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Active Travel: Finding Bike Routes. Anywhere.

Unless you're traveling in bike-friendly metros like Portland, Oregon or Minneapolis, finding detailed cycling maps can be tough--which is a bummer if you're trying to travel green, or just want to get a ride in on your next trip. But worry not, Bikely has the answer.

The equivalent of a cyclist's del.icio.us, Bikely lets riders all over the world share their favorite routes. And for a site that's still growing, it's got a lot of destinations covered: from five-mile daily commutes in Seattle to 100-mile tours in the French alps to 15-mile cruises around Beijing's must-see attractions.

Bikely integrates Google Maps so cyclists can visually chart their routes but also leaves room for detailed text instructions, and users can print out condensed cue sheets to take with them on rides. Each route is tagged by location, type and difficulty.

Perhaps the best feature on Bikely is the forums, which lets cyclists comment on rides, sharing suggestions and criticisms. For travelers looking to tackle an unfamiliar city on two wheels, it can sometimes be nice to know the road you're on has been ridden before.

Related Stories:
· Bikely [Official Site]
· Biking coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: mikewarren]