This is the 435th issue of Bike Bits, Adventure Cycling’s (usually) twice-monthly bicycle bulletin. Bike Bits took some well-deserved time off earlier this month, but we’re back! (Even newsletters need a vacation once in a while.) Bike Bits is delivered to you, and 68,800 other readers, because you’ve signed up for it at the Adventure Cycling Association website. We want to inspire you to dream and to live your own bicycle adventures.

“There is no such joy in the tavern as upon the road thereto.”

Cormac McCarthy

Maps for Map Lovers

As unabashed cartophiles, we’d be remiss if we didn’t share these lovely Tolkien-style maps with you. Read more

Calling All Cyclists

Do you like riding in public lands? Ride any park or public land for Bike Your Park Day on Saturday, September 29. Register by September 23 and you’ll be entered to win a Co-Motion Cycles Divide bike and an Amtrak trip for two to Glacier National Park. Read more

Don’t Worry, Be Happy

Over the past year, the McFerrin family has visited 14 countries, pedaled over 8,700 miles, and educated their kids on the road with lessons in humanity, religion, language, architecture, and war at UNESCO World Heritage Sites, museums, and through daily interactions with everyday people they’ve met along the way. Read about their adventures at the following link. Read more

Get your USBRS in GPS

Thanks to a partnership with Ride with GPS, all U.S. Bicycle Routes are available in a digital format, and files can be easily downloaded from a new interactive map. Read more 

Still Alive

After a car crash nearly killed him, Chase Thurman wanted to regain control of his life. So he rode a bicycle across the country. Read more

The Hunt for New Members is On

During the month of September, anyone who becomes a new member of Adventure Cycling Association will receive a free 2019 Bicycle Travel calendar and entry into a variety of prize raffles, including our Co-Motion Divide bicycle giveaway. If you’re already a member, encourage your nonmember cycling friends to sign up today! Read more

Cycle of Life

If you’re New Zealand’s Associate Transport Minister and an advocate for sustainable travel, how do you get to the hospital to give birth? You ride your bike, of course. Read more

Safety is More than Orange Triangles

Adventure Cycling is kicking off a comprehensive safety initiative. In the coming year, we’re doubling down to make safety an even more important part of our advocacy efforts. We’re over halfway to our goal of $100,000 to kick-start our efforts. Please add your support by September 30 at the following link. Read more

Around the World in [TBD] Days

On June 16, endurance racer Jenny Graham took off on her bicycle from Berlin, Germany, the start of an 18,000-mile ride in an attempt to beat the women’s round-the-world record. Click on the following link to check on her progress. Read more

The Reports of Film’s Death have been Greatly Exaggerated

Riding bikes and paddling kayaks on the Olympic Peninsula, brought to you by 35mm. Read more

Until next time, click here for vicarious adventures in the golden years.

Adventure Cycling Association is North America’s premier nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering people to travel by bicycle. Membership is open to anyone and includes a one-year subscription to Adventure Cyclist magazine and discounted pricing on maps from our Adventure Cycling Route Network, which now includes 47,283 miles. To join, go here.

Illustrations by Greg Siple