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Newsletter
Articles for Periodicals & Web Sites
Information
Articles
Doin' the
Erie Canal Trail: The Linchpin of Bicycle Travel
Cyclotouring
'Round Lake Ontario
Maps, Maps, Maps!
Bicycle Touring in
North America for Visitors from Other Nations
USA
& Canadian Tourist Information Web Sites with Bike Touring Information
Adventure
from The Bronx
Cycling Shoes
Tragedy
Bicycle Advocacy Articles (The link will bring up a separate page.)
How to Conduct a
Successful Bike Day in Your Community
Share the
Road & Bike With Traffic Campaign
These articles and stories can be downloaded and used in bicycle or outdoor club
newsletters; company publications; paid circulation and free circulation periodicals which
accept advertising; or on their web sites.
There is no charge for the use of these articles, Harvey simply wants
to know where the article is used and to mention or link the publication or web site to
this site.
Paid circulation and free circulation periodicals which accept
advertising, web sites, authors, publishers and anyone else or any other publication
(electronic or mechanical reproduction) must request permission (e-mail is best) to use
these copyrighted articles.
To use these articles the editor or
webmaster must print the the following citation:
© Harvey Botzman, 2005. Cyclotour Guide Books,
http://www.cyclotour.com, cyclotour@cyclotour.com.
A copy of the newsletter or an email stating where the
article(s) is located on the web would be appreciated.
The editor/webmaster may edit the article to make it fit in the
available space.
This is a long web page. The articles are configured as continuous text
paragraphs. That is, without (html) line stops. That is why you have to scroll
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the file, please send me an e-mail.
MAPS, MAPS, MAPS!
by Harvey Botzman
Maps, maps, maps! If you're biking around the neighborhood you
probably don't even refer a map. If you're looking for a street area around town you
find it and most likely mentally figure out how to go from point A to point B, then
probably leave the map at home! When going on a ride in new territory - whether its
a long tour or short day trip - you usually do as I do, study the area's map and bring it
along. Maps, as most bicyclists know, are important. They graphically show
which route to take, road surfaces, important landmarks and topographic features.
MAP SCALE
Typically bicyclists use maps which are the wrong scale. that is,
general state road maps. These maps show few side roads and few details. The scale of
these maps is usually 1:500,000 or more. "Huh! Scale?" Yes! Those little numbers
in the legend/ symbol area of a map are called the map scale. Usually the map's scale is
expressed as a ratio - 1:25,000. This ratio simply means that 1 unit on the map is equal
to 25,000 units on the ground. It does not matter what the actual measurement unit does
not matter when you consider scale. It's all the same, just the unit names and unit's
length on the earth's surface change to protect the traveler! Large scale, small scale?
Now we're in the realm of relative terms. Large scale maps show more details. Thus only a
small number of units (24,000) on the ground equal one (1) unit on the map. Conversely,
small scale maps show fewer details. A large number of units (500,000) on the ground equal
one (1) unit on the map.
To put it in real terms: A 1:24,000 scale map means that 1 inch on the
map represents about 2000 feet on the ground. A 1:500,000 scale map means that 1 inch on
the map represents about 8 miles on the ground. Typically, county maps are published in
scales ranging from 1:25,000 to 1:50,000. A few are commercially published or are
available from state transportation departments with scales of 1:10,000. These 1:10,000
maps are very detailed but may not show some of the features a bicyclist needs.
Additionally you may need more than one sheet of a 1:10:000 scale map to complete a short
ride!
TOPOGRAPHIC
MAPS
Topographic maps can be very useful. These multicolored maps are
published by the official geologic survey of a nation. Every cartographer (map maker) uses
the official government topographic maps as their base maps. In the 1800's government
surveyors actually measured the distances between points and noted the buildings/landmarks
from direct ground observations. In the 1990's this is done by satellite imaging and
computer analysis.
Topographic maps are important because they show the hills, valleys,
rivers, streams and other physical features of an area. By looking at these maps you will
be able to determine if you really want to take that hilly route. Unfortunately these maps
are usually out of date. The United States and Canada are a big nations. Their geologic
survey organizations can only update a small section of each nation every year. Although
the land forms - hills - don't change much from year to year, roads and landmarks shown on
topographic maps do get altered, added and removed.
Commercial publishers of topographic maps (usually in state wide books
of these maps) are much better at updating topographic maps. These publishers use
municipal, county and state maps to revise the basic government maps. Additionally,
DeLorme, Rand McNally and other publishers have used this cartographic information to
produce computer CD-ROM disks of both topographic and road maps. Enough about topos since
you will rarely use them.
ROAD MAPS
Very useful to bicyclists are good county or regional road maps
published in scales ranging from 1:25,000 - 1:50,000. These are printed on sheets of paper
measuring about 38" x 26" or for regional maps 38" x 44". If you fold
the map properly your actual viewing size will be about 4" x 8". Allowing you to
view about 22 miles of your trip before you have to fold the sheet again. Since these maps
are up dated at regular intervals they show all the new roads and landmarks. A useful
street index is usually printed on the map. Not every building is shown, only the major
landmarks: rivers, canals, lakes, schools, public buildings and major industrial sites.
Alas, as automobile road maps, geographic features such as hills are not shown on these
large scale maps!
BICYCLE
MAPS
Bicycle specific maps are produced by private individuals, bike clubs,
state transportation departments, or visitor's and tourist bureaus, and are contained in
bicycle tour guide books. Many times it is hard to locate the source of bicycle maps and
books. Most bicycle maps are published in limited quantities If you come across an
advertisement or article about bicycle maps, write immediately for a copy. Simply having
the map will make you think about going to ride in that area! By the time you finally make
the trip to a foreign area the map might be out of print. Thus maintain a file of bicycle
maps.
Touring maps, specifically designed for cyclotourists usually have the
routes clearly marked with colored or heavy lines.
A series of wonderful bicycle maps are produced by Rubel Bike Maps.
Rubel's maps of Massachusetts, Boston and Cape Cod are perfectly scaled for the bicyclist
and include basic information on mtb trail, bike shop, b&b, and ice cream shop
locations.
The hand drawn West coast maps published by Krebs Cycle Products are
not only beautiful but eminently useful.
The Custer Bicycle Club's mountain bike trail map provides not only
basic route information but also elevation information.
This is one of the key elements - elevation information - of a
bicycling specific map. Elevation information is usually presented in the form of a simple
graph with elevation on the vertical axis and distance on the horizontal axis. Similarly,
both of Oregon State's Pacific Coast route maps have these elevation gauges. The Oregon
maps help cyclotourists by noting services along the route. One additional interesting
feature of the Custer and Oregon maps is that they are published on water resistant coated
paper. Thus these maps will not easily fall apart from constant folding or after getting
wet.
The Adventure Cycling Association publishes the most comprehensive
series of bicycle touring and mountain bike trail maps in the United States. These are
detailed maps with legends noting tourist attractions, bicycle shop and lodging locations,
topographic features (including elevation) and other wonderful items which a long distance
cyclotourist needs. The Association's cartographers have actually traveled the routes
marked on the map. The lay out of Adventure Cycling's maps is ideal for the traveling
bicyclist - a series of overlapping map panels each showing approximately 15 miles. When
used in conjunction with a large scale road map the touring bicyclist has a magnificent
graphic image of an area.
Many municipalities publish full sheet (~38x26") bicycle route
maps. Unique features of these maps are notations of off street bikeways, on street
bikeways, and relatively low trafficked roads. Occasionally these maps will include bike
shop locations as well as the name and telephone number of the local bike club. Since maps
are expensive to produce, bike shop and other advertisements are occasionally placed on
the map. Public transportation routes, especially if the buses have bike racks, are noted
too. Super examples of these maps are the Toronto (Ontario, Canada) City Cycling
Committee; Phoenix/Maricopa County Arizona; Tucson, Arizona; and Rochester/Monroe County,
New York maps.
Municipalities do not have to go to the expense of publishing full
color bicycling maps to enhance bicycling and attracting cyclotourists to their area. One
reason Madison, Wisconsin is a great place to bicycle is its clear series of maps. This is
a series of 1:25,000 scale maps printed/copied on to 8x14" paper. The route is marked
by a heavy (felt marker?) line and centered on the paper. Impossible to miss. The map
itself takes up one panel of one side. The final panel has simple written directions. The
reverse side of the sheet contains information on the area shown in the map. Very
inexpensive to produce and very useful for both the visiting cyclotourist and the local
bike commuter.
Municipalities and states which encourage bicycle tourism readily print
and distribute bicycle strip maps noting the availability of on and off road trails.
Any bicyclist who has written to Polk County Florida has received a
thick envelope with a sheet map, strip maps and additional information on how to obtain
bicycle route maps from Florida's state bicycle coordinator.
The Wisconsin Tourism Office will readily send you a beautiful brochure
on bicycle touring in Wisconsin and maps designating which roads the Department of
Transportation has judged safe for bicycling. New York and Vermont's Lake Champlain
Bikeways has developed all sorts of on road and off road materials specifically for the
bicyclist. For mountain bicyclists and bikepackers nothing beats information from the New
York's Lake Champlain Bikeways & Adirondack Transportation Council; Pocahontas County,
West Virginia; and Utah's Tourism Office. Great maps, along with lodging and suggested
route information will be readily sent to you for the price of a post card.
Bicycle guide books are a good source for bicycling maps. Cyclotour
Guide Books publishes a series of tour guides detailing the road routes, attractions and
lodging for bicyclists circumnavigating each of the Great Lakes; and New York
State's Erie & Champlain Canals (NYC to Buffalo & Montréal.) Locally published
books such as those by Footprint Press usually provide the latest trail information due to
their small print runs and constant revisions. Backcountry Press, with its 25 best rides
series; and The Mountaineers are major publishers of bicycle route books detailing loop
routes in specific areas. The Ontario Cycling Association publishes a huge book detailing
routes in Ontario, Canada.
FINAL WORDS
A commuting bicyclist, cyclotourist or recreational bicyclist needs
maps. The trick to finding useful cycling maps is to check the scale of the map, look for
bicycle specific maps and maintain a file of maps. Search bookstores, join the American
Automobile Association (Great large scale local and regional maps and free for members!)
and write for maps. When writing for maps and other information, always specifically
request bicycle maps, route information and the name/address of the local bicycle club. I
find that the reverse side of old photographs from my cyclotours get the best response
from information sources. Simply rule a line dividing the blank side in half. Use white
out to remove any photo processing numbers. The address goes on the right half; your
request message & your address on the left half. Don't forget to use post card
postage. Maps stimulate the wanderlust in bicyclists!
©c. Harvey Botzman,1996, 2000, 2005. Cyclotour Guide Books,
http://www.cyclotour.com , cyclotour@cyclotour.com .
Mr. Botzman has written 8 books on cyclotouring: 'Round Lake Erie: A Bicyclist's Tour
Guide, 'Round Lake Ontario: A Bicyclist's Tour Guide, Round Lake Michigan: A Bicyclist's
Tour Guide, 'Round Lake Huron: A Bicyclist's Tour Guide, 'Round Lake Superior: A
Bicyclist's Tour Guide, Erie Canal Bicyclist & Hiker Tour Guide, and Finger Lakes
Bicyclist's Tour Guide, Long Distance Bicycle Touring Primer. Each Cyclotour
guide book contains mi. x mi. (km. x km.) route distances & directions both clockwise
and counter clockwise; information sources, lodging, attractions, and services listings.
Information on these books is available from: Cyclotour Guide Books, www.cyclotour.com ;
cyclotour@cyclotour.com , PO Box 10585, Rochester, NY 14610; tel.: 585 244-6157;
Cyclotour Guide Books distributes unique bicycle tour guides and maps
for France's Canal System, New Zealand, the Lewis & Clark Bicycle Trail, Vermont/New
Hampshire bicycling, Massachusetts and other areas.
Harvey has gobs and gobs of information which he will
readily share. He can be reached at PO Box 10585, Rochester NY 14610; via e-mail:
cyclotour@cyclotour.com , 585 244-6157.
Doin' The Erie Canal Trail: The
Linchpin of Bicycle Travel
by Harvey
Botzman
Just before dawn I loaded my trusty garage sale bicycle with stuff filled panniers and
headed for the old aqueduct and the stone warehouse in downtown Rochester, NY. The half
mile aqueduct once carried the Erie Canal over the Genesee River. Today it simply carries
cars over the River. The warehouse is a solid stone office building now. In times past it
was a bustling terminus of the Erie Canal.
From the aqueduct it is a beautiful 3.4 mi. (5.5 km.) ride along the
paved Bausch & Lomb Riverside Trail to a grand intersection of the Erie Canal and the
Genesee River. A Frederick Law Olmstead designed park with its original stone bridges
crossing the Canal surrounds this intermingling of waterways. A new high arch
bicycle/pedestrian bridge here crosses the River and allows the cyclotourist to continue
East or West along the Canal.
Rising above the placid River and Canal waters in the mist of day break
was a great blue heron. Circling nearby were some hawks and smaller birds. On the towpath
chipmunks scurried back and forth collecting seeds and fruits. Some white tailed deer
could be seen further down the Trail.
On this weekday morning, before the bicycle commuters tool along
between suburban office parks or from their homes to Rochester, all was silent except for
the quiet swish of my chain. I stopped and admired the mist as it rose above the Canal
with only small birds darting across the Canal gobbling insects to break the peace.
At Lock 32, the lockmaster was making his rounds checking the early
20th century cast iron and brass gears and other equipment. The lock was filled awaiting a
boat coming from the West. The locks are filled and emptied by gravity. The large gates
guarding either end of the each lock simply have to be opened on one end and closed on the
other to fill the lock. To lower a boat the water is released using those brass and iron
gears, electricity does the job these days, to allow the water to go through huge channels
on one side of the lock. The original Erie Canal's keys stand by the valves just
in case there is a power failure. Then the lockmaster opens the valves by turning the key.
A few commuters passed me as I rode the paved path eastward towards
Lock 33 and Pittsford. Bird songs were amplified by the silence of the Canal zone. I
scooted down and through the towpath underpass to avoid a road. It was too early and not a
weekend morning so the Pittsford shopping area would be empty, allowing me to ride rapidly
through it. A few restaurants were open waiting for early morning breakfast patrons but
the bike shop on the Canal was closed. I didn't need anything anyway! A single person
scull made silent rapid progress on the water. It's wake making lines from shore to shore.
Passing under another road the towpath surface changes to hard packed
stone dust. A great surface for riding! Well maintained and without ruts or corrugation
due to tree roots. The morning mist slightly dampened the towpath keeping the summer's dry
dust on the path.
Bicycle and walking commuters; some cyclists and runners in training
said, "On your right!" My slow pace was easily avoided by them. I speeded
up to make some miles. After leaving Fairport Village and the docked cruise boats,
the towpath changes to a smooth asphalt. Here the towpath goes through a wooded section
abutting the Canal. It is only three miles through the woods to Lock 34 at Macedon where
I'll stop to have some breakfast. I just made it across the top of the lock gates as a
boat was entering the lock. It's always a fascinating sight to see the water raise a boat.
My stomach beckoned me to the picnic tables.
An older couple were sitting at one picnic table with pannier and
basket laden Schwin Varsities. They hailed me and after greeting them I pulled out my
breakfast fixins'.
"We don't speak much English," they said almost in unison.
"We live in Palmyra with our son. We came up from Miami to visit him. He works at the
plastics plant here."
"Hablo Español un pocito," I proudly stated. "A dondé
van?"
"Habla Español! Muy bien! Van a Rochester a visitan los amigos y
a la playa."
"Great! The beach is very nice on Lake Ontario," I answered
in my very best high school Spanish. "Pero la playa a Baya de Sodus o Parque‚ de
estado a Fairhaven en el Lago Ontario est muy bello. Sus amigos tienen andan en bicicleta
a ahi."
They both laughed, "Sus amigos no montan en bicicleta. A se amigos
nosotros est nos locos montan en bicicleta a nuestras vejez. Pero los amigos van a doctor
muy vez. Y nuestros nunca."
It was my turn to laugh. Many of my friends think I'm crazy for riding
for days on end. But I don't have any circulation problems like many of my friends and
rarely go to the doctor. I certainly can't attribute all of my good health to bicycling,
genetics and nutrition (Generally a low fat/salt balanced, including meat, diet.) play a
significant part. But there is no doubt that my circulatory system and muscle tone is
maintained by bicycling. After telling them about the tow path going West we parted
I rode to the gas station on Rt. 31/NY Bike Route 5 to change my tires.
Two towpaths exist at this point, one a mowed grass over stone dust trail, the other a
smooth asphalt wide path. As funds become available Wayne County, NY is improving its
section of the Erie Canal towpath. The County originally constructed a towpath trail
it in the 1970s. Various sections of the paved towpath have a parallel non-paved trail on
the other side of the Canal. I sometimes like going on the non-paved sections to make
believe I'm a touring Mt. biker! It's really beautiful but a bit rough for even my new
wide touring tires. It took me only a half hour to change both tires to the well defined
tread mixed surface tires. I entered the Trail once again. Riding directly along the
Canal's shore to Palmyra, Newark, and Lyons.
I've taken this route many times, using rural roads, with their curves
and small rolling topography; and using Route 31/NY Bike Route (BR) 5 with its two meter
wide paved shoulder and flat topography which parallels the Canal's South shore in this
area. No matter which way I've traveled its always a beautiful delightful ride.
At Lyons I left the "New" Erie Canal towpath, crossed to the
south side of BR 5/Rt. 31 to ride on the "Old" Erie Canal towpath. This path was
actually used as a mule towpath! In the 1970's Wayne County received grants to improve the
"Old" Canal's towpath by leveling it, laying stone dust and then covering it
with grass.
In the 1970's the County built a series of parks along the right of
way. At the Port Byron Park I observed frogs catching insects in the Old Canal's
immaculately preserved stone lock. Their perch on water lilies rocking back and forth with
each swish of the tongue is a sight of wonder. After eating lunch, I rode onward to Black
Rock Park on the Old Canal.
"Call for a Camping Permit," the huge sign stated.
Well! I've done that before and was simply told "no one has ever
asked for a permit, can I send you the County Park Department's Rules &
Regulations." Free camping!
Of course there are only limited facilities at these parks, some have
H20 others don't; but all have vault toilets. Cyclotourists, being environmentally
correct, have no problem carrying out their limited garbage so the park stays spotlessly
clean.
Black Rock has a large shelter, a pond, picnic tables, a playground,
and lots of room to camp. It's only two miles from Clyde where I simply called the County
police to tell them I would be camping at the Park. "No problem," the desk
officer stated.
After going into Clyde for dinner and having a peaceful sleep in the
tent (no RVs with motors running all night or teenagers to disturb my rest) I awoke to the
sweet smell of dew laden flowers and trees. Today, I'll ride to the Women's National
Historic Park at Seneca Falls (on the Cayuga Seneca Canal).
Then I'll use the Cayuga County Canal Trail and the Camillus Canal
Trail to go to the East side of Syracuse. After making my way through Syracuse past the
New York State Fair Grounds and Onondaga Lake I'll reach Old Erie Canal State Park.
Perhaps I'll stay a night in a bed and breakfast or maybe I'll camp again at Green Lakes
State Park on the Old Erie Canal.
And you? Where will you ride to?
©c. Harvey Botzman, 2000, 2005. Cyclotour Guide Books, http://www.cyclotour.com
, cyclotour@cyclotour.com .
Mr. Botzman is the author of "Erie Canal Bicyclist &
Hiker Tour Guide, 2nd Ed., 2004 Rev." which is the only bike tour guide containing
all the directions, distance indicators (mi. & km.), maps, information sources;
lodging, services, and attractions listings a bicyclist needs to go from New York City
(Atlantic Coast) to Buffalo, NY (Great Lakes) or to Montréal, QC (St. Lawrence River) via
New York State's extensive Canal System.
Mr. Botzman has participated in the development of the Erie Canal
Recreationway by being an active participant at meetings and conferences.
Mr. Botzman has written 7 other books on cyclotouring: 'Round Lake Erie:
A Bicyclist's Tour Guide, 'Round Lake Ontario: A Bicyclist's Tour Guide, Round Lake
Michigan: A Bicyclist's Tour Guide, 'Round Lake Huron: A Bicyclist's Tour Guide, 'Round
Lake Superior: A Bicyclist's Tour Guide, and Finger Lakes Bicyclist's Tour Guide, Long
Distance Bicycle Touring Primer. Each Cyclotour guide book contains mi. x mi.
(km. x km.) route distances & directions both clockwise and counter clockwise;
information sources, lodging, attractions, and services listings. Information on these
books is available from: Cyclotour Guide Books, www.cyclotour.com ;
cyclotour@cyclotour.com , PO Box 10585, Rochester, NY 14610; tel.: 585 244-6157;
Cyclotour Guide Books distributes unique bicycle tour guides and maps
for France's Canal System, New Zealand, the Lewis & Clark Bicycle Trail, Vermont/New
Hampshire bicycling, Massachusetts and other areas.
Harvey has gobs and gobs of information which he will
readily share. He can be reached at PO Box 10585, Rochester NY 14610; via e-mail:
cyclotour@cyclotour.com
Cyclotouring 'Round Lake Ontario
by Harvey Botzman
Rural cycling broken by only few cities for 600 miles! A cyclist's delight! It's only a
two week trip 'round Lake Ontario traveling at 10-15 mph for 50 miles a day and that
includes two days off for sightseeing in Toronto, Canada and Niagara Falls; or lolling on
the Lake's beautiful eastern shore beaches!
A series of lightly traveled roads with paved shoulders ring the lake
shore. In the few urban areas, Toronto, Hamilton and Kingston, Ontario, Canada and
Rochester, New York, USA, there are bikeways along the lake. Its a flat ride almost all
the way. Not boring since the circumnavigating roads make small twists and turns and
occasionally have small hills. The farmland is broken by small villages and resort areas
(in their original early 20th century glory), marinas. wildlife refuges, provincial/state
parks, and War of 1812 sites.
Credit Card, sag wagon, and partially loaded cyclotourists can stay at
b&bs, motels, hostels, and in the provincial/state parks' cabins. Loaded cyclotourists
can camp (or cabin) at the rarely crowded state/provincial and municipal parks and private
campsites which are interspersed every 50 miles or so along the shoreline. Guerrilla
camping ("Hey! That's a nice spot, down this dirt road at the end of this orchard
under those trees!") possibilities are endless.
Mountain bike bikepackers can easily find great spots to go off road
and tour to their knobby tire's delight. For those who fish, the Lake Ontario salmon,
perch and bass are legendary. For those who want culture there are summer stock theaters,
historical sites, music concerts, museums, and visual arts exhibitions. Quiet and
"away from it all" riding and resting is available all the time! The weather,
great! Usually the temperature (June - September) is in the mid 70's or mid 80's with low
humidity and a 5 - 10 degree cooler temperature during the evening for a perfect night's
rest. The average rainfall is 2-3 inches per month from June through September. Perfect
conditions.
©c. Harvey Botzman, 1996, 2005. Cyclotour Guide Books, http://www.cyclotour.com ,
cyclotour@cyclotour.com .
Mr. Botzman is the author of "'Round Lake Ontario: A Bicyclist's Tour Guide, 2nd
Edition" which is the only bike tour guide containing all the directions, distance
indicators (mi. & km.), maps, information sources; lodging, services, and attractions
listings a bicyclist needs to circumnavigate Lake Ontario. Side trips included in the text
(with maps) are from Kingston, ON to Montréal, QC along both shores of the the St.
Lawrence River; and to Ottawa, ON along both sides of the Rideau Canal. This guide, like
his other tour guides, is written so that a cyclist can travel in either direction,
clockwise or counter clockwise around the Lake.
He has written 5 bicycle tour guides on the routes circumnavigating the
Great Lakes (Lakes Ontario, Erie, Michigan, Huron & Superior); a bike tour guide to
the 11New York State Finger Lakes and one for the Erie Canal & New York State Canal
System as well as a general bicycle touring manual.
Since 1994, Harvey has compiled and maintained the "Major Bicycle
Events in New York State" list which is used by the New York Bicycling Coalition and
many bicycle clubs.
Harvey has gobs and gobs of information which he will
readily share. He can be reached at www.cyclotour.com ; cyclotour@cyclotour.com ; PO Box
10585, Rochester NY 14610.
Cycling Shoes Tragedy
by Harvey Botzman
I finally bought a new pair of cycling shoes. The old pair had seen
their day. The leather could best be described as subtly soft with relative stiffness. The
stitching around the upper had strands sticking up like the wisps of newly cut hair on my
bald pate. Like a well broken in saddle this pair of shoes caressed my toes, my arch, my
heel. The indentations on the inner and middle sole matched the contours of my feet. Ah!
The comfort of my feet as the pedals go round and round.
Without even tying the laces these wonders stayed on my feet far finer
than tuxedo slippers or old Birkenstock sandals with their indentations for toes, heel and
exodations for the arch.
With much trepidation I began to search for a replacement pair of these
comfortable carressors of my toes. I really didn't expect to find the same model of shoe.
After all I had bought them on sale at the bargain table for $19.95 when the list price
was $89.95. I hadn't seen these shoes on shelves for over two years. The last time I saw
this model of shoes was six months after I made my purchase.
"May I help you?"
"I'm just looking for new cycling shoes."
"Have you tried our bicycle department? You look like a runner or
bike racer! Would you like to see some sneakers? Your size?"
"I tour, long distance tour. `Round the Great Lakes, the Erie
Canal, down both coasts. No, this is the right section, here in the hiking shoe
area," as I lifted up my leg, crocking it at the knee and then fully extending my leg
showing the sales person my beautiful shoes.
His disdain for the coverings on my feet was subdued but obvious. To
further enhance the point that I really didn't want to give these wonders up to an unknown
entity, I curled my toes backward and pushed the heel forward to expose the almost flat
sole to him.
In some societies that very action of exhibiting the soles of my feet
would be cause for inter-family, town or ethnic group demands for a formal apology. Here
in the United States the salesperson did not even flinch at my soles' holes. It mattered
little that I had a smooth sole where once had been a defined mountain bike tread.
I tried on a few pair. Some had a sole so large that they would never
fit in toe clips. Others had a metal rivet for shoe laces which instantly said, "pain
on toes." Other shoes had fabric on the toe rather than a smooth area there. The
stitching would fray with just a few rubs on the clips. Of course none had a place for
clipless cleats. I wasn't searching for a clipless cycling shoe.
Off I went to search the bicycle shops.
Wonderful shoes at each of the shops. Fine racing shoes which looked
and felt like ballet slippers; Mt. bike shoes with water proof fabric inserts; touring
shoes with hook and loop closures; most with inserts for clipless pedals. Including sale
price shoes there was something for everyone, except me.
Alas, none which met the fit or style of the old beloved toe lovers.
"I'm just too demanding," I thought to myself. "You'll
never find this shoe again. They aren't made any more. Just buy a pair. Your foot will
conform to the shoe in a few weeks and they'll be like the old shoes." I resisted the
temptation.
I looked over my worn out cycling shoes. "What made these shoes so
comfortable and fine a cycling shoe?" The nubuck leather upper with holes along the
side. The Gore-Tex fabric. Laces. The 3 inch height under the ankle but higher in the back
and top of the laces. Padded tongue. The support strapping on the sides (its really not
just a "manufacturer" signature design thingie.) The flexible midsole; solid
bottom sole and soft lined inner sole. The rounded corners of the tread. A heel counter.
All of these things.
I wrote the manufacturer. "Sorry we do not make these anymore and
we do not resurrect old shoe designs," they answered.
I wrote them again. Same answer.
I went to a big box store and purchased an off the rack pair of $19.95
hiking shoes. They work, but not like those original SingleTrack cycling shoes.
When you find a pair of cycling shoes which fit you perfectly, purchase
two or three pair because you'll never find them again. If you alternate using the pairs
of shoes you'll probably have all three pair forever. Cycling shoes last a long time. Your
feet will smile for just as long.
©c. Harvey Botzman, 1997, 2005. Cyclotour Guide Books,
http://www.cyclotour.com , cyclotour@cyclotour.com .
Mr. Botzman has written 7 books on cyclotouring: Long
Distance Bicycle Touring Primer, 'Round Lake Ontario: A Bicyclist's Tour Guide, 'Round
Lake Erie: A Bicyclist's Tour Guide, 'Round Lake Michigan: A Bicyclist's Tour Guide,
'Round Lake Huron: A Bicyclist's Tour Guide, Erie Canal Bicyclist & Hiker Tour Guide,
and Finger Lakes Bicyclist's Tour Guide. Each tour guide contains mi. x mi. (km. x
km.) route distances & directions both clockwise and counter clockwise; information
sources, lodging, attractions, and services listings. Information on these books is
available from: Cyclotour Guide Books, PO Box 10585, Rochester, NY 14610; tel.: 585
244-6157; www.cyclotour.com ; cyclotour@cyclotour.com
Harvey Botzman is an member of the Rochester (NY) Bicycling Club.
Harvey has gobs and gobs of information which he will readily
share. He can be reached at PO Box 10585, Rochester, NY 14610; via e-mail:
cyclotour@cyclotour.com , www.cyclotour.com , & telephone, 585 244-6157.
Adventure From The Bronx
by Harvey Botzman
"David, Larry, Barry, Rich and I are biking to the Zoo and Botanical Gardens
tomorrow. We'll be gone all day, so I'll need some lunch," I announced that fateful
evening. My allowance was already in my pocket. To my parents this wasn't a startling
pronouncement, the five of us had done this before.
Our parents saw a day spent at the Zoo and Gardens as a perfect way to
get the five of us outdoors and into a country like setting. Far different from
Parkchester and after all, the Zoo and Gardens were educational, a vital factor in any
activity for middle class kids growing up in the Bronx.
At 11 years old I was the youngest member of the group. Although the
other four were just six months or so older than me, they were already in 7th grade, I was
just in sixth grade. Since I lived on the north end of Parkchester I went to the new PS
127 and they to JHS 36 (I think that was the school number). The age and school did not
matter. We knew each other from synagogue and our parents' friendship.
To me, the bicycle was my means of escaping the controlling atmosphere
of Parkchester. A secure place where the grass was chained off from my Keds. A small town
atmosphere in the largest city in the USA. Where neighbors watched out for the kids,
ostensibly to make certain they were not getting hurt. To an 11 year old, the neighbors
were really watching you to make certain that any transgression was instantly reported to
your parents. Besides, riding a bicycle on Parkchester's walkways and down its broad
stairs was no longer exciting. The thrill of exploration was accomplished. All the
walkways, stairs and ovals had felt the rubber of my tires.
As any 11 or 12 year old, then or now, will not tell you, a trip such
as we planned is not something you tell your parents you are going to do. It is a secret
experience of exploration; proof of your independence; an accomplishment to revel over
your friends and your siblings; but most of all, proof that you can do anything. If your
parents knew your plans the verbal blocks would be raised. "It's too long a ride. How
will you get back? "Take more food [than you really want to take]. Don't forget your
jacket." Succumbing to their protests and pleadings would derail the adventure.
We knew the dam existed. All five of us had traveled the Parkway system
to Bear Mountain for picnics with our parents or with the youth group. "Robert Moses
was a genius for building this Parkway. Look there is a walking path along it. Beautiful
isn't it." My father would point out as I sat in the back seat wondering if I could
bicycle the length of Mr. Moses' road. It took me quite a while to realize that 9 year
olds fantasy.
We met that Spring morning at the corner of Unionport Road and Tremont
Avenue. The north western edge of Parkchester. Powering the bikes across
cobblestone, trolley tracked Tremont Avenue; over the New Haven Railroad bridge and down
the slope to where Unionport Road becomes White Plains Road. A ride we had done many
times. It was early and few cars were on the road. Five abreast we dominated the
roadway. Past Morris Park Avenue and to the secret entrance to the Parkway Path behind the
IRT's Bronx Park Station.
The Bronx Zoo was accessible through a secret entrance but we past it
by. The Botanical Gardens was a diversion but bikes were not allowed. Our mission would
not be deterred by the Bronx and its attractions. At 241st St. the El was outside of our
realm.
"ENTERING YONKERS," the sign stated.
"Yonkers, we're going wrong!" One of the adventurers shouted
and we stopped to figure out if we were on the right path. Our sense of geography and
political borders was rudimentary at best.
"How could we be wrong, we're following the Parkway. It goes to
the Dam!"
We ate chocolate bars and drank some water from our canteens. Those big
metal baskets on the front of our bikes held all the goodies.
It was late morning and getting hot. Jackets had been off for a quite a
while. Dungarees were sweaty on our bottoms. Uncomfortable but admit the discomfort,
never! Tired? Never!
We were still riding rapidly. Talking about our adventure. We rode
though Tuckahoe and stopped at Scarsdale to eat our lunch, peanut butter sandwiches.
Friendly people, just like the Bronx but dressed as if they were going downtown (Manhattan
in New York City).
"Where are you boys riding to?" the well dressed man asked.
"The Dam!" proudly we responded in unison.
"It's a long way. You're very young and small to take such a long
trip. There's a telephone near the railroad station to call your parents."
"We can do it." Our in unison response reverberated through
the trees. Each of us were thinking, "adults don't like adventures. They'll block
your way every time."
We mounted our bikes without delay. We didn't want some adult to stop
our trip by forcing us to call our parents.
The apartment buildings had brown painted lines on them. Little did we
know it was a style of architecture. They were simply the buildings where rich people
lived. The private houses were big. The railroad train stations looked like the stations
in the movies. We really didn't look at those villages along the way. We had a goal in
mind, spirit and muscles.
By early afternoon we reached the Dam. A goal met. An adventure
completed.
For an hour or so we wandered under the masonry wall, slept a bit on
the grass and then started the long trip back.
I continued to have bicycling adventures. Crossing the George
Washington Bridge to New Jersey and riding north on top of the Hudson River's Palisades.
Going to Manhattan and Queens in New York City via the Triboro Bridge and Randalls Island.
Once I hitched a ride across the Whitestone Bridge to Queens and traversed Long Island to
go to Jones Beach. But never did I venture to Brooklyn!
© Harvey Botzman, 1997, 2000, 2005. Cyclotour Guide Books, http://www.cyclotour.com
, cyclotour@cyclotour.com .
Mr. Botzman is the author of 8 bicycle touring guide books: Erie
Canal Bicyclist and Hiker Tour Guide, `Round Lake Erie: A Bicyclist's Tour Guide; `Round
Lake Ontario: A Bicyclist's Tour Guide; `Round Lake Michigan: A Bicyclist's Tour Guide;
'Round Lake Huron: A Bicyclist's Tour Guide; 'Round Lake Superior: A Bicyclist's Tour
Guide and Long Distance Bicycle Touring Primer. He can be reached at PO Box
10585, Rochester, NY 14610; Tel.: 585 244-6157; www.cyclotour.com ;
cyclotour@cyclotour.com
Originally published in Back in The Bronx Magazine, PO
Box 141H, Scarsdale, NY 10583; 800 7BRONX5; www.backinthebronx.com ; November, 1997. Steve
& Susan Samtur, Editors.
Bicycle Touring in the United States and Canada
by Harvey Botzman
cyclotour@cyclotour.com
GENERAL STATEMENT
The United States of America (USA) and Canada are automobile societies.
That said, you should know that the bicycle tourist has an advantage. Almost all North
Americans admire and envy bicycle tourists. They know who your are by your loaded
panniers!
North American drivers treat bicycle tourists differently from the
local bicyclist. They move away from you on the road, stop to ask if you need directions,
and sometimes offer their backyard for your tent. Their secret fantasy is, "I always
wanted to go on a long bicycle trip."
This article is not intended to tell you everything about bicycle
touring in North America. Just some information which folks from other nations whom I have
met along the road would have found helpful before they left to tour North America. Among
other things it does not cover bicycle touring in Mexico.
SAFETY
Although adults are not required to wear helmets, you should always
wear a helmet. American cars are large and vehicle drivers are not used to seeing a
smaller vehicle, a bicycle, on the road. "If you have nothing to lose, do not wear a
helmet."
Throughout North America your bicycle must be equipped with reflectors
(front & rear) and a white front light at night. A flashing rear red light will help
make you more visible. Turning on the the flashing rear red light during the day is a good
way to force a motorist to pay attention to your positon on the roadway. In mountainous
areas and along the Pacific Ocean coast bicycle route where there are tunnels a flashing
front yellow light is used by bicyclists when going through the tunnel. This is in
addition to using a non-flashing white light.
In Canada and many USA states you must have an audible signaling
device.
ROADWAY RULES
Bicycles are considered as vehicles in the USA and Canada. This means
that bicycles can ride on almost any road (limited access highways being the major
exception).
Bicyclists must obey all traffic laws, rules and regulations.
Bicyclists ride with traffic. In North America we operate
vehicles (including bicycles) on the right side of the roadway. This does not mean you
must be at the extreme right side of the road. It simply means you must bicycle with the
flow of traffic. Bicyclists generally ride single file rather than side by side.
Many USA & Canadian automobile drivers were taught to
"honk" (blow their horns) to let the bicyclist know that an auto is behind them.
Do not take offense. The auto driver is really saying, "I don't want to hit you. I
can not judge the distance between my car and your bicycle so I'm letting you know I'm
behind you."
Occasionally it means get off the road you slow moving idiot and is
accompanied by an obscene gesture, a raised middle finger. If this happens to you,
remember the license plate number and report the incident to a police officer. Every State
and Province has laws against harassing bicyclists. Do not, under any circumstances,
engage a harassing vehicle driver in a discussion. Road rage (violent responses to road
incidents) are rare but do occur.
MAPS AND ROAD DISTANCE INDICATORS
Distances on USA maps and roadway signs are indicated in miles.
Distances on Canadian maps and roadway signs are indicated in kilometers. Rarely are
conversions from one measurement system to the other provided. Bring a calculator with a
conversion function.
TOURING CONSIDERATIONS
1. Determine what you want to see or do. Do not limit yourself to the
most well known tourist attractions. There are wonderful sights, excellent bicycling
conditions and friendly folks in Arkansas, South Dakota, New York State, Nebraska, New
Mexico, Oregon and other States in the USA; Nova Scotia, Ontario, Alberta, British
Columbia and other Provinces in Canada.
2. North America is a big continent. Do not think that you can see all
of it in 2 weeks or even 2 years. Crossing the continent in less than 90 days and actually
experiencing the beauty of the land; the cities, the commercial attractions; and the
people is an impossibility. First consider how much time you have to bicycle tour.
You will have a more enjoyable tour of North America by limiting the
total distance you will travel within the time period you will be traveling.
Examples:
If you have 14 days of holiday and you want to experience National
Parks such as Grand Canyon (USA) or Jasper (Canada) do not get off the plane in New York
City and start pedaling! Take a flight to Phoenix, Arizona or Regina, Saskatchewan and
begin bicycling from there.
But if you have 14 days of holiday and want to experience
"wilderness" you can easily go to the Great Lakes area of North America from
Niagara Falls/Buffalo, New York; Chicago, Illinois in the USA or Toronto in Canada. From
these locations you will be able to go into wilderness areas along the shores of Lakes
Michigan, Huron or Superior (the northern shore of Superior is almost all wilderness).
Plan your trip to North America so that you arrive at one city but
leave from another. This will probably mean an extra airline charge. It also means that
you will not have to back track on your bicycle tour or take public transportation back to
an airport 3100 kilometers from the place you are at the day before your plane leaves to
take you home.
3. Weather
There are good times of the year to bicycle tour and there are not so
good times to bicycle tour in each region of North America. Extreme weather conditions -
tornadoes, hurricanes, etc. - and not so extreme conditions - snow, rain - usually occur
at specific times of the year and are very localized. Don't worry about the extremes but
consider the general climate conditions where you will be touring.
Many of the weather web sites for North America have monthly
charts for temperature (in degrees C & F) and precipatation (in inches and mm.) for
most areas of the continent.
Tourism web sites provide basic climate
information in metric measurements in Canada; American measurements the USA.
4. Language
English is the language of choice for the USA and Canada except in
Québec, Canada. It may be difficult for you to find someone who speaks a language other
than English. North Americans are very friendly. They will try to "figure out"
(determine) what you are talking about in your own language but don't be surprised if they
talk very loudly to you. They'll confuse not hearing with not understanding.
Many official tourism web sites have been translated into
German, French, Spanish, and Japanese. Look for a flag of those those nations for the
translated text.
It would help to know about 200 basic English words.
5. Public Transportation
The railway system in the USA is named, Amtrak; in Canada it is
VIARail. The major inter-city bus company in the USA is Greyhound; in Canada it is
Greyhound-Canada. There are other bus and railway companies which have trains and buses
which travel between major cities. Sometimes the tickets from one company are accepted by
another company; other times they are not accepted and you will have to pay an additional
fare. There are many airlines traversing the continent.
On most railway trains, inter-city buses and all airlines in the USA,
bicycles must be boxed to be transported between cities.
In the USA, Amtrak stations (only those with checked baggage
service) may stock bicycle boxes. No bus terminals stock bicycle boxes.
In Canada, some VIARail stations stock bicycle boxes. However
some VIARail trains allow unboxed bicycles to be transported during non-rush hours. You
must go to the VIARail web site and ask about a specific train.
Greyhound-Canada, Ontario-Northland and some other Canadian bus
lines use specially designed very large plastic bags for transporting bicycles in their
baggage holds. You must ask and make certain that these bags are available at the bus
terminal least 3 days before transporting your bicycle by bus. These bags fold up
into a small cylinder and can be reused many times.
Fortunately for bicyclists large boxes are freely available at
grocery stores. Using tape, you can make a very sturdy bicycle box when one is not
available from a bike store or public transportation company.
Amtrak, VIARail, Greyhound, and Greyhound Canada have special low cost
travel passes for visitors from other nations. You may have to purchase these passes in
your nation before arriving in North America. Check these transportation companies web
sites or consult with a travel agent. Using a combination of public transportation and
bike touring you will be able to experience more of North America.
Bicycle racks are an increasingly popular feature on municipal and
rural buses. E. g., The local buses traveling along the Pacific Ocean
coast bicycle route in Washington State and Oregon have bike racks as do those in the
Finger Lakes area of New York State; and in Montréal, Québec and Toronto, Ontario,
Canada.
Most subway (Metro, Underground) and commuter rail lines allow
bicycles on their facilities during non-rush hours. A no charge or low fee life time
permit is usually necessary. No permit, no problem; just tell the fare collector that you
are from another nation and they'll graciously accommodate you!
6. Information Sources
The United States is divided into political units called States. Canada
is divided into political units called Provinces. Within the States or Provinces are
counties, regions, and municipalities (cities, villages). Fortunately for the bicyclist
almost all of these units have tourist offices which will be overjoyed to provide you will
all sorts of information free of charge. Always request a map.
Do not expect many tourist organizations to have bicycle touring
information. Ask for it anyway. Rarely are bike shops listed in tourist brochures. You
will have to use a telephone book to locate a bike shop.
A list of official State and Provincial tourist organizations and their
web site addresses is at the end of this article.
7. Bicycle Maps & Tour Books
State/Provincial road maps suitable for motorists use a map scale which
is too large for bicyclists to use. Local maps available from smaller governmental units
and in most local gas stations, groceries and book stores are ideal for bicyclists.
Unfortunately you will probably have to wait until you arrive in that locality to obtain a
local map.
It is sometimes difficult to locate a bicycle tour guide book which is
appropriate for the area you want to tour. Many of the web sites on our list, provide a
list of bicycle resources for their area. Most bicycle tour guide books for North
American areas are written by self-published authors. Go to a major North
American online book store (Barnes and Noble (bn.com), Books in Print (bip.com), Book
Sense, Amazon, or Chapters; search their databases for bicycle tour guides for the area
you will be touring. Then use a general search engine (Google, Alltheweb, Yahoo, or MSN)
to find the author or publisher's web. You will be able to directly contact the author.
The author usually will answer questions without charge.
It is expensive to ship books and maps from North America to other
nations. Additionally, the exchange rate might deter you from purchasing tour guides and
maps before you leave home. You can reduce this cost by having the book shipped to the
first lodging you will be staying at in the United States or Canada with a "hold
until guest arrives" on the envelope.
This article is already too long and you want to plan your tour in
North America! After determining where you want to bicycle tour in North America, search
the relevant web sites from the list. If you have any questions, contact the author,
Harvey Botzman via e-mail cyclotour@cyclotour.com; from his web site:
http://www.cyclotour.com; or by post: PO Box 10585, Rochester NY 14610, USA.
© c. Harvey Botzman, 2000, 2005. Cyclotour Guide Books,
http://www.cyclotour.com , cyclotour@cyclotour.com To reproduce this article you
must include the the copyright notice and how to contact Mr. Botzman. Please send Mr.
Botzman a copy of the printed article; or the location of the article on the web.
Mr. Botzman is the author of 8 bicycle tour guide books:
`Round Lake Ontario: A Bicyclist's Tour Guide; Erie Canal Bicyclist and Hiker Tour Guide;
`Round Lake Erie: A Bicyclist's Tour Guide; `Round Lake Michigan: A Bicyclist's Tour
Guide; 'Round Lake Huron: A Bicyclist's Tour Guide; 'Round Lake Superior: A Bicyclist's
Tour Guide; and Long Distance Bicycle Touring Primer. He can be reached at
PO Box 10585, Rochester, NY 14610; Tel.: 585 244-6157; www.cyclotour.com ;
cyclotour@cyclotour.com
Cyclotour Guide Books distributes bicycle tour guide
books and maps for the cross the North American continent's Lewis & Clark
Bicycle Trail and for bicycling in the Vermont/New Hampshire area; bicycle maps for
Massachusetts; bicycle & waterways guides for France's Canal System; bicycle touring
New Zealand; and other areas.
State & Provincial Tourism
Departments
and Departments of Transportation (DOT)
Researched & Compiled by Harvey Botzman
Updated June 11, 2005.
Only the official State or Provincial web site is listed.
Only those State Department of Transportation (DOT) or Department of
Natural Resources which have good bicycle touring information are listed.
You may have to search for bicycle pages on a site. Sometimes there is
a picture of a bicycle sometimes you'll have to use the site's search engine and enter
bicycling, bicycle, cycling, recreation or outdoor recreation. Doing this you will be well
rewarded with information on how to obtain bicycle maps and bike routes within State or
Province.
Always ask for bicycle maps and information.
Very few USA State web sites are written in any language other
than English. All Canadian web sites are written in both English and French.
USA States
Alabama: www.touralabama.org
Alaska: www.travelalaska.com
Alaska DOT: www.dot.state.ak.us
Arizona: www.arizonaguide.com
Arizona DOT: www.dot.state.az.us
Arkansas: www.arkansas.com
Arkansas DOT: www.ahtd.state.ar.us
California: www.gocalif.com
California DOT: www.dot.ca.gov/
Colorado: www.colorado.com
Colorado DOT: www.dot.state.co.us
Connecticut: www.ctvisit.com
Connecticut DOT: www.ct.gov/dot/bureau/pp/docs/bike/index.html
Delaware: www.visitdelaware.net
Delaware DOT: www.deldot.net
District of Columbia: Washington (capital of USA), www.washington.org
Florida: www.flausa.com
Florida DOT: www.dot.state.fl.us/safety
Georgia: www.georgia.org/tourism/index.html
Georgia DOT: www.dot.state.ga.us
Hawaii: www.gohawaii.com
Hawaii DOT: www.state.hi.us/dot/highways/other.htm
Idaho: www.visitid.org
Idaho DOT: www.itd.idaho.gov/bike_ped/
Illinois: www.enjoyillinois.com
Illinois DOT: www.dot.state.il.us/bikemap/bikehome.htm
Indiana: www.enjoyindiana.com
Indiana DOT: www.in.gov/dot/modetrans/bicycle/
Iowa: www.traveliowa.com
Iowa DOT: http://www.iowabikes.com/
Kansas: www.travelks.com
Kansas DOT: www.ksdot.org/burrail/bike/biking/KsBicyGuid.asp
Kentucky: www.kytourism.com
Kentucky DOT:
http://transportation.ky.gov/Multimodal/bicycle.asp
Louisiana: www.louisianatravel.com
Louisiana DOT: www.dotd.state.la.us
Maine: www.visitmaine.com
Maine DOT: www.maine.gov/portal/travel/transportation/bicycling.html
Maryland: www.mdisfun.org
Maryland: www.sha.state.md.us/exploremd/bicyclists/OPPE/bicyclists.asp
Massachusetts: www.mass-vacation.com
Massachusetts DOT: www.mhd.state.ma.us (Rubel Massachusetts Bike Maps are sold by Cyclotour
Guide Books)
Michigan: www.michigan.org
Michigan DOT: www.michigan.gov/mdot
Minnesota: www.exploreminnesota.com
Minnesota DOT: www.dot.state.mn.us/bike.html
Mississippi: www.visitmississippi.org
Mississippi DOT: www.mdot.state.ms.us/bicycling
Missouri: www.missouritourism.org
Missouri DOT: www.modot.state.mo.us/othertransportation
Montana: www.visitmt.com
Montana DOT: www.mdt.state.mt.us/tranplan/bikeped/bicycle.shtml
Nebraska: www.visitnebraska.org
Nebraska DOR: www.dor.state.ne.us
Nevada: www.travelnevada.com
Nevada DOT: www.bicyclenevada.com
New Hampshire: www.visitnh.gov
New Hampshire DOT: www.state.nh.us/dot/nhbikeped/
New Jersey: www.visitnj.org
New Jersey DOT: www.state.nj.us/transportation/commuter/bike
New Mexico: www.newmexico.org
New Mexico DOT: www.nmshtd.state.nm.us
New York State: www.iloveny.com (Cyclotour Guide Books has 4 bike touring books
for New York State)
New York State DOT: www.dot.state.ny.us/pubtrans/bphome.html
North Carolina: www.visitnc.com
North Carolina DOT: www.dot.state.nc.us/transit/bicycle/
North Dakota: www.ndtourism.com
North Dakota Parks: www.ndparks.com/Trails/biking.htm
Ohio: www.ohiotourism.com
Ohio DOT: www.dot.state.oh.us/bike/default.htm
Oklahoma: www.travelok.com
Oregon: www.traveloregon.com
Oregon DOT: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/BIKEPED/
Pennsylvania: www.visitpa.com
Pennsylvania DOT: http://www.dot.state.pa.us/bike/web/index.htm
Puerto Rico: www.meetpuertorico.com
Rhode Island: www.visitrhodeisland.com
Rhode Island DOT: http://www.dot.state.ri.us/bikeri/
South Carolina: www.discoversouthcarolina.com
South Carolina DOT:
www.scdot.org/getting/BikePed/BP_default.shtml
South Dakota: www.travelsd.com
South Dakota DOT: www.sddot.com
Tennessee: www.tnvacation.com
Tennesee DOT: www.tdot.state.tn.us/bikeroutes/default.htm
Texas: www.traveltex.com
Utah: www.utah.com
Utah DOT: www.dot.state.ut.us
Vermont: www.vermontvacation.com
Vermont AT: http://www.aot.state.vt.us/Bicycle.htm
Virginia: www.virginia.org
Virginia DOT: www.virginiadot.org
Washington State: www.experiencewashington.com
Washington State DOT: www.wsdot.wa.gov/bike
West Virginia: www.wvtourism.com
Wisconsin: www.travelwisconsin.com
Wisconsin DOT: www.dot.wisconsin.gov/modes/bicycles.htm
Wyoming: www.wyomingtourism.org
Wyoming DOT: http://dot.state.wy.us
Canada Provinces
Alberta: www.travelalberta.com
British Columbia: www.hellobc.com
Manitoba: www.travelmanitoba.com
New Brunswick: www.tourismnbcanada.com
Newfoundland & Labrador: www.gov.nf.ca/tourism
Northwest Territories: www.explorenwt.com
Nova Scotia: www.novascotia.com
Nunavut: www.nunavut.com
Ontario: www.ontariotravel.net
Prince Edward Island: www.gov.pe.ca/visitorsguide/
Québec: www.bonjourquebec.com
Saskatchewan: www.sasktourism.com
Yukon: www.touryukon.com
© Harvey Botzman, 2000, 2005. Cyclotour Guide Books, http://www.cyclotour.com
, cyclotour@cyclotour.com
To reproduce this article you must include the the copyright notice and
how to contact Mr. Botzman. Please send Mr. Botzman a copy of the printed article;
or the location of the article on the web.
Mr. Botzman is the author of 8 bicycle touring guide books:
`Round Lake Ontario: A Bicyclist's Tour Guide; Erie Canal Bicyclist and Hiker Tour Guide,
`Round Lake Erie: A Bicyclist's Tour Guide; `Round Lake Michigan: A Bicyclist's Tour
Guide; 'Round Lake Huron: A Bicyclist's Tour Guide; 'Round Lake Superior: A Bicyclist's
Tour Guide (2008); and Long Distance Bicycle Touring Primer. He can be reached a ;
www.cyclotour.com; cyclotour@cyclotour.com; PO Box 10585, Rochester NY 14610; Tel.: [USA
country code] + 585 244-6157
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