of Britain and Tour of Ireland and passes through Keir Mill, a small Scottish village where Kirkpatrick Macmillan invented the pedal bicycle in 1839.

Wilderness Scotland has designed an unprecedented route that heads south from Yorkshire through Lancashire and into Wales to explore Snowdonia National Park. After a short boat ride, cyclists reach the Isle of Anglesey and travel onward across the Irish Sea to Dublin, one of Europe’s greatest capital cities. On the Emerald Isle, travelers pedal through wild Donegal, hug the best stretch of coastline in Ireland – the Antrim Coast – and challenge themselves on Torr Road, featured in Game of Thrones.

During the last leg of the adventure, cyclists reach Scotland’s largely undiscovered Dumfries and Galloway region – a cycling revelation boasting more than 450 miles of marked routes through historic villages and quiet countryside. The final stretch after Keir Mill is one of the best rides of the trip: a perfect boulevard leading to the entrance of the 17th century Drumlanrig Castle.

Wilderness Scotland’s new five-country bike tour includes 11-nights’ accommodation in historic country homes and inns; most meals, including daily snacks; vehicle, ferry and private boat transport throughout, including ride support and luggage transfers; admission and entrance fees.

For more information, visit wildernessscotland.com

TEXAS

more soon

TOUR DE FRANCE

more soon

TREK TRAVEL TOURS

About Trek Travel

Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Trek Travel is an award-winning cycling vacation company offering cycling tours around the globe for cyclists of all abilities. Each vacation includes the use of the latest Trek bicycles like the Domane SL 7 or XM700+ electric assist, featuring Garmin GPS devices and Di2 electronic shifting; with an option to upgrade to the Emonda SLR, the lightest production road bike available; boutique accommodations; gratuities; most meals; snacks and drinks for each day’s ride; daily route support; social hours; entrance fees to group events; transportation during the tour; complimentary Trek Travel merchandise, and more. Please note, Cuba inclusions vary, check trektravel.com for the latest information.

Trek Travel was formed in 2002 as the luxury bicycle touring arm of Trek Bicycles, one of the world’s largest bicycle manufacturers. Voted a 2016 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Tour Operator, they’re a team of globetrotters, world-travelers and dreamers who know how to inspire the memories guests have for the rest of their life. They find the best roads, hotels, towns, food, routes and attractions, and introduce them to people looking for adventure. All on bikes they’re guaranteed to love with unrivaled customer service at every step.

For more information contact Trek Travel at 1-866-464-8735 or visit trektravel.com.

TREK TRAVEL Introduces "Self-Guided Tours"

Trek Travel, a leader in bicycling vacations, introduces Self-Guided Bike Tours - - offering adventurers the freedom to explore favorite destinations at their leisure, powered with Trek Travel’s curated route suggestions, world-class bikes and the best accommodations along the way.

The inaugural self-guided tour kicks off in Girona, Spain . Guests are encouraged to select dates for the six-day, five-night adventure that explores Costa Brava’s spectacular coastline. “Our self-guided trips cater to guests who prefer more independent travel,” says Trek Travel president, Tania Burke. “Providing them with the foundations of Trek Travel experiences so that they can explore at their own pace reflects that desire.”

Trek Travel certified guides are on hand for bike fittings on day one, then guests are equipped with a pre-loaded Garmin cycling computer and expertly designed route suggestions to inspire their discovery of the Mediterranean shoreline. Guests will take in the panoramic views of the Pyrenees mountains, enjoy a walking tour of the charming medieval village of Peratallada, and visit the Castell de Dalí, (a gift from Costa Brava-born artist Salvador Dalí to his wife, Gala).

Hotel accommodations are pre-arranged and include stays at La Placa de Madremanya, a 14th Century stone farmhouse in Madremanya, Spain and Hostal de la Gavina, a cliffside beachfront resort in S’agaro, Spain. Some meals, including daily breakfast, one social hour and two dinners, are secured and restaurant recommendations are provided in each destination.

Guests are outfitted with a Trek Travel flat pack, featuring spare tubes, tools and an air pump as well as the phone number for a local taxi company, bike shop and emergency contact.

Priced from $2,499 per person, the trip begins and ends in Girona, Spain. Guests stay at La Placa de Madremanya and Hostal de la Gavina. Rides from 22 to 56 miles with up to 12,900 feet of climbing.

For further information contact Trek Travel at 1-866-464-8735 or visit www.trektravel.com.

Back By Popular Demand - An Epic Cycling Adventure from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine

Trek Travel has announced their second annual Portland to Portland Cross Country bicycling trip. This 45-day epic journey, covering 3700 miles, is the ultimate adventure for those who seek the great American road trip from the seat of a bike. This route is the second iteration of Trek Travel’s famous Cross Country USA bike tour, having done the southern route (from Santa Barbara, CA to Charleston, SC) since 2007. They are the industry experts in fully-supported cross country cycling experiences of a lifetime.

Averaging 100 miles a day with four rest days scheduled in the 45-day adventure, cyclists begin in Portland, Oregon and conclude in Portland, Maine. The cost of the trip is $16,999 per person and includes the use of a Trek Domaine 5.9 or the brand new Trek Emonda bicycle for a $300 upgrade fee. Three guides and a massage therapist accompany the group and Trek Travel offers a dedicated trip consultant to advise on training for the ride.

Highlights of the journey include:

Day 4 – Cycling the Lewis & Clark Trail in Washington
Day 8 – Conquering Lolo Pass, the first Rocky Mountain pass in Montana
Day 11 – Completing the highest mileage day of 124 miles with 6,000 ft. of climbing
Day 15 – Riding along the Yellow Stone River bordering the national park in Montana
Day 16 – Ascending 9,430 feet, the highest point of the journey and taking Medicine Wheel Passage through Big Horn National Park in Wyoming
Day 18 – Cycling the Black Hills of South Dakota and taking in old western towns
Day 25 – Enjoying the scenic beauty of Iowa’s grassy plains
Day 27 – Discovering Madison, Wisconsin’s state capital and Trek Travel’s hometown
Day 33- Exploring historic Marshall, Michigan with its 850 landmark buildings
Day 35 – Journeying through the Irish Hills of Ohio
Day 36 – Cycling by Pennsylvania’s Amish communities and Allegheny National Forest
Day 40 – Cycling through Adirondack Park in New York
Day 43 – Enjoying New Hampshire’s White Mountains and descending 25 miles from the top of Kancamagos Pass (known as the Kanc).

For further information contact Trek Travel at 1-866-464-8735 or visit www.trektravel.com

Trek Travel Announces Its “Legends Series” Featuring Special Guest Pro Cyclists Andy Schleck and Jens Voigt

Trek Travel, a leader in personalized cycling vacations, has announced its “Legends Series” providing cycling adventurists the chance to ride alongside internationally renowned professional road racing cyclists Andy Schleck and Jens Voigt.

As part of this series, Andy Schleck will join the Etape du Tour trip during the Tour de France while Voigt will join Tour de France Alps to Paris Ultimate VIP race experience. In addition, both cyclists will participate in a designated Trek Travel Mallorca Bike Camp.

Andy Schleck and L’Etape du Tour trip

Andy Schleck, who won the Tour de France in 2010 and was a runner up in 2009 and 2011, will join Trek Travel’s Etape du Tour trip from July 14-20. L’Etape du Tour, (French for “stage of the Tour”), is an annual cycling event that allows amateur riders the chance to tackle an entire stage of the Tour de France while the official riders take a rest day during the tour.

More than 13,000 amateur cyclists, from around the world, participate in this event which sells out months in advance. The ride begins in St. Jean de Maurienne, France and concludes in La Toussuire.

Throughout the week guests participate in preparatory rides through the picturesque French countryside while preparing to test their abilities on a professional stage while the Tour de France plays in the background. The cost of the trip is $4699 per person based on double occupancy.

For avid cyclists who crave a heart pounding, authentic travel experience along with bragging rights, this trip is for you. For further information contact Trek Travel at 1-866-464-8735 or visit www.trektravel.com

Biking in Taiwan

A Guide to Cycling Taiwan’s East Coast:

Hualien to Taitung Hugging the coast from Hualien to Taitung is Highway 11; one of the most beautiful stretches of road in the entire country. We had heard about the option of cycling Taiwan’s east coast a few years previous and had long wanted to do it and it looked like this was our chance. A Guide to Cycling Taiwan’s East Coast: Hualien to Taitung first appeared on Wandering On Travel Blog http://wanderingon.com/guide-cycling-taiwan-east-coast-hualien-taitung/

Une Balade à Vélo

Une Balade à Vélo : A french cycling agency invites you to discover France by bike

Une Balade à Vélo creates beautiful individualised self guided cycling tours with short stages of no more than 50k. Whatever you enjoy the agency can accommodate you be it wineries, countryside, the coast or heritage.

The tours are for families, couples or groups. You'll be provided with suitable bikes and all the necessary accessories for all age groups and we even include electric bikes.

You do not have to be an athlete to join these tours, merely able to ride a bike for up to 5 hours.

Travelling slowly is the best way to see France, meeting people and enjoying the landscape along the way. The self-guided tour provide you with a comprehensive road book listing all the interesting sights along the way and contain all the information you would ever need.

There is a wide range of hotels with all having 2-4 stars with breakfast or half board on demand. Your luggage will be there each evening waiting for you, leaving you to carry the daily essentials in the bags provided on your bike.

Une Balade à Vélo has a 24 hours hotline if you need information or help.

The Regional Tours

The 7 day Loire Valley tour is most popular, if you love architecture, wine and history, this is for you. For details check web site www.unebaladeavelo.com/#!loire-valley-self-guided-bike-tour/c1hgo

The Brittany tour is a combination of beautiful countryside and seascapes. For details check web site www.unebaladeavelo.com/#!brittany-cycling-tour/c20be

The 3 day Saint Emilion tour is for you, if you love beautiful villages and have a passion for wine and architecture. For details check web site www.unebaladeavelo.com/#!saint-emilion-en/c2mz

Personalised tours are available on www.unebaladeavelo.com and the agency is happy to help you plan your French adventure.

About Une Balade à Vélo

Une Balade à Vélo was created in 2013 by 2 young frenchies, Elise and Guillaume to help you discover France the slow way. They both love cycling through beautiful countryside and want others to enjoy their passion. For more information contact@unebaladeavelo.com

USA CYCLING

ABOUT USA CYCLING (usacycling.org)

USA Cycling is a proud member of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC). Within the United States, USA Cycling is the national governing body for the sport of cycling and oversees the disciplines of road, track, mountain bike, cyclocross, and BMX. With a mission to develop the sport of cycling in the United States and to achieve sustained international racing success, USA Cycling supports cyclists at all levels, from those just beginning in the sport and participating in fun rides to seasoned professionals. The organization not only identifies, develops, and selects cyclists to represent the United States in international competition, but also supports amateur bike racing through grassroots development programs and the provision of critical infrastructure to run organized racing.

USA Cycling is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2020. In 1920, the organization began as The Amateur Bicycle League of America and evolved to become the United States Cycling Federation in 1975 and ultimately USA Cycling, Inc. in 1995. USA Cycling's 100,000+ members are comprised of racers and cyclists of all ages and abilities, coaches, officials, mechanics, and race directors.

USA Cycling Releases ‘Return to Riding and Racing Events’ Guidelines and Toolkit

In an industry webinar USA Cycling, the National Governing Body for cycling in the United States, presented guidelines, a toolkit and medical observations from USA Cycling Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michael Roshon and USOPC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jonathan Finnoff.

USA Cycling’s current ban on event permits is set to expire on May 31, 2020, and will be replaced with a set of guidelines that will consider local and regional health policies and regulations, the type of activity, and risk to the community and participants. With cycling events now often subject to requirements for mass gatherings and social distancing as set by local health authorities, it is critical that event organizers consider how to make their events safe in the time of COVID-19.

Visit USACycling.org for more information on the athletes, events and membership programs, and follow @USACycling across all channels for the latest on Team USA.

For more information, contact Tara McCarthy at tmccarthy@usacycling.org

ABOUT USA CYCLING (usacycling.org)

USA Cycling is a proud member of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC). Within the United States, USA Cycling is the national governing body for the sport of cycling and oversees the disciplines of road, track, mountain bike, cyclocross, and BMX. With a mission to develop the sport of cycling in the United States and to achieve sustained international racing success, USA Cycling supports cyclists at all levels, from those just beginning in the sport and participating in fun rides to seasoned professionals. The organization not only identifies, develops, and selects cyclists to represent the United States in international competition, but also supports amateur bike racing through grassroots development programs and the provision of critical infrastructure to run organized racing.

USA Cycling is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2020. In 1920, the organization began as The Amateur Bicycle League of America and evolved to become the United States Cycling Federation in 1975 and ultimately USA Cycling, Inc. in 1995. USA Cycling's 100,000+ members are comprised of racers and cyclists of all ages and abilities, coaches, officials, mechanics, and race directors.

Visit USACycling.org for more information on the athletes, events and membership programs, and follow @USACycling across all channels for the latest on Team USA.
For more information, contact Bouker Pool at bpool@usacycling.org

Wisconsin

more soon

Cycling Travel Trends from Saddle Skedaddle

Bike travel is changing gears. As cycling increases in popularity within the North American travel market, consumers are demanding more, like electric bike options, unexpected destinations, and customized and family experiences. Saddle Skedaddle, experts on worldwide cycling tours celebrating 25 years of experience in 2020, has announced its key travel predictions based on biking booking behaviours ahead of the new year.

“Finally, it’s no longer just hard-core cyclists who are looking at bike vacations,” says Paul Snedker, co-founder and director of Saddle Skedaddle. “Travelers are seeing the access of exploring the world on two-wheels, and it’s changing the direction of cycling tours as we head into the next decade.”

Here are Saddle Skedaddle’s top four cycling trends :

Going electric: The great “e-qualizer”

In 2020, electric bikes seemed to dominate the cycling travel stage. One bonus of a cycling tour is its low carbon emissions–but the downside is many people don’t feel they have the physical strength or endurance to cycle every day, tackle varying terrain or bike great distances. Thanks to electric bikes, that’s all changing as more people can choose itineraries and trails otherwise out of reach, without worrying about keeping up. “Not only do e-bikes provide that extra push when you need it the most, but they take away the fear factor in the build up to a trip, so travelers can really get excited without being nervous about the physical side of things,” Snedker says. Responding to strong client demand, Saddle Skedaddle currently offers nearly 50 self-guided electric bike trips and 23 guided electric bike trips, including several to far-flung destinations including Vietnam, China, and Chile.

Tailor-made family heritage

As travelers focus more on cycling tours as a way to explore unexpected destinations while making a low impact on the environment, there is an ever-increasing appetite for customized bike trips that allow groups to bond and explore. “We’re getting more and more tailor-made itinerary requests from groups of friends celebrating a big milestone, or multi-generational family looking for a different kind of holiday,” Snedker says. “Our tailor-made road cycling trips have always been popular with charity and corporate events, but over the past two years we’ve seen huge growth on our tailor-made leisure and adventure trips, the ones that really focus on the destination, with a backdrop of cycling.” One particular area of growth has been tailor-made itineraries that trace a family heritage, as genealogy tests like 23andMe have become more mainstream. “People who discover they have French roots don’t just want to visit Paris or Nice, they want to visit the village where their ancestors came from,” Snedker says. “Yes, genealogy trips have been trending for some time now, but we’re starting to really see this translate over to cycling trips–especially as people realize how much fun it is to explore on two wheels with the whole family.”

Wheeling into unexpected destinations

North Americans are craving new, adventurous trails to explore on two wheels. As such, Saddle Skedaddle is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2020 with the launch of a new collection of adventure tours. “They want cycling safaris in South Africa. They want to explore Colombia’s Caribbean coast. They want cycling to enhance their travel experience, not the other way around,” Snedker says. Answering this demand, Saddle Skedaddle is now offering remote camping under the stars in the Simien mountains on the only international cycling tour in Ethiopia; being among the first to explore more than eight miles of verdant jungle and bike trails in Jordan’s Ajloun Forest Reserve; and a family-focused itinerary through Borneo.

Family-sized itineraries (toddlers included!)

It’s no longer just empty-nesters–family cycling travel continues to explode in popularity. In 2020, more families of all ages, including those with young kids, will be hitting the trail together. Saddle Skedaddle has been offering family tours since 2014, and have seen interest-level sky-rocket lately. “Cycling provides a beautiful way to bond as a family on holiday,” Snedker says. “It’s more interactive, memorable and exciting than driving around in the rented minivan!” Saddle Skedaddle welcomes kids as young as two on its family holidays (which range from exploring Viking history on the Lofoten Islands of Norway to ip-lining and camping through the Moroccan desert) and rents bike trailers, tag a longs and kids’ bikes so the whole family can keep up at their own pace.

For more information on Saddle Skedaddle and everything you need to know about cycling around the world, visit www.skedaddle.com/us.

About Saddle Skedaddle

Saddle Skedaddle is the UK’s leading independent cycling vacation specialist that is all about doing something wonderful on two wheels. Our team of experts have searched far and wide for nearly 25 years to bring you some of the world’s most incredible locations and enchanting cultures to enjoy at the speed of the bike. It’s time to really meet a place, and its people, you’ll never want to forget.

Cycling Myths Unlocked: Busting the Roadblocks Keeping Travelers out of the Saddle by Saddle Skedaddle

Cycling tours have become increasingly more popular in recent years thanks to North America’s focus on wellness travel, sustainable transport methods, and getting away from centers of overtourism. As such, cycling operators are adapting to the modern traveler.

Saddle Skedaddle, the world’s leading bike tour operator with itineraries in nearly 40 countries, recognized a 140% increase in bookings from North Americans between 2014-2018, according to Paul Snedker, director and co-founder. But even as cycling tours are on the rise, Snedker says there are still a lot of misconceptions about this kind of travel that limits new riders from hitting the road.

“There’s are these ideas that you have to be a really fit athlete to do a cycling trip, or that it would feel more like going to the gym than a true vacation,” says Snedker. “But actually, they’re quite accessible for all fitness levels and a great way to explore a destination in an even deeper way.”

Here are some common cycling misconceptions, unlocked:

Myth 1: You have to be an Olympian to do a cycling tour

According to Snedker, the biggest customer concerns are that they won’t be fit enough to do it, or they'll be the slowest one of the group. While some bike trips are designed for hard core cyclists, there is quite a range in terms of level of difficulty, and many of the tours designed for family or leisure purposes are quite gentle.

“Many travelers think the whole group will be decked out in lycra and be world-class cyclists on a bit of a holiday,” says Snedker. “The reality is most of our guests are over 50 and are simply looking for a way to stay active on vacation. So long as you’re reasonably fit in your daily life, you’ll be able to keep pace on a lot of our trips.”

Snedker says one of the biggest game changers and gateways to cycling holidays for people who are nervous about their endurance level has been the introduction of electric bikes to Skedaddle’s roster.

“E-bikes are so fantastic at leveling the bike lane, so to speak,” Snedker says. “Not only do they provide that extra push when you need it the most, but they take away the fear factor in the build up to a trip, so travelers can really get excited without being nervous about the physical side of things.”

Responding to strong client demand, Saddle Skedaddle has been steadily introducing self-guided and guided electric bike trips over the last few years, including several to far-flung destinations including Vietnam, China, and Chile.

Myth 2: You won’t have time to explore off your bike

North Americans typically get very little vacation time, so when they do get away, they want to see more, do more, and experience more. According to Snedker, there’s a common misconception that cycling trips don’t give you time to explore the destination. In reality, Snedker says the opposite is true.

“At Skedaddle, we’ve always said we prefer pedaling through, not passing by,” he says. “What that means is your bike can take you so many places your car or a coach bus can’t, so you’re able to really bike deep into the culture and check out the little nooks and crannies of a village or a rural stretch of a dirt path you may never otherwise encounter.”

Some of Saddle Skedaddle’s most popular trips include activities like remote camping under the stars in the Simien mountains, hiking in the jungle of Jordan’s Ajloun Forest Reserve, spotting orangutans on a family-focused journey through Borneo, and hunting for the best tapas bar in a small Spanish village.

“Our customers have evolved; they want cycling to enhance their travel experience, not the other way around,” Snedker says.

Myth 3: International cycling travel is complicated

According to Snedker, many potential bike travelers get antsy about the logistics behind a bike trip, from how to transport their bike to how to read road signs in a different language. The reality is, though, it’s never been easier to cycle in other countries than this decade thanks to technology and updated airline policies.

Just last year, American Airlines dropped their overweight charges for traveling with bicycles, and thanks to apps like the one Saddle Skedaddle has developed, road signs and directions for self-guided trips are simple as keeping your phone mounted on your handlebars. Of course, rentals and guided trips make all these logistics even easier.

“While we have a full-service team on the ground that’s ready to greet guests – and their bikes – the moment they arrive, we also offer bike rentals throughout each trip to make things as seamless as possible,” says Snedker.

Myth 4: You can’t bring kids on a cycling trip

It’s no longer just empty-nesters – family cycling travel continues to grow in popularity as parents look for active ways to keep the whole gang engaged on vacations. However, a common misconception is that group cycling trips don’t really work for families, something Snedker says couldn’t be more wrong. “Cycling provides a memorable way to bond as a family on holiday – and I daresay is more exciting than driving around in the rented minivan!”

Saddle Skedaddle makes sure all its family trips include a variety of activities out of the saddle that interest teenagers as well as younger children. They welcome kids as young as two on its family adventures, ranging from exploring Viking history on the Lofoten Islands of Norway to zip-lining and camping through the Moroccan desert, and rent bike trailers, tag a longs and kids’ bikes so the whole family can keep up at their own pace.

For more information and to pedal through your next adventure, please visit: www.skedaddle.com/us.

About Saddle Skedaddle

Saddle Skedaddle is the UK’s leading independent cycling vacation specialist that is all about doing something wonderful on two wheels. Our team of experts have searched far and wide for nearly 25 years to bring you some of the world’s most incredible locations and enchanting cultures to enjoy at the speed of the bike. It’s time to really meet a place, and its people, you’ll never want to forget.

ng techniques, goal setting, training concepts, recovery, and preventing common cycling injuries, Fitness Cycling is the one training guide you'll turn to over and over again for a lifetime of cycling workouts.
Available on-line and bookstores, this 215-page book sells for $18.95.
BIKE NYC: The Cyclist's Guide to New York City (Skyhorse Publishing)
As the author of '30 Bicycle Tours in New Jersey' - I was extremely pleased to read 'Bike NYC.' Authors Marci Blackman, Ed Glazar and Michael Green have done an excellent job, and I do believe that the fact that regular bicycle riding has doubled in New York City in the past couple of years is due to their writing about protected paths and bike lanes that have been popping up everywhere - from Broadway to Prospect Park West. Commuter biking and joy riding is now safer and easier than ever before.
Bike NYC is the definitive guide to navigating the city via its fastest growing mode of transportation. Three seasoned riders and bike tour guides, including the creator of Bikeblognyc.com, offer advice on fabulous rides through ALL five boroughs. Part guidebook, photo essay, history and human interest story, Bike NYC is all about rediscovering the city and being a part of the bike culture movement. In reading this book, you'll not only get exercise and be healthier, but you'll gain a new prospective on New York City with adventures such as:
Riding Manhattan tip to tip from 122-year-old Pier A to the Cloisters
Checking out the "Cemetery Belt," an 18-mile ride through ancient cemeteries of Brooklyn and Queens
Pedaling your waty through a Manhattan and Queens art crawl
Seeing Coney Island's beaches as never before
Experiencing 'the Dead Pool' on Staten Island up close and personal -- the place where tugboats go to die
Taking a spooky Halloween night ride through Brooklyn brownstones and much, much more.
The book is small enough to carry anywhere and is packed with safety tips, historical facts, photographs, and listings of the best food stops and bike shops no matter where you are on your ride. The book is definitely a new key to the city.
At $12.95, the book is available at bookstores and online. For more information contact Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., 307 West 36th Street, New York, NYT 10018; 212-643-6816. Or go to web site www.skyhorsepublishing.com.
CLEANING & SAFETY PRODUCTS
Cleaning Products
coming soon
Safety Products
Leatt Corp. has introduced its new 2015 line of bike protective gear
This new line protects every part of a biker's body. Among these products are the following:
Leatt's DBX helmets --
for extreme, off-road and recreational bicycling. These include models featuring maximum ventilation, visor with break away function, 3D in-molded multi-density V-foam Plus, and Quattro Force Control.
The Adult Fusion Vest --
a first-ever neck and torso protection product for adults, provides lightweight, comfortable protection and is CE certified for impact protection.
A new neck brace --
featuring a carbon chassis with three-way adjustments, carbon matrix for increased rigidity and lower weight and improved helmet side clearance.
A new 3-point knee brace --
that has none of the pinching and discomfort that older-style knee braces have. It supports the knee completely while having no contact with the knee on the inside and is designed to help prevent meniscus, MCL and ACL injuries better than other designs.
A new multi-layer body armor --
including back and chest protectors and elbow, knee and shoulder guards.
CLOTHING
Jackets
New Metro Jacket Maximizes Style, Comfort and Performance
Urban style hides serious tech in this waterproof-breathable 2.5-layer shell, which features smart, practical design details and very light weight (size medium only 10.6 oz./300g).

Answering strong customer demand for a handsome piece of weatherproof outerwear that looks great on the street and works even better on the bike, the new Showers Pass Metro Jacket has arrived. Designed with the style-conscious commuter in mind, the Metro is made to withstand the rigors of real-world cycling, year-round, no matter the forecast. Throw in a supple build and soft, silky interior and you’ve got a perfect crossover jacket.

TECH SPECS:

• Artex Hardshell 2.5-layer fabric for waterproof-breathable performance without the bulk
• Seam-taped construction for maximum wind- and waterproofing
• Reinforced panels across shoulders protect fabric from backpack and messenger-bag straps
• Asymmetrical front zipper reduces chafing under your chin
• Two-way YKK wide-tooth front zipper with interior storm flap
• Dual core vents and upper back “exhaust pipe” vent for airflow without billowing
• Articulated elbows, plus slightly longer tail for better coverage when riding
• Exclusive airflow-regulating cuffs
• Reflective accents on back hem and left sleeve for signaling turns
• Specially designed back pockets with water-resistant zippers angled for easy accessibility
• Soft, moisture-wicking lining at collar

The Showers Pass Metro Jacket retails for $199 and is available now.

ABOUT SHOWERS PASS:
Inspired by the challenging rides and variable conditions of Northern California and the Pacific Northwest, Showers Pass has been combining high-performance materials with innovative functional design for cyclists since 1997. With our roots in high-performance waterproof-breathable outerwear, we’ve grown to offer a wide range of apparel.

Gloves Sturmfist 4 Four Finger' Gloves Built For Winter Biking-

If you're like me, you ride year-round, even in freezing temperatures. Finally, one company - 45NRTH - had the smarts to create a special glove called Sturmfist 4 that fuse the pinky and ring finger area together but leave enough room with separated fingers and thumb to do all the braking and shifting as necessary, and keeps your nice warm fingers on the handlebar grips.

Zackees

World’s First Zackees Brand Turn-Signal Glove Now Available

Created by a Google Engineer, these Turn Signal Gloves are one of the best ways to increase your visibility and communicate your turning intentions to other vehicles on the road.

Prices from $84.99–$99.99 and $64.99–$74.99, Zackees™ Turn Signal Gloves™ features an ambient lights sensor which boosts visibility during the day and extends battery life at night.

The Ultrabright Rechargeable Pack delivers more power per blink than disposable batteries. This upgrade includes four rechargeable coincells and a charger pack. We are calling this combo the Ultrabright Rechargeable because the gloves are significantly brighter with these rechargeable coincells. Save 40% by bundling the upgrade with your purchase today.

FREE SHIPPING in the US.
Experience Zackees™ Turn Signal Gloves™ with semi-pro cyclist Charles Hobbs as he commutes around the chaotic streets of San Francisco, while signaling his turning intentions to other vehicles on the road.
Activating the Lights

The company spent months making the perfect activation switch between the thumb and index finger. They found that the patent pending custom metal rivets are by far the most natural to use. You’ll feel the solid metal click as the glove activates.
Signaling

Signal behind you just like any other vehicle on the road. Simply extend your arm out in the direction of your turn and then naturally activate the light panel.

Increase your visibility to oncoming vehicles. Our patent pending design allows you to signal while keeping your hands on the handle bar of your bike. The surprisingly bright LED lights grab the attention of everybody around you.
Product Features
Washable

This glove is tough enough to survive your washing machine. Remove the batteries and toss in the cold wash with your other dirty clothes. Hang dry.
Surprisingly Bright LEDs

How can they be so bright when using such a small battery? Efficiency. The LEDs the company uses are some of the most efficient on the market at converting power into light. A light sensor boosts light output during the day!
Long Battery Life

The company's gloves get 2 months of daily active use (when used with four minutes of active blinking a day).
High Quality Textiles

Since this company wanted to create the best possible glove that would compete against the top glove makers, it added comfortable leather palms, an absorbent towel around the thumb, retro-reflective trim and breathable spandex throughout.

The Company's Story

Zach Vorhies - Founder

Prior to starting Zackees™ I was a Software Engineer at Google for five and a half years where I was known for integrating Google Earth into the Audi Navigation system for the A8 (and later other car lines). I started working with electronic clothing in 2010 when a friend of mine in Fashion crashed at my house after burning man. I’ve been hooked ever since. In April of 2013 I invited New York fashion designer, Wheylan Dean-Ford, to make electronic clothing with me. We came up with five designs which can be seen at futuretechwear.com. One of these designs was our earliest prototype of the Turn Signal Gloves™. From April until now I’ve been improving the look, usability, and durability. In August of this year I realized that I had something very special but it became clear that I could not bring these Turn Signal Gloves™ to market as a hobby. Therefore after much soul searching I decided to leave Google in August and dedicate my time to bringing my Turn Signal Gloves™ to the market.
Murat Ozkan - Co-Founder

I work as a Senior Design Engineer at Nuvation. I design electronics for a living! You may have seen the combat robots I’ve worked on after hours with my buddies at Nuvation along with a bunch of the other cool stuff we build there. I joined the Zackees™ team in June and created the electronics that make the gloves work. I helped realize the high level of integration between clothing and electronics that the Zackees™ Turn Signal Gloves™ embody. I have built interactive electronic clothing in the past and I was fortunate enough to have my work featured in the San Francisco WearTechCon.

For more information call (415) 857-5879, M-F 9am to 7pm PST.

DOCUMENTARIES

BIKES vs CARS -- Inspiring A New Approach to urban Planning

New York City @ Cinema Village
Los Angeles @ Laemmle Monicas
San Francisco @ Roxie

BIKES vs CARS, a new documentary film by Fredrik Gertten (BANANAS, Big Boys Gone Bananas) that advocates for bike-friendly cities in the 21st century, will be released in theaters nationwide starting Friday, December 4 in New York City (Cinema Village), Los Angeles (Laemmle Monicas) and San Francisco (Roxie). The film, and a related app, has been inspiring a new approach to urban planning that could lead to better designs, smarter political decisions and reduced CO2 emissions.

The film is expected to have a strong theatrical release by connecting the bicyclist community and people who are interested in progressive urban planning, as well as general audiences.

BIKES vs CARS is a documentary about the bicycle and what an amazing tool for change it can be. It highlights a growing conflict in city planning between the bicycle, which supports a diverse city with a human scale, and the car, which engenders urban sprawl and reliance on fossil fuels.From Copenhagen to Los Angeles to Sao Paulo, director Fredrik Gertten explores the ongoing efforts of bicycle activists, who are fighting for their right to ride on city streets against the combined forces of multi-billion dollar auto, oil, and construction lobbies, who are determined to keep our cities car dependent. BIKES vs CARS is a crie de coeur that will have audiences reaching for their bikes instead of their car keys. A companion app will help cyclists track how much they reduce their CO2 imprint and oil consumption for every mile they ride instead of drive. The app is a campaign tool to support activists and cities to work towards bike-friendlier cities.

BIKES vs CARS will be released theatrically this December in New York and Los Angeles with other cities to follow on Kino Lorber’s Alive Mind Cinema label. The theatrical campaign will be supported by a full-fledged community outreach campaign with an emphasis on engaging environmental and bike groups to see the film and support legislation that endorses bicycling. “For those who already embrace bike culture, the film will confirm their convictions,” says Elizabeth Sheldon, SVP Kino Lorber. “And for those who prefer to drive, the documentary shows how more bike-friendly cities benefit everybody, not only cyclists.”

More information about movie is available at alivemindcinema.com/bikesvscars and the app is available at bikedataproject.org or on iTunes: Bikes vs Cars..

INSECT REPELLENTS

After Bite® KIDS™

From the maker of the #1 selling insect bite treatment, After Bite® -- The Itch Eraser® -- comes a powerful new treatment just for children, After Bite® Kids™.
As sure as the sun will rise this summer, it will happen: kids will be bitten by insects and will feel inclined to scratch at their bites, further irritating the skin in the process. And when parents try to apply any number of existing insect bite treatments the inevitable will occur: their children will experience yet more stinging pain.

Thankfully, this won’t happen with new After Bite® Kids™ - according to the manufacturer. With its special non-stinging antiseptic formula, kids will be happy to have their parents apply it. After Bite® Kids™ provides children with fast, gentle relief from insect bites. Containing Eucalyptus Oil, Tea Tree Oil (a known natural antiseptic), Baking Soda, Aloe Vera and Vitamin E, this unique cream formula will not only provide relief from insect bites but also helps to prevent infections. Being a cream just makes it that much easier to apply directly to the bite area and helps it to stay put on the insect bite. With ingredients that grandma used in her home, After Bite® Kids™ is today’s convenient, ready-to-apply relief from insect bites. Not only a salve for the pain and irritation associated with insect bites, After Bite® Kids™® is also effective at relieving other minor skin irritations.
After Bite® Kids™ will be a must-pack item for any parent with children on the go this summer.

Available in an easy-to-apply .7 oz tube, After Bite® Kids™ (MSRP$3.99) fits perfectly in the first aid kit, medicine cabinet, glove box, tackle box and backpack.

BEN'S

Ben's® Wipes Offer Outdoor Enthusiasts Added Convenience & Less Waste

In its ongoing effort to provide hikers, hunters, anglers, campers and other outdoor enthusiasts with the most effective tools for defeating biting insects, Tender Corp. introduces Ben’s® 30 Tick & Insect Repellent Wipes. New for 2007, Ben’s® 30 Wipes offer outdoor enthusiasts the same effective alcohol-free 30% DEET-based formula, but in a delivery system that affords greater application control and convenience.

Cusick continued, “Since you can apply the repellent on the Ben’s® Wipes directly to the skin or clothing, neither wind nor rain can disrupt you from fully administering the product and protecting yourself.” Along with greater control, Ben’s® 30 Tick and Insect Wipes also provide greater convenience. Available in a 12 pc box (MSRP$4.99) and 3 pc clamshell package (MSRP$1.99), Ben’s® Wipes can be easily stowed in your pocket or day pack, when you need to travel light.
Made by Tender Corporation (the makers of After Bite®), Ben’s® 30 Tick and Insect Repellent is comprised of a water-based solution containing 30% of the active ingredient DEET. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recognizes repellents containing DEET as providing consumers with the most effective protection against bites from mosquitoes, including those infected with West Nile Virus (WNV), and from ticks, which are responsible for the spread of Lyme Disease.

Unlike most DEET repellents, which contain alcohol, Ben’s® 30 is a water-based solution -- a significant difference for outdoor enthusiasts for several key reasons. By its nature, alcohol causes the pores of the skin to open, which means that more repellent gets absorbed into the body and there’s less repellent available on your skin to work against the bugs. Plus, alcohol evaporates at a faster rate than water, and when it does DEET goes along for the ride. Therefore, an alcohol-based repellent does not last as long as a water-based one. As such, with Ben’s® 30 outdoor enthusiasts are getting more repellent for their money. Water-based repellents are also safer; since it contains no alcohol, Ben’s® 30 is less likely to catch alight. Lastly, whereas alcohol creates a strong aroma -- that traditional “insect repellent” smell -- Ben’s® 30’s water-based formula offers a milder and much more pleasant scent.

With West Nile Virus, Lyme Disease, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and other dangerous insect-borne diseases a growing concern during warmer weather months, outdoor enthusiasts need a repellent that they can trust will provide effective protection and Ben’s® 30 more than fits the bill. Ben’s® 30 with DEET offers up to eight hours of protection per application and, best of all, it’s also safe to apply to children. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, repellents containing a DEET concentration level of 30%, such as Ben’s® 30, are safe to apply to children over two months.

For a stronger level of DEET protection, Tender also offers Ben’s® 100 Max Formula, which keeps you protected for up to 12 hours with just one application. Containing 98% DEET, Ben’s 100 is ideal for hunters, anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts who are traveling in heavily bug-infested areas within North America or around the globe. (For additional advice on avoiding mosquito bites this summer, see “Tender’s Top Five Tips for Enjoying the Outdoors” document.) In addition to the Wipes, Ben’s® 30 comes in a variety of other sizes, including a large 6 oz. Eco-Spray can (MSRP$7.99); a 4 oz. pump (MSRP$5.99) for smaller storage areas such as backpacks, hunting compartments and tackle boxes; and a 1.25 oz bottle (MSRP$3.60), which can be stored conveniently in a pocket or glove box for quick retrieval. The 1.25 oz pump and 4 oz are also available together as a Home & Field pack (MSRP$7.99), allowing you the flexibility to keep the 4 oz for backyard use and refill the 1.25 oz as needed for other outdoor excursions.

Benefits of this product according to the manufacturer:
·      Water-based solution allows less absorption of DEET
·      Less Absorption means higher efficacy - water & Based formulas last longer
·      Water-based DEET formulas are less flammable than alcohol based formulas
Water-based products are safer for the environment; they contain no VCS's (Volatile Organic Compounds)

Tender Corporation

Don't Bite Me

Don’t Let Bugs Take a Bite Out of You!

Bug bites are often seen as a necessary evil of outdoor activity. They're annoying, causing itchiness, swelling and redness to the skin. But statistics show that they can also be extremely dangerous -- leading to West Nile Virus, Encephalitis, Lyme disease and even Malaria. Last year there were over 3,500 cases of West Nile Virus, resulting in 121 deaths, according to the Center for Disease Control. With the warmer, high-risk months fast approaching, individuals and families can rely on the innovative Don’t Bite Me! patch to help protect themselves against the annoying and potentially life threatening effects of bug bites.

The Don’t Bite Me! all-natural insect repellent patch offers a first of its kind solution. Available nationally for the first time after they flew off the shelves in limited distribution last summer, the discreet, all-natural transdermal skin patch delivers a blend of protective Vitamin B1 and aloe combination throughout the body, protecting individuals against bites from pesky, disease-carrying mosquitoes, gnats, ticks, chiggers, sand fleas and no seeums for up to 36 hours.

Concerns about increased prevalence of West Nile, Encephalitis and Lyme disease in the United States and also exposure to Malaria and other diseases have helped fuel sales of insect repellent, up over 30 percent since 2001. The potential of disease, coupled with concerns about the possible side effects of DEET, have led a growing number of consumers, particularly parents, searching for insect repellents that work but have low or no toxicity. The Don’t Bite Me! Patch provides the answer.

Vitamin B1 is the key effective ingredient in Don’t Bite Me! Patch, and when applied to the skin, provides protection from biting insects. The thiamine-based formula is absorbed into the bloodstream through the transdermal delivery of the Don’t Bite Me! Patch. Excess B1 is then secreted through the body’s pores, creating an odor that is almost undetectable to humans, but offensive to mosquitoes. This odor forms a protective barrier around the body that shields the user from mosquitoes and other biting insects. Aloe, the other active ingredient, accelerates the absorption of the B1 and serves as an anti-inflammatory, and in the event of a rare bite — it helps reduce the reaction, particularly for those who are sensitive to mosquito bites.

Don’t Bite Me! Patch offers the following positive attributes as compared to messy sprays, lotions or towelettes:

No DEET, safe for children and adults alike
Easy, no mess application– just apply a patch to your skin
Protects skin often missed with a spray, such as ears and scalp
Waterproof, no need to re-apply after swimming or exercise
Protects up to 36 hours
Patent pending, all-natural formula
Incredibly effective

Early testing with select Boy Scout groups, members of the U.S. Army, missionaries and healthcare workers in Africa as well as professionals who spend their days working outside in bug-infested areas has brought in rave reviews about the effectiveness of the Don’t Bite Me! Patch.

More specifically:
· EODT, a security company for the U.S. government while helping to rebuild Iraq used the patches and re-ordered when they realized the patch works against sand fleas, a larger problem than mosquitoes in Iraq.
· More than 30 soldiers in the U.S. Army tried the product while in the deep woods near the Arkansas river and found they were effective during their three-week stay in the chigger infested woods. They reported NO bites from mosquito, chiggers, or ticks.

The Don’t Bite Me! Patch is available at natural food stores and major retailers nationwide including Kroger, Rite Aid, and select Walgreen’s and Wal-Mart stores nationwide. The product comes in a five-pack for a suggested retail price of $4.99 and a 10 pack for a suggested retail price of $7.99. For more information on where to buy, visit www.dontbitemepatch.com

Don't Bug Me!

Don’t Bug Me! Skin Patch Provides Effective All-Natural Insect Repellent and Protection for Up To 36 hours; DEET-free and Safe for Children

Don’t let mosquitoes or other pesky bugs take a bite out of you this summer. While bug bites are often seen as a necessary evil of outdoor activity, statistics show that these bites can also be dangerous – leading to increased incidence of West Nile, Encephalitis and Lyme disease and even illnesses such as Malaria acquired through international travel. And then there’s the annoying itching, swelling and redness that also occur when a nasty bug takes a bite out of your skin.
Just in time for summer, the Don’t Bug Me! insect repellent patch offers a first of its kind solution -- a transdermal skin patch that delivers a combination of protective Vitamin B1 and aloe combination throughout the body. One patch protects against bites from pesky, disease-carrying mosquitoes, gnats, ticks, chiggers, sand fleas and no seeums for up to 36 hours.
Concerns about increased prevalence of West Nile, Encephalitis and Lyme disease in the United States and also exposure to Malaria and other diseases have helped fuel sales of insect repellent, up over 30 percent since 2001. The potential of disease, coupled with concerns about the possible side effects of DEET, have led a growing number of consumers, particularly parents, searching for insect repellents that work but have low or no toxicity. This summer, the Don’t Bug Me! Patch may provide the answer.
Vitamin B1 is the key effective ingredient in Don’t Bug Me! Patch, and when applied to the skin, provides protection from biting insects. The thiamine-based formula is absorbed into the bloodstream through the transdermal delivery of the Don’t Bug Me! Patch. Excess B1 is then secreted through the body’s pores, creating an odor that is almost undetectable to humans, but offensive to mosquitoes. This odor forms a protective barrier around the body that shields the user from mosquitoes and other biting insects. Aloe, the other active ingredient, accelerates the absorption of the B1 and serves as an anti-inflammatory, and in the event of a rare bite — it helps reduce the reaction, particularly for those who are sensitive to mosquito bites.
Don’t Bug Me! Patch offers the following positive attributes as compared to messy sprays, lotions or towelettes:
• No DEET, safe for children and adults alike
• Easy, no mess application– just apply a patch to your skin
• Protects skin often missed with a spray, such as ears and scalp
• Waterproof, no need to re-apply after swimming or exercise
• Protects up to 36 hours
• Patent pending, all-natural formula
• Incredibly effective
Early testing with select Boy Scout groups, members of the U.S. Army and professionals who spend their days working outside in bug-infested areas has brought in rave reviews about the effectiveness of Don’t Bug Me! Patch More specifically:
· EODT, a security company for the U.S. government while helping to rebuild Iraq used the patches and re-ordered when they realized the patch works against sand fleas, a larger problem than mosquitoes in Iraq.
· More than 30 soldiers in the U.S. Army tried the product while in the deep woods near the Arkansas river and found they were effective during their three-week stay in the chigger infested woods. They reported NO bites from mosquito, chiggers, or ticks.
The Don’t Bug Me! Patch received the Most Innovative Product Award at the Natural Products Expo East Show in October 2006. At the same show, Supermarket Guru, Phil Lempert of The Today Show and Jeff Nibbler from SPINS highlighted the product’s “wonderful innovation.”
The Don’t Bug Me! Patch is available at natural food stores and major retailers nationwide. The product comes in a five-pack for a suggested retail price of $4.99 and a 10 pack for a suggested retail price of $7.99.
For more information on where to buy, visit www.dontbugmepatch.com

La Fresh

La Fresh Creates New, Easy-to-Use Insect Repellent Towelettes

The La Fresh Insect Repellent Towelettes are $4.99 for six or $19.99 for 30. For more information go to web sitewww.LaFreshGroup.com.

ThermaCELL

ThermaCELL Mosquito Repellent Lantern -- Camping Just Got Better

ThermaCELL, manufacturer of the only portable, butane-operated, area mosquito repellent, offers an attractive upright lantern that provides not only unmatched protection from insects, but ambient outdoor lighting as well. No more swatting, no more lotions or sprays, and no need to buy expensive bug tents: the ThermaCELL Lantern is up to 98% effective at warding off mosquitoes, black flies, and no-see-ums.

The Lantern is available in a standard clear, as well as a mood version that provides a vivid, ever-changing “color show” of rainbow light. The Mood Lantern is best viewed in low-light conditions and adds ambiance to any patio, deck or campsite.
The Mood Lantern can be used as a Mosquito Repellent Lantern, as a Mood Lantern, or as both at the same time. The “color show” uses a proprietary battery-operated LED unit imbedded in the base of the lantern and is activated by pressing the “ON” button on the bottom of the unit. The zone of mosquito protection is activated by inserting a butane cartridge and repellent mat and lighting the lantern.
The Lantern comes with one butane cartridge and three repellent mats. The Mood Lantern comes with one butane cartridge, three repellent mats, and 4 batteries. Both lanterns are 8.5” tall and 5” in diameter at the widest point. MSRP is $24.99 for clear and $29.99 for the Mood Lantern. Both are available at mass merchants, hardware stores, and outdoor retailers.

ThermaCELL, a division of The Schawbel Corporation of Bedford, Massachusetts, utilizes patented technology to create cordless, portable appliances powered by replaceable butane cartridges.

For more information on ThermaCELL’s complete line of products call 1-8-NO-SKEETERS. For retail locations visit www.thermacell.com.

ThermaCell Mosquito Repellent System

I'm off to Florida where I'll be camping and kayaking. One thing I won't forget to take with me is Thermacell's new Mosquito Repellent System because, no matter who I'm with, I'm always the one who gets bitten - even through my clothing! With this unique butane-operated mosquito repellent system, I no longer have to use smelly sprays, greasy lotions, or cumbersome netting -- because not only is it highly-effective, but it's small, portable, and fits neatly into a pack or vest pocket.
The unit, which operates on a single butane cartridge, heats a mat releasing Allethrin, an insect repellent that is a synthetic copy of pyrethrin, a natural insecticide found in the pyrethrum flower. Each mat contains enough repellent for four hours of protection and each butane cartridge will operate the unit for 12 hours. The odorless 4.5 x 4.5 meter comfort zone offers up to 98% effective protection against mosquitoes, blackflies, and other biting insects. With the click of a button, ThermaCell is on and repelling these nasty insects, and the complete comfort zone is created in under 10 minutes.

For more information on this and ThermaCELL's complete line of products, call 781-541-6900, or for retail locations, check web site www.thermacell.com.

Thermacell Introduces Team Realtree Mosquito Defense System

The world’s most effective area insect repellent is now available in the world’s most effective camo pattern--REALTREE® Hardwoods Green HD™. With the announcement of a new Team REALTREE ThermaCELL® mosquito repellent unit, this important tool can blend in just as well as all your other hunting gear.
The ThermaCELL system creates a 15 x 15-foot zone of protection that is up to 98% effective against mosquitoes and other biting insects. REALTREE, a highly regarded brand in the outdoor industry, produces some of the most realistic and recognized camouflage patterns on the market. With ThermaCELL now available in REALTREE Hardwoods Green HD, not only is the repellent undetectable to game, so is the unit.

The REALTREE ThermaCELL appliance , MSRP $29.99, measures 7.5” long and 1.5” thick, and is 3” wide at the top, 1.5” at the bottom. It weighs a mere 6.4 ounces with a full butane cartridge.
ThermaCELL, a division of The Schawbel Corporation of Bedford, Massachusetts, utilizes patented technology to create cordless, portable appliances powered by replaceable butane cartridges.
For more information on ThermaCELL’s complete line of products call 1-8-NO-SKEETERS. For retail locations visit www.thermacell.com.

ThermaCELLHolster Available in Team Realtree Hardwoods Green

ThermaCELL®, manufacturer of the world's only butane-operated, area insect repellent, offers a convenient way to transport the popular appliance in and out of the woods - the ThermaCELL Holster. This convenient holster, previously only available in Olive Green, is now available in Team REALTREE® Hardwoods Green.

The Team REALTREE Holster is constructed of heat resistant 600D polyester with two polyurethane coatings and a water resistant coating making it durable and water resistant. The holster snugly fits around the standard size ThermaCELL appliance, has two side pouches to carry additional butane cartridges and repellent pads, has a nylon-webbing strap with a quick release snap for ease of attachment, and new for the Team REALTREE version, a nylon-webbing belt loop. The Holster offers a hands-free method of transporting the ThermaCELL appliance and also enables the user to securely attach the appliance to a tree stand or boat.

ThermaCELL Mosquito Repellent creates an odorless 15 x 15-foot zone of protection that is up to 98% effective in repelling mosquitoes and other biting insects. The appliance operates on a single butane cartridge, which heats a mat releasing allethrin, an insect repellent that is a synthetic copy of a natural insecticide found in chrysanthemum flowers. Each mat contains enough repellent for four hours of protection and each butane cartridge will operate the unit for 12 hours. MSRP for the Team REALTREE Holster is $12.99.

ThermaCELL, a division of The Schawbel Corporation of Bedford, Massachusetts, utilizes patented technology to create cordless, portable appliances powered by replaceable butane cartridges.

For more information on ThermaCELL's complete line of products or store locations please visit www.thermacell.com or call 1-8-NO-SKEETERS (866-753-3837).

Therapik

Therapik -- The New Way to Temporarily Relieve Pain and Itch from Insect Stings and Bites

I tried this new product that the company advertises as clinically proven, drug-freerelief in 30 seconds and is reusable. And, I found that it works and works well in about 20-30 seconds. It is said to also work on the painful stings of bees and wasps. Based on a very simple, scientifically proven principal, Therapik's soothing heat temporarily relieves the pain and itching by increasing localized blood flow to the affected area.
The directions are simple: Make certain the area is dry and remove all moisture with a tissue. Then, immediately after the bite or sting, place the round red applicator tip gently onto the surface of the skin where you were bitten or stung. To acitivate, press and hold the large blue activation button. Keep the button pressed as long as the heat is bearable onto the skin. The average application time is 20 to 30 seconds or more. If you feel the heat may be burning your skin, stop the treatment immediately. If the application feels too hot, you may be applying too much pressure keeping it applied too long. the gentle placement on the treatment area, I found, allows for a comfortable thermal therapy treatment. If symptoms persist, Therapik may be applied multiple times until relief is obtained. Wait at least 60 seconds between each application.
Therapik is powered by a 9-volt battery, not included with the purchase. The product is guaranteed for one year replacement guarantee under normal operating conditions.

For more information contact the manufactuer, Jenex Corporation, Burlington, Ontario, Canada L7L 5K6 or the distributor, More Power 2 U, Sales and Service Department, 4638 N. Hiatus Road, Sunrise, FL 33351; 954-578-6909.

SUNSCREENS

Coppertone Products

Coppertone Sunscreens Will Protect You from the Sun's Harmful Rays

Coppertone Sport AccuSpray Sunscreen
The company's Coppertone Sport AccuSpray Sunscreen is available in SPF 15, 30, 50, and 70 6 oz. continuous spray, and has a unique, patented technology that delivers a continuous spray you can control. Coppertone Sport sunscreens stay on strong when you sweat so they won't run into eyes and sting, while protecting skin during vigorous outdoor exercise. This first-to-market innovation from the #1 sport sunscreen brand provides an improved delivery solution designed to help reduce mess and waste through targeted sunscreen application.
According to the company, it is:
-- The only sunscreen product line with patented accurate spray technology
-- Continuous Spray Sunscreen you can control
-- High performance, durable formulas
-- Controlled application designed to reduce waste and mess
-- Stays on strong when you sweat; won't run into eyes ad sting
-- Water resistant (80 minutes)
-- Photostable, broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection
It is available nationwide at food, drug and most internet retailers for the suggested retail price of $9.99.

Coppertone Sport Lip Balm SPF 30

This lip balm worked great while I was kayaking, feels good on my lips and does the job. It is a convenient new lip offering from the #1 sport sunscreen brand and helps smooth and soften lips while providing broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. It is portable; photostable, broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection; and water resistant (80 minutes).
Coppertone Sport Lip Balm SPF 30 is available in 15 oz., and available nationwide at food, drug, mass and internet retailers for the suggested retail price of $2.99.

Coppertone Sport Sunscreen Lotion
Available in SPF 30, 50, 80 and 100+. I especially liked the feel of this lotion which protected my skin during my kayaking with bright sun shining down. It didn't run into my eyes or sting and offered, according to the manufacturer, broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays and helped fortify skin's natural defenses by replenishing the antioxidants depleted during sun exposure.

It is water resistant for 80 minutes; photostable, broad spectrum, UVA/UVB protection, is enriched with replenishing antioxidants to help fortify skin's natural defenses and has a no slip grip.

Note: All Coppertone lotions and sprays with an SPF 15 or greater in stores today already meet the newly announced 2012 standard for 'broad spectrum' protection.
This product is available in SPF 30 and 50 in 8 oz. lotions; SPF 80 in 6 oz. lotion; and SPF 100+ in 4 oz. lotion. It is available nationwide at food, drug, mass and Internet retailers at a suggested retail price of $9.99.

Coppertone Sport Sunscreen Stick SPF 55

The sunscreen in this stick stays on when you sweat and protects skin during outdoor activities year-round. It also offers broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays which can cause sun damage and burning.
It is water resistant for 80 minutes; is portable; photostable, broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and specially formulated to provide spot protection for sun exposed areas like the ears, nose and face.

Available in 0.6 oz, at nationwide food, drug mass and Internet retailers at the suggested retail price of $5.49.

Perfective Ceuticals

Perfective Ceuticals' Ultra-light Sunscreen SPR 40 with Titanium Dioxide Not Only Protects Skin, It Improves Appearance

No doubt you've read or heard from your physician how important it is to protect against skin damage - especially when you're out bicycling. Perhaps you don't use a sunblock thinking it's cloudy out? Wrong. You can get severe skin damage even when the sun isn't shining. -- and especially while riding your bike! Thankfully, Perfective Ceuticals has introduced its Ultra-light Sunscreen SPF 40 with Titanium Dioxide.

Its beneficial ingredients include:
-- Titanium Dioxide: An earth mineral used in sunscreens. Capable of creating a physical barrier to block both UVA and UVB
-- Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract: An herb used as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-irritant.
-- Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate: A form of Vitamin C Ester. Works as a powerful antioxidant to prevent cellular aging by inhibiting the cross-linking collagen, oxidation of proteins and lipid percutaneous absorption and stability.
-- Prunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract: Has positive effects on improvement of noticeable pores, and improvement of skin elasticity.

This product retails for $36. For more details and to purchase, go to web site www.perfectiveceuticals.com.

About Perfective Ceuticals:
Perfective Ceuticals is allied with renowned biochemists, medical specialists and doctors in developing the finest and most advanced formulas to provide comprehensive solutions targeting the aspects of skin aging. The company addresses the importance of complimenting cutting edge science with naturally derived ingredients and century old methods that have proven results.

TIPS

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TOURS & RACES

ADIRONDACK BICYCLE TOURS

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ADVENTURE TOURS

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AEG -- AMGEN TOURS

Cycling Fans Get the 'Wheel' Deal on Lodging Package Deals for the Amgen Tour of California Beg Bear Lake Time

Trial Includes Discounts at Participating Restaurants, Shops & Activities
Big Bear Visitors Bureau is rolling out its Cycling Race ‘Wheel Deal’ Lodging Packages for this year’s Amgen Tour of California Stage 6 Big Bear Lake Time Trial. The packages come with overnight accommodations at a Big Bear lodge, hotel, or cabin bundled together with a wristband, which gives those who wear the wristband discounts at participating Big Bear restaurants, shops and activities.

“Cycling fans are in for a real treat because our lodging packages give them many ways to save while they’re here for the race!” said Big Bear Visitors Bureau Director of Operations Rebecca Hrabia. “We have a number of participating lodges discounting rooms, some as low as 50 percent off! But it doesn’t stop there, because they’ll have a wristband that gives them access to discounts for dining, shopping, recreation and specialty services.”

To learn more about the Cycling Race ‘Wheel Deal’ Lodging Packages, including a list of participating businesses that are giving discounts visit www.bigbear.com or call 800-424-4232.

About the Amgen Tour of California

The Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race created and presented by AEG that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course that traverses hundreds of miles of California’s iconic highways, byways and coastlines. The teams chosen to participate have included Olympic medalists, Tour de France contenders and World Champions. Amgen Tour of California is listed on the international professional cycling calendar (2 HC, meaning “beyond category”), awarding important, world-ranking points to top finishers. More info at amgentourofcalifornia.com.

Contact information: Dan McKernan - Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Lake Resort Association, PO Box 1936, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

AIR FORCE CYCLING

The Air Force Association (AFA) is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association promoting understanding of aerospace power and the pivotal role it plays in the security of the nation. AFA publishes Air Force Magazine, conducts national symposia and disseminates information through various outreach programs. It sponsors professional development seminars and recognizes excellence in the education and aerospace fields through national awards programs.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Defense, Space & Security is a $31 billion business with 53,000 employees worldwide. Follow on Twitter@BoeingDefense.

BICYCLE ADVENTURE TOURS

Bicycle Adventures Adds Chile To Expanding International Portfolio Of Vacations on Two Wheels

Bicycle Adventures, a Pacific Northwest-based active travel company specializing in two-wheel tours in North America, Hawaii (the Big Island) and internationally, announces a new bike tour itinerary in Chile venturing where few have pedaled before, embracing lakes and snow-capped volcanoes south of Santiago to the northern edge of Patagonia.

In partnership with a local, well-respected Chile-based company, Bicycle Adventures’ Chile Lakes & Volcanoes, a 10-day day cycling vacation, includes a ride on the Lake Ranco Route where until now no other bicycle tour company has been.

“Until a short time ago the road here was gravel. But now it is paved, so we will be the first bike tour company to ride on this road. Our forte is to find roads less traveled,” said Todd Starnes, Bicycle Adventures’ co-owner and guiding visionary
The tour begins in Temuco, Chile, just a short flight from Santiago. The first ride is from the UNESCO Araucarias Biosphere Reserve to the Corralco Hotel and Spa. Day 2 brings guests into the Kütralkura Geopark and The Andes Climb. From here they bike to Vicente Perez Rosales National Park with Osorno Volcano. A hike on Day 3 into Kütralkura Geopark to Coloradito Hill opens up views of four volcanoes followed by a walk through a forest of 2,000-year-old trees. After this serenity comes Pucon, the region’s adventure hub, for more rides up volcanoes, exploring the heart of the Chilean Patagonia rainforest and the Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve, with optional zip lining or spa-ing. Day 9 brings Vicente Perez Rosales National Park ride and an optional climb (chairlift available) of the Osorno Volcano, one of the steepest rides in the world.

Stunning accommodations including a lodge in tree house, a local family-hosted dinner and a lunch in a microbrewery are exclamation points to this over-the-top trip when trip it comes to unscripted adventure and mind blowing scenery.

Departures in 2016 are Mar.5, Mar. 21. Departures in 2017 are Jan. 9, Jan. 21, Mar. 4 and Mar.20. The per person double rate is $4,850. Included are upscale accommodations, most meals, the services of a bi-lingual guide, bikes, vehicle support, and more. Remember, winter in North America is summer in Chile where the weather is similar to northern California and December temperatures average 65 degrees.

For more details please see bicycleadventures.com/destinations/chile-bike-tours/Chile-Lakes-&-Volcanoes!

For more information on all of Bicycle Adventures programs, domestic and international contact the company by phone: 800.443.6060, emailoffice@bicycleadventures.com or visit online at bicycleadventures.com/.

About Bicycle Adventures
Scenic byways, four and five-star accommodations and local dining and visits to National Parks are trademarks of Bicycle Adventures, founded in 1984. Types of tours include Classic (25-50 miles a day), Classic Plus (50-60 miles a day) and Epic (70+ miles a day with the most demanding terrain). Value-driven Frugal category of trips offers budget-conscious lodging and meals with full van support; Family tours offer multi-sport adventures and riding on safe, scenic bike paths.

Pre-set and custom tours embrace the Pacific Northwest into Canada, California and the Southwest, as well as Colorado, the Dakotas, New York, Hawaii, New Zealand, Spain’s Basque region and Taiwan. Excelling in its own backyard the Issaquah, WA-based company’s line-up includes a National Geographic ‘Tours of a Lifetime’ award-winning Empire Epic cycling tour from Washington to Montana’s Glacier National Park, urban adventures in Seattle and Portland and immersions into the craft beer industry in Oregon and Washington.

Bicycle Adventures Hosts New Camino de Santiago 14-Day Cycling Tour Through Hemingway Territory in Pyrenees

Bicycle Adventures, a Pacific Northwest-based active travel company specializing in two-wheel tours in North America, Hawaii (the Big Island) and internationally, now combines the passion for bicycling with a spiritual component intrinsic to Camino de Santiago, the famous pilgrimage route across northern Spain’s Basque region through the Spanish Pyrenees.

Cyclists pedal to Galicia on Spain’s northwest coast from Pamplona in the foothills of the Spanish Pyrenees. Enroute are ample samplings of the wines of Rioja, a tour of Burgos’ gothic cathedral and the tomb of Spain’s favorite son, El Cid, and the exhilaration of the wide open plains of Castilla Leon. The trip concludes with a toast at the destination, the shrine of the Apostle St. James in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

The biking route is the same that walkers take. However, rather than the mental and physical fatigue of a month on the journey and sleeping with upwards of 150 pilgrims in dorms at night, cyclists engage in sightseeing and enjoying relaxed meals and accommodations in delightful posadas (Spanish inns) and even a restored monastery.

This trip on two wheels, he said, is designed to test one’s mettle and have a lasting effect on your spirit and outlook on life.

As do walking pilgrims, cyclists obtain a Pilgrim's Passport and official Camino de Santiago stamps. Riders pass by trout streams known to Hemingway and settle into tapas bars for leisurely feasts. The route passes through Atapuerca, the UNESCO World Heritage site whose caves cradled the remains of the earliest known human beings in Europe. Not all, however, is ancient, as a day is spent in Leon where bikes are stabled and shopping and sightseeing pursued.

For more information contact Bicycle Adventures by phone: 800.443.6060, email: office@bicycleadventures.com or visit online at bicycleadventures.com/.

Bicycle Adventures Is First International Tour Operator To Bring Guided Cycling Vacations to Taiwan

A Pacific Northwest-based active travel company specializing in two-wheel tours in North America and internationally will be the first international bike company providing guided tours by bicycle of Taiwan, an island nation little known outside of Asia.

Taiwan has begun to embrace health and wellness as a cultural ideal, with new fitness-oriented facilities springing up in urban areas. More people can be seen outdoors walking and running for fitness. Several cities have even begun bike-share programs, according to Starnes.

The easy-to-access and, for the most part, easy-to-bike routes were designed with showcasing the island in mind. The tour itinerary Bicycle Adventures crafted includes stops at culturally significant sites, including the National Center for Traditional Arts and the Lanyang Museum that was created when a Chinese cultural leader was exiled some years ago to Taiwan. Following in his wake came a collection of Chinese artifacts more impressive than any in China or anywhere else in the world.

The gateway city is Taipei where guests are met at the airport. The following day a ride on a high-speed train to Kaohsiung City brings cyclists to the southern end of the island to begin the tour northbound.

On the itinerary that averages about 74 kilometers a day of biking, guests pause in aboriginal villages where people still live as they did hundreds of years ago. These are descendants of Austronesians who first settled on Taiwan.

Traversing the ups and downs and in-betweens of some of the island’s five vertical mountain ranges is part of the fun. This includes rides up to and through two national parks that reveal stunning canopies in near-rainforest settings of up to 8,000 feet. One of the biggest challenges will be an uphill ride in the Taroka Gorge, promised Starnes. “Our guests are welcome to try to ride all the way to the top. I didn’t make it.”

Taiwan, formerly known as Formosa or “beautiful island”, is separated from the Asian mainland by the South China Sea - variously known as Black Ditch, Taiwan Strait or Formosa Strait - across 110 miles of water. Loyalties of its people have been challenged over time as Japan and China have both claimed the island. Today it’s in China’s realm. Mandarin is the official language. Ma Ying-jeou is president of Taiwan.

Bicycle Adventures recently signed the 20,000-member Japan Cycling Association to be an exclusive provider of bike tours in North America. Starnes anticipated that the new Taiwan program will be popular with the Japanese as well. “It’s an easy flight from Japan and a way of introducing our company to the new Japan market.”

For more information, availability and reservations contact Bicycle Adventures by phone: 800.443.6060, email: office@bicycleadventures.com or visit online bicycleadventures.com/.

Bicycle Adventures, a Pacific Northwest-based active travel company specializing in two-wheel tours in North America, Hawaii’s Big Island and New Zealand, has announced a series of four-day November departures into the largest (5,219 square miles) National Park in America’s Lower 48.

Pre-set and custom tours embrace the Pacific Northwest into Canada, California and the Southwest, as well as Colorado, South Dakota, New York, Hawaii, New Zealand, Spain’s Basque region and Taiwan. Excelling in its own backyard the Issaquah, WA,-based company conducts tours of Washington State’s wine country and includes an immersion into the craft beer industry in California, Oregon and Washington.

For more information check Bicycle Adventures website at bicycleadventures.com

Bicycle Adventures Announces New International Trips Including Taiwan and Spain’s Basque Country Plus Addition of “Frugal (Money-Saving) Tours.”
Note: Epic Tours promise rides of minimally 70 miles a day through phenomenal scenery, plus deluxe dining and lodging. “These tours are designed for avid cyclists who like nothing better than to ride 100 miles/day through spell-binding landscapes, with plenty of surprises, challenges and climbing,” said Todd Starnes,” Bicycle Adventures Founder/CEO. Classic Tours are designed for more casual riders who like the sound of “35-ish miles/day”, plus hiking, shopping and soaking up the sun.

BIKEMAINE

About BikeMaine:
Founded in 2012, BikeMaine is a fully-supported, seven-day cycling tour organized by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. Limited to just 350 cyclists, the tour takes a different course every year. Routes traverse uncrowded back roads, looping through small towns and scenic areas along the coast and inland. The terrain is moderately challenging with daily rides averaging 55 miles. The event includes meals made with locally sourced ingredients, optional afternoon activities and nightly entertainment. The event was founded to promote the state as a bicycling destination and to use cycling as an economic development tool for local communities. In 2014, BikeMaine generated an estimated $395,000 in direct economic impact. Proceeds from the tour go to support bicycle advocacy in Maine. To learn more, visit ride.bikemaine.org.

About Bicycle Coalition of Maine:
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine is the statewide voice of cyclists and pedestrians. Since 1992, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine has led the effort to make Maine better for bicycling and walking by protecting the rights and safety of cyclists and pedestrians through education, advocacy, legislation and encouragement. We support biking and walking for health, transportation and recreation. For more information: bikemaine.org.

About the Maine Public Broadcasting Network:
The Maine Public Broadcasting Network is Maine's premier, independent media resource, dedicated to creating exceptional opportunities for the communities it serves to engage with critical issues, compelling stories and quality entertainment. MPBN is renowned for creating award-winning programs, as well as airing content from PBS, NPR, and other independent producers. Formed in 1992, MPBN is an independently owned and operated nonprofit organization with office and studio locations in Bangor, Lewiston and Portland, Maine.

CATSKILL BICYCLING ADVENTURES
The Catskills mountain bike trails traverse epic vertical feet and wind around the region's mountains and valleys. And the number of recreation areas is growing with the recently opened Windham Mountain Bike Park, home of the only World Cup circuit race in the United States.

If you're feeling jazzed on the spirit of competition and an American win at Windham, head to the Catskills to check out some of our off-the-beaten-path mountain bike trails, including:

Windham Mountain Bike Center -- Newly opened just this summer (2015), this lift-serviced park offers trails for a variety of skills and features flow style trails, new intermediate level terrain to compliment the World Cup trails, as well as a pump track. Rentals, lessons, guided tours and a cool base lodge with food and drinks available as well. To build the park, Windham partnered with Gravity Logic, the same folks who developed the Bike Park at Whistler in Canada.

Elm Ridge Bike Path -- Also in Windham, just two miles from the bike park, the Elm Ridge Wild Forest offers more than 20 miles of challenging terrain, as well as some beginner-friendly, non-technical trails and some of the best single track in the Catskills.

The Windham Path -- This scenic little 1.5 mile loop is a great way to warm up, offering picturesque views of streams, beaver dams and the surrounding Catskill Mountains. Trailhead located on South Street in Windham.

In the town of Round Top, Roundtopia is a local secret, offering over 20 mils of single track and fire roads maintained by the Round Top Mountain Bike Association (RTMBA).
Cycling Events Take Catskills By Storm in 2015 with Challenging Endurance Racing Routes
Home to challenging hill climbs boasting names like the 'Devil's Kitchen,' the Catskills lay claim to some of the toughest cycling routes in New York, providing the ideal location for several highly anticipated annual cycling competitions.

For cyclists who just want to ride the Catskills‚ routes without competing, Catskill Cycles on Main Street in Catskill and Paddlehead Boards in Athens offer rentals, as well as a full sales and service staff. For additional information about bike routes and other cycling resources in the Catskills, go to www.greatnortherncatskills.com.

About Greene County:
Greene County is in the Great Northern Catskills, home to five of the 10 highest peaks in the Catskill Park, family resorts, outdoor adventure and year-round entertainment. Known as the nation's first wilderness, and renowned as the home of Thomas Cole's Hudson River School, the Catskills are a haven for outdoor recreation and artistic inspiration. Greene County was also the inspiration for Washington Irving's literary legend, Rip Van Winkle. Connect with the Catskills at GreatNorthernCatskills>Facebook.com and on Twitter.com/CatskillTourism

CALIFORNIA BICYCLING EVENTS
more soon
To learn more about Southern California’s Learn to MTB Headquarters at Snow Summit Bike Park visit www.snowsummit.com. For all there is to see and do in beautiful Big Bear Lake, make lodging reservations or request a free Visitors Guide log on to www.bigbear.com or call 800-424-4232.

COLORADO BICYCLING EVENTS
Biking Bliss with 750 Miles of Trails in Crested Butte & the Gunnison Valley, Colorado
The Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley boasts the largest mountain biking trail systems in the United States with more than 750 miles of mostly singletrack trails and a jam-packed calendar of biking events for 2015. For example, the Crested Butte Big Mountain Enduro is the only U.S. stop of the Enduro World Series and will be the country’s biggest mountain biking event in 2015. The biking terrain is so vast that a new trails app and mountain biking website will be launched later this spring.

Since the 1970s, when locals started retrofitting old Schwinn paperboy bikes with multiple gears, Crested Butte has been known as the home of mountain biking. Crested Butte is one of only five communities in Colorado to have the prestigious gold designation from the League of American Bicyclists, and Gunnison is one of only nine towns with silver status.

The first spot in the valley that bikers flock to in spring is the 8,000-acre Hartman Rocks Recreation Area in Gunnison, open now for riding and offering 40 miles of high desert single track and 33 miles of road open to biking once all trails are available. As spring progresses, trails at the north end of the valley begin opening and the chairlifts start running at Crested Butte Mountain from mid-June through the end of September, providing easy access to Evolution Bike Park including several Wednesday and Friday nights.

Townie Events & Casual Cruising

For those who just want to cruise with absolutely no schedule should consider staying at properties such as The Ruby of Crested Butte, Purple Mountain Bed & Breakfast and Old Town Inn in Crested Butte, which have complimentary townie bikes available for guests. Plus, bike shops in Gunnison and Crested Butte have colorful fleets and rent cruisers by the hour.

Travel Deals

Nordic Inn in Mt. Crested Butte has been totally remodeled and is a bike lover’s dream with close proximity to Trail 401, Snodgrass Trail and Evolution Bike Park. Plus, there is a secure bike storage room, bike cleaning station and plenty of space for bike trailer parking.
Vacation Packages & Visitor Information

For travel planning, general information and savings on flights, hotel rooms, vacation packages, car rentals and more, go to www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com or call (800) 814-8893. Also, follow GCBTA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gcbta. Later this spring, bikers can access all sorts of mountain biking information and the new trails app at www.mtbhome.com.

About Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado

Nestled in a valley with nearly two million acres of pristine, mountainous wilderness, Gunnison-Crested Butte has a prime location in southwest Colorado. Winter sports enthusiasts know the area for its world-class alpine skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and more. Fair-weather activities include mountain biking, hiking, wildflower and wildlife viewing, climbing, boating, whitewater rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing, camping and horseback riding. Year-round visitors enjoy distinctive restaurants, locally-owned shops, stimulating cultural opportunities and festivals galore ranging from the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival and Gunnison Cattlemen’s Days to Crested Butte Bike Week and Gunnison Car Show weekend.

Along a 31-mile stretch of wide-open vistas and stunning scenery, visitors can explore Gunnison, Almont, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte and connect with the quaint and historic burgs of Pitkin, Gothic, Tin Cup, Marble, Powderhorn and Crystal, also located in Gunnison County. Gunnison and Crested Butte, both founded in 1880, are known for their Victorian-era charm, friendly Western hospitality and free-spirited nature. Almont is a fishing, rafting and rock climbing mecca, and the resort village of Mt. Crested Butte is home to renowned Crested Butte Mountain. Visitors also can explore Curecanti National Recreation Area, home to Colorado’s largest body of water, and the nearby Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Gunnison County is part of the West Elk Loop and Silver Thread Scenic & Historic Byways.

Non-stop air service to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC) is provided year-round by United Airlines with flights from Denver (DIA). United also is offering non-stop service from Houston (HIA) this summer. The Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) is located just 79 miles from Gunnison, providing additional regional air service to the area.

For more information contact the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association, 202 E. Georgia, Suite B, Gunnison, CO 81230, www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com

Subaru Elephant Rock AnnouncesTwo New Courses

New Century and Sunrise Sunset Mountain Bike Courses Add to Colorado Cycling Festival. The unofficial start to Colorado’s cycling season, the annual Subaru Elephant Rock Cycling Festival, which features a range of road and mountain bike events and is entering its 28th year, announced new courses today for its signature Century course and the increasingly popular all-day mountain bike event, the Subaru Sunrise Sunset. These key changes, enhancing both the appeal and scenery of the two courses, will be instantly popular with ERock entrants.

The ERock’s Century course, the first early season test of a cyclist’s fitness, links roads previously unavailable and offers a scenic but challenging ride. According to event director, Scot Harris, "our riders are going to love the newly designed Century course. We’ve been waiting for some of these roads to connect for years to make this new loop possible. This quiet, scenic route connects the tranquil country roads through the horse properties east of Franktown to the scenic rolling hills of the Black Forest. Our ERock riders will enjoy a perfect early season century - beautiful and interesting miles without the high mountain passes.”

The all-day Subaru Elephant Cycling Festival offers five different well-supported course options – 100, 62 and 40-mile road courses, a 27-mile gravel course, a gentle, family-friendly 8-miler, and the popular kids race on a safe and easy off-road loop. The festival also includes food, music and an exciting expo, which features booths from a wide range of local and regional cycling-related, nutrition and apparel groups.

The new Century course, shown in blue on the map, travels through less populated areas, offering riders less traffic and more scenery. Still, at 100 miles, the ERock Century is no picnic. With well-stocked Aid Stations at frequent intervals throughout the course, riders can hydrate, fuel up and take the occasional much-needed break. Says Harris, “this new course is going to make the century even more popular than past years so riders should sign up soon in case we hit our cap.”

The ERock Subaru Sunrise Sunset event, a solo or team 11-hour mountain bike race, is also the beneficiary of a new course for 2015. The Subaru Sunrise Sunset event is moving this year to the freshly cut trails of the Philip S Miller Park in Castle Rock, Colorado. This amazing $30M facility offers an ideal endurance mountain bike venue less than a mile from the Subaru Elephant Rock start/finish. Playful and flowing, the new 6.5-mile course wanders through the hills and drainages of the new park and offers ample viewing for team members and spectators. The Subaru Sunrise Sunset offers recreational and competitive cyclists the opportunity to experience the thrill of competing in a challenging endurance race. The new off-road course is moderately technical and suitable for riders of all abilities. Riders can enter as a solo rider or part of a team of cycling cohorts (2-5 person teams, coed or single gender) for a memorable day of riding, racing, and camaraderie.

About Rocky Mountain Events
Headquartered in Denver, Rocky Mountain Events produces and directs road and mountain cycling events across Colorado for recreational cyclists of all ages and abilities. The Subaru Elephant Rock Cycling Festival in Castle Rock, CO, recognized as the unofficial start of the summer cycling season, offers both road and mountain bike courses of varying distances – from 8 to 100 miles – to kick off the season for cyclists. With the challenging 78-mile Colorado Cyclist Copper Triangle, which starts and finishes in Copper Mountain in early August, RME takes its cycling game to Colorado’s high country. With a course that covers 3 mountain passes (Vail, Tennessee and Fremont) and formidable Battle Mountain, the Copper Triangle is a solid mid-season test. RME completes its season with the October Ikon Tour of the Moon in Grand Junction, which gives riders the rare opportunity to cycle in the spectacular Colorado National Monument. RME has been successfully organizing and operating cycling events for nearly 30 years. For more information visit any of the individual event websites.

For more information contact Peter Downing
720.261.6766 or peter@sparksideas.com

FLORIDA KEYS

Event information:
www.bubbaspamperedpedalers.com
Florida Keys visitor information: www.fla-keys.com or 1-800-FLA-KEYS (1-800-352-5397)
Social: www.facebook.com/floridakeysandkeywest>Facebook · twitter.com/thefloridakeys>Twitter · instagram.com/thefloridakeys>Instagram · www.youtube.com/user/FloridaKeysTV>Youtube · keysvoices.com/>Keys Voices

H + I Adventures

H+I Adventures Takes Mountain Bikers from Sky to Sea
Adventure mountain biking company treats travellers to high peaks and salty waters on sky-to-sea trips through New Zealand, Spain and Slovenia

Top 3 Sky-to-Sea Bike Adventures

Spain

A week-long adventure in Andalucía, this sun-kissed mountain biking journey takes travellers from the high Alpujarras all the way down to the coast of the Alboran Sea. Peak highlights on this Spanish excursion include a dizzying 2240m climb through the Sierra Nevada, boasting views as far as Morocco. Traditional white-washed mountain villages along the trail offer intimate cultural encounters and opportunities to sample authentic Spanish cuisine. Best of all, day three has mountain bikers tackling the challenging climb near Motril, which is rewarded with a breathtaking descent that winds down the other side for a refreshing afternoon swim in the sea.

Spain trips start at $2278 USD per person, with 2015 availability on October 17th departure, and 2016 availability at Easter time, departing 26th March

Slovenia

A new adventure for 2015, this European mountain biking odyssey barrels down the tough trails and up the soaring peaks of Slovenia, Italy and Austria. The thrills start on day one in Ljubljana with a ride through an alpine meadow followed by a long downhill charge to beautiful Bohinj Lake. This bike tour is packed with scenic climbs in the Julian Alps, including a trek up the Slovenian side of Mount Maggiore, where once at the top, bikers will traverse down the winding trails of the Italian side. After scaling the Julian Alps, this mountain bike adventure will descend through charming vineyards and culminate in the Venetian town of Piran, on the shores of the Adriatic Sea.

Slovenia trips start at $2448 USD per person, with 2015 availability on September 20th departure, and several dates confirmed for summer 2016

New Zealand

New to H+I’s trip roster for 2016, New Zealand is an adrenalin junkie’s paradise and appropriately known as the adventure capital of the world. The summits on this trip are epic, with a ridge-line ride 1600m above sea level between Mount Rosa and Ben Cruachan, as well as a 1400m climb up Old Ghost Road for sweeping panoramic views of the rainforest below. In between plunging descents and larger-than-life vistas, mountain bikers will explore the natural landscape whilst whale watching in Kaikoura and riding above the crashing waves in Christchurch. Add in a leisurely whirl around the trails at beautiful Lake Wanaka and you’ll see why this country is the ultimate destination for mountain bikers.

New Zealand trips start at $3910 USD per person, with 2016 availability on January 25th, March 11th and November 21st departures

For more information, visit mountainbikeworldwide.com.

About H+I Adventures

H+ I Adventures specializes in premium mountain biking holidays. Based out of Inverness, Scotland, the company offers mountain biking trips in Namibia, Mexico, Slovenia, Spain, Yukon, Nepal, Ecuador and Whistler, with four destination trips in Scotland. They are committed to providing sustainable and responsible travel within the communities they visit. H+I Adventures is bonded by the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT)
H+I Adventures Goes Beyond Biking with New Culinary Experiences
H+I Adventures is paving the trail for epicurean adventures around the world. The mountain biking specialists have carefully crafted a collection of mouth watering and eye opening trips that combine active travel with local delicacies in some of the world’s most culturally rich destinations. This year’s roster of culinary mountain biking trips feature tapas tours in Spain, whisky tastings in Scotland and a full-day foodie feast with breakfast in Slovenia, lunch in Austria and afternoon espresso in Italy.

For more information, visit mountainbikeworldwide.com.
About H+I Adventures
H+ I Adventures specializes in premium mountain biking holidays. Based out of Inverness, Scotland, the company offers mountain biking trips in Namibia, Mexico, Slovenia, Spain, Yukon, Nepal, Ecuador and Whistler, with four destination trips in Scotland. They are committed to providing sustainable and responsible travel within the communities they visit. H+I Adventures is bonded by the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT)
H + I Adventures Launches New Web Site to Show World Class Mountain Biking Holidays
H+I Adventures, one of the world’s leading mountain biking adventure companies, has undergone a total rebrand, featuring a new visual identity, online presence and tagline (‘The Art of Adventure’) that inspires adventure travellers to hop in the saddle. The contemporary website helps riders easily discover their ideal mountain bike holiday, and features 2015 and 2016 holidays that are available to book now.
“The H+I rebrand communicates to our adventurers and the mountain biking community that we understand and believe in the art of a well-crafted adventure,” said Euan Wilson, Director, H+I Adventures. “From the moment you browse our new website, you will feel like you are embarking on a dream adventure with friends. We are proud to provide exceptional and inclusive journeys that are expertly designed and guided by professional local mountain bike guides.”

The upgraded website features inspirational photography, epic ride videos, and seamless navigation, making it easy and fun to find the perfect mountain biking journey. 2015 and 2016 destinations on offer include: Scotland, Namibia, Slovenia, Yukon, Nepal, Whistler, Spain, Mexico and Ecuador. For each bike tour, adventurers will find a tour summary, tour diary, day-by-day itinerary, price, logistic details, reviews and tailored FAQs.

H+I offers novice, intermediate and advanced trips that range between 7- and 12- days long, which is ideal for Canadians and Americans who want to make the most of limited vacation days.

For more information about booking a mountain bike holiday with H+I Adventures, visit: mountainbikeworldwide.com or call 1-888-228-5035

HOLIDAY RIVER EXPEDITIONS

The Maze District of Canyonlands NP, Holy Grail for Most Intrepid Mountain Bikers, Offers America’s Premium Backcountry Ride
For over 45 years Holiday River Expeditions has been outfitting and leading oar-powered excursions by raft on the wildest rivers of the West. They helped introduce guided mountain biking in Utah and Colorado nearly 25 years ago. Veterans of the backcountry, they consider the Maze District of Canyonlands National Park their ultimate ride, best suited for only the most intrepid fat tire fanatic.

“The Maze is the least accessible district of Canyonlands, one of the main reasons it was so attractive to us,” explains John Wood, Co-Owner and President of Holiday River Expeditions. “The Maze is so remote and rugged it sees just 2,000 people per year compared to more than 264,000 in the park’s Island in the Sky district. It doesn't even have a visitor center and the ranger station is a long drive down along a dusty road.”

In spring and fall Holiday offers four-day, three-night mountain bike explorations of the Maze in small groups of no more than seven guests and two guides. Daily itineraries can vary widely from one trip to the next based on group desires, abilities, trail conditions and Mother Nature.

Groups meet at the Holiday River Expeditions headquarters in Green River, Utah, and board a shuttle for a three-hour ride to Bagpipe Butte Overlook where the fat tire fun begins. The first day’s ride follows the Flint Trail, the most technically difficult riding of the trip. Those with less experience feel no shame in walking a short stretch of this mile-long descent into the country the old-timers call “under the Ledge”. The trail takes a more serious descent off the Flint Cove onto the White Rim Sandstone layer, where it will be wide open riding to the Maze Overlook and camp for the night. Participants bike 20 miles this day and lose about 1700 feet of elevation.

On Day Two guests descend by foot into the labyrinths called the Maze. A half day walk through time leads to prehistoric Indian panel called The Harvest Scene, a message left a thousand years ago by the Ancestral Pueblo or Ancient Ones. Visitors then exit the Maze in the Land of Standing Rocks where bikes are waiting for the afternoon ride to camp.

Lizard Rock, Chimney Rock, the Wall, the Plug and The Fins are a few of the countless rock monuments that make Day Three’s ride border on surreal. Depending on group desires, this day’s riding will cover between 10 and 30 miles with plenty of viewpoints to stop and garner inspiration.

On Day Four Mother Nature serves up wide-open riding down gradual slopes and through occasional dips into desert washes. Shortly after lunch the road emerges at Lake Powell and Hite Marina. A passenger van meets the group for a two-hour ride back to Green River, Utah.

While this option is best for experienced and advanced riders, Holiday also offers other mountain bike adventures more suitable for beginners and intermediate enthusiasts.

Holiday’s 3-day San Rafael Swell Tour explores a rarely-visited region of Utah where dinosaurs, Native Americans and Butch Cassidy once roamed. Trips are $730 per person scheduled privately upon request.

Other tours that take in the La Sal Mountains and Dinosaur National Monument’s Yampa Bench are offered as pre-set dates or privately scheduled departures.

About Holiday River Expeditions
Holiday River Expeditions (www.bikeraft.com/) began in 1966, when Dee Holladay and his wife Sue took the plunge to become river outfitters. Due to its respect for the lands, rivers, guests and employees, the family-owned-and-operated company has grown exponentially. Each of its guides is professionally trained in first aid and river safety, and with over 48 years of experience, the company provides guests the opportunity to explore the nation’s wild lands safely and securely. Holiday River Expeditions has a philosophy to protect the environment through education and conservation, and as such, uses oar-powered and paddle rafts exclusively.

For more information, availability, reservations or a copy of the 2015 catalog please call 800-624-6323, Email: Holiday@BikeRaft.com or log onto www.bikeraft.com/.
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ORTIZ INDUSTRY & UBERRUSH

Ortiz Industry Partners with Uber, Creates Elite Team of Bicycle Messengers
The ‘Rush Riders’ represent 10 of New York’s toughest bike messengers, who are now the most impeccably dressed cyclists on the road. Ortiz Industry is proud to announce its partnership with UberRush, in creating a team of the toughest – and now best dressed – bike messengers on the streets of New York City.

These unsung heroes of New York business and industry were overdue for an upgraded work wardrobe, and Ortiz Industry, the premier intelligent fashion brand, stepped up to provide hand-selected UberRush messengers with a new Ortiz Industry wardrobe. To acknowledge the grueling work these men do on a day-to-day basis, Ortiz Industry co-founders, Claire Ortiz and Heather Park, are outfitting them in the Fall 2014 line, which blends advanced innovation and technology with the cleanest, sophisticated design.

Each month, Ortiz and Park will outfit the Rush Rider team in an Ortiz Industry wardrobe to wear on-the-job. These riders will then document their experience via social media, to provide testament to the durability, comfort and strength of the Ortiz Industry apparel.

The Ortiz Industry brand uses proprietary and patent-pending fabrications and materials that have the following benefits – perfect for UberRush messengers:
·         ADAPTIVE: The ADAPTIVE group of materials offers their base level of functions and benefits, some of which include, anti-bacterial, moisture management and stretch.

·         RESPONSIVE: The RESPONSIVE collection, in addition to providing all the features of the ADAPTIVE group, has integrated movement and is designed to respond to external changes by adding such benefits as UV protection.

·         INTUITIVE: The INTUITIVE group is the ultimate in sublime comfort, cooling, 360 degree stretch and recovery, plus the protective features of being stain resistant and water repellant.
Going beyond futuristic fabrics, Ortiz and Park have considered the most meticulous of details, from their state of the art laser technology and dynamic motion engineering to their numerous patents pending including their system of stay-tucked waistbands and water repellant fabrics.

Ortiz Industry retails for $100 to $500 and is available at OrtizIndustry.com.

OUTSIDE TOURS

PHILADELPHIA BICYCLING

10 Reasons Biking in Philadelphia Is On A Roll
The sound of ringing bicycle bells is constant in Philadelphia, where a grid layout, mostly flat terrain and 435 miles of bike lanes make it ideal for cyclists, whether they prefer mountain bikes, fixed-gears or classic cruisers. With the late April launch of Indego, the city's first bike-share program, even more riders can explore Philadelphia‚s great outdoors and fantastic attractions˜from historic sites to beautiful riverside trails.

Here are 10 reasons Philly's bike scene is taking off:

1. Indego: Everybody Rides

In 1776, Philadelphia became the birthplace of a nation. This April, democracy takes to the streets with the launch of Indego, the city's first bike-share program named for sponsor Independence Blue Cross. Here's how Indego works: Riders (ages 16+) can check out a bike--there will be 600 available--at one of the 60 Indego stations in the city, from the Delaware River to the east, 44th and Walnut streets to the west, the East Passyunk neighborhood to the south and Temple University to the north. Indego bikes are meant for quick trips of up to 60 minutes. Once the ride is over, the rider can return the bike to any Indego station. Bikers can pay for each ride individually, or Indego members can opt for one of two pricing plans. Built by Trek, the three-speed bikes feature step-through frames, front and rear lights, comfortable and adjustable seats and baskets˜making these check-out-and-go bikes the ultimate in convenience for both residents and visitors in Philadelphia

2. Festivals & Finish Lines

Every day is a good day for a bike ride in Philadelphia, but cycling enthusiasts have a few special dates circled on their calendars.
Founded by local bike-builder and industry sweetheart Bilenky Cycle Works, the annual Philly Bike Expo fills the Pennsylvania Convention Center with hundreds of cycling vendors and organizations. Seminars and panels cover everything from bike design to dressing for a commute. November 7-8, 2015.
The Bilenky crew is also behind the Bilenky Junkyard Cross, a much-loved race through a nearby junkyard, where the obstacles are car frames, refrigerators and crushed beer cans. December, exact date TBD.

3. Spokes-People

As much as Philadelphia's ample sights and diverse terrain make it inherently bikeable, a few organizations are to thank for getting more and more people riding. Founded in 1972, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is the region's biggest cheerleader for safe cycling. In addition to educating Philadelphians about the environmental, health and economic effects of bike riding, the organization advocates for better opportunities and conditions--they've helped to create numerous new bike lanes and trails in the past half-decade alone. Seeing bicycles as excellent vehicles for personal growth, Neighborhood Bike Works focuses on helping young people and those with low-income backgrounds engage in their communities and green spaces by riding bikes they repair themselves. Programs include summer camps, group rides and classes for children and adults and its flagship Earn-A-Bike. 'Moving in the right direction' is the motto at Gearing Up, which helps women in transition--from abuse, addiction and incarceration--incorporate bike riding into their lives. Women track their milestones, participate in group rides and 'graduate' by earning refurbished bikes to call their own.
With all this riding around town, the CyclePhilly allows riders to record their routes and compare them with other users. Data from the app is shared with city planners who use it to prioritize the region‚s bike infrastructure improvements. Keeping tabs on the Philly biking world is SPOKE Magazine, a new publication chronicling the city's ever-growing cycling culture, infrastructure and community.

4. Pedaling To The Masses

Simple tasks often are compared to riding a bike, but Philadelphia‚s array of biking classes and group rides mean cycling can be as basic or challenging as riders choose.

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia proves it's never too late to try something new with its Adult Learn-to-Ride class, covering the basics of pedaling, steering and stopping.
The Bicycle Club of Philadelphia's free weekly rides range from slow, beginner-friendly trips to brisk, 50-plus-mile rides. With themes like 'Tropical Paradise' and 'Neon,' Philly Bike Party is a monthly series of nighttime rides featuring dancing, games, costumes and an outrageously fun time.Howling is encouraged during the monthly Philadelphia Full Moon Bike Ride, a nighttime jaunt with plenty of moonlight to illuminate a new route each time. Take Your Time Bicycle Rides specializes in socializing and slower paces. Its 'Ladies Only' ride, coordinated with the Bicycle Coalition's Women Bike PHL program, takes place every other month.
The pace picks up at shop Breakaway Bikes and Fitness, housing a Training Center that features classes and one-on-one coaching aimed at improving racing techniques and times. Its weekly Shake Shack Ride is a beginner-focused, 40-mile ride that ends, joyfully, with shakes and drinks at Shake Shack.The younger set loves Kidical Mass, a monthly bike ride with adults supervising their little riders--on big-kid bikes, since training wheels are discouraged--on a new route each month. Neighborhood Bike Works‚ Ride Club is a four-part, after-school group ride for kids 8--18.
Switching gears: People's inner bike mechanics come out during Neighborhood Bike Works‚ four-week Adult Bike Repair Class, where fixing flats and adjusting brakes become as easy as riding a bike.

5. Shop Around

An unexpected perk of biking through Philadelphia: With so many bike shops around the city, it‚s a great way to window shop or pop in for a tune-up, new gear or a fresh set of wheels. In the particularly active cycling community of West Philadelphia, Firehouse Bicycles advertises its selection of new and used bikes with a funky, colorful sign and bike sculpture on Baltimore Avenue, while Keswick Cycle pairs its original location in Glenside with a sprawling outpost near the University of Pennsylvania's campus. Neighborhood Bike Works operates the nearby and beloved Bike Church, where an all-volunteer staff offers inexpensive used bikes and helps cyclists fix their own bikes, free of charge. Repairs are the specialty at Fairmount's Philadelphia Bikesmith, where mechanics get raves for both their know-how and patience. In the same 'hood' Fairmount Bicycles stocks such a large selection of sporty and city bikes that it extends to the sidewalk. Bicycle Therapy in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood is ideal for repairs between rides on the nearby Schuylkill River Trail; Breakaway Bikes and Fitness near Rittenhouse Square is both a sleek showcase for bicycles and a training center for cyclists; fixed-gear and European-style bikes share space at the colorful Bicycle Revolutions in Queen Village; and Bell's Bike Shop in the East Passyunk neighborhood makes excellent repairs, builds custom bikes and holds the designation of being the sole seller of PUBLIC bikes in Philadelphia. Across town, Fishtown's aptly named Bicycle Stable (building once served as a stable for police horses) provides new and refurbished bikes and bicycle services, while Firth & Wilson Transport Cycles caters to urban cyclists with a collection of city and cargo bikes, meant for riding around town and hauling gear, groceries, Christmas trees˜whatever needs transporting.
Riders within city limits and well beyond count on R.E.Load to tote their stuff; the messenger, roll-top and hip bags pack the brand's Northern Liberties store.

6. Life In The Fast Lane

Thanks to Philadelphia's grid-like system of streets, designed by founder William Penn, the city is easy to navigate. And thanks to Philadelphia's 435 miles of bike lanes, it's safe to navigate, too. In Center City, bike lanes run east on Pine Street, west on Spruce Street, north on 22nd Street and south on 10th Street. Bike lanes also run on either side of Benjamin Franklin Parkway, making it easy to ride to big-name destinations such as the Barnes Foundation, The Franklin Institute and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
West Philadelphia, home to the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University, makes biking to class˜and the neighborhood's many coffee shops and restaurants safe with lanes on Walnut,Spruce and Market Streets and Baltimore and Woodland Avenues. Other major bike lanes in Philadelphia include Fairmount,Torresdale and Kensington Avenues north of Center City; Washington and Oregon Avenues to the south; and Columbus Boulevard at the city'‚s eastern edge, making biking along Philadelphia's waterfront equally safe and scenic.

7. Happy Trails

With two riverfronts and one of the country's largest urban parks, the country's fifth-largest city makes it easy for urban cyclists to hit the trail--hundreds of miles of trails, in fact. Opened in 2013, the Delaware River Trail connects riders to Philadelphia's waterfront, where they can take in views of the Ben Franklin Bridge and New Jersey in the distance. Once completed, the trail will stretch six miles. In Northeast Philly, the Delaware River connects to Pennypack Trail, offering a challenging singletrack network and a paved bike path along Pennypack Creek. Hugging both sides of the Schuylkill River, Fairmount Park encompasses some of the city' most popular bike trails: Cobbs Creek Trail, featuring a lovely footbridge and plenty of shade (read: perfect for hotter months); the short-but-sweet Bartram's Garden Trail, with a meadow that‚s especially beautiful in summer; the paved, family-friendly Centennial 5K Route, which passes Please Touch Museum and Shofuso Japanese House and Garden; the winding singletracks and seemingly endless loops of Belmont Plateau; and Boxers‚ Trail, once frequented by boxer Joe Frazier.
The newest bikers‚ delight in Philadelphia is the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk; starting at South Street, this four-block paved path angles over the river and connects to the 26-mile Schuylkill River Trail. Between Center City and the trail's end at Valley Forge, the Schuylkill River Trail connects to the leafy Kelly Drive-West River Drive Loop, the eight-mile East Falls Loop and the Manayunk Towpath that runs parallel to Manayunk's shopping and dining destinations. Farther west, a variety of bike paths and terrains populate Wissahickon Valley Park, whose most popular trail is the off-the-beaten-path Forbidden Drive; no kind of bike is forbidden, though mountain bikes are strongly encouraged.

8. Off-Road Riding

Philadelphia's bucolic countryside offers near-endless trail-riding possibilities. For bikers looking for something even more off the beaten path, a few off-road opportunities excite. The Philly Pumptrack in Fairmount Park is a dirt track geared for BMX bikes, with X Games-style ramps, rolls and sharp curves. With both beginner and advanced tracks, the Pumptrack is kid-friendly and always monitored by volunteers. The walkways along the Benjamin Franklin Bridge have gained popularity among cyclists, who enjoy the 1.5-mile ride to Camden-not to mention to spectacular view of Philadelphia'‚s skyline on the way back. Pros and amateurs alike are gearing up for the proposed velodrome, currently titled Project 250. The building would feature a 250-meter, Olympic-size track intended for both public use and international cycling races.

9. Touring The Town

Organized bike tours take the guesswork out of sightseeing. The Philly Bike Tour Co. operates a trio of three-hour tours: the greatest-hits Classic City Tour, the sculpture-focused Art Is All Around Us Tour and the leafy Fairmount Park Tour. Philadelphia Bike Tours offers another guided option, with a three-hour ride covering popular and lesser-known landmarks between the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers-with a snack included. DIYers love the self-guided tours from Wheel Fun Rentals, with detailed maps guiding the way through either Center City or Fairmount Park. The Association for Public Art's Outdoor Sculpture Bike Map, which includes more than 30 public works and six scenic views, strengthens legs and opens minds as it winds around the Schuylkill River and Philadelphia Museum of Art. Created in collaboration with the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, the self-guided tour (four-mile or 10-mile routes) includes stops featured in the Museum Without Walls˙AUDIO program, so cyclists can hear three- to four-minute segments about the sculptures on their phone or via an app.

10. Wheels To Go

While Indego is meant for short trips, those looking for a longer ride are in luck--bike rentals are available all over the city. No matter where visitors roam in Philly, they can rent bikes for an hour or more from Wheel Fun Rentals, with locations at Lloyd Hall on Boathouse Row, at Capriccio at Café Cret along the Ben Franklin Parkway and at the Independence Visitor Center on Independence Mall. Brewerytown Bicycles sits along Girard Avenue in the Brewerytown neighborhood, just a quick ride to the Philadelphia Zoo, Kelly Drive or anywhere in Fairmount Park; mountain and fat bikes are available for daily rentals or several days. Brewerytown's sister store is Fairmount Bicycles, located just north of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway; the fleet includes sporty and city-friendly options and Big Dummies--perfect for toting kids or shopping bags. Farther east toward Northern Liberties, urban-cycling specialist Firth & Wilson Transport Cycles provides city and cargo bikes for an hour, four hours or a full day.

More Bells And Whistles: 13 Philly Biking Facts

1. Philadelphia is the #1 big city in the country for bike commuters per capita, at 2.3%. (Source: Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, U.S. Census Bureau)
2. South Philly and Center City are among the top 25 neighborhoods in the country for commuting by bike. (Source: Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, U.S. Census Bureau)
3. With Indego, Philadelphia becomes the first U.S. city to offer a bike-share program that doesn‚t require credit cards. This makes bikes more accessible to a broader range of riders, including those from low-income backgrounds.
4. Between 2015 and 2020, the Indego program is projected to increase annual ridership in Philadelphia 500%, from 500,000 to 2.5 million.
5. Among the reasons Temple Universityreceived the honor of a 'Bike-Friendly University' by The League of American Cyclists: The school offers more than 1,700 bicycle parking spaces, free courses on urban bike safety and an on-campus bike mechanic.
6. The internationally renowned Fuji Bikes, launched in Japan in 1899, now calls its North Philadelphia headquarters home, and its bikes are staples in shops across the city.
7. North Bowland South Bowl, the ultra-popular bowling alleys in Northern Liberties and South Philadelphia, respectively, offer free shoe rentals to those who roll in with a bike helmet.
8. More than 100 artists--from Philadelphia to the Netherlands--submitted creative takes on bike racks for a 2014 contest held by the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. The top 10 designs were installed at Boathouse Row, City Hall and elsewhere in the city.
9. Hotel Palomar and Hotel Monaco, Philadelphia's two Kimpton properties, offer complimentary PUBLIC bikes for their guests. The Palomar'‚s Pedal for Perks program encourages bike riding by offering perks, such as room upgrades and glasses of wine, based on guests‚ total mileage.
10. Simon Firth, the owner of Firth & Wilson Transport Cycles, is the only certified Brooks saddle (seat) repairperson in the United States.
11. For those riders who want to keep up with their friends or improve their hill rides, Philly Electric Wheels in Philadelphia‚s Mt. Airy neighborhood rents and sells electric-assist bikes.
12. Old-school elbow grease and new-wave innovation collide at Bilenky Cycle Works, custom-creators of tandem bikes and other quirky rides that can run around $10,000.
13. One rider who doesn‚t mind the workout: Philadelphia Eagles linebacker and fan favorite Connor Barwin, who is often seen riding his bike to games at Lincoln Financial Field.

VISIT PHILADELPHIA® makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases the number of visitors, the number of nights they stay and the number of things they do in the five-county area.

On Greater Philadelphia's official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.

PURE ADVENTURES TOURS

Sonoma County Wine Country Self-Guided Cycling at $1,445 per person double (before Scout discount) is a more intense road cycling trip over six days and five nights for those seeking longer, more challenging riding in a new destination. Off the saddle there’s ample wine tasting and relaxation. Top quality hotels are included with some upgrades possible. Sonoma County is known for its excellent cycling and scenic wine country, but few take the time to truly explore its hidden gems. Rolling hills, punchy climbs, quiet country roads and lush vineyards make this trip a road cyclist’s dream! On this journey, guests breathe in fresh wine country air and take in view upon view while exploring quiet lanes and roads that only the locals know.

The rate for each itinerary includes a personal orientation upon arrival in order to go over the route book. Staff assist in setting up the bikes while riders get pointers from local experts. Included are accommodation with breakfast for five nights, luggage transfers, detailed road book with maps, cue sheets and suggestions for visits and site information as well as restaurant suggestions, pre travel documentation and information, pre and post travel assistance and travel planning.

In addition to self-guided programs, Pure Adventures offers other ways to organize domestic and international bicycling and hiking vacations: Guided vs Self-Guided vs Supported, Self-Directed, See: pure-adventures.com/blog/2014/06/23/how-to-choose-the-perfect-bicycle-vacation/#.VUk4UvlVhHw

For more information on all of 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: pure-adventures.com.

The Newest Concept in Bicycle Touring? Pure Adventures Introduces Supported, Self-Directed Cycling Adventures

Innovative bicycle vacation specialist Pure Adventures announces ‘Supported, Self-Directed’ adventures, a new concept in cycling vacations that lets guests enjoy many of the freedoms of a self-guided/independent trip with the sag wagon service and trip leader support of a fully guided tour.

“This supported self-directed concept allows independent cyclists to ride and explore remote destinations where roadside assistance or local services may not exist, essentially creating their own ride complete with all the support needed,” says Loren Siekman, Pure Adventures founder/owner. “The support van and trip leader assigned to transfer guest luggage from one overnight stop to the next also assist with ‘sag’ stops along the route (every 20-25 miles), provide a lift for shorter ride options, help with mechanical matters, and handle any on-road emergencies or questions.

Supported self-directed itineraries require that a minimum of six people sign up for the same fixed departure date and program. However if six friends or family members sign up, then they can choose their own exclusive departure date.

“Even though six or more clients are traveling more or less on the same route, they are under no obligation to fraternize and for all intents and purposes may remain as independent of one another as they like. The only common denominators are that their luggage is in the same van and they’re most probably staying at the same inns,” Siekman said. His company manages all logistics, makes all reservations, and provides all vehicles, trip support leaders, as well as high end bike rentals. “It’s a perfect middle ground between fully guided and independent/self-guided at a price point more closely resembling a self-guided trip.”

The advantages of supported self-directed travel include lower trip rates, no appointed meal and departure times and the freedom to sightsee at leisure. Enroute guests can tap into the expertise of the company’s ride leader who knows bike mechanics, supplies fresh water and healthy snacks, advises on caution stops, suggests things to see and do and provides transport to guest-selected restaurants.

“In this format, we may suggest but are not organizing group activities such as museum visits or wine tastings often included in a fully guided trip. And though trip distances on these programs tend to be longer than most of the self-guided trips we offer, shorter ride options exist thanks to this Sag support. It is the perfect option for couples of different abilities,” said Siekman.

For more information please see pure-adventures.com/ssdtours/

About Pure Adventures
Pure Adventures emerged in 2004 from Discover France Adventures (founded in 1994 by Loren Siekman) to meet North American client requests for high-quality, self-guided cycling tours beyond just France. 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.

This company pioneered self-guided tours in Europe in 1994 and recently launched its first itineraries in North America via exclusive partnership with the Southwest’s most diverse and extensive (over 400) bicycle rental fleet owner and adventure outfitter. Other equipment rentals include kayaks, camping and backpacking gear.

Pure Adventures’ tours in 2015 span Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and now the United States with the introduction of 20 programs in the West.

The company adheres to eco-friendly living and low-to-no-impact travel. Vehicles and other energy consuming resources are not used to support self-guided tours. Electronic communications, cloud storage systems and document sharing help diminish paper printing and storage. Through annual donations the company supports sustainable travel and carbon offsets. Contact them by phone: 800-960-2221 or 480-905-1235, Email: info@pure-adventures.com, or visit online: pure-adventures.com.

Newest Concept in Bicycle Touring, Supported and Self-Directed, Now Offered in Ireland through Pure Adventures
Bicycle vacation specialist Pure Adventures (pure-adventures.com/) recently announced a new way for bicycle enthusiasts to vacation on bikes in unfamiliar territory. The company’s new, supported and self-directed international adventures enhance trips with maximum rider flexibility plus the services of a trip leader and a sag wagon to transport luggage.

These conveniences leave adventurous cyclists free to enjoy the open road on their own terms on a supported, self-directed itinerary in Ireland this season.

Ireland - Biking Cork County to Kerry County, available April to October, is a challenging, seven-day program from €1540 per person, double (roughly $1,675 US), averages 65km a day through County Cork and on to the Dingle Peninsula. Included are six nights accommodation in quality guest houses and small inns, daily all-Irish breakfasts, seven days of dedicated support from the guide/driver and a support vehicle, luggage transfers between lodgings, some transfers, orientation, route maps and cue sheets and more. A choice of bike rentals is available starting at €105.

Guests arrive in Cork and are transferred to Clonakitty on the coast of County Cork where the briefing takes place and bikes are checked out. The destination today is Baltimore, the most southerly section of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way, a long-distance route that journeys some 2,500km from Cork in the South to Donegal in the North. Here overlooking the islands of Roaring Water Bay guests will sip their first pint of Guinness in Bushes Pub. Day 2 brings cyclists to Ireland’s most southwesterly point, the Mizen Peninsula and the village of Ballydehob before traversing historic back roads to one of West Cork’s most noteworthy villages, Schull. Enroute is a ferry ride to Cape Clear, a Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) island with megalithic standing stones, a 5,000 year old passage grave, a 12th century church ruin and a 14th century castle.

Quiet rural roads on Day 3 lead to Bantry Bay, its richly textured history displayed in part at Bantry House, a fully furnished stately home. Tonight guests lodge in Glengarriff, having said goodbye to Baltimore. They are positioned for the Caha Pass the next morning leading from Cork to Kerry. Views appreciated, cyclists move onto a single track road through the Black Valley to overnight in Sneem. From here the Ring of Kerry climbs up to Coomakista Pass, a vantage point that is a jewel in Kerry’s crown. Back roads again lead to Waterville on the Atlantic Ocean – and more Guinness.

Day 5 brings the Ring of Skellig winding up and down along the coast. The ride concludes with a ferry (weather permitting) to the Dingle Peninsula, another Gaeltacht region replete with ancient sites of iron-age forts, inscribed stones and historic churches. From dramatic Slea Head is a site known as Gallarus Oratory and Castle, not to be missed. The active part of the trip concludes at Dingle Benners Hotel, with toasts before the next day’s departures.

“This supported self-directed concept allows independent cyclists to ride and explore remote destinations where roadside assistance or local services may not exist, essentially creating their own ride complete with all the support needed,” says Loren Siekman, Pure Adventures founder/owner.

A less strenuous, self-guided trip is Ireland - Best of the Wild Atlantic Way, a self-guided, seven-day program from €910 Euros ($987 US) per person, double. This adventure focuses on Ireland’s west coast, from Galway City to County Clare, embracing the Aran Islands and Connemara.

For more information on all of 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: pure-adventures.com.

About Pure Adventures
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.

This company pioneered self-guided tours in Europe in 1994 and recently launched its first itineraries in North America. 2015 tours span Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and now the United States with the introduction of 20 programs in the West.

The company adheres to eco-friendly living and low-to-no-impact travel. Vehicles and other energy consuming resources are not used to support self-guided tours. Electronic communications, cloud storage systems and document sharing help diminish paper printing and storage. Through annual donations the company supports sustainable travel and carbon offsets.

Follow Pure Adventures:
Facebook:     www.facebook.com/PureAdventuresTours
Twitter:         @PureAdvTour
Blog:               pure-adventures.com/blog/
Pure Adventures Launches Brand New Way to Experience Western USA's Iconic Cycling Routes
Imagine reigning supreme over the inclines and passes of world famous Death Valley National Park, or conquering the notorious climbs of Arizona’s Sky Islands? This year, Pure Adventures, pioneers in cycle tourism, invites cyclists to experience Western USA’s most challenging and world-class routes with their newest label, Supported Self Directed: a brand new way to cycle and travel that retains the independence of a self-guided trip, but provides the peace of mind of expert guidance and essential support. Pure Adventures’ new SSD trips debut this fall across California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah.

Supported Self Directed travel is the clever touring option for cyclists who’ve graduated from guided trips and are interested in riding at an epic destination with logistics that are challenging to master independently. Pure Adventures’ SSD trips include:

4-day Epic Climbs of Arizona’s Sky Islands SSD Cycling Tour

6-day Yosemite to San Francisco SSD Bicycling Tour

6-day Death Valley Bicycling Discovery SSD Tour

6-day Tucson & Borderlands SSD Bicycle Tour

5-day Bryce Canyon & Zion SSD Cycling & Hiking Tour

6-day San Francisco to Los Angeles SSD Cycling Tour

6-day San Diego Surf & Turf SSD Cycling Tour

.........and more!

These trips open up difficult or isolated tracks to a wider range of rider levels, including the less-advanced set. Cyclists can tackle the route at their own pace and freedom, but benefit from having some support, like professional planned route notes and daily briefing, top quality bicycles, luggage and gear transfers, lodging, SAG stops, and access to a daily bike mechanic who’ll even share tips on where to try the best brew in the area.

Non-riding companions are also warmly welcomed, making it easier for couples to travel and experience the destination together - for example, enjoying meals, the hotel and nearby towns during leisure time. Best yet, Pure Adventures offers fixed SSD departure dates, allowing for a minimum of six participants to affordably share costs, without the confines of sticking to a group itinerary. Custom departures are also available for private groups of six or more.

For more information about Pure Adventure’s Supported Self Directed label, please call 1-800-960-2221 or visit<www.pure-adventures.com.

ROAD TITANS

Bicycle Adventures Extends Summer With 14 New Fall Tour Departure Dates That Move South into November
The leader in North America bike tours, Bicycle Adventures, is extending summer with 14 new fall tour dates to make up for a wet and cool spring when folks couldn’t get on their bikes.

The fall season wraps up in sunny California with departures Nov. 11 in Death Valley National Park. This four-day trip departs Las Vegas for the discovery of a stunning diversity of terrain: 200 miles of eerie salt flats, deceptively velvety sand dunes, crazy-stripe badlands, valleys, canyons, mountains and more. The per person rate is $1,984.

For more information, availability and reservations contact Bicycle Adventures by phone: 800.443.6060, email: office@bicycleadventures.com or visit online bicycleadventures.com.

About Bicycle Adventures - North America’s Premier Bicycle Touring Company™. Scenic byways, four and five-star accommodations and local dining and visits to National Parks are trademarks of Bicycle Adventures, founded in 1984. Types of tours include Classic (25-50 miles a day), Classic Plus (50-60 miles a day) and Epic (70+ miles a day with the most demanding terrain). Value-driven Casual category trips offer budget-conscious lodging and meals, with the same full van support.
Custom tours embrace the Pacific Northwest into Canada, California and the Southwest, as well as Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, New York, Hawaii and New Zealand. Excelling in its own backyard the Issaquah, WA-based company also conducts tours into Washington State’s wine country.
Inspiring Reasons to Experience US Pro Challenge Bike Race in Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado
Bicycling fans not only have the opportunity to watch two of the most exciting stages of the USA Pro Challenge in the Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley, they can get in on the action by taking part in cycling events, festivals, kids activities and more. Crested Butte, Mt. Crested Butte and Gunnison have hosted a stage finish and a stage start three times since the race launched four years ago. Stage 2 finishes in Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte and Gunnison will host the start of Stage 3.

It’s no secret that the communities are bike crazy, with Crested Butte being one of only four communities in Colorado to have the prestigious gold designation from the League of American Bicyclists, and Gunnison among only seven towns with silver status. Crested Butte also is one of the birthplaces of mountain biking and host of the oldest mountain biking festival in the world. There is a wealth of other options for fun including hiking, boating, rafting, horseback riding, fishing, browsing art exhibitions, and enjoying a wide array of locally owned shops and eateries, making it a great place to catch a finish and a start all in one place and experience classic Colorado.
Find out more at www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com.

Stages 2 & 3 Overview

Each year, US Pro Challenge searches for ways to include more of Colorado’s deep cycling history. Last year it was the climb up Bachelor Gulch and this time around it will be the unpredictable Kebler Pass during Stage 2. The 105-mile route launches at 10:10 a.m. and opens fast by ripping down the Aspen Valley through the sprint cities of Basalt and Carbondale before tackling the 8,700-foot McClure Pass. A short descent brings the race to Gunnison County Road 12, which is a 20-mile rollercoaster that constantly changes from pavement to dirt and back again and tops out at 9,900 feet over Kebler Pass. A technical descent into Crested Butte brings the race back to familiar terrain. As in 2011 and 2012, the stage wraps up with a sprint through downtown Crested Butte and a steep finish climb up to Mt. Crested Butte. Keep up-to-date on www.facebook.com/GCBBikeLove?ref=hl>Facebook.

During Stage 3, the Queen Stage, racers not only contend with a mountaintop finish, they also have to pass over it first, giving spectators a chance to see the race multiple times from the same vantage point. Stage 3 starts at 11:25 a.m. in Gunnison with three laps through town and heads east for 35 miles before tackling the 11,300-foot monster that is Monarch Pass. A descent on the eastern slope of the pass leads riders to two 9-mile loops through Salida and the surrounding countryside. Then it’s game time as they tackle nearly 20 miles of climbing to a finish at an elevation of 10,800 feet at Monarch Mountain ski area after a punishing day covering 96 miles. Check out the local www.facebook.com/GunnisonQPC>Facebook page.

For those wanting to watch both the start and finish of stage 3 in person, there is a bus shuttle from Gunnison to Monarch Mountain that costs only $10 for a roundtrip ticket. Seats are limited, so purchase a ticket at www.gunnisonprochallenge.com or Gunnison Community Center.

Vacation Packages & Visitor Information

To save on flights, hotel rooms, vacation packages, car rentals and more, go to www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com. For travel planning and general information, call (800) 814-8893, visit <www.GCBevents.com and follow GCBTA event promotions on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gcbta.

About Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado

Nestled in a valley with nearly two million acres of pristine, mountainous wilderness, Gunnison-Crested Butte has a prime location in southwest Colorado. Winter sports enthusiasts know the area for its world-class alpine skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and more. Fair-weather activities include mountain biking, hiking, wildflower and wildlife viewing, climbing, boating, whitewater rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing, camping and horseback riding. Year-round visitors enjoy distinctive restaurants, locally-owned shops, stimulating cultural opportunities and festivals galore ranging from the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival and Gunnison Cattlemen’s Days to Crested Butte Bike Week and Gunnison Car Show weekend.

Along a 31-mile stretch of wide-open vistas and stunning scenery, visitors can explore Gunnison, Almont, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte and connect with the quaint and historic burgs of Pitkin, Gothic, Tin Cup, Marble, Powderhorn and Crystal, also located in Gunnison County. Gunnison and Crested Butte, both founded in 1880, are known for their Victorian-era charm, friendly Western hospitality and free-spirited nature. Almont is a fishing, rafting and rock climbing mecca, and the resort village of Mt. Crested Butte is home to renowned Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Visitors also can explore Curecanti National Recreation Area, home to Colorado’s largest body of water, and the nearby Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Gunnison County is part of the West Elk Loop and Silver Thread Scenic & Historic Byways.

Gunnison-Crested Butte is conveniently located in southwestern Colorado, a scenic 4-hour drive from Denver via U.S. Highway 285 or a 31⁄2 hour drive from Colorado Springs on U.S. Highway 50. Air service to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC) for the 2014 summer/fall season is provided by United Airlines with direct flights from Denver (DEN) and Houston (IAH).

Biking on Rhode Island

About Pedal Minnesota

Pedal Minnesota is an unprecedented collaboration of state agencies and private organizations to encourage more people to get on bikes more often, in Minnesota. The partnership includes Explore Minnesota, the Minnesota departments of Health, Transportation and Natural Resources, the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota, and the National Park Service. Pedal Minnesota encourages all types of biking, from leisure to commuting. PedalMN.com serves as a go-to resource for information on bicycling, including mapping tools, lists of biking events, personal tips and trip ideas from bicyclists across the state.
About Monopoint Media
Monopoint Media LLC, founded in 2006, is a creative agency focused on outdoor, sports, and active lifestyle brands. The company (MonopointMedia.com) is based in Minneapolis and works with brands to build video, stories, micro-sites, social-media projects, and custom events. Monopoint Media owns and operates GearJunkie.com, a widely-read blog covering gear, the outdoors, and active lifestyle topics.
For more information contact Explore Minnesota, 121 7th Place East, Suite 100, St. Paul, MN 55101

PORTUGAL NATURE TRAILS

For more information, trip availability, itineraries and reservations contact call (North America) 888 752 0244, Email: northamerica@portugalnaturetrails.com or visit online: www.portugalnaturetrails.com/

About Portugal Nature Trails
Portugal Nature Trails is a premier adventure travel tour company offering guided and service.
Take Your Seat at the Tour de France Finish, Paris 2015!
From the serious spinner class participant to road cyclist to the wine buff, the auction gem of a front-row seat to the Tour de France finish line is enticing.
As part of its 60th anniversary celebration, nonprofit May Institute is auctioning a number of unique items including a Tour de France package that features five days in Paris, hotel accommodations for two, and an unforgettable day in reserved grandstand seating at the finish line on the Champs-Elysées, followed by a private cocktail reception. The package has an estimated value of $3,200. All proceeds will benefit May Institute.

May Institute, with corporate headquarters in Randolph, Mass., is an award-winning nonprofit organization with 60 years of experience in serving children and adults with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities, brain injury, mental illness, and behavioral health needs.

The Tour de France package is donated by Todson, Inc., based in Foxboro, Mass, a company that has been a fixture of the bicycling industry for more than 60 years. The family-owned company represents some of the world's most storied cycling brands including Topeak accessories, OnGuard security, and Velox bicycles.

“As a long-standing May Institute board member, co-chairman of its 60th anniversary event and champion of children’s causes, I want to do something special to help celebrate the organization’s history and accomplishments,” noted Neal Todrys, president of Todson. He added, “As a cycling enthusiast and wine aficionado, I know that many of my colleagues and friends have the Tour de France on the bucket list. We hope that people will bid generously to celebrate life, travel and adventure.”

About May Institute
May Institute is an award-winning nonprofit organization with 60 years of experience in serving children and adults with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities, brain injury, mental illness, and behavioral health needs. The organization provides educational, rehabilitative, and behavioral healthcare services to individuals, as well as training and consultation services to professionals, organizations, and public school systems. At more than 160 service locations across the country, highly trained staff work to create new and more effective ways to meet the special needs of individuals and families across the lifespan.

TREK TRAVEL TOURS

Back By Popular Demand - An Epic Cycling Adventure from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine

Trek Travel has announced their second annual Portland to Portland Cross Country bicycling trip. This 45-day epic journey, covering 3700 miles, is the ultimate adventure for those who seek the great American road trip from the seat of a bike. This route is the second iteration of Trek Travel’s famous Cross Country USA bike tour, having done the southern route (from Santa Barbara, CA to Charleston, SC) since 2007. They are the industry experts in fully-supported cross country cycling experiences of a lifetime.

Averaging 100 miles a day with four rest days scheduled in the 45-day adventure, cyclists begin in Portland, Oregon and conclude in Portland, Maine. The cost of the trip is $16,999 per person and includes the use of a Trek Domaine 5.9 or the brand new Trek Emonda bicycle for a $300 upgrade fee. Three guides and a massage therapist accompany the group and Trek Travel offers a dedicated trip consultant to advise on training for the ride.

Highlights of the journey include:

Day 4 – Cycling the Lewis & Clark Trail in Washington
Day 8 – Conquering Lolo Pass, the first Rocky Mountain pass in Montana
Day 11 – Completing the highest mileage day of 124 miles with 6,000 ft. of climbing
Day 15 – Riding along the Yellow Stone River bordering the national park in Montana
Day 16 – Ascending 9,430 feet, the highest point of the journey and taking Medicine Wheel Passage through Big Horn National Park in Wyoming
Day 18 – Cycling the Black Hills of South Dakota and taking in old western towns
Day 25 – Enjoying the scenic beauty of Iowa’s grassy plains
Day 27 – Discovering Madison, Wisconsin’s state capital and Trek Travel’s hometown
Day 33- Exploring historic Marshall, Michigan with its 850 landmark buildings
Day 35 – Journeying through the Irish Hills of Ohio
Day 36 – Cycling by Pennsylvania’s Amish communities and Allegheny National Forest
Day 40 – Cycling through Adirondack Park in New York
Day 43 – Enjoying New Hampshire’s White Mountains and descending 25 miles from the top of Kancamagos Pass (known as the Kanc).

For further information contact Trek Travel at 1-866-464-8735 or visit www.trektravel.com

About Trek Travel
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Trek Travel is an active vacation company specializing in cycling vacations. Each trip includes the use of a Trek Domane™ 5.9 bicycle featuring Garmin Touring Plus GPS devices and Di2 electronic shifting; with an option to upgrade to the Emonda SLR, the lightest production road bike available: accommodations; gratuities; most meals, snacks and drinks for each day’s ride; daily route support; social hours; entrance fees to group events; transportation during the tour; complimentary Trek Travel merchandise, and more.

Trek Travel was formed in 2002 as the luxury bicycle touring arm of Trek, one of the world’s largest bicycle manufacturers. This year, the company marks its twelfth season offering luxury, explorer, race, and personalized bicycling vacations around the world.
Trek Travel Announces Its “Legends Series” Featuring Special Guest Pro Cyclists Andy Schleck and Jens Voigt
Trek Travel, a leader in personalized cycling vacations, has announced its “Legends Series” providing cycling adventurists the chance to ride alongside internationally renowned professional road racing cyclists Andy Schleck and Jens Voigt.
As part of this series, Andy Schleck will join the Etape du Tour trip during the Tour de France while Voigt will join Tour de France Alps to Paris Ultimate VIP race experience. In addition, both cyclists will participate in a designated Trek Travel trektravel.com/trip/mallorca-ride-camp-4-day/>Mallorca Bike Camp.

Andy Schleck and L’Etape du Tour trip

Andy Schleck, who won the Tour de France in 2010 and was a runner up in 2009 and 2011, will join Trek Travel’s Etape du Tour trip from July 14-20. L’Etape du Tour, (French for “stage of the Tour”), is an annual cycling event that allows amateur riders the chance to tackle an entire stage of the Tour de France while the official riders take a rest day during the tour.

More than 13,000 amateur cyclists, from around the world, participate in this event which sells out months in advance. The ride begins in St. Jean de Maurienne, France and concludes in La Toussuire.

Throughout the week guests participate in preparatory rides through the picturesque French countryside while preparing to test their abilities on a professional stage while the Tour de France plays in the background. The cost of the trip is $4699 per person based on double occupancy.

About Trek Travel
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, (www.trektravel.com) Trek Travel is an active vacation company specializing in cycling vacations. Each trip includes the use of a Trek Domane™ 5.9 bicycle featuring Garmin Touring Plus GPS devices and Di2 electronic shifting; with an option to upgrade to the Emonda SLR, the lightest production road bike available: accommodations; gratuities; most meals, snacks and drinks for each day’s ride; daily route support; social hours; entrance fees to group events; transportation during the tour; complimentary Trek Travel merchandise, and more.

Trek Travel was formed in 2002 as the luxury bicycle touring arm of Trek, one of the world’s largest bicycle manufacturers. This year, the company marks its twelfth season offering luxury, explorer, race, and personalized bicycling vacations around the world.
For avid cyclists who crave a heart pounding, authentic travel experience along with bragging rights, this trip is for you. For further information contact Trek Travel at 1-866-464-8735 or visit www.trektravel.com

About Trek Travel

Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Trek Travel is an active vacation company specializing in cycling vacations. Each trip includes the use of a Trek Domane™ 5.9 bicycle featuring Garmin Touring Plus GPS devices and Di2 electronic shifting; with an option to upgrade to the Emonda SLR, the lightest mountain bike on the road: accommodations; gratuities; most meals, snacks and drinks for each day’s ride; daily route support; social hours; entrance fees to group events; transportation during the tour; comprehensive Trek merchandise, and more.

Trek Travel was formed in 2002 as the luxury bicycle touring arm of Trek, one of the world’s largest bicycle manufacturers. This year, the company marks its eleventh season offering luxu ry, economy, personalized bicycling vacations and Ride Camps around the world.
Une Balade à Vélo : A french cycling agency invites you to discover France by bike
Une Balade à Vélo creates beautiful individualised self guided cycling tours with short stages of no more than 50k. Whatever you enjoy the agency can accommodate you be it wineries, countryside, the coast or heritage.

The tours are for families, couples or groups. You'll be provided with suitable bikes and all the necessary accessories for all age groups and we even include electric bikes.

You do not have to be an athlete to join these tours, merely able to ride a bike for up to 5 hours.

Travelling slowly is the best way to see France, meeting people and enjoying the landscape along the way. The self-guided tour provide you with a comprehensive road book listing all the interesting sights along the way and contain all the information you would ever need.

There is a wide range of hotels with all having 2-4 stars with breakfast or half board on demand. Your luggage will be there each evening waiting for you, leaving you to carry the daily essentials in the bags provided on your bike.

Une Balade à Vélo has a 24 hours hotline if you need information or help.

The Regional Tours

The 7 day Loire Valley tour is most popular, if you love architecture, wine and history, this is for you. For details check web site www.unebaladeavelo.com/#!loire-valley-self-guided-bike-tour/c1hgo

The Brittany tour is a combination of beautiful countryside and seascapes. For details check web site www.unebaladeavelo.com/#!brittany-cycling-tour/c20be

The 3 day Saint Emilion tour is for you, if you love beautiful villages and have a passion for wine and architecture. For details check web site www.unebaladeavelo.com/#!saint-emilion-en/c2mz

Personalised tours are available on www.unebaladeavelo.com and the agency is happy to help you plan your French adventure.

About Une Balade à Vélo

Une Balade à Vélo was created in 2013 by 2 young frenchies, Elise and Guillaume to help you discover France the slow way. They both love cycling through beautiful countryside and want others to enjoy their passion. For more information contact@unebaladeavelo.com
UCI World Road Cycling Championships
About the Quirk Hotel, A Destination Hotel (Opened September 17, 2015)
Featuring Approachable Art, an Artist in Residence and Richmond’s Highest Rooftop Terrace Bar, Quirk Hotel is Destined to Become City Hotspot Offering Simple Elegance with a Dash of Humor. It is Richmond’s first-ever, design-driven boutique lodging option. A brand-new immersive hotel concept that showcases the world of local creatives, Quirk Hotel offers an engaging experience for the creative and curious, and invites the experiential traveler to absorb the authentic culture of the community, using art as a guide.

Inspired by nearby Quirk Gallery, Quirk Hotel’s DNA stems from an unexpected twist of sophistication and humor, with equal parts Southern cordiality and Virginia pride. The hotel’s opening – timed to coincide with cycling’s international pinnacle event, UCI World Road Cycling Championships (Worlds), taking place in Richmond Sept. 19-27 – demonstrates a defining moment for both downtown Broad Street’s revitalization and Richmond’s emergence as an international arts and culture destination.

Quirk Hotel serves as an interactive community gathering place for both locals and Richmond visitors to immerse themselves within Richmond and experience the city’s eccentric, trendy and exciting art scene. The fabric of the local culture is woven throughout the hotel, with locals and guests co-mingling throughout the hotel’s social gathering spots ranging from the lobby-located restaurant Maple & Pine led by Chef David Dunlap, to the rooftop terrace bar and lounge, to the adjacent art hub experience at Quirk Gallery.

New Experiential Theater Package
In celebration of the opening of Quirk Hotel, the property has partnered with local favorite, The Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre, to offer a special, limited time package perfectly suited for Richmond visitors and theater buffs. The November Theatre originally opened in 1911 and featured stars like Lucille LaVerne and John Bunny until a fire damaged the space in 1927, after which it lay dark for several years and then reopened to feature films and vaudeville performances. After various usage, in 2012 the Empire Theatre opened after a $2 million renovation and was renamed the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre.

The package includes:
· Overnight stay in a suite
· Dinner for two at the hotel’s on-site restaurant Maple & Pine
· Tickets for two to the latest show at November Theater with a choice of:
-- A personal guided tour of The November Theater including a complete history of the theater scene in Richmond, backstage access and meet-and-greet with the actors
-- A personal guided tour of The Props and Costume Archives including time to “play”
Prices start at $599

Pioneering Design
An Italian Renaissance building located in the heart of The Broad Street Commercial Historic District, Quirk Hotel is housed in a 60,000 sq. ft. historic Richmond landmark, originally constructed in 1916 as the city’s finest department store, J.B. Mosby & Co. The structure’s overhaul and design led by its owners, husband and wife duo Ted and Katie Ukrop, focuses on capturing the building’s original purpose by honoring its history through unique architectural elements. The Ukrops commissioned two of today’s highly acclaimed design companies to bring their vision to life: Richmond-based architectural firm 3north and Connecticut-based interior design firm Poesis Design.

Inspired by Richmond’s culturally rich history, the designers began the restoration project by first combing through thousands of bits and pieces of the city’s 400-year-old history, performing diligent research on what from the past makes Richmond the unique city it is today. A thoughtful interpretation for Quirk Hotel resulted from that research – a historically vibrant design, full of key artifacts, color and art that tell the tale of Richmond’s storied past. Details such as the lobby’s segmental arches, groin vault ceiling and ornamental ironwork staircase have been preserved throughout the structure. As an homage to the building’s historic department store days, specially-designed, larger-than-life glass cases adorn the lobby, housing museum-like objects and collections such as vintage hats, while acting as natural spacing partitions. The lobby’s focal point upon entrance is a major art installation titled “Pile,” created by local artist Susie Ganch. Comprised entirely of white coffee lids collected from Richmond’s coffee shops, this piece de resistance is a symbolic interpretation of the hotel’s pillar ethos – fostering community, honoring the old, embracing the new and finding beauty in the unexpected.

Blending sophistication, flare and humor, the hotel’s 74 guestrooms and suites take a subtle riff on the husband/wife dynamic of the owners, culminating in the perfect marriage of masculinity and femininity. Each room features a palate predominately composed of warm-pink, gray, walnut brown, white and black, allowing alternating pink and gray colored walls (Benjamin Moore’s “Love and Happiness” and “Gray Owl” respectively) to serve as the idyllic backdrop to hang local artwork created by artists from Petersburg and Richmond – easily available for travelers to purchase if they so choose. Historic highlights such as the original wood floors stay intact, while 100-year-old Virginia wood beams taken out of the original structure during demolition have been repurposed and used to create the glossy walnut bedframes that anchor each guestroom. Room design highlights additionally include contemporary millwork, sculptural glossy white lacquered furniture, 14 ft. ceilings, frosted glass shower enclosures and high tech amenities along with other unusual quirks within the décor and finishing. A stunning glass cube placed atop the structure and invisible to the eye from street level will house four specially designed suites upon the project’s completion.

Artful Amenities
Developed as an extension of the beloved Quirk Gallery whichfeatures exhibitions of “approachable” work by both established and emerging local artists, Quirk Gallery will offer an easily accessible entrance to the hotel once it relocates in September to an adjacent building. The gallery, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in September 2015, displays works of many local, regional and national artists and sparked the idea for an art-driven, eclectic and engaging hotel. An impeccably landscaped courtyard will separate this adjacent building from the main hotel. Additionally, 2,000 sq. ft. of unique meetings and events spaces will be available to hotel guests and locals in addition to an on-site fitness center.

The Quirk Artist in Residence program provides artists with time and space away from their usual environment to allow for an opportunity to explore new channels for creative inspiration. Located one block east of the hotel, the artist in residence is supplied with a studio/apartment with a stay ranging from 1-6 months, with participants either working toward an exhibit with Quirk Gallery or expanding their own research. The program is exemplary of the supportive local Richmond arts community, and is open to artists from all mediums, cultures, academics and societal backgrounds, while customized to fit each artist’s needs. The program is available by application and invitation.

The hotel’s first artist in residence is Leigh Suggs, a 2015 VCU Craft Materials MFA graduate with a concentration in textiles, who will be in residence from July 1, 2015 – January 2016.

Convivial Cuisine
Quirk Hotel strives to provide an interactive community gathering place for both locals and Richmond visitors with food and beverage options available throughout the hotel’s convivial spaces inclusive of both a coffee bar and restaurant serving lunch and dinner located within the lobby, as well as a rooftop terrace bar.

The culinary experience at Quirk Hotel is led by Chef David Dunlap (previously of The Inn at Little Washington, The Ashby Inn in North Carolina and Plume at The Jefferson, DC) and focuses on artisan cuisine, sourced locally with an emphasis on regional culinary traditions.

Maple & Pine, located in the lobby, is the hotel’s culinary cornerstone and serves as a reflection of Virginia’s inventive dining revolution. The restaurant’s modern American craft cooking showcases the region’s micro-seasons while incorporating global flavor profiles. The menu delivers an original genre that exhilarates while remaining approachable and familiar. Utmost respect and understanding to the regional offerings and its producers are tasted in every bite. The rooftop bar provides unobstructed views of Richmond’s skyline and offers modern adaptations of classic cocktails, small batch spirits and regional craft beers.

Ownership/Management
Quirk Hotel is the first hotel to open under the development of owners Ted and Katie Ukrop and Quirk Hospitality, LLC, based in Richmond, VA. Ted Ukrop, a Richmond native whose family once owned the former Ukrop’s grocery store chain, ubiquitous in the region, is a developer/managing member of several Richmond properties and complexes as well as co-founder of Lift Caregiving, a family caregiving resource. Katie Ukrop is founder and owner of Quirk Gallery.

About Quirk Hotel, A Destination Hotel
Quirk Hotel is a boutique, art-centric hotel opening in September 2015 in Richmond, Va. The hotel offers a carefully curated, artistic experience that showcases distinctive art throughout the property’s 74 guest rooms and suites, artisan restaurant, bar, rooftop terrace bar and conference rooms. Located in an Italian Renaissance building originally built in 1916 as the J.B. Mosby Dry Goods Store and created by the renowned New York architectural firm of Starret and Van Vleck, the 60,000 sq. ft. property is owned by Quirk Hospitality, LLC. Quirk Hotel is the first hotel to open under the development of owners Ted and Katie Ukrop and Quirk Hospitality, LLC, based in Richmond, Va.

About Destination Hotels
Destination Hotels (Destination) is a collection of luxury and upscale independent hotels, resorts and residences across the United States. Offering authentically-immersed and enriching experiences, each property is individual at heart, yet connected by a commitment to drawing upon the best of each location. Highly distinct, the Destination experience is always memorable and matchless; guests will feel the locale in a genuine way through each property and during the engaging moments cultivated both in and outside of them. Continuously growing with more than 40 properties from coast to coast, the award-winning portfolio features 20 renowned golf courses, 20 indigenous spas, and 110 exceptional bars and restaurants. Destination Hotels are true to our place; diverse by design. For more information, visit www.destinationhotels.com. Follow on Twitter: @Destination. Facebook: DestinationHotels.

Please note: All information is copyrighted and may not be used without permission

Sturmfist 4 Four Finger' Gloves Built For Winter Biking-
If you're like me, you ride year-round, even in freezing temperatures. Finally, one company - 45NRTH - had the smarts to create a special glove called Sturmfist 4 that fuse the pinky and ring finger area together but leave enough room with separated fingers and thumb to do all the braking and shifting as necessary, and keeps your nice warm fingers on the handlebar grips.
Selling for the pricey sum of $130, these gloves are thin and lightweight even though they were bilt for cold temperatures. It was one of the Minnesota company's goal to provide the necessary warmth, while rating the gloves down to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Made of Polartec NeoShell, the gloves block water and wind but breathe so your hands won't sweat.They'll also last a long time, according to the manufacturer, because the palm material is made of goat leather, and the insulation is a synthetic down-like material called Polartec Alpha. Merino wool lines the gloves that fit nicely against the wearer's skin.
Zackees
World’s First Zackees Brand Turn-Signal Glove Now Available
Created by a Google Engineer, these Turn Signal Gloves are one of the best ways to increase your visibility and communicate your turning intentions to other vehicles on the road.

Prices from $84.99–$99.99 and $64.99–$74.99, Zackees™ Turn Signal Gloves™ features an ambient lights sensor which boosts visibility during the day and extends battery life at night.

The Ultrabright Rechargeable Pack delivers more power per blink than disposable batteries. This upgrade includes four rechargeable coincells and a charger pack. We are calling this combo the Ultrabright Rechargeable because the gloves are significantly brighter with these rechargeable coincells. Save 40% by bundling the upgrade with your purchase today.

FREE SHIPPING in the US.
Experience Zackees™ Turn Signal Gloves™ with semi-pro cyclist Charles Hobbs as he commutes around the chaotic streets of San Francisco, while signaling his turning intentions to other vehicles on the road.
Activating the Lights

The company spent months making the perfect activation switch between the thumb and index finger. They found that the patent pending custom metal rivets are by far the most natural to use. You’ll feel the solid metal click as the glove activates.
Signaling

Signal behind you just like any other vehicle on the road. Simply extend your arm out in the direction of your turn and then naturally activate the light panel.

Increase your visibility to oncoming vehicles. Our patent pending design allows you to signal while keeping your hands on the handle bar of your bike. The surprisingly bright LED lights grab the attention of everybody around you.
Product Features
Washable

This glove is tough enough to survive your washing machine. Remove the batteries and toss in the cold wash with your other dirty clothes. Hang dry.
Surprisingly Bright LEDs

How can they be so bright when using such a small battery? Efficiency. The LEDs the company uses are some of the most efficient on the market at converting power into light. A light sensor boosts light output during the day!
Long Battery Life

The company's gloves get 2 months of daily active use (when used with four minutes of active blinking a day).
High Quality Textiles

Since this company wanted to create the best possible glove that would compete against the top glove makers, it added comfortable leather palms, an absorbent towel around the thumb, retro-reflective trim and breathable spandex throughout.

The Company's Story

Zach Vorhies - Founder

Prior to starting Zackees™ I was a Software Engineer at Google for five and a half years where I was known for integrating Google Earth into the Audi Navigation system for the A8 (and later other car lines). I started working with electronic clothing in 2010 when a friend of mine in Fashion crashed at my house after burning man. I’ve been hooked ever since. In April of 2013 I invited New York fashion designer, Wheylan Dean-Ford, to make electronic clothing with me. We came up with five designs which can be seen at futuretechwear.com. One of these designs was our earliest prototype of the Turn Signal Gloves™. From April until now I’ve been improving the look, usability, and durability. In August of this year I realized that I had something very special but it became clear that I could not bring these Turn Signal Gloves™ to market as a hobby. Therefore after much soul searching I decided to leave Google in August and dedicate my time to bringing my Turn Signal Gloves™ to the market.
Murat Ozkan - Co-Founder

I work as a Senior Design Engineer at Nuvation. I design electronics for a living! You may have seen the combat robots I’ve worked on after hours with my buddies at Nuvation along with a bunch of the other cool stuff we build there. I joined the Zackees™ team in June and created the electronics that make the gloves work. I helped realize the high level of integration between clothing and electronics that the Zackees™ Turn Signal Gloves™ embody. I have built interactive electronic clothing in the past and I was fortunate enough to have my work featured in the San Francisco WearTechCon.
For more information call (415) 857-5879, M-F 9am to 7pm PST.
DOCUMENTARIES
Special Documentary Opening in Theaters starting December 4, 2015 --- BIKES vs CARS -- Inspiring A New Approach to urban Planning
New York City @ Cinema Village
Los Angeles @ Laemmle Monicas
San Francisco @ Roxie

BIKES vs CARS, a new documentary film by Fredrik Gertten (BANANAS, Big Boys Gone Bananas) that advocates for bike-friendly cities in the 21st century, will be released in theaters nationwide starting Friday, December 4 in New York City (Cinema Village), Los Angeles (Laemmle Monicas) and San Francisco (Roxie). The film, and a related app, has been inspiring a new approach to urban planning that could lead to better designs, smarter political decisions and reduced CO2 emissions.

The film is expected to have a strong theatrical release by connecting the bicyclist community and people who are interested in progressive urban planning, as well as general audiences.

BIKES vs CARS is a documentary about the bicycle and what an amazing tool for change it can be. It highlights a growing conflict in city planning between the bicycle, which supports a diverse city with a human scale, and the car, which engenders urban sprawl and reliance on fossil fuels.From Copenhagen to Los Angeles to Sao Paulo, director Fredrik Gertten explores the ongoing efforts of bicycle activists, who are fighting for their right to ride on city streets against the combined forces of multi-billion dollar auto, oil, and construction lobbies, who are determined to keep our cities car dependent. BIKES vs CARS is a crie de coeur that will have audiences reaching for their bikes instead of their car keys. A companion app will help cyclists track how much they reduce their CO2 imprint and oil consumption for every mile they ride instead of drive. The app is a campaign tool to support activists and cities to work towards bike-friendlier cities.

BIKES vs CARS will be released theatrically this December in New York and Los Angeles with other cities to follow on Kino Lorber’s Alive Mind Cinema label. The theatrical campaign will be supported by a full-fledged community outreach campaign with an emphasis on engaging environmental and bike groups to see the film and support legislation that endorses bicycling. “For those who already embrace bike culture, the film will confirm their convictions,” says Elizabeth Sheldon, SVP Kino Lorber. “And for those who prefer to drive, the documentary shows how more bike-friendly cities benefit everybody, not only cyclists.”

“Bikes vs Cars depicts a global crisis and how every person can contribute to the solution by riding their bike," said Fredrik Gertten, the film's director.

More information about movie is available at alivemindcinema.com/bikesvscars and the app is available at bikedataproject.org or on iTunes: Bikes vs Cars.

BIKES vs CARS was produced by Margarete Jangård and Elin Kamlert for WG Film.

About Alive Mind Cinema:
Specializing in documentaries in the areas of enlightened consciousness, secular spirituality and culture, Alive Mind Cinema seeks to provide audiences with intellectually provocative films that deliver the "aha" response of a transformative experience. Learn more at alivemindcinema.com.

About Kino Lorber:
With a library of 1,000 titles, Kino Lorber Inc. has been a leader in independent art house distribution for over 30 years, releasing over 25 films per year theatrically under its Kino Lorber, Kino Classics, and Alive Mind Cinema banners, including five Academy Award® nominated films in the last seven years. In addition, the company brings over 70 titles each year to the home entertainment market with DVD and Blu-ray releases under its five house brands, distributes a growing number of third party labels, and is a direct digital distributor to all major platforms including iTunes, Netflix, HULU, Amazon, Vimeo, Fandor
After Bite® KIDS™
From the maker of the #1 selling insect bite treatment, After Bite® -- The Itch Eraser® -- comes a powerful new treatment just for children, After Bite® Kids™.
As sure as the sun will rise this summer, it will happen: kids will be bitten by insects and will feel inclined to scratch at their bites, further irritating the skin in the process. And when parents try to apply any number of existing insect bite treatments the inevitable will occur: their children will experience yet more stinging pain.
Thankfully, this won’t happen with new After Bite® Kids™ - according to the manufacturer. With its special non-stinging antiseptic formula, kids will be happy to have their parents apply it. After Bite® Kids™ provides children with fast, gentle relief from insect bites. Containing Eucalyptus Oil, Tea Tree Oil (a known natural antiseptic), Baking Soda, Aloe Vera and Vitamin E, this unique cream formula will not only provide relief from insect bites but also helps to prevent infections. Being a cream just makes it that much easier to apply directly to the bite area and helps it to stay put on the insect bite. With ingredients that grandma used in her home, After Bite® Kids™ is today’s convenient, ready-to-apply relief from insect bites. Not only a salve for the pain and irritation associated with insect bites, After Bite® Kids™® is also effective at relieving other minor skin irritations.
After Bite® Kids™ will be a must-pack item for any parent with children on the go this summer. Available in an easy-to-apply .7 oz tube, After Bite® Kids™ (MSRP$3.99) fits perfectly in the first aid kit, medicine cabinet, glove box, tackle box and backpack.
BEN'S
Ben's® Wipes Offer Outdoor Enthusiasts Added Convenience & Less Waste
In its ongoing effort to provide hikers, hunters, anglers, campers and other outdoor enthusiasts with the most effective tools for defeating biting insects, Tender Corp. introduces Ben’s® 30 Tick & Insect Repellent Wipes. New for 2007, Ben’s® 30 Wipes offer outdoor enthusiasts the same effective alcohol-free 30% DEET-based formula, but in a delivery system that affords greater application control and convenience.
“Windy conditions often accompany our best days in the outdoors, which can make it hard to apply repellent using conventional methods without over spraying occurring,” says Tender Corp.’s marketing director, Jen Cusick.Cusick continued, “Since you can apply the repellent on the Ben’s® Wipes directly to the skin or clothing, neither wind nor rain can disrupt you from fully administering the product and protecting yourself.”
Along with greater control, Ben’s® 30 Tick and Insect Wipes also provide greater convenience. Available in a 12 pc box (MSRP$4.99) and 3 pc clamshell package (MSRP$1.99), Ben’s® Wipes can be easily stowed in your pocket or day pack, when you need to travel light.
Made by Tender Corporation (the makers of After Bite®), Ben’s® 30 Tick and Insect Repellent is comprised of a water-based solution containing 30% of the active ingredient DEET. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recognizes repellents containing DEET as providing consumers with the most effective protection against bites from mosquitoes, including those infected with West Nile Virus (WNV), and from ticks, which are responsible for the spread of Lyme Disease.
Unlike most DEET repellents, which contain alcohol, Ben’s® 30 is a water-based solution -- a significant difference for outdoor enthusiasts for several key reasons. By its nature, alcohol causes the pores of the skin to open, which means that more repellent gets absorbed into the body and there’s less repellent available on your skin to work against the bugs. Plus, alcohol evaporates at a faster rate than water, and when it does DEET goes along for the ride. Therefore, an alcohol-based repellent does not last as long as a water-based one. As such, with Ben’s® 30 outdoor enthusiasts are getting more repellent for their money. Water-based repellents are also safer; since it contains no alcohol, Ben’s® 30 is less likely to catch alight. Lastly, whereas alcohol creates a strong aroma -- that traditional “insect repellent” smell -- Ben’s® 30’s water-based formula offers a milder and much more pleasant scent.
With West Nile Virus, Lyme Disease, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and other dangerous insect-borne diseases a growing concern during warmer weather months, outdoor enthusiasts need a repellent that they can trust will provide effective protection and Ben’s® 30 more than fits the bill. Ben’s® 30 with DEET offers up to eight hours of protection per application and, best of all, it’s also safe to apply to children. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, repellents containing a DEET concentration level of 30%, such as Ben’s® 30, are safe to apply to children over two months.
For a stronger level of DEET protection, Tender also offers Ben’s® 100 Max Formula, which keeps you protected for up to 12 hours with just one application. Containing 98% DEET, Ben’s 100 is ideal for hunters, anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts who are traveling in heavily bug-infested areas within North America or around the globe. (For additional advice on avoiding mosquito bites this summer, see “Tender’s Top Five Tips for Enjoying the Outdoors” document.) In addition to the Wipes, Ben’s® 30 comes in a variety of other sizes, including a large 6 oz. Eco-Spray can (MSRP$7.99); a 4 oz. pump (MSRP$5.99) for smaller storage areas such as backpacks, hunting compartments and tackle boxes; and a 1.25 oz bottle (MSRP$3.60), which can be stored conveniently in a pocket or glove box for quick retrieval. The 1.25 oz pump and 4 oz are also available together as a Home & Field pack (MSRP$7.99), allowing you the flexibility to keep the 4 oz for backyard use and refill the 1.25 oz as needed for other outdoor excursions.
Benefits of this product according to the manufacturer:
·      Water-based solution allows less absorption of DEET
·      Less Absorption means higher efficacy - water & Based formulas last longer
·      Water-based DEET formulas are less flammable than alcohol based formulas
Water-based products are safer for the environment; they contain no VCS's (Volatile Organic Compounds)
About Tender Corporation
Tender Corporation is a privately owned and operated business located in the heart of the White Mountains in Littleton, NH. There are offices and distribution centers in Barrie, Ontario, Rotterdam, Holland and Newbury, England with distribution in over 40 countries. Founded in 1975, the firm manufactures the world-famous insect bite treatment, After Bite®, and a full line of well-known insect repellents, first-aid treatments and sunburn and windburn products and has recently added first aid kits through Adventure Medical Kits. Many Tender Corporation products are packaged in innovative ways that make them extremely convenient to use as well as environmentally friendly. Partial proceeds from the sale of many of the company’s products go to Tender Corporation’s Environmental Scholarship Fund. Complete product information is available on the company's web site: www.tendercorp.com
Don't Bite Me
Don’t Let Bugs Take a Bite Out of You!
Bug bites are often seen as a necessary evil of outdoor activity. They're annoying, causing itchiness, swelling and redness to the skin. But statistics show that they can also be extremely dangerous -- leading to West Nile Virus, Encephalitis, Lyme disease and even Malaria. Last year there were over 3,500 cases of West Nile Virus, resulting in 121 deaths, according to the Center for Disease Control. With the warmer, high-risk months fast approaching, individuals and families can rely on the innovative Don’t Bite Me! patch to help protect themselves against the annoying and potentially life threatening effects of bug bites.

The Don’t Bite Me! all-natural insect repellent patch offers a first of its kind solution. Available nationally for the first time after they flew off the shelves in limited distribution last summer, the discreet, all-natural transdermal skin patch delivers a blend of protective Vitamin B1 and aloe combination throughout the body, protecting individuals against bites from pesky, disease-carrying mosquitoes, gnats, ticks, chiggers, sand fleas and no seeums for up to 36 hours.

Concerns about increased prevalence of West Nile, Encephalitis and Lyme disease in the United States and also exposure to Malaria and other diseases have helped fuel sales of insect repellent, up over 30 percent since 2001. The potential of disease, coupled with concerns about the possible side effects of DEET, have led a growing number of consumers, particularly parents, searching for insect repellents that work but have low or no toxicity. The Don’t Bite Me! Patch provides the answer.

Vitamin B1 is the key effective ingredient in Don’t Bite Me! Patch, and when applied to the skin, provides protection from biting insects. The thiamine-based formula is absorbed into the bloodstream through the transdermal delivery of the Don’t Bite Me! Patch. Excess B1 is then secreted through the body’s pores, creating an odor that is almost undetectable to humans, but offensive to mosquitoes. This odor forms a protective barrier around the body that shields the user from mosquitoes and other biting insects. Aloe, the other active ingredient, accelerates the absorption of the B1 and serves as an anti-inflammatory, and in the event of a rare bite — it helps reduce the reaction, particularly for those who are sensitive to mosquito bites.

“Family and friends rave about the effectiveness and convenience of the patch,” adds Kauffman, whose friends have tried the Don’t Bite Me! Patch during a weekend camping trip with their family. When the mother of the family arrived at her campsite, she discovered she only had two patches with her instead of the four she needed to protect her family. She quickly applied the patches to her two daughters. All weekend, the girls were bite free, while she and her husband were swatting mosquitoes and covered with bites.

Don’t Bite Me! Patch offers the following positive attributes as compared to messy sprays, lotions or towelettes:

No DEET, safe for children and adults alike
Easy, no mess application– just apply a patch to your skin
Protects skin often missed with a spray, such as ears and scalp
Waterproof, no need to re-apply after swimming or exercise
Protects up to 36 hours
Patent pending, all-natural formula
Incredibly effective

Early testing with select Boy Scout groups, members of the U.S. Army, missionaries and healthcare workers in Africa as well as professionals who spend their days working outside in bug-infested areas has brought in rave reviews about the effectiveness of the Don’t Bite Me! Patch. More specifically:
· EODT, a security company for the U.S. government while helping to rebuild Iraq used the patches and re-ordered when they realized the patch works against sand fleas, a larger problem than mosquitoes in Iraq.
· More than 30 soldiers in the U.S. Army tried the product while in the deep woods near the Arkansas river and found they were effective during their three-week stay in the chigger infested woods. They reported NO bites from mosquito, chiggers, or ticks.
The Don’t Bite Me! Patch received the Most Innovative Product Award at the Natural Products Expo East Show in October 2006. At the same show, Supermarket Guru, Phil Lempert of The Today Show and Jeff Nibbler from SPINS highlighted the product’s “wonderful innovation.”
The Don’t Bite Me! Patch is available at natural food stores and major retailers nationwide including Kroger, Rite Aid, and select Walgreen’s and Wal-Mart stores nationwide. The product comes in a five-pack for a suggested retail price of $4.99 and a 10 pack for a suggested retail price of $7.99. For more information on where to buy, visit www.dontbitemepatch.com
La Fresh
La Fresh Creates New, Easy-to-Use Insect Repellent Towelettes
The All Natural Biodegradable Insect Repellent Towelettes made by La Fresh are the perfect answer for always having insect repellent on hand - whether it's when traveling by car, train, boat, or bus. Carry the easy-to-use towelettes in yur purse or backpack where it takes up the tiniest space so they're always ready to use outdoors while enjoying your favorite activities. Carry them in your bike bag, too, or even your pocket! DEET-free, they are also biodegradable and TSA friendly.
The La Fresh Insect Repellent Towelettes are $4.99 for six or $19.99 for 30. For more information go to web sitewww.LaFreshGroup.com.
ThermaCELL Mosquito Repellent Lantern -- Camping Just Got Better
ThermaCELL, manufacturer of the only portable, butane-operated, area mosquito repellent, offers an attractive upright lantern that provides not only unmatched protection from insects, but ambient outdoor lighting as well. No more swatting, no more lotions or sprays, and no need to buy expensive bug tents: the ThermaCELL Lantern is up to 98% effective at warding off mosquitoes, black flies, and no-see-ums.
The ThermaCELL Lantern is silent and odor free, has no messy wax, and turns off automatically if accidentally tipped over. It operates on a single butane cartridge, which heats a mat releasing Allethrin, an insect repellent that is a synthetic copy of pyrethrin, a natural insecticide found in the pyrethrum flower, creating a 15 x 15–foot comfort zone. Each mat contains enough repellent for four hours of protection and each butane cartridge will operate the unit for 12 hours.
The Lantern is available in a standard clear, as well as a mood version that provides a vivid, ever-changing “color show” of rainbow light. The Mood Lantern is best viewed in low-light conditions and adds ambiance to any patio, deck or campsite.
The Mood Lantern can be used as a Mosquito Repellent Lantern, as a Mood Lantern, or as both at the same time. The “color show” uses a proprietary battery-operated LED unit imbedded in the base of the lantern and is activated by pressing the “ON” button on the bottom of the unit. The zone of mosquito protection is activated by inserting a butane cartridge and repellent mat and lighting the lantern.
The Lantern comes with one butane cartridge and three repellent mats. The Mood Lantern comes with one butane cartridge, three repellent mats, and 4 batteries. Both lanterns are 8.5” tall and 5” in diameter at the widest point. MSRP is $24.99 for clear and $29.99 for the Mood Lantern. Both are available at mass merchants, hardware stores, and outdoor retailers.
ThermaCELL, a division of The Schawbel Corporation of Bedford, Massachusetts, utilizes patented technology to create cordless, portable appliances powered by replaceable butane cartridges.
For more information on ThermaCELL’s complete line of products call 1-8-NO-SKEETERS. For retail locations visit www.thermacell.com.
ThermaCell Mosquito Repellent System
I'm off to Florida where I'll be camping and kayaking. One thing I won't forget to take with me is Thermacell's new Mosquito Repellent System because, no matter who I'm with, I'm always the one who gets bitten - even through my clothing! With this unique butane-operated mosquito repellent system, I no longer have to use smelly sprays, greasy lotions, or cumbersome netting -- because not only is it highly-effective, but it's small, portable, and fits neatly into a pack or vest pocket.
The unit, which operates on a single butane cartridge, heats a mat releasing Allethrin, an insect repellent that is a synthetic copy of pyrethrin, a natural insecticide found in the pyrethrum flower. Each mat contains enough repellent for four hours of protection and each butane cartridge will operate the unit for 12 hours. The odorless 4.5 x 4.5 meter comfort zone offers up to 98% effective protection against mosquitoes, blackflies, and other biting insects. With the click of a button, ThermaCell is on and repelling these nasty insects, and the complete comfort zone is created in under 10 minutes.
This must-have, especially if you're tired of scratching those horrible, itchy bites, unit has been used by professionals around the world, including the U.S. Army in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan, and has been approved by the PRMA for safety and effectiveness. The unit is available in Olive, Grey, or Woodland Camouflage, and the suggested retail price is $21.99 for Olive or Grey, and $24.99 for Woodland. The unit measures 19 cm x 7.6 cm x 3.8 cm at the top, and 19 cm x 3.8 cm x 3.8 cm at the bottom, and weighs only 6.4 ounces with a full butane cartridge.
For more information on this and ThermaCELL's complete line of products, call 781-541-6900, or for retail locations, check web site www.thermacell.com.
Thermacell Introduces Team Realtree Mosquito Defense System
The world’s most effective area insect repellent is now available in the world’s most effective camo pattern--REALTREE® Hardwoods Green HD™. With the announcement of a new Team REALTREE ThermaCELL® mosquito repellent unit, this important tool can blend in just as well as all your other hunting gear.
The ThermaCELL system creates a 15 x 15-foot zone of protection that is up to 98% effective against mosquitoes and other biting insects. REALTREE, a highly regarded brand in the outdoor industry, produces some of the most realistic and recognized camouflage patterns on the market. With ThermaCELL now available in REALTREE Hardwoods Green HD, not only is the repellent undetectable to game, so is the unit.
The unit operates on a single butane cartridge, which heats a mat releasing Allethrin, a synthetic copy of a naturally occurring insect repellent. Each mat contains enough repellent for four hours of protection, and each butane cartridge will operate the unit for 12 hours.
The REALTREE ThermaCELL appliance , MSRP $29.99, measures 7.5” long and 1.5” thick, and is 3” wide at the top, 1.5” at the bottom.   It weighs a mere 6.4 ounces with a full butane cartridge.
ThermaCELL, a division of The Schawbel Corporation of Bedford, Massachusetts, utilizes patented technology to create cordless, portable appliances powered by replaceable butane cartridges.
For more information on ThermaCELL’s complete line of products call 1-8-NO-SKEETERS. For retail locations visit www.thermacell.com.
ThermaCELLHolster Available in Team Realtree Hardwoods Green
ThermaCELL®, manufacturer of the world's only butane-operated, area insect repellent, offers a convenient way to transport the popular appliance in and out of the woods - the ThermaCELL Holster. This convenient holster, previously only available in Olive Green, is now available in Team REALTREE® Hardwoods Green.

The Team REALTREE Holster is constructed of heat resistant 600D polyester with two polyurethane coatings and a water resistant coating making it durable and water resistant. The holster snugly fits around the standard size ThermaCELL appliance, has two side pouches to carry additional butane cartridges and repellent pads, has a nylon-webbing strap with a quick release snap for ease of attachment, and new for the Team REALTREE version, a nylon-webbing belt loop. The Holster offers a hands-free method of transporting the ThermaCELL appliance and also enables the user to securely attach the appliance to a tree stand or boat.

ThermaCELL Mosquito Repellent creates an odorless 15 x 15-foot zone of protection that is up to 98% effective in repelling mosquitoes and other biting insects. The appliance operates on a single butane cartridge, which heats a mat releasing allethrin, an insect repellent that is a synthetic copy of a natural insecticide found in chrysanthemum flowers. Each mat contains enough repellent for four hours of protection and each butane cartridge will operate the unit for 12 hours. MSRP for the Team REALTREE Holster is $12.99.

ThermaCELL, a division of The Schawbel Corporation of Bedford, Massachusetts, utilizes patented technology to create cordless, portable appliances powered by replaceable butane cartridges.
For more information on ThermaCELL's complete line of products or store locations please visit www.thermacell.com or call 1-8-NO-SKEETERS (866-753-3837).
Don’t Bug Me! Skin Patch Provides Effective All-Natural Insect Repellent and Protection for Up To 36 hours; DEET-free and Safe for Children
Don’t let mosquitoes or other pesky bugs take a bite out of you this summer. While bug bites are often seen as a necessary evil of outdoor activity, statistics show that these bites can also be dangerous – leading to increased incidence of West Nile, Encephalitis and Lyme disease and even illnesses such as Malaria acquired through international travel. And then there’s the annoying itching, swelling and redness that also occur when a nasty bug takes a bite out of your skin.
Just in time for summer, the Don’t Bug Me! insect repellent patch offers a first of its kind solution -- a transdermal skin patch that delivers a combination of protective Vitamin B1 and aloe combination throughout the body. One patch protects against bites from pesky, disease-carrying mosquitoes, gnats, ticks, chiggers, sand fleas and no seeums for up to 36 hours.
Concerns about increased prevalence of West Nile, Encephalitis and Lyme disease in the United States and also exposure to Malaria and other diseases have helped fuel sales of insect repellent, up over 30 percent since 2001. The potential of disease, coupled with concerns about the possible side effects of DEET, have led a growing number of consumers, particularly parents, searching for insect repellents that work but have low or no toxicity. This summer, the Don’t Bug Me! Patch may provide the answer.
Vitamin B1 is the key effective ingredient in Don’t Bug Me! Patch, and when applied to the skin, provides protection from biting insects. The thiamine-based formula is absorbed into the bloodstream through the transdermal delivery of the Don’t Bug Me! Patch. Excess B1 is then secreted through the body’s pores, creating an odor that is almost undetectable to humans, but offensive to mosquitoes. This odor forms a protective barrier around the body that shields the user from mosquitoes and other biting insects. Aloe, the other active ingredient, accelerates the absorption of the B1 and serves as an anti-inflammatory, and in the event of a rare bite — it helps reduce the reaction, particularly for those who are sensitive to mosquito bites.
Don’t Bug Me! Patch offers the following positive attributes as compared to messy sprays, lotions or towelettes:
• No DEET, safe for children and adults alike
• Easy, no mess application– just apply a patch to your skin
• Protects skin often missed with a spray, such as ears and scalp
• Waterproof, no need to re-apply after swimming or exercise
• Protects up to 36 hours
• Patent pending, all-natural formula
• Incredibly effective
Early testing with select Boy Scout groups, members of the U.S. Army and professionals who spend their days working outside in bug-infested areas has brought in rave reviews about the effectiveness of Don’t Bug Me! Patch More specifically:
·       EODT, a security company for the U.S. government while helping to rebuild Iraq used the patches and re-ordered when they realized the patch works against sand fleas, a larger problem than mosquitoes in Iraq.
·       More than 30 soldiers in the U.S. Army tried the product while in the deep woods near the Arkansas river and found they were effective during their three-week stay in the chigger infested woods. They reported NO bites from mosquito, chiggers, or ticks.
The Don’t Bug Me! Patch received the Most Innovative Product Award at the Natural Products Expo East Show in October 2006. At the same show, Supermarket Guru, Phil Lempert of The Today Show and Jeff Nibbler from SPINS highlighted the product’s “wonderful innovation.”
The Don’t Bug Me! Patch is available at natural food stores and major retailers nationwide. The product comes in a five-pack for a suggested retail price of $4.99 and a 10 pack for a suggested retail price of $7.99.
For more information on where to buy, visit www.dontbugmepatch.com
Therapik
Therapik -- The New Way to Temporarily Relieve Pain and Itch from Insect Stings and Bites
I tried this new product that the company advertises as clinically proven, drug-freerelief in 30 seconds and is reusable. And, I found that it works and works well in about 20-30 seconds. It is said to also work on the painful stings of bees and wasps. Based on a very simple, scientifically proven principal, Therapik's soothing heat temporarily relieves the pain and itching by increasing localized blood flow to the affected area.
The directions are simple: Make certain the area is dry and remove all moisture with a tissue. Then, immediately after the bite or sting, place the round red applicator tip gently onto the surface of the skin where you were bitten or stung. To acitivate, press and hold the large blue activation button. Keep the button pressed as long as the heat is bearable onto the skin. The average application time is 20 to 30 seconds or more. If you feel the heat may be burning your skin, stop the treatment immediately. If the application feels too hot, you may be applying too much pressure keeping it applied too long. the gentle placement on the treatment area, I found, allows for a comfortable thermal therapy treatment. If symptoms persist, Therapik may be applied multiple times until relief is obtained. Wait at least 60 seconds between each application.
Therapik is powered by a 9-volt battery, not included with the purchase. The product is guaranteed for one year replacement guarantee under normal operating conditions.
For more information contact the manufactuer, Jenex Corporation, Burlington, Ontario, Canada L7L 5K6 or the distributor, More Power 2 U, Sales and Service Department, 4638 N. Hiatus Road, Sunrise, FL 33351; 954-578-6909.
SUNSCREENS
Coppertone Products
Coppertone Sunscreens Will Protect You from the Sun's Harmful Rays
Today, melanoma cases are on the increase - and is one of the major & deadliest Cancer killers. Be safe, apply sunscreen frequently, and stay out of the sun during peak hours. Coppertone makes various sunscreens to choose from depending on your outdoor activities and preferences, as follows:
Coppertone Sport AccuSpray Sunscreen
The company's Coppertone Sport AccuSpray Sunscreen is available in SPF 15, 30, 50, and 70 6 oz. continuous spray, and has a unique, patented technology that delivers a continuous spray you can control. Coppertone Sport sunscreens stay on strong when you sweat so they won't run into eyes and sting, while protecting skin during vigorous outdoor exercise. This first-to-market innovation from the #1 sport sunscreen brand provides an improved delivery solution designed to help reduce mess and waste through targeted sunscreen application.
According to the company, it is:
-- The only sunscreen product line with patented accurate spray technology
-- Continuous Spray Sunscreen you can control
-- High performance, durable formulas
-- Controlled application designed to reduce waste and mess
-- Stays on strong when you sweat; won't run into eyes ad sting
-- Water resistant (80 minutes)
-- Photostable, broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection
It is available nationwide at food, drug and most internet retailers for the suggested retail price of $9.99.
Coppertone Sport Lip Balm SPF 30
This lip balm worked great while I was kayaking, feels good on my lips and does the job.
It is a convenient new lip offering from the #1 sport sunscreen brand and helps smooth and soften lips while providing broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays.
It is portable; photostable, broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection; and water resistant (80 minutes).
Coppertone Sport Lip Balm SPF 30 is available in 15 oz., and available nationwide at food, drug, mass and internet retailers for the suggested retail price of $2.99.
Coppertone Sport Sunscreen Lotion
Available in SPF 30, 50, 80 and 100+. I especially liked the feel of this lotion which protected my skin during my kayaking with bright sun shining down. It didn't run into my eyes or sting and offered, according to the manufacturer, broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays and helped fortify skin's natural defenses by replenishing the antioxidants depleted during sun exposure.
It is water resistant for 80 minutes; photostable, broad spectrum, UVA/UVB protection, is enriched with replenishing antioxidants to help fortify skin's natural defenses and has a no slip grip.
Note: All Coppertone lotions and sprays with an SPF 15 or greater in stores today already meet the newly announced 2012 standard for 'broad spectrum' protection.
This product is available in SPF 30 and 50 in 8 oz. lotions; SPF 80 in 6 oz. lotion; and SPF 100+ in 4 oz. lotion. It is available nationwide at food, drug, mass and Internet retailers at a suggested retail price of $9.99.
Coppertone Sport Sunscreen Stick SPF 55
The sunscreen in this stick stays on when you sweat and protects skin during outdoor activities year-round. It also offers broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays which can cause sun damage and burning.
It is water resistant for 80 minutes; is portable; photostable, broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and specially formulated to provide spot protection for sun exposed areas like the ears, nose and face.
Available in 0.6 oz, at nationwide food, drug mass and Internet retailers at the suggested retail price of $5.49.
Perfective Ceuticals
Perfective Ceuticals' Ultra-light Sunscreen SPR 40 with Titanium Dioxide Not Only Protects Skin, It Improves Appearance
No doubt you've read or heard from your physician how important it is to protect against skin damage - especially when you're out bicycling. Perhaps you don't use a sunblock thinking it's cloudy out? Wrong. You can get severe skin damage even when the sun isn't shining. -- and especially while riding your bike! Thankfully, Perfective Ceuticals has introduced its Ultra-light Sunscreen SPF 40 with Titanium Dioxide.
This proprietary formula, developed by Perfetive Ceuticals with the help of biochemists and doctors, not only provides protection against UVA and UVB rays, but it improves the texture and appearance of skin the more it's used, according to the company. Perfect to wear alone, over daily moisturizer or as an invisible makeup primer, this sunscreen can help reduce the size of noticeable pores.
Its beneficial ingredients inclufe:
-- Titanium Dioxide: An earth mineral used in sunscreens. Capable of creating a physical barrier to block both UVA and UVB
-- Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract: An herb used as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-irritant.
-- Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate: A form of Vitamin C Ester. Works as a powerful antioxidant to prevent cellular aging by inhibiting the cross-linking collagen, oxidation of proteins and lipid percutaneous absorption and stability.
-- Prunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract: Has positive effects on improvement of noticeable pores, and improvement of skin elasticity.
Using an exclusive ultra-light technology, Perfective Ceuticals' Ultra-light Sunscreen SPF 40 with Titanium Dioxide glides on smoothly leaving the skin with a soft, non-grasy finish. It is non-comedogenic and fragrance-free.
This product retails for $36. For more details and to purchase, go to web site www.perfectiveceuticals.com.
About Perfective Ceuticals:
Perfective Ceuticals is allied with renowned biochemists, medical specialists and doctors in developing the finest and most advanced formulas to provide comprehensive solutions targeting the aspects of skin aging. The company addresses the importance of complimenting cutting edge science with naturally derived ingredients and century old methods that have proven results.
TIPS
coming soon
TOURS & RACES
ADIRONDACK BICYCLE TOURS
more soon
ADVENTURE TOURS
ACTIVE ADVENTURES FOR 2015
Epic Cycling Expedition from Rome to Paris
ExperiencePlus!, announces a thrilling two-part expedition tour from Rome to Paris in partnership with esteemed Australian bicycle tour operator, AllTrails. During Part One of your expedition, wend your way through southern Tuscany, pedaling through small villages and stunning scenery all the way to Torino. Part Two of the journey takes you on a challenging ride into the French Alps, traveling through colorful landscapes and stopping in remote villages before ending in Paris, where you will witness the finale of the legendary Tour de France!
Try a Trullo ~ A Whimsical Italian Experience
Take a magical Italian adventure with award-winning bicycle tour operator to explore three UNESCO World Heritage sites including Alberobello, famous for its exceptional 14th-Century structures known as Trulli. Trulli are ancient conical-shaped limestone dwellings unique only to the region of Puglia which is situated along Italy’s enchanting southern Adriatic Coast. Traverse rolling country roads and olive-dotted landscapes before arriving in Italy’s showcase Trulli colony, Alberobello, revered as one of Europe’s most remarkable examples of vernacular architecture.

Puglia is equally renowned for its hearty cucina povera ~ simple and delicious cuisine prepared with Italian, Greek, and Middle Eastern influences. Daily cycling feats are celebrated Pugliese-style, highlighting the creamy goodness of fresh Burrata (cow’s milk mozzarella), rich and tangy ricotta, savory Taralli crackers and sweet-crumbed bread, all washed down easily with a selection of robust local wines.
For details on any of these tours, please contact Nancy Harrison, editor@adventuremedianews.com
AEG -- AMGEN TOURS
Cycling Fans Get the 'Wheel' Deal on Lodging Package Deals for the Amgen Tour of California Beg Bear Lake Time
Trial Includes Discounts at Participating Restaurants, Shops & Activities
Big Bear Visitors Bureau is rolling out its Cycling Race ‘Wheel Deal’ Lodging Packages for this year’s Amgen Tour of California Stage 6 Big Bear Lake Time Trial. The packages come with overnight accommodations at a Big Bear lodge, hotel, or cabin bundled together with a wristband, which gives those who wear the wristband discounts at participating Big Bear restaurants, shops and activities.

“Cycling fans are in for a real treat because our lodging packages give them many ways to save while they’re here for the race!” said Big Bear Visitors Bureau Director of Operations Rebecca Hrabia. “We have a number of participating lodges discounting rooms, some as low as 50 percent off! But it doesn’t stop there, because they’ll have a wristband that gives them access to discounts for dining, shopping, recreation and specialty services.”
To learn more about the Cycling Race ‘Wheel Deal’ Lodging Packages, including a list of participating businesses that are giving discounts visit www.bigbear.com or call 800-424-4232.

About the Amgen Tour of California

The Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race created and presented by AEG that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course that traverses hundreds of miles of California’s iconic highways, byways and coastlines from May 10-17, 2015. The teams chosen to participate have included Olympic medalists, Tour de France contenders and World Champions. Amgen Tour of California is listed on the international professional cycling calendar (2 HC, meaning “beyond category”), awarding important, world-ranking points to top finishers. More info at amgentourofcalifornia.com.

Contact information: Dan McKernan - Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Lake Resort Association, PO Box 1936, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
AIR FORCE CYCLING
The Air Force Association (AFA) is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association promoting understanding of aerospace power and the pivotal role it plays in the security of the nation. AFA publishes Air Force Magazine, conducts national symposia and disseminates information through various outreach programs. It sponsors professional development seminars and recognizes excellence in the education and aerospace fields through national awards programs.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Defense, Space & Security is a $31 billion business with 53,000 employees worldwide. Follow on Twitter@BoeingDefense.
BEERCYCLING TOURS
more soon
BICYCLE ADVENTURE TOURS
Bicycle Adventures Adds Chile To Expanding International Portfolio Of Vacations on Two Wheels
Bicycle Adventures, a Pacific Northwest-based active travel company specializing in two-wheel tours in North America, Hawaii (the Big Island) and internationally, announces a new bike tour itinerary in Chile venturing where few have pedaled before, embracing lakes and snow-capped volcanoes south of Santiago to the northern edge of Patagonia.

In partnership with a local, well-respected Chile-based company, Bicycle Adventures’ Chile Lakes & Volcanoes, a 10-day day cycling vacation, includes a ride on the Lake Ranco Route where until now no other bicycle tour company has been.

“Until a short time ago the road here was gravel. But now it is paved, so we will be the first bike tour company to ride on this road. Our forte is to find roads less traveled,” said Todd Starnes, Bicycle Adventures’ co-owner and guiding visionary
The tour begins in Temuco, Chile, just a short flight from Santiago. The first ride is from the UNESCO Araucarias Biosphere Reserve to the Corralco Hotel and Spa. Day 2 brings guests into the Kütralkura Geopark and The Andes Climb. From here they bike to Vicente Perez Rosales National Park with Osorno Volcano. A hike on Day 3 into Kütralkura Geopark to Coloradito Hill opens up views of four volcanoes followed by a walk through a forest of 2,000-year-old trees. After this serenity comes Pucon, the region’s adventure hub, for more rides up volcanoes, exploring the heart of the Chilean Patagonia rainforest and the Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve, with optional zip lining or spa-ing. Day 9 brings Vicente Perez Rosales National Park ride and an optional climb (chairlift available) of the Osorno Volcano, one of the steepest rides in the world.

Stunning accommodations including a lodge in tree house, a local family-hosted dinner and a lunch in a microbrewery are exclamation points to this over-the-top trip when trip it comes to unscripted adventure and mind blowing scenery.

Departures in 2016 are Jan. 11, Jan. 23, Mar.5, Mar. 21 and Dec. 11. Departures in 2017 are Jan. 9, Jan. 21, Mar. 4 and Mar.20. The per person double rate is $4,850. Included are upscale accommodations, most meals, the services of a bi-lingual guide, bikes, vehicle support, and more. Remember, winter in North America is summer in Chile where the weather is similar to northern California and December temperatures average 65 degrees.

For more details please see bicycleadventures.com/destinations/chile-bike-tours/Chile-Lakes-&-Volcanoes!

For more information on all of Bicycle Adventures programs, domestic and international contact the company by phone: 800.443.6060, emailoffice@bicycleadventures.com or visit online at bicycleadventures.com/.
About Bicycle Adventures
Scenic byways, four and five-star accommodations and local dining and visits to National Parks are trademarks of Bicycle Adventures, founded in 1984. Types of tours include Classic (25-50 miles a day), Classic Plus (50-60 miles a day) and Epic (70+ miles a day with the most demanding terrain). Value-driven Frugal category of trips offers budget-conscious lodging and meals with full van support; Family tours offer multi-sport adventures and riding on safe, scenic bike paths.

Pre-set and custom tours embrace the Pacific Northwest into Canada, California and the Southwest, as well as Colorado, the Dakotas, New York, Hawaii, New Zealand, Spain’s Basque region and Taiwan. Excelling in its own backyard the Issaquah, WA-based company’s line-up includes a National Geographic ‘Tours of a Lifetime’ award-winning Empire Epic cycling tour from Washington to Montana’s Glacier National Park, urban adventures in Seattle and Portland and immersions into the craft beer industry in Oregon and Washington.
Bicycle Adventures Hosts New Camino de Santiago 14-Day Cycling Tour Through Hemingway Territory in Pyrenees
Bicycle Adventures, a Pacific Northwest-based active travel company specializing in two-wheel tours in North America, Hawaii (the Big Island) and internationally, now combines the passion for bicycling with a spiritual component intrinsic to Camino de Santiago, the famous pilgrimage route across northern Spain’s Basque region through the Spanish Pyrenees.

Cyclists pedal to Galicia on Spain’s northwest coast from Pamplona in the foothills of the Spanish Pyrenees. Enroute are ample samplings of the wines of Rioja, a tour of Burgos’ gothic cathedral and the tomb of Spain’s favorite son, El Cid, and the exhilaration of the wide open plains of Castilla Leon. The trip concludes with a toast at the destination, the shrine of the Apostle St. James in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

The biking route is the same that walkers take. However, rather than the mental and physical fatigue of a month on the journey and sleeping with upwards of 150 pilgrims in dorms at night, cyclists engage in sightseeing and enjoying relaxed meals and accommodations in delightful posadas (Spanish inns) and even a restored monastery.

This trip on two wheels, he said, is designed to test one’s mettle and have a lasting effect on your spirit and outlook on life.

“We don't go around any mountains but straight over them, just like the pilgrims do. This is one of the things I really like. This trip has the ability to really change your life. It changed mine. It’s a profound experience meant to make you think about the rest of your life, question your choices. I think it does a great job of doing that. It’s a transformative trip,” Baker said.

As do walking pilgrims, cyclists obtain a Pilgrim's Passport and official Camino de Santiago stamps. Riders pass by trout streams known to Hemingway and settle into tapas bars for leisurely feasts. The route passes through Atapuerca, the UNESCO World Heritage site whose caves cradled the remains of the earliest known human beings in Europe. Not all, however, is ancient, as a day is spent in Leon where bikes are stabled and shopping and sightseeing pursued.

For more information contact Bicycle Adventures by phone: 800.443.6060, email: office@bicycleadventures.com or visit online at bicycleadventures.com/.
Bicycle Adventures Is First International Tour Operator To Bring Guided Cycling Vacations to Taiwan
A Pacific Northwest-based active travel company specializing in two-wheel tours in North America and internationally will be the first international bike company providing guided tours by bicycle of Taiwan, an island nation little known outside of Asia.

Bicycle Adventures launches its new Taiwan Bike Tour in 2015 with two scheduled 11-day departures: Nov. 7. The nearly all-inclusive rate per person, based on double occupancy, is $3,945. Bicycle rental and most meals are included.

“For the past several years, Taiwan has made a commitment to become the bicycling capital of the world,” said Todd Starnes, Bicycle Adventures’ President and Owner. He explained that this commitment came about when the now-retired Chairman and Founder of Giant Manufacturing Co., Ltd., one of the world’s largest makers of bicycles by sales, decided that he would start biking as a retirement activity.

“He jumped on a bike and rode around the island of Taiwan, only to realize that there existed little infrastructure for cycling. He then began giving both his time and his money to support local and national government agencies along with the Taiwan Tourism Bureau to create a cycling-friendly country. This was accomplished through the creation of bike lanes and bike paths, including the Danshui River Bike Path (30-60 KM, depending on one’s appetite). There are even designated bike paths veering through rice paddies,” said Starnes.

Taiwan has begun to embrace health and wellness as a cultural ideal, with new fitness-oriented facilities springing up in urban areas. More people can be seen outdoors walking and running for fitness. Several cities have even begun bike-share programs, according to Starnes.

The easy-to-access and, for the most part, easy-to-bike routes were designed with showcasing the island in mind. The tour itinerary Bicycle Adventures crafted includes stops at culturally significant sites, including the National Center for Traditional Arts and the Lanyang Museum that was created when a Chinese cultural leader was exiled some years ago to Taiwan. Following in his wake came a collection of Chinese artifacts more impressive than any in China or anywhere else in the world.

The gateway city is Taipei where guests are met at the airport. The following day a ride on a high-speed train to Kaohsiung City brings cyclists to the southern end of the island to begin the tour northbound.

On the itinerary that averages about 74 kilometers a day of biking, guests pause in aboriginal villages where people still live as they did hundreds of years ago. These are descendants of Austronesians who first settled on Taiwan.

Traversing the ups and downs and in-betweens of some of the island’s five vertical mountain ranges is part of the fun. This includes rides up to and through two national parks that reveal stunning canopies in near-rainforest settings of up to 8,000 feet. One of the biggest challenges will be an uphill ride in the Taroka Gorge, promised Starnes. “Our guests are welcome to try to ride all the way to the top. I didn’t make it.”

Taiwan, formerly known as Formosa or “beautiful island”, is separated from the Asian mainland by the South China Sea - variously known as Black Ditch, Taiwan Strait or Formosa Strait - across 110 miles of water. Loyalties of its people have been challenged over time as Japan and China have both claimed the island. Today it’s in China’s realm. Mandarin is the official language. Ma Ying-jeou is president of Taiwan.

Bicycle Adventures recently signed the 20,000-member Japan Cycling Association to be an exclusive provider of bike tours in North America. Starnes anticipated that the new Taiwan program will be popular with the Japanese as well. “It’s an easy flight from Japan and a way of introducing our company to the new Japan market.”

For more information, availability and reservations contact Bicycle Adventures by phone: 800.443.6060, email: office@bicycleadventures.com or visit online bicycleadventures.com/.
Bicycle Adventures Livens up Death Valley On November Four-Day Tours
Death Valley National Park via Las Vegas is an adventurous way to escape for a long weekend or a midweek getaway while extending warm weather – sans rain – on bicycles this fall.

Bicycle Adventures, a Pacific Northwest-based active travel company specializing in two-wheel tours in North America, Hawaii’s Big Island and New Zealand, has announced a series of four-day November departures into the largest (5,219 square miles) National Park in America’s Lower 48.

The dates for Death Valley ‘1984’ departures at $1,984 per person are Nov 6, 11.

Death Valley National Park protects the northwest corner of the Mojave Desert, spanning the border of California and Nevada, and Badwater Basin at 282 feet below sea level - the lowest point in North America. The region receives two inches or less of rain annually. Late fall temperatures range from the 70s to 90s. The region is home to more than 1,000 species of plants found only here (more than 50 are endemic). Unrivaled diversity of terrain includes 200 miles of eerie salt flats, velvety-looking sand dunes, crazy-stripe badlands, deep canyons and snow-tipped mountains. Guests cycle on average 30 miles a day, sometimes past abandoned mines, and they may fit in a round of golf at the world's lowest elevation course, go horseback riding or just sit in the sun by the pool at Furnace Creek Resort.

“My first time to Death Valley, I was surprised by the variety of things to see and do and just how great the cycling was. The area has historical and geological significance, which means great climbs, flat terrain, rolling hills, smooth roads – and very little traffic. This all comes with a really relaxed atmosphere,” said Todd Starnes, owner of Bicycle Adventures.

Starnes’ head bike guide and guru, Matt Paul, still dreams about the descent on Daylight Pass – six months later. “Epic view, easy corners, smooth roads, 20 miles of descending! This was the most amazing way to begin four days of perfect cycling. On the fourth day, when finishing the climb to Dante’s View, I could just about see all of the places I had ridden since entering the valley. That includes 80 miles northwest to Ubehebe Crater, 60 miles north to Daylight, 5500 feet straight down to Badwater Basin and 25 miles to Furnace Creek with Zabriskie Point in between. What a way to finish off the trip. And I still had the 25 mile descent back to the lush Furnace Creek in front of me!”
Bicycle Adventures Is Wheeling in Families With New Cycling Holidays for 2015
This Pacific Northwest-based active travel company specializing in two-wheel tours in North America and internationally offers three new family options on vehicle-free bike paths in Idaho, South Dakota and Seattle.

“What sets us apart? The most exciting thing about our family tours is is that all of them are on safe, car-free bike paths. The routes are super-fun, incredibly scenic and safe as can be,” said Todd Starnes, Bicycle Adventures’ President and Owner. He said his staff can arrange to accommodate infants and toddlers in trailers; children as young as four can participate in pedaling special tag-along bikes attached to the back of a parent’s bicycle. Equipment is provided by the company.

“Our company receives most of our new trip and destination ideas from our loyal alumni riders,” explains Starnes. “For years we’ve been hearing, ‘what about more family trips?’ so we’ve responded with a sure-to-be-a-hit lineup of cool rides!”

The two-wheel itineraries include such diversions as ice cream stops, amusement parks, swimming and river rafting. Here’s Bicycle Adventures’ new family trip roster:

Bicycle Adventures has offered a special trip for families in the past and will continue its popular Hawaii Family with extra kid-friendly activities built into the tour in addition to hiking, biking and catamaran cruising. Guests may opt for stand-up-paddle boarding or surfing lesson plus there’s plenty of time to snorkel and to enjoy some of the great swimming pools at the hotels when not pedaling quiet back roads and lanes. An ocean-side natural hot spring at Ahalanui Park heated with volcanoes is a big hit with the kids. The per person double rate for six days is $2,660; children’s discounts available. Departures Dec. 27, 2015.
For more information, and 2015 availability and reservations contact Bicycle Adventures by phone: 800.443.6060, email: office@bicycleadventures.com or visit online at About Bicycle Adventures - North America’s Premier Bicycle Touring Company™. Scenic byways, four and five-star accommodations and local dining and visits to National Parks are trademarks Bicycle Adventures, founded in 1984. Types of tours include Classic (25-50 miles a day), Classic Plus (50-60 miles a day) and Epic (70+ miles a day with the most demanding terrain). Value-driven Frugal category of trips offers budget-conscious lodging and meals, van support and shorter itineraries.

Pre-set and custom tours embrace the Pacific Northwest into Canada, California and the Southwest, as well as Colorado, South Dakota, New York, Hawaii, New Zealand, Spain’s Basque region and Taiwan. Excelling in its own backyard the Issaquah, WA,-based company conducts tours of Washington State’s wine country and includes an immersion into the craft beer industry in California, Oregon and Washington.

For more information check Bicycle Adventures website at bicycleadventures.com
Bicycle Adventures Announces New International Trips Including Taiwan and Spain’s Basque Country Plus Addition of “Frugal (Money-Saving) Tours.”
Note: Epic Tours promise rides of minimally 70 miles a day through phenomenal scenery, plus deluxe dining and lodging. “These tours are designed for avid cyclists who like nothing better than to ride 100 miles/day through spell-binding landscapes, with plenty of surprises, challenges and climbing,” said Todd Starnes,” Bicycle Adventures Founder/CEO. Classic Tours are designed for more casual riders who like the sound of “35-ish miles/day”, plus hiking, shopping and soaking up the sun.
New International Tours for 2015:
Island of Taiwan: This island nation offers a unique and safe cycling experience that begins with a high-speed train ride from Taipei at the north end of the island to Kaohsiung City in the south for the start of the tour. Along the way guests challenge themselves with one of the most famous climbs in the world, into the mountains of Taroko National Park and back down again. There are stops at the National Palace Museum, an aboriginal village and night markets, national parks and of course along the coast that rivals Big Sur. New and experienced cyclists can enjoy this 11-day trip with departures Nov. 7. The per person double rate is $3,945.

Methow Valley Cross-Country Ski Tour is a six-day program beginning Feb. 8 and Feb. 22 that engages people who want to learn to cross-country ski or skate-ski or just simply hone their skills. These tours are led by seasoned Bicycle Adventures guides and cross-country ski experts Teri Smith and Laurie Stephens. The per person double rate is $2,499. bicycleadventures.com/destinations/washington-bike-tours/Methow-Cross-Country-Ski-Tour

Lewis & Clark 3 - Pierre to Williston –
bicycleadventures.com/destinations/south-dakota-bike-tours/Lewis-&-Clark-3---Pierre-to-Williston

Lewis & Clark 4 - Williston to Great Falls –
bicycleadventures.com/destinations/north-dakota-bike-tours/Lewis-&-Clark-4---Williston-to-Great-Falls
For more information, 2015 availability and reservations contact Bicycle Adventures by phone: 800.443.6060, email: office@bicycleadventures.com or visit online at travelnewssource.us4.list-manage.com/bicycleadventures.com/.
BIKEMAINE
About BikeMaine:
Founded in 2012, BikeMaine is a fully-supported, seven-day cycling tour organized by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. Limited to just 350 cyclists, the tour takes a different course every year. Routes traverse uncrowded back roads, looping through small towns and scenic areas along the coast and inland. The terrain is moderately challenging with daily rides averaging 55 miles. The event includes meals made with locally sourced ingredients, optional afternoon activities and nightly entertainment. The event was founded to promote the state as a bicycling destination and to use cycling as an economic development tool for local communities. In 2014, BikeMaine generated an estimated $395,000 in direct economic impact. Proceeds from the tour go to support bicycle advocacy in Maine. To learn more, visit ride.bikemaine.org.

About Bicycle Coalition of Maine:
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine is the statewide voice of cyclists and pedestrians. Since 1992, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine has led the effort to make Maine better for bicycling and walking by protecting the rights and safety of cyclists and pedestrians through education, advocacy, legislation and encouragement. We support biking and walking for health, transportation and recreation. For more information: bikemaine.org.

About the Maine Public Broadcasting Network:
The Maine Public Broadcasting Network is Maine's premier, independent media resource, dedicated to creating exceptional opportunities for the communities it serves to engage with critical issues, compelling stories and quality entertainment. MPBN is renowned for creating award-winning programs, as well as airing content from PBS, NPR, and other independent producers. Formed in 1992, MPBN is an independently owned and operated nonprofit organization with office and studio locations in Bangor, Lewiston and Portland, Maine.
CATSKILL BICYCLING ADVENTURES
The Catskills mountain bike trails traverse epic vertical feet and wind around the region's mountains and valleys. And the number of recreation areas is growing with the recently opened Windham Mountain Bike Park, home of the only World Cup circuit race in the United States.

If you're feeling jazzed on the spirit of competition and an American win at Windham, head to the Catskills to check out some of our off-the-beaten-path mountain bike trails, including:

Windham Mountain Bike Center -- Newly opened just this summer (2015), this lift-serviced park offers trails for a variety of skills and features flow style trails, new intermediate level terrain to compliment the World Cup trails, as well as a pump track. Rentals, lessons, guided tours and a cool base lodge with food and drinks available as well. To build the park, Windham partnered with Gravity Logic, the same folks who developed the Bike Park at Whistler in Canada.

Elm Ridge Bike Path -- Also in Windham, just two miles from the bike park, the Elm Ridge Wild Forest offers more than 20 miles of challenging terrain, as well as some beginner-friendly, non-technical trails and some of the best single track in the Catskills.

The Windham Path -- This scenic little 1.5 mile loop is a great way to warm up, offering picturesque views of streams, beaver dams and the surrounding Catskill Mountains. Trailhead located on South Street in Windham.

In the town of Round Top, Roundtopia is a local secret, offering over 20 mils of single track and fire roads maintained by the Round Top Mountain Bike Association (RTMBA).
Cycling Events Take Catskills By Storm in 2015 with Challenging Endurance Racing Routes
Home to challenging hill climbs boasting names like the 'Devil's Kitchen,' the Catskills lay claim to some of the toughest cycling routes in New York, providing the ideal location for several highly anticipated annual cycling competitions.

For cyclists who just want to ride the Catskills‚ routes without competing, Catskill Cycles on Main Street in Catskill and Paddlehead Boards in Athens offer rentals, as well as a full sales and service staff. For additional information about bike routes and other cycling resources in the Catskills, go to www.greatnortherncatskills.com.

About Greene County:
Greene County is in the Great Northern Catskills, home to five of the 10 highest peaks in the Catskill Park, family resorts, outdoor adventure and year-round entertainment. Known as the nation's first wilderness, and renowned as the home of Thomas Cole's Hudson River School, the Catskills are a haven for outdoor recreation and artistic inspiration. Greene County was also the inspiration for Washington Irving's literary legend, Rip Van Winkle. Connect with the Catskills at GreatNorthernCatskills>Facebook.com and on Twitter.com/CatskillTourism
CALIFORNIA BICYCLING EVENTS
more soon
To learn more about Southern California’s Learn to MTB Headquarters at Snow Summit Bike Park visit www.snowsummit.com. For all there is to see and do in beautiful Big Bear Lake, make lodging reservations or request a free Visitors Guide log on to www.bigbear.com or call 800-424-4232.
COLORADO BICYCLING EVENTS
Biking Bliss with 750 Miles of Trails in Crested Butte & the Gunnison Valley, Colorado
The Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley boasts the largest mountain biking trail systems in the United States with more than 750 miles of mostly singletrack trails and a jam-packed calendar of biking events for 2015. For example, the Crested Butte Big Mountain Enduro is the only U.S. stop of the Enduro World Series and will be the country’s biggest mountain biking event in 2015. The biking terrain is so vast that a new trails app and mountain biking website will be launched later this spring.

Since the 1970s, when locals started retrofitting old Schwinn paperboy bikes with multiple gears, Crested Butte has been known as the home of mountain biking. Crested Butte is one of only five communities in Colorado to have the prestigious gold designation from the League of American Bicyclists, and Gunnison is one of only nine towns with silver status.

The first spot in the valley that bikers flock to in spring is the 8,000-acre Hartman Rocks Recreation Area in Gunnison, open now for riding and offering 40 miles of high desert single track and 33 miles of road open to biking once all trails are available. As spring progresses, trails at the north end of the valley begin opening and the chairlifts start running at Crested Butte Mountain from mid-June through the end of September, providing easy access to Evolution Bike Park including several Wednesday and Friday nights.

Townie Events & Casual Cruising

For those who just want to cruise with absolutely no schedule should consider staying at properties such as The Ruby of Crested Butte, Purple Mountain Bed & Breakfast and Old Town Inn in Crested Butte, which have complimentary townie bikes available for guests. Plus, bike shops in Gunnison and Crested Butte have colorful fleets and rent cruisers by the hour.

Travel Deals

Nordic Inn in Mt. Crested Butte has been totally remodeled and is a bike lover’s dream with close proximity to Trail 401, Snodgrass Trail and Evolution Bike Park. Plus, there is a secure bike storage room, bike cleaning station and plenty of space for bike trailer parking.
Vacation Packages & Visitor Information

For travel planning, general information and savings on flights, hotel rooms, vacation packages, car rentals and more, go to www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com or call (800) 814-8893. Also, follow GCBTA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gcbta. Later this spring, bikers can access all sorts of mountain biking information and the new trails app at www.mtbhome.com.

About Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado

Nestled in a valley with nearly two million acres of pristine, mountainous wilderness, Gunnison-Crested Butte has a prime location in southwest Colorado. Winter sports enthusiasts know the area for its world-class alpine skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and more. Fair-weather activities include mountain biking, hiking, wildflower and wildlife viewing, climbing, boating, whitewater rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing, camping and horseback riding. Year-round visitors enjoy distinctive restaurants, locally-owned shops, stimulating cultural opportunities and festivals galore ranging from the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival and Gunnison Cattlemen’s Days to Crested Butte Bike Week and Gunnison Car Show weekend.

Along a 31-mile stretch of wide-open vistas and stunning scenery, visitors can explore Gunnison, Almont, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte and connect with the quaint and historic burgs of Pitkin, Gothic, Tin Cup, Marble, Powderhorn and Crystal, also located in Gunnison County. Gunnison and Crested Butte, both founded in 1880, are known for their Victorian-era charm, friendly Western hospitality and free-spirited nature. Almont is a fishing, rafting and rock climbing mecca, and the resort village of Mt. Crested Butte is home to renowned Crested Butte Mountain. Visitors also can explore Curecanti National Recreation Area, home to Colorado’s largest body of water, and the nearby Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Gunnison County is part of the West Elk Loop and Silver Thread Scenic & Historic Byways.

Non-stop air service to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC) is provided year-round by United Airlines with flights from Denver (DIA). United also is offering non-stop service from Houston (HIA) this summer. The Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) is located just 79 miles from Gunnison, providing additional regional air service to the area.

For more information contact the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association, 202 E. Georgia, Suite B, Gunnison, CO 81230, www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com
Subaru Elephant Rock AnnouncesTwo New Courses
New Century and Sunrise Sunset Mountain Bike Courses Add to Colorado Cycling Festival. The unofficial start to Colorado’s cycling season, the annual Subaru Elephant Rock Cycling Festival, which features a range of road and mountain bike events and is entering its 28th year, announced new courses today for its signature Century course and the increasingly popular all-day mountain bike event, the Subaru Sunrise Sunset.  These key changes, enhancing both the appeal and scenery of the two courses, will be instantly popular with ERock entrants.

The ERock’s Century course, the first early season test of a cyclist’s fitness, links roads previously unavailable and offers a scenic but challenging ride. According to event director, Scot Harris, "our riders are going to love the newly designed Century course. We’ve been waiting for some of these roads to connect for years to make this new loop possible. This quiet, scenic route connects the tranquil country roads through the horse properties east of Franktown to the scenic rolling hills of the Black Forest. Our ERock riders will enjoy a perfect early season century - beautiful and interesting miles without the high mountain passes.”

The all-day Subaru Elephant Cycling Festival offers five different well-supported course options – 100, 62 and 40-mile road courses, a 27-mile gravel course, a gentle, family-friendly 8-miler, and the popular kids race on a safe and easy off-road loop.   The festival also includes food, music and an exciting expo, which features booths from a wide range of local and regional cycling-related, nutrition and apparel groups.

The new Century course, shown in blue on the map, travels through less populated areas, offering riders less traffic and more scenery. Still, at 100 miles, the ERock Century is no picnic. With well-stocked Aid Stations at frequent intervals throughout the course, riders can hydrate, fuel up and take the occasional much-needed break. Says Harris, “this new course is going to make the century even more popular than past years so riders should sign up soon in case we hit our cap.”

The ERock Subaru Sunrise Sunset event, a solo or team 11-hour mountain bike race, is also the beneficiary of a new course for 2015. The Subaru Sunrise Sunset event is moving this year to the freshly cut trails of the Philip S Miller Park in Castle Rock, Colorado. This amazing $30M facility offers an ideal endurance mountain bike venue less than a mile from the Subaru Elephant Rock start/finish. Playful and flowing, the new 6.5-mile course wanders through the hills and drainages of the new park and offers ample viewing for team members and spectators. The Subaru Sunrise Sunset offers recreational and competitive cyclists the opportunity to experience the thrill of competing in a challenging endurance race. The new off-road course is moderately technical and suitable for riders of all abilities. Riders can enter as a solo rider or part of a team of cycling cohorts (2-5 person teams, coed or single gender) for a memorable day of riding, racing, and camaraderie.

About Rocky Mountain Events
Headquartered in Denver, Rocky Mountain Events produces and directs road and mountain cycling events across Colorado for recreational cyclists of all ages and abilities. The Subaru Elephant Rock Cycling Festival in Castle Rock, CO, recognized as the unofficial start of the summer cycling season, offers both road and mountain bike courses of varying distances – from 8 to 100 miles – to kick off the season for cyclists. With the challenging 78-mile Colorado Cyclist Copper Triangle, which starts and finishes in Copper Mountain in early August, RME takes its cycling game to Colorado’s high country. With a course that covers 3 mountain passes (Vail, Tennessee and Fremont) and formidable Battle Mountain, the Copper Triangle is a solid mid-season test. RME completes its season with the October Ikon Tour of the Moon in Grand Junction, which gives riders the rare opportunity to cycle in the spectacular Colorado National Monument. RME has been successfully organizing and operating cycling events for nearly 30 years. For more information visit any of the individual event websites.

For more information contact Peter Downing
720.261.6766 or peter@sparksideas.com
FLORIDA KEYS
Cyclists to Tour Florida Keys During BubbaFest Oct. 31 – Nov. 7
Bicyclists are to explore the Florida Keys and pedal one of America's All-American Roads during the seven-night, 200-mile BubbaFest Bike Tour set for Saturday through Saturday, Oct. 31 through Nov. 7.

Led by retired police sergeant and biking enthusiast Bubba Barron, the fully supported adventure takes cycling fans on a roundtrip journey from Key Largo to Key West along the scenic Overseas Highway (U.S. Highway 1) that connects the Keys with each other and the Florida mainland.

Incorporating 42 bridges and long vistas of breathtaking open water, the highway was designated an All-American Road in 2009, the highest recognition possible under the National Scenic Byways program.

Riders proceed at their own pace each day, enjoying their favorite sport while discovering the Keys' environment and attractions. Aside from cycling, BubbaFest activity options include swimming with dolphins, visiting eco-attractions, snorkeling, sunning and exploring galleries and boutiques. The schedule features a layover day at Marathon in the Middle Keys and two layover days in Key West.

Attractions include manageable mileage averaging 45 miles per day, a mostly flat route suited to riders of virtually all abilities, warm subtropical temperatures and accommodations at waterfront campgrounds. Support vehicles are available to transport anyone who wants a break from cycling, and a bike mechanic and licensed massage therapist travel with the group.

BubbaFest begins in Key Largo Saturday, Oct. 31, with registration at the Holiday Inn Key Largo, 99701 Overseas Highway, followed by a welcome reception and dinner.

The fee of $735 per participant includes six nights at beachside campgrounds, six breakfasts and five dinners, a private open-air trolley tour of Key West, a farewell dinner dance and services of a baggage truck and support vehicle. Motel lodging and "pampering" service are available for an additional fee.

Event information:
www.bubbaspamperedpedalers.com
Florida Keys visitor information: www.fla-keys.com or 1-800-FLA-KEYS (1-800-352-5397)
Social: www.facebook.com/floridakeysandkeywest>Facebook · twitter.com/thefloridakeys>Twitter · instagram.com/thefloridakeys>Instagram · www.youtube.com/user/FloridaKeysTV>Youtube · keysvoices.com/>Keys Voices
H + I Adventures
H+I Adventures Takes Mountain Bikers from Sky to Sea
Adventure mountain biking company treats travellers to high peaks and salty waters on sky-to-sea trips through New Zealand, Spain and Slovenia

Top 3 Sky-to-Sea Bike Adventures

Spain

A week-long adventure in Andalucía, this sun-kissed mountain biking journey takes travellers from the high Alpujarras all the way down to the coast of the Alboran Sea. Peak highlights on this Spanish excursion include a dizzying 2240m climb through the Sierra Nevada, boasting views as far as Morocco. Traditional white-washed mountain villages along the trail offer intimate cultural encounters and opportunities to sample authentic Spanish cuisine. Best of all, day three has mountain bikers tackling the challenging climb near Motril, which is rewarded with a breathtaking descent that winds down the other side for a refreshing afternoon swim in the sea.

Spain trips start at $2278 USD per person, with 2015 availability on October 17th departure, and 2016 availability at Easter time, departing 26th March

Slovenia

A new adventure for 2015, this European mountain biking odyssey barrels down the tough trails and up the soaring peaks of Slovenia, Italy and Austria. The thrills start on day one in Ljubljana with a ride through an alpine meadow followed by a long downhill charge to beautiful Bohinj Lake. This bike tour is packed with scenic climbs in the Julian Alps, including a trek up the Slovenian side of Mount Maggiore, where once at the top, bikers will traverse down the winding trails of the Italian side. After scaling the Julian Alps, this mountain bike adventure will descend through charming vineyards and culminate in the Venetian town of Piran, on the shores of the Adriatic Sea.

Slovenia trips start at $2448 USD per person, with 2015 availability on September 20th departure, and several dates confirmed for summer 2016

New Zealand

New to H+I’s trip roster for 2016, New Zealand is an adrenalin junkie’s paradise and appropriately known as the adventure capital of the world. The summits on this trip are epic, with a ridge-line ride 1600m above sea level between Mount Rosa and Ben Cruachan, as well as a 1400m climb up Old Ghost Road for sweeping panoramic views of the rainforest below. In between plunging descents and larger-than-life vistas, mountain bikers will explore the natural landscape whilst whale watching in Kaikoura and riding above the crashing waves in Christchurch. Add in a leisurely whirl around the trails at beautiful Lake Wanaka and you’ll see why this country is the ultimate destination for mountain bikers.

New Zealand trips start at $3910 USD per person, with 2016 availability on January 25th, March 11th and November 21st departures

For more information, visit mountainbikeworldwide.com.

About H+I Adventures

H+ I Adventures specializes in premium mountain biking holidays. Based out of Inverness, Scotland, the company offers mountain biking trips in Namibia, Mexico, Slovenia, Spain, Yukon, Nepal, Ecuador and Whistler, with four destination trips in Scotland. They are committed to providing sustainable and responsible travel within the communities they visit. H+I Adventures is bonded by the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT)
H+I Adventures Goes Beyond Biking with New Culinary Experiences
H+I Adventures is paving the trail for epicurean adventures around the world. The mountain biking specialists have carefully crafted a collection of mouth watering and eye opening trips that combine active travel with local delicacies in some of the world’s most culturally rich destinations. This year’s roster of culinary mountain biking trips feature tapas tours in Spain, whisky tastings in Scotland and a full-day foodie feast with breakfast in Slovenia, lunch in Austria and afternoon espresso in Italy.

For more information, visit mountainbikeworldwide.com.
About H+I Adventures
H+ I Adventures specializes in premium mountain biking holidays. Based out of Inverness, Scotland, the company offers mountain biking trips in Namibia, Mexico, Slovenia, Spain, Yukon, Nepal, Ecuador and Whistler, with four destination trips in Scotland. They are committed to providing sustainable and responsible travel within the communities they visit. H+I Adventures is bonded by the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT)
H + I Adventures Launches New Web Site to Show World Class Mountain Biking Holidays
H+I Adventures, one of the world’s leading mountain biking adventure companies, has undergone a total rebrand, featuring a new visual identity, online presence and tagline (‘The Art of Adventure’) that inspires adventure travellers to hop in the saddle. The contemporary website helps riders easily discover their ideal mountain bike holiday, and features 2015 and 2016 holidays that are available to book now.
“The H+I rebrand communicates to our adventurers and the mountain biking community that we understand and believe in the art of a well-crafted adventure,” said Euan Wilson, Director, H+I Adventures. “From the moment you browse our new website, you will feel like you are embarking on a dream adventure with friends. We are proud to provide exceptional and inclusive journeys that are expertly designed and guided by professional local mountain bike guides.”

The upgraded website features inspirational photography, epic ride videos, and seamless navigation, making it easy and fun to find the perfect mountain biking journey. 2015 and 2016 destinations on offer include: Scotland, Namibia, Slovenia, Yukon, Nepal, Whistler, Spain, Mexico and Ecuador. For each bike tour, adventurers will find a tour summary, tour diary, day-by-day itinerary, price, logistic details, reviews and tailored FAQs.

H+I offers novice, intermediate and advanced trips that range between 7- and 12- days long, which is ideal for Canadians and Americans who want to make the most of limited vacation days.

For more information about booking a mountain bike holiday with H+I Adventures, visit: mountainbikeworldwide.com or call 1-888-228-5035
HOLIDAY RIVER EXPEDITIONS
The Maze District of Canyonlands NP, Holy Grail for Most Intrepid Mountain Bikers, Offers America’s Premium Backcountry Ride
For over 45 years Holiday River Expeditions has been outfitting and leading oar-powered excursions by raft on the wildest rivers of the West. They helped introduce guided mountain biking in Utah and Colorado nearly 25 years ago. Veterans of the backcountry, they consider the Maze District of Canyonlands National Park their ultimate ride, best suited for only the most intrepid fat tire fanatic.

“The Maze is the least accessible district of Canyonlands, one of the main reasons it was so attractive to us,” explains John Wood, Co-Owner and President of Holiday River Expeditions. “The Maze is so remote and rugged it sees just 2,000 people per year compared to more than 264,000 in the park’s Island in the Sky district. It doesn't even have a visitor center and the ranger station is a long drive down along a dusty road.”

In spring and fall Holiday offers four-day, three-night mountain bike explorations of the Maze in small groups of no more than seven guests and two guides. Daily itineraries can vary widely from one trip to the next based on group desires, abilities, trail conditions and Mother Nature.

Groups meet at the Holiday River Expeditions headquarters in Green River, Utah, and board a shuttle for a three-hour ride to Bagpipe Butte Overlook where the fat tire fun begins. The first day’s ride follows the Flint Trail, the most technically difficult riding of the trip. Those with less experience feel no shame in walking a short stretch of this mile-long descent into the country the old-timers call “under the Ledge”. The trail takes a more serious descent off the Flint Cove onto the White Rim Sandstone layer, where it will be wide open riding to the Maze Overlook and camp for the night. Participants bike 20 miles this day and lose about 1700 feet of elevation.

On Day Two guests descend by foot into the labyrinths called the Maze. A half day walk through time leads to prehistoric Indian panel called The Harvest Scene, a message left a thousand years ago by the Ancestral Pueblo or Ancient Ones. Visitors then exit the Maze in the Land of Standing Rocks where bikes are waiting for the afternoon ride to camp.

Lizard Rock, Chimney Rock, the Wall, the Plug and The Fins are a few of the countless rock monuments that make Day Three’s ride border on surreal. Depending on group desires, this day’s riding will cover between 10 and 30 miles with plenty of viewpoints to stop and garner inspiration.

On Day Four Mother Nature serves up wide-open riding down gradual slopes and through occasional dips into desert washes. Shortly after lunch the road emerges at Lake Powell and Hite Marina. A passenger van meets the group for a two-hour ride back to Green River, Utah.

While this option is best for experienced and advanced riders, Holiday also offers other mountain bike adventures more suitable for beginners and intermediate enthusiasts.

Holiday’s 3-day San Rafael Swell Tour explores a rarely-visited region of Utah where dinosaurs, Native Americans and Butch Cassidy once roamed. Trips are $730 per person scheduled privately upon request.

Other tours that take in the La Sal Mountains and Dinosaur National Monument’s Yampa Bench are offered as pre-set dates or privately scheduled departures.

About Holiday River Expeditions
Holiday River Expeditions (www.bikeraft.com/) began in 1966, when Dee Holladay and his wife Sue took the plunge to become river outfitters. Due to its respect for the lands, rivers, guests and employees, the family-owned-and-operated company has grown exponentially. Each of its guides is professionally trained in first aid and river safety, and with over 48 years of experience, the company provides guests the opportunity to explore the nation’s wild lands safely and securely. Holiday River Expeditions has a philosophy to protect the environment through education and conservation, and as such, uses oar-powered and paddle rafts exclusively.

For more information, availability, reservations or a copy of the 2015 catalog please call 800-624-6323, Email: Holiday@BikeRaft.com or log onto www.bikeraft.com/.
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ORTIZ INDUSTRY & UBERRUSH
Ortiz Industry Partners with Uber, Creates Elite Team of Bicycle Messengers
The ‘Rush Riders’ represent 10 of New York’s toughest bike messengers, who are now the most impeccably dressed cyclists on the road. Ortiz Industry is proud to announce its partnership with UberRush, in creating a team of the toughest – and now best dressed – bike messengers on the streets of New York City.

These unsung heroes of New York business and industry were overdue for an upgraded work wardrobe, and Ortiz Industry, the premier intelligent fashion brand, stepped up to provide hand-selected UberRush messengers with a new Ortiz Industry wardrobe. To acknowledge the grueling work these men do on a day-to-day basis, Ortiz Industry co-founders, Claire Ortiz and Heather Park, are outfitting them in the Fall 2014 line, which blends advanced innovation and technology with the cleanest, sophisticated design.

“We want these guys to feel great,” Park said. “They are a hard working group that goes relatively unseen, and we want them to have the experience of being perceived differently. Ultimately it’s also about changing the assumptions of what’s possible to expect in fashion.”

Each month, Ortiz and Park will outfit the Rush Rider team in an Ortiz Industry wardrobe to wear on-the-job. These riders will then document their experience via social media, to provide testament to the durability, comfort and strength of the Ortiz Industry apparel.

“After a full day of doing deliveries in these new Ortiz Industry waterproof, stain resistant and full stretch pants, they still look nice enough as dress pants to go to a Broadway show,” wrote Carl Zurhorst on his Instagram account. “So far so good.”

The Ortiz Industry brand uses proprietary and patent-pending fabrications and materials that have the following benefits – perfect for UberRush messengers:
·         ADAPTIVE: The ADAPTIVE group of materials offers their base level of functions and benefits, some of which include, anti-bacterial, moisture management and stretch.

·         RESPONSIVE: The RESPONSIVE collection, in addition to providing all the features of the ADAPTIVE group, has integrated movement and is designed to respond to external changes by adding such benefits as UV protection.

·         INTUITIVE: The INTUITIVE group is the ultimate in sublime comfort, cooling, 360 degree stretch and recovery, plus the protective features of being stain resistant and water repellant.
Going beyond futuristic fabrics, Ortiz and Park have considered the most meticulous of details, from their state of the art laser technology and dynamic motion engineering to their numerous patents pending including their system of stay-tucked waistbands and water repellant fabrics.

Ortiz Industry retails for $100 to $500 and is available at OrtizIndustry.com.
OUTSIDE TOURS
PHILADELPHIA BICYCLING
10 Reasons Biking in Philadelphia Is On A Roll
The sound of ringing bicycle bells is constant in Philadelphia, where a grid layout, mostly flat terrain and 435 miles of bike lanes make it ideal for cyclists, whether they prefer mountain bikes, fixed-gears or classic cruisers. With the late April launch of Indego, the city's first bike-share program, even more riders can explore Philadelphia‚s great outdoors and fantastic attractions˜from historic sites to beautiful riverside trails.

Here are 10 reasons Philly's bike scene is taking off:

1. Indego: Everybody Rides

In 1776, Philadelphia became the birthplace of a nation. This April, democracy takes to the streets with the launch of Indego, the city's first bike-share program named for sponsor Independence Blue Cross. Here's how Indego works: Riders (ages 16+) can check out a bike--there will be 600 available--at one of the 60 Indego stations in the city, from the Delaware River to the east, 44th and Walnut streets to the west, the East Passyunk neighborhood to the south and Temple University to the north. Indego bikes are meant for quick trips of up to 60 minutes. Once the ride is over, the rider can return the bike to any Indego station. Bikers can pay for each ride individually, or Indego members can opt for one of two pricing plans. Built by Trek, the three-speed bikes feature step-through frames, front and rear lights, comfortable and adjustable seats and baskets˜making these check-out-and-go bikes the ultimate in convenience for both residents and visitors in Philadelphia

2. Festivals & Finish Lines

Every day is a good day for a bike ride in Philadelphia, but cycling enthusiasts have a few special dates circled on their calendars.
Founded by local bike-builder and industry sweetheart Bilenky Cycle Works, the annual Philly Bike Expo fills the Pennsylvania Convention Center with hundreds of cycling vendors and organizations. Seminars and panels cover everything from bike design to dressing for a commute. November 7-8, 2015.
The Bilenky crew is also behind the Bilenky Junkyard Cross, a much-loved race through a nearby junkyard, where the obstacles are car frames, refrigerators and crushed beer cans. December, exact date TBD.

3. Spokes-People

As much as Philadelphia's ample sights and diverse terrain make it inherently bikeable, a few organizations are to thank for getting more and more people riding. Founded in 1972, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is the region's biggest cheerleader for safe cycling. In addition to educating Philadelphians about the environmental, health and economic effects of bike riding, the organization advocates for better opportunities and conditions--they've helped to create numerous new bike lanes and trails in the past half-decade alone. Seeing bicycles as excellent vehicles for personal growth, Neighborhood Bike Works focuses on helping young people and those with low-income backgrounds engage in their communities and green spaces by riding bikes they repair themselves. Programs include summer camps, group rides and classes for children and adults and its flagship Earn-A-Bike. 'Moving in the right direction' is the motto at Gearing Up, which helps women in transition--from abuse, addiction and incarceration--incorporate bike riding into their lives. Women track their milestones, participate in group rides and 'graduate' by earning refurbished bikes to call their own.
With all this riding around town, the CyclePhilly allows riders to record their routes and compare them with other users. Data from the app is shared with city planners who use it to prioritize the region‚s bike infrastructure improvements. Keeping tabs on the Philly biking world is SPOKE Magazine, a new publication chronicling the city's ever-growing cycling culture, infrastructure and community.

4. Pedaling To The Masses

Simple tasks often are compared to riding a bike, but Philadelphia‚s array of biking classes and group rides mean cycling can be as basic or challenging as riders choose.

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia proves it's never too late to try something new with its Adult Learn-to-Ride class, covering the basics of pedaling, steering and stopping.
The Bicycle Club of Philadelphia's free weekly rides range from slow, beginner-friendly trips to brisk, 50-plus-mile rides. With themes like 'Tropical Paradise' and 'Neon,' Philly Bike Party is a monthly series of nighttime rides featuring dancing, games, costumes and an outrageously fun time.Howling is encouraged during the monthly Philadelphia Full Moon Bike Ride, a nighttime jaunt with plenty of moonlight to illuminate a new route each time. Take Your Time Bicycle Rides specializes in socializing and slower paces. Its 'Ladies Only' ride, coordinated with the Bicycle Coalition's Women Bike PHL program, takes place every other month.
The pace picks up at shop Breakaway Bikes and Fitness, housing a Training Center that features classes and one-on-one coaching aimed at improving racing techniques and times. Its weekly Shake Shack Ride is a beginner-focused, 40-mile ride that ends, joyfully, with shakes and drinks at Shake Shack.The younger set loves Kidical Mass, a monthly bike ride with adults supervising their little riders--on big-kid bikes, since training wheels are discouraged--on a new route each month. Neighborhood Bike Works‚ Ride Club is a four-part, after-school group ride for kids 8--18.
Switching gears: People's inner bike mechanics come out during Neighborhood Bike Works‚ four-week Adult Bike Repair Class, where fixing flats and adjusting brakes become as easy as riding a bike.

5. Shop Around

An unexpected perk of biking through Philadelphia: With so many bike shops around the city, it‚s a great way to window shop or pop in for a tune-up, new gear or a fresh set of wheels. In the particularly active cycling community of West Philadelphia, Firehouse Bicycles advertises its selection of new and used bikes with a funky, colorful sign and bike sculpture on Baltimore Avenue, while Keswick Cycle pairs its original location in Glenside with a sprawling outpost near the University of Pennsylvania's campus. Neighborhood Bike Works operates the nearby and beloved Bike Church, where an all-volunteer staff offers inexpensive used bikes and helps cyclists fix their own bikes, free of charge. Repairs are the specialty at Fairmount's Philadelphia Bikesmith, where mechanics get raves for both their know-how and patience. In the same 'hood' Fairmount Bicycles stocks such a large selection of sporty and city bikes that it extends to the sidewalk. Bicycle Therapy in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood is ideal for repairs between rides on the nearby Schuylkill River Trail; Breakaway Bikes and Fitness near Rittenhouse Square is both a sleek showcase for bicycles and a training center for cyclists; fixed-gear and European-style bikes share space at the colorful Bicycle Revolutions in Queen Village; and Bell's Bike Shop in the East Passyunk neighborhood makes excellent repairs, builds custom bikes and holds the designation of being the sole seller of PUBLIC bikes in Philadelphia. Across town, Fishtown's aptly named Bicycle Stable (building once served as a stable for police horses) provides new and refurbished bikes and bicycle services, while Firth & Wilson Transport Cycles caters to urban cyclists with a collection of city and cargo bikes, meant for riding around town and hauling gear, groceries, Christmas trees˜whatever needs transporting.
Riders within city limits and well beyond count on R.E.Load to tote their stuff; the messenger, roll-top and hip bags pack the brand's Northern Liberties store.

6. Life In The Fast Lane

Thanks to Philadelphia's grid-like system of streets, designed by founder William Penn, the city is easy to navigate. And thanks to Philadelphia's 435 miles of bike lanes, it's safe to navigate, too. In Center City, bike lanes run east on Pine Street, west on Spruce Street, north on 22nd Street and south on 10th Street. Bike lanes also run on either side of Benjamin Franklin Parkway, making it easy to ride to big-name destinations such as the Barnes Foundation, The Franklin Institute and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
West Philadelphia, home to the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University, makes biking to class˜and the neighborhood's many coffee shops and restaurants safe with lanes on Walnut,Spruce and Market Streets and Baltimore and Woodland Avenues. Other major bike lanes in Philadelphia include Fairmount,Torresdale and Kensington Avenues north of Center City; Washington and Oregon Avenues to the south; and Columbus Boulevard at the city'‚s eastern edge, making biking along Philadelphia's waterfront equally safe and scenic.

7. Happy Trails

With two riverfronts and one of the country's largest urban parks, the country's fifth-largest city makes it easy for urban cyclists to hit the trail--hundreds of miles of trails, in fact. Opened in 2013, the Delaware River Trail connects riders to Philadelphia's waterfront, where they can take in views of the Ben Franklin Bridge and New Jersey in the distance. Once completed, the trail will stretch six miles. In Northeast Philly, the Delaware River connects to Pennypack Trail, offering a challenging singletrack network and a paved bike path along Pennypack Creek. Hugging both sides of the Schuylkill River, Fairmount Park encompasses some of the city' most popular bike trails: Cobbs Creek Trail, featuring a lovely footbridge and plenty of shade (read: perfect for hotter months); the short-but-sweet Bartram's Garden Trail, with a meadow that‚s especially beautiful in summer; the paved, family-friendly Centennial 5K Route, which passes Please Touch Museum and Shofuso Japanese House and Garden; the winding singletracks and seemingly endless loops of Belmont Plateau; and Boxers‚ Trail, once frequented by boxer Joe Frazier.
The newest bikers‚ delight in Philadelphia is the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk; starting at South Street, this four-block paved path angles over the river and connects to the 26-mile Schuylkill River Trail. Between Center City and the trail's end at Valley Forge, the Schuylkill River Trail connects to the leafy Kelly Drive-West River Drive Loop, the eight-mile East Falls Loop and the Manayunk Towpath that runs parallel to Manayunk's shopping and dining destinations. Farther west, a variety of bike paths and terrains populate Wissahickon Valley Park, whose most popular trail is the off-the-beaten-path Forbidden Drive; no kind of bike is forbidden, though mountain bikes are strongly encouraged.

8. Off-Road Riding

Philadelphia's bucolic countryside offers near-endless trail-riding possibilities. For bikers looking for something even more off the beaten path, a few off-road opportunities excite. The Philly Pumptrack in Fairmount Park is a dirt track geared for BMX bikes, with X Games-style ramps, rolls and sharp curves. With both beginner and advanced tracks, the Pumptrack is kid-friendly and always monitored by volunteers. The walkways along the Benjamin Franklin Bridge have gained popularity among cyclists, who enjoy the 1.5-mile ride to Camden-not to mention to spectacular view of Philadelphia'‚s skyline on the way back. Pros and amateurs alike are gearing up for the proposed velodrome, currently titled Project 250. The building would feature a 250-meter, Olympic-size track intended for both public use and international cycling races.

9. Touring The Town

Organized bike tours take the guesswork out of sightseeing. The Philly Bike Tour Co. operates a trio of three-hour tours: the greatest-hits Classic City Tour, the sculpture-focused Art Is All Around Us Tour and the leafy Fairmount Park Tour. Philadelphia Bike Tours offers another guided option, with a three-hour ride covering popular and lesser-known landmarks between the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers-with a snack included. DIYers love the self-guided tours from Wheel Fun Rentals, with detailed maps guiding the way through either Center City or Fairmount Park. The Association for Public Art's Outdoor Sculpture Bike Map, which includes more than 30 public works and six scenic views, strengthens legs and opens minds as it winds around the Schuylkill River and Philadelphia Museum of Art. Created in collaboration with the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, the self-guided tour (four-mile or 10-mile routes) includes stops featured in the Museum Without Walls˙AUDIO program, so cyclists can hear three- to four-minute segments about the sculptures on their phone or via an app.

10. Wheels To Go

While Indego is meant for short trips, those looking for a longer ride are in luck--bike rentals are available all over the city. No matter where visitors roam in Philly, they can rent bikes for an hour or more from Wheel Fun Rentals, with locations at Lloyd Hall on Boathouse Row, at Capriccio at Café Cret along the Ben Franklin Parkway and at the Independence Visitor Center on Independence Mall. Brewerytown Bicycles sits along Girard Avenue in the Brewerytown neighborhood, just a quick ride to the Philadelphia Zoo, Kelly Drive or anywhere in Fairmount Park; mountain and fat bikes are available for daily rentals or several days. Brewerytown's sister store is Fairmount Bicycles, located just north of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway; the fleet includes sporty and city-friendly options and Big Dummies--perfect for toting kids or shopping bags. Farther east toward Northern Liberties, urban-cycling specialist Firth & Wilson Transport Cycles provides city and cargo bikes for an hour, four hours or a full day.

More Bells And Whistles: 13 Philly Biking Facts

1. Philadelphia is the #1 big city in the country for bike commuters per capita, at 2.3%. (Source: Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, U.S. Census Bureau)
2. South Philly and Center City are among the top 25 neighborhoods in the country for commuting by bike. (Source: Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, U.S. Census Bureau)
3. With Indego, Philadelphia becomes the first U.S. city to offer a bike-share program that doesn‚t require credit cards. This makes bikes more accessible to a broader range of riders, including those from low-income backgrounds.
4. Between 2015 and 2020, the Indego program is projected to increase annual ridership in Philadelphia 500%, from 500,000 to 2.5 million.
5. Among the reasons Temple Universityreceived the honor of a 'Bike-Friendly University' by The League of American Cyclists: The school offers more than 1,700 bicycle parking spaces, free courses on urban bike safety and an on-campus bike mechanic.
6. The internationally renowned Fuji Bikes, launched in Japan in 1899, now calls its North Philadelphia headquarters home, and its bikes are staples in shops across the city.
7. North Bowland South Bowl, the ultra-popular bowling alleys in Northern Liberties and South Philadelphia, respectively, offer free shoe rentals to those who roll in with a bike helmet.
8. More than 100 artists--from Philadelphia to the Netherlands--submitted creative takes on bike racks for a 2014 contest held by the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. The top 10 designs were installed at Boathouse Row, City Hall and elsewhere in the city.
9. Hotel Palomar and Hotel Monaco, Philadelphia's two Kimpton properties, offer complimentary PUBLIC bikes for their guests. The Palomar'‚s Pedal for Perks program encourages bike riding by offering perks, such as room upgrades and glasses of wine, based on guests‚ total mileage.
10. Simon Firth, the owner of Firth & Wilson Transport Cycles, is the only certified Brooks saddle (seat) repairperson in the United States.
11. For those riders who want to keep up with their friends or improve their hill rides, Philly Electric Wheels in Philadelphia‚s Mt. Airy neighborhood rents and sells electric-assist bikes.
12. Old-school elbow grease and new-wave innovation collide at Bilenky Cycle Works, custom-creators of tandem bikes and other quirky rides that can run around $10,000.
13. One rider who doesn‚t mind the workout: Philadelphia Eagles linebacker and fan favorite Connor Barwin, who is often seen riding his bike to games at Lincoln Financial Field.

VISIT PHILADELPHIA® makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases the number of visitors, the number of nights they stay and the number of things they do in the five-county area.

On Greater Philadelphia's official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.
PURE ADVENTURES TOURS
Sonoma County Wine Country Self-Guided Cycling at $1,445 per person double (before Scout discount) is a more intense road cycling trip over six days and five nights for those seeking longer, more challenging riding in a new destination. Off the saddle there’s ample wine tasting and relaxation. Top quality hotels are included with some upgrades possible. Sonoma County is known for its excellent cycling and scenic wine country, but few take the time to truly explore its hidden gems. Rolling hills, punchy climbs, quiet country roads and lush vineyards make this trip a road cyclist’s dream! On this journey, guests breathe in fresh wine country air and take in view upon view while exploring quiet lanes and roads that only the locals know.

The rate for each itinerary includes a personal orientation upon arrival in order to go over the route book. Staff assist in setting up the bikes while riders get pointers from local experts. Included are accommodation with breakfast for five nights, luggage transfers, detailed road book with maps, cue sheets and suggestions for visits and site information as well as restaurant suggestions, pre travel documentation and information, pre and post travel assistance and travel planning.

In addition to self-guided programs, Pure Adventures offers other ways to organize domestic and international bicycling and hiking vacations: Guided vs Self-Guided vs Supported, Self-Directed, See: pure-adventures.com/blog/2014/06/23/how-to-choose-the-perfect-bicycle-vacation/#.VUk4UvlVhHw

For more information on all of 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: pure-adventures.com.
The Newest Concept in Bicycle Touring? Pure Adventures Introduces Supported, Self-Directed Cycling Adventures
Innovative bicycle vacation specialist Pure Adventures announces ‘Supported, Self-Directed’ adventures, a new concept in cycling vacations that lets guests enjoy many of the freedoms of a self-guided/independent trip with the sag wagon service and trip leader support of a fully guided tour.

“This supported self-directed concept allows independent cyclists to ride and explore remote destinations where roadside assistance or local services may not exist, essentially creating their own ride complete with all the support needed,” says Loren Siekman, Pure Adventures founder/owner. “The support van and trip leader assigned to transfer guest luggage from one overnight stop to the next also assist with ‘sag’ stops along the route (every 20-25 miles), provide a lift for shorter ride options, help with mechanical matters, and handle any on-road emergencies or questions.

Supported self-directed itineraries require that a minimum of six people sign up for the same fixed departure date and program. However if six friends or family members sign up, then they can choose their own exclusive departure date.

“Even though six or more clients are traveling more or less on the same route, they are under no obligation to fraternize and for all intents and purposes may remain as independent of one another as they like. The only common denominators are that their luggage is in the same van and they’re most probably staying at the same inns,” Siekman said. His company manages all logistics, makes all reservations, and provides all vehicles, trip support leaders, as well as high end bike rentals. “It’s a perfect middle ground between fully guided and independent/self-guided at a price point more closely resembling a self-guided trip.”

The advantages of supported self-directed travel include lower trip rates, no appointed meal and departure times and the freedom to sightsee at leisure. Enroute guests can tap into the expertise of the company’s ride leader who knows bike mechanics, supplies fresh water and healthy snacks, advises on caution stops, suggests things to see and do and provides transport to guest-selected restaurants.

“In this format, we may suggest but are not organizing group activities such as museum visits or wine tastings often included in a fully guided trip. And though trip distances on these programs tend to be longer than most of the self-guided trips we offer, shorter ride options exist thanks to this Sag support. It is the perfect option for couples of different abilities,” said Siekman.

New for 2015, Pure Adventures’ Supported Self Directed itineraries include: Death Valley, Bryce & Zion National Parks, Epic Climbs of Arizona, Yosemite to San Francisco, and several more County Kerry & Cork in Ireland. Coming later in 2015 will be new and challenging trans-Pyrenees and trans-Alps trips plus other long distance rides with less mountain climbing demands.

For more information please see pure-adventures.com/ssdtours/

About Pure Adventures
Pure Adventures emerged in 2004 from Discover France Adventures (founded in 1994 by Loren Siekman) to meet North American client requests for high-quality, self-guided cycling tours beyond just France. 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.

This company pioneered self-guided tours in Europe in 1994 and recently launched its first itineraries in North America via exclusive partnership with the Southwest’s most diverse and extensive (over 400) bicycle rental fleet owner and adventure outfitter. Other equipment rentals include kayaks, camping and backpacking gear.

Pure Adventures’ tours in 2015 span Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and now the United States with the introduction of 20 programs in the West.

The company adheres to eco-friendly living and low-to-no-impact travel. Vehicles and other energy consuming resources are not used to support self-guided tours. Electronic communications, cloud storage systems and document sharing help diminish paper printing and storage. Through annual donations the company supports sustainable travel and carbon offsets. Contact them by phone: 800-960-2221 or 480-905-1235, Email: info@pure-adventures.com, or visit online: pure-adventures.com.
Newest Concept in Bicycle Touring, Supported and Self-Directed, Now Offered in Ireland through Pure Adventures
Bicycle vacation specialist Pure Adventures (pure-adventures.com/) recently announced a new way for bicycle enthusiasts to vacation on bikes in unfamiliar territory. The company’s new, supported and self-directed international adventures enhance trips with maximum rider flexibility plus the services of a trip leader and a sag wagon to transport luggage.

These conveniences leave adventurous cyclists free to enjoy the open road on their own terms on a supported, self-directed itinerary in Ireland this season.

Ireland - Biking Cork County to Kerry County, available April to October, is a challenging, seven-day program from €1540 per person, double (roughly $1,675 US), averages 65km a day through County Cork and on to the Dingle Peninsula. Included are six nights accommodation in quality guest houses and small inns, daily all-Irish breakfasts, seven days of dedicated support from the guide/driver and a support vehicle, luggage transfers between lodgings, some transfers, orientation, route maps and cue sheets and more. A choice of bike rentals is available starting at €105.

Guests arrive in Cork and are transferred to Clonakitty on the coast of County Cork where the briefing takes place and bikes are checked out. The destination today is Baltimore, the most southerly section of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way, a long-distance route that journeys some 2,500km from Cork in the South to Donegal in the North. Here overlooking the islands of Roaring Water Bay guests will sip their first pint of Guinness in Bushes Pub. Day 2 brings cyclists to Ireland’s most southwesterly point, the Mizen Peninsula and the village of Ballydehob before traversing historic back roads to one of West Cork’s most noteworthy villages, Schull. Enroute is a ferry ride to Cape Clear, a Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) island with megalithic standing stones, a 5,000 year old passage grave, a 12th century church ruin and a 14th century castle.

Quiet rural roads on Day 3 lead to Bantry Bay, its richly textured history displayed in part at Bantry House, a fully furnished stately home. Tonight guests lodge in Glengarriff, having said goodbye to Baltimore. They are positioned for the Caha Pass the next morning leading from Cork to Kerry. Views appreciated, cyclists move onto a single track road through the Black Valley to overnight in Sneem. From here the Ring of Kerry climbs up to Coomakista Pass, a vantage point that is a jewel in Kerry’s crown. Back roads again lead to Waterville on the Atlantic Ocean – and more Guinness.

Day 5 brings the Ring of Skellig winding up and down along the coast. The ride concludes with a ferry (weather permitting) to the Dingle Peninsula, another Gaeltacht region replete with ancient sites of iron-age forts, inscribed stones and historic churches. From dramatic Slea Head is a site known as Gallarus Oratory and Castle, not to be missed. The active part of the trip concludes at Dingle Benners Hotel, with toasts before the next day’s departures.

“This supported self-directed concept allows independent cyclists to ride and explore remote destinations where roadside assistance or local services may not exist, essentially creating their own ride complete with all the support needed,” says Loren Siekman, Pure Adventures founder/owner.

A less strenuous, self-guided trip is Ireland - Best of the Wild Atlantic Way, a self-guided, seven-day program from €910 Euros ($987 US) per person, double. This adventure focuses on Ireland’s west coast, from Galway City to County Clare, embracing the Aran Islands and Connemara.

For more information on all of 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: pure-adventures.com.

About Pure Adventures
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.

This company pioneered self-guided tours in Europe in 1994 and recently launched its first itineraries in North America. 2015 tours span Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and now the United States with the introduction of 20 programs in the West.

The company adheres to eco-friendly living and low-to-no-impact travel. Vehicles and other energy consuming resources are not used to support self-guided tours. Electronic communications, cloud storage systems and document sharing help diminish paper printing and storage. Through annual donations the company supports sustainable travel and carbon offsets.

Follow Pure Adventures:
Facebook:     www.facebook.com/PureAdventuresTours
Twitter:         @PureAdvTour
Blog:               pure-adventures.com/blog/
Pure Adventures Launches Brand New Way to Experience Western USA's Iconic Cycling Routes
Imagine reigning supreme over the inclines and passes of world famous Death Valley National Park, or conquering the notorious climbs of Arizona’s Sky Islands? This year, Pure Adventures, pioneers in cycle tourism, invites cyclists to experience Western USA’s most challenging and world-class routes with their newest label, Supported Self Directed: a brand new way to cycle and travel that retains the independence of a self-guided trip, but provides the peace of mind of expert guidance and essential support. Pure Adventures’ new SSD trips debut this fall across California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah.

“We wanted to replicate our renowned self-guided model at home in the American West, but the challenge is that there are so few services here to support independent cyclists over such great distances,” says Loren Siekman, founder and CEO of Pure Adventures. “After brainstorming with our expert team, we found a unique solution and the Supported Self Directed label was born. We’re thrilled to launch the brand new travel concept this fall.”

Supported Self Directed travel is the clever touring option for cyclists who’ve graduated from guided trips and are interested in riding at an epic destination with logistics that are challenging to master independently. Pure Adventures’ SSD trips include:

4-day Epic Climbs of Arizona’s Sky Islands SSD Cycling Tour

6-day Yosemite to San Francisco SSD Bicycling Tour

6-day Death Valley Bicycling Discovery SSD Tour

6-day Tucson & Borderlands SSD Bicycle Tour

5-day Bryce Canyon & Zion SSD Cycling & Hiking Tour

6-day San Francisco to Los Angeles SSD Cycling Tour

6-day San Diego Surf & Turf SSD Cycling Tour

.........and more!

These trips open up difficult or isolated tracks to a wider range of rider levels, including the less-advanced set. Cyclists can tackle the route at their own pace and freedom, but benefit from having some support, like professional planned route notes and daily briefing, top quality bicycles, luggage and gear transfers, lodging, SAG stops, and access to a daily bike mechanic who’ll even share tips on where to try the best brew in the area.

Non-riding companions are also warmly welcomed, making it easier for couples to travel and experience the destination together - for example, enjoying meals, the hotel and nearby towns during leisure time. Best yet, Pure Adventures offers fixed SSD departure dates, allowing for a minimum of six participants to affordably share costs, without the confines of sticking to a group itinerary. Custom departures are also available for private groups of six or more.

For more information about Pure Adventure’s Supported Self Directed label, please call 1-800-960-2221 or visit<www.pure-adventures.com.
ROAD TITANS
Bicycle Adventures Extends Summer With 14 New Fall Tour Departure Dates That Move South into November
The leader in North America bike tours, Bicycle Adventures, is extending summer with 14 new fall tour dates to make up for a wet and cool spring when folks couldn’t get on their bikes.

The fall season wraps up in sunny California with departures Nov. 11 in Death Valley National Park. This four-day trip departs Las Vegas for the discovery of a stunning diversity of terrain: 200 miles of eerie salt flats, deceptively velvety sand dunes, crazy-stripe badlands, valleys, canyons, mountains and more. The per person rate is $1,984.

There are still a number of additional tours ideal for first time cyclists with good space remaining in the 2014 season. For more information, availability and reservations contact Bicycle Adventures by phone: 800.443.6060, email: office@bicycleadventures.com or visit online bicycleadventures.com.

About Bicycle Adventures - North America’s Premier Bicycle Touring Company™. Scenic byways, four and five-star accommodations and local dining and visits to National Parks are trademarks of Bicycle Adventures, founded in 1984. Types of tours include Classic (25-50 miles a day), Classic Plus (50-60 miles a day) and Epic (70+ miles a day with the most demanding terrain). Value-driven Casual category trips offer budget-conscious lodging and meals, with the same full van support.
Custom tours embrace the Pacific Northwest into Canada, California and the Southwest, as well as Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, New York, Hawaii and New Zealand. Excelling in its own backyard the Issaquah, WA-based company also conducts tours into Washington State’s wine country.
Inspiring Reasons to Experience US Pro Challenge Bike Race in Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado
Bicycling fans not only have the opportunity to watch two of the most exciting stages of the USA Pro Challenge in the Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley, they can get in on the action by taking part in cycling events, festivals, kids activities and more. Crested Butte, Mt. Crested Butte and Gunnison have hosted a stage finish and a stage start three times since the race launched four years ago. Stage 2 finishes in Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte and Gunnison will host the start of Stage 3.

It’s no secret that the communities are bike crazy, with Crested Butte being one of only four communities in Colorado to have the prestigious gold designation from the League of American Bicyclists, and Gunnison among only seven towns with silver status. Crested Butte also is one of the birthplaces of mountain biking and host of the oldest mountain biking festival in the world. There is a wealth of other options for fun including hiking, boating, rafting, horseback riding, fishing, browsing art exhibitions, and enjoying a wide array of locally owned shops and eateries, making it a great place to catch a finish and a start all in one place and experience classic Colorado.
Find out more at www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com.

Stages 2 & 3 Overview

Each year, US Pro Challenge searches for ways to include more of Colorado’s deep cycling history. Last year it was the climb up Bachelor Gulch and this time around it will be the unpredictable Kebler Pass during Stage 2. The 105-mile route launches at 10:10 a.m. and opens fast by ripping down the Aspen Valley through the sprint cities of Basalt and Carbondale before tackling the 8,700-foot McClure Pass. A short descent brings the race to Gunnison County Road 12, which is a 20-mile rollercoaster that constantly changes from pavement to dirt and back again and tops out at 9,900 feet over Kebler Pass. A technical descent into Crested Butte brings the race back to familiar terrain. As in 2011 and 2012, the stage wraps up with a sprint through downtown Crested Butte and a steep finish climb up to Mt. Crested Butte. Keep up-to-date on www.facebook.com/GCBBikeLove?ref=hl>Facebook.

During Stage 3, the Queen Stage, racers not only contend with a mountaintop finish, they also have to pass over it first, giving spectators a chance to see the race multiple times from the same vantage point. Stage 3 starts at 11:25 a.m. in Gunnison with three laps through town and heads east for 35 miles before tackling the 11,300-foot monster that is Monarch Pass. A descent on the eastern slope of the pass leads riders to two 9-mile loops through Salida and the surrounding countryside. Then it’s game time as they tackle nearly 20 miles of climbing to a finish at an elevation of 10,800 feet at Monarch Mountain ski area after a punishing day covering 96 miles. Check out the local www.facebook.com/GunnisonQPC>Facebook page.

For those wanting to watch both the start and finish of stage 3 in person, there is a bus shuttle from Gunnison to Monarch Mountain that costs only $10 for a roundtrip ticket. Seats are limited, so purchase a ticket at www.gunnisonprochallenge.com or Gunnison Community Center.

Vacation Packages & Visitor Information

To save on flights, hotel rooms, vacation packages, car rentals and more, go to www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com. For travel planning and general information, call (800) 814-8893, visit <www.GCBevents.com and follow GCBTA event promotions on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gcbta.

About Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado

Nestled in a valley with nearly two million acres of pristine, mountainous wilderness, Gunnison-Crested Butte has a prime location in southwest Colorado. Winter sports enthusiasts know the area for its world-class alpine skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and more. Fair-weather activities include mountain biking, hiking, wildflower and wildlife viewing, climbing, boating, whitewater rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing, camping and horseback riding. Year-round visitors enjoy distinctive restaurants, locally-owned shops, stimulating cultural opportunities and festivals galore ranging from the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival and Gunnison Cattlemen’s Days to Crested Butte Bike Week and Gunnison Car Show weekend.

Along a 31-mile stretch of wide-open vistas and stunning scenery, visitors can explore Gunnison, Almont, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte and connect with the quaint and historic burgs of Pitkin, Gothic, Tin Cup, Marble, Powderhorn and Crystal, also located in Gunnison County. Gunnison and Crested Butte, both founded in 1880, are known for their Victorian-era charm, friendly Western hospitality and free-spirited nature. Almont is a fishing, rafting and rock climbing mecca, and the resort village of Mt. Crested Butte is home to renowned Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Visitors also can explore Curecanti National Recreation Area, home to Colorado’s largest body of water, and the nearby Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Gunnison County is part of the West Elk Loop and Silver Thread Scenic & Historic Byways.

Gunnison-Crested Butte is conveniently located in southwestern Colorado, a scenic 4-hour drive from Denver via U.S. Highway 285 or a 31⁄2 hour drive from Colorado Springs on U.S. Highway 50. Air service to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC) for the 2014 summer/fall season is provided by United Airlines with direct flights from Denver (DEN) and Houston (IAH).
Biking on Rhode Island
The Ocean State, Rhode Island, has one of the most vibrant and diverse bike cultures in the United States-- particularly because of the state's extensive network of dedicated bike paths.

Rhode Island has become a leader in providing bike paths, bike lanes and bike routes to its residents and visitors. Today there are more than 60 miles of paved bike paths in Rhode Island and more than 25 miles of paths under design.

Some of Rhode Island’s longer bike paths – the Blackstone River Bikeway, the Washington Secondary and East Bay Bike Path – are part of an ambitious effort from the Rhode Island-based East Coast Greenway Alliance to create a contiguous bike path from Maine to Florida. Among the 15 states the East Coast Greenway would pass through, Rhode Island is a leader in getting its segments of bikeway built.

While you're in the state, there's plenty to see, do and taste! The aptly nicknamed Ocean State's narrow frame packs more than 100 beaches, primed for sunbathing, whale watching, or simply relaxing after a long bike trip. Worked up an appetite? With more degreed chefs per capita, Providence, Rhode Island is the culinary capital of the northeast.   Newport has a casual yet lux feel, where you can go for a boat ride or sit by the waterfront and enjoy fresh seafood after a day exploring the opulent and historic Newport Mansions. Little Rhody's bike paths also connect to the Warwick, Blackstone Valley and South County regions, where you may enjoy fairs, festivals, and events celebrating the history, culture, and natural beauty of the Ocean State.
About Pedal Minnesota
Pedal Minnesota is an unprecedented collaboration of state agencies and private organizations to encourage more people to get on bikes more often, in Minnesota. The partnership includes Explore Minnesota, the Minnesota departments of Health, Transportation and Natural Resources, the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota, and the National Park Service. Pedal Minnesota encourages all types of biking, from leisure to commuting. PedalMN.com serves as a go-to resource for information on bicycling, including mapping tools, lists of biking events, personal tips and trip ideas from bicyclists across the state.
About Monopoint Media
Monopoint Media LLC, founded in 2006, is a creative agency focused on outdoor, sports, and active lifestyle brands. The company (MonopointMedia.com) is based in Minneapolis and works with brands to build video, stories, micro-sites, social-media projects, and custom events. Monopoint Media owns and operates GearJunkie.com, a widely-read blog covering gear, the outdoors, and active lifestyle topics.
For more information contact Explore Minnesota, 121 7th Place East, Suite 100, St. Paul, MN 55101
PORTUGAL NATURE TRAILS
For more information, trip availability, itineraries and reservations contact call (North America) 888 752 0244, Email: northamerica@portugalnaturetrails.com or visit online: www.portugalnaturetrails.com/

About Portugal Nature Trails
Portugal Nature Trails is a premier adventure travel tour company offering guided and service.
Take Your Seat at the Tour de France Finish, Paris 2015!
From the serious spinner class participant to road cyclist to the wine buff, the auction gem of a front-row seat to the Tour de France finish line is enticing.
As part of its 60th anniversary celebration, nonprofit May Institute is auctioning a number of unique items including a Tour de France package that features five days in Paris, hotel accommodations for two, and an unforgettable day in reserved grandstand seating at the finish line on the Champs-Elysées, followed by a private cocktail reception. The package has an estimated value of $3,200. All proceeds will benefit May Institute.

May Institute, with corporate headquarters in Randolph, Mass., is an award-winning nonprofit organization with 60 years of experience in serving children and adults with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities, brain injury, mental illness, and behavioral health needs.

The Tour de France package is donated by Todson, Inc., based in Foxboro, Mass, a company that has been a fixture of the bicycling industry for more than 60 years. The family-owned company represents some of the world's most storied cycling brands including Topeak accessories, OnGuard security, and Velox bicycles.

“As a long-standing May Institute board member, co-chairman of its 60th anniversary event and champion of children’s causes, I want to do something special to help celebrate the organization’s history and accomplishments,” noted Neal Todrys, president of Todson. He added, “As a cycling enthusiast and wine aficionado, I know that many of my colleagues and friends have the Tour de France on the bucket list. We hope that people will bid generously to celebrate life, travel and adventure.”

About May Institute
May Institute is an award-winning nonprofit organization with 60 years of experience in serving children and adults with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities, brain injury, mental illness, and behavioral health needs. The organization provides educational, rehabilitative, and behavioral healthcare services to individuals, as well as training and consultation services to professionals, organizations, and public school systems. At more than 160 service locations across the country, highly trained staff work to create new and more effective ways to meet the special needs of individuals and families across the lifespan.
TREK TRAVEL TOURS
Back By Popular Demand - An Epic Cycling Adventure from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine
Trek Travel has announced their second annual Portland to Portland Cross Country bicycling trip. This 45-day epic journey, covering 3700 miles, is the ultimate adventure for those who seek the great American road trip from the seat of a bike. This route is the second iteration of Trek Travel’s famous Cross Country USA bike tour, having done the southern route (from Santa Barbara, CA to Charleston, SC) since 2007. They are the industry experts in fully-supported cross country cycling experiences of a lifetime.

Averaging 100 miles a day with four rest days scheduled in the 45-day adventure, cyclists begin in Portland, Oregon and conclude in Portland, Maine. The cost of the trip is $16,999 per person and includes the use of a Trek Domaine 5.9 or the brand new Trek Emonda bicycle for a $300 upgrade fee. Three guides and a massage therapist accompany the group and Trek Travel offers a dedicated trip consultant to advise on training for the ride.

Highlights of the journey include:

Day 4 – Cycling the Lewis & Clark Trail in Washington
Day 8 – Conquering Lolo Pass, the first Rocky Mountain pass in Montana
Day 11 – Completing the highest mileage day of 124 miles with 6,000 ft. of climbing
Day 15 – Riding along the Yellow Stone River bordering the national park in Montana
Day 16 – Ascending 9,430 feet, the highest point of the journey and taking Medicine Wheel Passage through Big Horn National Park in Wyoming
Day 18 – Cycling the Black Hills of South Dakota and taking in old western towns
Day 25 – Enjoying the scenic beauty of Iowa’s grassy plains
Day 27 – Discovering Madison, Wisconsin’s state capital and Trek Travel’s hometown
Day 33- Exploring historic Marshall, Michigan with its 850 landmark buildings
Day 35 – Journeying through the Irish Hills of Ohio
Day 36 – Cycling by Pennsylvania’s Amish communities and Allegheny National Forest
Day 40 – Cycling through Adirondack Park in New York
Day 43 – Enjoying New Hampshire’s White Mountains and descending 25 miles from the top of Kancamagos Pass (known as the Kanc).

For further information contact Trek Travel at 1-866-464-8735 or visit www.trektravel.com

About Trek Travel
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Trek Travel is an active vacation company specializing in cycling vacations. Each trip includes the use of a Trek Domane™ 5.9 bicycle featuring Garmin Touring Plus GPS devices and Di2 electronic shifting; with an option to upgrade to the Emonda SLR, the lightest production road bike available: accommodations; gratuities; most meals, snacks and drinks for each day’s ride; daily route support; social hours; entrance fees to group events; transportation during the tour; complimentary Trek Travel merchandise, and more.

Trek Travel was formed in 2002 as the luxury bicycle touring arm of Trek, one of the world’s largest bicycle manufacturers. This year, the company marks its twelfth season offering luxury, explorer, race, and personalized bicycling vacations around the world.
Trek Travel Announces Its “Legends Series” Featuring Special Guest Pro Cyclists Andy Schleck and Jens Voigt
Trek Travel, a leader in personalized cycling vacations, has announced its “Legends Series” providing cycling adventurists the chance to ride alongside internationally renowned professional road racing cyclists Andy Schleck and Jens Voigt.
As part of this series, Andy Schleck will join the Etape du Tour trip during the Tour de France while Voigt will join Tour de France Alps to Paris Ultimate VIP race experience. In addition, both cyclists will participate in a designated Trek Travel trektravel.com/trip/mallorca-ride-camp-4-day/>Mallorca Bike Camp.

Andy Schleck and L’Etape du Tour trip

Andy Schleck, who won the Tour de France in 2010 and was a runner up in 2009 and 2011, will join Trek Travel’s Etape du Tour trip from July 14-20. L’Etape du Tour, (French for “stage of the Tour”), is an annual cycling event that allows amateur riders the chance to tackle an entire stage of the Tour de France while the official riders take a rest day during the tour.

More than 13,000 amateur cyclists, from around the world, participate in this event which sells out months in advance. The ride begins in St. Jean de Maurienne, France and concludes in La Toussuire.

Throughout the week guests participate in preparatory rides through the picturesque French countryside while preparing to test their abilities on a professional stage while the Tour de France plays in the background. The cost of the trip is $4699 per person based on double occupancy.

About Trek Travel
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, (www.trektravel.com) Trek Travel is an active vacation company specializing in cycling vacations. Each trip includes the use of a Trek Domane™ 5.9 bicycle featuring Garmin Touring Plus GPS devices and Di2 electronic shifting; with an option to upgrade to the Emonda SLR, the lightest production road bike available: accommodations; gratuities; most meals, snacks and drinks for each day’s ride; daily route support; social hours; entrance fees to group events; transportation during the tour; complimentary Trek Travel merchandise, and more.

Trek Travel was formed in 2002 as the luxury bicycle touring arm of Trek, one of the world’s largest bicycle manufacturers. This year, the company marks its twelfth season offering luxury, explorer, race, and personalized bicycling vacations around the world.
For avid cyclists who crave a heart pounding, authentic travel experience along with bragging rights, this trip is for you.   For further information contact Trek Travel at 1-866-464-8735 or visit www.trektravel.com

About Trek Travel

Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Trek Travel is an active vacation company specializing in cycling vacations. Each trip includes the use of a Trek Domane™ 5.9 bicycle featuring Garmin Touring Plus GPS devices and Di2 electronic shifting; with an option to upgrade to the Emonda SLR, the lightest mountain bike on the road: accommodations; gratuities; most meals, snacks and drinks for each day’s ride; daily route support; social hours; entrance fees to group events; transportation during the tour; comprehensive Trek merchandise, and more.

Trek Travel was formed in 2002 as the luxury bicycle touring arm of Trek, one of the world’s largest bicycle manufacturers. This year, the company marks its eleventh season offering luxu ry, economy, personalized bicycling vacations and Ride Camps around the world.
Une Balade à Vélo : A french cycling agency invites you to discover France by bike
Une Balade à Vélo creates beautiful individualised self guided cycling tours with short stages of no more than 50k. Whatever you enjoy the agency can accommodate you be it wineries, countryside, the coast or heritage.

The tours are for families, couples or groups. You'll be provided with suitable bikes and all the necessary accessories for all age groups and we even include electric bikes.

You do not have to be an athlete to join these tours, merely able to ride a bike for up to 5 hours.

Travelling slowly is the best way to see France, meeting people and enjoying the landscape along the way. The self-guided tour provide you with a comprehensive road book listing all the interesting sights along the way and contain all the information you would ever need.

There is a wide range of hotels with all having 2-4 stars with breakfast or half board on demand. Your luggage will be there each evening waiting for you, leaving you to carry the daily essentials in the bags provided on your bike.

Une Balade à Vélo has a 24 hours hotline if you need information or help.

The Regional Tours

The 7 day Loire Valley tour is most popular, if you love architecture, wine and history, this is for you. For details check web site www.unebaladeavelo.com/#!loire-valley-self-guided-bike-tour/c1hgo

The Brittany tour is a combination of beautiful countryside and seascapes. For details check web site www.unebaladeavelo.com/#!brittany-cycling-tour/c20be

The 3 day Saint Emilion tour is for you, if you love beautiful villages and have a passion for wine and architecture. For details check web site www.unebaladeavelo.com/#!saint-emilion-en/c2mz

Personalised tours are available on www.unebaladeavelo.com and the agency is happy to help you plan your French adventure.

About Une Balade à Vélo

Une Balade à Vélo was created in 2013 by 2 young frenchies, Elise and Guillaume to help you discover France the slow way. They both love cycling through beautiful countryside and want others to enjoy their passion. For more information contact@unebaladeavelo.com
UCI World Road Cycling Championships
About the Quirk Hotel, A Destination Hotel (Opened September 17, 2015)
Featuring Approachable Art, an Artist in Residence and Richmond’s Highest Rooftop Terrace Bar, Quirk Hotel is Destined to Become City Hotspot Offering Simple Elegance with a Dash of Humor. It is Richmond’s first-ever, design-driven boutique lodging option. A brand-new immersive hotel concept that showcases the world of local creatives, Quirk Hotel offers an engaging experience for the creative and curious, and invites the experiential traveler to absorb the authentic culture of the community, using art as a guide.

Inspired by nearby Quirk Gallery, Quirk Hotel’s DNA stems from an unexpected twist of sophistication and humor, with equal parts Southern cordiality and Virginia pride. The hotel’s opening – timed to coincide with cycling’s international pinnacle event, UCI World Road Cycling Championships (Worlds), taking place in Richmond Sept. 19-27 – demonstrates a defining moment for both downtown Broad Street’s revitalization and Richmond’s emergence as an international arts and culture destination.

Quirk Hotel serves as an interactive community gathering place for both locals and Richmond visitors to immerse themselves within Richmond and experience the city’s eccentric, trendy and exciting art scene. The fabric of the local culture is woven throughout the hotel, with locals and guests co-mingling throughout the hotel’s social gathering spots ranging from the lobby-located restaurant Maple & Pine led by Chef David Dunlap, to the rooftop terrace bar and lounge, to the adjacent art hub experience at Quirk Gallery.

New Experiential Theater Package
In celebration of the opening of Quirk Hotel, the property has partnered with local favorite, The Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre, to offer a special, limited time package perfectly suited for Richmond visitors and theater buffs. The November Theatre originally opened in 1911 and featured stars like Lucille LaVerne and John Bunny until a fire damaged the space in 1927, after which it lay dark for several years and then reopened to feature films and vaudeville performances. After various usage, in 2012 the Empire Theatre opened after a $2 million renovation and was renamed the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre.

The package includes:
· Overnight stay in a suite
· Dinner for two at the hotel’s on-site restaurant Maple & Pine
· Tickets for two to the latest show at November Theater with a choice of:
-- A personal guided tour of The November Theater including a complete history of the theater scene in Richmond, backstage access and meet-and-greet with the actors
-- A personal guided tour of The Props and Costume Archives including time to “play”
Prices start at $599

Pioneering Design
An Italian Renaissance building located in the heart of The Broad Street Commercial Historic District, Quirk Hotel is housed in a 60,000 sq. ft. historic Richmond landmark, originally constructed in 1916 as the city’s finest department store, J.B. Mosby & Co. The structure’s overhaul and design led by its owners, husband and wife duo Ted and Katie Ukrop, focuses on capturing the building’s original purpose by honoring its history through unique architectural elements. The Ukrops commissioned two of today’s highly acclaimed design companies to bring their vision to life: Richmond-based architectural firm 3north and Connecticut-based interior design firm Poesis Design.

Inspired by Richmond’s culturally rich history, the designers began the restoration project by first combing through thousands of bits and pieces of the city’s 400-year-old history, performing diligent research on what from the past makes Richmond the unique city it is today. A thoughtful interpretation for Quirk Hotel resulted from that research – a historically vibrant design, full of key artifacts, color and art that tell the tale of Richmond’s storied past. Details such as the lobby’s segmental arches, groin vault ceiling and ornamental ironwork staircase have been preserved throughout the structure. As an homage to the building’s historic department store days, specially-designed, larger-than-life glass cases adorn the lobby, housing museum-like objects and collections such as vintage hats, while acting as natural spacing partitions. The lobby’s focal point upon entrance is a major art installation titled “Pile,” created by local artist Susie Ganch. Comprised entirely of white coffee lids collected from Richmond’s coffee shops, this piece de resistance is a symbolic interpretation of the hotel’s pillar ethos – fostering community, honoring the old, embracing the new and finding beauty in the unexpected.

Blending sophistication, flare and humor, the hotel’s 74 guestrooms and suites take a subtle riff on the husband/wife dynamic of the owners, culminating in the perfect marriage of masculinity and femininity. Each room features a palate predominately composed of warm-pink, gray, walnut brown, white and black, allowing alternating pink and gray colored walls (Benjamin Moore’s “Love and Happiness” and “Gray Owl” respectively) to serve as the idyllic backdrop to hang local artwork created by artists from Petersburg and Richmond – easily available for travelers to purchase if they so choose. Historic highlights such as the original wood floors stay intact, while 100-year-old Virginia wood beams taken out of the original structure during demolition have been repurposed and used to create the glossy walnut bedframes that anchor each guestroom. Room design highlights additionally include contemporary millwork, sculptural glossy white lacquered furniture, 14 ft. ceilings, frosted glass shower enclosures and high tech amenities along with other unusual quirks within the décor and finishing. A stunning glass cube placed atop the structure and invisible to the eye from street level will house four specially designed suites upon the project’s completion.

Artful Amenities
Developed as an extension of the beloved Quirk Gallery whichfeatures exhibitions of “approachable” work by both established and emerging local artists, Quirk Gallery will offer an easily accessible entrance to the hotel once it relocates in September to an adjacent building. The gallery, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in September 2015, displays works of many local, regional and national artists and sparked the idea for an art-driven, eclectic and engaging hotel. An impeccably landscaped courtyard will separate this adjacent building from the main hotel. Additionally, 2,000 sq. ft. of unique meetings and events spaces will be available to hotel guests and locals in addition to an on-site fitness center.

The Quirk Artist in Residence program provides artists with time and space away from their usual environment to allow for an opportunity to explore new channels for creative inspiration. Located one block east of the hotel, the artist in residence is supplied with a studio/apartment with a stay ranging from 1-6 months, with participants either working toward an exhibit with Quirk Gallery or expanding their own research. The program is exemplary of the supportive local Richmond arts community, and is open to artists from all mediums, cultures, academics and societal backgrounds, while customized to fit each artist’s needs. The program is available by application and invitation.

The hotel’s first artist in residence is Leigh Suggs, a 2015 VCU Craft Materials MFA graduate with a concentration in textiles, who will be in residence from July 1, 2015 – January 2016.

Convivial Cuisine
Quirk Hotel strives to provide an interactive community gathering place for both locals and Richmond visitors with food and beverage options available throughout the hotel’s convivial spaces inclusive of both a coffee bar and restaurant serving lunch and dinner located within the lobby, as well as a rooftop terrace bar.

The culinary experience at Quirk Hotel is led by Chef David Dunlap (previously of The Inn at Little Washington, The Ashby Inn in North Carolina and Plume at The Jefferson, DC) and focuses on artisan cuisine, sourced locally with an emphasis on regional culinary traditions.

Maple & Pine, located in the lobby, is the hotel’s culinary cornerstone and serves as a reflection of Virginia’s inventive dining revolution. The restaurant’s modern American craft cooking showcases the region’s micro-seasons while incorporating global flavor profiles. The menu delivers an original genre that exhilarates while remaining approachable and familiar. Utmost respect and understanding to the regional offerings and its producers are tasted in every bite. The rooftop bar provides unobstructed views of Richmond’s skyline and offers modern adaptations of classic cocktails, small batch spirits and regional craft beers.

Ownership/Management
Quirk Hotel is the first hotel to open under the development of owners Ted and Katie Ukrop and Quirk Hospitality, LLC, based in Richmond, VA. Ted Ukrop, a Richmond native whose family once owned the former Ukrop’s grocery store chain, ubiquitous in the region, is a developer/managing member of several Richmond properties and complexes as well as co-founder of Lift Caregiving, a family caregiving resource. Katie Ukrop is founder and owner of Quirk Gallery.

About Quirk Hotel, A Destination Hotel
Quirk Hotel is a boutique, art-centric hotel opening in September 2015 in Richmond, Va. The hotel offers a carefully curated, artistic experience that showcases distinctive art throughout the property’s 74 guest rooms and suites, artisan restaurant, bar, rooftop terrace bar and conference rooms. Located in an Italian Renaissance building originally built in 1916 as the J.B. Mosby Dry Goods Store and created by the renowned New York architectural firm of Starret and Van Vleck, the 60,000 sq. ft. property is owned by Quirk Hospitality, LLC. Quirk Hotel is the first hotel to open under the development of owners Ted and Katie Ukrop and Quirk Hospitality, LLC, based in Richmond, Va.

About Destination Hotels
Destination Hotels (Destination) is a collection of luxury and upscale independent hotels, resorts and residences across the United States. Offering authentically-immersed and enriching experiences, each property is individual at heart, yet connected by a commitment to drawing upon the best of each location. Highly distinct, the Destination experience is always memorable and matchless; guests will feel the locale in a genuine way through each property and during the engaging moments cultivated both in and outside of them. Continuously growing with more than 40 properties from coast to coast, the award-winning portfolio features 20 renowned golf courses, 20 indigenous spas, and 110 exceptional bars and restaurants. Destination Hotels are true to our place; diverse by design. For more information, visit www.destinationhotels.com. Follow on Twitter: @Destination. Facebook: DestinationHotels.
Please note: All information is copyrighted and may not be used without permission
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Jergens® Shea Butter
Restore Skin's Luminosity & Enhance Sheen for 3x More Radiant Skin!

ng techniques, goal setting, training concepts, recovery, and preventing common cycling injuries, Fitness Cycling is the one training guide you'll turn to over and over again for a lifetime of cycling workouts.
Available on-line and bookstores, this 215-page book sells for $18.95.
BIKE NYC: The Cyclist's Guide to New York City (Skyhorse Publishing)
As the author of '30 Bicycle Tours in New Jersey' - I was extremely pleased to read 'Bike NYC.' Authors Marci Blackman, Ed Glazar and Michael Green have done an excellent job, and I do believe that the fact that regular bicycle riding has doubled in New York City in the past couple of years is due to their writing about protected paths and bike lanes that have been popping up everywhere - from Broadway to Prospect Park West. Commuter biking and joy riding is now safer and easier than ever before.
Bike NYC is the definitive guide to navigating the city via its fastest growing mode of transportation. Three seasoned riders and bike tour guides, including the creator of Bikeblognyc.com, offer advice on fabulous rides through ALL five boroughs. Part guidebook, photo essay, history and human interest story, Bike NYC is all about rediscovering the city and being a part of the bike culture movement. In reading this book, you'll not only get exercise and be healthier, but you'll gain a new prospective on New York City with adventures such as:
Riding Manhattan tip to tip from 122-year-old Pier A to the Cloisters
Checking out the "Cemetery Belt," an 18-mile ride through ancient cemeteries of Brooklyn and Queens
Pedaling your waty through a Manhattan and Queens art crawl
Seeing Coney Island's beaches as never before
Experiencing 'the Dead Pool' on Staten Island up close and personal -- the place where tugboats go to die
Taking a spooky Halloween night ride through Brooklyn brownstones and much, much more.
The book is small enough to carry anywhere and is packed with safety tips, historical facts, photographs, and listings of the best food stops and bike shops no matter where you are on your ride. The book is definitely a new key to the city.
At $12.95, the book is available at bookstores and online. For more information contact Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., 307 West 36th Street, New York, NYT 10018; 212-643-6816. Or go to web site www.skyhorsepublishing.com.
CLEANING & SAFETY PRODUCTS
Cleaning Products
coming soon
Safety Products
Leatt Corp. has introduced its new 2015 line of bike protective gear
This new line protects every part of a biker's body. Among these products are the following:
Leatt's DBX helmets --
for extreme, off-road and recreational bicycling. These include models featuring maximum ventilation, visor with break away function, 3D in-molded multi-density V-foam Plus, and Quattro Force Control.
The Adult Fusion Vest --
a first-ever neck and torso protection product for adults, provides lightweight, comfortable protection and is CE certified for impact protection.
A new neck brace --
featuring a carbon chassis with three-way adjustments, carbon matrix for increased rigidity and lower weight and improved helmet side clearance.
A new 3-point knee brace --
that has none of the pinching and discomfort that older-style knee braces have. It supports the knee completely while having no contact with the knee on the inside and is designed to help prevent meniscus, MCL and ACL injuries better than other designs.
A new multi-layer body armor --
including back and chest protectors and elbow, knee and shoulder guards.
CLOTHING
Jackets
New Metro Jacket Maximizes Style, Comfort and Performance
Urban style hides serious tech in this waterproof-breathable 2.5-layer shell, which features smart, practical design details and very light weight (size medium only 10.6 oz./300g).

Answering strong customer demand for a handsome piece of weatherproof outerwear that looks great on the street and works even better on the bike, the new Showers Pass Metro Jacket has arrived. Designed with the style-conscious commuter in mind, the Metro is made to withstand the rigors of real-world cycling, year-round, no matter the forecast. Throw in a supple build and soft, silky interior and you’ve got a perfect crossover jacket.

TECH SPECS:

• Artex Hardshell 2.5-layer fabric for waterproof-breathable performance without the bulk
• Seam-taped construction for maximum wind- and waterproofing
• Reinforced panels across shoulders protect fabric from backpack and messenger-bag straps
• Asymmetrical front zipper reduces chafing under your chin
• Two-way YKK wide-tooth front zipper with interior storm flap
• Dual core vents and upper back “exhaust pipe” vent for airflow without billowing
• Articulated elbows, plus slightly longer tail for better coverage when riding
• Exclusive airflow-regulating cuffs
• Reflective accents on back hem and left sleeve for signaling turns
• Specially designed back pockets with water-resistant zippers angled for easy accessibility
• Soft, moisture-wicking lining at collar

The Showers Pass Metro Jacket retails for $199 and is available now.

ABOUT SHOWERS PASS:
Inspired by the challenging rides and variable conditions of Northern California and the Pacific Northwest, Showers Pass has been combining high-performance materials with innovative functional design for cyclists since 1997. With our roots in high-performance waterproof-breathable outerwear, we’ve grown to offer a wide range of apparel.
Gloves Sturmfist 4 Four Finger' Gloves Built For Winter Biking-
If you're like me, you ride year-round, even in freezing temperatures. Finally, one company - 45NRTH - had the smarts to create a special glove called Sturmfist 4 that fuse the pinky and ring finger area together but leave enough room with separated fingers and thumb to do all the braking and shifting as necessary, and keeps your nice warm fingers on the handlebar grips.
Selling for the pricey sum of $130, these gloves are thin and lightweight even though they were bilt for cold temperatures. It was one of the Minnesota company's goal to provide the necessary warmth, while rating the gloves down to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Made of Polartec NeoShell, the gloves block water and wind but breathe so your hands won't sweat.They'll also last a long time, according to the manufacturer, because the palm material is made of goat leather, and the insulation is a synthetic down-like material called Polartec Alpha. Merino wool lines the gloves that fit nicely against the wearer's skin.
Zackees
World’s First Zackees Brand Turn-Signal Glove Now Available
Created by a Google Engineer, these Turn Signal Gloves are one of the best ways to increase your visibility and communicate your turning intentions to other vehicles on the road.

Prices from $84.99–$99.99 and $64.99–$74.99, Zackees™ Turn Signal Gloves™ features an ambient lights sensor which boosts visibility during the day and extends battery life at night.

The Ultrabright Rechargeable Pack delivers more power per blink than disposable batteries. This upgrade includes four rechargeable coincells and a charger pack. We are calling this combo the Ultrabright Rechargeable because the gloves are significantly brighter with these rechargeable coincells. Save 40% by bundling the upgrade with your purchase today.

FREE SHIPPING in the US.
Experience Zackees™ Turn Signal Gloves™ with semi-pro cyclist Charles Hobbs as he commutes around the chaotic streets of San Francisco, while signaling his turning intentions to other vehicles on the road.
Activating the Lights

The company spent months making the perfect activation switch between the thumb and index finger. They found that the patent pending custom metal rivets are by far the most natural to use. You’ll feel the solid metal click as the glove activates.
Signaling

Signal behind you just like any other vehicle on the road. Simply extend your arm out in the direction of your turn and then naturally activate the light panel.

Increase your visibility to oncoming vehicles. Our patent pending design allows you to signal while keeping your hands on the handle bar of your bike. The surprisingly bright LED lights grab the attention of everybody around you.
Product Features
Washable

This glove is tough enough to survive your washing machine. Remove the batteries and toss in the cold wash with your other dirty clothes. Hang dry.
Surprisingly Bright LEDs

How can they be so bright when using such a small battery? Efficiency. The LEDs the company uses are some of the most efficient on the market at converting power into light. A light sensor boosts light output during the day!
Long Battery Life

The company's gloves get 2 months of daily active use (when used with four minutes of active blinking a day).
High Quality Textiles

Since this company wanted to create the best possible glove that would compete against the top glove makers, it added comfortable leather palms, an absorbent towel around the thumb, retro-reflective trim and breathable spandex throughout.

The Company's Story

Zach Vorhies - Founder

Prior to starting Zackees™ I was a Software Engineer at Google for five and a half years where I was known for integrating Google Earth into the Audi Navigation system for the A8 (and later other car lines). I started working with electronic clothing in 2010 when a friend of mine in Fashion crashed at my house after burning man. I’ve been hooked ever since. In April of 2013 I invited New York fashion designer, Wheylan Dean-Ford, to make electronic clothing with me. We came up with five designs which can be seen at futuretechwear.com. One of these designs was our earliest prototype of the Turn Signal Gloves™. From April until now I’ve been improving the look, usability, and durability. In August of this year I realized that I had something very special but it became clear that I could not bring these Turn Signal Gloves™ to market as a hobby. Therefore after much soul searching I decided to leave Google in August and dedicate my time to bringing my Turn Signal Gloves™ to the market.
Murat Ozkan - Co-Founder

I work as a Senior Design Engineer at Nuvation. I design electronics for a living! You may have seen the combat robots I’ve worked on after hours with my buddies at Nuvation along with a bunch of the other cool stuff we build there. I joined the Zackees™ team in June and created the electronics that make the gloves work. I helped realize the high level of integration between clothing and electronics that the Zackees™ Turn Signal Gloves™ embody. I have built interactive electronic clothing in the past and I was fortunate enough to have my work featured in the San Francisco WearTechCon.
For more information call (415) 857-5879, M-F 9am to 7pm PST.
DOCUMENTARIES
BIKES vs CARS -- Inspiring A New Approach to urban Planning
New York City @ Cinema Village
Los Angeles @ Laemmle Monicas
San Francisco @ Roxie

BIKES vs CARS, a new documentary film by Fredrik Gertten (BANANAS, Big Boys Gone Bananas) that advocates for bike-friendly cities in the 21st century, will be released in theaters nationwide starting Friday, December 4 in New York City (Cinema Village), Los Angeles (Laemmle Monicas) and San Francisco (Roxie). The film, and a related app, has been inspiring a new approach to urban planning that could lead to better designs, smarter political decisions and reduced CO2 emissions.

The film is expected to have a strong theatrical release by connecting the bicyclist community and people who are interested in progressive urban planning, as well as general audiences.

BIKES vs CARS is a documentary about the bicycle and what an amazing tool for change it can be. It highlights a growing conflict in city planning between the bicycle, which supports a diverse city with a human scale, and the car, which engenders urban sprawl and reliance on fossil fuels.From Copenhagen to Los Angeles to Sao Paulo, director Fredrik Gertten explores the ongoing efforts of bicycle activists, who are fighting for their right to ride on city streets against the combined forces of multi-billion dollar auto, oil, and construction lobbies, who are determined to keep our cities car dependent. BIKES vs CARS is a crie de coeur that will have audiences reaching for their bikes instead of their car keys. A companion app will help cyclists track how much they reduce their CO2 imprint and oil consumption for every mile they ride instead of drive. The app is a campaign tool to support activists and cities to work towards bike-friendlier cities.

BIKES vs CARS will be released theatrically this December in New York and Los Angeles with other cities to follow on Kino Lorber’s Alive Mind Cinema label. The theatrical campaign will be supported by a full-fledged community outreach campaign with an emphasis on engaging environmental and bike groups to see the film and support legislation that endorses bicycling. “For those who already embrace bike culture, the film will confirm their convictions,” says Elizabeth Sheldon, SVP Kino Lorber. “And for those who prefer to drive, the documentary shows how more bike-friendly cities benefit everybody, not only cyclists.”

More information about movie is available at alivemindcinema.com/bikesvscars and the app is available at bikedataproject.org or on iTunes: Bikes vs Cars..

INSECT REPELLENTS
After Bite® KIDS™
From the maker of the #1 selling insect bite treatment, After Bite® -- The Itch Eraser® -- comes a powerful new treatment just for children, After Bite® Kids™.
As sure as the sun will rise this summer, it will happen: kids will be bitten by insects and will feel inclined to scratch at their bites, further irritating the skin in the process. And when parents try to apply any number of existing insect bite treatments the inevitable will occur: their children will experience yet more stinging pain.
Thankfully, this won’t happen with new After Bite® Kids™ - according to the manufacturer. With its special non-stinging antiseptic formula, kids will be happy to have their parents apply it. After Bite® Kids™ provides children with fast, gentle relief from insect bites. Containing Eucalyptus Oil, Tea Tree Oil (a known natural antiseptic), Baking Soda, Aloe Vera and Vitamin E, this unique cream formula will not only provide relief from insect bites but also helps to prevent infections. Being a cream just makes it that much easier to apply directly to the bite area and helps it to stay put on the insect bite. With ingredients that grandma used in her home, After Bite® Kids™ is today’s convenient, ready-to-apply relief from insect bites. Not only a salve for the pain and irritation associated with insect bites, After Bite® Kids™® is also effective at relieving other minor skin irritations.
After Bite® Kids™ will be a must-pack item for any parent with children on the go this summer.
Available in an easy-to-apply .7 oz tube, After Bite® Kids™ (MSRP$3.99) fits perfectly in the first aid kit, medicine cabinet, glove box, tackle box and backpack.
BEN'S
Ben's® Wipes Offer Outdoor Enthusiasts Added Convenience & Less Waste
In its ongoing effort to provide hikers, hunters, anglers, campers and other outdoor enthusiasts with the most effective tools for defeating biting insects, Tender Corp. introduces Ben’s® 30 Tick & Insect Repellent Wipes. New for 2007, Ben’s® 30 Wipes offer outdoor enthusiasts the same effective alcohol-free 30% DEET-based formula, but in a delivery system that affords greater application control and convenience.
“Windy conditions often accompany our best days in the outdoors, which can make it hard to apply repellent using conventional methods without over spraying occurring,” says Tender Corp.’s marketing director, Jen Cusick.
Cusick continued, “Since you can apply the repellent on the Ben’s® Wipes directly to the skin or clothing, neither wind nor rain can disrupt you from fully administering the product and protecting yourself.” Along with greater control, Ben’s® 30 Tick and Insect Wipes also provide greater convenience. Available in a 12 pc box (MSRP$4.99) and 3 pc clamshell package (MSRP$1.99), Ben’s® Wipes can be easily stowed in your pocket or day pack, when you need to travel light.
Made by Tender Corporation (the makers of After Bite®), Ben’s® 30 Tick and Insect Repellent is comprised of a water-based solution containing 30% of the active ingredient DEET. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recognizes repellents containing DEET as providing consumers with the most effective protection against bites from mosquitoes, including those infected with West Nile Virus (WNV), and from ticks, which are responsible for the spread of Lyme Disease.
Unlike most DEET repellents, which contain alcohol, Ben’s® 30 is a water-based solution -- a significant difference for outdoor enthusiasts for several key reasons. By its nature, alcohol causes the pores of the skin to open, which means that more repellent gets absorbed into the body and there’s less repellent available on your skin to work against the bugs. Plus, alcohol evaporates at a faster rate than water, and when it does DEET goes along for the ride. Therefore, an alcohol-based repellent does not last as long as a water-based one. As such, with Ben’s® 30 outdoor enthusiasts are getting more repellent for their money. Water-based repellents are also safer; since it contains no alcohol, Ben’s® 30 is less likely to catch alight. Lastly, whereas alcohol creates a strong aroma -- that traditional “insect repellent” smell -- Ben’s® 30’s water-based formula offers a milder and much more pleasant scent.
With West Nile Virus, Lyme Disease, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and other dangerous insect-borne diseases a growing concern during warmer weather months, outdoor enthusiasts need a repellent that they can trust will provide effective protection and Ben’s® 30 more than fits the bill. Ben’s® 30 with DEET offers up to eight hours of protection per application and, best of all, it’s also safe to apply to children. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, repellents containing a DEET concentration level of 30%, such as Ben’s® 30, are safe to apply to children over two months.
For a stronger level of DEET protection, Tender also offers Ben’s® 100 Max Formula, which keeps you protected for up to 12 hours with just one application. Containing 98% DEET, Ben’s 100 is ideal for hunters, anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts who are traveling in heavily bug-infested areas within North America or around the globe. (For additional advice on avoiding mosquito bites this summer, see “Tender’s Top Five Tips for Enjoying the Outdoors” document.) In addition to the Wipes, Ben’s® 30 comes in a variety of other sizes, including a large 6 oz. Eco-Spray can (MSRP$7.99); a 4 oz. pump (MSRP$5.99) for smaller storage areas such as backpacks, hunting compartments and tackle boxes; and a 1.25 oz bottle (MSRP$3.60), which can be stored conveniently in a pocket or glove box for quick retrieval. The 1.25 oz pump and 4 oz are also available together as a Home & Field pack (MSRP$7.99), allowing you the flexibility to keep the 4 oz for backyard use and refill the 1.25 oz as needed for other outdoor excursions.
Benefits of this product according to the manufacturer:
·      Water-based solution allows less absorption of DEET
·      Less Absorption means higher efficacy - water & Based formulas last longer
·      Water-based DEET formulas are less flammable than alcohol based formulas
Water-based products are safer for the environment; they contain no VCS's (Volatile Organic Compounds)
Tender Corporation
Tender Corporation is a privately owned and operated business located in the heart of the White Mountains in Littleton, NH. There are offices and distribution centers in Barrie, Ontario, Rotterdam, Holland and Newbury, England with distribution in over 40 countries. Founded in 1975, the firm manufactures the world-famous insect bite treatment, After Bite®, and a full line of well-known insect repellents, first-aid treatments and sunburn and windburn products and has recently added first aid kits through Adventure Medical Kits. Many Tender Corporation products are packaged in innovative ways that make them extremely convenient to use as well as environmentally friendly. Partial proceeds from the sale of many of the company’s products go to Tender Corporation’s Environmental Scholarship Fund. Complete product information is available on the company's web site: www.tendercorp.com
Don't Bite Me
Don’t Let Bugs Take a Bite Out of You!
Bug bites are often seen as a necessary evil of outdoor activity. They're annoying, causing itchiness, swelling and redness to the skin. But statistics show that they can also be extremely dangerous -- leading to West Nile Virus, Encephalitis, Lyme disease and even Malaria. Last year there were over 3,500 cases of West Nile Virus, resulting in 121 deaths, according to the Center for Disease Control. With the warmer, high-risk months fast approaching, individuals and families can rely on the innovative Don’t Bite Me! patch to help protect themselves against the annoying and potentially life threatening effects of bug bites.

The Don’t Bite Me! all-natural insect repellent patch offers a first of its kind solution. Available nationally for the first time after they flew off the shelves in limited distribution last summer, the discreet, all-natural transdermal skin patch delivers a blend of protective Vitamin B1 and aloe combination throughout the body, protecting individuals against bites from pesky, disease-carrying mosquitoes, gnats, ticks, chiggers, sand fleas and no seeums for up to 36 hours.

Concerns about increased prevalence of West Nile, Encephalitis and Lyme disease in the United States and also exposure to Malaria and other diseases have helped fuel sales of insect repellent, up over 30 percent since 2001. The potential of disease, coupled with concerns about the possible side effects of DEET, have led a growing number of consumers, particularly parents, searching for insect repellents that work but have low or no toxicity. The Don’t Bite Me! Patch provides the answer.

Vitamin B1 is the key effective ingredient in Don’t Bite Me! Patch, and when applied to the skin, provides protection from biting insects. The thiamine-based formula is absorbed into the bloodstream through the transdermal delivery of the Don’t Bite Me! Patch. Excess B1 is then secreted through the body’s pores, creating an odor that is almost undetectable to humans, but offensive to mosquitoes. This odor forms a protective barrier around the body that shields the user from mosquitoes and other biting insects. Aloe, the other active ingredient, accelerates the absorption of the B1 and serves as an anti-inflammatory, and in the event of a rare bite — it helps reduce the reaction, particularly for those who are sensitive to mosquito bites.

Don’t Bite Me! Patch offers the following positive attributes as compared to messy sprays, lotions or towelettes:

No DEET, safe for children and adults alike
Easy, no mess application– just apply a patch to your skin
Protects skin often missed with a spray, such as ears and scalp
Waterproof, no need to re-apply after swimming or exercise
Protects up to 36 hours
Patent pending, all-natural formula
Incredibly effective

Early testing with select Boy Scout groups, members of the U.S. Army, missionaries and healthcare workers in Africa as well as professionals who spend their days working outside in bug-infested areas has brought in rave reviews about the effectiveness of the Don’t Bite Me! Patch.
More specifically:
· EODT, a security company for the U.S. government while helping to rebuild Iraq used the patches and re-ordered when they realized the patch works against sand fleas, a larger problem than mosquitoes in Iraq.
· More than 30 soldiers in the U.S. Army tried the product while in the deep woods near the Arkansas river and found they were effective during their three-week stay in the chigger infested woods. They reported NO bites from mosquito, chiggers, or ticks.
The Don’t Bite Me! Patch is available at natural food stores and major retailers nationwide including Kroger, Rite Aid, and select Walgreen’s and Wal-Mart stores nationwide. The product comes in a five-pack for a suggested retail price of $4.99 and a 10 pack for a suggested retail price of $7.99. For more information on where to buy, visit www.dontbitemepatch.com
Don't Bug Me!
Don’t Bug Me! Skin Patch Provides Effective All-Natural Insect Repellent and Protection for Up To 36 hours; DEET-free and Safe for Children
Don’t let mosquitoes or other pesky bugs take a bite out of you this summer. While bug bites are often seen as a necessary evil of outdoor activity, statistics show that these bites can also be dangerous – leading to increased incidence of West Nile, Encephalitis and Lyme disease and even illnesses such as Malaria acquired through international travel. And then there’s the annoying itching, swelling and redness that also occur when a nasty bug takes a bite out of your skin.
Just in time for summer, the Don’t Bug Me! insect repellent patch offers a first of its kind solution -- a transdermal skin patch that delivers a combination of protective Vitamin B1 and aloe combination throughout the body. One patch protects against bites from pesky, disease-carrying mosquitoes, gnats, ticks, chiggers, sand fleas and no seeums for up to 36 hours.
Concerns about increased prevalence of West Nile, Encephalitis and Lyme disease in the United States and also exposure to Malaria and other diseases have helped fuel sales of insect repellent, up over 30 percent since 2001. The potential of disease, coupled with concerns about the possible side effects of DEET, have led a growing number of consumers, particularly parents, searching for insect repellents that work but have low or no toxicity. This summer, the Don’t Bug Me! Patch may provide the answer.
Vitamin B1 is the key effective ingredient in Don’t Bug Me! Patch, and when applied to the skin, provides protection from biting insects. The thiamine-based formula is absorbed into the bloodstream through the transdermal delivery of the Don’t Bug Me! Patch. Excess B1 is then secreted through the body’s pores, creating an odor that is almost undetectable to humans, but offensive to mosquitoes. This odor forms a protective barrier around the body that shields the user from mosquitoes and other biting insects. Aloe, the other active ingredient, accelerates the absorption of the B1 and serves as an anti-inflammatory, and in the event of a rare bite — it helps reduce the reaction, particularly for those who are sensitive to mosquito bites.
Don’t Bug Me! Patch offers the following positive attributes as compared to messy sprays, lotions or towelettes:
• No DEET, safe for children and adults alike
• Easy, no mess application– just apply a patch to your skin
• Protects skin often missed with a spray, such as ears and scalp
• Waterproof, no need to re-apply after swimming or exercise
• Protects up to 36 hours
• Patent pending, all-natural formula
• Incredibly effective
Early testing with select Boy Scout groups, members of the U.S. Army and professionals who spend their days working outside in bug-infested areas has brought in rave reviews about the effectiveness of Don’t Bug Me! Patch More specifically:
·       EODT, a security company for the U.S. government while helping to rebuild Iraq used the patches and re-ordered when they realized the patch works against sand fleas, a larger problem than mosquitoes in Iraq.
·       More than 30 soldiers in the U.S. Army tried the product while in the deep woods near the Arkansas river and found they were effective during their three-week stay in the chigger infested woods. They reported NO bites from mosquito, chiggers, or ticks.
The Don’t Bug Me! Patch received the Most Innovative Product Award at the Natural Products Expo East Show in October 2006. At the same show, Supermarket Guru, Phil Lempert of The Today Show and Jeff Nibbler from SPINS highlighted the product’s “wonderful innovation.”
The Don’t Bug Me! Patch is available at natural food stores and major retailers nationwide. The product comes in a five-pack for a suggested retail price of $4.99 and a 10 pack for a suggested retail price of $7.99.
For more information on where to buy, visit www.dontbugmepatch.com

La Fresh
La Fresh Creates New, Easy-to-Use Insect Repellent Towelettes
The All Natural Biodegradable Insect Repellent Towelettes made by La Fresh are the perfect answer for always having insect repellent on hand - whether it's when traveling by car, train, boat, or bus. Carry the easy-to-use towelettes in yur purse or backpack where it takes up the tiniest space so they're always ready to use outdoors while enjoying your favorite activities. Carry them in your bike bag, too, or even your pocket! DEET-free, they are also biodegradable and TSA friendly.
The La Fresh Insect Repellent Towelettes are $4.99 for six or $19.99 for 30. For more information go to web sitewww.LaFreshGroup.com.
ThermaCELL
ThermaCELL Mosquito Repellent Lantern -- Camping Just Got Better
ThermaCELL, manufacturer of the only portable, butane-operated, area mosquito repellent, offers an attractive upright lantern that provides not only unmatched protection from insects, but ambient outdoor lighting as well. No more swatting, no more lotions or sprays, and no need to buy expensive bug tents: the ThermaCELL Lantern is up to 98% effective at warding off mosquitoes, black flies, and no-see-ums.
The ThermaCELL Lantern is silent and odor free, has no messy wax, and turns off automatically if accidentally tipped over. It operates on a single butane cartridge, which heats a mat releasing Allethrin, an insect repellent that is a synthetic copy of pyrethrin, a natural insecticide found in the pyrethrum flower, creating a 15 x 15–foot comfort zone. Each mat contains enough repellent for four hours of protection and each butane cartridge will operate the unit for 12 hours.
The Lantern is available in a standard clear, as well as a mood version that provides a vivid, ever-changing “color show” of rainbow light. The Mood Lantern is best viewed in low-light conditions and adds ambiance to any patio, deck or campsite.
The Mood Lantern can be used as a Mosquito Repellent Lantern, as a Mood Lantern, or as both at the same time. The “color show” uses a proprietary battery-operated LED unit imbedded in the base of the lantern and is activated by pressing the “ON” button on the bottom of the unit. The zone of mosquito protection is activated by inserting a butane cartridge and repellent mat and lighting the lantern.
The Lantern comes with one butane cartridge and three repellent mats. The Mood Lantern comes with one butane cartridge, three repellent mats, and 4 batteries. Both lanterns are 8.5” tall and 5” in diameter at the widest point. MSRP is $24.99 for clear and $29.99 for the Mood Lantern. Both are available at mass merchants, hardware stores, and outdoor retailers.
ThermaCELL, a division of The Schawbel Corporation of Bedford, Massachusetts, utilizes patented technology to create cordless, portable appliances powered by replaceable butane cartridges.
For more information on ThermaCELL’s complete line of products call 1-8-NO-SKEETERS. For retail locations visit www.thermacell.com.
ThermaCell Mosquito Repellent System
I'm off to Florida where I'll be camping and kayaking. One thing I won't forget to take with me is Thermacell's new Mosquito Repellent System because, no matter who I'm with, I'm always the one who gets bitten - even through my clothing! With this unique butane-operated mosquito repellent system, I no longer have to use smelly sprays, greasy lotions, or cumbersome netting -- because not only is it highly-effective, but it's small, portable, and fits neatly into a pack or vest pocket.
The unit, which operates on a single butane cartridge, heats a mat releasing Allethrin, an insect repellent that is a synthetic copy of pyrethrin, a natural insecticide found in the pyrethrum flower. Each mat contains enough repellent for four hours of protection and each butane cartridge will operate the unit for 12 hours. The odorless 4.5 x 4.5 meter comfort zone offers up to 98% effective protection against mosquitoes, blackflies, and other biting insects. With the click of a button, ThermaCell is on and repelling these nasty insects, and the complete comfort zone is created in under 10 minutes.
This must-have, especially if you're tired of scratching those horrible, itchy bites, unit has been used by professionals around the world, including the U.S. Army in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan, and has been approved by the PRMA for safety and effectiveness. The unit is available in Olive, Grey, or Woodland Camouflage, and the suggested retail price is $21.99 for Olive or Grey, and $24.99 for Woodland. The unit measures 19 cm x 7.6 cm x 3.8 cm at the top, and 19 cm x 3.8 cm x 3.8 cm at the bottom, and weighs only 6.4 ounces with a full butane cartridge.
For more information on this and ThermaCELL's complete line of products, call 781-541-6900, or for retail locations, check web site www.thermacell.com.
Thermacell Introduces Team Realtree Mosquito Defense System
The world’s most effective area insect repellent is now available in the world’s most effective camo pattern--REALTREE® Hardwoods Green HD™. With the announcement of a new Team REALTREE ThermaCELL® mosquito repellent unit, this important tool can blend in just as well as all your other hunting gear.
The ThermaCELL system creates a 15 x 15-foot zone of protection that is up to 98% effective against mosquitoes and other biting insects. REALTREE, a highly regarded brand in the outdoor industry, produces some of the most realistic and recognized camouflage patterns on the market. With ThermaCELL now available in REALTREE Hardwoods Green HD, not only is the repellent undetectable to game, so is the unit.
The unit operates on a single butane cartridge, which heats a mat releasing Allethrin, a synthetic copy of a naturally occurring insect repellent. Each mat contains enough repellent for four hours of protection, and each butane cartridge will operate the unit for 12 hours.
The REALTREE ThermaCELL appliance , MSRP $29.99, measures 7.5” long and 1.5” thick, and is 3” wide at the top, 1.5” at the bottom.   It weighs a mere 6.4 ounces with a full butane cartridge.
ThermaCELL, a division of The Schawbel Corporation of Bedford, Massachusetts, utilizes patented technology to create cordless, portable appliances powered by replaceable butane cartridges.
For more information on ThermaCELL’s complete line of products call 1-8-NO-SKEETERS. For retail locations visit www.thermacell.com.
ThermaCELLHolster Available in Team Realtree Hardwoods Green
ThermaCELL®, manufacturer of the world's only butane-operated, area insect repellent, offers a convenient way to transport the popular appliance in and out of the woods - the ThermaCELL Holster. This convenient holster, previously only available in Olive Green, is now available in Team REALTREE® Hardwoods Green.

The Team REALTREE Holster is constructed of heat resistant 600D polyester with two polyurethane coatings and a water resistant coating making it durable and water resistant. The holster snugly fits around the standard size ThermaCELL appliance, has two side pouches to carry additional butane cartridges and repellent pads, has a nylon-webbing strap with a quick release snap for ease of attachment, and new for the Team REALTREE version, a nylon-webbing belt loop. The Holster offers a hands-free method of transporting the ThermaCELL appliance and also enables the user to securely attach the appliance to a tree stand or boat.

ThermaCELL Mosquito Repellent creates an odorless 15 x 15-foot zone of protection that is up to 98% effective in repelling mosquitoes and other biting insects. The appliance operates on a single butane cartridge, which heats a mat releasing allethrin, an insect repellent that is a synthetic copy of a natural insecticide found in chrysanthemum flowers. Each mat contains enough repellent for four hours of protection and each butane cartridge will operate the unit for 12 hours. MSRP for the Team REALTREE Holster is $12.99.

ThermaCELL, a division of The Schawbel Corporation of Bedford, Massachusetts, utilizes patented technology to create cordless, portable appliances powered by replaceable butane cartridges.
For more information on ThermaCELL's complete line of products or store locations please visit www.thermacell.com or call 1-8-NO-SKEETERS (866-753-3837).
Therapik
Therapik -- The New Way to Temporarily Relieve Pain and Itch from Insect Stings and Bites
I tried this new product that the company advertises as clinically proven, drug-freerelief in 30 seconds and is reusable. And, I found that it works and works well in about 20-30 seconds. It is said to also work on the painful stings of bees and wasps. Based on a very simple, scientifically proven principal, Therapik's soothing heat temporarily relieves the pain and itching by increasing localized blood flow to the affected area.
The directions are simple: Make certain the area is dry and remove all moisture with a tissue. Then, immediately after the bite or sting, place the round red applicator tip gently onto the surface of the skin where you were bitten or stung. To acitivate, press and hold the large blue activation button. Keep the button pressed as long as the heat is bearable onto the skin. The average application time is 20 to 30 seconds or more. If you feel the heat may be burning your skin, stop the treatment immediately. If the application feels too hot, you may be applying too much pressure keeping it applied too long. the gentle placement on the treatment area, I found, allows for a comfortable thermal therapy treatment. If symptoms persist, Therapik may be applied multiple times until relief is obtained. Wait at least 60 seconds between each application.
Therapik is powered by a 9-volt battery, not included with the purchase. The product is guaranteed for one year replacement guarantee under normal operating conditions.
For more information contact the manufactuer, Jenex Corporation, Burlington, Ontario, Canada L7L 5K6 or the distributor, More Power 2 U, Sales and Service Department, 4638 N. Hiatus Road, Sunrise, FL 33351; 954-578-6909.
SUNSCREENS
Coppertone Products
Coppertone Sunscreens Will Protect You from the Sun's Harmful Rays
Today, melanoma cases are on the increase - and is one of the major & deadliest Cancer killers. Be safe, apply sunscreen frequently, and stay out of the sun during peak hours. Coppertone makes various sunscreens to choose from depending on your outdoor activities and preferences, as follows:
Coppertone Sport AccuSpray Sunscreen
The company's Coppertone Sport AccuSpray Sunscreen is available in SPF 15, 30, 50, and 70 6 oz. continuous spray, and has a unique, patented technology that delivers a continuous spray you can control. Coppertone Sport sunscreens stay on strong when you sweat so they won't run into eyes and sting, while protecting skin during vigorous outdoor exercise. This first-to-market innovation from the #1 sport sunscreen brand provides an improved delivery solution designed to help reduce mess and waste through targeted sunscreen application.
According to the company, it is:
-- The only sunscreen product line with patented accurate spray technology
-- Continuous Spray Sunscreen you can control
-- High performance, durable formulas
-- Controlled application designed to reduce waste and mess
-- Stays on strong when you sweat; won't run into eyes ad sting
-- Water resistant (80 minutes)
-- Photostable, broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection
It is available nationwide at food, drug and most internet retailers for the suggested retail price of $9.99.
Coppertone Sport Lip Balm SPF 30
This lip balm worked great while I was kayaking, feels good on my lips and does the job. It is a convenient new lip offering from the #1 sport sunscreen brand and helps smooth and soften lips while providing broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. It is portable; photostable, broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection; and water resistant (80 minutes).
Coppertone Sport Lip Balm SPF 30 is available in 15 oz., and available nationwide at food, drug, mass and internet retailers for the suggested retail price of $2.99.
Coppertone Sport Sunscreen Lotion
Available in SPF 30, 50, 80 and 100+. I especially liked the feel of this lotion which protected my skin during my kayaking with bright sun shining down. It didn't run into my eyes or sting and offered, according to the manufacturer, broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays and helped fortify skin's natural defenses by replenishing the antioxidants depleted during sun exposure.
It is water resistant for 80 minutes; photostable, broad spectrum, UVA/UVB protection, is enriched with replenishing antioxidants to help fortify skin's natural defenses and has a no slip grip.
Note: All Coppertone lotions and sprays with an SPF 15 or greater in stores today already meet the newly announced 2012 standard for 'broad spectrum' protection.
This product is available in SPF 30 and 50 in 8 oz. lotions; SPF 80 in 6 oz. lotion; and SPF 100+ in 4 oz. lotion. It is available nationwide at food, drug, mass and Internet retailers at a suggested retail price of $9.99.
Coppertone Sport Sunscreen Stick SPF 55
The sunscreen in this stick stays on when you sweat and protects skin during outdoor activities year-round. It also offers broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays which can cause sun damage and burning.
It is water resistant for 80 minutes; is portable; photostable, broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and specially formulated to provide spot protection for sun exposed areas like the ears, nose and face.
Available in 0.6 oz, at nationwide food, drug mass and Internet retailers at the suggested retail price of $5.49.
Perfective Ceuticals
Perfective Ceuticals' Ultra-light Sunscreen SPR 40 with Titanium Dioxide Not Only Protects Skin, It Improves Appearance
No doubt you've read or heard from your physician how important it is to protect against skin damage - especially when you're out bicycling. Perhaps you don't use a sunblock thinking it's cloudy out? Wrong. You can get severe skin damage even when the sun isn't shining. -- and especially while riding your bike! Thankfully, Perfective Ceuticals has introduced its Ultra-light Sunscreen SPF 40 with Titanium Dioxide.
This proprietary formula, developed by Perfetive Ceuticals with the help of biochemists and doctors, not only provides protection against UVA and UVB rays, but it improves the texture and appearance of skin the more it's used, according to the company. Perfect to wear alone, over daily moisturizer or as an invisible makeup primer, this sunscreen can help reduce the size of noticeable pores.
Its beneficial ingredients include:
-- Titanium Dioxide: An earth mineral used in sunscreens. Capable of creating a physical barrier to block both UVA and UVB
-- Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract: An herb used as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-irritant.
-- Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate: A form of Vitamin C Ester. Works as a powerful antioxidant to prevent cellular aging by inhibiting the cross-linking collagen, oxidation of proteins and lipid percutaneous absorption and stability.
-- Prunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract: Has positive effects on improvement of noticeable pores, and improvement of skin elasticity.
Using an exclusive ultra-light technology, Perfective Ceuticals' Ultra-light Sunscreen SPF 40 with Titanium Dioxide glides on smoothly leaving the skin with a soft, non-grasy finish. It is non-comedogenic and fragrance-free.
This product retails for $36. For more details and to purchase, go to web site www.perfectiveceuticals.com.
About Perfective Ceuticals:
Perfective Ceuticals is allied with renowned biochemists, medical specialists and doctors in developing the finest and most advanced formulas to provide comprehensive solutions targeting the aspects of skin aging. The company addresses the importance of complimenting cutting edge science with naturally derived ingredients and century old methods that have proven results.
TIPS
coming soon
TOURS & RACES
ADIRONDACK BICYCLE TOURS
more soon
ADVENTURE TOURS
more soon
AEG -- AMGEN TOURS
Cycling Fans Get the 'Wheel' Deal on Lodging Package Deals for the Amgen Tour of California Beg Bear Lake Time
Trial Includes Discounts at Participating Restaurants, Shops & Activities
Big Bear Visitors Bureau is rolling out its Cycling Race ‘Wheel Deal’ Lodging Packages for this year’s Amgen Tour of California Stage 6 Big Bear Lake Time Trial. The packages come with overnight accommodations at a Big Bear lodge, hotel, or cabin bundled together with a wristband, which gives those who wear the wristband discounts at participating Big Bear restaurants, shops and activities.

“Cycling fans are in for a real treat because our lodging packages give them many ways to save while they’re here for the race!” said Big Bear Visitors Bureau Director of Operations Rebecca Hrabia. “We have a number of participating lodges discounting rooms, some as low as 50 percent off! But it doesn’t stop there, because they’ll have a wristband that gives them access to discounts for dining, shopping, recreation and specialty services.”
To learn more about the Cycling Race ‘Wheel Deal’ Lodging Packages, including a list of participating businesses that are giving discounts visit www.bigbear.com or call 800-424-4232.

About the Amgen Tour of California

The Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race created and presented by AEG that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course that traverses hundreds of miles of California’s iconic highways, byways and coastlines. The teams chosen to participate have included Olympic medalists, Tour de France contenders and World Champions. Amgen Tour of California is listed on the international professional cycling calendar (2 HC, meaning “beyond category”), awarding important, world-ranking points to top finishers. More info at amgentourofcalifornia.com.

Contact information: Dan McKernan - Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Lake Resort Association, PO Box 1936, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
AIR FORCE CYCLING
The Air Force Association (AFA) is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association promoting understanding of aerospace power and the pivotal role it plays in the security of the nation. AFA publishes Air Force Magazine, conducts national symposia and disseminates information through various outreach programs. It sponsors professional development seminars and recognizes excellence in the education and aerospace fields through national awards programs.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Defense, Space & Security is a $31 billion business with 53,000 employees worldwide. Follow on Twitter@BoeingDefense.
BICYCLE ADVENTURE TOURS
Bicycle Adventures Adds Chile To Expanding International Portfolio Of Vacations on Two Wheels
Bicycle Adventures, a Pacific Northwest-based active travel company specializing in two-wheel tours in North America, Hawaii (the Big Island) and internationally, announces a new bike tour itinerary in Chile venturing where few have pedaled before, embracing lakes and snow-capped volcanoes south of Santiago to the northern edge of Patagonia.

In partnership with a local, well-respected Chile-based company, Bicycle Adventures’ Chile Lakes & Volcanoes, a 10-day day cycling vacation, includes a ride on the Lake Ranco Route where until now no other bicycle tour company has been.

“Until a short time ago the road here was gravel. But now it is paved, so we will be the first bike tour company to ride on this road. Our forte is to find roads less traveled,” said Todd Starnes, Bicycle Adventures’ co-owner and guiding visionary
The tour begins in Temuco, Chile, just a short flight from Santiago. The first ride is from the UNESCO Araucarias Biosphere Reserve to the Corralco Hotel and Spa. Day 2 brings guests into the Kütralkura Geopark and The Andes Climb. From here they bike to Vicente Perez Rosales National Park with Osorno Volcano. A hike on Day 3 into Kütralkura Geopark to Coloradito Hill opens up views of four volcanoes followed by a walk through a forest of 2,000-year-old trees. After this serenity comes Pucon, the region’s adventure hub, for more rides up volcanoes, exploring the heart of the Chilean Patagonia rainforest and the Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve, with optional zip lining or spa-ing. Day 9 brings Vicente Perez Rosales National Park ride and an optional climb (chairlift available) of the Osorno Volcano, one of the steepest rides in the world.

Stunning accommodations including a lodge in tree house, a local family-hosted dinner and a lunch in a microbrewery are exclamation points to this over-the-top trip when trip it comes to unscripted adventure and mind blowing scenery.

Departures in 2016 are Mar.5, Mar. 21. Departures in 2017 are Jan. 9, Jan. 21, Mar. 4 and Mar.20. The per person double rate is $4,850. Included are upscale accommodations, most meals, the services of a bi-lingual guide, bikes, vehicle support, and more. Remember, winter in North America is summer in Chile where the weather is similar to northern California and December temperatures average 65 degrees.

For more details please see bicycleadventures.com/destinations/chile-bike-tours/Chile-Lakes-&-Volcanoes!

For more information on all of Bicycle Adventures programs, domestic and international contact the company by phone: 800.443.6060, emailoffice@bicycleadventures.com or visit online at bicycleadventures.com/.
About Bicycle Adventures
Scenic byways, four and five-star accommodations and local dining and visits to National Parks are trademarks of Bicycle Adventures, founded in 1984. Types of tours include Classic (25-50 miles a day), Classic Plus (50-60 miles a day) and Epic (70+ miles a day with the most demanding terrain). Value-driven Frugal category of trips offers budget-conscious lodging and meals with full van support; Family tours offer multi-sport adventures and riding on safe, scenic bike paths.

Pre-set and custom tours embrace the Pacific Northwest into Canada, California and the Southwest, as well as Colorado, the Dakotas, New York, Hawaii, New Zealand, Spain’s Basque region and Taiwan. Excelling in its own backyard the Issaquah, WA-based company’s line-up includes a National Geographic ‘Tours of a Lifetime’ award-winning Empire Epic cycling tour from Washington to Montana’s Glacier National Park, urban adventures in Seattle and Portland and immersions into the craft beer industry in Oregon and Washington.
Bicycle Adventures Hosts New Camino de Santiago 14-Day Cycling Tour Through Hemingway Territory in Pyrenees
Bicycle Adventures, a Pacific Northwest-based active travel company specializing in two-wheel tours in North America, Hawaii (the Big Island) and internationally, now combines the passion for bicycling with a spiritual component intrinsic to Camino de Santiago, the famous pilgrimage route across northern Spain’s Basque region through the Spanish Pyrenees.

Cyclists pedal to Galicia on Spain’s northwest coast from Pamplona in the foothills of the Spanish Pyrenees. Enroute are ample samplings of the wines of Rioja, a tour of Burgos’ gothic cathedral and the tomb of Spain’s favorite son, El Cid, and the exhilaration of the wide open plains of Castilla Leon. The trip concludes with a toast at the destination, the shrine of the Apostle St. James in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

The biking route is the same that walkers take. However, rather than the mental and physical fatigue of a month on the journey and sleeping with upwards of 150 pilgrims in dorms at night, cyclists engage in sightseeing and enjoying relaxed meals and accommodations in delightful posadas (Spanish inns) and even a restored monastery.

This trip on two wheels, he said, is designed to test one’s mettle and have a lasting effect on your spirit and outlook on life.

As do walking pilgrims, cyclists obtain a Pilgrim's Passport and official Camino de Santiago stamps. Riders pass by trout streams known to Hemingway and settle into tapas bars for leisurely feasts. The route passes through Atapuerca, the UNESCO World Heritage site whose caves cradled the remains of the earliest known human beings in Europe. Not all, however, is ancient, as a day is spent in Leon where bikes are stabled and shopping and sightseeing pursued.

For more information contact Bicycle Adventures by phone: 800.443.6060, email: office@bicycleadventures.com or visit online at bicycleadventures.com/.
Bicycle Adventures Is First International Tour Operator To Bring Guided Cycling Vacations to Taiwan
A Pacific Northwest-based active travel company specializing in two-wheel tours in North America and internationally will be the first international bike company providing guided tours by bicycle of Taiwan, an island nation little known outside of Asia.

Taiwan has begun to embrace health and wellness as a cultural ideal, with new fitness-oriented facilities springing up in urban areas. More people can be seen outdoors walking and running for fitness. Several cities have even begun bike-share programs, according to Starnes.

The easy-to-access and, for the most part, easy-to-bike routes were designed with showcasing the island in mind. The tour itinerary Bicycle Adventures crafted includes stops at culturally significant sites, including the National Center for Traditional Arts and the Lanyang Museum that was created when a Chinese cultural leader was exiled some years ago to Taiwan. Following in his wake came a collection of Chinese artifacts more impressive than any in China or anywhere else in the world.

The gateway city is Taipei where guests are met at the airport. The following day a ride on a high-speed train to Kaohsiung City brings cyclists to the southern end of the island to begin the tour northbound.

On the itinerary that averages about 74 kilometers a day of biking, guests pause in aboriginal villages where people still live as they did hundreds of years ago. These are descendants of Austronesians who first settled on Taiwan.

Traversing the ups and downs and in-betweens of some of the island’s five vertical mountain ranges is part of the fun. This includes rides up to and through two national parks that reveal stunning canopies in near-rainforest settings of up to 8,000 feet. One of the biggest challenges will be an uphill ride in the Taroka Gorge, promised Starnes. “Our guests are welcome to try to ride all the way to the top. I didn’t make it.”

Taiwan, formerly known as Formosa or “beautiful island”, is separated from the Asian mainland by the South China Sea - variously known as Black Ditch, Taiwan Strait or Formosa Strait - across 110 miles of water. Loyalties of its people have been challenged over time as Japan and China have both claimed the island. Today it’s in China’s realm. Mandarin is the official language. Ma Ying-jeou is president of Taiwan.

Bicycle Adventures recently signed the 20,000-member Japan Cycling Association to be an exclusive provider of bike tours in North America. Starnes anticipated that the new Taiwan program will be popular with the Japanese as well. “It’s an easy flight from Japan and a way of introducing our company to the new Japan market.”

For more information, availability and reservations contact Bicycle Adventures by phone: 800.443.6060, email: office@bicycleadventures.com or visit online bicycleadventures.com/.

Bicycle Adventures, a Pacific Northwest-based active travel company specializing in two-wheel tours in North America, Hawaii’s Big Island and New Zealand, has announced a series of four-day November departures into the largest (5,219 square miles) National Park in America’s Lower 48.

Pre-set and custom tours embrace the Pacific Northwest into Canada, California and the Southwest, as well as Colorado, South Dakota, New York, Hawaii, New Zealand, Spain’s Basque region and Taiwan. Excelling in its own backyard the Issaquah, WA,-based company conducts tours of Washington State’s wine country and includes an immersion into the craft beer industry in California, Oregon and Washington.

For more information check Bicycle Adventures website at bicycleadventures.com
Bicycle Adventures Announces New International Trips Including Taiwan and Spain’s Basque Country Plus Addition of “Frugal (Money-Saving) Tours.”
Note: Epic Tours promise rides of minimally 70 miles a day through phenomenal scenery, plus deluxe dining and lodging. “These tours are designed for avid cyclists who like nothing better than to ride 100 miles/day through spell-binding landscapes, with plenty of surprises, challenges and climbing,” said Todd Starnes,” Bicycle Adventures Founder/CEO. Classic Tours are designed for more casual riders who like the sound of “35-ish miles/day”, plus hiking, shopping and soaking up the sun.
BIKEMAINE
About BikeMaine:
Founded in 2012, BikeMaine is a fully-supported, seven-day cycling tour organized by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. Limited to just 350 cyclists, the tour takes a different course every year. Routes traverse uncrowded back roads, looping through small towns and scenic areas along the coast and inland. The terrain is moderately challenging with daily rides averaging 55 miles. The event includes meals made with locally sourced ingredients, optional afternoon activities and nightly entertainment. The event was founded to promote the state as a bicycling destination and to use cycling as an economic development tool for local communities. In 2014, BikeMaine generated an estimated $395,000 in direct economic impact. Proceeds from the tour go to support bicycle advocacy in Maine. To learn more, visit ride.bikemaine.org.

About Bicycle Coalition of Maine:
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine is the statewide voice of cyclists and pedestrians. Since 1992, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine has led the effort to make Maine better for bicycling and walking by protecting the rights and safety of cyclists and pedestrians through education, advocacy, legislation and encouragement. We support biking and walking for health, transportation and recreation. For more information: bikemaine.org.

About the Maine Public Broadcasting Network:
The Maine Public Broadcasting Network is Maine's premier, independent media resource, dedicated to creating exceptional opportunities for the communities it serves to engage with critical issues, compelling stories and quality entertainment. MPBN is renowned for creating award-winning programs, as well as airing content from PBS, NPR, and other independent producers. Formed in 1992, MPBN is an independently owned and operated nonprofit organization with office and studio locations in Bangor, Lewiston and Portland, Maine.
CATSKILL BICYCLING ADVENTURES
The Catskills mountain bike trails traverse epic vertical feet and wind around the region's mountains and valleys. And the number of recreation areas is growing with the recently opened Windham Mountain Bike Park, home of the only World Cup circuit race in the United States.

If you're feeling jazzed on the spirit of competition and an American win at Windham, head to the Catskills to check out some of our off-the-beaten-path mountain bike trails, including:

Windham Mountain Bike Center -- Newly opened just this summer (2015), this lift-serviced park offers trails for a variety of skills and features flow style trails, new intermediate level terrain to compliment the World Cup trails, as well as a pump track. Rentals, lessons, guided tours and a cool base lodge with food and drinks available as well. To build the park, Windham partnered with Gravity Logic, the same folks who developed the Bike Park at Whistler in Canada.

Elm Ridge Bike Path -- Also in Windham, just two miles from the bike park, the Elm Ridge Wild Forest offers more than 20 miles of challenging terrain, as well as some beginner-friendly, non-technical trails and some of the best single track in the Catskills.

The Windham Path -- This scenic little 1.5 mile loop is a great way to warm up, offering picturesque views of streams, beaver dams and the surrounding Catskill Mountains. Trailhead located on South Street in Windham.

In the town of Round Top, Roundtopia is a local secret, offering over 20 mils of single track and fire roads maintained by the Round Top Mountain Bike Association (RTMBA).
Cycling Events Take Catskills By Storm in 2015 with Challenging Endurance Racing Routes
Home to challenging hill climbs boasting names like the 'Devil's Kitchen,' the Catskills lay claim to some of the toughest cycling routes in New York, providing the ideal location for several highly anticipated annual cycling competitions.

For cyclists who just want to ride the Catskills‚ routes without competing, Catskill Cycles on Main Street in Catskill and Paddlehead Boards in Athens offer rentals, as well as a full sales and service staff. For additional information about bike routes and other cycling resources in the Catskills, go to www.greatnortherncatskills.com.

About Greene County:
Greene County is in the Great Northern Catskills, home to five of the 10 highest peaks in the Catskill Park, family resorts, outdoor adventure and year-round entertainment. Known as the nation's first wilderness, and renowned as the home of Thomas Cole's Hudson River School, the Catskills are a haven for outdoor recreation and artistic inspiration. Greene County was also the inspiration for Washington Irving's literary legend, Rip Van Winkle. Connect with the Catskills at GreatNorthernCatskills>Facebook.com and on Twitter.com/CatskillTourism
CALIFORNIA BICYCLING EVENTS
more soon
To learn more about Southern California’s Learn to MTB Headquarters at Snow Summit Bike Park visit www.snowsummit.com. For all there is to see and do in beautiful Big Bear Lake, make lodging reservations or request a free Visitors Guide log on to www.bigbear.com or call 800-424-4232.
COLORADO BICYCLING EVENTS
Biking Bliss with 750 Miles of Trails in Crested Butte & the Gunnison Valley, Colorado
The Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley boasts the largest mountain biking trail systems in the United States with more than 750 miles of mostly singletrack trails and a jam-packed calendar of biking events for 2015. For example, the Crested Butte Big Mountain Enduro is the only U.S. stop of the Enduro World Series and will be the country’s biggest mountain biking event in 2015. The biking terrain is so vast that a new trails app and mountain biking website will be launched later this spring.

Since the 1970s, when locals started retrofitting old Schwinn paperboy bikes with multiple gears, Crested Butte has been known as the home of mountain biking. Crested Butte is one of only five communities in Colorado to have the prestigious gold designation from the League of American Bicyclists, and Gunnison is one of only nine towns with silver status.

The first spot in the valley that bikers flock to in spring is the 8,000-acre Hartman Rocks Recreation Area in Gunnison, open now for riding and offering 40 miles of high desert single track and 33 miles of road open to biking once all trails are available. As spring progresses, trails at the north end of the valley begin opening and the chairlifts start running at Crested Butte Mountain from mid-June through the end of September, providing easy access to Evolution Bike Park including several Wednesday and Friday nights.

Townie Events & Casual Cruising

For those who just want to cruise with absolutely no schedule should consider staying at properties such as The Ruby of Crested Butte, Purple Mountain Bed & Breakfast and Old Town Inn in Crested Butte, which have complimentary townie bikes available for guests. Plus, bike shops in Gunnison and Crested Butte have colorful fleets and rent cruisers by the hour.

Travel Deals

Nordic Inn in Mt. Crested Butte has been totally remodeled and is a bike lover’s dream with close proximity to Trail 401, Snodgrass Trail and Evolution Bike Park. Plus, there is a secure bike storage room, bike cleaning station and plenty of space for bike trailer parking.
Vacation Packages & Visitor Information

For travel planning, general information and savings on flights, hotel rooms, vacation packages, car rentals and more, go to www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com or call (800) 814-8893. Also, follow GCBTA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gcbta. Later this spring, bikers can access all sorts of mountain biking information and the new trails app at www.mtbhome.com.

About Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado

Nestled in a valley with nearly two million acres of pristine, mountainous wilderness, Gunnison-Crested Butte has a prime location in southwest Colorado. Winter sports enthusiasts know the area for its world-class alpine skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and more. Fair-weather activities include mountain biking, hiking, wildflower and wildlife viewing, climbing, boating, whitewater rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing, camping and horseback riding. Year-round visitors enjoy distinctive restaurants, locally-owned shops, stimulating cultural opportunities and festivals galore ranging from the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival and Gunnison Cattlemen’s Days to Crested Butte Bike Week and Gunnison Car Show weekend.

Along a 31-mile stretch of wide-open vistas and stunning scenery, visitors can explore Gunnison, Almont, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte and connect with the quaint and historic burgs of Pitkin, Gothic, Tin Cup, Marble, Powderhorn and Crystal, also located in Gunnison County. Gunnison and Crested Butte, both founded in 1880, are known for their Victorian-era charm, friendly Western hospitality and free-spirited nature. Almont is a fishing, rafting and rock climbing mecca, and the resort village of Mt. Crested Butte is home to renowned Crested Butte Mountain. Visitors also can explore Curecanti National Recreation Area, home to Colorado’s largest body of water, and the nearby Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Gunnison County is part of the West Elk Loop and Silver Thread Scenic & Historic Byways.

Non-stop air service to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC) is provided year-round by United Airlines with flights from Denver (DIA). United also is offering non-stop service from Houston (HIA) this summer. The Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) is located just 79 miles from Gunnison, providing additional regional air service to the area.

For more information contact the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association, 202 E. Georgia, Suite B, Gunnison, CO 81230, www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com
Subaru Elephant Rock AnnouncesTwo New Courses
New Century and Sunrise Sunset Mountain Bike Courses Add to Colorado Cycling Festival. The unofficial start to Colorado’s cycling season, the annual Subaru Elephant Rock Cycling Festival, which features a range of road and mountain bike events and is entering its 28th year, announced new courses today for its signature Century course and the increasingly popular all-day mountain bike event, the Subaru Sunrise Sunset.  These key changes, enhancing both the appeal and scenery of the two courses, will be instantly popular with ERock entrants.

The ERock’s Century course, the first early season test of a cyclist’s fitness, links roads previously unavailable and offers a scenic but challenging ride. According to event director, Scot Harris, "our riders are going to love the newly designed Century course. We’ve been waiting for some of these roads to connect for years to make this new loop possible. This quiet, scenic route connects the tranquil country roads through the horse properties east of Franktown to the scenic rolling hills of the Black Forest. Our ERock riders will enjoy a perfect early season century - beautiful and interesting miles without the high mountain passes.”

The all-day Subaru Elephant Cycling Festival offers five different well-supported course options – 100, 62 and 40-mile road courses, a 27-mile gravel course, a gentle, family-friendly 8-miler, and the popular kids race on a safe and easy off-road loop.   The festival also includes food, music and an exciting expo, which features booths from a wide range of local and regional cycling-related, nutrition and apparel groups.

The new Century course, shown in blue on the map, travels through less populated areas, offering riders less traffic and more scenery. Still, at 100 miles, the ERock Century is no picnic. With well-stocked Aid Stations at frequent intervals throughout the course, riders can hydrate, fuel up and take the occasional much-needed break. Says Harris, “this new course is going to make the century even more popular than past years so riders should sign up soon in case we hit our cap.”

The ERock Subaru Sunrise Sunset event, a solo or team 11-hour mountain bike race, is also the beneficiary of a new course for 2015. The Subaru Sunrise Sunset event is moving this year to the freshly cut trails of the Philip S Miller Park in Castle Rock, Colorado. This amazing $30M facility offers an ideal endurance mountain bike venue less than a mile from the Subaru Elephant Rock start/finish. Playful and flowing, the new 6.5-mile course wanders through the hills and drainages of the new park and offers ample viewing for team members and spectators. The Subaru Sunrise Sunset offers recreational and competitive cyclists the opportunity to experience the thrill of competing in a challenging endurance race. The new off-road course is moderately technical and suitable for riders of all abilities. Riders can enter as a solo rider or part of a team of cycling cohorts (2-5 person teams, coed or single gender) for a memorable day of riding, racing, and camaraderie.

About Rocky Mountain Events
Headquartered in Denver, Rocky Mountain Events produces and directs road and mountain cycling events across Colorado for recreational cyclists of all ages and abilities. The Subaru Elephant Rock Cycling Festival in Castle Rock, CO, recognized as the unofficial start of the summer cycling season, offers both road and mountain bike courses of varying distances – from 8 to 100 miles – to kick off the season for cyclists. With the challenging 78-mile Colorado Cyclist Copper Triangle, which starts and finishes in Copper Mountain in early August, RME takes its cycling game to Colorado’s high country. With a course that covers 3 mountain passes (Vail, Tennessee and Fremont) and formidable Battle Mountain, the Copper Triangle is a solid mid-season test. RME completes its season with the October Ikon Tour of the Moon in Grand Junction, which gives riders the rare opportunity to cycle in the spectacular Colorado National Monument. RME has been successfully organizing and operating cycling events for nearly 30 years. For more information visit any of the individual event websites.

For more information contact Peter Downing
720.261.6766 or peter@sparksideas.com
FLORIDA KEYS

Event information:
www.bubbaspamperedpedalers.com
Florida Keys visitor information: www.fla-keys.com or 1-800-FLA-KEYS (1-800-352-5397)
Social: www.facebook.com/floridakeysandkeywest>Facebook · twitter.com/thefloridakeys>Twitter · instagram.com/thefloridakeys>Instagram · www.youtube.com/user/FloridaKeysTV>Youtube · keysvoices.com/>Keys Voices
H + I Adventures
H+I Adventures Takes Mountain Bikers from Sky to Sea
Adventure mountain biking company treats travellers to high peaks and salty waters on sky-to-sea trips through New Zealand, Spain and Slovenia

Top 3 Sky-to-Sea Bike Adventures

Spain

A week-long adventure in Andalucía, this sun-kissed mountain biking journey takes travellers from the high Alpujarras all the way down to the coast of the Alboran Sea. Peak highlights on this Spanish excursion include a dizzying 2240m climb through the Sierra Nevada, boasting views as far as Morocco. Traditional white-washed mountain villages along the trail offer intimate cultural encounters and opportunities to sample authentic Spanish cuisine. Best of all, day three has mountain bikers tackling the challenging climb near Motril, which is rewarded with a breathtaking descent that winds down the other side for a refreshing afternoon swim in the sea.

Spain trips start at $2278 USD per person, with 2015 availability on October 17th departure, and 2016 availability at Easter time, departing 26th March

Slovenia

A new adventure for 2015, this European mountain biking odyssey barrels down the tough trails and up the soaring peaks of Slovenia, Italy and Austria. The thrills start on day one in Ljubljana with a ride through an alpine meadow followed by a long downhill charge to beautiful Bohinj Lake. This bike tour is packed with scenic climbs in the Julian Alps, including a trek up the Slovenian side of Mount Maggiore, where once at the top, bikers will traverse down the winding trails of the Italian side. After scaling the Julian Alps, this mountain bike adventure will descend through charming vineyards and culminate in the Venetian town of Piran, on the shores of the Adriatic Sea.

Slovenia trips start at $2448 USD per person, with 2015 availability on September 20th departure, and several dates confirmed for summer 2016

New Zealand

New to H+I’s trip roster for 2016, New Zealand is an adrenalin junkie’s paradise and appropriately known as the adventure capital of the world. The summits on this trip are epic, with a ridge-line ride 1600m above sea level between Mount Rosa and Ben Cruachan, as well as a 1400m climb up Old Ghost Road for sweeping panoramic views of the rainforest below. In between plunging descents and larger-than-life vistas, mountain bikers will explore the natural landscape whilst whale watching in Kaikoura and riding above the crashing waves in Christchurch. Add in a leisurely whirl around the trails at beautiful Lake Wanaka and you’ll see why this country is the ultimate destination for mountain bikers.

New Zealand trips start at $3910 USD per person, with 2016 availability on January 25th, March 11th and November 21st departures

For more information, visit mountainbikeworldwide.com.

About H+I Adventures

H+ I Adventures specializes in premium mountain biking holidays. Based out of Inverness, Scotland, the company offers mountain biking trips in Namibia, Mexico, Slovenia, Spain, Yukon, Nepal, Ecuador and Whistler, with four destination trips in Scotland. They are committed to providing sustainable and responsible travel within the communities they visit. H+I Adventures is bonded by the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT)
H+I Adventures Goes Beyond Biking with New Culinary Experiences
H+I Adventures is paving the trail for epicurean adventures around the world. The mountain biking specialists have carefully crafted a collection of mouth watering and eye opening trips that combine active travel with local delicacies in some of the world’s most culturally rich destinations. This year’s roster of culinary mountain biking trips feature tapas tours in Spain, whisky tastings in Scotland and a full-day foodie feast with breakfast in Slovenia, lunch in Austria and afternoon espresso in Italy.

For more information, visit mountainbikeworldwide.com.
About H+I Adventures
H+ I Adventures specializes in premium mountain biking holidays. Based out of Inverness, Scotland, the company offers mountain biking trips in Namibia, Mexico, Slovenia, Spain, Yukon, Nepal, Ecuador and Whistler, with four destination trips in Scotland. They are committed to providing sustainable and responsible travel within the communities they visit. H+I Adventures is bonded by the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT)
H + I Adventures Launches New Web Site to Show World Class Mountain Biking Holidays
H+I Adventures, one of the world’s leading mountain biking adventure companies, has undergone a total rebrand, featuring a new visual identity, online presence and tagline (‘The Art of Adventure’) that inspires adventure travellers to hop in the saddle. The contemporary website helps riders easily discover their ideal mountain bike holiday, and features 2015 and 2016 holidays that are available to book now.
“The H+I rebrand communicates to our adventurers and the mountain biking community that we understand and believe in the art of a well-crafted adventure,” said Euan Wilson, Director, H+I Adventures. “From the moment you browse our new website, you will feel like you are embarking on a dream adventure with friends. We are proud to provide exceptional and inclusive journeys that are expertly designed and guided by professional local mountain bike guides.”

The upgraded website features inspirational photography, epic ride videos, and seamless navigation, making it easy and fun to find the perfect mountain biking journey. 2015 and 2016 destinations on offer include: Scotland, Namibia, Slovenia, Yukon, Nepal, Whistler, Spain, Mexico and Ecuador. For each bike tour, adventurers will find a tour summary, tour diary, day-by-day itinerary, price, logistic details, reviews and tailored FAQs.

H+I offers novice, intermediate and advanced trips that range between 7- and 12- days long, which is ideal for Canadians and Americans who want to make the most of limited vacation days.

For more information about booking a mountain bike holiday with H+I Adventures, visit: mountainbikeworldwide.com or call 1-888-228-5035
HOLIDAY RIVER EXPEDITIONS
The Maze District of Canyonlands NP, Holy Grail for Most Intrepid Mountain Bikers, Offers America’s Premium Backcountry Ride
For over 45 years Holiday River Expeditions has been outfitting and leading oar-powered excursions by raft on the wildest rivers of the West. They helped introduce guided mountain biking in Utah and Colorado nearly 25 years ago. Veterans of the backcountry, they consider the Maze District of Canyonlands National Park their ultimate ride, best suited for only the most intrepid fat tire fanatic.

“The Maze is the least accessible district of Canyonlands, one of the main reasons it was so attractive to us,” explains John Wood, Co-Owner and President of Holiday River Expeditions. “The Maze is so remote and rugged it sees just 2,000 people per year compared to more than 264,000 in the park’s Island in the Sky district. It doesn't even have a visitor center and the ranger station is a long drive down along a dusty road.”

In spring and fall Holiday offers four-day, three-night mountain bike explorations of the Maze in small groups of no more than seven guests and two guides. Daily itineraries can vary widely from one trip to the next based on group desires, abilities, trail conditions and Mother Nature.

Groups meet at the Holiday River Expeditions headquarters in Green River, Utah, and board a shuttle for a three-hour ride to Bagpipe Butte Overlook where the fat tire fun begins. The first day’s ride follows the Flint Trail, the most technically difficult riding of the trip. Those with less experience feel no shame in walking a short stretch of this mile-long descent into the country the old-timers call “under the Ledge”. The trail takes a more serious descent off the Flint Cove onto the White Rim Sandstone layer, where it will be wide open riding to the Maze Overlook and camp for the night. Participants bike 20 miles this day and lose about 1700 feet of elevation.

On Day Two guests descend by foot into the labyrinths called the Maze. A half day walk through time leads to prehistoric Indian panel called The Harvest Scene, a message left a thousand years ago by the Ancestral Pueblo or Ancient Ones. Visitors then exit the Maze in the Land of Standing Rocks where bikes are waiting for the afternoon ride to camp.

Lizard Rock, Chimney Rock, the Wall, the Plug and The Fins are a few of the countless rock monuments that make Day Three’s ride border on surreal. Depending on group desires, this day’s riding will cover between 10 and 30 miles with plenty of viewpoints to stop and garner inspiration.

On Day Four Mother Nature serves up wide-open riding down gradual slopes and through occasional dips into desert washes. Shortly after lunch the road emerges at Lake Powell and Hite Marina. A passenger van meets the group for a two-hour ride back to Green River, Utah.

While this option is best for experienced and advanced riders, Holiday also offers other mountain bike adventures more suitable for beginners and intermediate enthusiasts.

Holiday’s 3-day San Rafael Swell Tour explores a rarely-visited region of Utah where dinosaurs, Native Americans and Butch Cassidy once roamed. Trips are $730 per person scheduled privately upon request.

Other tours that take in the La Sal Mountains and Dinosaur National Monument’s Yampa Bench are offered as pre-set dates or privately scheduled departures.

About Holiday River Expeditions
Holiday River Expeditions (www.bikeraft.com/) began in 1966, when Dee Holladay and his wife Sue took the plunge to become river outfitters. Due to its respect for the lands, rivers, guests and employees, the family-owned-and-operated company has grown exponentially. Each of its guides is professionally trained in first aid and river safety, and with over 48 years of experience, the company provides guests the opportunity to explore the nation’s wild lands safely and securely. Holiday River Expeditions has a philosophy to protect the environment through education and conservation, and as such, uses oar-powered and paddle rafts exclusively.

For more information, availability, reservations or a copy of the 2015 catalog please call 800-624-6323, Email: Holiday@BikeRaft.com or log onto www.bikeraft.com/.
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ORTIZ INDUSTRY & UBERRUSH
Ortiz Industry Partners with Uber, Creates Elite Team of Bicycle Messengers
The ‘Rush Riders’ represent 10 of New York’s toughest bike messengers, who are now the most impeccably dressed cyclists on the road. Ortiz Industry is proud to announce its partnership with UberRush, in creating a team of the toughest – and now best dressed – bike messengers on the streets of New York City.

These unsung heroes of New York business and industry were overdue for an upgraded work wardrobe, and Ortiz Industry, the premier intelligent fashion brand, stepped up to provide hand-selected UberRush messengers with a new Ortiz Industry wardrobe. To acknowledge the grueling work these men do on a day-to-day basis, Ortiz Industry co-founders, Claire Ortiz and Heather Park, are outfitting them in the Fall 2014 line, which blends advanced innovation and technology with the cleanest, sophisticated design.

Each month, Ortiz and Park will outfit the Rush Rider team in an Ortiz Industry wardrobe to wear on-the-job. These riders will then document their experience via social media, to provide testament to the durability, comfort and strength of the Ortiz Industry apparel.

The Ortiz Industry brand uses proprietary and patent-pending fabrications and materials that have the following benefits – perfect for UberRush messengers:
·         ADAPTIVE: The ADAPTIVE group of materials offers their base level of functions and benefits, some of which include, anti-bacterial, moisture management and stretch.

·         RESPONSIVE: The RESPONSIVE collection, in addition to providing all the features of the ADAPTIVE group, has integrated movement and is designed to respond to external changes by adding such benefits as UV protection.

·         INTUITIVE: The INTUITIVE group is the ultimate in sublime comfort, cooling, 360 degree stretch and recovery, plus the protective features of being stain resistant and water repellant.
Going beyond futuristic fabrics, Ortiz and Park have considered the most meticulous of details, from their state of the art laser technology and dynamic motion engineering to their numerous patents pending including their system of stay-tucked waistbands and water repellant fabrics.

Ortiz Industry retails for $100 to $500 and is available at OrtizIndustry.com.
OUTSIDE TOURS

PHILADELPHIA BICYCLING
10 Reasons Biking in Philadelphia Is On A Roll
The sound of ringing bicycle bells is constant in Philadelphia, where a grid layout, mostly flat terrain and 435 miles of bike lanes make it ideal for cyclists, whether they prefer mountain bikes, fixed-gears or classic cruisers. With the late April launch of Indego, the city's first bike-share program, even more riders can explore Philadelphia‚s great outdoors and fantastic attractions˜from historic sites to beautiful riverside trails.

Here are 10 reasons Philly's bike scene is taking off:

1. Indego: Everybody Rides

In 1776, Philadelphia became the birthplace of a nation. This April, democracy takes to the streets with the launch of Indego, the city's first bike-share program named for sponsor Independence Blue Cross. Here's how Indego works: Riders (ages 16+) can check out a bike--there will be 600 available--at one of the 60 Indego stations in the city, from the Delaware River to the east, 44th and Walnut streets to the west, the East Passyunk neighborhood to the south and Temple University to the north. Indego bikes are meant for quick trips of up to 60 minutes. Once the ride is over, the rider can return the bike to any Indego station. Bikers can pay for each ride individually, or Indego members can opt for one of two pricing plans. Built by Trek, the three-speed bikes feature step-through frames, front and rear lights, comfortable and adjustable seats and baskets˜making these check-out-and-go bikes the ultimate in convenience for both residents and visitors in Philadelphia

2. Festivals & Finish Lines

Every day is a good day for a bike ride in Philadelphia, but cycling enthusiasts have a few special dates circled on their calendars.
Founded by local bike-builder and industry sweetheart Bilenky Cycle Works, the annual Philly Bike Expo fills the Pennsylvania Convention Center with hundreds of cycling vendors and organizations. Seminars and panels cover everything from bike design to dressing for a commute. November 7-8, 2015.
The Bilenky crew is also behind the Bilenky Junkyard Cross, a much-loved race through a nearby junkyard, where the obstacles are car frames, refrigerators and crushed beer cans. December, exact date TBD.

3. Spokes-People

As much as Philadelphia's ample sights and diverse terrain make it inherently bikeable, a few organizations are to thank for getting more and more people riding. Founded in 1972, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is the region's biggest cheerleader for safe cycling. In addition to educating Philadelphians about the environmental, health and economic effects of bike riding, the organization advocates for better opportunities and conditions--they've helped to create numerous new bike lanes and trails in the past half-decade alone. Seeing bicycles as excellent vehicles for personal growth, Neighborhood Bike Works focuses on helping young people and those with low-income backgrounds engage in their communities and green spaces by riding bikes they repair themselves. Programs include summer camps, group rides and classes for children and adults and its flagship Earn-A-Bike. 'Moving in the right direction' is the motto at Gearing Up, which helps women in transition--from abuse, addiction and incarceration--incorporate bike riding into their lives. Women track their milestones, participate in group rides and 'graduate' by earning refurbished bikes to call their own.
With all this riding around town, the CyclePhilly allows riders to record their routes and compare them with other users. Data from the app is shared with city planners who use it to prioritize the region‚s bike infrastructure improvements. Keeping tabs on the Philly biking world is SPOKE Magazine, a new publication chronicling the city's ever-growing cycling culture, infrastructure and community.

4. Pedaling To The Masses

Simple tasks often are compared to riding a bike, but Philadelphia‚s array of biking classes and group rides mean cycling can be as basic or challenging as riders choose.

The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia proves it's never too late to try something new with its Adult Learn-to-Ride class, covering the basics of pedaling, steering and stopping.
The Bicycle Club of Philadelphia's free weekly rides range from slow, beginner-friendly trips to brisk, 50-plus-mile rides. With themes like 'Tropical Paradise' and 'Neon,' Philly Bike Party is a monthly series of nighttime rides featuring dancing, games, costumes and an outrageously fun time.Howling is encouraged during the monthly Philadelphia Full Moon Bike Ride, a nighttime jaunt with plenty of moonlight to illuminate a new route each time. Take Your Time Bicycle Rides specializes in socializing and slower paces. Its 'Ladies Only' ride, coordinated with the Bicycle Coalition's Women Bike PHL program, takes place every other month.
The pace picks up at shop Breakaway Bikes and Fitness, housing a Training Center that features classes and one-on-one coaching aimed at improving racing techniques and times. Its weekly Shake Shack Ride is a beginner-focused, 40-mile ride that ends, joyfully, with shakes and drinks at Shake Shack.The younger set loves Kidical Mass, a monthly bike ride with adults supervising their little riders--on big-kid bikes, since training wheels are discouraged--on a new route each month. Neighborhood Bike Works‚ Ride Club is a four-part, after-school group ride for kids 8--18.
Switching gears: People's inner bike mechanics come out during Neighborhood Bike Works‚ four-week Adult Bike Repair Class, where fixing flats and adjusting brakes become as easy as riding a bike.

5. Shop Around

An unexpected perk of biking through Philadelphia: With so many bike shops around the city, it‚s a great way to window shop or pop in for a tune-up, new gear or a fresh set of wheels. In the particularly active cycling community of West Philadelphia, Firehouse Bicycles advertises its selection of new and used bikes with a funky, colorful sign and bike sculpture on Baltimore Avenue, while Keswick Cycle pairs its original location in Glenside with a sprawling outpost near the University of Pennsylvania's campus. Neighborhood Bike Works operates the nearby and beloved Bike Church, where an all-volunteer staff offers inexpensive used bikes and helps cyclists fix their own bikes, free of charge. Repairs are the specialty at Fairmount's Philadelphia Bikesmith, where mechanics get raves for both their know-how and patience. In the same 'hood' Fairmount Bicycles stocks such a large selection of sporty and city bikes that it extends to the sidewalk. Bicycle Therapy in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood is ideal for repairs between rides on the nearby Schuylkill River Trail; Breakaway Bikes and Fitness near Rittenhouse Square is both a sleek showcase for bicycles and a training center for cyclists; fixed-gear and European-style bikes share space at the colorful Bicycle Revolutions in Queen Village; and Bell's Bike Shop in the East Passyunk neighborhood makes excellent repairs, builds custom bikes and holds the designation of being the sole seller of PUBLIC bikes in Philadelphia. Across town, Fishtown's aptly named Bicycle Stable (building once served as a stable for police horses) provides new and refurbished bikes and bicycle services, while Firth & Wilson Transport Cycles caters to urban cyclists with a collection of city and cargo bikes, meant for riding around town and hauling gear, groceries, Christmas trees˜whatever needs transporting.
Riders within city limits and well beyond count on R.E.Load to tote their stuff; the messenger, roll-top and hip bags pack the brand's Northern Liberties store.

6. Life In The Fast Lane

Thanks to Philadelphia's grid-like system of streets, designed by founder William Penn, the city is easy to navigate. And thanks to Philadelphia's 435 miles of bike lanes, it's safe to navigate, too. In Center City, bike lanes run east on Pine Street, west on Spruce Street, north on 22nd Street and south on 10th Street. Bike lanes also run on either side of Benjamin Franklin Parkway, making it easy to ride to big-name destinations such as the Barnes Foundation, The Franklin Institute and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
West Philadelphia, home to the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University, makes biking to class˜and the neighborhood's many coffee shops and restaurants safe with lanes on Walnut,Spruce and Market Streets and Baltimore and Woodland Avenues. Other major bike lanes in Philadelphia include Fairmount,Torresdale and Kensington Avenues north of Center City; Washington and Oregon Avenues to the south; and Columbus Boulevard at the city'‚s eastern edge, making biking along Philadelphia's waterfront equally safe and scenic.

7. Happy Trails

With two riverfronts and one of the country's largest urban parks, the country's fifth-largest city makes it easy for urban cyclists to hit the trail--hundreds of miles of trails, in fact. Opened in 2013, the Delaware River Trail connects riders to Philadelphia's waterfront, where they can take in views of the Ben Franklin Bridge and New Jersey in the distance. Once completed, the trail will stretch six miles. In Northeast Philly, the Delaware River connects to Pennypack Trail, offering a challenging singletrack network and a paved bike path along Pennypack Creek. Hugging both sides of the Schuylkill River, Fairmount Park encompasses some of the city' most popular bike trails: Cobbs Creek Trail, featuring a lovely footbridge and plenty of shade (read: perfect for hotter months); the short-but-sweet Bartram's Garden Trail, with a meadow that‚s especially beautiful in summer; the paved, family-friendly Centennial 5K Route, which passes Please Touch Museum and Shofuso Japanese House and Garden; the winding singletracks and seemingly endless loops of Belmont Plateau; and Boxers‚ Trail, once frequented by boxer Joe Frazier.
The newest bikers‚ delight in Philadelphia is the Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk; starting at South Street, this four-block paved path angles over the river and connects to the 26-mile Schuylkill River Trail. Between Center City and the trail's end at Valley Forge, the Schuylkill River Trail connects to the leafy Kelly Drive-West River Drive Loop, the eight-mile East Falls Loop and the Manayunk Towpath that runs parallel to Manayunk's shopping and dining destinations. Farther west, a variety of bike paths and terrains populate Wissahickon Valley Park, whose most popular trail is the off-the-beaten-path Forbidden Drive; no kind of bike is forbidden, though mountain bikes are strongly encouraged.

8. Off-Road Riding

Philadelphia's bucolic countryside offers near-endless trail-riding possibilities. For bikers looking for something even more off the beaten path, a few off-road opportunities excite. The Philly Pumptrack in Fairmount Park is a dirt track geared for BMX bikes, with X Games-style ramps, rolls and sharp curves. With both beginner and advanced tracks, the Pumptrack is kid-friendly and always monitored by volunteers. The walkways along the Benjamin Franklin Bridge have gained popularity among cyclists, who enjoy the 1.5-mile ride to Camden-not to mention to spectacular view of Philadelphia'‚s skyline on the way back. Pros and amateurs alike are gearing up for the proposed velodrome, currently titled Project 250. The building would feature a 250-meter, Olympic-size track intended for both public use and international cycling races.

9. Touring The Town

Organized bike tours take the guesswork out of sightseeing. The Philly Bike Tour Co. operates a trio of three-hour tours: the greatest-hits Classic City Tour, the sculpture-focused Art Is All Around Us Tour and the leafy Fairmount Park Tour. Philadelphia Bike Tours offers another guided option, with a three-hour ride covering popular and lesser-known landmarks between the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers-with a snack included. DIYers love the self-guided tours from Wheel Fun Rentals, with detailed maps guiding the way through either Center City or Fairmount Park. The Association for Public Art's Outdoor Sculpture Bike Map, which includes more than 30 public works and six scenic views, strengthens legs and opens minds as it winds around the Schuylkill River and Philadelphia Museum of Art. Created in collaboration with the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, the self-guided tour (four-mile or 10-mile routes) includes stops featured in the Museum Without Walls˙AUDIO program, so cyclists can hear three- to four-minute segments about the sculptures on their phone or via an app.

10. Wheels To Go

While Indego is meant for short trips, those looking for a longer ride are in luck--bike rentals are available all over the city. No matter where visitors roam in Philly, they can rent bikes for an hour or more from Wheel Fun Rentals, with locations at Lloyd Hall on Boathouse Row, at Capriccio at Café Cret along the Ben Franklin Parkway and at the Independence Visitor Center on Independence Mall. Brewerytown Bicycles sits along Girard Avenue in the Brewerytown neighborhood, just a quick ride to the Philadelphia Zoo, Kelly Drive or anywhere in Fairmount Park; mountain and fat bikes are available for daily rentals or several days. Brewerytown's sister store is Fairmount Bicycles, located just north of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway; the fleet includes sporty and city-friendly options and Big Dummies--perfect for toting kids or shopping bags. Farther east toward Northern Liberties, urban-cycling specialist Firth & Wilson Transport Cycles provides city and cargo bikes for an hour, four hours or a full day.

More Bells And Whistles: 13 Philly Biking Facts

1. Philadelphia is the #1 big city in the country for bike commuters per capita, at 2.3%. (Source: Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, U.S. Census Bureau)
2. South Philly and Center City are among the top 25 neighborhoods in the country for commuting by bike. (Source: Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, U.S. Census Bureau)
3. With Indego, Philadelphia becomes the first U.S. city to offer a bike-share program that doesn‚t require credit cards. This makes bikes more accessible to a broader range of riders, including those from low-income backgrounds.
4. Between 2015 and 2020, the Indego program is projected to increase annual ridership in Philadelphia 500%, from 500,000 to 2.5 million.
5. Among the reasons Temple Universityreceived the honor of a 'Bike-Friendly University' by The League of American Cyclists: The school offers more than 1,700 bicycle parking spaces, free courses on urban bike safety and an on-campus bike mechanic.
6. The internationally renowned Fuji Bikes, launched in Japan in 1899, now calls its North Philadelphia headquarters home, and its bikes are staples in shops across the city.
7. North Bowland South Bowl, the ultra-popular bowling alleys in Northern Liberties and South Philadelphia, respectively, offer free shoe rentals to those who roll in with a bike helmet.
8. More than 100 artists--from Philadelphia to the Netherlands--submitted creative takes on bike racks for a 2014 contest held by the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia. The top 10 designs were installed at Boathouse Row, City Hall and elsewhere in the city.
9. Hotel Palomar and Hotel Monaco, Philadelphia's two Kimpton properties, offer complimentary PUBLIC bikes for their guests. The Palomar'‚s Pedal for Perks program encourages bike riding by offering perks, such as room upgrades and glasses of wine, based on guests‚ total mileage.
10. Simon Firth, the owner of Firth & Wilson Transport Cycles, is the only certified Brooks saddle (seat) repairperson in the United States.
11. For those riders who want to keep up with their friends or improve their hill rides, Philly Electric Wheels in Philadelphia‚s Mt. Airy neighborhood rents and sells electric-assist bikes.
12. Old-school elbow grease and new-wave innovation collide at Bilenky Cycle Works, custom-creators of tandem bikes and other quirky rides that can run around $10,000.
13. One rider who doesn‚t mind the workout: Philadelphia Eagles linebacker and fan favorite Connor Barwin, who is often seen riding his bike to games at Lincoln Financial Field.

VISIT PHILADELPHIA® makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases the number of visitors, the number of nights they stay and the number of things they do in the five-county area.

On Greater Philadelphia's official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.
PURE ADVENTURES TOURS
Sonoma County Wine Country Self-Guided Cycling at $1,445 per person double (before Scout discount) is a more intense road cycling trip over six days and five nights for those seeking longer, more challenging riding in a new destination. Off the saddle there’s ample wine tasting and relaxation. Top quality hotels are included with some upgrades possible. Sonoma County is known for its excellent cycling and scenic wine country, but few take the time to truly explore its hidden gems. Rolling hills, punchy climbs, quiet country roads and lush vineyards make this trip a road cyclist’s dream! On this journey, guests breathe in fresh wine country air and take in view upon view while exploring quiet lanes and roads that only the locals know.

The rate for each itinerary includes a personal orientation upon arrival in order to go over the route book. Staff assist in setting up the bikes while riders get pointers from local experts. Included are accommodation with breakfast for five nights, luggage transfers, detailed road book with maps, cue sheets and suggestions for visits and site information as well as restaurant suggestions, pre travel documentation and information, pre and post travel assistance and travel planning.

In addition to self-guided programs, Pure Adventures offers other ways to organize domestic and international bicycling and hiking vacations: Guided vs Self-Guided vs Supported, Self-Directed, See: pure-adventures.com/blog/2014/06/23/how-to-choose-the-perfect-bicycle-vacation/#.VUk4UvlVhHw

For more information on all of 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: pure-adventures.com.
The Newest Concept in Bicycle Touring? Pure Adventures Introduces Supported, Self-Directed Cycling Adventures
Innovative bicycle vacation specialist Pure Adventures announces ‘Supported, Self-Directed’ adventures, a new concept in cycling vacations that lets guests enjoy many of the freedoms of a self-guided/independent trip with the sag wagon service and trip leader support of a fully guided tour.

“This supported self-directed concept allows independent cyclists to ride and explore remote destinations where roadside assistance or local services may not exist, essentially creating their own ride complete with all the support needed,” says Loren Siekman, Pure Adventures founder/owner. “The support van and trip leader assigned to transfer guest luggage from one overnight stop to the next also assist with ‘sag’ stops along the route (every 20-25 miles), provide a lift for shorter ride options, help with mechanical matters, and handle any on-road emergencies or questions.

Supported self-directed itineraries require that a minimum of six people sign up for the same fixed departure date and program. However if six friends or family members sign up, then they can choose their own exclusive departure date.

“Even though six or more clients are traveling more or less on the same route, they are under no obligation to fraternize and for all intents and purposes may remain as independent of one another as they like. The only common denominators are that their luggage is in the same van and they’re most probably staying at the same inns,” Siekman said. His company manages all logistics, makes all reservations, and provides all vehicles, trip support leaders, as well as high end bike rentals. “It’s a perfect middle ground between fully guided and independent/self-guided at a price point more closely resembling a self-guided trip.”

The advantages of supported self-directed travel include lower trip rates, no appointed meal and departure times and the freedom to sightsee at leisure. Enroute guests can tap into the expertise of the company’s ride leader who knows bike mechanics, supplies fresh water and healthy snacks, advises on caution stops, suggests things to see and do and provides transport to guest-selected restaurants.

“In this format, we may suggest but are not organizing group activities such as museum visits or wine tastings often included in a fully guided trip. And though trip distances on these programs tend to be longer than most of the self-guided trips we offer, shorter ride options exist thanks to this Sag support. It is the perfect option for couples of different abilities,” said Siekman.

For more information please see pure-adventures.com/ssdtours/

About Pure Adventures
Pure Adventures emerged in 2004 from Discover France Adventures (founded in 1994 by Loren Siekman) to meet North American client requests for high-quality, self-guided cycling tours beyond just France. 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.

This company pioneered self-guided tours in Europe in 1994 and recently launched its first itineraries in North America via exclusive partnership with the Southwest’s most diverse and extensive (over 400) bicycle rental fleet owner and adventure outfitter. Other equipment rentals include kayaks, camping and backpacking gear.

Pure Adventures’ tours in 2015 span Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and now the United States with the introduction of 20 programs in the West.

The company adheres to eco-friendly living and low-to-no-impact travel. Vehicles and other energy consuming resources are not used to support self-guided tours. Electronic communications, cloud storage systems and document sharing help diminish paper printing and storage. Through annual donations the company supports sustainable travel and carbon offsets. Contact them by phone: 800-960-2221 or 480-905-1235, Email: info@pure-adventures.com, or visit online: pure-adventures.com.
Newest Concept in Bicycle Touring, Supported and Self-Directed, Now Offered in Ireland through Pure Adventures
Bicycle vacation specialist Pure Adventures (pure-adventures.com/) recently announced a new way for bicycle enthusiasts to vacation on bikes in unfamiliar territory. The company’s new, supported and self-directed international adventures enhance trips with maximum rider flexibility plus the services of a trip leader and a sag wagon to transport luggage.

These conveniences leave adventurous cyclists free to enjoy the open road on their own terms on a supported, self-directed itinerary in Ireland this season.

Ireland - Biking Cork County to Kerry County, available April to October, is a challenging, seven-day program from €1540 per person, double (roughly $1,675 US), averages 65km a day through County Cork and on to the Dingle Peninsula. Included are six nights accommodation in quality guest houses and small inns, daily all-Irish breakfasts, seven days of dedicated support from the guide/driver and a support vehicle, luggage transfers between lodgings, some transfers, orientation, route maps and cue sheets and more. A choice of bike rentals is available starting at €105.

Guests arrive in Cork and are transferred to Clonakitty on the coast of County Cork where the briefing takes place and bikes are checked out. The destination today is Baltimore, the most southerly section of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way, a long-distance route that journeys some 2,500km from Cork in the South to Donegal in the North. Here overlooking the islands of Roaring Water Bay guests will sip their first pint of Guinness in Bushes Pub. Day 2 brings cyclists to Ireland’s most southwesterly point, the Mizen Peninsula and the village of Ballydehob before traversing historic back roads to one of West Cork’s most noteworthy villages, Schull. Enroute is a ferry ride to Cape Clear, a Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) island with megalithic standing stones, a 5,000 year old passage grave, a 12th century church ruin and a 14th century castle.

Quiet rural roads on Day 3 lead to Bantry Bay, its richly textured history displayed in part at Bantry House, a fully furnished stately home. Tonight guests lodge in Glengarriff, having said goodbye to Baltimore. They are positioned for the Caha Pass the next morning leading from Cork to Kerry. Views appreciated, cyclists move onto a single track road through the Black Valley to overnight in Sneem. From here the Ring of Kerry climbs up to Coomakista Pass, a vantage point that is a jewel in Kerry’s crown. Back roads again lead to Waterville on the Atlantic Ocean – and more Guinness.

Day 5 brings the Ring of Skellig winding up and down along the coast. The ride concludes with a ferry (weather permitting) to the Dingle Peninsula, another Gaeltacht region replete with ancient sites of iron-age forts, inscribed stones and historic churches. From dramatic Slea Head is a site known as Gallarus Oratory and Castle, not to be missed. The active part of the trip concludes at Dingle Benners Hotel, with toasts before the next day’s departures.

“This supported self-directed concept allows independent cyclists to ride and explore remote destinations where roadside assistance or local services may not exist, essentially creating their own ride complete with all the support needed,” says Loren Siekman, Pure Adventures founder/owner.

A less strenuous, self-guided trip is Ireland - Best of the Wild Atlantic Way, a self-guided, seven-day program from €910 Euros ($987 US) per person, double. This adventure focuses on Ireland’s west coast, from Galway City to County Clare, embracing the Aran Islands and Connemara.

For more information on all of 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: pure-adventures.com.

About Pure Adventures
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.

This company pioneered self-guided tours in Europe in 1994 and recently launched its first itineraries in North America. 2015 tours span Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and now the United States with the introduction of 20 programs in the West.

The company adheres to eco-friendly living and low-to-no-impact travel. Vehicles and other energy consuming resources are not used to support self-guided tours. Electronic communications, cloud storage systems and document sharing help diminish paper printing and storage. Through annual donations the company supports sustainable travel and carbon offsets.

Follow Pure Adventures:
Facebook:     www.facebook.com/PureAdventuresTours
Twitter:         @PureAdvTour
Blog:               pure-adventures.com/blog/
Pure Adventures Launches Brand New Way to Experience Western USA's Iconic Cycling Routes
Imagine reigning supreme over the inclines and passes of world famous Death Valley National Park, or conquering the notorious climbs of Arizona’s Sky Islands? This year, Pure Adventures, pioneers in cycle tourism, invites cyclists to experience Western USA’s most challenging and world-class routes with their newest label, Supported Self Directed: a brand new way to cycle and travel that retains the independence of a self-guided trip, but provides the peace of mind of expert guidance and essential support. Pure Adventures’ new SSD trips debut this fall across California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah.

Supported Self Directed travel is the clever touring option for cyclists who’ve graduated from guided trips and are interested in riding at an epic destination with logistics that are challenging to master independently. Pure Adventures’ SSD trips include:

4-day Epic Climbs of Arizona’s Sky Islands SSD Cycling Tour

6-day Yosemite to San Francisco SSD Bicycling Tour

6-day Death Valley Bicycling Discovery SSD Tour

6-day Tucson & Borderlands SSD Bicycle Tour

5-day Bryce Canyon & Zion SSD Cycling & Hiking Tour

6-day San Francisco to Los Angeles SSD Cycling Tour

6-day San Diego Surf & Turf SSD Cycling Tour

.........and more!

These trips open up difficult or isolated tracks to a wider range of rider levels, including the less-advanced set. Cyclists can tackle the route at their own pace and freedom, but benefit from having some support, like professional planned route notes and daily briefing, top quality bicycles, luggage and gear transfers, lodging, SAG stops, and access to a daily bike mechanic who’ll even share tips on where to try the best brew in the area.

Non-riding companions are also warmly welcomed, making it easier for couples to travel and experience the destination together - for example, enjoying meals, the hotel and nearby towns during leisure time. Best yet, Pure Adventures offers fixed SSD departure dates, allowing for a minimum of six participants to affordably share costs, without the confines of sticking to a group itinerary. Custom departures are also available for private groups of six or more.

For more information about Pure Adventure’s Supported Self Directed label, please call 1-800-960-2221 or visit<www.pure-adventures.com.
ROAD TITANS
Bicycle Adventures Extends Summer With 14 New Fall Tour Departure Dates That Move South into November
The leader in North America bike tours, Bicycle Adventures, is extending summer with 14 new fall tour dates to make up for a wet and cool spring when folks couldn’t get on their bikes.

The fall season wraps up in sunny California with departures Nov. 11 in Death Valley National Park. This four-day trip departs Las Vegas for the discovery of a stunning diversity of terrain: 200 miles of eerie salt flats, deceptively velvety sand dunes, crazy-stripe badlands, valleys, canyons, mountains and more. The per person rate is $1,984.

For more information, availability and reservations contact Bicycle Adventures by phone: 800.443.6060, email: office@bicycleadventures.com or visit online bicycleadventures.com.

About Bicycle Adventures - North America’s Premier Bicycle Touring Company™. Scenic byways, four and five-star accommodations and local dining and visits to National Parks are trademarks of Bicycle Adventures, founded in 1984. Types of tours include Classic (25-50 miles a day), Classic Plus (50-60 miles a day) and Epic (70+ miles a day with the most demanding terrain). Value-driven Casual category trips offer budget-conscious lodging and meals, with the same full van support.
Custom tours embrace the Pacific Northwest into Canada, California and the Southwest, as well as Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, New York, Hawaii and New Zealand. Excelling in its own backyard the Issaquah, WA-based company also conducts tours into Washington State’s wine country.
Inspiring Reasons to Experience US Pro Challenge Bike Race in Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado
Bicycling fans not only have the opportunity to watch two of the most exciting stages of the USA Pro Challenge in the Gunnison-Crested Butte Valley, they can get in on the action by taking part in cycling events, festivals, kids activities and more. Crested Butte, Mt. Crested Butte and Gunnison have hosted a stage finish and a stage start three times since the race launched four years ago. Stage 2 finishes in Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte and Gunnison will host the start of Stage 3.

It’s no secret that the communities are bike crazy, with Crested Butte being one of only four communities in Colorado to have the prestigious gold designation from the League of American Bicyclists, and Gunnison among only seven towns with silver status. Crested Butte also is one of the birthplaces of mountain biking and host of the oldest mountain biking festival in the world. There is a wealth of other options for fun including hiking, boating, rafting, horseback riding, fishing, browsing art exhibitions, and enjoying a wide array of locally owned shops and eateries, making it a great place to catch a finish and a start all in one place and experience classic Colorado.
Find out more at www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com.

Stages 2 & 3 Overview

Each year, US Pro Challenge searches for ways to include more of Colorado’s deep cycling history. Last year it was the climb up Bachelor Gulch and this time around it will be the unpredictable Kebler Pass during Stage 2. The 105-mile route launches at 10:10 a.m. and opens fast by ripping down the Aspen Valley through the sprint cities of Basalt and Carbondale before tackling the 8,700-foot McClure Pass. A short descent brings the race to Gunnison County Road 12, which is a 20-mile rollercoaster that constantly changes from pavement to dirt and back again and tops out at 9,900 feet over Kebler Pass. A technical descent into Crested Butte brings the race back to familiar terrain. As in 2011 and 2012, the stage wraps up with a sprint through downtown Crested Butte and a steep finish climb up to Mt. Crested Butte. Keep up-to-date on www.facebook.com/GCBBikeLove?ref=hl>Facebook.

During Stage 3, the Queen Stage, racers not only contend with a mountaintop finish, they also have to pass over it first, giving spectators a chance to see the race multiple times from the same vantage point. Stage 3 starts at 11:25 a.m. in Gunnison with three laps through town and heads east for 35 miles before tackling the 11,300-foot monster that is Monarch Pass. A descent on the eastern slope of the pass leads riders to two 9-mile loops through Salida and the surrounding countryside. Then it’s game time as they tackle nearly 20 miles of climbing to a finish at an elevation of 10,800 feet at Monarch Mountain ski area after a punishing day covering 96 miles. Check out the local www.facebook.com/GunnisonQPC>Facebook page.

For those wanting to watch both the start and finish of stage 3 in person, there is a bus shuttle from Gunnison to Monarch Mountain that costs only $10 for a roundtrip ticket. Seats are limited, so purchase a ticket at www.gunnisonprochallenge.com or Gunnison Community Center.

Vacation Packages & Visitor Information

To save on flights, hotel rooms, vacation packages, car rentals and more, go to www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com. For travel planning and general information, call (800) 814-8893, visit <www.GCBevents.com and follow GCBTA event promotions on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gcbta.

About Gunnison-Crested Butte, Colorado

Nestled in a valley with nearly two million acres of pristine, mountainous wilderness, Gunnison-Crested Butte has a prime location in southwest Colorado. Winter sports enthusiasts know the area for its world-class alpine skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and more. Fair-weather activities include mountain biking, hiking, wildflower and wildlife viewing, climbing, boating, whitewater rafting, kayaking, fly-fishing, camping and horseback riding. Year-round visitors enjoy distinctive restaurants, locally-owned shops, stimulating cultural opportunities and festivals galore ranging from the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival and Gunnison Cattlemen’s Days to Crested Butte Bike Week and Gunnison Car Show weekend.

Along a 31-mile stretch of wide-open vistas and stunning scenery, visitors can explore Gunnison, Almont, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte and connect with the quaint and historic burgs of Pitkin, Gothic, Tin Cup, Marble, Powderhorn and Crystal, also located in Gunnison County. Gunnison and Crested Butte, both founded in 1880, are known for their Victorian-era charm, friendly Western hospitality and free-spirited nature. Almont is a fishing, rafting and rock climbing mecca, and the resort village of Mt. Crested Butte is home to renowned Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Visitors also can explore Curecanti National Recreation Area, home to Colorado’s largest body of water, and the nearby Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Gunnison County is part of the West Elk Loop and Silver Thread Scenic & Historic Byways.

Gunnison-Crested Butte is conveniently located in southwestern Colorado, a scenic 4-hour drive from Denver via U.S. Highway 285 or a 31⁄2 hour drive from Colorado Springs on U.S. Highway 50. Air service to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC) for the 2014 summer/fall season is provided by United Airlines with direct flights from Denver (DEN) and Houston (IAH).
Biking on Rhode Island
The Ocean State, Rhode Island, has one of the most vibrant and diverse bike cultures in the United States-- particularly because of the state's extensive network of dedicated bike paths.

Rhode Island has become a leader in providing bike paths, bike lanes and bike routes to its residents and visitors. Today there are more than 60 miles of paved bike paths in Rhode Island and more than 25 miles of paths under design.

Some of Rhode Island’s longer bike paths – the Blackstone River Bikeway, the Washington Secondary and East Bay Bike Path – are part of an ambitious effort from the Rhode Island-based East Coast Greenway Alliance to create a contiguous bike path from Maine to Florida. Among the 15 states the East Coast Greenway would pass through, Rhode Island is a leader in getting its segments of bikeway built.

While you're in the state, there's plenty to see, do and taste! The aptly nicknamed Ocean State's narrow frame packs more than 100 beaches, primed for sunbathing, whale watching, or simply relaxing after a long bike trip. Worked up an appetite? With more degreed chefs per capita, Providence, Rhode Island is the culinary capital of the northeast.   Newport has a casual yet lux feel, where you can go for a boat ride or sit by the waterfront and enjoy fresh seafood after a day exploring the opulent and historic Newport Mansions. Little Rhody's bike paths also connect to the Warwick, Blackstone Valley and South County regions, where you may enjoy fairs, festivals, and events celebrating the history, culture, and natural beauty of the Ocean State.
About Pedal Minnesota
Pedal Minnesota is an unprecedented collaboration of state agencies and private organizations to encourage more people to get on bikes more often, in Minnesota. The partnership includes Explore Minnesota, the Minnesota departments of Health, Transportation and Natural Resources, the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota, and the National Park Service. Pedal Minnesota encourages all types of biking, from leisure to commuting. PedalMN.com serves as a go-to resource for information on bicycling, including mapping tools, lists of biking events, personal tips and trip ideas from bicyclists across the state.
About Monopoint Media
Monopoint Media LLC, founded in 2006, is a creative agency focused on outdoor, sports, and active lifestyle brands. The company (MonopointMedia.com) is based in Minneapolis and works with brands to build video, stories, micro-sites, social-media projects, and custom events. Monopoint Media owns and operates GearJunkie.com, a widely-read blog covering gear, the outdoors, and active lifestyle topics.
For more information contact Explore Minnesota, 121 7th Place East, Suite 100, St. Paul, MN 55101
PORTUGAL NATURE TRAILS
For more information, trip availability, itineraries and reservations contact call (North America) 888 752 0244, Email: northamerica@portugalnaturetrails.com or visit online: www.portugalnaturetrails.com/

About Portugal Nature Trails
Portugal Nature Trails is a premier adventure travel tour company offering guided and service.
Take Your Seat at the Tour de France Finish, Paris 2015!
From the serious spinner class participant to road cyclist to the wine buff, the auction gem of a front-row seat to the Tour de France finish line is enticing.
As part of its 60th anniversary celebration, nonprofit May Institute is auctioning a number of unique items including a Tour de France package that features five days in Paris, hotel accommodations for two, and an unforgettable day in reserved grandstand seating at the finish line on the Champs-Elysées, followed by a private cocktail reception. The package has an estimated value of $3,200. All proceeds will benefit May Institute.

May Institute, with corporate headquarters in Randolph, Mass., is an award-winning nonprofit organization with 60 years of experience in serving children and adults with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities, brain injury, mental illness, and behavioral health needs.

The Tour de France package is donated by Todson, Inc., based in Foxboro, Mass, a company that has been a fixture of the bicycling industry for more than 60 years. The family-owned company represents some of the world's most storied cycling brands including Topeak accessories, OnGuard security, and Velox bicycles.

“As a long-standing May Institute board member, co-chairman of its 60th anniversary event and champion of children’s causes, I want to do something special to help celebrate the organization’s history and accomplishments,” noted Neal Todrys, president of Todson. He added, “As a cycling enthusiast and wine aficionado, I know that many of my colleagues and friends have the Tour de France on the bucket list. We hope that people will bid generously to celebrate life, travel and adventure.”

About May Institute
May Institute is an award-winning nonprofit organization with 60 years of experience in serving children and adults with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities, brain injury, mental illness, and behavioral health needs. The organization provides educational, rehabilitative, and behavioral healthcare services to individuals, as well as training and consultation services to professionals, organizations, and public school systems. At more than 160 service locations across the country, highly trained staff work to create new and more effective ways to meet the special needs of individuals and families across the lifespan.
TREK TRAVEL TOURS
Back By Popular Demand - An Epic Cycling Adventure from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine
Trek Travel has announced their second annual Portland to Portland Cross Country bicycling trip. This 45-day epic journey, covering 3700 miles, is the ultimate adventure for those who seek the great American road trip from the seat of a bike. This route is the second iteration of Trek Travel’s famous Cross Country USA bike tour, having done the southern route (from Santa Barbara, CA to Charleston, SC) since 2007. They are the industry experts in fully-supported cross country cycling experiences of a lifetime.

Averaging 100 miles a day with four rest days scheduled in the 45-day adventure, cyclists begin in Portland, Oregon and conclude in Portland, Maine. The cost of the trip is $16,999 per person and includes the use of a Trek Domaine 5.9 or the brand new Trek Emonda bicycle for a $300 upgrade fee. Three guides and a massage therapist accompany the group and Trek Travel offers a dedicated trip consultant to advise on training for the ride.

Highlights of the journey include:

Day 4 – Cycling the Lewis & Clark Trail in Washington
Day 8 – Conquering Lolo Pass, the first Rocky Mountain pass in Montana
Day 11 – Completing the highest mileage day of 124 miles with 6,000 ft. of climbing
Day 15 – Riding along the Yellow Stone River bordering the national park in Montana
Day 16 – Ascending 9,430 feet, the highest point of the journey and taking Medicine Wheel Passage through Big Horn National Park in Wyoming
Day 18 – Cycling the Black Hills of South Dakota and taking in old western towns
Day 25 – Enjoying the scenic beauty of Iowa’s grassy plains
Day 27 – Discovering Madison, Wisconsin’s state capital and Trek Travel’s hometown
Day 33- Exploring historic Marshall, Michigan with its 850 landmark buildings
Day 35 – Journeying through the Irish Hills of Ohio
Day 36 – Cycling by Pennsylvania’s Amish communities and Allegheny National Forest
Day 40 – Cycling through Adirondack Park in New York
Day 43 – Enjoying New Hampshire’s White Mountains and descending 25 miles from the top of Kancamagos Pass (known as the Kanc).

For further information contact Trek Travel at 1-866-464-8735 or visit www.trektravel.com

About Trek Travel
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Trek Travel is an active vacation company specializing in cycling vacations. Each trip includes the use of a Trek Domane™ 5.9 bicycle featuring Garmin Touring Plus GPS devices and Di2 electronic shifting; with an option to upgrade to the Emonda SLR, the lightest production road bike available: accommodations; gratuities; most meals, snacks and drinks for each day’s ride; daily route support; social hours; entrance fees to group events; transportation during the tour; complimentary Trek Travel merchandise, and more.

Trek Travel was formed in 2002 as the luxury bicycle touring arm of Trek, one of the world’s largest bicycle manufacturers. This year, the company marks its twelfth season offering luxury, explorer, race, and personalized bicycling vacations around the world.
Trek Travel Announces Its “Legends Series” Featuring Special Guest Pro Cyclists Andy Schleck and Jens Voigt
Trek Travel, a leader in personalized cycling vacations, has announced its “Legends Series” providing cycling adventurists the chance to ride alongside internationally renowned professional road racing cyclists Andy Schleck and Jens Voigt.
As part of this series, Andy Schleck will join the Etape du Tour trip during the Tour de France while Voigt will join Tour de France Alps to Paris Ultimate VIP race experience. In addition, both cyclists will participate in a designated Trek Travel trektravel.com/trip/mallorca-ride-camp-4-day/>Mallorca Bike Camp.

Andy Schleck and L’Etape du Tour trip

Andy Schleck, who won the Tour de France in 2010 and was a runner up in 2009 and 2011, will join Trek Travel’s Etape du Tour trip from July 14-20. L’Etape du Tour, (French for “stage of the Tour”), is an annual cycling event that allows amateur riders the chance to tackle an entire stage of the Tour de France while the official riders take a rest day during the tour.

More than 13,000 amateur cyclists, from around the world, participate in this event which sells out months in advance. The ride begins in St. Jean de Maurienne, France and concludes in La Toussuire.

Throughout the week guests participate in preparatory rides through the picturesque French countryside while preparing to test their abilities on a professional stage while the Tour de France plays in the background. The cost of the trip is $4699 per person based on double occupancy.

About Trek Travel
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, (www.trektravel.com) Trek Travel is an active vacation company specializing in cycling vacations. Each trip includes the use of a Trek Domane™ 5.9 bicycle featuring Garmin Touring Plus GPS devices and Di2 electronic shifting; with an option to upgrade to the Emonda SLR, the lightest production road bike available: accommodations; gratuities; most meals, snacks and drinks for each day’s ride; daily route support; social hours; entrance fees to group events; transportation during the tour; complimentary Trek Travel merchandise, and more.

Trek Travel was formed in 2002 as the luxury bicycle touring arm of Trek, one of the world’s largest bicycle manufacturers. This year, the company marks its twelfth season offering luxury, explorer, race, and personalized bicycling vacations around the world.
For avid cyclists who crave a heart pounding, authentic travel experience along with bragging rights, this trip is for you.   For further information contact Trek Travel at 1-866-464-8735 or visit www.trektravel.com

About Trek Travel

Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Trek Travel is an active vacation company specializing in cycling vacations. Each trip includes the use of a Trek Domane™ 5.9 bicycle featuring Garmin Touring Plus GPS devices and Di2 electronic shifting; with an option to upgrade to the Emonda SLR, the lightest mountain bike on the road: accommodations; gratuities; most meals, snacks and drinks for each day’s ride; daily route support; social hours; entrance fees to group events; transportation during the tour; comprehensive Trek merchandise, and more.

Trek Travel was formed in 2002 as the luxury bicycle touring arm of Trek, one of the world’s largest bicycle manufacturers. This year, the company marks its eleventh season offering luxu ry, economy, personalized bicycling vacations and Ride Camps around the world.
Une Balade à Vélo : A french cycling agency invites you to discover France by bike
Une Balade à Vélo creates beautiful individualised self guided cycling tours with short stages of no more than 50k. Whatever you enjoy the agency can accommodate you be it wineries, countryside, the coast or heritage.

The tours are for families, couples or groups. You'll be provided with suitable bikes and all the necessary accessories for all age groups and we even include electric bikes.

You do not have to be an athlete to join these tours, merely able to ride a bike for up to 5 hours.

Travelling slowly is the best way to see France, meeting people and enjoying the landscape along the way. The self-guided tour provide you with a comprehensive road book listing all the interesting sights along the way and contain all the information you would ever need.

There is a wide range of hotels with all having 2-4 stars with breakfast or half board on demand. Your luggage will be there each evening waiting for you, leaving you to carry the daily essentials in the bags provided on your bike.

Une Balade à Vélo has a 24 hours hotline if you need information or help.

The Regional Tours

The 7 day Loire Valley tour is most popular, if you love architecture, wine and history, this is for you. For details check web site www.unebaladeavelo.com/#!loire-valley-self-guided-bike-tour/c1hgo

The Brittany tour is a combination of beautiful countryside and seascapes. For details check web site www.unebaladeavelo.com/#!brittany-cycling-tour/c20be

The 3 day Saint Emilion tour is for you, if you love beautiful villages and have a passion for wine and architecture. For details check web site www.unebaladeavelo.com/#!saint-emilion-en/c2mz

Personalised tours are available on www.unebaladeavelo.com and the agency is happy to help you plan your French adventure.

About Une Balade à Vélo

Une Balade à Vélo was created in 2013 by 2 young frenchies, Elise and Guillaume to help you discover France the slow way. They both love cycling through beautiful countryside and want others to enjoy their passion. For more information contact@unebaladeavelo.com
UCI World Road Cycling Championships
About the Quirk Hotel, A Destination Hotel (Opened September 17, 2015)
Featuring Approachable Art, an Artist in Residence and Richmond’s Highest Rooftop Terrace Bar, Quirk Hotel is Destined to Become City Hotspot Offering Simple Elegance with a Dash of Humor. It is Richmond’s first-ever, design-driven boutique lodging option. A brand-new immersive hotel concept that showcases the world of local creatives, Quirk Hotel offers an engaging experience for the creative and curious, and invites the experiential traveler to absorb the authentic culture of the community, using art as a guide.

Inspired by nearby Quirk Gallery, Quirk Hotel’s DNA stems from an unexpected twist of sophistication and humor, with equal parts Southern cordiality and Virginia pride. The hotel’s opening – timed to coincide with cycling’s international pinnacle event, UCI World Road Cycling Championships (Worlds), taking place in Richmond Sept. 19-27 – demonstrates a defining moment for both downtown Broad Street’s revitalization and Richmond’s emergence as an international arts and culture destination.

Quirk Hotel serves as an interactive community gathering place for both locals and Richmond visitors to immerse themselves within Richmond and experience the city’s eccentric, trendy and exciting art scene. The fabric of the local culture is woven throughout the hotel, with locals and guests co-mingling throughout the hotel’s social gathering spots ranging from the lobby-located restaurant Maple & Pine led by Chef David Dunlap, to the rooftop terrace bar and lounge, to the adjacent art hub experience at Quirk Gallery.

New Experiential Theater Package
In celebration of the opening of Quirk Hotel, the property has partnered with local favorite, The Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre, to offer a special, limited time package perfectly suited for Richmond visitors and theater buffs. The November Theatre originally opened in 1911 and featured stars like Lucille LaVerne and John Bunny until a fire damaged the space in 1927, after which it lay dark for several years and then reopened to feature films and vaudeville performances. After various usage, in 2012 the Empire Theatre opened after a $2 million renovation and was renamed the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre.

The package includes:
· Overnight stay in a suite
· Dinner for two at the hotel’s on-site restaurant Maple & Pine
· Tickets for two to the latest show at November Theater with a choice of:
-- A personal guided tour of The November Theater including a complete history of the theater scene in Richmond, backstage access and meet-and-greet with the actors
-- A personal guided tour of The Props and Costume Archives including time to “play”
Prices start at $599

Pioneering Design
An Italian Renaissance building located in the heart of The Broad Street Commercial Historic District, Quirk Hotel is housed in a 60,000 sq. ft. historic Richmond landmark, originally constructed in 1916 as the city’s finest department store, J.B. Mosby & Co. The structure’s overhaul and design led by its owners, husband and wife duo Ted and Katie Ukrop, focuses on capturing the building’s original purpose by honoring its history through unique architectural elements. The Ukrops commissioned two of today’s highly acclaimed design companies to bring their vision to life: Richmond-based architectural firm 3north and Connecticut-based interior design firm Poesis Design.

Inspired by Richmond’s culturally rich history, the designers began the restoration project by first combing through thousands of bits and pieces of the city’s 400-year-old history, performing diligent research on what from the past makes Richmond the unique city it is today. A thoughtful interpretation for Quirk Hotel resulted from that research – a historically vibrant design, full of key artifacts, color and art that tell the tale of Richmond’s storied past. Details such as the lobby’s segmental arches, groin vault ceiling and ornamental ironwork staircase have been preserved throughout the structure. As an homage to the building’s historic department store days, specially-designed, larger-than-life glass cases adorn the lobby, housing museum-like objects and collections such as vintage hats, while acting as natural spacing partitions. The lobby’s focal point upon entrance is a major art installation titled “Pile,” created by local artist Susie Ganch. Comprised entirely of white coffee lids collected from Richmond’s coffee shops, this piece de resistance is a symbolic interpretation of the hotel’s pillar ethos – fostering community, honoring the old, embracing the new and finding beauty in the unexpected.

Blending sophistication, flare and humor, the hotel’s 74 guestrooms and suites take a subtle riff on the husband/wife dynamic of the owners, culminating in the perfect marriage of masculinity and femininity. Each room features a palate predominately composed of warm-pink, gray, walnut brown, white and black, allowing alternating pink and gray colored walls (Benjamin Moore’s “Love and Happiness” and “Gray Owl” respectively) to serve as the idyllic backdrop to hang local artwork created by artists from Petersburg and Richmond – easily available for travelers to purchase if they so choose. Historic highlights such as the original wood floors stay intact, while 100-year-old Virginia wood beams taken out of the original structure during demolition have been repurposed and used to create the glossy walnut bedframes that anchor each guestroom. Room design highlights additionally include contemporary millwork, sculptural glossy white lacquered furniture, 14 ft. ceilings, frosted glass shower enclosures and high tech amenities along with other unusual quirks within the décor and finishing. A stunning glass cube placed atop the structure and invisible to the eye from street level will house four specially designed suites upon the project’s completion.

Artful Amenities
Developed as an extension of the beloved Quirk Gallery whichfeatures exhibitions of “approachable” work by both established and emerging local artists, Quirk Gallery will offer an easily accessible entrance to the hotel once it relocates in September to an adjacent building. The gallery, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in September 2015, displays works of many local, regional and national artists and sparked the idea for an art-driven, eclectic and engaging hotel. An impeccably landscaped courtyard will separate this adjacent building from the main hotel. Additionally, 2,000 sq. ft. of unique meetings and events spaces will be available to hotel guests and locals in addition to an on-site fitness center.

The Quirk Artist in Residence program provides artists with time and space away from their usual environment to allow for an opportunity to explore new channels for creative inspiration. Located one block east of the hotel, the artist in residence is supplied with a studio/apartment with a stay ranging from 1-6 months, with participants either working toward an exhibit with Quirk Gallery or expanding their own research. The program is exemplary of the supportive local Richmond arts community, and is open to artists from all mediums, cultures, academics and societal backgrounds, while customized to fit each artist’s needs. The program is available by application and invitation.

The hotel’s first artist in residence is Leigh Suggs, a 2015 VCU Craft Materials MFA graduate with a concentration in textiles, who will be in residence from July 1, 2015 – January 2016.

Convivial Cuisine
Quirk Hotel strives to provide an interactive community gathering place for both locals and Richmond visitors with food and beverage options available throughout the hotel’s convivial spaces inclusive of both a coffee bar and restaurant serving lunch and dinner located within the lobby, as well as a rooftop terrace bar.

The culinary experience at Quirk Hotel is led by Chef David Dunlap (previously of The Inn at Little Washington, The Ashby Inn in North Carolina and Plume at The Jefferson, DC) and focuses on artisan cuisine, sourced locally with an emphasis on regional culinary traditions.

Maple & Pine, located in the lobby, is the hotel’s culinary cornerstone and serves as a reflection of Virginia’s inventive dining revolution. The restaurant’s modern American craft cooking showcases the region’s micro-seasons while incorporating global flavor profiles. The menu delivers an original genre that exhilarates while remaining approachable and familiar. Utmost respect and understanding to the regional offerings and its producers are tasted in every bite. The rooftop bar provides unobstructed views of Richmond’s skyline and offers modern adaptations of classic cocktails, small batch spirits and regional craft beers.

Ownership/Management
Quirk Hotel is the first hotel to open under the development of owners Ted and Katie Ukrop and Quirk Hospitality, LLC, based in Richmond, VA. Ted Ukrop, a Richmond native whose family once owned the former Ukrop’s grocery store chain, ubiquitous in the region, is a developer/managing member of several Richmond properties and complexes as well as co-founder of Lift Caregiving, a family caregiving resource. Katie Ukrop is founder and owner of Quirk Gallery.

About Quirk Hotel, A Destination Hotel
Quirk Hotel is a boutique, art-centric hotel opening in September 2015 in Richmond, Va. The hotel offers a carefully curated, artistic experience that showcases distinctive art throughout the property’s 74 guest rooms and suites, artisan restaurant, bar, rooftop terrace bar and conference rooms. Located in an Italian Renaissance building originally built in 1916 as the J.B. Mosby Dry Goods Store and created by the renowned New York architectural firm of Starret and Van Vleck, the 60,000 sq. ft. property is owned by Quirk Hospitality, LLC. Quirk Hotel is the first hotel to open under the development of owners Ted and Katie Ukrop and Quirk Hospitality, LLC, based in Richmond, Va.

About Destination Hotels
Destination Hotels (Destination) is a collection of luxury and upscale independent hotels, resorts and residences across the United States. Offering authentically-immersed and enriching experiences, each property is individual at heart, yet connected by a commitment to drawing upon the best of each location. Highly distinct, the Destination experience is always memorable and matchless; guests will feel the locale in a genuine way through each property and during the engaging moments cultivated both in and outside of them. Continuously growing with more than 40 properties from coast to coast, the award-winning portfolio features 20 renowned golf courses, 20 indigenous spas, and 110 exceptional bars and restaurants. Destination Hotels are true to our place; diverse by design. For more information, visit www.destinationhotels.com. Follow on Twitter: @Destination. Facebook: DestinationHotels.

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