Wednesday, May 22, 2013

yoga, touring, and roads less traveled


yoga, touring, and roads less traveled...

Kristina, Yoga Instructor at Yoga Patch in Kansas City
I have always and will take the road less traveled in life. That path makes sense to me.

 I am working hard to live my live in the moment, rather than in the past or future. Three thing currently helping me live a fuller life are: Yoga, bicycling touring, and an awareness of the road I have taken in life.


 I found a Yoga studio, only five blocks from my home, the Yoga Patch, and as I was arriving for my class, Kristina, one of our gurus, rolled in on her bicycle. She is a superb teacher, and the fact she rides her bicycle for transportation made the class more special. 


Bill doing Tree pose while four birds are watching from a branch
at Middle Creek lake outside of Louisburg, Kansas
As I come into my fifth year of living carfree, I realize, this is a lifestyle that I will embrace for the remainder of my life.

I recently took a S24O (sub 24 hour overnight bike tour) with my good friend Randy Rasa of the website Kansas Cyclist fame. Even on that trip I was able to interject the tour with some high quality yoga moments. Randy did a nice write up with great pictures of the tour on his site.

A clarity of thought, breath deep in my belly, finding roads less traveled. 

What road are you going to take?

Peace and Love, 
Bill



The poet Robert Frost says it best...




The Road Not Taken
Riding with Randy always promises
taking roads less traveled...
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference. 

Monday, March 4, 2013

Cycling In The Metro


CYCLING IN THE METRO: KANSAS CITY'S UPS AND DOWNS FOR RIDERS AND COMMUTERS

Written by  Eden Williams


In truth, the ease (or difficulty) of commuting affects our entire city, not just me. Biking isn’t just a fun, recreational activity reserved for the trails – and commuting by bike isn’t just for tree-huggers, either. Commuting by bike can, and does, have a tremendously positive effect on the well-being of the whole Kansas City community.
I’m what you might call an “urban enthusiast.” My entire life could be connected by a short latitudinal span of about five miles, from the River Market to the Plaza. Because my world requires little more than what I can access within my tight geographical bubble, I don’t find it unusual to bicycle, rather than drive, from Point A to Point B. My fiancé and I skip the horrendous Saturday morning parking at City Market by bicycling to the farmer’s market when the weather is nice. We bike to eliminate cab fare when we meet friends at bars. While working in the Crossroads Arts District, my commute home was just four minutes by bike, thanks to several crosswalks and one really big, really fun downhill coast. I love downtown Kansas City so much I can actually relate to those “Live, Work, Play” billboards you see along the highways leading to downtown, begging suburbanites to move back to the city limits.
However, my routine changed last year. I quit my job to start my own business, and, as a solopreneur (one-person business owner), I don’t have a fixed office where I spend my 9-to-5’s. My work is done all over town, from sales meetings in Overland Park to networking events at the Kauffman Foundation and everywhere else inbetween. My bubble has had to expand, and commuting via bicycle isn’t so simple anymore. In truth, the ease (or difficulty) of commuting affects our entire city, not just me.
Biking isn’t just a fun, recreational activity reserved for the trails –and commuting by bike isn’t just for tree-huggers, either. Commuting by bike can, and does, have a tremendously positive effect on the well-being of the entire Kansas City community.
If we focus solely on the money, there can be an enormous personal economic benefit associated with biking. As reported by NBC Business News, the average American spends $10,000 per car per year, a cost that can be at least partially offset by frequent biking. When I commuted to work, either by bike or by foot, I filled up my 16-gallon tank once a month (if that) and required less maintenance by decreasing my annual mileage. Not to mention, according to statistical analysis by Charlotta Mellander and Richard Florida, writing for “The Atlantic,” there is a positive correlation between a higher portion of bike commuters and affluence within major metropolitan areas. Then, there’s the whole part about encouraging daily exercise, reducing carbon footprints, unclogging rush hour traffic, higher rates of employee productivity, increasing foot traffic to local businesses and so on.
Given the many positives associated with a city rich with biking commuters, it’s frustrating that Kansas City’s landscape actually impairs bikability. The aggressive annexation of the mid-20th century pushed the city limits outward, rather than inviting civilians in. We were left with a massive case of suburban sprawl and one of the lowest population densities for a city our size. This tendency for expansion, in addition to Kansas City’s naturally hilly landscape, deters some of the less determined would-be cyclists. Not to mention, the lack of prevalent biking lanes are natural barriers to a robust biking community. For these reasons, it’s easy to understand why Kansas City stacks up poorly compared to other metro areas in terms of biking.
Based on statistics compiled by the League of American Bicyclists, just 0.3 percent of commuters bike in Kansas City, Missouri, which is half of the national average. Overland Park and Olathe both rank even lower at 0.2 percent. Patrick Dunlap, an avid cyclist, has kept an eye on some of the city’s efforts to make Kansas City more bikable, and the news is not all negative.
“Many younger Americans want clean, environmentally-progressive, community-oriented, healthy cities to call home,” he said. “This has led the City of Kansas City to at least play lip service to the idea of improving biking conditions here.“
One such positive development has been the B-Cycle program, which launched last year in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. B-Cycle is a bike-sharing program, sponsored by BikeWalkKC, which allows members to rent bikes at any of the 12 stations located throughout downtown, and then return the bike to any of the stations. Memberships are available from one day to one year, so even visitors to the city can take advantage of this convenient way to get around while downtown. The program has provided 5,320 rides, for a total of 13,622.44 miles, 544,897.51 calories burned and 12,941.32 pounds of offset carbon emissions since its launch on July 3, 2012, says BikeWalkKC’s Director of Communications, Sarah Shipley.
“It was a remarkable summer for transportation,” said Shipley. “Biking is quickly becoming the center of an active, healthy lifestyle and we are excited that Kansas Citians have embraced Kansas City B-cycle as a way to get around town.” Other improvements are due in part to several organizations dedicated to furthering the bicycling community in Kansas City, including the 816 Bicycle Collective, for which Dunlap is a volunteer mechanic.
The 816 Bicycle Collective reclaims old bikes that would otherwise be discarded and refurbishes them to safe working condition. These bikes are then either sold to the general public or provided to low-income individuals through a special program aimed at helping these individuals get reliable transportation.
“I (have) been surprised to learn what a dynamic bike community we have in KC and am proud to see it continually improving,” Dunlap said. And he represents a tough audience to please. Dunlap moved to Kansas City to begin his engineering career after earning his master’s degree from the University of Texas in Austin – home to one of the best bike scenes in the country.
The last piece of the puzzle to make Kansas City bike-friendly is also one of the most important: the addition of biking lanes throughout the metropolitan area. Bike lanes make the roads safer for bicycles and cars to share. Plus, the road markings alone bring awareness to the cause for bicycle commuting. Last fall saw the addition of bike lanes on Southwest Boulevard as a part of KCMO’s road re-paving program, as well as the groundbreaking on improvements to Longview Road, which will ultimately include bike lanes. Many of these improvements have come due to the efforts of bike advocacy organizations, such as BikeWalkKC. But the continuation of bike accessibility improvements will depend on the community and the expressed desire to city councils and other governing bodies to have a bike-friendly community.
In Dunlap’s words, “improving bikability and promoting biking as a legitimate method of transportation in Kansas City is not just a struggle against the geography, humidity, or tight city budgets; it is a struggle to also change the culture.”

Article reprinted with permission of Sarah Legg, Editor In Chief, Living Wellness Kansas City if you have comments or article ideas, or would like to subscribe feel free to reach out to Sarah!

PS I am the male in the picture! Enjoy, Bill Poindexter aka Carfree American

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Cross Country Skiing with my bicycle


CROSS COUNTRY SKIING WITH MY BICYCLE
I love winter when we have a lot of snow! This last week, in Kansas City, Missouri where I live we have had about 13-20 inches, making a dull winter very lively…if you like this sort of thing.

I have been going to the gym a lot, but prefer being outside walking or cycling. Now with all the snow I am able to do my favorite winter sport, Cross Country Skiing.

Right after a good snow, and before the plow trucks and cars muck up the streets I am able to slap on the ski’s and transport myself anywhere.

If you have not tried XC Skiing, you are missing out, it is a lot of fun and a great workout, but as with walking and cycling for transportation, you can go at your own pace. I originally learned how to xcski at boarding school in Cheshire, Connecticut. There were 100 acres of woods with great trails. 

One of the best things about being carfree is getting to use your creative juices to figure out how to get from point A to point B with out the use of a smog belching vehicle.

I love being able to use my bicycle as a ski holder while I ride to Loose Park and other trail heads around the City for some quality Ski time. 

Spring is around the corner, OK way around the corner, but until it arrives I want to play with my ski's.

Tell me about your winter sports on our adjoining carfree American Facebook page! 

Sunday, January 13, 2013

15 Car-Free Myths and Truths

15 Car-Free Myths and Truths
By Bill Poindexter aka “The Car-free American”

1. It is hard to live car-free!
False. It is not hard to live car-free. It may be inconvenient, but not hard. Think about it, people had been living car-free up to the early 1900s. No one died because they did not own a car, nor will you if you go car-free or car-lite. It takes time to get use to it, but it all comes together and becomes more natural than car use. Basically being carfree is getting back to nature-you get healthier, it is good for environment, and you meet your community-face to face rather than car to car. It is also nice to save money.

2. It is always fun
True: Most of the time it is FUN. Usually the weather is the fun or non fun factor. But there are other factors too; heavy traffic, if you are tired, or sick, or a strong headwind. Then again, those are all factors that make driving a car not fun too.

3. People look down at you
True: sometimes they do. That is ok; at the end of the day most secretly wish they could live carfree. Everyone will tell you that it is "cool."

4. You have to have special equipment
False: Good walking shoes and a bicycle. And you do not have to have an expensive bicycle, just one that works well for you. Overtime you’ll figure out your own personal style of transportation. Keep it simple. If it roles and feels good go with it. Take your time, do not spend alot of money.

5. You will lose a lot of weight
Maybe, if you burn off more than you take in. You will get fit-that is for sure. Diet is still important though, I recommend a "whole food" diet of non processed foods. Raw nuts, Olive oil, fresh vegetables, quality protein, berries, whole cheeses will give you all the energy you need...I recently lost 70+ lbs eating the above foods.

6. You will save money
True: No more gas! No more insurance! No more car payment! No more personal property tax! No more oil changes! I think the last time I figured I save about $8,000 per year (what I spent the last year I owned a car).

7. You cannot live carfree if you have a young family
False: You can, millions do, it is just more inconvenient until you become use to it. It is definitely easier in more urban settings and some suburban. If you live in the country it may not be practical, in which case a car is necessary, but it does not mean you have to use it all the time. Kids are carfree, and they make it work. Don't use your family as a excuse, instead use them as the primary motivation for living a healthier lifestyle!

8. You will get hit by a car or crash
Big false: Nonsense! Only if you don’t pay attention to your surroundings. The odds are still in your favor…not to get squished. I have spent 10 years riding in traffic a have never been hit by a car. I ride with the assumption the drivers do not see me. If you have a driver's license you know the laws, obey them and you should be ok walking or bicycling for transportation.

9. People will make fun of you if you do not own a car and /or bike places
False and true: Well, if they do, make fun of them back. They are jealous you are out enjoying yourself. I find that most people want to be carfree, I mean, when they go on vacation, they don't want to go someplace they have to drive all the time, no, they want to go some place to relax, walk or bike.

10. You will instantly be “Green.”
False: There is more to being green than just using alternative transportation. Carfree is a step in the right direction. A BIG STEP.

11. You will miss out on event because you won’t be able to get there.
True, sometimes that does happen, but you will be able to see and feel much more than you ever have in a car, so you’ll gain much more richness in your life. You will also learn to support events in your local community and you will add value as you arrive by your own steam. It makes your transportation an adventure!

12. I will have to own special clothes for bicycling?
False: You can wear anything you want. If you are riding longer than an hour, you may want to make sure you are wearing something comfortable. Bike shorts were made for a reason. Time on the bike will be your best teacher. I now rarely wear specialized gear or shoes. I keep it simple and comfortable.

13. I do not have time to be car-free
False: most Americans waste a crap load of time in their cars going to places they don’t need to go to or watching TV. I suspect you could find a bit of time to get healthier, save the environment, and make your community stronger. There is always time to do something good for you. It comes down to needs versus wants-“do I really need to drive to the Wal-Mart to buy more crap I don’t need.” Or “can we hop on the bikes and go to the local store to buy what we really need?” Then again...there are exceptions:)

14. Car-free means never owning or driving a car
False: It is a little confusing I admit. Typically Car-free means living with out a car and Car-lite means owning a car, but using it on a limited basis. Any journey you take without the use of a car, no matter the distance, is car-free.

15. Living car-free makes me happy!
Bill's bicycle with the bags, has over 30,000 commuting miles on
it.
TRUE: I love the lifestyle. Living car-free has helped me become healthier, I feel like I am polluting less, I save money, and I have developed very strong relationships in my community because of my lifestyle.


Bill Poindexter lives in Kansas City, Missouri and has lived the highly evolved life style of living carfree.

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Car-free American story

One car-free American story...
 I have been car-free (d. not owning a car) or car-lite(d. owning a car but using it on a limited basis) for 11 years now.


In 2000, I realized I was living my life for the wrong reasons: just to make a lot of money, accumulate things, get others to respect me for my business success who really did not care who I was or what I did.. I was also very depressed, out of shape, and very overweight.

One day I looked in the mirror and did not like what I saw-a sad, unhealthy person.

I had always admired the people I knew who lived car-free or car-lite and thought “that is cool, maybe someday that could be me”.

Living in a car-centric suburb of Kansas City I, like most people, drove everywhere. I personally had two cars. I thrived on the fact that someone would compliment me on the cars I owned, “wow nice car, congratulations” they would say as though I just did something incredibly noble. The truth was the car was completely unnecessary for my life: I lived a block away from a grocery story, I worked out my home most of the time. I could easily bike and walk to most my destinations.

My life was filled with endless “I wants” with little considerations of what I needed-the American Dream-like eat when your not hungry, drink when you are not thirsty, buy things you do not need, if you want it-then get it as you only live once. I needed change!



  I started to walk for exercise. I gave up; cars, house, and much of the junk I did not need. After a few months I dropped 50 lbs and bought a bicycle. I got rid of the last car and became car-free. Over the two and half years I spend a lot of time writing about my experiences and the changes that were being made in my life. I became a yoga and Pilate’s instructor, and worked in a gym and eventually lost 140lbs.

I kept a journal of my experiences and noting what it was like to live a car-free life in a city and suburb that was not car-free friendly; poor sidewalks, no bike lanes, little mass-transit, drivers not use to cyclists, my family even gave me grief. On the other side, there were many friends who were supportive of my life style choice and a lot of people were interested in it.

In 2004 I ended up taking a new job, and a short time later starting a business. I gave into pressure from my family to get a car (even just for emergencies they said) and become car-lite. For the next six years I became car-lite and missed the car-free life. I kept riding my bike and walking most places. Even car-lite I rode thousands of miles a year for transportation purposes.

In June of 2009 I decided to go car-free again, but this time for these reasons; for my health, my way to help clean the environment and respect the Earth, support my community relationships like buying only local products, and saving money by not owning a car, around $8,000 per year- per car.

In the last 11 years I have biked a minimum of 50,000+ miles most of which was for transportation, I have also walked hundreds, maybe even a few thousand miles. I have gotten more involved with alternative transportation advocacy groups, but still strongly feel the BEST way to advocate alternative transportation is to live a life where you incorporate it on a daily basis.

Now, in late 2012 I am even more healthy than I ever been. This year I dropped another 70 lbs by eating more of a plant based diet. I walk more than I bike now only because I moved an live in an area where everything is two to three miles away. I still bicycle too, but have become more passionate about walking.

There are times when I wish I had a car, only for the convinence. I do love this life style and I realize, for those who live in a big city it may not even be interesting, but for the rest of us, living with out a car is a true adventure breaking all rules of the American tradition of having a car.


So, to you, want to be an advocate, go walk or ride your bike and let people see you do it. As Gandhi said,

"Be the change you want to see in the world."

Carfree is a good way to slow the ravaged plagued society of Obesity, Pollution, and Community degradation.

Being carfree you will be healthy in your mind and body, the health of the environment, and you will engage in a positive way in your community.

How I have benefited personally living carfree?
Here is a short list:

Healthier both mentally and physically
Happier
Doing my part for the environment
I have many friends in my community and meet more every day.
I feel great.
I am more passionate about living and life!

.
I hope you enjoy this site. Please let me know your thoughts or ideas on how to make this site or the world a better place. I you are living a carfree life style or want to let me know and I will share your story!

Be Healthy!

Peace.

Bill Poindexter

Friday, December 28, 2012

Slow poem

SLOW

While walking and bicycling I see things,
things
while moving slow
Slow is fun and good
but often misunderstood,

"I could never walk or bike for transportation"
my busy friend says,
"We have too much to do,
and too many places to go,
I need to move fast,
fast,
not slow!"

"Living your Carfree lifestyle
sounds well and good,
but it is not for me!
I'd rather drive a car
save time,
and be free."

"Now wait just a minute!" I say back to my friend,
"Bicycling and walking may be just the thing you need
just think about what you said,

"Too much of this
Too much of that
maybe a ride on a bike
or walk
would eliminate this and that."

"Too much of anything is not good
you know?
So again I say, go slow"

I continue my rant
my friend starts to listen.
I stand up tall,
To confirm my postion.

"You say you want to save time,
that I can see,
but time smelling flowers, seeing the world,
hearing birds, and feeling the earth
Is more important than driving,
Don't you agree?"






"Better to dump your car
and move slow
than sitting on your arse
in a metal cage
with no soul."

Monday, December 17, 2012

Zen Cycling


Zen Cycling

Anthony Golding introduces the eight precepts of zycling and explains how to wheel freely.

There are a few principles that can help you on your way to really appreciating of the joys of zycling:

1. There must be no sense of urgency

So, as you cycle along mostly traffic-free routes or very minor roads, even though you may have considered some kind of destination (e.g. camp-site, staying with people, a city or town even a railway station), try to avoid the tendency to constantly check the time or the distance to your destination. Your destination is really often a place that you didn't anticipate when you started. Once I was visiting my meditation group which was quite a distance, and I was hoping to put the folder in someone's car for the return trip, but the car was full. The host offered me a bed for the night. At first I declined, as I hadn't anticipated staying over, but I didn’t really need to go home for the night – so I accepted. As someone who often needs to be in control, this felt really good for me.

2. Leave the radio, music players, cell-phones and (if you can) your watch at home

What we are trying to create is a sense of being in the now. This requires as little outside stimulation as is possible. One then notices one's habitual tendencies and those familiar distractions. So one's attention begins to focus on the slowly passing surroundings, bird sound, smell of the crops, changing temperature, and the silence that you suddenly become aware of, the muscular effort of going uphill and the exhilaration down the other side with the relaxing feeling in the legs.
I must confess, once when cycling along a bike trail in Washington with the cascades on my left and the Skagit river on the right, I switched on the tranny and the Garrison Keilllor show on PBS came on – which completed this ideal American scene.

3. Staying silent during parts of the day

When I'm not cycling, I find myself being over-sociable, and generating too much interest and excitement. But on the bike the need to chat falls away as I focus on those points in precept 2. A passing wave or smile is all that's necessary.

4. Responding to and befriending your surroundings

This is the contrast to precept 3. The idea is not to keep silent with a vengeance, but to retain a degree of conviviality. So if someone shows interest in your equipment or wonders where you're from, be open and friendly. If you meet a poet along the track (this happened to me), stop and listen to his stanzas even if the lines don't quite scan (his did). If you hear a song in your head, feel free to sing out loud (as you won't always be cycling in a group, nobody will mind). In fact, work towards letting go of the group and experience the feeling of being completely alone in a foreign land.

5. Recognising and handling fear

This is the big one. As soon as we are away from our comfort zone, we experience a form of fear which often drives us back to a position of the familiar. Now if you're travelling in Canada and you spot a bear up ahead, it's probably wise to stop and retire slowly to a safe distance. Or if you’re in the depths of winter and you see a storm bearing down, then it's wise to take shelter. These are real fears. What isn't helpful is the worrying fear of getting somewhere late because you may have to find somewhere to camp where you haven't planned. Just let go and a suitable place will turn up. On finding out that you've taken a wrong turning, don't fret but instead explore the unexpected and eventually the map will take care of things. If not, a passer-by comes to the rescue and you can experience that lovely feeling of being looked after. Now we are entering the area of serendipity, where fear starts to drop away and you experience the reality where the self isn't always in control.
Another fear producing experience is listening to others, with comments like, "can we do this?” or "they won't allow that". This is often a projection of someone's own fear. For example, I often free camp: on the Danube cycle path I found a clearing in the forest and put my tent up near a trailer. Just as I was falling asleep the farmer drove in and told me it was forbidden to camp and pointed out that the trailer was a mobile beehive. I reassured him in my most polite English that I would leave first thing before the sun warmed up and the bees became active. He seemed happy with that and left.
By the same token, it's sometimes better to be open. Once in Tuscany I saw a clump of trees by a field up a farm track. As I was putting the tent up a boy cycled up from the farm and said something in Italian which with my almost zero languages, wasn't able to understand. He returned with dad who wanted me to join them for supper and sleep in the farmhouse. I felt so silly having crept by their property. What is important is your intention. After a while, when you feel physically fit, you will be able to take what you would have considered risks physically and mentally. That is the learning experience.

6. Handling competition

This is a strange one as we are so brainwashed into achieving. Questions like: "How many miles have you done today?” "How long did it take to get up the mountain – did you walk?" or "What! You put the bike on a train!" "I must have the state-of-the-art machine and equipment." (The world-renowned writer and cyclist Dervla Murphy used a three-speed sit up Hercules on her trip to Afghanistan). By all means have a serviceable and roadworthy bike, but if the going's too steep, get off and walk, experience the land by foot and work another set of muscles. "I must keep up with that good-looking rider, can't let them think I'm a wimp". If you pass by an interesting feature and your inner guide says stop and have a look, it's so important to acknowledge and respond to that voice. (For more on this, see "LISTENING" by Lee Coit ISBN 0-936 475-00-5)

7. On being assertive

This is important when cycling on ordinary roads, but on many routes you are able to forget the busy world and manic cars. Eurovelo6 en.eurovelo6.org/ a 2,485-mile bicycle road is one example – an amazing mostly traffic free route from the Atlantic at St. Nazaire, France to the Black Sea, Romania. The EuroVelo 6 is one of 12 routes network EuroVelo born at the initiative of the European Cyclists' Federation (ECF) in 1994. Its objective is to follow three of the largest European rivers: the Loire, Rhine and Danube. Watch out for the Lycra-clad 'Furters being more than frank with cries of "ACHTUNG" on the Danube section in Germany.
Every four or five days, leave the bike alone, and, if you can, stay with the locals. That makes it easier, as you can then enter their world. Even if they don't adventure-cycle, they probably have other interest and passions. (I belong to SERVASBRITAIN.ORG, which is a wonderful way to meet people.)

8. Have an adventure by yourself

So, finally we arrive at another biggy – going away by yourself. Not having someone to share that wonderful market, or spectacular view. But don't worry – there will be moments when you meet up with others to share the adventure, and you won't fall into the trap of using your companion as a protection. But, you will have to interact with strangers if need be, out of delightful interest.

Conclusion

Looking over these musings, they do seem rather directive. Please remember, these are only ideas and my experiences. The important thing is to have your own unique moments. As I get older, I often travel with a folding bike, as it's easier to get on the train and bus. Whatever you buy, get the best that you can afford. And finally, one of my more eccentric habits is to stop and pick up stuff on the trail. I still have an umbrella from several years ago and a lamb's wool sweater that after a wash was as good as new. This takes off the pain of losing one's own stuff.

Before you venture abroad try some Sustrans routes. You’ll find information on the Sustans website: www.sustrans.org.uk/. You might also enjoy Land's End to John O'Groats: The Great British Bike Adventure by Phil Horsley – a must for any warm-blooded peddler. For visiting Intentional Communities and Ecovillages in Europe see EUROTOPIA.DE ISBN 3-00-007080-x. I recommend the L'Arche communities inspired by Gandhi. For those not adverse to North America and are particularly fearless try: Cycling the Great Divide by Michael McCoy ISBN 0-89886 698-7 Mountaineers Books.org. I haven't done this route yet – but I still dream that one. Do take an AMTRAK Visit USA Month Pass, it's easier with a folder in a bag and have the ride of your life. Meet Americans as nice as apple pie and stations like palaces. LA's Union Station is an Art Deco gem. Do take a couple of days out in Tucson Arizona and cycle up Mount Lemon – 25 miles of steady climb from 2,000 feet to 9,000 feet and back to the Señora Desert with it's amazing cactus, and don't miss Savannah Georgia (fortunately General Sherman did, thank god, it's a Colonial gem). Enjoy and have a nice day.

Anthony Golding is a keen cyclist and originator of the eight principles of zycling. Now retired, he is enjoying life without a car.

Article taken from www.resurgence.org