Explore 60 of the best rail-trails and multiuse pathways across three states with this official guide. All across the country, unused railroad corridors have been converted to public multiuse trails. In this official guide, the experts from Rails-to-Trails Conservancy present the best of these rail-trails, as well as other multiuse pathways, in Northern New England. Tour Maine's Eastern Promenade Trail, showcasing Portland's Casco Bay and Portland Harbor. Enjoy picturesque countryside on the Northern Rail Trail-New Hampshire's longest rail-trail. Take a ride along Vermont's Island Rail Trail, which boasts a spectacular marble causeway crossing Lake Champlain. Whether you're on feet, wheels, or skis, you'll love the variety in this collection of multiuse trails-from beautiful waterways and scenic areas to the hustle and bustle of the states' urban centers! In this book, you'll find: Detailed maps for every rail-trail, plus driving directions to trailheads Icons indicating the activities each trail can accommodate Succinct descriptions written by rail-trail experts "You can now throw away all your self-help books on fighting depression, losing weight, toning muscles, finding something to do with your kids, and learning American history. Just use this guide, find a great trail-and enjoy!" -Peter Harnik, Director, Center for City Park Excellence, Trust for Public Land

Riding up hills is the ultimate challenge for a cyclist. This guide is a compilation of some of the best hills in Bristol, Bath, and the surrounding area. It's not just a definitive list of the top 50 toughest climbs; instead, author J J Wheeler has selected some of the most iconic, the most thrilling, the most interesting, varied and, of course, hardest hill climbs that this region has to offer. There's something here for everyone, from the Weekend Warrior to the serious road racer. Just get out there and enjoy the ride!

Before the last quarter of the nineteenth century, people who wanted to travel independently either walked or rode horses. Then a newly invented machine changed forever the nature of personal transportation. The cycle-self-propelled bicycles, tricycles, and tandems-allowed almost anyone to travel around town, around their region, and around the world. While dramatic developments in equipment, clothing, road surfaces, and amenities make the physicality of cycling much different from the earlier era, the experience of cycling has seen little change. The Self-Propelled Voyager: How the Cycle Revolutionized Travel recounts how a transportation innovation opened the world for not only those who made the journey but also for the armchair travelers who read with interest the cyclists' accounts of faraway places. Following a brief history of the development of the cycle, this book describes the exploits of long-distance riders who wrote of their experiences, their triumphs, and their tragedies. Duncan R. Jamieson chronicles their journeys, their personal stories, and the times in which they lived, revealing that, despite the continuing rise and fall of cycling interest, people continue to enjoy traveling in the slow lane. Drawing on books and articles by the women and men who rode and wrote of their travels, The Self-Propelled Voyager also features photographs from the 1880s up to the modern day, illustrating the development of the cycle through history. Accessibly written yet comprehensive in its coverage, this book will interest not only the cycling enthusiast but historians focusing on sport and sport tourism as well.

In this "sharp-eyed account of a nearly forgotten African-American sports legend" (Publishers Weekly)-the remarkable Major Taylor who became the world's fastest bicyclist at the height of the Jim Crow era-"Kranish has done historians and fans a service by reminding us that such immortals as Joe Louis, Jesse Owens, Serena Williams and Tiger Woods all followed in Major Taylor's wake" (The Washington Post). In the 1890s, the nation's promise of equality had failed spectacularly. While slavery had ended with the Civil War, the Jim Crow laws still separated blacks from whites, and the excesses of the Gilded Age created an elite upper class. When Major Taylor, a young black man, announced he wanted to compete in the nation's most popular and mostly white man's sport, cycling, Birdie Munger, a white cyclist who once was the world's fastest man, declared that he could help turn the young black athlete into a champion. Twelve years before boxer Jack Johnson and fifty years before baseball player Jackie Robinson, Taylor faced racism at nearly every turn-especially by whites who feared he would disprove their stereotypes of blacks. In The World's Fastest Man, years in the writing, investigative journalist Michael Kranish reveals new information about Major Taylor based on a rare interview with his daughter and other never-before-uncovered details from Taylor's life. Kranish shows how Taylor indeed became a world champion, traveled the world, was the toast of Paris, and was one of the most chronicled black men of his day. From a moment in time just before the arrival of the automobile when bicycles were king, the populace was booming with immigrants, and enormous societal changes were about to take place, "both inspiring and heartbreaking, this is an essential contribution to sports history" (Booklist, starred review). The World's Fastest Man "restores the memory of one of the first black athletes to overcome the drag of racism and achieve national renown" (The New York Times Book Review).

A Place Apart is a remarkable geographical and psychological travelogue that rises above history, politics, theology and economics. Created by a southern Irishwoman, cycling into the mayhem of Northern Ireland in order to try and sort out her own opinions and emotions about this troubled land. She came equipped with her own childhood experiences of murder and Republican martyrdom, but was otherwise unfettered by sectarian loyalties and armed with a delightful curiosity, a fine ear for anecdote, an ability to stand her own at the bar and penetrating intelligence. She travelled extensively through both town and country, frequently finding herself in horrifying situations, and sometimes among people stiff with hate and grief: but equally, she discovered an unquenchable spirit everywhere that refused to die. Other Dervla Murphy titles published by Eland. Original Hardbacks: A Month by the Sea: Encounters in Gaza, The Island that Dared: Journeys in Cuba, Eland Classics: Wheels within Wheels, Full Tilt: From Ireland to India with a Bicycle, In Ethiopia with a Mule, Where the Indus is Young: A Winter in Baltistan, Tibetan Foothold, The Waiting Land: A Spell in Nepal, On a Shoestring to Coorg.

Cycling is currently enjoying a boom in popularity. What are the reasons behind this phenomenon? How have perceptions and the popularity of cycling shifted? This book charts the historical development of cycling both as a leisure and sporting activity since the 19th century and explores the wider political and cultural context in which cycling in Britain emerged. In particular, it examines cycling's relationship with environmental politics and its place in popular culture. Neil Carter successfully traverses several historical sub-disciplines, including the history of transport, leisure, sport, medicine and politics, employing the analytical tools of class, gender, political culture, the role of the state and commercialism to demonstrate how British identity has shaped and been shaped by cycling. At a time when it has become part of debates over transport and health, Cycling and the British: A Modern History provides a timely and clear analysis of the changes and continuities in attitudes towards cycling.

Best Bike Rides Seattle describes 41 of the greatest recreational rides in Seattle. Road rides, rail trails, bike paths, and single-track mountain bike rides all get included. Most rides are in the 5 to 30 mile range, allowing for great afternoon outings and family adventures.

Hidden in and around the Detroit and Ann Arbor area are some great roads, trails, and bike paths that are fun to explore. Best Bike Rides Detroit and Ann Arbor describes 40 great recreational rides in the metro areas. With most rides between 5 and 35 miles-including road rides, rail trails, bike paths, and mountain bike rides-it's easy to find a ride that suits your tastes. Each route includes complete directions, a map, a text description of the area you'll be riding, the GPS coordinates of the start/finish point, and color photos of one the ride's features. Also included is information on local restaurants, lodging, maps, bicycle shops, other facilities for cyclists, and community resources. Look inside to find: * Detailed maps and directions * Rides that explore the urban areas as well as the surrounding country * A variety of rides, most between 5 and 35 miles in length * In-depth information about each ride, including length, terrain, traffic conditions, and road hazards * Interesting facts about each area * Options to create longer or shorter rides

Covering interesting and varied philosophical terrain, Cycling - Philosophy for Everyone explores in a fun but critical way the rich philosophical, cultural, and existential experiences that arise when two wheels are propelled by human energy. * Incorporates or reflects the views of high-profile and notable past-professional cyclists and insiders such as Lennard Zinn, Scott Tinley, and Lance Armstrong * Features contributions from the areas of cultural studies, kinesiology, literature, and political science as well as from philosophers * Includes enlightening essays on the varieties of the cycling experience, ranging from the ethical issues of success, women and cycling, environmental issues of commuting and the transformative potential of cycling for personal growth * Shows how bicycling and philosophy create the perfect tandem * Includes a foreword by Lennard Zinn, author and owner of Zinn Cycles Inc.

From the rocky promontories and wide sandy beaches of the coast to the heights of Mount Hood and the Three Sisters, enjoy the dramatic diversity of Oregon on two wheels. Grab this guidebook, put on your helmet, and hit the road on the carefully designed tours, which vary in length and difficutly, and cover a whole range of abilities and fitness levels.Inside you'll discover detailed profiles of each ride, including traffic conditions, terrain, and length; vivid descriptions of points of interest; listings for local restaurants, hotels, bike shops, and rest rooms along the way; maps and elevation profiles. Look inside to find:
- Detailed maps and directions
- Rides for every fitness level and ability--from short rambles to challenging classics
- In-depth information about each ride, including length, terrain, traffic conditions, and road hazards
- Vivid descriptions of points of interest
- Options to create longer or shorter rides

This guidebook to cycling the Ruta Via de la Plata through western Spain describes the 930km route from Seville to the coastal city of Gijon in around 2 weeks (14 stages). A pilgrimage variant, the Camino Sanabres, to Santiago de Compostela is also described (16 stages in total). Empty roads and gentle climbs make the route accessible to a wide range of bikes and cyclists. Both road and off-road versions are presented, and the guide shows how they can be combined to create a perfect touring, hybrid or gravel cycling trip. The guide includes leg-by-leg route descriptions, 1:150,0000 colour mapping, elevation profiles and helpful ride planners to show where riders can swop from the off-road to the road route. There is advice on equipment, travel and transporting your bike, alongside a list of accommodation contacts and a useful Spanish glossary. The Ruta Via de la Plata is one of Spain's most important pilgrim routes. The 2-week journey takes in 7 UNESCO world heritage sites (Seville, Merida, Caceres, Salamanca, Leon, Zamora, and Oviedo) with the famous pilgrimage site of Santiago de Compostela if the Camino Sanabres is taken. There is lots of good-value accommodation available, from hostels to palaces, and plenty of chances to sample Spanish gastronomy.

In cities throughout the world, bicycles have gained a high profile in recent years, with politicians and activists promoting initiatives like bike lanes, bikeways, bike share programs, and other social programs to get more people on bicycles. Bicycles in the city are, some would say, the wave of the future for car-choked, financially-strapped, obese, and sustainability-sensitive urban areas. This book explores how and why people are reconsidering the bicycle, no longer thinking of it simply as a toy or exercise machine, but as a potential solution to a number of contemporary problems. It focuses in particular on what reconsidering the bicycle might mean for everyday practices and politics of urban mobility, a concept that refers to the intertwined physical, technological, social, and experiential dimensions of human movement. This book is for Introductory Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology, Cultural Sociology, Environmental Anthropology, and all undergraduate courses on the environment and on sustainability throughout the social sciences.

Written for cyclists of all stripes, Best Bike Rides books offer a diverse array of scenic tours in and around some of America's largest urban destinations. Road rides, rail trails, bike paths, and single-track mountain bike rides all get included. Most rides are in the 5 to 30 mile range, allowing for great afternoon outings and family adventures. Each book features 35-40 rides with color photos, maps, and point-by-point miles and directions.

With 57 miles of well-tended carriage paths-skirting some of the most beautiful sights on Mount Desert Island and free of automobile traffic-Acadia National park is a very popular destination among bicyclists. Audrey Minutolo-Le provides cyclists with an in-depth look at 18 of the island's finest loop routes, both on and off-road, and gives valuable tips on the prime times to cycle busy sections of Acadia. She also includes many great rides outside the park that are often overlooked. Each route is broken down by mileage, categorized by degree of difficulty, and described in detail with maps to help riders pick routes most comfortable for their skill level. Includes a new introduction and updated information on trails and routes.

The mountains of Europe have many different meanings to many different people. For the locals they are a way of life; for visitors they represent breathtaking beauty, active holidays and peaceful moments. For cyclists, however, the dramatic landscapes mean something quite different: suffering, pain, agony - and glory. For over a century the mountains have provided the setting for the greatest cycling contests, where human determination and willpower can triumph over nature and opponents. In recent years, as cycling's popularity has changed our cities, made us more active and taken us down less-travelled roads, the mountains of Europe have become the primary destination for everyday riders who want to challenge themselves, experience the storied roads and escape their everyday lives. This publication is aimed at all who wish to be inspired by those challenges or celebrate those personal victories. With tributes and personal recollections from leading road cyclists, the photographs and words coalesce into a visual depiction that transcends any single perspective and will inspire awe and wonder in anyone who wishes to confront the power of the mountains.

Seattle was recently named the best bike city in the United States by Bicycling magazine. How did this notoriously hilly and rainy city become so inviting to bicyclists? And what challenges lie ahead for Puget Sound bike advocates? Tom Fucoloro, a leading voice on bike issues in the region, blends his longtime reporting with new interviews and archival research to tell the story of how a flourishing bike culture emerged despite the obstacles of climate, topography, and—most importantly—an entrenched, car-centric urban landscape and culture. From the arrival of the first bicycles in the late nineteenth century to the bike-share entrepreneurs of the present day, the result is a unique perspective on Seattle's history and its future. Advocates, policy makers, city planners, and bike enthusiasts around the world can learn plenty from the successes and failures of this city's past 130 years. More than just a mode of transportation, the bicycle has been used by generations of Seattleites as a tool for social change. Biking Uphill in the Rain documents the people and projects that made a difference and reveals just how deeply intertwined transportation is with politics, public health, climate change, and racial justice.

50 Ways to Cycle the World is the kind of book you'd give to a friend or family member who's considering cycling somewhere in the world but feels that there are too many obstacles to overcome. 50 Ways encapsulates 50 unique cycling projects accomplished by 75 cyclists from 23 countries. It serves as the ultimate visual guide and encyclopedia to travelling by bicycle no matter what your personal situation is. You'll find impressive, powerful, emotional and incredibly fun stories on almost every page, accompanied by the beautiful and inspiring photography shot all over our planet by the many cyclists who've shared their cycling stories. Want to know what it's like to cycle alone, with a dog or a cat, with kids, or with strangers you meet on the road? Or how to travel by tandem, folding bicycle, e-bike or on a bamboo frame? Or maybe you're simply in need of that last little push over the doorstep, inspired by those who've seen the world by bike. Featuring over 400 revealing questions and answers, we're sure 50 Ways to Cycle the World will tell you exactly what you need to know in order to overcome whatever is holding you back from starting out on your big adventure.

A TRUE CLASSIC OF CYCLING LITERATURE

'Nobody evokes the transformative joy of cycling the way Fournel does here ... magical' - Herbie Sykes

"I ride to rest and to tire myself out; I ride to do myself good and to do myself harm"

... one of the many cycling paradoxes explored in this unique and delightful book.

"I've never got over this miracle"

Starting with the childhood joy of learning to ride a bike, Need for the Bike goes on to relate the agony of climbing, the angst of crashing, and all the other universal moments and feelings which all cyclists will recognise.

"To get on a bike is to take possession of the landscape"

The sounds, smells, pains and joys of riding with friends or alone, finding things on the road; getting lost, "re-reading" familiar routes; Paul Fournel's classic comes as close as any book has to an encapsulation of why we all need the bike ...

Readers will find detailed descriptions and maps of forty of the best bicycle rides in Ohio, from easy afternoon jaunts to multi-day tours. Elevation profiles, recommendations for accommodations and restaurants, information on local events and attractions, and special attention to traffic conditions and road hazards make this an indispensable guide for Ohioans. *** Spring 2010 brings three new titles to FalconGuides' Road Biking(R) Series--to Illinois, Ohio, and Utah. Presenting a choice selection of approximately forty carefully designed rides throughout their state, local cyclists provide a personal tour of all the beauty and diversity the routes have to offer. They highlight not only the unique features along the roads themselves but also of the people, the ecology, and the history of the area. Each book includes: - Detailed maps and directions
- Rides for every fitness level and ability--from short, easy rambles of around 10 miles to more challenging 100+ mile classics
- In-depth information about each ride, including length, terrain, traffic conditions, and road hazards- Recommended accommodations and restaurants
- Vivid descriptions of points of interest
- Options to create longer or shorter rides

The Cotswold Hills stretch across the counties of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, and extend into parts of Wiltshire, Somerset, Worcestershire and Warwickshire. Cotswolds Mountain Biking - 20 Classic Rides by Tom Fenton reveals all on the excellent and varied mountain biking tucked away in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This book from leading MTB guidebook publisher Vertebrate Publishing features 20 classic rides between 14km and 77km in length, suitable for mountain bikers of all abilities - many of which are within easy reach of major towns and cities, including Birmingham, Coventry, Worcester, Gloucester, Oxford, Banbury, Swindon, Cheltenham and Bristol. Each ride is described with easy-to-follow directions and is plotted on clear and easy to use Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 mapping. Also included with each ride are details of distance, timings and difficulty gradings, plus refreshment stops and local knowledge. A Bonus Section includes details of the riding at Leckhampton Hill and Forest of Dean, plus top tens for descents, climbs and singletrack. A detailed appendix features information on places to eat, drink, stay and have your bike repaired!

"A middle-aged crisis takes many forms..." Tadej Pogacar has 7% body fat, Chris Froome's resting heart rate is 30bpm, Mark Cavendish reaches sprint speeds of over 50mph. They're super-human cyclists for whom riding 3,500km over 21 stages across the Alps and Pyrenees is a matter of course. James Witts is 44 years old, fatty deposits nestle on his back and he has a penchant for craft ale. He also rides a little. But not a lot. In his job as cycling journalist, however, he does have unparalleled access to the world's best riders and their world-class support staff. Which got him thinking - could spending time with the pros, discovering the training, gear and nutritional tricks of the trade, transform this back-of-the-pack sportive straggler into a fit-and-fast frontrunner? Doubtful, improbable though not impossible. In this entertaining tale, Witts utilises his connections in the industry to gain access to the world's greatest teams and riders to reveal the tricks of the trade that he can then apply to his own less-than-world-class performance. This warm-hearted and amusing tale is of an Everyman dropped into the world of Supermen. James Witts trains, rides and eats using the regimes of the planet's toughest athletes, to conquer his very own Grand Tour. Will he sacrifice the pub for stamina boosting beetroot juice? Can an altitude mask really send his performance soaring? And will his ego cope with a drag-cutting, little-left-to-the-imagination skinsuit? Learn and laugh on a journey of a lifetime.

This is the second edition of the definitive and bestselling guide to great mountain biking throughout England and Wales. With new clearer maps, updated content and the addition of the latest mountain bike centres. The Good Mountain Biking Guide is a huge book comprising 640 pages of detailed information and purpose drawn maps covering both natural areas and trail centres. It includes all major destination areas such as The Peak District, Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, North & South Downs, Brecon Beacons numerous smaller areas, many close to major towns and cities. The book will help plan riding of all sorts - from quick blasts after work, to day rides, mountain biking weekends and holidays across the whole of England and Wales. The Good Mountain Biking Guide features 700 route suggestions for the 500 areas that it covers making it incredible value for money. There are over 300 superb photographs of real riders on the trails and annotations of key trail features. The route summaries give a total of 17,000km of riding, enough to suit all levels and types of rider. An overview map of England and Wales shows every key mountain biking location and allows planning at a glance. The book complements other maps and guides and refers to the most appropriate resources to take out on the trail for navigational purposes. The index of 3,000 place names allows immediate reference of the relevant map. Each of the 500 areas has details of all useful facilities - from parking to pubs, cafes and bike shops. The Good Mountain Biking Guide is the ultimate reference book and is the one book that every mountain biker should own.