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
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