Bicycling Australia & Tasmania There are now rail trails all around Australia and in other countries too. Rail trails link big and small country towns and meander through scenic countryside just as railways did in the past. ollowing the route of the railways, they cut through hills, under roads, over embankments and across gullies and creeks. Apart from being great places to walk, cycle or horse ride, rail trails are linear conservation corridors protecting native plants and animals. They often link remnant vegetation in farming areas and contain valuable flora and fauna habitat Most trails have a gravel or dirt surface suitable for walking, mountain bikes and horses. Some are sealed and are great for touring bikes too
BAS St-LAURENT & NEW BRUNSWICK
Le Petit Témis Cyclists will appreciate the Parc linéaire Petit Témis (130 km/80 mi.), which follows the former rail line between Rivière-du-Loup and Edmundston. The path hugs magnificent Lac Témiscouata and, in Dégelis, joins up with the Sentier national, a hiking trail that connects with Trois-Pistoles.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Gallopping Goose Trail You can travel past the finest: a quiet
cove, a hidden lake, rocky outcrops,
marshland, canyon land, skunk
cabbage swampland, tall Douglas fir
forest, Garry oak and arbutus forest,
rural farmland, urban back streets,
and waterways. This is the Capital
Regional District at its best.
Vancouver (City of) Vancouver puts cycling as one of its top transportation priorities. Cycling is the fastest growing type of transportation in Vancouver. More than 300 lane-kilometers of bicycle network have now been created throughout Vancouver. The City continues to expand the network, and by the end of 2009, is expected to have more than more than 400 lane-kilometres of bikeways..
Linear Park of Bois-Francs Opened in June 1997, the 77 km limestone bicycle path Parc linéaire des Bois-Francs begins in Tingwick and goes through Warwick, Saint-Christophe-d'Arthabaska, Victoriaville, Princeville, Plessisville, Laurierville to end in Lyster. This path gives access on the South side to the Corridors Verts path in the Eastern Townships and to the Northeast to the Parc linéaire of the Lotbinière RCM (direction Quebec City), furthermore to be link by a junction to the «Vert» Le Village Fleuri, which leads to the municipality of Kingsey Falls.
Réseau Plein Air Drummond This circuit includes a 57 km (36-mi.) segment of the Route verte (green route) bike path, 25 km (16 mi.) of which is on an old railway in the woods (ungroomed). A 7.5-km (nearly 5-mi.) groomed stretch runs through Drummond forest and along the Rivière Saint-François. Web site in French only.
EASTERN TOWNSHIPS
L'Estriade L’Estriade and it’s network is an 84 kilometer plus paved cycling trail. Starting at Lac Boivin and bordered by trees on the whole length, the trail crosses four municipalities on the territory of the MRC, Granby, Shefford, Bromont and Waterloo. It is a recreational trail and is family oriented and very safe. The cycling trail was developed on a railroad line which use to cross the four municipalities mentioned above
Grandes Fourches Network
Cyclists can enjoy a 127-kilometer network made up of both bike paths and marked and shared roads. Along the network are the municipalities of Sherbrooke, Canton de Hatley, and North Hatley, 3 major rivers, 2 lakes, countless streams, and 6 hydroelectric dams.
Gironde & Bordeaux 500 km of tracks exclusively for bicycles, 435 km of cycle lanes in urban areas, 2000 km of signposted walking paths, most of which are open to mountain bikes... the Gironde is one of France's leading cycling destinations. A perfect way to discover the richness of the area at your own pace.
Vendée La Vendée est un département du Pays de la Loire sur le centre-ouest de la France qui embrasse les eaux de l'Atlantique. Plus de 100 km de pistes cyclables en terrains naturel et urbain et des centaines d'autres en développement. Un virage vélo intelligent et attrayant.
Bicycling Germany
Germany is criss-crossed by more than 200 long-distance cycle routes covering over 70,000 kilometres as well as countless other well-signposted cycle paths. A network that opens up major cities, areas of outstanding natural beauty and pretty little towns far from the busy roads
LAURENTIDES
Le P’tit Train du Nord Discover «Le P’tit Train du Nord», a 200 km cycle trail between Saint-Jérôme and Mont-Laurier in the beautiful region of the Laurentides north of Montreal. Canada’s longest trail!
Corridor Aérobique This 58-km (36 mi.) linear park, built on an old CN railway track, is located between Morin-Heights and Amherst. From mid-May to mid-November it's enjoyed by walkers and cyclists. In the winter, it's used as a cross-country skiing trail between Morin-Heights and Montfort.
Banks of St. Lawrence River This exceptional uninterrupted bike path follows the St. Lawrence River from the eastern edge of Verdun to the western border of Lachine. You'll love the spectacular views of Lac Saint-Louis and the majestic Lachine Rapids. Green spaces, parks, swimming pools, restaurants etc. The Banks of St. Lawrence River are connected with the Lachine Canal, l'Île des Soeurs, La Voie Maritime and Gilles-Villeneuve bike paths.
Chambly Canal One of the first bicycle trail in the Quebec Province, beautiful! For over a century, heavily loaded barges travelled the Canal, a distance of about 20 km. The nine locks allowed the barges to bypass rapids and overcome a considerable difference in levels between the Chambly basin and the Upper Richelieu. Fort Chambly stands on the banks of the Richelieu River, at the foot of the Chambly Rapids.
Gilles-Villeneuve Circuit This bycycle path is also a F1 & NASCAR racing circuit! The pavement is probably the best in the bicycle path world! From the Lachine Canal bike path close to the Old Port, follow the signs for Cité du Havre and then for Gilles-Villeneuve Circuit on Île Notre-Dame.
A few km from Montréal, right in the middle of the St. Lawrence, 5 little islands form Parc national des Îles-de-Boucherville. This park offers green spaces, channels teeming with life and waterside trails. Walkers, cyclists and canoers come here for a breath of fresh air and a break from city noise. Many also take advantage of their visit to observe a very popular mammal: the white-tailed deer. Others enjoy a trip back in time to discover some of the First Nations that spent time on the park's islands.
Lachine Canal The paved path shared by cyclists, in-line skaters and walkers is completely separated from car traffic. It is lighted at night and is well maintained. The park is open all year long and the path is maintained from April 15 to October 31.
Large Parks in Montreal Some of them, the nature parks, have a very special mission that includes environmental conservation, architectural heritage and diverse plant and animal life.
Each of these parks is unique and has its own distinctive charm.
Soulanges Canal
The region is criss-crossed by bicycle paths. Along the Soulanges Canal runs a magnificent 34-kilometer (20-mile) cycle path, part of the trans-Quebec green way. Already very popular, it provides incomparable views of the canal to some 125 thousand cyclists a year.
Montreal (City of) Montreal has one of the most extensive (Not the one) systems of bicycle paths of any North American city. Check out the Montreal bicycle trail map and maps of the bicycle network which are accessible to the public.
Voie Maritime & Récré-O-Parc (Sea Way) You'll be in the middle of the St. Lawrence River! Officially, it's not a bike path. However, there is so much cyclist there that you must discover it. That 12 km traffic free trail connect l'Île des Soeurs with Gilles-Villeneuve Circuit (1,5 km non-paved) & l'Île des Soeurs and the beautiful Récré-O-Parc of Sainte-Catherine (11 km paved). Relaxing, photographing and swimming activities. Accessible by the Gilles-Villeneuve Circuit, Champlain Bridge Estacade from l'Île des Soeurs, Victoria Bridge (Bike path from Longueuil, south shore) & Sainte-Catherine (Récré-O-Parc, south shore), it's about a minimum of 30 km ride back and forth. July, August and September is the best time to ride it. Enjoy!
Bicycling Holland
olland is the perfect place to spend a cycling vacation. It is a relatively flat country with a mild climate and has many bicycle paths. The distances from one town to another are never great. All 12 provinces have something unique and different to offer so that a cyclist will never be faced with a monotonous landscape. First there are the rural provinces of Friesland and Groningen in northern Holland. There is the green heart of the urbanized Randstad, the densely populated triangular area between Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague. In Overijssel, Drenthe, and North Brabant the cycle paths traverse woods and heath.
NEW ZEALAND
Otago Central Rail Trail The Rail Trail is the first to be established in New Zealand. On closure of the Otago Central Railway line, the line was vested in the Department of Conservation who, with the help of a newly established Rail Trail Trust converted the old railway line to a track suitable for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. The trail runs through country not seen from the road, so it introduces the traveller to areas surrounding the old Goldfields of Otago and the historic nature of this unique area of New Zealand. With 150 kms of track and no difficult hill climbs, the track is able to be traversed by most people
ONTARIO
Georgian Trail The trail is 35 km long and is constructed with fine granular that should give no difficulty to bikes with even the thinnest tires. It starts on the west side of Collingwood and runs south of Hwy 26 to almost Thornbury. There are glimpses of Georgian Bay to north, and the ski hills frame the trail on the left.
Ottawa (City of) Ottawa is interlaced with a huge network of paved recreational pathways that wind through parks and along parkways, next to the Rideau Canal and Ottawa River, and across the river to Gatineau Park – a favourite for hardcore and recreational cyclists and hikers of all abilities – alike. There are also summertime cycling trails at many local ski hills and resorts (see Ski). Many Ottawa streets also include bike-only lanes for safe cycling.
Ottawa is home to one of North America’s most extensive recreational pathway networks, including parkways that are closed to traffic every Sunday morning throughout the summer, as well as a network of mountain bike trails in the heart of Gatineau Park.
Toronto (City of) The City is developing a 1000 km Bikeway Network that will ultimately (by 2012) link cyclists with neighbourhoods and destinations across the city. The network will serve both commuter and recreational cycling. It will be comprised of connected bicycle lanes (500 km), shared roadway routes (300 km) and multi-use pathways (300 km) in parklands and hydro and rail corridors. When completed, all Toronto residents will be within a five-minute bicycle ride to the Bikeway Network.
OUTAOUAIS & PONTIAC
Véloroute des Draveurs From city of Low to Maniwaki, cyclists can peddle on an 80 km rail trail that meanders along the shores of several lakes. A well-groomed, hard-packed surface will add to the pleasure of riding through an enchanting landscape.
PPJ CycloPark The PPJ trail meanders between the Ottawa River and the Laurentian Plateau. Learn about history, heritage and culture thanks to interpretation panels set up along the 91.7 km of trails between Wyman and L'Île-aux-Allumettes. PPJ Cyclopark is a bike path and a natural park created around an old railroad in the unknown Pontiac region..
Quebec City & Area
Interested in exploring Quebec City and it's area by bicycle? Check out one of the trails on the Route verte, such as the Chemin du Roy, or the Corridors des Cheminots (!) and the Corridor du Littoral (!), along the St. Lawrence River towards Beauport and the Parc de la Chute-Montmorency (!). Watch out, or you may fall under Québec City's spell—it's the only fortified city in North America!
Véloroute des Bleuets
The closed-loop circuit, covering 256 km around Lake Saint-Jean, runs through 15 municipalities as well as Mashteuiatsh, a Montagnais community. On the periphery, you have access to the parc national de la Pointe-Taillon and dozens of other communities. It crosses paths with several tourist attractions, commands a view of the tributaries of the lake, and joins the Route verte leading to the Saguenay region.
SPAIN
GreenWays (Vias Verdes)
There are 1,700 km of Vía Verde all over Spain. They are easy to get to, and being flat and even, provide no technical difficulties. There are a host of possibilities: routes barely reaching kilometres, urban trails, country tracks through to itineraries of up to 190 kilometres. All in all, an original, varied alternative for those who want to discover Spain's rich landscapes and cultural sites in an easy, environmentally friendly way.
SWITZERLAND
Velo Land
The Rhone Route runs through the magnificent mountain scenery of the Valais on charming, quiet paths along the Rhone. It leads along the famous palm-lined promenades of Lac Léman and the picturesque Lavaux vineyards and ends at cosmopolitan Genève, It's omly one of the 9 cycling routes in Switzerland.
UNITED STATES
Chesapeake and Ohio Towpath (Maryland) Lieu historique national, ce canal stratégique de 297 km de longueur se tortille le long de la frontière de la Virginie-Ouest de Washington à la ville de Cumberland au Maryland. Au km 249, le tunnel PawPaw vous amène sous terre pendant tout près d'un kilomètre et plusieurs autres constructions de ce canal rappellent l'histoire de ce dernier. Une longue randonnée remplie de Oh!, de Ah! et de Wow!
Elroy-Sparta State Trail (Wisconsin) Autre ancienne voie ferrée, celle-ci appartenait à la Chicago Northwestern Railroad dont 51 km ont été convertis en corridor vert historique où vous traversez 2 tunnels de ½ km de long et un autre de 1.2 km à travers les vallées de la région. La piste relie les villes de Sparta(nord) et Elroy(sud) situées au nord-ouest de Milwaukee au Wisconsin.>
George S. Mickelson Trail (Dakota du Sud) Une autre superbe piste multi-fonctionnelle (équitation, marche et cyclisme) anciennement utilisée par le train traverse la chaîne de montagnes Black Hills sur une distance de 183 km. Vous traversez une centaine de ponts et 4 tunnels authentiques dans un décor sauvage. Une randonnée de rêve!
Minuteman Bikeway (The) (Massachusett) The Minuteman Bikeway passes through the historic area where the American Revolution began in April 1775. Today, the Minuteman Bikeway is one of the most popular and successful rail-trails in the United States, enjoyed for both healthy recreation and transportation.
Missisquoi Rail Trail (Vermont) The 69 km Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail takes you into the heart of Northern Vermont’s agricultural open lands. The Trail wanders through the farms, forests, fields, and wetlands of Franklin County at a railroad’s pace – slow, steady grades with sweeping bends. For the full length of the Trail, you’ll see the postcard images of Vermont you’ve grown to love. You’ll also see the families and working landscapes that created and support this spectacular scenery.
Seattle (City of) (Oregon) Coincé entre l'état de Washington et la Californie l'Orégon est surtout connu grâce à sa ville phare, Seattle. Ville d'eau dont le réseau cyclable est l'un des plus développé en Amérique du Nord. Appelé King County Regional System, ce réseau totalise 280 km de pistes cyclables. La côte sur le Pacifique y est particulièrement spectaculaire et fait partie de l'itinéraire Bicycling the Pacific Coast.
Silver Comet Trail (Georgia) The Silver Comet Trail is over 98 km long, and starts near Mavell Road in Smyrna, Georgia. It ends at the Georgia/Alabama state line, near Cedartown and Esom. Since 2008 the Silver Comet Trail was connected to Chief Ladiga Trail completing what is now considered to be the longest paved pedestrian pathway in America (?). Together the trails are 153 km long!
Withlacoochee State Trail (Florida) At 74 km in length, the Withlacoochee State Trail is presently the longest paved rail trail in Florida. The trail corridor runs through small towns, ranches, and natural areas as it makes its way south from Citrus Springs to Trilby. The trail traverses a region that offers many other outstanding recreational opportunities.
You couldn't pick a better time to shop for a new bike. Today, a vast variety of models are offered in a wide array of prices. From super-plush comfort bikes to knobby tire mountain bikes; from thoroughbred road machines to robust cruisers, your local shop has two-wheelers perfect for just about everything.
So many attractive choices can be overwhelming. But, a large selection is a wonderful thing because it drastically increases the likelihood of finding the perfect bike. Plus, at the bicycle store, you'll be able to ask questions, learn about different bike types, even test a few. Just be sure to go in equipped with a little knowledge about yourself, the cycling you'd like to do and some basic information about bike models that have already caught your fancy. That way, you'll be able to answer the questions from the shop's staff and you'll get a bike you really enjoy. To help, we recommend a little self analysis (therapist not required).
Answer These Questions
Before visiting the showroom, define yourself a bit. Consider how you'll use the new bike and where you'll pedal once you've had it for a while. And ask yourself a few questions to figure out what type of bike is right. Are you:
A new cyclist?
Into improving your fitness (medium to long rides)?
Interested in touring?
Training for an event?
Getting into racing or triathlon?
Thinking of commuting to work/around town?
Taking up off-road riding?
Joining a group of friends who bike?
Analyze Yourself
Consider how many times a week or month you might ride. If you're new to biking, think about your other sports experiences. Did you participate mostly for fun or did you take it seriously? Your tendencies can tip you off as to whether you'll be satisfied with a basic model or whether you'll need something better that your enthusiasm won't outgrow.
Think about your tendencies in purchasing other things, too. For example, do you consistently demand the highest quality, or are you more apt to look for reasonable quality and lower cost? Do you dig high-tech gadgets or are you satisfied with simpler designs? If you're joining a cycling club, will you want a bike that outshines all the others? Or will any two-wheeler that does the job be just fine?
Where you live plays a major role in what type of bike to get. You'll ride more if your new machine matches your riding opportunities. For example, if you're surrounded by beautiful trails, an off-road bike might be a better choice than a pavement pounder (assuming you don't also have great road rides, in which case, you might need two bikes!).
Mind Your Budget
Additionally, it helps to know about how much you want to spend because that's a quick way to focus the selection process on the appropriate models. Like computers and other modern appliances, it's best (and cheapest) to purchase the most appropriate model at the outset than to gamble on a make-do bike and buy another later. Regardless of the type, as you spend more, bicycles get slightly lighter (easier to ride) and are equipped with more features and more efficient components.
While it's always possible to upgrade parts down the road, bike components are much more affordable when they're included as standard equipment on the new bike. So, it's most economical to get what you want when you buy your new bike.
When calculating how much you'd like to spend on that new machine, remember that you may need some extras. Common purchases include helmets, locks, pumps, tool kits, cycling shorts and shoes. Figure these costs into the bike-purchase budget, too.
Bike Types
Here's a rundown of the six major bike types available today with descriptions of their intended use and common features. To help you get a feel for each type, we've assigned each the name of a famous place appropriate for the bike's personality (it's also a test of your imagination).
Use these descriptions to determine which type is right for you. If you're not sure, keep in mind that most bicycle shops offer test rides, which is an excellent way to see how types differ. You might also ask friends who ride if you can try their bikes. Ride both on and off road (on the appropriate models) to experience the difference.
Comfort Bikes
USE: Designed for easy pedaling and the least amount of stress on the body, Comfort bikes are perfect for leisurely town riding, cruising by the shore, vacation outings and any ride where you're out more for fun than for speed.
COMMON FEATURES: Upright riding position; wide handlebars; wide, comfortable seats; flat-resistant tires; easy pedaling; soft ride.
Hybrid Bikes
USE: A hybrid of the mountain bike and the road bike, these practical machines are ideal for city riding, commuting, touring and fitness riding.
COMMON FEATURES: Upright riding position; flat handlebars; low gearing for easy hill climbing; powerful brakes; light, lively wheels with flat-resistant tires; load-carrying capacity.
Mountain Bikes
USE: Sometimes called All-Terrain Bikes (ATB) or Off-Road Bikes, these amazing vehicles could also be called Go-everywhere/Do-everything bikes. From cliff-like dropoffs to shoe-drenching stream crossings, almost no obstacle can stop a skilled rider.
COMMON FEATURES: Upright riding position; flat or riser handlebars; high-traction, flat-resistant tires; low gearing; excellent braking; rugged frames, wheels and components; suspension for control and comfort on rough terrain.
Road Sport Bikes
USE: Built for use on pavement, these models have plenty of get-up-and-go and are perfect for centuries, touring, longer commutes, fitness riding and pledge rides.
COMMON FEATURES: Efficient-pedaling lightweight frames and wheels; drop or flat handlebars; low gearing and excellent braking; narrow, high-pressure tires.
Road Racing Bikes
USE: The ultimate in efficiency, these zippy models offer incredible acceleration and handling, ultralight (under 20-pound) weights and are perfect for those who ride fast and hard on pavement.
COMMON FEATURES: The most efficient frames; lightweight materials throughout; excellent braking and shifting (the gearing is usually most suited to ultra-fit cyclists); narrow, high-pressure tires; aero wheels.
Recumbents
USE: Resembling lawn chairs on wheels, these impressive and ultra-comfortable rigs are great for most road uses, including touring, commuting, fitness riding and pledge rides.
COMMON FEATURES: Unique frames that provide a comfy reclining riding position; seats with full support and backrests for amazing comfort; low gearing and excellent braking.
Cruisers
USE: Rolling on soft "balloon" tires and equipped with comfy wide seats and handlebars, these models are great for leisurely spins to school, pedaling to the shore with your surfboard under your arm or just for coasting around the neighborhood.
COMMON FEATURES: Comfortable upright riding position; shock-absorbing fat tires; foot-friendly rubber pedals; sweet seat and spacious handlebars; usually feature from 1 to 7 speeds.
Now that you know a little more about yourself and your bicycle choices, you're ready to hit the shops. Enjoy selecting that new two-wheeler. Soon, you'll be spinnin' and grinnin' and feeling like a kid again.
