Leigh Foster never says a word in his short film The Perfect Midwest Bikepacking Route. Across 572 miles from Chicago to his childhood home in St. Paul, Minnesota, he appears mostly as a figure pedaling through the frame, inviting the audience to see the country as if they were beside him. The Chicago-based filmmaker has […]

I’ve recently gotten into bike touring, but I’ve never been great with maps and directions. Is it common to get lost on a tour, and how should I handle it if I do? Dear Directionally Challenged, Thanks for your honesty about something you find difficult. And great job not letting this stop you from getting […]

Sure, Adventure Cycling Association’s brand-new 930-mile (1,500-kilometer) Eastern Canada Route links Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, and Québec City by way of world-class cycling infrastructure. And, yeah, you’ll pedal through some incredibly bucolic rural landscapes and historic small towns along the way. But we’re just as excited about the food. Much of the route’s roughly 930 miles […]

The dark plume rose on the horizon as we trundled through the desiccated desert. An erupting volcano? Mists rising from a muddy waterfall? We couldn’t decide. But we couldn’t fathom any other options here in Iceland’s uninhabited interior. We’d soon know either way. Our route was taking us straight toward it, and it grew bigger, […]

So maybe this is a silly question, but where do people go to the bathroom on a bike tour? I feel like there aren’t always public restrooms around when you need them. Dear Asking the Tough Questions, First of all, there are no silly questions here. And if you’re thinking it, surely a few others […]

Cycling is expensive these days, but it doesn’t have to be. Started in 2018 by Huffy, Batch Bicycles was designed to fill the gap between, well, the Huffy you’d find at a big box store and the entry-level models from the likes of Trek and Cannondale you’d find at your local bike shop. “There are […]

Pedaler’s Pub, as its name suggests, is an unapologetic hub for cyclists. The Bentonville, Arkansas, eatery’s pizzas boast names like the Fixie, Singlespeed, and Derailer. A chandelier fabricated from old GT mountain bike frames hangs above the bar. But on January 19, 2026, just as the restaurant was closing for the night, area cyclists were […]

The saying goes: “There’s no bad weather, just inadequate gear.” Be prepared for your next dousing by Mother Nature with these picks for some of our favorite wet-weather touring gear. Best Helmet Cover for Wet Weather Proviz Reflect360 Waterproof Helmet Cover, $26 Proviz Reflect360 Waterproof Helmet Cover Courtesy of Proviz This windproof and waterproof seam-sealed […]

When I’m at home, I typically postpone a ride when the weather isn’t cooperating. That’s not always an option during a bike tour. How will I cope? Dear Fair Weather Pedaler, It’s astute of you to think about the weather on your upcoming tour. And you’re correct. You’ll probably have to ride in less-than-ideal conditions […]

The Cycling House has been offering trips on Mallorca for 15 years, and we’ve come to know the island pretty well. While we love the coastal roads and post-ride beach vibes, our favorite thing about Mallorca can’t be found on a map—it’s our local guides.  Our local guides bring our Mallorca itineraries to life with […]

This story originally appeared in the February 2020 issue of Adventure Cyclist magazine. Heinz Stücke passed away on July 22, 2026. He was 86. After half a century of vagrancy and nearly 650,000 kilometers, the legendary German touring cyclist Heinz Stücke put down his bike. He now dreams of sorting and exposing his memories and […]

Have you ever wondered what cycling will be like in 50 years? What about 50 years ago? These were questions I pondered over the 13 days it took me and five other riders to replicate a bike tour our club did in 1976: 750-plus miles from Dearborn, Michigan, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. But while the rides […]

We’re right in the middle of our Montana season, and it’s one of my favorite times of the year. We get to spend our days riding bikes through Big Sky Country, sharing delicious meals, meeting new friends, and showing people the place I’ve always called home. Summer here is hard to beat. The sun rises […]

The Adventure Cycling staff shares the gear that’s earned a permanent spot on its bikes and packing lists — from a decade-old rear rack to a … dish sponge? Here’s what made the cut. Shockstop Suspension Seatpost and Stem System Redshift Sports Shockstop Stem Courtesy of Redshift Sports It’s hard to pick a single favorite, […]

It’s been ten years since The Cycling House last rode in Provence, France, but the region’s quiet roads, hilltop villages, and endless route options have never been far from our minds.  This year, we’re thrilled to add Provence back into our European line-up. With revamped routes and accommodations, this trip has a little something for […]

Happy summer from all of us here at The Cycling House! The summer solstice is in the rearview mirror and 2026 is flying by. We wanted to take a moment to share where this year has taken us so far – both on and off the bike. An Italian Legacy In June, we wrapped up […]

The Breakdown Component Lifespans: Compare part lifespans (chain, tires) to your mileage, replace or carry spares for parts that won’t last, and start with fresh tires/tubes. Weight vs Durability: Don’t cut weight on high-wear parts like drivetrain or brakes. Mid-tier components balance durability, weight, and cross-compatibility. Serviceability: Cable-actuated drivetrains and brakes are easier to fix […]

On July 23, 1982, Adventure Cycling cofounder Greg Siple shot a black-and-white portrait of Laura Orton. A touring cyclist from Albion, Michigan, Orton had stopped by Adventure Cycling’s Missoula offices during a tour beginning and ending in Seattle. It was the first of 35 portraits that Siple would shoot of cyclists that riding season and […]

From salt flats to summit passes, our community captured the moments that make bike travel unforgettable. But that doesn’t mean that, when we look back on this year’s winners in another 50 years, they won’t look as delightfully dated as our Bikecentennial photos do today. Around Camp WINNER TITLE: “NIGHT ON THE SALAR” PHOTO BY: […]

This story originally appeared in the Adventure Cyclist magazine feature “Get it in Writing” in the Summer 2025 issue. Become a member today to read the full feature and gain access to our entire digital magazine archive. Follow Meaghan as she rides Adventure Cycling’s Golden Gravel Trail this summer. Who knows, maybe this ride will […]

Adventure Cycling turns 50 this year, and cyclists across the country are celebrating the way cyclists do: by getting on their bikes and going on an adventure. Through our Drop-in Rides program, groups from across the country have signed up to ride three of America’s most epic routes: the TransAmerica Trail, the Great Divide Mountain […]

The Breakdown The best bikepacking gear setup depends on three factors: your bike size, trip style, and personal preferences. There’s no single “right” answer for every cyclist, but navigating these key choices will help you find yours. Seat bag vs. rear rack: Choose a rear rack for small bikes, longer trips, or bulky items. Pick […]

With apologies to the old saying “Stop and smell the roses,” if you’re going to stop while riding Adventure Cycling’s Idaho Hot Springs Mountain Bike Route, it really shouldn’t be for flowers. With 40 different natural (what the name suggests) and developed (think: hotel swimming pool) hot springs along our 517.5-mile bikepacking route, you’ll find […]

From your helmet to your butt and your handlebar bag to your taillight, these 8 pieces of cycling gear have you covered. Route Werks’ Big Handlebar Bag Courtesy of Route Werks Route Werks The Big Handlebar Bag, $230 Thanks to an optional five-panel insert with easily repositioned velcro dividers ($40), The Big Handlebar Bag can […]

There are some trips that simply click. The weather lines up, the riding exceeds expectations, and every evening somehow feels better than the last. That was the story of our revamped California trip at beautiful Zaca Lake Resort. Tucked into the rolling hills of California wine country, Zaca Lake gave us the perfect setting for a […]