Your October 2026 Member Newsletter
Hey,
It’s me, Josh, your friendly neighborhood Customer Experience expert, filling in for Jess. It’s likely we’ve chatted over the phone or via email about a tour you were dreaming of, whether guided by us or self-guided. If we haven’t talked and you need advice about preparation, planning, route selection, gear, or the best and most readily available instant coffee, I’m your guy (and resident coffee connoisseur).
A thought that comes to the forefront of my mind when summer winds down is why I love human-powered travel so much. Simply put, I think it’s one of the most honest ways to travel. I get where I’m going by my own exertion, overcome the inevitable obstacles that pop up, and expand my worldview by meeting new people, even if for a short time. The personal growth it instills, the deep joy it ushers through my entire being, is the why. But that answer comes up a little short, personally.
World-expansion, personal growth, and understanding people better are meaningful on their own merits, but I’ve realized that deeper meaning blossoms with one additional component.
Community.
The “why” becomes material when I share it, either on the trip or after. The journey becomes profoundly more meaningful when I return changed and pass along that change and experience to others. That deep joy I feel cruising down the road on my bike can, and should, be extended to my community.
So, as fall settles in and bikes get mounted on the trainer, let’s look at what’s going on in the Adventure Cycling community to see where we can realize the joy of bicycle travel together.
One of the best ways to spread the joy of bicycle travel is by experiencing the joy of bicycle travel together!
We just launched our 2027 Guided Tours, featuring a mix of classic tours, exotic specialties, and beginner-friendly or more laid-back trips. While our multi-month and further-flung trips get a lot of attention, I personally love our Self Contained tours like C&O Canal/GAP Spring, Michigan Lakeshore, and Oregon Coastal Loop. They’re some of our most accessible options with easy logistics and approachable terrain, perfect for your first bike tour, inviting your touring-curious friend, or for finding your next touring buddy. Many people go on these trips as their first tour and gain a tremendous amount of experience and confidence so they can plan their own trips in the future.
If you’re a returning ACA Guided Tour rider, be sure to read through our updated payment policies. Some participants have asked why we’ve moved to nonrefundable deposits. Cancellations over the past few years have shown us that some people register for a trip “just in case,” or as one possible option among many, and then cancel right before the refund cutoff, leaving us with open spots that are difficult to refill. In one particular instance, five participants cancelled at the cutoff, and the tour departed half-full. We’ve found that fully-attended tours create the best experience for our riders, so we’ve update our policies to follow industry standards and make full tours more likely.
That said, tours are filling up quickly (thanks for your support!), so look over the options and make your touring plans soon! Register before January 1, 2027, to save $100. Once 2027 hits, prices will go up.
If you’re looking to gather sooner than our 2027 tours, there’s no better option than the Golden October Celebration here in Missoula, Montana. It’ll be a full weekend of mingling with fellow members, meeting the ACA Board of Directors, staff, and founders, celebrating the past 50 years of bike touring, and previewing how we’ll continue to be a driving force in the bicycling world for years to come.
It’s tough to wrangle a community of itinerant travelers, so this is an incredible opportunity to spend time with people who share your passion for bicycle travel. We’ve still got spots available, so clear your calendar, register now (registration closed October 18), and come see us.
October is a beautiful month to be in Missoula. It may be past prime leaf color change, but with our brand-new roof, it’s prime eave color change!
Who knew that changing from brown to black shingles would look so good? We were only able to complete this critical building maintenance with your generous support. We want to keep our home in tip-top shape, so please consider pitching in to keep this amazing spot ready to ride for years to come. (Specifically, our stucco facade and HVAC system need replacing.)
One of the most fun aspects of coming home from adventures is swapping stories and sharing pictures with your fellow adventurers. We’re extra eager to see what you got up to this summer, so submit your best pictures to our annual Bicycle Travel Photo Contest and favorite story to our Adventure Cycling is Everywhere collection. That grueling climb resulting in an otherworldly view; that quirky stranger who becomes a best friend; that unconventional campsite that gave you the best sleep you’ve had in years; show (and tell) our community all about it!
Check out previous photo contest winners and honorable mentions for inspiration, then get your submissions in by the end of the year.
Returning to your community is a wonderful feeling, but I’d argue that an even more rewarding moment arises when you open up and bring people into the fold. Last year, we extended our arms to our northern neighbors in Canada with the Vancouver Crossing Loop. Last week, we continued this effort with the release of our newest route entirely in Canada, the Eastern Canada Route.
Connecting four major, culturally diverse cities via an impressive array of dedicated car-free paths (about 2/3 of the route is away from vehicles), this route offers riders a pleasant passage through both bucolic Canadian countryside communities and bustling population centers. Enjoy some international cuisine and a comfortable hotel bed in town, then ride out of the city for a quiet night amongst the verdant hills. This route keeps the journey interesting and fresh mile after mile. Check it out on our website now and start planning your next Canadian getaway!
Speaking of protecting beautiful places, we’ve been busy this year doing our part to protect and expand the world of bicycle travel across the country.
Check out our updated Advocacy Hub to see what we’ve been up to and how you can get involved. Between sending a letter to your local elected official, submitting a public comment on upcoming public land policy, and completing a rider survey to help expand bicycle service across Amtrak lines, there’s plenty of ways for you to help our community of travelers thrive.
Phew! We’ve got a lot going on in our world, and we’re exceedingly grateful for it. Bikes may be receiving their winterizing treatment, but that doesn’t mean the excitement wanes. We’ve got some exciting developments in the hopper to share with you soon (remember that portrait collection digitization project?), so stick around for more.
We hope to ride with you sooner than later! Or, at least, talk about our 2027 plans to ride together.
Tailwinds,
Josh