Adventure Cycling Association has released new and updated maps of the Lewis and Clark Trail, the first "heritage" bicycle route. If you remember, last year, the association successfully completed mapping of the historic Underground Railroad Bicycle Route.

Following in the footsteps of the Corps of Discovery's 1804-1806 journey, the new maps feature a host of improvements over the originals (released in 2002). New routing steers cyclists to new off-road bike paths, while freshly paved rural roads allow cyclists to avoid busy highways. Several areas also feature new gravel-road options that allow riders to further escape car traffic.

"Bicycling this route is an exciting way to relive the epic journey of our most storied explorers," says Carla Majernik, Adventure Cycling's routes and mapping director. "Cyclists can experience the landscapes of the American West and immerse themselves in the elements much as Lewis and Clark did 200 years ago."

Of course, modern adventurers enjoy certain amenities the Corps lacked and the new maps also offer a guide to those. The list of services (restaurants, hotels, campgrounds, etc.) that come on every Adventure Cycling route map have been thoroughly updated for the Lewis & Clark Trail and, after many requests from cyclists, the locations of public libraries along the entire route have been added. Thanks to a generous grant from the National Park Service, these same public libraries - 175 in all - will be offered free, complete sets of the Lewis & Clark Trail maps for display and public viewing. A portion of the NPS's financial support was also used to fund the route updating process itself.

The Lewis & Clark Trail's eight map sections cover 4,675 miles from Hartford, Illinois, to Seaside, Oregon, with several options following alternative routes the Corps took on their return trip. The Trail itself is made up of paved roads, bike paths, and unpaved rail-trails, with occasional short sections of gravel roads.

For more information or to purchase maps, please visit www.adventurecycling.org.