Messages

1

Underground Railroad / Launching of the forum

« on: July 01, 2004, 03:35:59 pm »

First off, if you haven't seen it...here is a link to a description
about the project that is on our website:
http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/
undergroundrailroad.cfm

We are still in discussions about where the route will go. We
have a conference call again this afternoon with the Center
for Minority Health at the University of Pittsburgh, and we'll
talk a bit more about where we think that it should go.

One idea that is gaining some ground is to follow the route of
the song "Follow the Drinking Gourd". Here is a link to the
description if you aren't familiar with it:
http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/ltc/special/mlk/gourd2.html

We have talked about starting the route in Mobile, AL and
then following the route of the song up to the Ohio River.
From the river, there are many options....and it's possible that
we might have two, or even three different routes.

Since this is a new experience for us in collaberating with so
many other groups, it will take a little time to get the project
going. We anticipate identifying the first part of the route this
fall and trying to do some research. We hope to have the
whole route mapped and ready for riding at the beginning of
the 2007 riding year.

Tom Robertson
routes and mapping


 

2

Underground Railroad / Launching of the forum

« on: June 30, 2004, 02:18:24 pm »

I'd like to welcome you to the Underground Railroad Bicycle
Route forum. On this forum we are going to be hosting the
updates in the development process of the Underground
Railroad Bicycle Route. I'll also be keeping an eye on the
posts to answer any questions that people may have.

Tom Robertson
routes and mapping


 

3

Routes / My Ride for Cancer

« on: January 09, 2008, 12:48:37 pm »

Hi John,

I would suggest to take a look at the Adventure Cycling routes  http://
www.adventurecycling.org/routes/network.cfm From there, find out
which parts you could potentially use. The next step is to get in touch
with the bike coordinators for the states in which you will be traveling
through. The bike coordinators have a wealth of information that they
can distribute for no charge. Most every state publishes a bicycle map
of their state that they will send out for free....and while the maps
aren't as detailed as ours, they generally offer suggested roads for
cycling through their state. Some states, such as Colorado and
Wisconsin, have outstanding information, while other states are much
simpler. But every little piece of information can help. Here is a link to
the contact information for all of the bicycle coordinators:  http://
cms.transportation.org/?siteid=59&pageid=852

I hope that this helps.

Tom Robertson
routes and mapping

 

4

Routes / Southern Tier - Motels, Safety

« on: January 09, 2008, 01:20:15 pm »

Hi Susan,
Your mileages sound about right. I led a Southern Tier trip years ago
and we averaged about 62 miles for the whole trip. There are a couple
of longer stretches in Texas, and a couple in Arizona, between motels.
Those are in the 80 mile range. Your dollar figure for the hotels is
about right for the rural areas. If you end up staying in a city though,
the rooms might be closer to $60. However, in some of the cities
(Austin, El Paso, St. Augustine, San Diego) there are youth hostels that
are nice and inexpensive.

As far as traveling by yourself, we havent heard of anyone having
trouble doing this. From the folks that Ive talked to, it seems though
the hardest part about solo travel is people not having anyone to talk
to for long stretches of the day.
If you would write to me directly with your email address
(trobertson@adventurecycling.org) I can email you a few pdf's of
articles that have appeared in our magazine about traveling solo; as
well as a couple on the Southern Tier.

Best Regards,
Tom Robertson
routes and mapping



 

5

Routes / Getting from Whitefish to Missoula

« on: January 09, 2008, 01:11:52 pm »

If you do indeed go into Whitefish, the best way to get to Missoula is to
take the Great Parks North route down following Hwy. 83 and 200. If
you didn't want to go all the way to Whitefish though, you could "turn
left" in Havre and follow Highway 87 to Great Falls, and then Hwy. 200
to Missoula. Most of this is on the Lewis and Clark Route. It's a bit
more direct. But if you took this you would miss riding through Glacier
National Park, one of the highlights on the Northern Tier Route.
Another option is to turn south in Columbia Falls (just east of
Whitefish) to pick up the  Great Parks Route south on Hwy. 83. This is a
very scenic route as well.

Tom Robertson
routes and mapping

 

6

Routes / Rte 52 between Camden,Maine and Belfast, Maine

« on: August 17, 2007, 08:43:10 am »

We have printed the information from Alex out, and will make a note to
add the new information to our addenda, and then the map when we
reprint it.

Thanks for the information.

Tom Robertson
routes and mapping

 

7

Routes / Getting to Portland

« on: May 31, 2007, 10:29:01 am »

US Hwy. 30 would be the shortest, and most direct, route from
Longview to Portland. It is part of the Lewis and Clark Bicycle Route,
Section #7. The bridge going over the river at Longview is TALL. There
is also a ferry that crosses west of Longview, but you would have to
ride "backwards" to get to it.

US Hwy. 30 does have more traffic as you approach Portland, but there
is a good shoulder for the ride.

From Portland, the only route that Adventure Cycling uses to get back
to the coast is on US 30. You might try to get in touch with the bike
coordinator from Oregon to pick up a state bike map. They most likely
will have other options for you to get back. They also can get you a city
bike map of Portland. Here is their contact info:

OREGON
Web: www.odot.state.or.us/techserv/bikewalk/
Michael P. Ronkin
Bicycle & Pedestrian Program Manager
Oregon Department of Transportation
355 Capitol St NE, Room 222
Salem OR 97301-3871
503-986-3555; Fax 503-986-4063
E-mail: michael.p.ronkin@odot.state.or.us  

Have a great trip.

Tom Robertson
routes and mapping
Adventure Cycling

8

Routes / Mentor,OH to Greenwich CT

« on: October 25, 2006, 08:37:39 am »

Hello,

I would that you get in touch with the bike coordinators for the states
in which you will be traveling through. The bike coordinators have a
wealth of information that they can distribute for no charge. Most every
state publishes a bicycle map of their state that they will send out for
free....and while the maps aren't as detailed as ours, they generally
offer suggested roads for cycling through their state. Some states,
such as Colorado and Wisconsin, have outstanding information, while
other states are much simpler. But every little piece of information can
help. Here is a link to the contact information for all of the bicycle
coordinators:
http://cms.transportation.org/?siteid=59&pageid=852

I hope all of this has helped.

Tom Robertson
routes and mapping

 

9

Routes / Vancouver BC route info???

« on: July 10, 2006, 10:28:39 am »

Adventure Cycling has a brand new route in and out of Vancouver that
was just researched a couple of months ago. We just got these maps back
from the printer. If you send me your email address I can send you pdf's
of the new route coming out of Vancouver.

Tom Robertson
routes and mapping
trobertson@adventurecycling.org

 

10

Routes / TransAmerica Route - Old Maps question

« on: May 01, 2006, 12:40:43 pm »

Hi Ben,

The map BC-1543 00L was updated in the year 2000. Those two
numbers before the "L" represent the year that it was updated.

I can't think of any specific changes between 1984 and the year 2000,
but I'm sure that there were several small ones. We are constantly
tweaking the route in areas where there is growth, trying to stay on
those bicycle friendly roads.

I will say that the majority of changes on the maps are the services.
Since the TransAm route, and most all of our other routes, are in
mostly rural areas, services (restaurants, motels, campgrounds, etc.)
tend to open and close quite often.

I hope that this helps.

Tom Robertson
routes and mapping



 

11

Routes / Florida Bike Tour

« on: March 08, 2006, 12:20:06 pm »

The new route for the Florida section of the Atlantic Coast route is now
at the printer. We hope to have them back in the office around the end
of the month of March. We have a new section that travels from St.
Augustine down the east coast ending in Key West. We also have a new
"Florida Connector" route that leaves St. Augustine and travels west
across the state to Fort Myers Beach, then crosses back to the east side
of the state ending in Ft. Lauderdale. This should allow for a couple of
different loop options. There is also information on the maps for a
ferry connector between Key West and Ft. Myers Beach.

Feel free to write to us at Adventure Cycling towards the end of the
month to check on the status of the maps.

Tom Robertson
routes and mapping

 

12

Routes / Cookie Lady

« on: May 03, 2005, 11:40:51 am »

The following is a note about June Curry - the Cookie Lady.


 Hello,

 My husband and I just spent the night in June's Bike House.  She was very determined to recover from her stroke in order to operate the Bike House this season, but her broken arm has put her back. She doesn't have a cast on yet as she has to ice it to get the swelling down first. Once the cast is on, it will stay on for 6 weeks.  To top it off, it is her right arm.

 She has hired Debbie to help her Mon.-Fri. in her home and in the Bike House.  Neither Debbie nor June drive.  June is a bit worried about not having anyone around on weekends to open the Bike House, help cyclists, etc.  as she is not very mobile.  

 June sings praises about the Milepost Zero Bike Club as they help her lots.  But she still needs more help.  Would it be possible to put out a notice online, and/or in your magazine for volunteers to stay on weekends to operate the Bike House this season?

 Film for her camera, Polaroid 600, is expensive for her.  Could you also ask cyclists for donations as she adores taking photos of everyone, even with her broken arm.

 Thanks for any assistance!

 Yours a wheel,

 Diane Horsman

This message was edited by Webmaster on 1-8-07 @ 5:18 AM

13

Routes / Suggestions needed: Seattle to Anacortes

« on: April 22, 2005, 04:40:00 pm »

Hi Robert,

I'm not sure about picking up at the Seattle Amtrak station, but it is a possibility. Here is a shuttle service that can take you to Anacortes. A couple of years ago it seems though they were charging about $70 for 2 folks and luggage and bikes. Here is their link:
http://www.airporter.com/dev_doc/airporter.htm

Tom Robertson
Adventure Cycling

 

14

Routes / Milage routes for city & towns (not freeways)

« on: February 09, 2005, 12:46:14 pm »

Here is a link to the bike/ped coordinators for each state: http://www.bikewalk.org/contacts_links/state_bikeped_coord.htm

The bike coordinators have a wealth of information that they can distribute for no charge. Most every state publishes a bicycle map of their state that they will send out for free....and while the maps aren't as detailed as ours, they generally offer suggested roads for cycling through their state. Some states, such as Colorado and Wisconsin, have outstanding information, while other states are much simpler. But every little piece of information can help.

Hope that this helps.

Tom Robertson
routes and mapping



 

15

Routes / Pacific Coast Ride - some planning questions

« on: February 01, 2005, 03:53:49 pm »

Hi,

In the past, we have suggested a couple of different things for folks that want to send their bikes to their starting point ahead of time. One is to get in touch with one of the bike shops on the map, and send it there. If doing this, most folks go ahead and get the bike shop to put their bike together (generally around $25 per bike) so that they are ready to go when they pick them up. The other suggestion is to go ahead and make hotel, hostel or campground reservations for when you are arriving, then ask to ship the bikes there. They can then hold the bikes for you, and they should be there waiting for you when you arrive.

Hope that this helps. Good luck with your planning.

Tom Robertson
routes and mapping
Adventure Cycling Association