This is the 445th issue of Bike Bits, Adventure Cycling’s twice-monthly bicycle bulletin. Bike Bits is delivered to you, and 70,218 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.

“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.”

Edward Abbey

Return to Pearl Pass

More photos from the 1980 Pearl Pass Tour, when the bikes were rigid, the shorts were short, and the mustaches were thick and plentiful. Read more

Exploring the Southern Hebrides

Scotland sounds like the ideal touring destination … except for the midges. Read more

Last Chance to Join Adventure Cycling, Win Great Prizes

Only one week remains in the February Member Drive! Join Adventure Cycling by February 28 to get a free neck wrap, a $10 Cyclosource gift card, and prize giveaways including a chance to win an adventure touring bike from Co-op Cycles. Read more

Remember the Black Cyclone

Marshall “Major” Taylor was the first African American world cycling champion — and died a pauper. Read more 

From the Archive of Awesome Blogs

Relive one woman’s journey from California to Argentina. Read more

You Don’t Need Fancy Stuff to Have Fun

Do you need a bikepacking-specific bike to go bikepacking? Probably not. Read more

Cranking Out the Art

ARTCRANK has handmade, limited-edition prints for those in need of bicycle art. Read more

The Secret’s Out

Want to avoid the throngs of cycle tourists in Kyrgyzstan? Try going in winter. Read more

For the Love of Tools

If you enjoy tinkering with your bike as much as you enjoy riding it, this essay is for you. Read more

Irishman on the American Ultra

Next month, Shane Finn is running and cycling from San Francisco to New York City to raise funds for those who suffer from spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Learn more and donate at the following link. Read more

Hasta la proxima vez, oprima aquí para aventuras vicarias en Cuba.

Adventure Cycling Association is North America’s premier nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring, empowering, and connecting 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