When Alex Ray’s mother was gravely ill with colon cancer two years ago, the college student from Tabor City, N.C., found late-night and early morning bike rides helped him clear his head.

Smartphones are becoming a pretty standard piece of equipment for anything from a casual day ride to an expedition tour. You can use them as a cyclocomputer, GPS navigation, ride tracker for later uploading and analysis, service directory, and bicycle maintenance guide. I've even heard rumors that you can make phone calls in case of emergency.

A little round up of links that are keeping me wanderlusting.

Going to the Sun Road and Logan Pass are jewels found on two Adventure Cycling routes — the Northern Tier and Great Parks North. I have long encouraged cyclists to be sure to time their trips on those routes to include this climb. Most years the pass is only fully open from about mid-June until mid-September so the window is pretty wide but does require some planning.

On his epic journey across America, Aaron has been experiencing hospitality on a level he "never could have dreamed and didn't realize still existed".

What a marvelous food is the banana — sweet calories packaged in an easy-opening, biodegradable container.  Slather a whole bunch with peanut butter, wash it all down with a carton of milk, and it's all the fuel I need for a long day's bike ride.
 

Bicycle tourism is capturing people’s attention nationwide, and not just cyclists. Whether it's the numbers of cyclists or the number of dollars they spend, people are seeing the impact that bicycle tourism has in their communities and states and realizing the benefits of attracting and welcoming cyclists.

When you're caught in the heat of summer, dream of riding in the cool of fall 

Show us what you would bring on your dream bike tour via Pinterest and you could win a set of rear Arkel panniers!

It was only our second day of our cross country bike trip. Other than having bikes and panniers, Thomas and I were ill prepared. We were riding in Adidas cotton shorts, cotton t-shirts, and had high school quality cotton sweats. Our first day of riding had taught us a couple of valuable lessons: #1. Sunscreen is a really good idea. #2. Yes, your butt can hurt beyond belief after just one day of riding.