Feature Article

My Road to Adventure Cycling Association

by Melinda Koken

Early last month, Arlen Hall the Tour Director from Adventure Cycling Association contacted me about becoming the Director of their Sierra Sampler Tour next September.  This is a fabulous trip south from Truckee, California,  which allows for scenic rides totalling 350 miles along the east side of Lake Tahoe, by Squaw Valley, Topaz Lake, Yosemite National Park, Mono Lake, the Great Basin and Mammoth Lakes on an eight day van supported tour.  Anticipation is for 50 participants, and with a staff of 5 to shuttle the luggage, set up rest and lunch stops, mark the route, and do everything for the riders except peddle their bicycles, it sets up a trip of pure enjoyment of the gorgeous surroundings and congeniality among the riders.   

A year and a half ago I attended the Adventure Cycling Leadership Training Course in Wakefield, Virginia, in order to become one of their tour leaders.   A couple of jobs had come and gone between the completion of the course and when I got the call from Arlen.  I was beginning to think that I would never be “tapped” to fill one of their positions.  Then he called to say he was impressed by what I had written in the latest ACA survey, that he was interested in getting more women to become tour leaders for Adventure Cycling, and asked if I would be the Tour Director for the Sierra Sampler. 

In addition to leading the Sierra Sampler, I will be on staff with the Freedom Flyer Tour which goes from Philadelphia to Gettysburg, starting in late June, hitting lots of historic sites along the route and ending on the 4th of July in Washington D.C.  During that time I will be learning how to be the “Director” from a veteran, Greg Edwards, who leads many of ACA’s tours. 

I will also be joining the Blue Ridge Bliss Tour, in early June for seven days, in order get an overview of the tour routine from the point of view of a participant.  This is also being led by Greg Edwards.  The route for this ride is along the Blue Ridge Parkway and parts of it in Shenandoah National Park from Fancy Gap in southern Virginia, to Front Royal, in the north.  

All of these tours have 45 to 50 riders, are van-supported, have a staff of 5, with meals  catered, and camping is along the routes at some beautiful sites.  An option of motels is offered, although not included in the price of the tour. 

All three tours are rides through scenic and historic portions of the United States that have lots of stories to tell, from the Donner Party at Truckee, California to the Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania.  Some of these sites I have not as yet had the good fortune to visit.  Seeing them for the first time, being with other cyclists, getting paid for two of the tours,  holds the promise of being a wonderful adventure for me. 

Melinda Koken

Saddle Tramp Group Captain