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Adventure Cycling Announces Early Season and Epic Tours for 2011

"America's Bicycle Travel Experts" offer some of the most adventurous and affordable bicycle trips in North America — including some of the longest

August 26, 2010

Missoula, Montana — Looking for an inspiring bicycle adventure or simply a fabulous vacation that is easy on the pocket book, potentially life changing, and supports bicycling infrastructure throughout the United States?

Look no farther. Adventure Cycling Association — North America's largest membership cycling organization — has just announced its first batch of 2011 Tours (www.AdventureCycling.org/tours), including weeklong cycling trips and months long epic adventures, and featuring supported and self-contained options in the spring, summer, and fall. Two new tours were announced today: a self-contained adventure from Maine to Florida down the Atlantic Coast, and a van-supported Pacific Coast trip.

Early sign up is recommended. Adventure Cycling saw record number of riders during its 2010 tours season with more than 1,100 cyclists choosing its guided trips.

Adventure Cycling's complete tours roster will be available in October.

Here's a quick rundown on the early season and epic tours:

2011 Early Season Supported Tours

Tight on vacation time? Grab a spot now on one of Adventure Cycling's shorter, early season supported bike trips and get tuned up for the spring riding season.

California Kick Start — February 26 – March 4, 2011: A late winter/early spring bike tour along the sun-dappled coastal and desert roads in Southern California may be just the thing to get the jump on the new cycling season. Boasting a wealth of training opportunities, this weeklong supported ride will leave riders feeling well prepared.

Death Valley Loop I & II — March 5 – March 11, 2011 and March 12 – March 18, 2011

Death Valley is a wonderful and mysterious place that supports nearly 1,000 native plant species on only two inches of rain a year. Explore it by bicycle! This 13-person van-supported ride filled quickly last year so sign up today. Two dates available.

Southern Arizona Road Adventure — March 12 – March 18, 2011: Get an early taste of spring and summer on this memorable bike tour through the high Sonoran Desert. Amenities include luggage support, catered meals, two nights of indoor lodging and moderate daily mileages (ranging from 23 to 54 miles) to help participants ease back into the spin of things.

Texas Hill Country — April 9 – April 15, 2011: This supported cycling adventure begins and ends in Austin, "Live Music Capital of the World," following quiet farm and ranch roads through a region of Texas celebrated for its dazzling displays of spring wildflowers, German-style biergartens, Texas barbecue, and Tex-Mex specialties.

2011 Supported and Self-Contained Cross-Country Tours

Always wanted to cross America by bicycle or travel the full length of the Atlantic or Pacific coasts? Register today for one of Adventure Cycling's classic, expedition-length adventures, either supported or self-contained.

Southern Tier Supported — March 20 – May 16, 2011: The shortest, most accessible transcontinental trip, traveling from the West Coast, across deserts, over mountains, past prairies, beyond bayous, through citrus groves, all the way to sunny Florida.

TransAm Supported — May 21 – August 10, 2011: An opportunity to cover the 4,253-mile TransAmerica Bicycle Trail — the "granddaddy of all bicycle routes" — with full support.

Pacific Coast Supported — September 25 – November 4, 2011: An exciting new take on an old favorite: a chance to ride from Canada to Mexico, unencumbered by traditional touring gear, along one of America's premier cycling routes: the gorgeous Pacific Coast.

TransAm — May 4 – August 4, 2011: A self-contained adventure on the TransAm is a classic, cross-country adventure. A 2008 TransAm tour participant advised, "There will be other trips, but I don't think they will be able to top this one ... If you have a sense of adventure and are thinking of doing this ride someday, don't wait!"

Atlantic Coast — August 20 – October 19, 2011: Traveling from Bar Harbor, Maine, to Key West, Florida, this first-of-its-kind, self-contained grand tour of the Atlantic Coast will guide riders through the "best of the East," for a chance to experience the history and natural beauty of the Atlantic Coast as never before.

Pacific Coast — September 7 – October 21, 2011: This incredible journey along one of the most popular cycling routes in North America promises a rare opportunity to ride from Canada to Mexico invigorated by beautiful landscapes where land and sea collide in a crescendo of sun, blue waves, and invigorating salt air.

Southern Tier — September 18 – November 21, 2011: On this very popular self-contained adventure, participants will experience a parade of cultures and the delicious cuisines associated with each of them, from enchiladas to Texas barbecue and alligator po' boys to Southern grits.

Adventure Cycling Association has over 30 years experience leading tours. Its trips usually offer small group sizes, welcoming a diversity of cyclists from around the globe. Tour proceeds support Adventure Cycling's work to improve bicycle travel in the U.S. including expansion and maintenance of its 40,630-mile Adventure Cycling Route Network and its efforts toward the creation of a U.S. Bicycle Route System.

Adventure Cycling's complete tours schedule will be available in October.

For more information visit www.AdventureCycling.org/tours or contact Adventure Cycling's tours department at 1-800-755-2453, ext. 3 or at tours@adventurecycling.org.

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