In August, we biked 9.8 miles to Great Camp Santanoni in New York’s Adirondack Park, and it was a really fun experience.
It’s the most unique historic site I’ve ever been to because it’s been left in pretty much the same condition that it was in when it was sold to New York State, besides some exterior maintenance. Not much is off limits for exploration, and things are in a state of decay.
You can wander around and see most parts of this great camp, with what is left of its abandoned belongings. There are original fixtures in the bathrooms, a huge wood stove in the kitchen, a walk in icebox, and a hot water heater from the 1950s. In a closet filled with random artifacts, we found this old rusty bike frame with the chain still on.
The ride in was on a well-maintained carriage road that is only open to bikers, walkers and a horse drawn carriage. The ride in is a steady climb that passes by the old farm complex, past fields, through forests, over stone and wood bridges, and finally to the edge of Newcomb lake were the great camp is perched.
If you go, leave plenty of time to wander around the many fascinating buildings, including a boat house full of boats visitors can take out onto the lake. It was an extremely peaceful and beautiful place to spend the day. Camp sites are available – be prepared for a rustic experience!
On my old steel mountain bike, dinged with the scars of past adventures, I loaded up all my gear and set off from the forests of central Mexico. My goal was to bike with monarchs, millions of them, from their overwintering forest to their summer range in Canada, and back again. The monarchs would fly because they were butterflies. I would bike because I was the self-proclaimed butterbiker.
It took three weeks for me to pedal from the forest of Mexico to the scrubland of Texas, where the female monarchs search out milkweed plants to lay their eggs. It took another three months to arrive to Canada. By summer, the monarchs had spread out from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. This vast range meant that there were many routes. To bike with monarchs, I merely needed to pick a road and bike.
Though I was on the route of the monarch migration, I was seeing only a fraction of what the migration had once been. The eastern population of the monarch butterfly has plummeted in recent years because of habitat loss, herbicide use, and climate change. Like getting to know a friend, hearing the monarchs’ story was the first step to saving them.
On my bike ride I visited classrooms and nature centers, recounting my adventures and explaining the migration to over 9,000 people. I spoke of the highway ditches alive and wild, filled with hungry caterpillars munching milkweed. I spoke of the horror of seeing that same habitat mowed down. I spoke of the relief I felt when I met people growing gardens. In this way, my bike ride with butterflies became a bike ride for butterflies.
By pedaling 10,201 miles with the monarchs I gave my voice to them, and helped remind people that just as human travelers need safe places to rest, healthy food to eat, and uninterrupted land for which to traverse, so too do butterfly travelers.
I am the butterbiker, biking to save the butterflies. Luckily there are many ways to help protect the monarchs – planting gardens, spreading the word, protecting wild places. You don’t have to quit your jobs and spend ten months biking with butterflies. But, of course, you can if you want to.
Sara Dykman divides her time between seasonal amphibian research, outdoor education, and education-linked adventures (www.beyondabook.org). She is currently working on a book about her bicycle trip following the monarchs.
We are delighted that Sara chose a Terry saddle to support her through her epic ride – a Liberator X Gel.
Like hills and mountains? You’ll love cycling in Corsica!
I spent a week exploring the many long ups and precipitous downs of Corsica – one of the world’s most beautiful cycling destinations.
Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean off the coast of Italy. It is part of France with a population of just 300,000, but it can get pretty busy during the summer as many Europeans covet the pristine beaches and seaside towns. October is a great time to go as the temps still rise into the 80s, but vacationers are gone, and there are remarkably few cars. Haute Corse, the northern part of the island, is by far the most popular for cycling and best accessed through the Bastia airport.
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[vertical-spacer] My approach to a solo unsupported bike tour is to rent a car and find a central location for the territory I want to cover. Of course, nothing beats your own bike (Air France from Montreal, the bike is $125 USD each way, but make sure you pass through CDG airport in Paris). There is something comforting about staying put and coming back to the same shower and bed. Making friends with the hosts and earning their cell numbers is valuable in case the need arises for a pickup. And you become more steeped in local lore with an understanding of the best food and wine in town. I stayed in Oletta, about 30 minutes from the airport and all my rides began with no more than a one hour 15 minute drive to get to a point of departure.
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The road cycling is about as beautiful as it gets, but it is not for the faint of heart. Fear of heights is not an option. There is very little in the way of flat, the roads are narrow and very windy with only a 6” rock barrier in many places to hold you back from a drop into the sea. While there are few cars in late October, it only takes one, and there is always that unexpected tour bus or garbage truck that requires you to dismount and snuggle up to the cliff for it to pass. Point being, you can never be off your guard, and downhills require nearly constant pressure on the brakes. But, for those who love an adventure and crave remote, beautiful landscapes, check out these photos and explore the following itineraries. It can be the ride of a lifetime!
Great routes for cycling day tours in Corsica
Cap Corse West: Nonza – Pino – Nonza (35 miles, including a few detours down off the bluffs to fishing villages)
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”3″ display=”basic_thumbnail”]Cap Corse East: Erbalunga – Col St Nicolas – Erbalunga (45 miles)
In case you go – a few tips for happy rides in Corsica:
There is a great bike shop on T11 just south of Bastia called Velo Shop.
St Florent is the most beautiful town with the best restaurants in Haute Corse.
SPAR supermarkets are in most large towns.
Be so careful setting bike off pavement or gravel – tire popping PRICKERS everywhere.
Watch for barbed chestnut shells on the roads– get off and walk if dense.
Beware the bullshit and the bulls running loose.
Some speed bumps are cobbled and tires can get caught – take these at an angle.
Paying constant attention, you can often see cars coming at you and through hairpin turns you can see cars coming from behind. On the downhills, you are likely going as fast as the cars following.
Choose your parking spots carefully. Space is at a premium and it is possible to get boxed in.
Charlie and I at Weskeag River on our way to “Owls Head” light house. I loved my new Soleil jersey and had so many complements.
[vertical-spacer] Terry customer Debra Hoover, and her husband, Charlie, recently completed a week’s tour through some of Maine’s most interesting cycling country. The BikeMaine event is now an early Fall tradition, each year exploring a different part of a state with very diverse regions.
This year the tour centered on Maine’s mid-coast region, with a loop encompassing the valley where the state’s organic farming tradition took root, and plenty of picturesque coastal villages. As Debra put it, “We had a great trip, but who knew the mid-coast could have soooo many hills…The countryside and seaside were beautiful as we expected!”
Lisa W., our customer service lead, also has fond memories of cycling in Maine: “In 2011 I had the pleasure of riding the Maine Women’s Ride out of the LL Bean parking lot, and out into the beautiful Maine countryside. It was early spring (for the Northeast) and the trees and flowers were bright spring green with splashes of vibrant purples and yellows. But more colorful and wonderful were the women I met along the route. Great tales of cycling, family life, LL Bean connections and of course The Way Life Should Be!”
Sunrise on the waterfront, Belfast, ME
[vertical-spacer] Bales of Hay – idyllic pasture in Monroe, Maine
[vertical-spacer] Great lunch and beautiful sea view at Anchor Inn, Round Pond, Maine
[vertical-spacer] Colorful collection of tents at the waterfront park in Belfast, Maine
[vertical-spacer] Leaving Owls Head Lighthouse – we had to stop for pic of lobster buoys on Lobster Lane Road, Owls Head, Maine
[vertical-spacer] Start of ride: Head of Falls Park, crossing the Kennebec River to start the ride, Waterville, Maine
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The event had a little bit of something for everyone: coastal tent villages, live bands, lobster feasts, farm stands, beer gardens, gorgeous scenery, gift shops, chocolate tastings, frame photos, Terry jerseys, tandem, recumbent, road and gravel bikes, colorful sunsets, exciting bridge crossings.
450 cyclists plus staff participated in BikeMaine this year, so the tour is quite an undertaking. The organizers provide tents and logistics, and there are options for guests to camp with riders but make their own way around the route, so non-cycling friends and family can share the fun. The focus is on providing great cycling routes with an authentic experience in each host community, plus an emphasis on good food and drink.
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine is one of the most effective bicycle advocacy groups in the country. Since its founding in 1992, the Bicycle Coalition has helped improve bike safety education, advocate for better bike laws, increase funding for bike trails and other biking infrastructure, and open up more areas for cycling. The Coalition also has launched several successful events such as the Great Maine Bike Swap, and BikeMaine.
Cycling the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail.
View from the trail, high above the modern highway
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The Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail in Oregon is a paved trail with a fascinating history. Built from 1913 to 1922 it was the first major paved highway in the Pacific Northwest and the first scenic highway constructed in the United States. Modeled after the great scenic roads of Europe, it was designed for a public who wanted to enjoy nature’s beauty from their Model T. With a maximum of 5% grades and 200ft turning radius it’s really a delight to bike.
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The trail head parking lot with restrooms and visitor information. $5 for the day.
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The twin tunnels with structure above to protect from rockfall.
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There are three disconnected ribbons along abandoned stretches of the historic highway that total 12 miles of car free cycling. I recently biked the section from Hood River to Mosier, a gentle but fun 4.5 miles through two climate zones. This section is considered to be the most scenic as it strays far uphill from the modern highway that replaced it. Winding past spectacular geologic formations, traveling through twin tunnels and past numerous viewpoints, it packs a lot into a short ride.
My only complaint is that I wished it was longer – so much so that after we finished the 9 mile round trip we turned around and did it again.
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Cindy rocks the Terry Breakaway Mesh in Moulin Rouge, on Bora Bora
Terry customer and brand ambassador, Cindy Wienkers, took a selection of Terry cycling gear on her trip to French Polynesia, where she put it through its paces in demanding conditions: high heat and humidity, with varied terrain and daily rides, often of quite high mileage.
She and her husband, Kevin, joined a Santana tour of the Polynesian islands, an absolute dream destination. They raced, toured and relaxed by tandem, sailboat, cart and barge, enjoying the wonderful hospitality of the native islanders, along with many other local delights.
Cindy planned her wardrobe carefully for this trip. As she explains:
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What cycling gear did I pack?
Yoga in the bungalow on Moorea
I packed only my Terry Bicycles apparel to wear on the trip. I knew it would be hot and humid and I don’t do well in the heat. It was the first time I decided to forget about dressing like my captain and go for comfort. And let me tell you, I am so glad I did.
Many tandem couples dress alike when biking. I find the unisex jerseys to not be comfortable at all. Over a year ago I was introduced to the Terry Bicycles line of women’s apparel. The fit and fabrics are amazing. I am an avid seamstress, and I appreciate the feel and appearance of really nice fabrics. Everyone has a different body build of course, so each person has their own favorite Terry pieces. I especially love the Soleil, Breakaway, and Sun Goddess tops. I love the SPF factor, the higher neckline on Soleil that keeps bugs from getting down my shirt (I am allergic to bee stings,) and the unique fabrics/styles.
I have several tops that I wear not only for biking but also for working out at the gym. Many of the 3 pocket jersey styles also have a hole for my headphone cord – great when working out if you are not wireless.
Oh so hot, our boat in the background, tender arriving – Breakaway Mesh in Vendée Jade
Bike Tops for all occasions
I brought various tops along on the trip. The sleeveless because I knew I would be melting (and I wore them every day), the Soleil tank because it is super comfy with a high neck, the short sleeve Soleil which is more of a ¾ length in case I needed some sun protection, and I even brought a couple light colored long sleeve Soleil in case I needed total sun protection on my arms. All of the Terry tops I brought could also be worn for casual wear. I wished I would have had my Sun Goddess tops with me, but I didn’t order them until I returned from the trip, knowing summer would be arriving soon in Green Bay.
Cycling Bottoms galore
The bottoms I packed were the new Chill 7 elastic-free leg short, which I think is great, the Metro Skort, and the Fixie Skort (which I also wore for casual wear, but wouldn’t wear this one for a long cycling day), and Mixie Skort & Liner. Also one pair of knickers, the Breakaway, because they are a light weight and comfy fabric. I never wore the knickers though, as it was just too hot.
Another reason for packing the knicker was in case I started having a recurring knee issue. My brace is more comfortable with fabric between it and my skin.
How did my Terry cycling gear perform on tour?
Besides being comfortable, all of the Terry items I brought along for the trip washed up easily and line dried quickly in our ship’s cabin.
Ready to roll on Taha’a – Breakaway Mesh, Moulin Rouge & Metro Skort
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I had ordered the Metro Skort two piece with removable liner in both medium and large. I preferred the fit of the large, as it sat lower on my hips. The combo worked well, but I did find the waist band on the skirt stretched out and nearly fell off my hips after a pretty long and hot day of riding: hot, muggy and pushing the miles to keep the schedule. On the tandem as the stoker I sometimes have a lot more movement in my saddle than on my single, especially when pushing a little elevation. I sit on my skirt so any forward and back movement along with extreme heat could have caused the band to relax from the tugging on it. Once back home, the Metro skort did return to its original size after washing and line drying. Other ladies on the tour loved the Metro Skort!
The knit charcoal gray Mixie Skirt fit well. I wore it for casual wear, and had it on for the road race (first day of the tour! 55 kilometers, hard, non-stop riding). Not sure if the chamois in the Mixie Liner is different from others, but I could have used more padding for that long ride. It’s probably better suited for shorter rides, commuting etc.
After riding in the heat and humidity, my favorite bottoms for hot weather are now the new Chill 7 short, and the Fixie Skort.
Cycling Gear from Bike to Gym to Store
I justify all of the biking tops I own because I wear them Monday-Friday at the gym. The pockets and cord/headphone access hole are great. They are also great as I can toss on a clean one afterwards, to wear for errands.
Bike (and other) Adventures on New Zealand’s South Island
Make no mistake, there are very few cycle friendly paved roads on the West Coast of South Island. State highways are mountainous as glaciers dip to 300 feet above sea level. They are all single lane and narrow with no shoulders. Tourists unaccustomed to driving on the left side of the road add to the challenge.
But there are a few spectacular quiet road rides:
Hokitika to Hokitika Gorge: @ 90 km round trip. This is flat, even as the road nears the base of the Southern Alps. You earn new visions for what is green and blue as the sheep pasture gives way to rainforest and water upstream becomes thick with glacial milk.
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Haast to Jacksons Bay: (@ 100 km round trip). Park at the Haast Visitor Center. The sealed road meanders along the coast with transitions between sand and rock. Seals and dolphins are abundant on Neal’s Beach. The Cray Pot in Jacksons Bay serves lunch of fresh caught seafood salad and local ginger beer.
I ended up renting mountain bikes and spent more time on the trail.
Nelson Bradley owns Hokitika Cycle and Sports in downtown Hokitika. An Avanti and Scott dealer, he is the go to shop on the West Coast.
Western Wilderness Trail (Greymouth to Ross): the best sections are Karamura to Hokitika. The trail is rated Grade 1 (easiest), but the climb is serious and includes tight, gravelly hairpin turns. Cowboys Paradise, near the top features great sandwiches and a new dormitory for bike campers. The ride down from Kokatahi to Kaniere is single track through pristine rainforest and along the edge of the cleanest stream you’ll ever know.
Wanaka seems to be a South Island hub for mountain biking with lake and riverside and cross country trails, along with challenging ridgelines and technical parks. Racer’s Edge rents decent Giant bikes. The terrain is endlessly variable as are the spectacular lake and mountain views. I took the track leaving the village along Lake Wanaka and followed the Clutha River. Spiny Forest is technical single track for only the most capable riders. Another more forgiving trail follows the lakefront to Glendu Bay.
In rain, Franz Josef offers alternative activities including kayaking and quad biking.
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Waitoto River Safari; Wayne and Ruth take you to places inland with few traces of human imprint.
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