Biking the U.S. Bicycle Route System

Meet my pup, Astro. Doesn't look too happy, does he? Well, while his dejected look is because he is not a big fan of his Burley Tail Wagon (YET!), I'm feeling dejected because of the weather over Memorial Day weekend in Missoula.

Astro and I had been planning our first bike overnight, or sub-24-hour (S24O) trip this weekend. I have been really excited about this trip because I've got the trailer, I've figured out the gear set-up, and I've chosen a route that only has a few miles that are a little tight with traffic. In fact, about 15 miles of the route is on a dedicated bike path, and I can hook Astro up to the Springer and let him run beside me (and, yes, he is expected to help by pulling). When it rains in Missoula, it seems to rain only for a little while then the clouds move on. So the forecast could call for rain, but that doesn't mean it will rain ALL day or even ON me. So I continued to prepare like we were going on our trip. But the forecasts as of Friday were just too dismal -- rain, possibly snow, and freezing temps at night. Sure, I'll have a dog to keep me warm; ahem, a wet dog! No thanks. I'll wait until next weekend and fairer weather.

Planning this bike overnight with Astro makes me very excited for the continued development of the U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS). Someday my four-legged friend and I might even be able to  ride cross-country together. And while I'm sure we could do it right now if I was that hard core, I long for the level of comfort a dedicated bicycle route would give us. I look forward to a day when I can look at a road atlas of America designed for bicyclists and use it to plan a cross-country trip.

An official U.S. Bicycle Route System will create another level of accessibility and ease for bicycle travel, opening up new possibilities and opportunities for bicycle trips -- ranging from overnights to weeklong vacations to cross-country journeys -- for people with children of all ages (or dogs of all ages, in my case).

U.S Bicycle Route System Corridor Plan

My dreams of bicycle travel with my furry partner-in-crime are just one reason I'm raising money to help develop the U.S. Bicycle Route System. Certainly providing better access to bicycle travel for all Americans is a big motivator. Also, doesn't it seem sort of disappointing that the U.S. doesn't have a comprehensive national bicycle route network? I mean, England has one, Germany has one, even in Canada, Quebec Province has a state-wide network. I don't mean to get all patriotic on you, but yesterday was Memorial Day, and I'm feeling a little "Yay! America!" Shouldn't we have the best cycling network and conditions in the world? (We DO of course have the wonderful Adventure Cycling Route Network -- while not "official," the maps have been guiding touring cyclists on great adventures since 1976!)

So if you're feeling patriotic, or if you agree with one of the other reasons we've mentioned over the past month, consider donating to support the further development of an official U.S. Bicycle Route System. Donating just $10 can go a long way to making progress in designating more routes, just like the two that were designated last week -- USBR 35 in Michigan and USBR 45 in Minnesota.

Through the end of the day today (5/29), your gift will be leveraged to meet a fundraising challenge of $2,000 by Giant Bicycles. If you donate $25 or more by 5pm PST today, you'll be entered to win a Barbican Shoulder Bag from Brooks!

And, we still have a few limited edition USBRS cycling caps, designed by Walz Caps, available -- just donate $100 or more to be one of the few people in the world with this awesome cap.

P.S. Don't forget about a few opportunities you have to support the U.S. Bicycle Route System that don't require a donation.

1. Make a video telling why the USBRS is important to you, add it to our playlist, share it with your friends, and win a Yak Plus  from BOB Trailer! Full details here.
2. Follow @EasyRider_Tours on Twitter and they'll donate $1 to Adventure Cycling for every follower (up to $250) through the end of May!
3. Share your epiphany with CLIF Bar and enter their contest, and you could win a $5,000 grant for the nonprofit of your choice (and we're hoping you'll select Adventure Cycling). Let's share the epiphany of bicycle travel with CLIF.

--



The 2012 BUILD IT. BIKE IT. BE A PART OF IT. campaign runs through May 31, 2012. Please donate $10 today! All donations are tax deductible and will support Adventure Cycling Association's organizing efforts and technical assistance for the U.S. Bicycle Route System. The campaign is supported by Adventure Cycling members, a dedicated group of Core Supporters, bicycle-industry partners, state and local bicycle organizations, and cyclists across North America.

Campaign business sponsors include Walz Caps, Razoo,Giant Bicycles, Adventure Center, TeamEstrogen.com, Stan?s NoTubes, Sun Bicycles & Origin-8, WomanTours, Ortlieb and Primal Wear.

In-kind product support to the Build It. Bike It. Be a Part of It. campaign has been donated by Osprey Packs, Moots, BOB Trailer, Brooks, Planet Bike, BikeFlights.com, and Hans Bagworks.

State partner organizations include Bike-Walk Alliance of NH, Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation, and Bicycle Alliance of Washington.

Web partners for the campaign are PathLessPedaled, BikingBis, Bike Style Spokane, Chicks on Bikes Radio, Change your life ride a bike, and Bicycle Radio.

The U.S. Bicycle Route System is supported in part by grants from the SRAM Cycling Fund, the Surdna Foundation, the Lazar Foundation, New Belgium Brewing, and the Michigan United Tandem Society.

Thank you all for your support and participation!

Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2012/05/biking-us-bicycle-route-system.html

womens cycling shorts