Articles Written

Peregrine Falcon - Backroads Maine Tour
February 2, 2021

Acadian Aviators: Rachel Carson & Maine's Peregrine Falcons

Rachel Carson's little-known love affair with the rocky Maine coastline kicked off her career and, ultimately, helped save the majestic Peregrine Falcon from extinction.

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Oregon's Columbia River Gorge Bike Tour Waterfall
February 2, 2021

Top Five Places to Travel in August

From beer festivals in Berlin to wildflower blooms in Ireland, discover the best August destinations.

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Tuscany Farmhouse Countryside Italy
December 9, 2020

Bike Travel in Italy: Taking It Slow

The first time I saw Italy was by bike. As it turned out, taking it slow, savoring the details, connecting more personally with the destination is all deeply embedded in the very nature of traveling by bike.

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Southwest USA Travel with Backroads
December 3, 2020

Five Reasons to Travel to the Southwest

The Southwest is one of the world's great outdoor adventure playgrounds. Here are five reasons why this region should be at the top of any travel bucket list.

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New Mexico Chiles
November 23, 2020

Red or Green? The Spicy Story of New Mexico's Chile Cuisine

It's the most important question you'll be asked in New Mexico: red or green? A classic New Mexican cuisine, the state's red and green chile peppers are legendary—and spicy!

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Rue Mapp kayaking with Backroads
November 9, 2020

Rue Mapp of Outdoor Afro: My Charleston & Savannah Adventure with Backroads

My name is Rue Mapp. I’m the founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro, and this was my first-ever experience with Backroads. I experienced so much during my Backroads trip that I just can’t stop talking about!

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Twenty mule team wagon at the Harmony Borax Works in Death Valley
November 5, 2020

Death Valley: Folklore, History and Local Legends

What is it about Death Valley that gets such a hold on people and inspires them to live in what might be called the most inhospitable place in our nation? 

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Tom Hale biking with his kids - Backroads
September 9, 2020

E-biking in California: Lessons from a Ride with my Daughter

Here’s a riddle: three people go out on a bike ride. One of them is me, a lifelong runner and fairly avid cyclist. The other two are my daughter Avery and her boyfriend Matt, both casual bike-riders. Avery and I ride side-by-side, chatting for most of the climb, while Matt zips ahead. Somehow we’re all able to have a great ride despite our different backgrounds in biking, and no one thinks the ride is too challenging or too easy. How is this possible?

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Irish Pub - Backroads Ireland Bike Tour
August 27, 2020

Beer & Blarney: The Intoxicating Atmosphere of Irish Pubs

As you travel through Ireland, one given is that even the tiniest of towns will boast at least one Irish pub—and more likely, they’ll each have a few.

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Cinque Terre Walking and Hiking Tour
August 27, 2020

From Pirates to Prada on the Italian Riviera

In the 1920s Coco Chanel ushered in the era of the deep dark tan.

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