Bike Ride in Madison, Wisconsin

As I mentioned in a blog post a few weeks back, this month I traveled to Madison, Wisconsin, for the annual meeting of NACIS (North American Cartographic Information Society) and stayed an extra day so I could do a bike ride.

Some good ideas were shared in the comments of my original Madison day trip post. Though they all sounded enticing, a local cartographer and NACIS member, Glen, offered to take me on a ride through some of his favorite countryside. Glen and I were joined by a third cartographer, Hans, who hails from The Netherlands, adding an international flair to our trio. Rest assured, this will not be my last trip to Madison, so I will keep the other suggestions in mind for future opportunities.

University of Wisconsin Arboretum
It was a beautiful and blustery day as Hans and I walked into Machinery Row Bicycles to rent our bikes, locks, and helmets for the day. The process was smooth and quick; and, before I knew it, Glen arrived and we were on our way.

Stopping for coffee
A most important piece of business for me on any ride is to caffeinate early -- Glen was happy to oblige by stopping at a coffee shop within the first couple miles. Once this was accomplished, we were off to begin our ride around most of Lake Monona. Our route took us through lovely old neighborhoods, on some fantastic bike paths, and on rural roads with a few short, busy stretches of road (see map above).

Ranger Brian saved the day
We had a second stop at the E Way Trailhead for a quick snack before riding onto the Capital City State Trail. While stopped, we noticed that Hans' rear wheel had a broken spoke. We all looked at it gravely, scratched our heads, and wondered out loud what we should do. At this point we were about halfway through the ride, so there was really no sense in turning back. As we each ate a snack, a park vehicle pulled in to service the restroom at the trailhead. Hans inquired of the driver if he might be able to help. Brian -- our favorite Wisconsin Park Ranger -- appeared with a roll of duct tape. It was applied to connect the loose spoke to a connected one and we were ready to be off on our ride once again.

Great bicycle pedestrian bridge facility in Fitchburg

Our next stop was lunch at the Great Dane Brewery in Fitchburg, where burgers were enjoyed all around. From there we rode to and through the University of Wisconsin Arboretum. The rustle of leaves provided a pleasant soundtrack as many had already turned and fallen. After exiting the arboretum, we pedaled the last few miles across the east end of Lake Wingra and straight into downtown Madison, returning to the bike shop where our adventure began that morning.

No matter how great the conference is -- and this one does not disappoint -- all the sitting and eating over three days can be rather tiring. A bike ride with pleasant companions was just the ticket. I was entranced by the rural nature of so much of our ride. The rolling prairies, scrub trees, and waving grasses were just right to restore balance to this cartographer and prepare me for the return trip home.

Top photo: Glen, Hans and Jenn on Capital City State Trail.
Top three photos by Jenn Milyko
Bottom three photos by Glen Pawelski
Map courtesy of Hans van der Maarel


--

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/2011/10/bike-ride-in-madison-wisconsin.html

cycling in london

1,000 Miles and Counting

America ByCycle -- a.k.a. Michelle Cassel and Ryan McAfee -- visited Adventure Cycling's headquarters this week, taking a break from the TransAmerica Trail. We've been impressed with their video prowess. As one of us commented after watching this recent video, "They?ve done a really nice job of capturing a sense of motion and some of the spirit and character of bicycle touring." So many great places, people, challenges, moments wrapped up into this piece -- an overview of their first 1,000 miles. Take a minute to enjoy!

Note: A few minutes into the video, there is a wee "f-bomb" so please watch and share responsibly.

1,000 and Counting from America ByCycle on Vimeo.

--

NEWS, NETWORKING, AND NEW MEDIA is posted by Winona Bateman, Adventure Cycling's media director, and highlights cool media (articles, videos, photos, etc.) and meet-ups related to Adventure Cycling and bicycle travel. Writing a story about bicycle travel or Adventure Cycling Association? You can contact Winona via email: pressATadventurecyclingDOTorg. Visit our media room, view our news releases, or follow us on Twitter.

Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2011/10/1000-miles-and-counting.html

road cycling

The umbrella -- elemental rain protection on a bicycle

No high-tech rain repellent clothing system for this guy. A simple umbrella will do.

I passed him on the way back from a bike ride up the Cedar River Trail to enjoy the fall colors, look out for sockeye salmon in the river, and check out the new Cedar to Green River Trail extension.

A guy on Biking Across Kansas ...

Source: http://www.bikingbis.com/blog/_archives/2011/10/28/4928460.html

skinsuit cycling

Swinley Forest route

Once the magazine Mountain Biking UK applies the label ?Trail of the year? to a place, a visit becomes inevitable. Fortunately, said place is Swinley Forest. A mere 50 minutes train ride from central London. On route there, the excitement rapidly builds as the heavily populated sights of London give way to thick green forest. [...]

Source: http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/routes/swinley-forest-route/

cycling

6 Unique Tour Types: An Epic Limerick Tribute


Having trouble deciding just which of our amazing 2012 tours is right for you? A bit confused by all the tour types, and wondering what exactly they all mean? Let our tours department limericks help clear it up for you!

Our self-contained tours include
Not a van over which to brood
Your own gear you'll carry
The group will be merry
On our glorious self-contained tours.

On a self-contained tour, you carry your own gear. Traditional self-contained tours have around 14 participants who share cooking duties and camp for the vast majority of overnights.

On our inn-to-inn tours you'll see
All the sights, but no camping will be
A part of the journey
The pace is no tourney
You can even stop to get tea!

On inn-to-inn self-contained trips, riders carry their gear, but there?s a lot less of it because participants stay in hotels and eat in restaurants every night (no camping or group cooking gear needs to be carried).

Let us carry your load for you when
Our van-supported tours you attend
Whether coast to coast
Or weeklong, you'll toast
The tour which gave you such zen.

Van-supported tours have an average of 13 riders who camp on most nights and share rotating cooking duties, akin to a self-contained trip but with the security of van support and luggage transport.

Our fully-supported tours will give you
Absolutely nothing about which to feel blue
Take the awesome group
Or the catering troop
Happiness is in everything you'll do!

Fully-supported tours are larger groups (typically between 40 and 120 riders), who camp together and enjoy catered meals. All personal and group gear is carried for you each day, and you have the added luxury of SAG support.

Do you have some little tykes
Who love to ride on their bikes?
Our family fun trips
You will not want to skip
For a week the whole family will like!

Family Fun tours operate in largely the same way as our fully-supported tours, but with shorter daily distances and more activities aimed at making sure all family members, ages 8 to 98, have a great touring experience.

Our education tours are quite fun
And oh my but you'll learn a ton
Touring or leading
At the end you'll be ceding
Adventure Cycling's courses are really top gun!

We have two different types of Education Courses:

Our Introduction to Road Touring courses will introduce you to the basics of self-contained road travel.

Our Leadership Training Courses (LTC) are designed to teach the fundamentals of leading a self-contained bicycle tour. All Adventure Cycling tour leaders have taken one of these three-day courses.

Whether you're fond of or averse to our verse, check out our complete 2012 tours slate and sign up today! More questions?

--


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 just announced our 2012 Tours!

Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2011/10/6-unique-tour-types-epic-limerick.html

cycling machine

Tour De Wallonie ? Team Radioshack Bounces Back

After facing a great many challenges during the Tour de France earlier this month, Team Radioshack (RSH) needed to demonstrate they could still field a squad ready and able to compete at the front of the peloton. The team did just that in the five stage Tour De Wallonie, which concluded today in Thuin, [...]

Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/tour-de-wallonie-team-radioshack-bounces-back/

cycling training plans

Vuelta al Pais Vasco, Stage 1, Zumarraga to Zumarraga

The last few kilometres were all that I managed to see of today?s stage 1 of the Pais Vasco and coverage was intermittent even then as the cameras cut back to the finish line rather than following all the action. But when the focus was on the riders what a stage this was. Let?s be clear. Chris [...]

Source: http://www.teamradioshack.us/vuelta-al-pais-vasco-stage-1-zumarraga-to-zumarraga/

pro cycling magazine