Epic cycling tour comes to North America

by Kraig Becker on

Tour d’Afrique Ltd., the adventure travel company that organizes some of the best cycling tours on the planet, has announced the latest addition to their catalog, and this time they’re bringing their magic to North America. This new ride is aptly named The North American Epic, and when it launches next May, it will cover nearly 5000 miles, stretching from the Pacific Coast of California to the Atlantic Coast of Canada’s Newfoundland.

The North American Epic gets underway on May 29th from San Francisco, and immediately proceeds south along the Pacific Coast, before the riders turn east, heading into the desert. From there it’s on to the Grand Canyon, and the Four Corners of Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico, before tackling the Rocky Mountains themselves. The tour continues into the American Heartland, taking the legendary Route 66 east across Missouri and Illinois, then turning northward toward Michigan and the Great Lakes region, before finally crossing the border into Canada. Cycling through Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec, before proceeding up the scenic St. Lawrence Sea Way, the riders will experience plenty of Canadian hospitality before the ride finally comes to an end in St. Johns, Newfoundland on the 28th of August.

This three month long cycling tour features 76 days in the saddle, along with 16 rest days, and costs $9950 for the complete ride. But as with all their tours, Tour d’Afrique Ltd. offers cyclists various options for riding shorter sub-sections of the entire route. In the case of this tour, there are five shorter segments that can be ridden in any combination as well, allowing those with time constraints to take part in this great new tour too.

And for adventure cyclists looking for something a bit more exotic, check out the company’s 44 day ride along the Silk Road or their 80 day tour of South America. But for something really adventurous, go for the flagship ride, the Tour d’Afrique, which is 120 days in length and runs from Cairo to Cape Town.

[Photo credit: Tour d’Afrique Ltd.]

Telluride Blues & Brews Festival single-day tickets on sale now

by Laurel Miller on

Even in a town famous for its festivals, Telluride’s Blues & Brews is one hell of a party. The 17th annual, beery, bluesy weekend takes place September 17-19th in Town Park, but if you’re short of cash or time, single-day tickets from $55 to $65 are now available.

Headliners include George Thorogood & the Destroyers, B.B. King, and a TBA performer whose identity will be released Augusts 16th. The lineup also includes perrenial favorites like JJ Grey & Mofro, as well as Jimmie Vaughan, Allen Toussaint, Ronnie Baker Brooks, and the Dana Fuchs Band. Late night “juke joint” performances at bars and other venues around town are also a festival highlight; be sure to get these tickets asap, because they’re a guaranteed sell-out.

A Grand Tasting featuring 53 (mostly Southwestern) microbreweries and nearly 150 beers includes big guns like Sierra Nevada, Stone Brewing Co., and Red Hook, to Colorado standouts such as Avery Brewing Co., Ska Brewing Co., and Odell Brewing Co..

If spending a crisp, early fall weekend outdoors in one of the most spectacular mountain towns in the Rockies sounds like your idea of a good time, dust off your biker boots, and bring a warm, waterproof jacket, just in case. Town Park also has a beautiful campground with full amenities, right on the San Miguel River. It’s first-come, first-served, so get there early, or you might end up sleeping in your car for three days like a certain blogger once did. Thank god for construction site Andy Gump’s.

Photo of the Day (07.05.10)

by Mike Barish on
You don’t need fireworks to color the sky. Sometimes Mother Nature does it for you. Whether it’s an epic storm rolling through, a breathtaking sunset or just the coming apocalypse, the sky can take on all sorts of crazy hues.

Flickr user Chris Maki captured this photograph of a pretty fantastic storm heading over the Rocky Mountains that made the sky more colorful than the suits at the Player’s Ball. It’s ominous, terrifying and just plain beautiful. Fireworks are awesome, but a good thunderstorm can give you the same goosebumps. Play Neil Diamond’s “America,” and you’re in business.

Have a picture of a colorful sky? Or, even better, any great travel photos? Submit your images to Gadling’s Flickr group right now and we might use it for a future Photo of the Day.

Food & Wine Classic in Aspen offers day passes to debauchery

by Laurel Miller on

It’s almost time for the 28th annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, and day passes are back by popular demand. The June 18-20 festival features seminars, cooking demos, grand tastings, and book signings by featured chefs like Thomas Keller, Mario Batali, and Giada De Laurentiis. All of this goodness in an alpine wonderland doesn’t come cheap, which is why the $295 Grand Tasting pass is such a steal.

The price includes attendance at two Grand Tastings in a single day, on Friday, June 18 or Saturday, June 19. Highlights include tastings from over 200 vineyards, breweries, and distilleries, as well as food samplings of meats, cheeses, olive oils, and chocolate. There’s also a Spanish pavilion dedicated to wines, spirits and foods of Spain.

Full consumer passes are $1,185, which include access to all Grand Tastings, wine seminars, and cooking demonstrations. If you really want to splurge (read: schedule follow-up appointment with your cardiologist), spring for some of the special events, such as the Food & Wine magazine Best New Chefs 2010 Dinner, or Reserve Wine Tastings. New this year is the Grand Cochon finale, featuring ten chefs, ten heritage breed pigs, and ten wines. Sounds like food porn just got really kinky.

Make your summer Epic at Vail

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Flee the cities and suburbs this summer, and head out to Colorado to connect with nature and use your body as more than a wedge for subway doors. Vail Resorts is reading to for you to hit the Rocky Mountains with style and help you get the most fun and relaxation (or excitement, depending on your taste) out of your summer getaway.

The seven-day/six-night “Epic Summer” package is designed to deliver the Rocky Mountain experience as a whole. You’ll be able to raft down the Colorado River, enjoy some horseback riding on Beaver Creek Mountain and take scenic gondola rides through Keystone and Vail. You’ll eat picnic lunches, do some hiking and take an incredible walking tour through Breckenridge.

If the $1,495 (including all meals) is a bit rich for your blood, think about the four-day/three-night alternative, which starts at $289 per person per night for adults and $226 for kids. The deal runs from June 3, 2010 through September 12, 2010.