Велосипедтік туризмді қолдаушы американдық қоғамдық ұйым

American nonprofit member organization

Adventure Cycling Association is a nonprofit member organization focused on travel by bicycle (bicycle touring). Headquartered in Missoula, Montana, Adventure Cycling develops cycling routes, publishes maps, provides guided trips, and advocates for better and safer cycling in the U. S. The organization grew from a mass cross country bicycle ride in 1976 to celebrate the U. S. Bicentennial. Adventure Cycling also publishes a magazine, Adventure Cyclist. Adventure Cycling celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2016 by hosting the Montana Bicycle Celebration in Missoula, promoting events like Bike Your Park Day and Bike Travel Weekend, and publishing its first ever coffee table book, America's Bicycle Route: The Story of the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail.

Adventure Cycling Association was founded in 1973 as Bikecentennial by Dan and Lys Burden and Greg and June Siple during the couples' Hemistour bicycle ride from Anchorage, Alaska, to Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. They planned Bikecentennial as a cross country bicycle ride to celebrate the bicentennial of the United States. More than 4,100 cyclists took part in the event, riding all or part of the coast to coast, TransAmerica Bicycle Trail during the summer of 1976. Once the event was completed, Bikecentennial lived on as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit member organization to serve the needs of traveling cyclists, developing more bicycle routes and publishing maps. In 1974, Bikecentennial began publishing Bike Report magazine, which later became Adventure Cyclist when the organization changed its name to Adventure Cycling Association in 1993.

Adventure Cycling's mission is "to inspire, empower, and connect people to travel by bicycle." Its membership has grown to over 50,000 members, and its route network is one of the largest in the world, encompassing over Adventure Cycling is also leading the development of the U. S. Bicycle Route System, which when complete will offer more than of routes for cyclists. Adventure Cycling's headquarters are located in Missoula, Montana, in the northern Rocky Mountains. Many traveling cyclists make a point of riding through Missoula, where they stop at Adventure Cycling to enjoy free ice cream, catch up on email, ask advice, and get a tour of the building. Many cyclists also have their photos taken, and some end up in Adventure Cycling's National Bicycle Touring Portrait Collection.

Adventure Cycling is the largest nonprofit membership bicycling organization in North America with over 50,000 members. Individuals or families can join, as well as bike clubs and bike shops. There is also an option to join as a lifetime member.

Adventure Cyclist is published nine times per year for members of Adventure Cycling Association. It covers stories of bicycle travel in the U. S. and around the world, reviews bicycles and gear, and publishes essays and photos.

The Adventure Cycling Route Network comprises more than of routes for bicycle touring and is the largest such network in North America.

Adventure Cycling Association presents four awards every year to individuals or groups who have made a positive impact in the world of bicycle travel.