Author Topic: New ACA Route coming  (Read 28831 times)

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Offline HikeBikeCook

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Re: New ACA Route coming
« Reply #15 on: October 14, 2021, 06:58:00 am »
Would also love to know when ACA is going to pickup the very popular Eastern Express Route https://www.easternexpressroute.com since Frank is closing down the website at the end of 2021. Seems like a no brainer, since it is already mapped and has cue sheets. Plus, it already appears to be endorsed and advertised by the ACA as a route which they use for their very popular and very oversubscribed Van Supported Trans AM ride.

https://www.adventurecycling.org/guided-tours/van-supported-tours/
TransAm Express Westward | May 13-Jul 26 | $7,999.00 | JOIN WAITLIST
https://www.adventurecycling.org/guided-tours/van-supported-tours/transam-express-westward-van/
« Last Edit: October 14, 2021, 07:01:12 am by HikeBikeCook »
Surly Disc Trucker, Lightspeed Classic, Scott Scale, Klein Mantra Comp. First touring bike Peugeot U08 - 1966

Offline Ty0604

Re: New ACA Route coming
« Reply #16 on: October 14, 2021, 09:26:02 am »
Would also love to know when ACA is going to pickup the very popular Eastern Express Route https://www.easternexpressroute.com since Frank is closing down the website at the end of 2021. Seems like a no brainer, since it is already mapped and has cue sheets. Plus, it already appears to be endorsed and advertised by the ACA as a route which they use for their very popular and very oversubscribed Van Supported Trans AM ride.

Thanks for the heads up about it being shut down. Do you know why? I’ll need to get on and download everything before to long.
Instagram: tyjames0604

WI—>WA—>CO—>TN

Offline John Nettles

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Re: New ACA Route coming
« Reply #17 on: October 14, 2021, 09:34:01 am »
I spoke with him several months and I got the impression it was due to the amount of work updating the site with corrections, changes, etc. and that he is wanting to retire fully.  I offered to take over the website if ACA did not but my computer and editing skills were not up to his liking so he politely turned me down and said he would just let it go away.  I have downloaded all the maps in case someone needs them in the future.

I too think ACA should take it over but they would probably have to map it so it matched their other maps and that would not be an inexpensive undertaking.  I would guess the offer was been discussed and or thought about it.  While the website is nice, it is not nearly the caliber of ACA's maps.

Offline HikeBikeCook

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Re: New ACA Route coming
« Reply #18 on: October 14, 2021, 09:52:16 am »
I plan on doing most of it next spring (totally bypassing Pittsburgh) and would love to help in the effort.
« Last Edit: October 14, 2021, 03:28:00 pm by HikeBikeCook »
Surly Disc Trucker, Lightspeed Classic, Scott Scale, Klein Mantra Comp. First touring bike Peugeot U08 - 1966

Offline CMajernik

Re: New ACA Route coming
« Reply #19 on: October 14, 2021, 10:31:51 am »
The new Delmarva Bicycle Route will be available in early December. It is 2 map sections.
Carla Majernik
Routes and Mapping Program Director

Adventure Cycling Association
Inspiring people of all ages to travel by bicycle.
800/755-2453, 406/721-1776 x218, 406/721-8754 fax
www.adventurecycling.org

Follow Routes & Mapping on Twitter: @acaroutes

Offline Ty0604

Re: New ACA Route coming
« Reply #20 on: October 14, 2021, 06:40:58 pm »
I spoke with him several months and I got the impression it was due to the amount of work updating the site with corrections, changes, etc. and that he is wanting to retire fully.  I offered to take over the website if ACA did not but my computer and editing skills were not up to his liking so he politely turned me down and said he would just let it go away.  I have downloaded all the maps in case someone needs them in the future.

I too think ACA should take it over but they would probably have to map it so it matched their other maps and that would not be an inexpensive undertaking.  I would guess the offer was been discussed and or thought about it.  While the website is nice, it is not nearly the caliber of ACA's maps.

Thanks John. My computer and editing skills are lackluster so won’t even offer. Appreciate the information. I too have downloaded all the maps.
Instagram: tyjames0604

WI—>WA—>CO—>TN

Offline Ty0604

Re: New ACA Route coming
« Reply #21 on: October 14, 2021, 06:41:34 pm »
The new Delmarva Bicycle Route will be available in early December. It is 2 map sections.

That’s exciting :) Thanks for the update!
Instagram: tyjames0604

WI—>WA—>CO—>TN

Offline Ty0604

Re: New ACA Route coming
« Reply #22 on: November 29, 2021, 07:04:59 pm »
These maps are listed on the ACA Cyclosource store but they’re out of stock.

A note below says they’re on order and expected to arrive on December 20th.

Would love to preorder these if the ACA would allow.
Instagram: tyjames0604

WI—>WA—>CO—>TN

Offline CMajernik

Re: New ACA Route coming
« Reply #23 on: November 30, 2021, 10:07:33 am »
Our Sales Dept. doesn't take preorders, but send an email to cyclosource@adventurecycling.org. Ask to be put on the list to be notified when the maps arrive in the office.

Carla Majernik
Routes and Mapping Program Director

Adventure Cycling Association
Inspiring people of all ages to travel by bicycle.
800/755-2453, 406/721-1776 x218, 406/721-8754 fax
www.adventurecycling.org

Follow Routes & Mapping on Twitter: @acaroutes

Offline Ty0604

Re: New ACA Route coming
« Reply #24 on: December 04, 2021, 04:16:57 pm »
Our Sales Dept. doesn't take preorders, but send an email to cyclosource@adventurecycling.org. Ask to be put on the list to be notified when the maps arrive in the office.

Thank you. Was hoping to have them in time for Christmas as a gift so just a little bummed out.
Instagram: tyjames0604

WI—>WA—>CO—>TN

Offline CMajernik

Re: New ACA Route coming
« Reply #25 on: December 06, 2021, 01:30:47 pm »
You can always give a card saying that they will receive the maps soon. Publishing this route has been one delay after another - due to COVID research was delayed more than a year, and after the maps went to the printer they had shipping delays due to paper being out of stock. When it arrived the paper was sent to California first.

I'll be so happy when the map arrive in house.
Carla Majernik
Routes and Mapping Program Director

Adventure Cycling Association
Inspiring people of all ages to travel by bicycle.
800/755-2453, 406/721-1776 x218, 406/721-8754 fax
www.adventurecycling.org

Follow Routes & Mapping on Twitter: @acaroutes

Offline ray b

Re: New ACA Route coming
« Reply #26 on: December 06, 2021, 05:48:49 pm »
You can always give a card saying that they will receive the maps soon. Publishing this route has been one delay after another - due to COVID research was delayed more than a year, and after the maps went to the printer they had shipping delays due to paper being out of stock. When it arrived the paper was sent to California first.

I'll be so happy when the map arrive in house.

Many thanks.

Your Sunday reply on behalf of ACA kinda says it all.
“A good man always knows his limitations.”

Offline staehpj1

Re: New ACA Route coming
« Reply #27 on: December 07, 2021, 08:02:59 am »
I spoke with him several months and I got the impression it was due to the amount of work updating the site with corrections, changes, etc. and that he is wanting to retire fully.  I offered to take over the website if ACA did not but my computer and editing skills were not up to his liking so he politely turned me down and said he would just let it go away.  I have downloaded all the maps in case someone needs them in the future.

I too think ACA should take it over but they would probably have to map it so it matched their other maps and that would not be an inexpensive undertaking.  I would guess the offer was been discussed and or thought about it.  While the website is nice, it is not nearly the caliber of ACA's maps.
Anyone know the actual status of this route (Eastern Express) is WRT the websites maintenance/closing and the ACA?  There is a note on the site that seems to imply that the ACA is taking over maintaining the web site in the at the end of the year (or at least keeping it open).  There is quite a bit of demand for this alternate route and the ACA themselves use it on some of their supported trips.

The note reads:
"PLEASE NOTE: In order to ensure that this website remains available to the cycling community, the ownership and operation of the site will be taken over by the Adventure Cycling Association at the beginning of 2022. The Eastern Express route is now in its final form, and because of staffing limitations, Adventure Cycling will have limited ability to respond to suggestions or queries about alternate itineraries, or to logistical questions from individual cyclists."

It sounds like the route remains in some kind of weird limbo where the ACA is and isn't actually promoting /supporting it, but has taken on some minimal responsibility for keeping the site open.  Can anyone clarify it's status at this point?  Is it going to be an official ACA route?  Is that yet to be determined?  It seems like it should be a slam dunk as a choice for a future ACA route.

Probably a good idea to download all sections just in case if you are interested in the route.
« Last Edit: December 07, 2021, 08:07:22 am by staehpj1 »

Offline HikeBikeCook

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Re: New ACA Route coming
« Reply #28 on: December 07, 2021, 08:26:45 am »
I emailed Frank about a month ago asking about the maps, etc. in Word format, (easier to edit) and he indicated he could no longer release any more information and that ACA was going to assume responsibility. I just noticed that announcement on the TAEE site as well. The good thing is the site will remain up and route information available.

I was actually going to ask about a timeline, you beat me to it. I know the ACA has been using it for their van supported TransAm tours for a few years now, so I would hope they have been collecting information. We plan to use it next year and I have pulled apart a lot of the trip maps and info from the website and built out 8X11 landscape formatted Word documents with as much detail as possible. I have been able to reduce about 10 to 12 days of the route down to about 10 pages (5 double sided) using an 8 pitch font and tables. Still not ACA level map production, but with COVID I would not expect to see full ACA mapping of this route for at least another year, maybe more.

I would be glad to collect information for the ACA when we ride if that would help the effort.
Surly Disc Trucker, Lightspeed Classic, Scott Scale, Klein Mantra Comp. First touring bike Peugeot U08 - 1966

Offline John Nettles

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Re: New ACA Route coming
« Reply #29 on: December 07, 2021, 09:35:30 am »
If ACA does map it, I hope they update some of the sections to take lesser traffic roads.  For instance, between Indianapolis and St. Louis, it just follows US-50, the National Highway, for much of the route.  While nice in places, there are quiet country roads just to the north and there is even a section with almost two dozen covered bridges near Rockville, IN. 

Anyway, I hope ACA does map it as it would be a nice edition.