Bike Travel Inspirations
Meet Nancy Krupiarz in 1982. Nancy and her husband, Tom cycled the Adventure Cycling Great Parks North route and experienced, "the best trip of our lives -- nothing has ever come close."Indeed, Nancy and Tom were not short on stories. Nancy lovingly recorded every day's adventures and, upon returning home, typed them up for the photo album that today lies in scattered pages. The years have taken a toll on the binding, but the stories and photos remain alive to this day. Over dinner, Tom described the time they encountered Greg and June Siple while cycling through Whitefish, "You'd have thought we were the celebrities by how much attention they paid us. As we cycled away from them and Greg snapped photo after photo, I told Nancy, I wonder if they'll use those photos for something."
Sure enough, when the couple returned, much to their surprise, Bike Report's cover (predecessor to Adventure Cyclist magazine) featured them riding away on their tandem with Nancy peeking over her shoulder. Nancy said that encounter was symptomatic of their trip and that it ignited her passion for all things related to bicycling and active lifestyle.
Nancy eventually put her experience to work, dedicating most of her professional life to trail development and bicycle and pedestrian advocacy. As the executive director of Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance (MTGA), she works on everything from the Great Lake to Lake Trail, and Complete Streets, to Safe Routes to School, and other policy and program work under the umbrella of the Michigan Fitness Foundation. MTGA is also the non-profit partner in the development of U.S. Bicycle Route 20 and a strong supporter of U.S. Bicycle Route 35. Over the years, I've met people who were inspired to change their lives because of their love for bicycle travel. True, trips are often taken at transitional times in people lives -- when they are searching for a new job, a new place to live, a new beginning, or just want to complete something on their bucket list. But often, their focus is shifted toward the betterment of their communities. I find these tales incredibly inspiring. I am grateful for the Nancys of the world, it is because of them that we will be successful in building the largest bike-route network in the world.Photos of photos by Ginny Sullivan, bottom photo by Mitch Barloga
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Sure enough, when the couple returned, much to their surprise, Bike Report's cover (predecessor to Adventure Cyclist magazine) featured them riding away on their tandem with Nancy peeking over her shoulder. Nancy said that encounter was symptomatic of their trip and that it ignited her passion for all things related to bicycling and active lifestyle.
Nancy eventually put her experience to work, dedicating most of her professional life to trail development and bicycle and pedestrian advocacy. As the executive director of Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance (MTGA), she works on everything from the Great Lake to Lake Trail, and Complete Streets, to Safe Routes to School, and other policy and program work under the umbrella of the Michigan Fitness Foundation. MTGA is also the non-profit partner in the development of U.S. Bicycle Route 20 and a strong supporter of U.S. Bicycle Route 35. Over the years, I've met people who were inspired to change their lives because of their love for bicycle travel. True, trips are often taken at transitional times in people lives -- when they are searching for a new job, a new place to live, a new beginning, or just want to complete something on their bucket list. But often, their focus is shifted toward the betterment of their communities. I find these tales incredibly inspiring. I am grateful for the Nancys of the world, it is because of them that we will be successful in building the largest bike-route network in the world.Photos of photos by Ginny Sullivan, bottom photo by Mitch Barloga
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BUILDING THE U.S. BICYCLE ROUTE SYSTEM (USBRS) is posted by Ginny Sullivan, USBRS coordinator at Adventure Cycling, and features news and updates related to the emerging U.S. Bicycle Route System. The USBRS project is a collaborative effort, spearheaded by a task force under the auspices of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Members of the task force include officials and staff from state DOTs, the Federal Highway Administration, and nonprofits like the East Coast Greenway Alliance, and Mississippi River Trail, Inc.
Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2012/11/bike-travel-inspirations.html
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