Product Description
From Itasca State Park in Minnesota, to the southernmost point in Louisiana, on the Gulf of Mexico, Bob Robinson guides you along the designated route of the Mississippi River Trail, turn by turn. The Mississippi River Trail follows the mighty river's entire 2000-mile journey across America's heartland. Whether you are planning on cycling the entire trail across the country or just looking for a weekend adventure, this guidebook includes the services, route directions, bike shops, and maps you need to plan your adventure. The narration accompanying each section of the guidebook includes points of interest and history of the area, so that cyclists can better appreciate the communities and scenery they pass along the route. Many of the quaint picturesque communities along the Mississippi River have long been popular destinations for travelers, and are well equipped to accommodate their needs.So grab your bike and get prepared for the adventure of your life! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Decent first draft
After reading through this book (using it to help plan a fall ride) I think most of the text is fine but the books layout leaves a lot to be desired. The Maps of a section are at the end instead of at the beginning which is awkward.Many times the beginning text of a section faces the map from a previous section which is confusing.

Also, in the mileage charts, the author shows the mileage to turns but doesn't seem to indicate mileage to the campgrounds along the route... so it's impossible to figure out how long your day will be without additional resources.

Being familiar with some of the route this book has you take, yes the roads are crummy but thats what you get when the US has a history of not bothering to invest in roads that are safe for all legitimate road users.

MRT Cycle Book
This book is for anyone seeking information about biking the Mississippi River Trail.It's organized in a way that allows the reader planning tips and routes for a short trip along the trail or for the tourist wanting to travel multi-states.I will be using the guidebook in the near future as I explore the MRT in sections and then later attempt to navigate the complete trail from north to south.My research will not only include this book.Other sources, such as bikers who have completed this journey, will also be investigated.

After 1750+ miles
We used this book as our lifeline for a 5-week bike trip covering over 1750 miles from LaCrosse Wisconsin to New Orleans.No support vehicles, no GPS, just paper maps.

This book has the MRT broken into sections of 75-110 miles with 3 parts in each.Step-by-step direction, map, commentary.

First, the book has excellent step-by-step directions, with a few typos.I remember at least two places where the Right-Left were incorrect.Unfortunately, those same two places did not have MRT signs.I believe one is near the Dorena-Hickman ferry in Tennessee, the other is in Lacrosse Wisconsin.The shoulder info, mileage estimates, and overall quality of these sections is nearly perfect.

Secondly, while the step-by-step directions are generally excellent, the maps are useless.The maps do not show all of the towns (something critical when bike touring) and they don't mention towns that are off route (even if it is only 1/4 mile).When you hit road construction (or any other difficulty), the book leaves you stranded because it shows no cross streets and no parallel roads.The maps simply show a single line with dots showing some of the towns.Sadly, this means you will need to carry other sources.

Finally, each section comes with commentary by Bob.There were a few mistakes in this area too, but it mostly was quite helpful and informative.I actually would have enjoyed these sections more had he listed better traffic/hill commentary, and described a few more unique places.These sections are quite good however.

The book is good, the route isn't great.I would not take this route again, and I wish we had picked a different route.Many sections are barely passable by bike (including most of Missouri and Louisiana).Most of Missouri was under road construction and they seemed to be making less bike friendly.Any roads on the MRT route should have to be up to a specific standard.There are many areas that are simply unacceptable to bike on, even for an experienced rider.

Do not buy this book for the maps, buy it for the step-by-step directions and the commentary.Buy county maps for road construction and to help when you miss turns.The route is not always marked.

Oh, and in Memphis Rob has you go under a "primitive path".This is currently overgrown with kudzu, requiring you to carry your bike over your head for quite some distance.There is an easier way, with a sidewalk and nicely paved shoulder, but it is hard to find via bike.It takes you right to the pedestrian walkway into Arkansas.Also, once across there is a gravel MRT trail which seems to have changed since the book was published.It is gravel, but it works.

Lets hope another version of the book contains better maps, with more lodging listed.In several areas where he lists long stretches without lodging we biked right past hotels or cabins (the cabins were usually a bit pricier than hotels, but could hold more people).

We used the Adventure Cycling Great Rivers South maps along with the MRT guidebook.That helped a lot, but we still needed to pick up local maps at times.

Enjoy your journey.If you want help or advice on any confusing stretches, [...]

Bicycle Tourist dream of books like this!
"To the Point" information.Bob Robinson has given us clear and useful information regarding road conditions, mileage northbound and southbound.Campgrounds and other lodging.Cant wait to use it on our next trip.

The book is pretty good, but the trail is not great
Hey, this is important!The book says turn left on 77 to get to the Dorena ferry.TURN RIGHT! If you turn left there is a whole lot of nothing.

This is a great guide for the Missouri section of the Mississippi River Trail (though understand you will never actually see the river south of St. Louis), but once you get into Tennessee the directions become pretty annoying, as you are led block by block through neighborhoods (some with unmarked streets) and down long stretches of Highway 51, which is not ideal.It is not the book's fault, but there is not a really great way to get through Tennessee by bike.There are better long rides.Also, the trail in Missouri is often on state highways with no shoulders.The drivers are usually friendly enough, but I did encounter a little hostility along the way. ... Read more

Product Description

Monthly in cities around the world, bicyclists take over the streets in an "organized coincidence" called Critical Mass. Riding along several hundred strong, hooting and hollering, whistling, laughing and singing; it is a coup on wheels, a clever tactical strike against our oil-dependent culture. Containing writings from participants worldwide, this colorful book bundles together 10 years of legendary debates, photographs, artwork, and life-transforming experiences evolving from the celebratory, visionary revolt on bicycles called Critical Mass.

Customer Reviews (3)

Down with global warming, fascist oil wars and corporate globalization!
This joyful book should be mandatory reading! Simply put, our county's oil addiction and car culture are destroying our planet, contributing to air pollution, deforestation, urban sprawl, social alienation and war, not to mention roadkill. (Did you know that cars are the number 1 cause of the Florida panther's decline?) While biodiesel should be promoted instead of gas, it really does not alleviate the majority of social ills caused by the vehicle itself, like the atomizing of people inside steel boxes or the clear-cutting of forests to make way for parking lots and strip malls. In contrast, bikes promote community, healthy living, ecological sustainability, anti-capitalism and peace. So, dump your car and hit the streets with your friends and lovers. Enjoy the sunlight on your face, the wind in your hair and the music of birds!

Get a Life
[Another reviewer] did not review this book; he is only stating his closed-minded opinion about its content and its message.He has obviuosly never participated in a Critical Mass ride, his uninformed opinion about the people that do participate is just that, and I doubt the time he spends on his bicycle as 'an avid cyclist' occurs anywhere near the crowded streets of a large urban city in America.Although some of the writing in this book is a little rough, as a result of being a collection of many short essays by untrained writers, this book does an excellent job of capturing the spirit and energy of Critical Mass rides throughout the world, through the eyes and words of participants.Think of Critical Mass as the civil rights movement for urban cyclists, who are just plain tired of being threatened and endangered by rude and inconsiderate motorists, discriminated against by politicians, transportation planners, engineers and bureaucrats, the police and the entrenched dinosaur known as American car culture, which strangles and disfigures America's public spaces with noise, pollution, and violent death, and whose ever-increasing consumption of fossil fuel is driving us to war in the Middle East.Critical Mass is urban bicyclists reclaiming America's streets and other public spaces from the stranglehold of the SUV and the automobile in what is probably the largest civil disobedience movement in this country since the southern civil rights movement and the anti-war protests of the l960s.If you won't ride your bicycle in the city because you don't feel safe riding in traffic, read this book, find out the time and location of the nearest Critical Mass ride, get on your bicycle and bring a friend with a bicycle, and reclaim your public streets from the tyranny and hegemony of the automobile.

Critical Mess
Being an avid cyclist, I became interested in the phenomenon called Critical Mass after reading Travis Culley's excellent book. Apparently, large groups of cyclists take to the streets, blocking traffic in some type of protest in various cities around the world. This book is a collection of articles about these events written by different authors, many of whom participated in Critical Mass. It will give the reader a insight into why these idiots do this activity, but don't expect anything too profound. Once the reader begins to comprehend what is behind these rallies, the fact will become clear that it is fueled by the usual liberal imbecileswhom are behind most organized protests. There is some humor to be found in the articles and are worth reading, but overall this is a documentary of an activity which is the product of bored liberals, with too much time on their hands. I'm not surprised that San Francisco is a hotbed of this foolishness. I'll bet if one were to investigate, it would be revealed that bike messengers and professional envoirnmentalists are behind this nonsense. Some of the articles in this book are well written, but overall I would not recommend this book for responsible bikers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

It's old.
It needs to be updated, but can be helpful in planning a trip in Mexico. I used it for planning my bike trip from Merida to Punta Allen. There were a couple places where the route suggested was not as good as possible short cuts because of new roads. Hotel and restaurant list is no longer valid.

Good reference guide but not up to date
This book was written in the late 80's. Since then, a bunch of things have changed in Mexico (2001). Where there were dirt tracks now are highways, bus services have improved a lot and what is described as tiny-rough towns (in some cases only) are small "full-serviced" cities now. The maps contained in the book, as well as the road descriptions, should be used as a reference only. Check local web pages of the places you are interested visiting. MTB is becoming very popular (and growing fast) in Mexico and you will easily get information and tips from other "ciclyng fans" within the country. That will expand and give you info up to date of what is described in the book. ... Read more

Product Description
The complete guide to bicycling through Bucks County’s outstanding landscapes! "Back Roads Bicycling in Bucks County, Pa." is the only guide dedicated to cycling in an area that is justly famous for its beautiful scenery. This new edition is completely revised and expanded, with more than 40 rides on bike paths and country roads. It includes routes for riders at every level, with detailed maps and directions in a bike-friendly layout. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A perfect guide for its quaint locale
Now in a newly revised and significantly expanded edition, Back Roads Bicycling In Bucks County, Pa. by Catherine D. Kerr offers more than forty scenic bike path and country road routes throughout Bucks county, Pennsylvania upon which avid cyclers can enjoy their hobby. Maps, landmarks, notes and points of interest, all presented in easy-to-read and easy-to-follow format make Back Roads Bicycling in Bucks County, Pa. a perfect guide for its quaint locale. Also highly recommended for avid cyclists are three other titles from Freewheeling Press: Mountain Biking In New Jersey (0971461635...), The Back Roads Bike Book (0965273318, ...), and Bike Journal (0965273342...)

A must have for cyclist riding in Buck County, PA!
Wonderfully done maps and detailed cue sheets guide you on the lesstraveled roads of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The "sampler" cuesheet is my favorite. This book is great if your going to spend a beautifulfall weekend in Bucks County. Most of the rides are less than 20 miles inlength, which is ideal for the casual cyclist. Includes bike shop andrental information as well as places to dine.

A must have for cyclist riding in Buck County, PA!
Wonderfully done maps and detailed cue sheets guide you on the lesstraveled roads of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The "sampler" cuesheet is my favorite. This book is great if your going to spend a beautifulfall weekend in Bucks County. Most of the rides are less than 20 miles inlength, which is ideal for the casual cyclist. Includes bike shop andrental information as well as places to dine. ... Read more

Product Description
This cycling guide to Wisconsin has been updated to include a wider variety of rides on back roads and rail-trails for all levels of recreational cyclists. Features 5 new tours and a selection of the authors' favorite rail-trails.

Wisconsin is one of cycling's best kept secrets. From the tall pines and clear lakes of the north, through gently rolling central farmlands, to the high bluffs and hidden valleys along the Mississippi River, the state is laced with well-maintained secondary roads. Since 1986, when they founded the Bike Wisconsin touring company, Jane and Scott Hall have led thousands of cyclists on tours around their home state. In this book they have selected 28 of their favorite daylong cycling adventures, as well as a bonus chapter recommending their favorite rail-trails. The tours cover varied terrain and feature places of historic and cultural interest and areas of natural beauty.

Each tour includes a detailed map; mile-by-mile directions; information on terrain and mileage; trip highlights; and where to find repairs and rentals along the way. 28 black & white photographs, 29 maps. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A "user friendly" guide for avid Wisconsin cyclers
The collaborative effort of Jane and Scott Hall, Backroad Bicycling In Wisconsin: 28 Scenic Tours Through Lakes, Forests, And Glacier-Carved Countryside is a superbly organized and presented resource filled with maps, recommended routes, tips and tricks, and much more for avid cyclers, complete with information about terrain, where to find repairs and rentals, highlights of one's trips, and much more. Backroad Bicycling In Wisconsin is confidently recommended as being a truly first-rate, "user friendly" guide for avid Wisconsin cyclers. ... Read more

Product Description
This is the book that explains why Bicycling Magazine has rated this area as one of the top 10 places for road biking in the United States. From flat valley tobacco farms, to the stream lined hillsides and numerous waterfalls, and the broad, sweeping views of distant mountain ranges, this area has it all. Visit the area's 3 separate rail-trails or its '5 colleges' or its covered wooden bridges-all accessible on bike. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Salt Lake road riding necessity
I ride both the road and singletrack. Although Gregg Bromka has written several excellent trail guides for Utah mountain bikers, there has not been a well organized print guide to road rides in Salt Lake envirions prior to this book. The road rides are well chosen and feature excellent descriptions and access instructions. The list does not include all classic local rides but hits most of them with suggestions for add-ons and shortcuts if time is pressing. It is obvius that the author has ridden all of the rides in this book and made careful observations. Of course, these are ultimately suggested routes and I ride a little different route than described in the book for all of these rides but that is the fun of it.

There are little things that frustrate me about the book, most annoying of which is the inclusion of ten mountain bike rides. While the author states that his intention is to provide a well-rounded guide to all cycling in the area, these rides are previously published in his other guides and I cannot help but think they are filler to make the book thick enough in the absence of more road rides to describe. This is unfortunate because there are certainly more road rides in the Park City and Midway/Heber areas as well as the city limits that could have nicely filled out the book and would have been valuable information for the roadies looking for something a little different from the usual SLC rides.

In the end, I have used this book extensively and highly recommend it for the visiting or new roadie in SLC. Even roadie veterans may find some new routes and variations. ... Read more

Product Description
Bicycling Magazine's Cycling for Women:Savvy Advice from the Sport's Leading Women Writers

This cycling guide is written by women, for women. Taking into account issues that set women apart from men, it provides tips and information for you--the female cyclist.

Discover how to:

Select the most comfortable athletic clothing and gear
Follow the do's and don'ts of ridingduring pregnancy
Lose weight by combining cycling with healthy eating
Increase upper-body strength for maximum bike control
Make roadside repairs
Choose the bike that's best for you
Play it safe on the road
... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

I am NOT the editor
I am not sure why my name is associated with this book, which obviously has some reporting issues. Let me be perfectly clear: I had NOTHING to do with this book. Yes, I have edited other books in Rodale's cycling series, but I HAVE NEVER LAID EYES ON THIS BOOK. I have contacted Rodale and they are working to get my name removed from this page.

What a surprise! from one of the authors
As I am one of the featured authors in this books ("the sport's leading women writers!") you'd think that the publisher would have bothered to tell me about the publication of this book. No, I discovered it, three years later, accidentally in a web search. I was still more surprised to find in the chapter entitled "Riding with Confidence" that I supposedly changed my first flat tire while riding with a friend named Ann and tried to get someone named Eric to drive out and help us. A nice little tale, and maybe it happened to someone, but not to me. The day that I would have asked someone to help me fix a flat tire, let alone drive to do so - well, I would have had to have had two broken arms. You can ask my mom.
So maybe this book is great. Seeing chapters with my name on them with chunks of stuff I did not write (I did write the stuff after the long intro, for a Bicycling magazine article) makes me wonder how the rest of the book holds together and how many more cute little tales didn't really happen at all. ... Read more

Product Description
A travel writer describes in detail forty of the world's most singular and offbeat travel adventures, from paddling by sea kayak around the fjords of Greenland to an elephant safari through Botswana, detailing tour outfitters, gear, health tips, and more. Original. 25,000 first printing. Tour."Amazon.com Review
Adventure travel has become big business; in 1996 alone, 15 millionAmericans spent roughly $8 billion on adventure travel and relatedgear, leading outfitters and packagers to carve up the globe intocustomized adventures. In this compilation of challenging outings toremote corners of the globe, Noland attempts to help adventuretravelers hook up with the trips of their dreams.

Three briefsections prime us for travel, advising how to make the basic choicesof what trip and how to prepare. What sorts of details does Nolanddiscuss in "Getting Ready"? Not the stuff of Travel101--more like helicopter evacuation insurance and malaria pills.

Forty arduous adventures across seven continents follow; there arethose to inspire fear and trembling-- "The Arctic: Skiing to theNorth Pole"; "Venezuela: Living with the FiercePeople"; and "Nepal/Tibet: Climbing Mount Everest"--aswell as those for the more sensuously inclined--"Belize: Kayakingthe Offshore Islands" and "Portugal: Cycling in WineCountry." Each excursion is followed by recommendations ofappropriate outfitters and reading material, a brief dispatch on whatto expect, and a rating of the challenges that lie ahead.

Blessedwith an enormous capacity for risk-taking, a sense of humor, and animpressive knowledge of the remote corners of the world, Noland hasdesigned both a paean to the art of travel and, for the daring, aninformative how-to guide. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Adventure travel perhaps, but not independent travel
Pretty much all of these adventures are for the wealthy who utilize guides and outfitting services. This is not a book of independent adventures. In some cases the traveler sounds like they'd be just along for the ride. Still, there are some spectacular routes, on foot, bike, vehicle and boat. Just know what you're getting...

A guide only for those who have lots of money to spend on outfitters
I immediately returned this book. First, there are very few backpacking/hiking trips described in this book. The range of adventures described is all over the place, with some you might need specific skills in like skiing or climbing. Second, and worse, is that all of the trips described require the use of spending big bucks to hire an outfitter to take care of everything, not exactly and adventure as even the author admits.

Dr. Livingstone, I presume?
Noland combines a thorough knowledge of his subject with rapier-sharp writing to produce Travels Along The Edge. As somewhat of a sheltered world traveler myself -- I've been overseas a mere four times, and one of those was only to the Caribbean :) -- I found Noland's tips on packing light and situational awareness to be invaluable. Upon completing the book, I found myself burning to engineer the funds and time to complete some of these travels and expand my understanding of our amazing planet. If you've ever looked around at your mundane surroundings and muttered, "there's gotta be more to life than this," Travels Along the Edge will stoke you to do something about it. Or at least, to dream.

Ho hum
David Nolan's guidebook is described as "40 ultimate adventures for the modern nomad -- from crossing the Sahara to bicycling through Vietnam." And there's a chapter on Hawaii.
Nolan, a writer for Outside magazine, says a true travel adventure should have the traveler asking himself, at least once, "What the (blank) am I doing here?"
But that standard, the Hawaii chapter turns out to be pretty small beer. Nolan drives up Haleakala Highway on Maui, admires the dawn, then hikes down Sliding Sands Trail. He does not say how he got out, so I assume he went back up Sliding Sands.
If he had seen either Kaupo Gap or Switchbacks (Halemau`u), he probably would have mentioned it.
Or perhaps not. This is a man who has hiked Nepal and Kilimanjaro. He has seen scenery.
Though he says you can have fun in Hawaii "hiking the out islands" (Where did he get that? The local term is "Neighbor Islands."), he rates it low on challenge.
On his scale of one to five, hiking in Hawaii rates only a two or three for physical challenge, one to three for mental challenge and one for skills needed.
So take the Hawaiian hiking vacation first. Put off the rafting trip down the Omo River in Ethiopia for later, in case you pick up blackwater fever and don't make it back.
Actually, hiking in Hawaii can be exciting, though the guided tours are safe enough. Nolan does not mention the unguided hikers who vanish, whose bones are found in the tops of tall trees or whose bodies are found by accident by searchers looking for somebody else.
"Travels Along the Edge" doesn't do much to give Hawaii a reputation as an exotic land of danger, but it has a frank introductory section on traveling outside the resort system.
Parts of it appear to be pitched to morons. While advising edge travelers to bring hiking boots, Nolan tells a tale of a woman who showed up for a trek in Nepal without them.
Well, I've seen a German go down Switchbacks (a sheer cliff about 1,500 feet high) in slippahs (zoris), running.
That's an adventure.

Read this before you travel to the edge!
The appendix alone makes the book a good buy. It is useful in helping you assess the best season to travel, what the mental and physical challenge is for any given destination, and the skills needed. I also enjoyed the authors dry humour, i.e. when he recalls the "what the f*ck am I doing here?" moments of his adventures. ... Read more

Product Description
Cycling the open road has its pleasures but it can also be intimidating, especially for the novice or the parent with young children. Fortunate, there's another option for those cyclist who have something a little more peaceful and recreational in mind: the paved bike path. Free of cars, red lights, and exhaust fumes, recreational paths are popping up everywhere. In The Best Bike Paths of New England, Wendy Williams has done you the favor of finding them in advance.

Organized by state, The Best Bike Paths of New England is the only comprehensive listing of these community treasures, describing forty-five paths and detailing everything you'll need to know about each one:
-- A map of each state showing you where the path is
-- A detailed description of the path, including mileage
-- General background, including the history of the path and any useful tourist information
-- The level of difficulty, type of scenery, and condition of pavement
-- Availability of food and bathrooms
-- Directions, including the most accessible parking area

Whether you want to coast alongside the send dunes of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, climb the White Mountains of New Hampshire, or explore Maine's Acadia National Park, there's a bike path waiting for you. So fill your water baffle, pack a lunch, pump up your tires, and prepare for a great ride! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Way way out of date
I failed to notice the copyright date when I bought this book -- 1996.So much has changed since then, and many rail trails aren't included. I think it was good for its day, but it needs to be updated.

Superb Guide
This book is excellent. It really enhanced a recent visit to Cape Cod by decribing the various trails in a way that I thought was very accurate, and provided many details which allowed us to effectively plan our bike rides.

A great appetizer!
This book was a nice introduction to some of the bike paths in New England.The path descriptions, for the paths I have ridden, were very accurate.The only thing missing were detailed maps of the trailsthemselves. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good resource book
A great book for the beginner cyclist and a good resource for those wanting to refresh their skills. ... Read more

Product Description
Cycling the open road has its pleasures but it can also be intimidating, especially for the novice or the parent with young children. Fortunately, there's another option for those cyclists who have something a little more peaceful and recreational in mind: the paved bike path. Free of cars, red lights, and exhaust fumes, recreational paths are popping up everywhere. In The Best Bike Paths of the Southwest, Wendy Williams has done you the favor of finding them in advance.Organized by state, The Best Bike Paths of the Southwest is the only comprehensive listing of these community treasures, describing fifty-six paths and detailing everything you'll need to know about each one:
-- A map of each state, showing you where the path is
-- A detailed description of the path, including mileage
-- General background, including the history of the path and any useful tourist information
-- The level of difficulty, type of scenery, and condition of pavement
-- Availability of food and bathrooms
-- Directions, including the most accessible parking area

Whether you want to explore San Francisco's East Bay, discover Arizona's breathtaking Sabino Canyon, or cruise along Nevada's Truckee River, there's a bike path waiting for you. So fill your water bottle, pack a lunch, pump up your tires, and prepare for a great ride! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Outdated
The book was published in 1996 and with the extensive construction in new bike paths that occurred in metropolitan Phoenix and Tucson since that time, it is very much out-of-date.

Also, since when is northern (and southern for that matter) California in the southwestern US?

Got bikes?Get book!
This book is an excellent resource for safe bike paths throughout the Southwest.The detailed maps, directions for best parking, and stops along the bike paths make this book an ideal resource for those who take their bikes with them on vacation!

An important element of the book is the traffic-free bike path focus.This is perfect for families with children and others who don't wish to share the road with cars!

Nice collection of Bike paths in the southwest
This book covers bike pathsand routes in several cities in Arizona (14 routes), Southern California (6 routes), Northern California (26 routes), Nevada(2 routes) and Utah (8 routes).There are no maps of the routes but the author does a pretty good job of describing them.The descriptions are pretty detailed including such things as places to park, restroom locations, places to eat, level of difficulty, and condition of pavement.

This book seems to be written with the casual cyclist in mind.If you're looking for a route where you can "hammer" out 40 miles at a fast pace then this book is not for you.If you're looking for a place to enjoy a leisurely weekend ride with friends or children, then this book was designed with you in mind,For example, in their level of difficulty ranking the authors consider a 3-mile route with rolling hills to be "challenging."

The only negative comment I have about the book was that it was written about 5 years ago so some of these routes may have changed over the years.For most of the routes, the author does provide a phone number to call to get more information about the route.If you're traveling to a new area and plan to ride one of these routes you may want to call ahead of time to make sure the route or bike path still exists or has not changed. ... Read more

Product Description
The essential guide to Toronto's amazing network of off-street recreational bicycling paths. Bicycling along scenic rivers, creeks and the Lake Ontario shoreline is one of the joys of visiting Toronto. This comprehensive handbook shows how to reach Toronto's best off-street bicycle paths by bike, car, or subway (which allows bikes during off-peak hours). Conveniently pocket sized, the guide is easy to take along and each route is fully detailed and illustrated with an easy-to-read map. This new edition is completely updated and includes 15 scenic trails. Useful tips and advice on cycling basics are also provided, such as bicycle paths, buying and taking care of a bike, and what to take along. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Bicycling the Backroads Around Puget Sound
Being the first in a series of three volumes of Washington State bicycling tours written by Erin & Bill Woods, the fourth edition of Backroads Around Puget Sound was published in 1995.I purchased the first edition in 1972 while participating in the Boeing Bicycle Club (BBC) and it was at that time created from a looseleaf compendium of trips that were planned and mapped out by Bill and his wife Erin.The trips (54 in total) range in length from a couple hours to overnight, and points of interest (with an ongoing mileage logs) are included.Each trip includes a useful elevation map and some idea of difficulty, a good thing since Western Washington is very hilly terrain.In my opinion there could be no individuals better qualified to write these books, and I've been on most of the ones in the book at least once, some a great many times over the years, and often accompanied (led, actually) by the Woods family during BBC outings.

Some of the maps contained may require updating, so unless you're accompanied by a knowledgeable tour group, it is helpful to compare them to current maps (I'd recommend both the 2001 Thomas Puget Sound Street Guide and Directory, and also the free King County Bicycling Guidemap).However, most of the route maps should be OK as they are, and often the best way to use the book is to copy the tour map of interest, higlighting the route and place it in a waterproof clear envelope (this is the Seattle area, after all).In summary, the popularity of the Woods' book is seen from it surviving through four editions, but since six years has elapsed it is perhaps due for yet another edition, and I'll be waiting.

Very Poor Directions
Although there is a good variety of trails in this book, I got lost every time I used it.The directions were not unclear- they were completely wrong.The book was written in 1995 so maybe some of the roads have changed, but there has to be a more reliable book out there.I would not recommend this book to anyone. ... Read more

Product Description
This comprehensive guidebook covers one of the last large, intact ecosystems remaining in the temperate zones. This uncommonly beautiful area includes a wide range of natural attractions, from rugged mountain peaks and spectacular waterfalls to spruce and fir forests to fossil forests and geyser basins.

Here is all the information needed to select a trip or trail in the spectacular Yellowstone backcountry, including:
-- An overview of the region's natural history, including forest fire ecology
-- Tips on safety, clothing and equipment, weather conditions, backcountry regulations, and much more
-- Where to find the best hiking, backpacking, bicycling, canoeing, and cross-country ski touring routes
-- Best places to see elk, moose, bison, and other wildlife
-- Foreword by Mary Carr of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Great Book to Introduce Yellowtone and Beyond
Planning a trip out west to visit the National Parks, Bach's book was one of my first purchases. I'm glad I did. It not only prepared me for Yellowstone, but it also prepared me for my visits to Glacier and Yosemite National Parks. The gear lists and the general guidelines for hiking in the backcountry were invaluable in preparing a beginner backcountry hiker to the path ahead.

Yellowstone Yes
This is the best trails book for any of the mountain states national parks. I have not found a book for Glacier or Rocky Mountain National parks as good as this book. The Kent and Donna Dannen guide to RMNP comes close. This book may look as if it is for backpackers, but it has lots of info for day hikes, too.

Yellowstone Yes
This is the best trails book for any of the mountain states national parks. I have not found a book for Glacier or Rocky Mountain National parks as good as this book. The Kent and Donna Dannen guide to RMNP comes close. This book may look as if it is for backpackers, but it has lots of info for day hikes, too.

Wonderful detail on trails and scenic hikes
Bach does a wonderful job of describing each hike in brief detail. The book guides you in every direction, from locating the trailhead to the start and finish of each hike. As he describes each significant turn of thetrail, he also points out natural features and wildlife to watch for. Agreat addition to your Yellowstone library. ... Read more

Product Description
In 1804, an expedition led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark departed Camp Wood, Illinois, on a journey to discover the source of the great Missouri River and map a path to the Pacific Ocean. Traveling by canoe, on horseback, and on foot, the Corps of Discovery completed its mission successfully, returning safely to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1806. Bicycling the Lewis & Clark Trail is the cyclist's indispensable handbook to the route of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Filled with detailed maps, information on road surfaces and traffic, and a wealth of historical detail, it guides the modern adventurer through the spectacular country first recorded by Lewis and Clark.
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Product Description
Fix a broken chain with a shoelace!
Improve shifter performance with dishwashing detergent!

Inside are thousands of tips to repair and maintain any road or mountain bike. Whether it's the latest model or a classic that has thousands of miles on it, beginners or experienced riders can keep their bikes on the road longer and spend less time in the repair shop. With this ultimate repair manual:

* Build a dream bike workshop with complete plans and comprehensive tool lists
* Wow ride partners with tricks for fixing breakdowns with a minimum of tools
* Roll wheel hoops and save time and money
* Dial in suspension shocks for comfortable rides
* Discover top tricks from professional mechanics
* Expertly work on any style of brakes, including the V-Brake
* Overhaul freewheels and cassettes for peak performance
* Service clipless pedals for maximum safety

What's new in the expanded and revised fourth edition?

* Updated text that covers the latest models and parts
* Over 160 new photos so you get repairs right the first time
* Clearer, better designed captions so you can read as you repair
* Troubleshooting sections to quickly identify and correct common problems
* Web sites and phone numbers of bicycle and parts manufacturers
* An updated glossary with the latest in bike lingo
Amazon.com Review
Your local bike mechanic might have you thinking that"wrenching" is right up there with rocket science. But the truth is,anyone can master the ins and outs of bicycle maintenance under theguidance of a good teacher. In lieu of a professor, the editors ofBicycling and Mountain Bike magazines have created ashop companion, which they refer to as "another tool for working onyour bike." They guide you from the basics of your pre-ride checklistto tuning your derailleurs and overhauling your hubs. And they offerupdated information on maintaining front shocks and even a handful ofrear suspensions. What's more, they can walk you through the arduoustask of rebuilding ancient parts that some shop mechanics haven't evenheard of. If you've ever tried to work on your own car, you'veundoubtedly developed a healthy fear of automobile shop manuals. Butunlike the cryptic list of part numbers and equations you'll find atPep Boys, this guide is written by people who want you to see just howrewarding bike maintenance can be. --Ben Tiffany ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

Excellent resource!
This is a very comprehensive resource for any cyclist.If you like to keep your machine in top shape you should have this in your shop.

Old edition Bike magazine Complete guide to bicycle repair
I made a mistake and bought this edition thinking it was the newer edition.Bicycle Magazine has updated it in 2005.This one was the 1999 edition.Some key technology has changed.If your bike is newer than 2001 or 2002, buy the new book.

Complete Guide to Bicycle Maintenance and Repair
It's surprising to see how much the front and back cover promise only to find out how little information and substance it actually delivers. The book is very basic providing mostly very general information. The chapter on shift levers is particularly incomplete with outdated examples and few details on maintenance and repairs.The book may suffer from trying to cover both road and mountain bikes and doing a poor job with both. Certainly won't purchase another book recommended or endorsed by Bicycling Magazine!

This book changed my life!
Before I read this book, I would stare blankly at my bike and never had any clue how it worked.After I started to read it, every little part of the bike took shape and I began to understand how everything fit together, how all the components were made, and how to diagnose problems with them.I started fixing and upgrading my bike, bought a couple of old bikes and refurbished them, and just had a great time doing all of it.

Now, 2 years later, I've gone from a casual cyclist to a huge gearhead who talks, rides, and dreams about bike.I hang out on bikeforums.net and could draw a derailer with a blindfold on.So, that's why I say this book changed my life :-)

Bike repair is not just a great hobby, it's an immensely useful skill!You can save an enormous amount of money and time by doing your own repairs, and you can customize your bike to your heart's content.I've also learned a lot about materials engineering and mechanical design from this hobby.

Disappointing
I like fixing and modifying bikes almost as much as I love riding them.I have an extensive toolset and can perform many repairs myself.So..... around 2001 I received this book as a gift and thought that it would be comprehensive and high quality because Bicycling magazine published it.I was very disappointed. --It is poorly organized and indexed. --Most components shown are from the early to mid-1990s. Coverage of modern components (carbon fibre, gripshift, aerobars, areowheels, hydralic brakes, v-brakes, sealed bearings, etc) are either missing or very poor. --Drawings are incomplete. Drawings are used where a picture would be better. --Some pictures are small, unclear, poorly lit, or at weird angles.--Some pictures exist for operations that are very common or clear, while pictures of more complex tasks are missing.--Spelling and grammer errors make it obvious it was not proof-read before publishing.
P.S.The HAYES bike repair book is just as Bad.... similar to the poor quality that many of their car repair books have. ... Read more

Product Description
This durable training journal from the editors of Bicycling magazine is both practical to use and inspiring to look at. Two hundred full-color photographs complement weekly spreads for tracking important training data such as distance, time, weather, pace, and mood. Throughout the journal, you'll find helpful tips on effective training, fitness, racing strategy, gear, and nutrition, as well as quotes to inspire you whether you are hitting the pavement behind a pace line or simply taking a leisurely Sunday ride. lOffers a full 52 weeks of entries lHeavyweight smear-proof paper stands up to heavy inks, sweaty hands, and toting in your gym bag lWeek-at-a-glance lets you summarize your weekly training quickly and easily lTop-notch tips from the experts at Bicycling make you a better athlete lThe only journal with full-color photos throughout lHandy spiral binding guarantees ease of use ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Bicycle Training Journal
The product arrived in a timely manner and as described.I would do business with again.

Blah
Not much to offer.Confusing journal pages.Could have done that myself with a notebook.

Interesting, but other ways to do the same thing
This is like a day planner, except its use is limited to recording information about your daily rides, but one could also do that on a customized computer spreadsheet, and it would give you running mileage totals.It contains some interesting tips, but you could probably find most of those elsewhere.There are quotes on bicycling.Consider "Bicycling Magazine's 1,000 All-Time Best Tips" by Ben Hewitt. ... Read more

Product Description
A detailed guide to more than 100 rides in every biker's dream country--the canyons, dunes, and mountains of Utah and Colorado. In recent years the Rocky Mountain West has become one of the nation's most popular destinations for road and mountain bikers. The national parks in the area, long known for their dramatic scenery and wildness, offer bicyclists unparalleled opportunities to enjoy their sport in the rugged beauty of Colorado's mountains and the sculpted sandstone of Utah's canyons. Reading like a lineup of the most prized biking destinations, this guide features rides in Arches, Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Rocky Mountain National Parks. In addition, Alley introduces her readers to lesser known destinations such as Dinosaur National Monument, the Great Sand Dunes, Natural Bridges National Monument, and Timpanogos Cave--all places with outstanding rides and stories that tell about our past. Whether guiding bikers along old frontier trails, up mountains on rugged dirt tracks, or along the miles of slickrock in the Canyonlands, Alley offers something for all riders. Tours range in length from a short spin to over 100 miles. Each ride description includes a detailed map, tour directions, information about the trail or road surface, sites you'll see along the way, and the length and difficulty of the ride. In addition, a trip-planning appendix for each park tells you where to stay or camp, do your laundry, eat, buy supplies, and repair or rent a bike.

* 103 rides are decribed and mapped in detail
* The first and only guide of its kind for this area
* Part of the new national series: Bicycling America's National Parks
* Includes professional color photographs of the parks ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Best Ride Book
Having ridden in Utah, Colorado for over 30 years, this book is an excellent comprehensive guide to the best places. ... Read more

Product Description
If you've ever considered taking up the amazing sport of bicycling, then "A Beginner's Guide to Biking" is the perfect book to get you started!

In "A Beginner's Guide to Biking", John Billings takes you step-by-step through absolutely everything you need to know about the sport (whether you're interested in mountain biking, leisurely bike trips, or even competitive racing).

All of the advice is simple and practical, and covers all the major areas of this wonderful pursuit, including...

- Exactly what type of bike is ideal for your individual needs.
- The key differences between the various types of biking (road biking vs. off-road biking, biking with family, biking for fitness, etc.)
- How to prevent common biking injuries (as well as "road rash" and other common biking afflictions).
- All the ins-and-outs of planning a "biking vacation".
- How to find a perfect biking trail near your home.
- How to train for competitive bike races.

...and more!

"A Beginner's Guide to Biking" is written in plain, easy to understand English (you won't find any complicated technical jargon here), and is designed to effortlessly walk you through the biking experience, step by step, with nothing left out.

So if you've ever wanted to enjoy the health, excitement, and incredible experiences that biking offers, but never felt like you had enough time, money, or "know-how" to pull it off, then "A Beginner's Guide to Biking" is the perfect book to help you finally experiencing this amazing sport! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Not much here.
Isn't much extra here that you can't find in any other book that addresses in more detail and more interestingly the basics or via a basic web search.

Very helpful, practical book
I recently began getting interested in biking (partially for fun, and partially to try and lose some weight), and I've been using this book as a guidebook to see me through the whole process of getting started.So far I've found it to be very helpful.I've used the guidelines in the book to get myself a nice, practical bike that I feel is a good fit for my needs, getting some basic equipment, finding bike trails, etc, and I'm starting to incorporate biking into my lifestyle on a regular basis (although I'm still tweaking some things).

I feel like I could've figured out some of this information on my own, but it would have cost me more time and/or money to do so, so I'm personally glad to have picked up this guide rather than trying to figure out the info on my own.For example, it probably saved me some money when I purchased my bike (much more than the book itself costs, I would imagine).

The only downside to this book is that it's definitely going to cover some areas that won't apply to you: for example, some people will want to bike with their families, while other people will be more interested in competing in races, and there isn't a ton of overlap between those two activities.

That being said, if you're fairly new to biking and you want to start doing it more seriously, this book is very thorough, covers a lot of different areas of the sport, and overall is just a very practical, helpful little book.
... Read more