For early June: the biggest weekend of bicycle travel, celebrating 40 years of Adventure Cycling Association, surpasses 800 trips and  10,000 participants -- and the numbers are growing.

MISSOULA, MT, May 18, 2016 — Adventure Cycling Association’s upcoming National Bike Travel Weekend (June 3 - 5), a do-it-yourself weekend of bicycle travel, has exceeded 800 trips in over a dozen countries and all 50 states with more than 10,000 participants.

The National Bike Travel Weekend registration form and an interactive map of trips are available at BikeTravelWeekend.org. The website includes resources to inspire adventurers and information on how to connect with over 200 ambassadors from 46 states and Washington D.C. for bike travel advice.

“Our goal is to inspire new and experienced bike travelers alike to enjoy a one- or two-night bicycle trip with thousands of other riders throughout North America on the same weekend,” said Jim Sayer, executive director of Adventure Cycling Association. “National Bike Travel Weekend is for big groups, small groups and solo bike travelers. It can be one night or two nights, travelers can sleep outside or indoors, and the distance covered can be five to 100 miles—whatever works for you.”

Everyone who registered before May 16 was entered into a drawing to win a custom-painted and designed Salsa Marrakesh touring bicycle. The first 500 people to register their trips received an Adventure Cycling keychain; everyone who registers will receive a National Bike Travel Weekend sticker.

For those wishing to organize and promote trips, sharing and media tools are available, including the National Bike Travel Weekend logo, sample social media posts and images, a template press release/ newsletter article, and a downloadable fill-in-the-blanks poster. The National Bike Travel Weekend hashtag is #biketravelweekend.

The inaugural National Bike Travel Weekend is being launched as part of Adventure Cycling’s 40th anniversary celebration in 2016. Adventure Cycling was founded as Bikecentennial and started as a 4,250-mile TransAmerica Trail bicycle ride with over 4,100 participants in the summer of 1976.

In addition to National Bike Travel Weekend, Adventure Cycling will celebrate its anniversary with two other major events. The Montana Bicycle Celebration, July 15 - 17, will include bike rides and social events with nationally acclaimed speakers, music, art, film and Bikecentennial reunions in Missoula, Montana, the home of Adventure Cycling’s headquarters. Tickets are available at adventurecycling.org/MTBikeCelebration. Bike Your Park Day on September 24 will celebrate the National Park Service’s centennial and National Public Lands Day with DIY rides in national parks, state parks and other public lands. Registration at BikeYourParkDay.org.

Generous sponsors of Adventure Cycling’s 40th anniversary include Raleigh Bicycles and the Montana Department of Commerce at the Big Wheel level; Salsa Cycles and Advocate Cycles at the Top Tube level; Primal Wear, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, Visit Mississippi, Travel Oregon, and Visit Idaho at the Hub level; and Osprey Packs, Experience Plus!, Destination Missoula, and the Missoulian at the Spokes level.

For more information about Adventure Cycling’s 40th anniversary visit http://www.adventurecycling.org/40th

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Adventure Cycling Association inspires and empowers people to travel by bicycle. It is the largest cycling membership organization in North America with more than 50,000 members. Adventure Cycling produces cycling routes and maps for North America, organizes more than 100 tours and leadership courses annually, and publishes the best bicycle-travel information anywhere, including Adventure Cyclist magazine. With over 45,000 meticulously mapped miles in the Adventure Cycling Route Network, Adventure Cycling gives cyclists the tools and confidence to create their own bike-travel adventures. Phone: 800-755-BIKE (2453). Web: www.adventurecycling.org.

CONTACT

Lisa McKinney, Communications Director

lmckinney@adventurecycling.org

Direct: (406) 532-2759 / Twitter: @advcyclingassoc

IMAGES & INTERVIEWS

Download web-ready photos here. Download event logo. For high-res images, or to arrange an interview, please contact Lisa McKinney.

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Over 10,000 adventurers will participate in National Bike Travel Weekend, June 3 - 5!  http://bit.ly/1X09Put #biketravelweekend

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Don’t miss the largest cycling weekend! Adventure Cycling Association wants you to gather up your family, friends, bike clubs, youth groups or adventure buddies, and go on a bike overnight to your favorite campground, park, public land, hotel, cabin, B & B, hostel, or friend’s backyard during the first-ever National Bike Travel Weekend, June 3 – 5. Over 800 trips and more than 10,000 people-- and the numbers keep growing-- are registered. Explore the interactive map of National Bike Travel Weekend trips, get inspired, and connect with one of over 200 ambassadors from 46 states and Washington D.C. BikeTravelWeekend.org #biketravelweekend