I just returned from the National Bike Summit in Washington DC.  The summit is the annual gathering of bicycle advocates  from across the country. The 1stday was dedicated to speeches and seminars. We were fortunate to hear from the new Secretary of Transportation Ray La Hood who offered a very optimistic speech about the Obama administration’s embracing a more bicycle friendly transportation policy.  Day 2 was the dedicated advocacy day where by state we all descended on Capitol Hill to lobby our elected officials to support bicycling friendly initiatives.  We met with aides of all 4 members of Maine’s delegation, both Senators Olympia Snow and Susan Collins, as well Representative Chellie Pingree. Despite some long held cynicisms about the effectiveness of the government it is quite refreshing and uplifting to realize that our elected officials are accesible and willing to listen to concerns of constituents.

“Consider a man rding a bicycle. Whoever he is, we can say three things about him. We know he got on the bicycle and started to move. we know that is at any point between the beginning and the end of his journey he stops moving and does not get off the biccyle he will fall off. That is a metaphor for the journey through life of any living thing, and I think of any society of living things” Willaim Golding

Thanksgiving provided an opportunity for some November cycling, for this Mainiac. A visit to my girlfriends parents in Vero Baech created some pleasant cycling.  Florida proved much flater than I had ever imagined but it was easy to get in vacation mode on or multi-speed cruisers.  Our rental bikes left something to be desired with gears in definite need of adjustment, I am always amazed at how many companies in the bike rental business neglect there equipment. I imagine we will be back in Florida and would love to dsicover some riding opportunities in Vero Beach

Most bicycle tour companies offer great delas to gather early season bookings. Summer Feet Cycling www.summerfeet.net offers $200.00 pp off week-long trips and $100.00 off 3 day trips booked before 12/31/2008. many other companies are also offering deals. Now is the time for the budget minded cyclist to book for 2009

I have always thought it would be fun to do a charity ride in all 50 states, I am curious what people would say are the best one day and multi day rides in their states.

Looking for a great way to expereince Maine Fall Foliage. Visit Acadia National Park and cycle the Carraige Roads. Built by John Rockefeller as a gift to the people of America. The carriage roads offer miles of car free cycling through the park. A great ride is to cycle to the top of Day Mountain for great views.

I just stumbled across the site for the Cylce Touring Club, a British organization that is devoted to cycle tourings and offers one of the most diverse line up of tours I have ever seen. Check them out at http://www.ctc.org.uk/ Offering tours in far flung places such as armenia, etheopia, and nepal the CTC is a great resource for people seeking reasonable limited support tours

One unexpected bonus from the recent market turmoil, is the rebound of the US Dollar against world currencies. The US dollar is up about 25% vs the New Zealand Dollar in the last year or so and is at it’s strongest level in about 5 years. With such a strong dollar New Zealand is again a bargin and it is a great time to visit.  Ever dream of visiting Milford Sound now is the time with Summer Feet’s Milford Wilderness Tour. Airfares are still a little steep with the average round trip runninag arund $2000.00 but Quantas is offerering major deals to Australia @$1000.00 round trip with the ability to stop in New Zealand.

Recently we held our 2008 leader training. the weekend featured a fun weekend of bicycling in Acadia national park

Watch Geraint Thomas, Great Britain’s double track team pursuit world champion and world record holder, fresh from riding the Giro d’Italia, in his video diary from the 2008 Smithfield Nocturne criterium race (also known as a ‘Crit’), held at the Smithfield Market in London on 7 June.