Book Description

Hop on the saddle and let Bicycling For Dummies take you on a wild ride. Face it: Bicycling isn't what it used to be in the old days when you had only a few models to choose from. Now there are hybrids, comfort bikes, city bikes, mountain bikes, suspension bikes, touring bikes, and more. And with each type of bike, there are new ways to ride them, which is why you need to consult Bicycling For Dummies. Whether you're a casual rider or a seasoned cyclist, this book shows you how to buy the right bike, how to ride it properly and safely, and how to start having more fun on the street or the trail.More than just a buyer's guide, this book can help you get the most out of your new (or old) bike. You can find out how to gear up with the latest helmets, clothing, locks, and other accessories, and also how to avoid common biking mishaps with tips and techniques for riding efficiently and safely. Included, also, is a step-by-step primer -- complete with illustrations -- to the most common repairs, from simple jobs (like fixing flat tires and squeaky brakes) to more-complicated repairs (like fixing a bent rear derailleur). So whether your goal is to bike to get in shape or to simply have fun, Bicycling For Dummies is your complete guide to the wonderful world of bike riding.

Customer Reviews (3)

Entertaining AND educational!
This book is a very good tool for those who are thinking of buying a bike, either for pleasure or for serious exercise.It covers everything from how to find a bike that fits you, to what accessories you really need, to how to plan an exercise program once you get the bike, to how to repair it yourself.And not only is it a good resource, but it's also a pleasure to read!Allen St. John is a funny writer who really enjoys his subject, making the book easy to read and very entertaining- it makes you want to go out and buy a bike the very second you start reading it!

A GREAT PLACE TO GET STARTED
This book has to be the best general guide for cycling.It takes you through all the steps of how to buy the bike that suits you, what accessories to get and what not to waste money on.It also explains how to setup your bike properly before you take your first ride.All in an easy to understand everyday English.I would recommend only to beginners, but veterans may find some useful information as well.

best overview I've seen!
This is the best book I've seen on bicycling.From describing all the different parts and components to accessories to fitting a bike to repairing and fixing basic problems, this book does it all.Covers manyaspects of bicycling.Highly, highly recommended! If you are buyingyour first book on bicycling or if your just want to know more, this is thebook for you! ... Read more

Product Description
Updated 2nd edition. Jam-packed guide to the best cycling in Florida, both road and off-road. ... Read more

Book Description
Whether you crave the pavement or off-road action turns you on, you'll find it all in this jam-packed guide to the best cycling in the state of Florida. Including information about cycling laws, safety issues, and even where to stop to see the best scenery, this book has everything you need.

Divided by region, each of the 58 rides include complete directions, maps, and important information particular to the ride, such as where to find facilities, whether there are fees, and the condition of the terrain. Names and addresses of area bike associations are featured after each ride, as well as a helpful glossary of cycling terms at the end of the book.

So pump up your tires, top off that water bottle, and grab a copy of this book. Whether you're a novice or a veteran road warrior, you're sure to find the right ride for you. ... Read more

Product Description
This up-to-date and comprehensive electronic book on CD-ROM presents an enormous library of documents and publications covering all aspects of bicycle and pedestrian safety, with material from the Federal Highway Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center.The Bicycle & Pedestrian Program of the Federal Highway Administration's Office of Human and Natural Environment, promotes bicycle and pedestrian transportation accessibility, use, and safety. Each State has a Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator in its State Department of Transportation to promote and facilitate the increased use of nonmotorized transportation, including developing facilities for the use of pedestrians and bicyclists and public educational, promotional, and safety programs for using such facilities. The FHWA Bicycle & Pedestrian Program issues guidance and is responsible for overseeing that requirements in legislation are understood and met by the States and other implementing agencies. Other sponsored resources such as the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center provide information on a wide variety of engineering, encouragement, education, and enforcement topics. Federal legislation in Title 23 of the United States Code Section 217 provides the funding mechanisms, planning requirements, and policy tools necessary to create more walkable and bicycle-friendly communities – there is a description of the legislation and the key provisions of the law. Section 217 of Title 23 of the U.S. Code calls for the integration of bicycling and walking into the transportation mainstream. More importantly, it enhances the ability of communities to invest in projects that can improve the safety and practicality of bicycling and walking for everyday travel.* Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access* National Bicycling and Walking Study Ten Year Status Report - In 1990, the Federal Highway (FHWA) Administrator described bicycling and walking as "the forgotten modes" of transportation. For most of the preceding decade, these two nonmotorized transportation options had been largely overlooked by Federal, State, and local transportation agencies. An average of just $2 million of Federal transportation funds were spent each year on bicycle and pedestrian projects, and the percentage of commuting trips made by bicycling and walking fell from a combined 6.7 percent to 4.4 percent. In the same year, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) adopted a new national transportation policy that, for the first time, specifically sought to "increase use of bicycling, and encourage planners and engineers to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian needs in designing transportation facilities for urban and suburban areas", and "increase pedestrian safety through public information and improved crosswalk design, signaling, school crossings, and sidewalks." This incredible CD-ROM is packed with over 39,000 pages reproduced using Adobe Acrobat PDF software - allowing direct viewing on Windows and Macintosh systems.Our news and educational CD-ROM and DVD-ROM discs are privately compiled collections of official public domain U.S. government files and documents - they are not produced by the federal government. They are designed to provide a convenient user-friendly reference work, utilizing the benefits of the Adobe Acrobat format to uniformly present thousands of pages that can be rapidly reviewed, searched by finding specific words, or printed without untold hours of tedious research and downloading. Vast archives of important public domain government information that might otherwise remain inaccessible are available for instant review no matter where you are. This book-on-a-disc format makes a great reference work and educational tool. There is no other reference that is as fast, convenient, comprehensive, thoroughly researched, and portable - everything you need to know, from the federal sources ... Read more

Product Description
The Bicycle Book: Wit, Wisdom and Wanderings is a celebration of the bicycle by people who ride. . .a tribute to one of the finest, most efficient, most useful machines ever invented. The 25 contributors are talented writers and cartoonists, each with a unique take on bicycling. Whether in critical observation, concern, memorial, fact, or in jest, each story and cartoon is definitely worth a look. You do not have to be a cycling expert to read this book; there is something here for everyone.

Contributions from around the globe include an essay from Pulitzer Prize winner Thomas Hylton; predictions for the future of cycling from Dirt Rag publisher Maurice Tierney and Richard Fries, publisher of Bike Culture; an exclusive interview with Chris Carmichael (long time coach of Lance Armstrong); several essays from Pulitzer Prize nominee Gianna Bellofatto. Other contributors are Portland Magazine executive editor (and former New Yorker staffer) Ted Katauskas; Mason St. Clair; author Theresa Russell; and Andy (Ask the Mechanic) Wallen. Scattered throughout the book is a collection of cartoons from cartoonists whose work has appeared in a wide array of magazines including The New Yorker, Esquire, The Progressive, Dirt Rag, Oregon Cycling, The Funny Times, Discover, Guideposts, Reader's Digest, and Forbes. Contributing cartoonists include Bob Lafay, Neal Skorpen, Jonny Hawkins, Andy Singer, Bob LaDrew, and many others. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A Relaxing Point To Point Read From Your Easy Chair
Jim Joyce's "The Bike Book--Wit, Wisdom and Wanderings" is for gearheads, travel loggers, illustrator illumines, comic junkies, physics freaks, folksy fanatics, Garrison Keller cheerleaders, economics evangelicals, humor twirlers, news "nosies", philosophical philanders, "roadie" raconteurs, and commuter commodores.

The perfections and imperfections; the certainties and uncertainties; the knowns and the unknowns possess real life metaphors expressed through the eyes of these essay cyclists. No matter if you are a recreationalist or a hardcore dirt-ragster, there is something in this collection of essays written with two-wheelers in mind. As Gianna Bellofatto (a great name for a bike frame), a contributor to this book, says, "Life is a Bike". Damn right there!

It can be read in an afternoon when the wind is too strong and the rain too hard. When finished, you will feel like the sun came out, the sky opened up, and a light breeze blew in from the South.

This book is a Stocking Stuffer for yourself, and a relaxing point-to-point ride from your easy chair!

A Great Read - For Cyclists and Non-Cyclists Alike!
Gianna Bellofatto, a friend of a friend, turned me on to Wit, Wisdom & Wanderings, a collection of cycling stories, articles and cartoons, edited by Jim Joyce.I knew from Gianna that she was contributing to this book and I was happy to read her articles and discover many new ones.

First, let me say that it is a relatively small book, 149 pages, but it is packed with interesting material.So interesting that, although small in size, I have not yet worked my way through all of it -- preferring instead to parcel it out in small doses to make it last longer!

I recommend this book to all of you, for yourselves or as a gift to a fellow cyclist.It's a celebration of the bicycle by people who love to ride, packed with original stories and illustrations from a talented group of writers and cartoonists. One cartoonist I was already familiar with was Bob Ladrew, whose work has always amused me in the monthly magazine of the Delaware Valley Bicycle Club.

Gianna's essay series, "Life is a Bike," is described in one review as ever clever, pleasantly quirky, and always an American original.I certainly agree and especially enjoyed "Romancing the Bike".

There are articles to satisfy the "gear heads" amongst us and a very interesting interview with Coach Chris Carmichael.There are also a number of articles I look forward to in anticipation, having not yet gotten to because, as I said above, I don't want the fun of reading it to end too soon.

The editor, Jim Joyce, is the founder and editor of the online magazine, The Bicycle Exchange ([...]), and also a contributor of articles to the book.He plans to donate fifteen percent of his royalties from this book, divided equally amongst the League of American Bicyclists, [...] (a program providing cycling tours for wounded soldiers) and the United States Association of Blind Athletes.

To me, this book sounds like an ideal gift.Buy one for yourself and one for a friend.

The Bicycle Book: Wit, Wisdom and Wanderings
Wit, Wisdom & Wanderings is a collection of stories, cartoons, essays and interviews that address all aspects of bike riding.It surely belongs in the collection of everybody who ever set foot to pedal.

The wit in the title is abundantly demonstrated in six essays by Gianna Bellofatto (aka Joan Reid, Feature Editor of The Nyack Villager) and author of the column, Life Is a Bike.In one of her essays she hands down the Laws of Cycling: "Fourth Law: You can never get lost while riding a bike; your ride is merely extended.... Sixth Law: You always look younger on a bicycle."

Other contributions include sports writer Scott Roberts' interview wth Lance Armstrong's coach, a husband and wife's journal of their tandem bike ride from Washington State to New Jersey (3,710 miles accomplished in forty-seven days), Pulitzer Prize-winning author Thomas Hylton, with his thoughts on bicycle-friendly communities.There are predictions on the future of bicycling and thoughtful commentary on the sport and pastime--even tidbits for non-bikers;we learn that cyclists affectionately refer to their bikes as wire donkeys and each other as gear heads.

This book is a treasure for the cyclists on your holiday gift list.The Bicycle Book: Wit, Wisdom & Wanderings

A 'must read' for any and all bicyclists

Compiled and edited by bicycling enthusiast Jim Joyce (founder of The Bicycle Exchange), "The Bicycle Book: Wit, Wisdom & Wanderings" is a collection of original stories, narratives, and cartoons with the theme of bicycle riding. The contributors range from Pulitzer Prize-winning author and newspaper columnist Thomas Hylton (who initiates this anthology with his piece on 'Bicycling and Walking'; to Scott Robert's 'Keeping Up With Lance' based on a one-on-one interview with Chris Carmichale who is Lance Armstrong's long time coach and friend; to New York City-based Gianna Bellofatto, the author of the 'Life Is a Bike' series and contributor of six terrific essays; and so many other informed and informative men and women sharing a passion for bike riding. A 'must read' for any and all bicyclists, "The Bicycle Book" is a unique and very highly recommended addition to personal and community library Outdoor Recreation collections.

Engaging reflections on cycling
This deceptively slim volume would make a great gift for any avid cyclist.Judging from the essays in The Bicycle Book, some introspection is inevitable over the miles. Any cyclist is bound to find at least one kindred spirit among the dozen or so men and women who lend their voices to this collection.

At this point in my life my bicycling is more theoretical than actual, but this book vividly recalled to me how liberating my bike was for me and of the times I appreciated choosing it over the car.The cyclists in this book are an unpretentious, scruffy bunch who are passionate about bikes and biking.Collectively they make it clear you don't need the latest 36-speed bike and lurid spandex outfit to be counted among their ranks - any bike will do as long as you love it and love riding it.

The Bicycle Book is divided into three sections, as the subtitle suggests.The third section, "Wanderings" is the longest and my favorite.I enjoyed journeying in spirit with each essayist.Because of the self-contained nature of each essay, it makes great bedtime reading: low stress and lots of logical stopping points.

I recommend this book for cycling enthusiasts of all denominations.As a nice touch, the author is donating 15% of his proceeds to three charities, including Soldier Ride, an adaptive cycling program for wounded soldiers.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Got me out of my neighborhood.
As Middle Tennessee transplant and new cyclist I was reluctant to get out of my neighborhood till reading this book.The format was clear and I could venture out without risking getting totally lost or on some super dangerous roadway.The commentary that accompanies each route lends interest to the rides and the numerous hints and guides for more information in the back were extremely helpful.This book is worth reading even for an experienced cycling native Nashvillian. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Bicycles, Chicken, Red beans and Rice
This excellent book contains a wealth of information on how to properly fit a bike; physical conditioning; diet and nutrition; correcting problems generated by incorrect posture and movement on the bike; wellness; clothing; urban riding. The author notes: "...my own experience is that no matter how satisfactory my current cycling performance is, I can always refine my technique and discover new ways to increase my riding pleasure. I am certain you will find that the same is true for you."

Yep. She's right. Thirty-five years ago my wife and I started riding bikes by tooling about Nakhon Phanom Province in northeastern Thailand on a couple of Bridgestone 3-speeds. We did some biking off and on over the years, really into it at times, followed by dry spells for one reason or another. I have found that the changes in bike design, manufacturing technology, and attitudes toward riding have changed so dramatically that getting back on a bike today is like Henry Ford might feel parking his Model T and hopping directly into one of those soon-to-come Shelby GT500's. If you're in the same boat, this is a good book to get your mind back into cycling.

This book is an essential read for any novice before going bike shopping, and is an equally good read for more experienced riders who wish to clarify viewpoints and philosophies about cycling.

The Chicken, Red Bean, and Rice Chili recipe ain't too shabby, either.

Good advice for novice and advanced cyclists
I obtained this book from the local library and thought it contained sensible advice for novice as well as advanced cyclists. Not that proficient riders could not stand to learn more, but the book may be too basic for them (since I'm just a novice rider, I can't really judge that). The author appreciates the different motivations for riding -- leisure, fitness, competition, etc., and offers tips on proper bike fit, safety, stretching, nutrition, etc. There are even a few recipes in the back. The book is a recent publication (2004), important when choosing reading material in this subject since equipment improves and changes all the time. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Wrong direction
This book goes the wrong way, namely East to West. The book follows the old 1976 Bike Centennial trail that is well described and updated at the Adventure Cycling website. I followed this route, East to West. It would have been a lot better to have gone East to West. The wind gets pretty strong and it blows West to East; so, if you are riding East to West, you have to work much harder than if go would go the other direction. While I enthusiastically recommend the route, I suggest that it would be better to start in the West.

Helpful Book but Outdated
I used this book this summer, riding from Florence, OR to Yorktown, VA (yes, the book goes from east to west, so I was reading "backwards"). For my purposes, I used the book to help figure out how large towns were and what services they offered. 9 times out of 10 the book gave fairly accurate assesments of services. There were times when "full-service" towns were no longer in existance and the grocery or restaurant we had been relying on was nowhere in site.

That said, I would NEVER bike the Trans Am, or even a portion of it, without consulting Adventure Cycling first [on their web site]. Their maps are indespensible and when used in conjunction with their up-to-date addendums, they are incredibly accurate. Ikenberry makes it pretty clear that she is using the Adventure Cycling maps as her guide as well.

I also found it odd that Ikenberry only biked the Trans Am once. She makes comments on terrain and areas which are purely cicumstantial (such as mentioning "dog-prone" areas in Kentucky - where we had no more dogs than any other day - and areas with mean drivers.) It was sometimes hard to tell whether her descriptions of places were based on one pass through or fact. Plus, I would have trusted her judgment of "steep" and "trafficky" had I felt more confident in her bike touring past.

On the plus side, Ikenberry does offer some nice background information on historical areas which the Trans Am cyclist may not otherwise recieve.

Overall, I am glad I lugged the extra pound on my tour. It was helpful and since I wasn't relying on it for accuracy, I wasn't affected at all by the closed services. It would be great if someone would update the book! Some towns in the book are no longer on the Adventure Cycling route. Also, she breaks the route into 70 different biking days. Some are rediculously long. She must have had some serious tail-winds at some points! Again, had she biked the route several times, I am sure her days would have been more "normal" in some instances.

In any case, bike the Trans Am since it is awesome and contact Adventure Cycling for your most accurate information. If you have [any money] left over and some room for a medium-sized book, squeeze Ikenberry into your pannier.

Could be a lot better
I biked the TransAmerica trail last summer and I used this book for pre-trip planning and as a guide while on the road.The vast majority of the route Ikenberry takes is along a trail that was first ridden in 1976 and was designed by Adventure Cycling.If you just need maps of the roadsto take, you'll be much better served by getting them from AdventureCycling.If you want to use this book as a companion to the maps, youshould realize that this book was written for westbounders.If you areriding from west to east (like i did) get ready to learn what dyslexiafeels like as you try to decipher all the directions backwards.

Thebook is thin on trip planning info and simply points readers to othersources for info on bike touring.In general, most of this book merelydescribes points of reference along the TranAm trail (ie: mile 1 - You'llpass a convienence store on the left; mile 2.3 - You'll see a lake withpicnic benches to the right).I felt that it lacked a real focus(sometimes it reads like a diary, sometimes it reads like a guidebook, etc)& was full of superfluous fluff (the state flower of virginia is blahblah, a family in kansas fed me cake, etc) that only made my saddlebagsthat much heavier.

Overall though, it's not my objective to dissuadeyou from buying this book... as unbelievably it seems to be the only guidewritten about riding the TransAm trail.Ikenberry's book certainly hassome usefullness - perhaps mostly so in providing info on places to sleepalong the way. But even then, she fails to mentions whether these placeshave showers or food on numerous occasions.It's worth the 15 bucks... butthe book could (& should) have been so much better... (for example:there is no mention anywhere of suggestions on what kind of bike to use,gearings, tires - nothing even remotely technical)

A well organized and detailed guidebook.
Donna Ikenberry's "Bicycling Coast to Coast" is a well laid out, day-by-day guidebook for a bicycle trip across the country.From maps, to sights to see, to places to camp and eat, this book has everything you needto get across the country and not get lost.

The only thing I wish thisbook included was trip preparation hints (of which it has very few). However, this book along with Steve Butterman's "Bicycle Touring - Howto Prepare for Long Rides" make a great cross country bike touringset.

Ikenberry's "Bicycling: Coast to Coast" puts you on the road
Who knows whether I'll actually push the pedal that begins a coast to coast bicycling trip but having read Donna Lynn Ikenberry's "Bicycling: Coast to Coast," I now know what to feel, smell, taste and enjoy along the journey.The sunshine pours through her scenic descriptions and your legs ache during her climbs.As she comes close to each day's destination you can feel the anticipation of soothing well-used muscles.This is a guidebook to prepare for the trek as well as take along for reference.Buy two and leave one with someone responsible for knowing your itinerary. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great ride ideas for a great place to ride
Did my first ride out of this book today. I noticed I hadn't been riding much this year as I was going over many of the same roads as previous years. This book opens up many great locations with excellent turn by turn directions. Looks like it works hard to keep you on the less traveled roads. Just what I was looking for.

The best book around for the geography covered.
I'm not sure why this book hasn't been updated in so long, and I'm not sure why there isn't more competition from other guides in an area as bicycle crazy as Northwest Oregon, but this is the best guide currently available. In general, its maps and tips remain accurate, so I give it a thumbs up.

And, please, wear helmets!

Good road selection, accurate maps, and helpful text
Good road selection, accurate maps and helpful text make this book an excellent guide to road bicycling in northwest Oregon.The forty-five rides listed nearly all start within short distances from Portland, Corvallis, Salem, or Eugene.Ride distances range from a short 11 miler to the three day 177 mile Oregon Coaster loop.Each ride in the book includes a clear map of the ride, a cue sheet/mileage log, an elevation profile, and a few paragraphs of descriptive text.This book was extremely helpful in planning a recent ten day bicycling trip around northwest Oregon.While I did not, strictly speaking, ride any of the 45 rides in this book, the information in this book contributed greatly in road selection and understanding the terrain.For example, in the Mt. Hood area, if I had relied on the Delorme atlas, our route would have included several gravel roads.Jones and Henderson's book, however, shows which roads in the vicinity are gravel thereby helping us avoid them.For those of you fortunate enough to live in northwest Oregon, this book would be an excellent way to discover some new rides. For the non-Oregonian, the book can serve as an excellent resource in route-planning.As a sidelight, I would comment that I have yet to find a book published by The Mountaineers that has not been uniformly helpful, whether the content is bicyling or hiking. ... Read more

Book Description
A timely memoir of life under Nazi occupation vividly reminds us that most of war’s damage is collateral, most of the casualties are non-combatants, and most of their wounds are psychological.

Customer Reviews (1)

It seems some war scars never completely heal.
The strong point is very human insight into what life was like under German occupation.It was surprising to find out how split the Dutch were, some collaborating, some on the fence, and others fiercely anti-Nazi.

The author does a good job of taking the reader onto Dutch streets where Jews were being rounded up for exterminations while Dutch workers were being conscripted for work in German war plants.The revelations of his imprisionment and events that clouded his postwar life must have been painful for the subject, Jan Makkreel, to see in print.

The story forced me to take a look around to see how two-sided people might be in my own society under harsh circumstances, and how many people our present war is going to leave nursing psychological scars for the rest of their lives.

A couple of typos might have been edited out before it went to press.

... Read more

Product Description
Open Your Heart with Bicycling shows you not only how to, but why to enjoy one of the easiest and best activities around.Open Your Heart with Bicycling takes a holistic look at an easy and enjoyable activity -- whether you're alone or with family and friends. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Emphasizes the value of bicycling as a fun and enjoyable source of low impact exercise
DreamTime Publishing is an independent press that has as its particular mission and focus the publishing of books devoted to the development and enhancement of the mind and the body through their 'Open Your Heart' series. In "Open Your Heart With Bicycling: Mastering Life Through Love Of The Road", bicycling expert Shawn B. Rohrbach emphasizes the value of bicycling as a fun and enjoyable source of low impact exercise. But more than that, Rohrbach provides the reader with a wealth of information about everything from the bicycle business, to what dedicated bicyclists should eat, how they should get fit for cycling, commuting, bike paths, and more. Enhanced with appendices on 'Favorite Recipes', 'Off-Season Training', 'Internet Resources', as well as a glossary and an index, "Open Your Heart With Bicycling" is a 'must read' for all dedicated cyclists. Also highly recommended from DreamTime Publishing series of inspirational sports titles are: Lisa Marie Mercer's "Open Your Heart With Winter Fitness: Mastering Life Through Love Of The Slopes"; David L. Wilson's "Open Your Heart With Art: Mastering Life Through Love Of Everyday Creativity"; and Christopher J. Bibey "Open Your Heart With Basketball: Mastering Life Through Love Of The Game". ... Read more

Book 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

Book Description
The first and only guide to bicycling the national parks and wilderness areas of Oregon and Washington. Bicycling is becoming an ever-more popular option as some national parks are closing roads to cars. This complete adventure guide to the national parks of Oregon and Washington features 58 road and mountain bike rides through the parks' most spectacular natural areas. The stunning geographical diversity of Washington and Oregon is perfectly captured by their national parks and recreation areas, and the best way to explore these spectacular national treasures is to get out of your car and onto a bike. David Story has sought out routes of all levels and lengths for both road bikes and mountain bikes in this new guide. From the arid sagebrush landscape of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, to the glaciers capping Mount Rainier National Park, to the volcanic legacy of Crater Lake, to the temperate rain forest of Olympic National Park, the national public lands of the Pacific Northwest offer stunning views, invigorating air, and a mix of easy to strenuous rides. These riding opportunities can only improve with time, as the parks continue to restrict automobile use to better preserve and protect their natural beauty. Each of the 58 ride descriptions include a detailed map, tour directions, information about the trail or road surface, sights 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. 58 rides are described and mapped in detail. Part of a new national series: Bicycling America's National Parks. Heavily illustrated: Includes 25 professional color photographs of the parks, 75 black and white photographs, and 60 maps. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Unique and Broad, though Slightly Incomplete Guidebook.
Story's first guidebook in the 'Bicycling America's National Parks' series (California) is an excellent all-around cycling guide (and general guidebook) for the Golden State.It's concise, thorough, and balanced, presented in personable, witty language.He includes a variety of road and mountain bike routes for virtually every riding level.His lodging, shopping, and especially dining suggestions are first rate.It includes almost all the information a would-be tourist (as I was) needs for a bicycling trip to CA.Story also throws in some nice tidbits about natural and cultural history of each park, as well as description of fauna and flora (plants and animals), and worthwhile less-known attractions.

This guide from Story features most of the same attributes as his previous guide.He includes a variety of rides that highlight the nearly infinite geographical and ecological diversity of Oregon and Washington.Once again, he includes abundant, but concise information and recommendations related to lodging and related travel info, presented in personable language (though he's not as consisently funny).As before, he provides a nice natural and historical background, serving to not just describe, but introduce the reader to each park (or recreational area).

There is one minor shortcoming, relative to Story's National Parks/California book.That guide contained abundant supplemental information related to dining and other special attractions within or near each park.While this guidebook has some info. of that nature, it seems much more sparse.This might be because many trails in Oregon and Washington are in fairly rural areas far from any major (or even minor) population center.This considered, this guidebook still doesn't seem as complete as his California edition, which provided that reader with virtually everything we'd need to plan our trip.This isn't to say this guide is poor, it just doesn't quite match up to the standards of Story's previous guide.Once again, it would be helpful if Story included a general map of each park (this was the only minor problem I had with his CA edition).

Even if it doesn't quite measure up to Story's California guide, Oregon/Washington is still far superior to most other cycling guidebooks available (even allowing for it's uniqueness).It's an indespensible tool for anyone planning a cycling trip to or near the national parks/recreational areas of Oregon and Washington.It's a perfect starting point, though you might want to research the areas more before heading out.

A superb addition to a great series
I purchased this book after reading a glowing review of it from the San Francisco Chronicle. I'm very glad I purchased it. This latest addition to the Bicycling America's National Parks series is informative, helpful, and truly captures the ambience of the different national parks it covers. It's not just national parks, but national recreation areas, and national monuments too, and you really get a sense of where the great bicycling opportunities are in places that also have national-caliber scenery and attractions.After reading the book, I'm definitely planning on using it for a Hells Canyon National Recreation Area trip later this summer. The chapters on Crater Lake, Olympic National Park, and Mount Saint Helens totally appealed to me, cause I've been to those places and wondered about biking there.The author does a great job of showing that the myth that you can't ride offroad in national parks is just that-- a myth.(All the rides are legal, though some do take place just outside park boundaries.) The book presents everything you need to know in a clear, often funny way. The pictures are great too. That's about all I ask from a guidebook. ... Read more

Book Description
The first and only guide to bicycling the national parks and adjacent wild lands of Arizona and New Mexico. Bicycling is becoming an increasingly popular way to experience our national parks as many are restricting access to private vehicles. This complete adventure guide to the national parks of Arizona and New Mexico features more than 80 road and mountain bike rides through the parks' most spectacular natural areas. The outstanding variety of natural environments and terrain found in the Southwest, coupled with its rich cultural and historic heritage, make the national parks of Arizona and New Mexico a cyclist's paradise. With this book as your guide you can ride to a secluded overlook of the Grand Canyon from the North Rim; glide through the Sonoran Desert in the company of massive saguaro cactus; or pedal among the ancient ruins of the Anasazi at Chaco Canyon. The routes and trails in this book are suitable for both road and mountain bikers from novice to expert. They traverse the beautiful and enchanting landscapes of the desert Southwest, while taking you to some of the region's most fascinating historical and archeological treasures. Each ride description includes a detailed map, tour directions, information about the trail or road surface, the length and difficulty of the ride, and sights you'll see along the way. 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. More than 80 rides in 28 national parks are described and mapped in detail. Heavily illustrated: Includes 25 professional color photographs of the parks, 75 black and white photographs and 60 maps. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

surprisingly good
I bought this book expecting it to be a useless gimmick--especially since I've hated Alley's other mtb guide books.Lo and behold, it's a gem with a specific and useful purpose: if you're going to visit the national parks in these states and want to ride in or around them, this book is essential.I ride and my partner doesn't, and she loves National Parks, where good riding can be hard to find, so this book saved our lives--she would visit the park and I would head out to find a nearby ride.The trail and road choices are good--the treatment of trails/roads around the south rim of the Grand Canyon is the best I've found.Alley casts her net widely around the parks--anything within 60 miles or so of the park counts.Thus the "trails in and near Tuzigoot Natl Monument" is really little more than a short list of trails in Sedona, 40 minutes away.Trail info is good, background info is fascinating, and the maps are the usual.Each park or monument begins with a handy one-paragraph summary of the riding opportunities, e.g. "Near this park you have a choice of two nice road rides, one beautiful dirt road, and three challenging single-tracks."One inexplicable gaff: the book omits Canyon de Chelly, so you're on your own, but you only have two paved roads to choose from there anyway. ... Read more

Book 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

Amazon.com
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 if he or she has a good teacher. In lieu of a professor, the editors of Bicycling and Mountain Bike magazines have created a shop companion, which they refer to as "another tool for working on your bike." They guide you from the basics of your preride checklist to tuning your derailleurs and overhauling your hubs. And they offer updated info on maintaining front shocks and even a handful of rear suspensions. What's more, they can walk you through the arduous task of rebuilding ancient parts that some shop mechanics haven't even heard of. If you've ever tried to work on your own car, you've undoubtedly developed a healthy fear of automobile shop manuals. But unlike the cryptic list of part numbers and equations you'll find at Pep Boys, this guide is written by people who want you to see just how rewarding bike maintenance can be. --Ben Tiffany ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Not very helpful
I bought this book a while ago and am now trying to use it as a reference as I build my own bike starting with just a frameset.The authors obviously know their stuff but I find the presentation of the information in this book somewhat inadequate.They could use more pictures, diagrams, labeling of pictures, etc.Also, obviously the book is very much outdated.I was in the bookstore the other day and glanced thru what I believe is the updated version and it appears to be pretty much the same. I even found the exact same paragraphs and pictures in the updated version.I think this book is okay but I seriously doubt it could serve as your only reference.

Not "Complete" by a long shot.
Maybe I should have known that a book of this limited volume could not possibly have presented a complete treatment of bicycle maintenance and repair, especially for road bikes "AND" mountain bikes. But, what "is" in the book should at least be well presented. It is not. Instead, it appears that this book is written as a reminder for people who already know what the author(s) are talking about and who have done it before, not for Joe Blow / Never done it Before consumer. If you are a rank beginner then the section on changing tires will be of help, but anything else out of this book will leave you frustrated with the sketchy, incomplete, and poorly communicated explanations. Save your money on this book and a work stand and just take the bike to a bike mechanic; or, perhaps look into "Barnett's Manual" or "Sutherland's Handbook for Bicycle Mechanics".

Comprehensive bicycle repair manual in need of update
Well written, comprehensive guide with B&W photos and line drawings but the absence of labelling on photographs is a serious oversight. Unfortunately it is overdue for a new edition. A lot has changed since 1994when this book was published. I hope the editors break information downinto smaller, 'easier to bite' sections with future editions.

Good basic but outdated information
This is a good book to get started with, but don't expect to see an explanation about your components if you purchased your bike after 1995.

A good introduction to the basics
I have to object to the negative reviews posted here--this book is not meant to be a guide to state of the art equipment. And while it might have been useful to include diagnostics, the truth is if you familiarizeyourself with the principles of bicycle mechanics and repair elucidatedhere you should have a good headstart on figuring out any problems whichmight arise. Copiously illustrated and easy-to-follow, this book is aimedat people (like me) who never thought to take bicycle repair into their ownhands. My grease-stained copy will guide me for years to come--if it helpsme keep my '91 Trek 830 running as smoothly as it does now I won't need toworry about the latest innovations. ... Read more