This week, a grab bag of bicycle travel developments, news, and adventure. First time visitor to this site?

NEWS - CREATION OF U.S. BIKE ROUTE SYSTEM
At this year’s Pro Walk/Pro Bike Conference in Seattle (September 2-5, 2008) two presentations (featuring experts from Adventure Cycling and other national and international organizations) will explore the potential for development of a U.S. Bicycle Route System, a system that could become the largest cycling network in the world. Learn more. Read about the vision and development of the USBRS.

TALES OF THE GAS-FREE
Thanks so much to all our Bike Bits readers who sent in their tales of gas-free vacations! In July, Kathy Holwadel of Ohio wrote a delightful summary of one adventure, “Just returned from my first solo bike vacation, pedaling from Cincinnati to Cleveland and back again (570 miles total). I passed Amish buggies, hosteled at an experimental farm turned state park, and wound my way through seas of corn where I spent whole days without going through a town. I camped. I B&Bed. I stayed with friends. Even though I came home covered in poison ivy after an altercation with a very smart raccoon, it was one of the greatest vacations of my 52 years, as well as one of the cheapest.” your gas-free vacation stories!

PENNY FARTHING WORLD TOUR
Joff Sommerfield is currently touring the world on a penny farthing bicycle. (This is his 3rd attempt!) His wonderful tour journal features photos and notes from his global adventures on this more-than-unusual touring rig.

TOURS – SIGN UP FOR LAST OF ‘08 ADVENTURES
Experience the fall beauty of the Sierra Nevada, the Southwest, or Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, join one of these last '08 tours: Sierra Sampler, California; Land of Enchantment, New Mexico; Great Lakes, Michigan; North Rim Grand Canyon, Arizona.

SUBMIT YOUR CYCLING ADVENTURE PHOTOS
Every week our website visitors submit the absolute best photos from their bicycle travel adventures to our on-going photo of the week “contest” (nothing to win though, ‘cept fame and glory), submit yours today!

NEWS - 200th EDITION OF BIKE BITS!
On September 3, the 200th issue of Bike Bits will hit your inbox (if you've signed up). Now boasting over 30,000 subscribers (from countries all over the world including Albania, Finland, India to name a few), Bike Bits arrives twice monthly chock full of cool bicycle stories and news. Learn more and sign up today.

MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS PRIVILEGES
JOIN US FOR GREAT PLACES TO RIDE
Join the 44,500 members of Adventure Cycling to enjoy some great benefits and help us inspire the nation to travel by bicycle.

Not a member? Grab a free sample issue of our premier member publication, Adventure Cyclist magazine.

Explore the online version of the Cyclists' Yellow Pages, our bicycle trip planning resource, or check out the Adventure Cycling Route Network, created through our members’ support. The network features more than 38,000 miles of bicycle route maps (members receive discounts on maps too!).

Join us today.