Your July 2026 Member Newsletter
Hello,
This July you’re hearing from me, Maria, because Jess, who usually writes these newsletters, is currently somewhere on the Great Divide. She’s probably climbing a mountain pass, eating snacks, and carrying her favorite luxury item: Crocs.
I joined Adventure Cycling’s communications team this spring, and bikes have been part of my life since childhood in Colombia. These days I’m riding around Austin, Texas, usually headed toward Barton Springs to cool off. July is a huge month for Adventure Cycling as we celebrate our Golden Jubilee, so let’s jump in!
50 Years in the Making
Our editor-in-chief Nick Hunt has assembled a special 50th Anniversary retrospective featuring archival magazine stories, historic Bikecentennial memories, artwork from original ’76 rider Judy Cureton, and some retro merchandise well worth a look.
The Dots Are Moving
Ambassadors and Drop-in Riders are out on the Golden Gravel Trail, the Great Divide, and the TransAmerica Trail right now. Follow along on our dotwatching map, powered by our friends at Follow My Challenge.
Ryan Van Duzer is officially underway after a last-minute bike shipping hiccup rerouted his start to Whitefish, Montana. Follow along: @duzer
Trip Longer, the Canadian duo behind more than 100,000 km of bike travel, are riding the Great Divide before taking on the Golden Gravel Trail. Follow them: @trip.longer
Meaghan Hackinen is coming off a record-breaking Tour Divide victory and will soon be riding the Golden Gravel Trail, with meetup opportunities planned along the way. Follow her: @meaghanhackinen
A New Historical Marker
Earlier this month, a Virginia Historical Marker was unveiled along Catawba Road in Daleville, Virginia, honoring Botetourt County’s place on the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail.
Jennifer Paulson-Lee and her husband Will own 73 acres along the Blue Ridge, sitting between the Appalachian Trail and the TransAm. A few years ago, Jennifer noticed the Bikecentennial ’76 signs along her road and had no idea what they were. She researched them, discovered the TransAm, and decided the route deserved to be properly marked. It took her two years to navigate the Virginia Department of Historic Resources process, and she and her husband funded the marker themselves.
It’s believed to be the first marker of its kind along the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail. Two original 1976 Bikecentennial riders attended the ceremony alongside representatives from Adventure Cycling, Virginia Tech, the Botetourt County Historical Society, and the Chamber of Commerce.
The ceremony also featured the unveiling of a new USBR 76 Resting Bench, created by local artists at Lift Arc Studios and funded in part through Virginia Tech. Together, the marker and bench create a meaningful stop along one of the country’s most iconic cycling routes.
Campfire Chats: Two Great Ones Coming Up
Advocacy 101: How Outdoor Recreation Advocates for Public Lands and Trails
Taylor Rogers, Ellie Zachary, & Jeffrey Mizell
July 15, 2026 | 5:00 PM Mountain Time
Guided Tour Spots Just Opened Up
A few discounted spots have opened up on upcoming guided tours. If you’ve been on the fence, now’s a great time.
Pacific Coast Epic (with van support) has 5 spots available, Sept 5 – Oct
15. 300 off.
Red Meadow Ramble (self-contained ) has 5 spots available, Sept 3 – 6.
$200 off.
Interested in Natchez Trace Fall, Michigan Lakes, or Katy Trail Fall? Those tours are working through waitlists for freshly opened slots.
Email tours@adventurecycling.org to put your name on the list!
Routes Survey — Closes July 31
Help shape the future of Adventure Cycling’s route network. Our 2026 Routes Survey is now open through July 31.
TransAm Express Visits the Office
Riders on our TransAm Express guided tour recently stopped at Adventure Cycling headquarters, where Geoff led them on a tour of the office. They also got a little extra history courtesy of Dan and Lys Burden, who shared stories from the Bikecentennial era that no archive can quite replicate.
2025 Impact Report
2025 was a busy year in the best possible way. We launched two new free routes, completed the Golden Gravel Trail, our longest gravel route ever, welcomed more than 500 riders on guided tours, and celebrated another 810.7 miles added to the U.S. Bicycle Route System. Through it all, 18,152 members made that work possible.
We’re excited to keep building on that momentum as we head into our next 50 years.
That’s all for now! Jess will be back in August and we are sure she will have plenty of fresh gravel on her tires and lots of stories to share with us.
Maria