end of bike to work week, what next?

well, every day for me is bike to work day, but it isn't for everyone else.



how can we change that? many people say that to help them bike more is to have more protected bike lanes. maybe even "just" bike lanes would be a start. maybe the connection between biking everyday leads to touring, or extended bike rides. i know that is the path i've been following personally, and i read similar experiences across the bikely blogosphere as well.

last week on our FB page we announced we are working with the Adventure Cycling Association to promote their awesome initiative of creating a U.S. Bicycle Route System (USBRS). what is a USBRS? U.S. Bicycle Routes is a proposed national network of bicycle routes, and they are intended to link urban, suburban, and rural areas using a variety of appropriate facilities.



if you donate $25 or more before Saturday, May 12 at 11:59 EST, and you will be entered to win a Brooks B-17 Saddle. this is my personal saddle of choice. it's awesome, and fits like a glove. which will be great to comfort you with all that riding you will be doing on the USBRS.

if you donate at least $100, you will receive a Walz cycling cap designed specifically for the campaign, while supplies last. Better yet, you’ll also be directly impacting the future of bicycling in America.

we have never done a partnership like this before, but all four of us here at CYLRAB, feel that the creation of this bicycle route fits the mission of this blog...which is to change your life by riding a bike. if more bike routes means more people on bikes, then we feel it's a win win for everyone.

have a fantastic weekend! i hear there are more bike to work weeks throughout the country next week. can't wait to see bloggy reports from them!

Adventure Cycling is offering many more prizes and fundraising challenges throughout the campaign. To keep track of these offers and to support the project: like the U.S. Bicycle Route System on Facebook or follow it on Twitter, or learn about other ways to get involved.

Underground Railroad Bicycle Route

Exploring the Route to Freedom, put on by the Adventure Cycling Association. "To further our goal of encouraging people from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds to explore the landscapes and history of American by bicycle, Adventure Cycling began a partnership with the Center for Minority Health at the University of Pittsburgh in 2004. With America facing a national health crisis, Adventure Cycling and the Center for Minority Health saw a natural alliance born from common goals."

february is black history month. while i might scoff at one month per year to celebrate any one group of history, had it not been, i might not have found out about that terrific bike project of ACA. there are several routes to choose from that follow the historic underground railroad route where slaves worked there way north to freedom before the end of the civil war and the awesomeness that is juneteenth.

there are two main routes. the first one travels from mobile, alabama up to ontario, canada. there's also a brand new, and how i discovered this 5 year old project, detroit alternate route which takes you from oberlin, ohio to owen sound on lake huron's georgia bay.

this looks like it was an amazing undertaking with a lot of people on the advisory board in order to get this route just right.

via ACA flickr page

here are some pics from the supported tour in 2007:

via ACA flickr page

many thanks to the many hands that had a say in this project. looks like an amazing route, full of history. history and bikes?! my two favoritessssst interests combined. pretty spectacular.

all other pictures are by dennis coello.

a big huge hat tip to the fine people over at outdoor afro, one of my favorite blogs ever. why? because it features african-americans in outdoor settings. if there's a US latino equivalent to outdoor afro and someone knows about it, please please please post the URL in the comments.