Biking Solo Through Spain

by Erik Olsen on

One of my most favorite car trips of all time was driving through the Spanish countryside on the way to Portugal. A buddy of mine and I rented a car and we just rambled around the country for days, stopping at random castles along the way, grabbing delicious Spanish food at small out of the way restaurants. And, of course, drinking ample supplies of wine.

And so I was reminded fondly of this adventure from a decade or so ago by reading this piece over at Stellar Magazine about biking through Spain. The thought had never really occurred to me when I lived there. I think that I was too afraid of Spanish roads, or more accurately, Spanish drivers to consider plying the country on two wheels. I know, however, that such fears are unfounded, and that I likely missed out on a fine experience. Riding over cobblestone streets in little villages like Muno Grande, and making friends with the locals such that he would find himself with free lodging, Alastair Bland makes the idea of biking the Spanish countryside very, very appealing.

The Ditty Bops Bike Tour

by Dave Luna on

My love for cross-country traveling, road cycling, and trip blogging all meet in Venn diagram heaven at The Ditty Bops Bike Tour blog. The Ditty Bops, a musical duo from California, biked over 4,500 miles from Los Angeles to New York City last summer. The trip began with the release of their sophomore album Moon Over the Freeway. The two band members, Abby DeWald and Amanda Barrett, played shows as weaved their way across the country.

Of course, as many travelers do these days, these wanderers blogged about their experiences on the road. There’s the standard travel blog fare of tourist trap photos and early morning sunrises, but Abby interjected with a comic strip called Rumble Strips. These cartoons add a humorous look at the travails of seeing the country by bike. (Included in the strip are such villains as selfish drivers, uphill rides, and musician Seal.)

The trip ended last September, but the blog is still worth a look. If you’re interested in hearing their up-beat mix of folk, bluegrass, swing, and jazz, you can listen to free recordings of their live shows at the Internet Archive. I recommend two songs from their first album The Ditty Bops: Wishful Thinking and Walk or Ride.

Wend Magazine

by Erik Olsen on

Over the years, I’ve seen a lot of outdoors/travel/adventure mags comes and go. At one point, when I was living in Seattle, two different friends tried to start outdoors magazines…and each failed. That said, it’s great to see new magazines try their hand at the genre, because there are a million great stories waiting to be told and a select few glossies (while strong) have long dominated the outdoor mag landscape. The fact is, when these new magazines are good, it behooves us to support them, because good writing/photography/adventure is hard to find.

And so let me now introduce you to a killer new magazine out of Portland, Oregon called Wend. I am reminded a bit of that salsa commercial when the true salsacionoados (inevitably dressed as cowboys) hear that the salsa they are about to be served comes from (add dripping disdain here) New York CITY?!. No, as we all know, the best salsa comes from the Southwest. Similarly, one can surmise that some of the best outdoors writing/shooting should come from the West, or the Northwest, in this case.

Wend is a wonderful new magazine that is now into its second issue. While the Web site is a bit sparse at the moment, the issue I have is filled with great stories and sumptuous photographs. A few of the stories available include Powder Lines in Pakistan, about two men who survive the first descent on skis on Pakistan’s Mt. Laila. And a story on Surfing Africa’s Zambezi River. Great stuff, I’m sure you’ll agree. We’ll be checking back with them in the future, so keep an eye out.

Biking Grand Tetons

by Erik Olsen on

We’re not yet in biking season. Especially in Wyoming where winter has been in full swing as opposed to New York where we’ve had record warm temperatures). But I’d like to help you in you planning for spring/summer trips by suggesting you take a look at biking in the Grand Tetons.

Remember that excellent scene in Forrest Gump when he runs across country? Remember when he passes through the Tetons, running with his full beard and that dashing Nike sweatsuit? Well, that could be you, sans dim Southern accent…unless you have a dim Southern accent.

No matter. The skinny is this, that the Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway encompass approximately 100 miles of paved roads for your cycling enjoyment. You can get more info here (pdf) at the Park Service site and secure rentals (if you don’t have your own bikes) at Dornan’s in Moose. This really is one of the epic bike rides of all time, and is worth considering.

Here is an article on the subject at Gorp

Vietnam by Cycle

by Erik Olsen on

Howdy folks. Thought I’d throw a travel idea by you thats part Apocalypse Now, part Motorcycle Diaries, this trip is done by motorcycle down the Ho Chi Minh trail from Hanoi to Saigon on Russian made Minsk motorcycles. The cycles are the backbone of the country, everyone rides them. While cycling, you will visit everything from Ho Chi Minh’s birthplace to the Chinese fishing town of Hoi An, to the hill retreat of Dalat. A pretty thorough and bona fide Vietnam experience. You ride along the highway, along dirt roads, through small towns where you stop and have the best Phu you’ve likely ever eaten. I would do this one in a heartbeat.