PRESS RELEASE - June 22, 2001
Bicycling in Eastern Massachusetts just got easier. So did finding bed & breakfasts, little-known beaches (both fresh- and salt-water), parks and forests, trails, and great ice-cream shops. Just released are the 2nd edition of the Eastern Massachusetts Bicycle Map, and the 3rd edition of the Cape Cod & North Shore Bicycle Map. Both maps include extensive revisions to bicycle route information, new off-road trail information, over 80 ice-cream shops, plus updates to every part of the maps.
The maps are high-detail road and recreation guides in a traditional folded-map format. When you find something interesting on the map, you can check the text listings for related information like B&B features and price range, whether a beach has a bathroom or entrance fee (cars and bikes), difficulty of off-road trails, etc. "We work hard to include maximal recreation information while keeping the maps easy to read and understand," says Andy Rubel, owner of Rubel BikeMaps. "Some people find the maps useful just for the extensive list of beaches, B&B's, parks, or ice-cream shops. We point out interesting places to explore, and you can explore them by bicycle if you like."
Road cyclists will find all the back roads, including their names, in navigation-quality detail. Different colors highlight the best ones for bicycling, chosen by avid cyclists as the most pleasant based on traffic, road surface, width, and scenic value. Arrows marked on the roads indicate hills, with thicker arrows for steeper or longer hills, so riders can plan accordingly. Bike shops are shown on the map with details in the text listings.
Hikers and mountain-bikers will appreciate the new trail information added to the maps. "We added a huge number of trails, showing them as a thin red line that's easy to spot," says Madeleine Noland, chief cartographer working with Rubel. "You can glance at the map and immediately see where trails are located and how extensive the networks are anywhere in eastern Massachusetts. For most trails there's enough detail for local navigation." Phone numbers for each park or trail area help you obtain local trail maps when available. Mountain bike symbols indicate which trails are open to bicyclists and locations of trail heads.
Bicycle paths are easier to find than in the previous edition, published in 1997. Added paths include extensions to the Charles River bike paths, the new Phoenix Bike Trail in Fairhaven, a spur on the Cape Cod Rail Trail, the under-construction Neponset Trail, and others.
Rubel BikeMaps has bicycle maps for all of Massachusetts, available in local bike shops, book stores, and map & travel centers. For other purchasing options or more information about the maps, visit their website at www.bikemaps.com, write them at P.O. Box 401035, Cambridge, MA 02140, or send email to info@bikemaps.com.
For on-line purchase information, click purchasing options or mail-order form.
Last update: 2001 June 22