In emails to the Adventure Cycling Association I have expressed my disappointment with their lack of attention to senior, alternative and adaptive adventure cyclists. The Adventure Cycling Association has always focused on the abled and younger riders with an occasional shoutout to us senior cyclists but yet has no problem asking us seniors to part with our income through their estate gifting program.
A ray of hope or a one time shoutout? Following an email I sent to ACA on March 7th regarding Sylvia Halpern's latest adventure (Travels by Trike on Facebook), ACA posted about Sylvia on its Facebook (ACA,s Facebook) on March 15th.. Whether my email brought awareness or it's just a coincidence is unimportant. But at least ACA saw fit to recognize Sylvia on their Facebook. She deserves much more recognition for her global adventures. Is it a start? If the past is a teacher probably not.
It seems to me that ACA could easily reach out to the forgotten demographic of senior, alternative and adaptive adventure cyclists through social media. This demographic is out there but unseen my the general cycling community and especially ACA. Such an outreach would take minimal effort and cost and would not take up expensive space in their Adventure Cyclist magazine.
I believe in ACA's underlying mission to encourage people to get out and adventure on bicycles but they fall short in reaching out to all cyclists. I'm not sure how much longer I'm going to continue my membership with ACA. If ACA shows signs of being more inclusive of seniors and non-traditional cyclists then I'll continue my membership. For now I'll continue to up by financial support to Rails to Trails. Their program includes all colors, ages, abilities and modes of human travel.
Sylvia's global adventures outshine many younger adventure cyclists and is worthy of much more than a one time post on the ACA Facebook. I sincerely hope she gets the attention she deserves. Here's ACA's website if you have something to say to them.
My email to Adventure Cycling Association, March 7th;
Just as ACA has motivated younger riders to take cycling adventures you now have an exceptional opportunity to motivate senior cyclists and alternative cyclists to become ACA members.
Sylvia Halpern, a senior recumbent trike adventure cyclist, is now starting on a new adventure. She is cycling 9,000 miles on a cross country and back tour. Her YouTube link is (https://www.youtube.com/@TravelsByTrike). Her Facebook goes by the same name Travels By Trike. Her earlier international and national adventures are on her blog travelsbytrike.com.
At least a feature in your e-newsletter would be a positive step towards recognizing senior and alternative cyclists. We do exist.
I’ve expressed my concerns about ACA focusing on the abled bodied and younger traditional cyclists with only an occasional shoutout to us senior, alternative and adaptive cyclists. Hopefully Sylvia will get your attention.
BTW, Sylvia uses ACA maps and has promoted ACA on her YouTube.
