I'm back and this time is for good! Sorry to be away all this time but you can not serve two lords, as they say. I talk about some of my inmediate plans for the show as well as new ways to stay in contact, like Twitter. Look for @BTouristPodcast on Twitter and follow our roamings!

Background music "Climb to Elara" Courtesy of http://www.Danosongs.com
Picture: me, with the Atsinna Mesa, NM on the background.

Sometimes, a tour can be something simple that can be made even without planning. This happened to me this weekend, when I went for a little ride with my son and the ride turned into a small tour. In my book, a tour is about discovery and exploration of places you have not been or care to explore before. This, in my opinion is the difference between a bike ride, where you might have a route you know and a tour, where you deviate from the known and head on to the unknown, to explore and experiment.

We also talk about how the bicycle culture is getting more mature as a mean of personal enjoyment and utility, versus the racing only bike mind.

In the picture, beautiful flowers is just one of the things we found in this little, unplanned adventure!

In this episode, We interview Mr Andy Kenny from Dublin, Ireland, who will be riding from Perth to Sydney, Australia in support for the children victims of the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear accident, and we are not talking of the children of that era, but present day children who are not only suffering because of their condition, but because of the extreme lack of resources to cover even their most basic necessities, like diapers or living conditions no one would think exist in this 21st century world. The Burren Chernobyl project is the entity that is making a difference for these kids, and as an active member, Andy is doing his part to let the world know and give the opportunity to help Andy's website is http://www.pedalpowered.ie

In the picture, Andy trains for his mission. The flower is the symbol of the Burren Chernobyl Project.(http://www.burrenchernobyl.ie/)

In this episode, we talk about day #4 of the Tour of the nations. We cover the Road to Zuni and all the wonderful things to see along the way. We also cover some aspects of bike fitting problems and some consequences of prolonged cycling on a bike not properly fitted to your body. We also share some resources for bike tourists who would like to travel along route #53 in NM, where the Ice Caves, and El Morro National Forest are located.

If you would like more information on El Morro national monument in New Mexico, please visit the following web site:

http://www.nps.gov/elmo/

Remember to visit my sister publication Bike Tourist Destinations blog:

http://biketouristdestinations.blogspot.com

We are always looking for good ideas for the shows on topics related to bicycle touring. Send in your comments or ideas to the show's e-mail address.

Enjoy!

In the Picture, The Atsinna Pueblo Ruins, at the top of the mesa, El Morro National Monument, New Mexico.

In this episode, we ride day #3 of the Tour of the Nations from Acoma to the Ice Caves. This was a really interesting day with lots of climbing, but more important, a day of pleasant riding with mother nature's pine tree scent in the air!

In the Picture: A long railroad track along the way to the Ice Caves makes one think about long journeys and the unknown future

This is the BTP Intershow #3. In this edition, we have some information we would like to share as well as the audio from our visit to the Haak’u Museum at Sky City.

The first thing we would like to share is that the Tour of Life, a 68 miles bike ride which has been taking place for a couple of years now in the city of Guaynabo Puerto Rico, has been canceled for 2007. The tour was way to raise funds to help in the research and treatment of catastrophic diseases, and it was being organized by Bristol Myers Squibb. No clear reasons were given for the cancellation, which have led to a little speculation that the cancellation could be related to the state of the pro cycling world, which has nothing to do with this kind of fund raising activities, but it affects cycling’s image in general, proponents say. On my part, I don’t think this was the reason but it would be good that Bristol Myers Squibb explain a little about the decision and put the matter to rest. I was planning to ride the tour, but I guess we have to look elsewhere for a group ride, or better yet, go on a little tour around the island!

But, if you would like a bike race that is different, you should take a look at the Tour of Acoma, which is going to be held at Sky City New Mexico on September 23, 2007. It is a 25-50-100 mile bike race which will cover The Acoma and Laguna Native American pueblos. I rode part of the route during the Tour of the Nations, and I can tell you, that even if you don’t like to be part of races, the surroundings vistas alone are well worth participating, even if you take it at your own pace. If you go, take plenty of water with you and don’t forget your sunscreen. New Mexico is very dry and the sun really shines.

Now, let’s go on with the visit to the Haak’u Museum, which is located at the Sky City Cultural Center. As we mentioned in Show #19, The Haak’u museum houses a beautiful collection of both ancient and modern examples of the Acoma’s art and from time to time, it also holds examples from other Native American cultures.

To learn more about the SCCC and the Tour of Acoma, visit:

http://www.skycity.com

or call 1-888-759-2489

Listen to this episode as our guide, Mr. Melvin Juanico, take us in a cultural journey to the past, as well as the present of the Acoma's art.

In the picture: The magnificent Sky City Cultural Center building and Mr. Melvin Juanico, standing next to one of the traditional hornos used by the Acoma people to bake their excellent bread

In this episode, we talk about the Tour of the Nations second cycling day and the road of Acoma. We also make editorial comments on the Sky City Cultural Center, Haak'u Museum and the tour to Sky City itself. We also review the Yaak'a Cafe, which is part of Sky City Cultural Center. This was a wonderful day for riding and we encountered a pack of wild horses that crossed path with us.

To learn more about Sky City, and the cultural Center, please visit:

http://www.skycity.com

The Albuquerque Convention & Visitor Bureau provided me with great information, which you can also find on their website:

http://www.itsatrip.org


In the picture: San Esteban Mission at Sky City.

In this episode, we experience the beginning of the Tour of the Nations At the Isleta Pueblo and the road to Laguna Pueblo. A memorable day full of great new people, wonderful cultural experiences, and a connection to Mother Earth by the way of a group of wonderfully talented Isleta children, who Shared their traditional music and dances with us. Isleta is a great place to visit and bicycle friendly.

Visit Isleta Pueblo Home page:
http://www.isletapueblo.com/

Laguna Pueblo commitment with the development of the mind has led the community to develop a wonderful education system and other achievements. Visit this informative page:

http://www.indianpueblo.org/ipcc/lagunapage.htm

Listen to some audio clips we recorded during our stay!

In the picture: Isleta's Butterfly Dance

In this episode, the first of a series about New Mexico, we talk about the Tour of the Nations, a 259 mile bike ride that took us to four Indian Nations and two national monuments in five wonderful days. In the first installment we review the route and logistics used for this unique kind of tour. the background music is a mix of music performed by the Isleta and Zuni pueblos. Get on your bikes and acompany us to the Land of Enchantment.

Interested in New Mexico? Check out these websites:

http://www.itsatrip.org/

http://www.skycity.com/index.aspx?pk=11

In the picture: Your podcaster at El Morro National Monument, New Mexico

In this episode we interview Mr. Randy Fay and Ms. Nancy Lewis. They share with us the adventures on their ongoing tour from the north pole to the south pole. As we go on with the interview, it becomes clear that a bike tourist have to be flexible and make changes to an already laid out route plan. This way, more things can be discovered as it happened to them while touring in Mexico. The experiences gained by this approach are incredible and prove that bike touring is not just going from point A to point B as straight as possible, but wander following advices from locals and taking time to know the places and make friends for life. This is one of the reasons why I love bike touring, and it is great Randy and Nancy share some of it with us!

Randy and Nancy have a website that tells all about their trip, have wonderful photos and other good stuff. Visit them at:

http://www.hobobiker.com

and listen to their podcast! yes, another bike touring podcast. Give it a listen, I like it very much and I am sure you will too!

http://www.hobobiker.com/podcast

Just recently, Randy and Nancy entered Guatemala. In the photo above, see them as they enter their next adventure's homebase. I wish them the best!

Touring in Puerto Rico! In this episode, we cover the ins and outs of touring the island of Puerto Rico, U.S.A. As bicycle touring in P.R. is a virgin activity, most of the locals just can't imagine anyone doing it, and the car culture does not help much. Anyway, if you are coming to do a bike tour, you are in to enjoy a place where the visitor is welcome and people go to extremes to help you. Adventure Cycling's own Jeff Miller and Lotte Shlengel can vouch for that, as they did a 9 day bike tour around the perimeter of the island. Enjoy this interview to just get a glimpse of the things the island has to offer to the bike tourist.

If you will be camping, check the Compañia de Parques Nacionales website for the location of cheap camping spots along the coastline:

http://www2.pr.gov/searchcenter/Results.aspx?k=Acampar

Other option is the DNRA, although it requires a permit at one of the regional offices:

The Link is outdated and I can't find a list of available camping places, but they do exist. I will correct the info ASAP!
And for a PDF map od the island, just go here:

http://www.dtop.gov.pr/act/mapaisla.htm

As you can notice, websites are in Spanish, which can be a turnoff for some people. This will change soon.

In any case, with close to no planning you can have a blast of a trip, as it was the case with Jeff and Lotte.

Enjoy!

In the Photo, Jeff Miller and Lotte Shlengel, just as they finished the PR tour. I took this photo while we enjoyed a nice lunch at Piñones area. Did they had a good time? Just look at their faces!