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Where to bike in 2006

After only doing one weeklong bicycle trip in 2005, I am itching to do at least two in 2006.

Even though I have three weeks of vacation, I think two weeklong tours are a realistic expectation. I suspect I will need the other week for a project that my relatives and I are doing, a retrospective art show of my late brother, Wes Kramer. We are hoping to have the show close to June 30, the 10th anniversary of my brother's death. In addition to the show, I also plan on doing an HTML- or Flash-based presentation of Wes' life and work. I will you fill you in on the details as they are nailed down.

But getting back to bike tours ... I want to finally make it down to the Florida Keys for one of the Bubba Fest rides or at least go one of the other rides that Bubba supports with his Bubba's Pampered Pedalers service. Bubba's one of my best cycling buddies, and I like to support him when I can.

Since I haven't done rides in a state or Canadian province in back-to-back years since my experiences with Bicycle Across the Magnificient Miles of Illinois in 1985, 1986 and 1987, the Bicycle Ride Across Nebraska won't be on my agenda in 2006. But I would encourage you to consider that ride if you're looking for a ride with interesting scenery, a bit of a distance challenge and friendly people.

I'm seriously considering New York as a destination. I've never been to New York, and I have a longtime friend who recently moved to West Point.

I also might consider doing Bicycle Across Kansas or Oklahoma FreeWheel.

And, of course, Canada would be a great destination as well, but I decided it's time to see another province besides Quebec or Ontario.

What I ultimately decide upon relies heavily on the weeks my senior colleagues on the Belleville News-Democrat copy desk pick. I'm fairly high on the seniority list, but the people ahead of me have four weeks compared with my three. Since only one person can take vacation at a time, they can knock out lots of potential weeks during the bicycle touring season.

Roger 0 comments 10:04 AM