“The new Short Routes were developed in a slightly different way than our long-distance routes are – each was community submitted, and we worked in partnership with BIPOC, LGBTQ, women, and intersex bicyclists to gain a new perspective on these areas,” said Katie Harris, Adventure Cycling’s Director of Community Impact.
“Since the release of the TransAmerica Trail in 1976, we’ve mapped more than 50,000 miles of bike routes across the U.S. and into Canada – but recognizing that they aren’t for everyone, we’ve produced these new Short Routes,” said Nathan Taylor, Cartographer for Adventure Cycling.
Known for its epic long-distance routes like the TransAmerica Trail and Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, the organization produced its Short Routes for those new to bike travel or those with less time. And the Short Routes are available for free in digital formats that can be loaded onto smartphones and GPS devices or printed as paper maps and cue sheets. “While many of our epic routes can take weeks to ride in full, Short Routes are two- to five-day itineraries from cities like Los Angeles, Seattle, Minneapolis, Austin, Atlanta and Philadelphia.
Adventure Cycling Association is broadening its offerings and making them more accessible to all, releasing 12 new Short Routes from major metro areas across the United States. Waypoints along each route include information on accommodations, grocery stores and restaurants, water sources, scenic stops and recreation sites, bike shops, public transit, and more.
As with all Adventure Cycling routes, Short Routes are more than lines on a map and turn-by-turn directions. Some loops start and end at the same point, with out-and-back options and routes that can be combined with public transit like ferries, trains and buses. “We are grateful to them for sharing so that others can experience the joy of bike travel.” To learn more about Adventure Cycling’s Short Routes, visit https://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/short-routes/.
Short Routes are free in digital formats from the Adventure Cycling website. And each route was produced with help from local cyclists familiar with the areas where they are located. Maps and cue sheets can be saved as PDF files or printed on paper. They’re a fun, accessible way to get out and explore at the pace of a pedal stroke. And, best of all, they’re free.”
The new Short Routes for bike touring and bikepacking include:
- Los Angeles: Carpinteria to Refugio (37.28 miles)
- Los Angeles: LA to Catalina Island (42.66 miles)
- Los Angeles: Santa Monica Overnight (34.94 miles)
- Seattle: Seattle to Fort Flagler (58.73 miles)
- Seattle: Seattle to Kanasket-Palmer (77.89 miles)
- Seattle: Seattle to Lopez Island (121.62 miles)
- Minneapolis: Willow River Overnight (39.39 miles)
- Austin: Central Texas Parks Loop (120.02 miles)
- Atlanta: Panola Outing (19.47 miles)
- Washington, DC: C&O and W&OD Loop (84.75 miles)
- Philadelphia: Schuylkill and Wissahickon Trails (62.6 miles)
- Boston: Cape Cod Weekend (140.66 miles)
