Coming to a Mailbox Near You

This truly is the most wonderful time of the year. Not just because houses are being decked out with twinkling lights, or because there are heaps of cookies everywhere, or because you get to listen to your favorite holiday songs (although those things are awesome, too). No, this time of year is filled with joy for one other very special reason, and that reason should be showing up in your mailbox later this week.

That's right, folks, the 2012 Adventure Cycling Tours Book is on its way to you, with a brand-new design and tons of gorgeous photographs guaranteed to give you an itch to pack up your panniers and head out on the open road.

This year, we've separated our tours into our six distinct types: Self-Contained, Inn-to-Inn, Van-Supported, Fully-Supported, Family tours, and Educational courses -- making it easier than ever for you to find your perfect tour. For more information, check out this post.

Don't be surprised if you find it hard to narrow down the selections; with such a variety of glorious options, who could blame you? Luckily, we have prepared for just such a challenge by creating our Compare All Tours Matrix, more fully explained by Mo on our blog. The matrix can help you compare and contrast tours until you find your perfect match (or matches).

So, start checking your mailboxes, girls and boys -- with our 56 amazing 2012 tours offered at 2011 prices, there has never been a better time to sign up!

Photos courtesy of the tours department. In the top photo, Paul and Mo spend a chilly Montana afternoon reading the new Tours Book and deciding which warmer-weather tour they're going to sign up for!

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ON THE ROAD is written by the tours team -- Mo, Paul, Madeline, and Arlen -- tours specialists and intrepid bicyclists, covering all things related to Adventure Cycling's Tours Department. We've announced our 2012 Tours!


Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2011/12/coming-to-mailbox-near-you.html

rapha cycling

Cyclist Emergency Kit! Whats in yours?

One of the things that amaze me about some cyclist is when I see them with out a saddle bag on there bike, of course they could have all the necessary kit some where else on there person but if you are a serious cyclist it would be hard for me to believe that you have never had a puncture or any other mechanical problem whilst commuting our out riding your bike, so then when the inevitable does happen how well prepared are you. Me and my son have nearly built a whole bike with not much more than a multi tool, so if you are new to the security of a while stocked saddle bag I hope this short post will help you. Most of the this points below I have gained by either experienceing said problems or witnessing things that can go wrong. With this comprehensive list all angles should be covered.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Cyclingchatcouk/~3/tqVrAtcRwKw/

tour de france live

Top 5 Gift Picks for Cycling Types

The Holidaze are just around the corner, and this year I'm issuing a Top 5 List, in honor of one of my favorite movies of all time: High Fidelity. If you've seen the movie, you'll know that I'm choosing each of these items not just because it's fantastic, but also because it fits in well to the list and contributes well to the general flow.

1. Sweet-Tees
I always buy my friends these awesome tees from Dark Cycle Clothing on Etsy, and I'm hoping this is the year the favor gets returned! From alligators to zebras, you'll find all sorts of wild animals making their getaways by bike on brilliantly colored cotton shirts. Women's and men's cuts. $21

2. Pump It Up
What can I say? The Topeak Road Morph Pump would fit perfectly in my stocking. Also, my boyfriend has one and I'm super jealous and wish I had my own. I love how the little fold-out foot converts it into a floor pump and makes it way easier to get air into the tire. $40

3. A Perfect Fit
With all that cycling we're doing we might find that that our pants are a little loose around the waist. That won't be a problem if we get a super-cool Distressed Cog Impression belt buckle from SkipLink Studios. Beautiful hand-hammered copper, meticulously made in Jackson, Wyoming. $85.

4. See Through
I've always been a huge fan of Ortlieb's Panniers, Handlebar Bags, and Messenger Bags, and their catalog just keeps getting better. This year I'd love to have their Dry Bag With Window for both bike and backpacking trips. It would eliminate the frustration of feeling around blindly for my socks once and for all! $27.50-$38.50

5. The Big Ask
I was lucky enough to check out the Tout Terrain Silkroad on a recent Baja bike tour, and I would love nothing more than to add this lightweight adventure bike to my quiver. With an integrated rear rack, ultra-tough wheels, and pleasant, upright handling, this steel bicycle will tackle any rugged situation you throw its way.

Remember when you're ordering your gifts online to order early enough to ensure that your presents arrive on time. And don't forget to check out our great selection of gifts under $25.

Photo 1 by Dark Cycle Clothing, Photo 2 by SkipLink Studios, Photo 3 by Ortlieb, Photo 4 by Josh Tack.

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SHIPPING NEWS is brought to you by Sarah Raz, sales representative/outreach coordinator/lover of all things outdoors. She also wishes Eddy Merckx was her father (sorry Dad!)

Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2011/12/top-5-gift-picks-for-cycling-types.html

world cycling

£200 voucher up for grabs plus which rides do you plan on doing next year?

In the spirit of the holiday season we felt like holding a fun cycling-related giveaway and thanks to Groupon we have a £200 voucher up for grabs for one lucky London Cyclist reader. Groupon is a fast growing daily deal website that offers significant savings on a wide range of products and services. You can [...]

Source: http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/site/200-groupon-voucher/

retro cycling jerseys

Challenge A Friend to Commute by Bike

Very interesting video (at bottom of post) where a long term driver is challenged to swap his car for a bike and try a week of commuting by bicycle. It is a very good advert for the advantages of cycling to work. He comes across as a typical motorist who is honest about his experience [...]

Source: http://cyclinginfo.co.uk/blog/4125/commuting/challenge-a-friend-to-commute-by-bike/

cycling events 2010

Daily Gratitudes

Since the first of the month I have been participating in a practice of daily gratitudes. It has been a nice reminder of how great my life really is. I generally know this, but to list the things that make it a rich, full experience is an affirmation I've found worth doing.

One item that made the list in the first week is my job here at Adventure Cycling Association. I am fortunate to work for an organization that allows me a bit of flexibility in my schedule, is fiscally responsible, is growing by leaps and bounds -- new positions and an expanding building -- and has a staff of capable, caring individuals.

I love being a cartographer-plus. I get to think about maps and what makes them useful as well as create them; and, via many different outlets, support a community of cyclists who use those maps to fuel journeys they will never forget.

While we may differ from those non-profit groups working toward goals like feeding hungry children or curing cancer, there is a growing number of cyclists who take to the roads using our maps to guide them as they raise funds for organizations with those missions and others. I can easily get behind that idea, helping cyclists to help others.

I hope each of you has a lovely celebration of thanks with friends and family today. And take a spin on your bike with them if you get the chance!

Photo from outtacontext's Flickr photostream

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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/2011/11/daily-gratitudes.html

cycling skinsuits

10 books for a mountain biker at Christmas

Last week we covered cycling books for a cyclist at Christmas. The post made it to our most popular list of posts (see on the right) but there were outcry?s of what about us mountain bikers! This post is here for you guys. Quick note as before: Amazon.co.uk?s favourite thing to do is tweak prices [...]

Source: http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/cycling-accessories/10-books-for-a-mountain-biker-at-christmas/

road cycling