Christmas and Legos in February

Is it really the beginning of 2012?  Team Twenty12?  Oh why, yes it is.  It is actually February.  Wow. Team Exergy Team TWENTY12 has occupied Palm Springs for 10 days.  Beware sunny, clear skies of gorgeous Southern California desert, you have been officially occupied.  Occupied by some fast women on some fast bikes. What do [...]

Source: http://alisonstarnes.com/2012/02/06/christmas-and-legos-in-february/

irish cycling

Johan Bruyneel Sums Up the Tour de Crash

In a post-race interview with Eurosport after Thursday?s Stage 12, Team RadioShack?s Director Johan Bruyneel summed up the frustration and disappointment felt by the entire team and its fans with the numerous calamities that have befallen the group so far at this year?s Tour de France. With the months of preparation and hard work [...]

Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/johan-bruyneel-sums-up-the-tour-de-crash/

tour de france route

That?s a Wrap. Best. Team. Camp.

And that?s a wrap. Team Camp is complete. Although it was a chaotic week of hard riding, challenging drills, and extensive learning, it was a resounding success.  The best team camp ever. Period. My Highlights of Team Exergy TWENTY12 Team Camp: Palm Springs. Palm Desert. Palm whatever. I love this place, and I think I [...]

Source: http://alisonstarnes.com/2012/02/13/thats-a-wrap-best-team-camp/

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Muravyev Rides Strong at Three Days of De Panne

Team RadioShack?s Dmitriy Muravyev (KAZ) made his presence felt in the opening stage of the 35th running of the Three Days of De Panne, staying with a 4-man breakaway that somehow kept clear of a peloton loaded with expectant sprinter?s teams. Dmitriy crossed the finish line 3rd behind the winner Omega Pharma-Lotto?s André Greipel [...]

Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/muravyev-rides-strong-at-three-days-of-de-panne/

world cycling

Ben Hermans, Top 12 at Brabant Arrow

Team RadioShack?s Ben Hermans (BEL) showed excellent form in Wednesday?s 51st edition of De Brabantse Pijl, one of the Flanders Classics, which kicked off in Leuven, Belgium and finished in Overijse some 201 kilometers (124 miles) away. He missed a move by the eventual winner Philippe Gilbert?s Omega-Lotto team when they pulled hard [...]

Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/ben-hermans-top-12-at-brabant-arrow/

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Celebrating Inspiring Women

Today is International Women's Day, a time to celebrate women.

I'm overwhelmed with amazement when I think of all of the powerful women in my life. And around the Adventure Cycling office you don't have to look too far to find inspirational ladies.


Julie Huck is a co-founder of Montana Dirt Girls. The Dirt Girls go on weekly mountain bike adventures in the warmer months and hikes in the colder times, but rain or shine, they are getting after it.

On March 14, Montana Dirt Girls will host a Missoula showing of Luna Fest, a festival "Connecting Women Through Film." Find a screening near you!

And read up on Cara Coolbaugh in our March issue of Adventure Cyclist. Her drive and positivity make the most impossible Central American roads bike-able.Everywhere you turn, there is a strong woman making adventures happen for herself and for others. Thanks to all the amazing women who are inspiring and encouraging!

Photo 1 by Rachel Stevens. Julie Huck, our Membership & Development Director, reads the latest Adventure Cyclist.

Photo 2 by Cass Gilbert. This photo, and many others from Cara's story, can be found in the March issue of Adventure Cyclist.


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RACHEL STEVENS is a graphic designer at Adventure Cycling Association who writes about how Art + Adventures = Awesomeness.

Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2012/03/celebrating-inspiring-women.html

skinsuit cycling

Thrice the Fun! Team Radioshack in May 2011

Thrice the Fun! Team Radioshack done proud at Amgen Tour of California, Giro d?Italia, and US Cycling Professional Road Race National Championship It?s been quite a month for the riders of Team Radioshack (RSH), quite a month indeed! No lie, plenty of racing to be had, and the Shackers showed up big time and done [...]

Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/thrice-the-fun-team-radioshack-in-may-2011/

cycling routes

Minnesota Trail Alternatives on the Northern Tier Route


There are many styles of traveling cyclists, from the credit card tourer to the wild camping enthusiast. These styles are not only about where to stay and how to get calories, but where to ride. That being said, you'd be hard pressed to find a cyclist who prefers urban, high speed traffic day after day over quiet, rural roads with country stores for sustenance and cows for company.

But what about rail trails and bike paths? Where do they fit in the equation? These are questions that can come up for us in Routes & Mapping when laying out or updating a route.

In our experience, these non-motorized options are not universally the best option for traveling cyclists. Services can be hard to find, surfaces are not always well maintained or even paved, and access can be confusing for someone unfamiliar with the area. Also, they are often frequented by walkers, joggers, and families with strollers and dogs -- all legitimate users, but ones that can be challenging for a loaded tourer to negotiate around.

Although we sometimes hesitate to incorporate paved rail trails and bike paths, one comes to mind that has worked for many cyclists.

A few years ago, Donn Olson, of Bicycle Bunkhouse fame, pointed us to a set of paved trails that would connect nicely with the Northern Tier Route in Minnesota. At this time, we have not been able to add them officially to the route but have included access information in the Riding Conditions section of the relevant maps.

Specifically, on Northern Tier section 5, you can use three trails off of our Little Falls Alternate: Central Lakes, Lake Wobegon and Soo Line Trails. On Northern Tier section 6, you can use Sunrise Prairie and Hardwood Creek Trails off the main route. Donn keeps brochures and maps on hand at the Bicycle Bunkhouse to help guide cyclists who are interested in the option.

We love that Donn takes the initiative to help cyclists in this way and that the state and regional authorities saw fit to provide the resource. The video below shows how enthusiastically locals embraced the Sunrise Prairie Trail when it opened in 1998. They had a clear vision of what it could add to their community.


If you've ridden any part of these trails, we'd love to hear about your experience. Neither of these maps are on the schedule for reprint yet so the more information we can gather before they are updated, the better decisions we can make on possible route changes. Chime in via the blog and Facebook comments or email me directly at jhmilyko AT adventurecycling DOT org.

Graphic by Routes & Mapping staff
Video from Chisago County website

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GEOPOINTS BULLETIN is written by Jennifer 'Jenn' Milyko, an Adventure Cycling cartographer, and appears weekly, highlighting curious facts, figures, and persons from Adventure Cycling's Route Network with tips and hints for personal route creation thrown in for good measure. She also wants to remind you that map corrections and comments are always welcome via the online Map Correction Form.

Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2012/03/minnesota-trail-alternatives-on.html

cycling routes