Presently this article contains a few hints about the best maps for cycle touring in Northern America. However, if you know of some good hints, please send me some hyper-electronic-e-mail. If you plan on cycling in Europe please go to the bottom of this article.Compiled by: Ernst Poulsen
Dansk Cyklist Forbund
August 2nd, 1996.
USA/Canada
Free Maps and Guides for Canada and the US
Many tourist informations will provide you with a free map of the state you are going to, some even have special bicycle information. Roger Gravel, Dan J. Connelly, and a few more have provided a list of
How to get free maps and guides for all US and Canadian states/territories.
Cross USA Bicycle Routes
But just as important: The bikegroup Adventure Cycling sell bicycle maps of the US.Scale of the maps is generally 1 inch for 4 miles/6.4 kilometers. Certain areas are more detailed when necessary. The maps have show campgrounds, grocery stores, major changes in elevation, historical info about the region, etc; they're printed on a water-resistant paper, and fit nicely into a handlebar bag map case.
As of July '96, there are 3 transcontinental (W-E) routes, 1 eastcoast (N-S) route, 1 west coast route (N-S), and numerous routes among the various parks in the western U.S. and Canada. BikeCentennial is in the process of updating all of their maps.
To order maps with Mastercard or Visa, you can call 800-721-8719 (24 hr). Maps are currently (July 1996) $9.50-$10.50 each to "non-members" and $6.50-$7.50 each to "members," with small discounts for sets of maps.
Adventure Cycling was formerly BikeCentennial. Its address is:
Adventure Cycling
PO Box 8308
Missoula, MT 59807
Phone: +1- 800-721-8719
Fax: +1- 406-721-1776
E-mail: ACABike@aol.com
Tennessee
The State of Tennessee produces and distributes for free a very nice set of bicycling-specific maps. There are five sets of maps entitled Reelfoot, River, Heartland, Highland Rim and Mountains. The different trips are not, however, connected and they are not loops, but end-to-end routes and range from about 50 to 146 miles in length. (This tip by: Patrick Riceci)
These maps may be obtained from:
Tennessee Department of Transportation,
Suite 700, James K. Polk Building,
Nashville, Tennessee 37243
Attn: Bicycle Coordinator."
North Carolina
The State of North Carolina produces and distributes many sets of bicycling-specific maps. These routes cover the state in all directions including Mountains to the Sea, 1000KM. The routes are not loops, however they are connected and can be assembled into a route to suit your desire.These maps may be obtained from:
Office of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation
North Carolina Department of Transportation
P. O. Box 25201
Raleigh NC 27611
USA
A complete article covers almost all corners of Europe. The list is so long, that I had to make a separate list:
This article was written by Ernst Poulsen, but many suggestion/tips were made by: Bas van Oudheusden, Jim Carson/Roger Gravel, Patrick Riceci, and Eric Brasseur. Thank you guys.
This article may be freely distributed in electronic form on the Internet without permission as long it is not altered. Please respect my byline. It may not, however be printed in newsletters, magazines, newspapers or books without written permission. (However, under certain curcomstances it may still be possible to get that permission - see e-mail address above).