Adventure Cycling Association has announced their schedule of bicycling tours for 2003. Most notably new for 2003 is Lewis and Clark oriented trips to include two 7-day, van-supported Events as well as two-week and 77-day, self-supported, guided tours on Adventure Cycling’s new Lewis & Clark Bicycle Trail. Additionally, Adventure Cycling’s 2003 schedule includes more instructional touring courses than ever before. To learn more call Adventure Cycling at 800/721-8754.

“Bicycle touring offers an excellent opportunity for discovery – of self and of the country-side – and this year’s schedule offers added opportunities for historical discoveries of Lewis and Clark sites,” said Adventure Cycling’s Tour Director Brian Martindale.

Adventure Cycling’s tours are broken down into Events, Excursions, Expeditions and Instruction. Events are 7-day, van-supported trips. Excursions are 10-15 day, guided, self-supported tours. Expeditions are 60-93 day guided, self-supported trips. Instructional tours are a couple days of classroom instruction and a couple days of guided bicycling camping. The schedule and on-line application is available at www.adventurecycling.org/tours.

The 7-day, van supported Event schedule for 2003 includes past favorites Cycle Montana, Cycle Utah and Cycle Washington plus two van-supported rides on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Trail and the introduction of the historical Event ride called American Explorer. The 2003 American Explorer ride will focus on Lewis & Clark sites in Virginia to include Monticello. The Cycle Montana tour follows the Lewis & Clark Bicycle Trail and includes the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in Great Falls, MT.

There are six 10-15 day Excursions planned for 2003. The 3 road rides include the New Englander, Glacier/Waterton, and a Montana section of the Lewis & Clark Bicycle Trail. The other 3 Excursions are off- road tours along Adventure Cycling’s Great Divide Mountain Bike Route.

Expeditions are 60-93 day, self-supported, guided trips. The 2003 tour schedule includes 6 different Expeditions covering various routes within Adventure Cycling’s National Bicycle Route Network to include trips covering the entire length of the new Lewis & Clark Bicycle Trail.

Instructional courses include 3-day Leadership Training, and 6-day Introduction to Off-Road Touring and Introduction to Road Touring courses. The “Introduction to ..” courses offer a mix of classroom instruction and guided, self-supported touring to get neophytes comfortable with the touring experience. The five Leadership Training Courses are designed to provide background for cyclist interested in leading, staffing, and organizing expeditions, events, and local club rides.