Thirty years ago, things were different.
Watergate, Sonny and Cher, Billy Jean King, and Elvis on a comeback tour.
Right about this time, the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail was being researched
and mapped for the 1976 Bikecentennial ride -- our association's very first
tour. The idea of riding across the country on a bike and sleeping on the
ground was new, strange, and kind of crazy. It was different, and it was fun!
Today not too many people would call crossing the country on a Schwinn
Varsity in gym shorts a barrel of monkeys. Even serious touring cyclists
might think the idea of sleeping on the ground for 90 days to be noble, but
the reality wouldn't be all that much fun, especially on the rainy days.
So, to bring our cross-country adventures a bit more in line with the needs
of today's touring cyclists, we have kicked around the idea of adding a few
motel overnights. We're going to try out the concept in 2004, starting with
the TransAmerica Expedition.
This is how it works. We have increased the price of the TransAm 93-day
expedition to $3,600 to pay for about ten nights of indoor accommodations,
usually double or group occupancy, in addition to the normal amenities
provided, such as the cost of route maps, three group meals daily, camping
fees, and other basics. We're planning for these indoor nights to break up
the camping routine, facilitate interpersonal communication, and, yes,
provide a few special evenings of luxuriating in a bed to enhance comfort.
Retaining the essence of the adventure is important to the TransAm
experience, and we feel staying in a few motel rooms won't compromise it.
So, if you're ready for the ultimate adventure, join a small group of
touring cyclists who will share the challenge and glory of riding our most
well-known route -- the TransAm Trail -- and who will come to understand the
true beauty of our nation by exploring America on roads you can't see from
the freeway.
See details on this trip at http://www.adventurecycling.org/tours/transam.cfm.
|
|
If you have ever thought of hiking anywhere on the AT in the
winter, take a look at this comprehensive map
detailing the average annual snowfall. Each map is hand drawn and required 2
years of research for "The Weathercarrot," a 1991 AT thru-hiker to
complete. Note that the files are large and some patience may be
required.
http://friends.backcountry.net/snowmaps/
Coloring the
map
Weathercarrot at work
|
|
Are you looking for some place to go or looking for someone to go with? Take
a look and see what your local ski club or outdoor organization is doing
during the cooler months.
Local Trail Information
Every outdoors lover in Central and Western
NY needs a copy of Snow
Trails. It's packed with maps & details on over 80 local trail
networks for snowshoeing & cross-country skiing. Maybe someone on your
holiday shopping list would appreciate receiving a copy.
Ski Clubs
Cayuga Nordic
Ski Club (Ithaca)
Hudson Valley Ski Club
(Poughkeepsie)
Huggers Ski Club
(Rochester)
Miramar Ski Club (New
York City Metro area)
Onondaga Ski Club
(Syracuse)
Out of Control Ski Club (Albany)
Potsdam
Apres Ski Club (Potsdam)
Ramapo Mountain Ski
Club (Ramsey, NJ)
Rochester Nordic Ski Club (Rochester)
RPI-Sage
Ski Club (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy)
Schussmeisters Ski
Club (University at Buffalo)
Snoburners Ski Club (New
York Metro area)
Snowflyers (New York
Metro area)
Suffolk Skidaddlers Ski
Club (Long Island)
Swiss Ski Club of New
York (New York Metro area)
Trailsweepers
Ski Club (Kingston)
Triple Cities Ski Club
(Binghamton)
Outdoor Organizations
Pack, Paddle, Ski -
A local company offering instruction and fun outings to make sure you enjoy the
outdoors in winter.
Adirondack Mountain Club
Find what's happening at your ADK
Chapter
Leading guide to skiing and snowboarding worldwide
|
Before you set off on your next family walk or outing, try making one of
these super easy trail mixes to keep your energy up.
Quick Fix Mix
2 cups mini pretzels
1 cup cheese snack crackers
1 cup honey roasted peanuts
1 cup raisins
Place all ingredients into a plastic baggie, seal, and then shake. Enjoy!
Chocolate Popcorn Mix
2 cups spoon size shredded wheat cereal
2 cups popped popcorn
1 cup dried cranberries
3 Tbsp. milk chocolate chunks
Toss cereal and popcorn into a large bowl. Place the cranberries into a
small bowl. Melt the chocolate as directed on the package, and stir. Pour
the chocolate over the cranberries and mix lightly. Add the chocolate
cranberries to the cereal mixture, and toss lightly. Spread the mix into a
single layer on a large piece of wax paper. Let it cool completely before
serving.
Fruity Nut Mix
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup dried banana chips
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1 cup unsalted peanuts
1 cup dried fruit bits
Place all of the ingredients into a plastic baggie, seal, and then shake.
Fast, easy and yummy!
About the Author:
Deborah Shelton is a mother, freelance writer, and author of the brand new
book, "The Five Minute Parent: Fun & Fast Activities for You and
Your Little Ones." Visit Deborah's website for more family-friendly
ideas:
http://www.fiveminuteparent.com
|
December 3, Wednesday, from 5 to 8 PM
Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society
25 Nottingham Court, Buffalo
Rich & Sue Freeman will join 18 other local authors for a pre-holiday
book signing. Come stock up on personalized gifts for the loved ones on
your holiday gift list.
December 6, Saturday, 11 AM - 4 PM
Grand Opening - new EMS Store
Book signing by Rich & Sue Freeman
Eastern Mountain Sports
McKinley Milestrip Center, 3540 McKinley Parkway, Blasdell, NY 14219
716-824-1817
Check out the new store, come for opening bargains and get a guidebook custom autographed for you or someone on your gift list.
December 6, Saturday, 6-8 PM
Media Play book signing by Rich & Sue
Freeman
3054 Sheridan Drive Amherst, NY 14226
716-837-3722
Get a guidebook custom autographed for you or someone on your gift list.
www.footprintpress.com
|
passing through many urban areas. The East Coast Greenway, one of 16
National Millenium Trails, will cover 2,600 miles. This traffic-free
path is now 10 years in the making and 20% complete. By 2010 they hope to
have it 80% complete. Visit www.greenway.org
for more information.
