Trails Less Traveled
Thanks for your article "Workout Vacations" [June 4]. Since riding across the United States in 1970, I've remained addicted to bicycle travel, and nearly all of our family summer vacations have involved riding. One key source of information and trips I use is the nonprofit Adventure Cycling Association, based in Missoula, Mont. (www.adventurecycling.org). They have been around more than 30 years and provide carefully researched maps of thousands of miles of routes all over North America, including the recently completed Underground Railroad route and another one following the Lewis and Clark trail. They also run tours for mountain biking and road biking, easy and difficult, self-supported and Adventure Cycling supported. I like them because they use their proceeds to support safer bicycling and bicycling for kids.
KERRY IRONS
Midland, Mich.
If you want to promote "Backpacking in the Grand Canyon," then I suggest the Grand Canyon Field Institute. It is cheaper than what you proposed and educational at the same time.
MARY SIMPSON
Flagstaff, Ariz.
Focus on the Fringe
"Did You Read My RÃÂÃÂÃÂésumÃÂÃÂÃÂé?" [June 4] discussed the very relevant issue of the fringe Democratic candidates in the upcoming elections, their qualifications, and how they do not seem to be gaining the political traction one would expect given their experience. Though candidates Bill Richardson, Chris Dodd, and Joe Biden were discussed, Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich and former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel were omitted. Kucinich has 37 years of political service, was awarded the Gandhi Peace Award in 2003, and is the only Democratic presidential candidate who voted against the Iraq war. In addition, Kucinich is the only candidate advocating not-for-profit universal healthcare in a plan that covers all medical needs for all Americans without raising taxes. There was also no mention of Gravel's involvement in all the major environmental protection legislation of the 1970s and his filibuster in Congress to end the draft during the Vietnam War.
MARK MATTEINI
New York
Thank you for publishing the "rÃÂÃÂÃÂésumÃÂÃÂÃÂé" of New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson so that uninformed voters can read about and decide who is best qualified to lead the country into the future. We need to elect a person from either party who has well-rounded experience to run this country and help get it out of the mess the current administration has created.
BARBARA T. TAYLOR
Lake Forest, Ill.
Turkey's EU Quest
"Continental Divide" [June 4] gave a nice overview of the current political and religious situation in Turkey, including a discussion of Turkey's bid to enter the European Union. However, the article might also have discussed Turkey's actions in the area of human rights. Over the past 30 years, Turkey has put pressure on the Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Orthodox Church, apparently in an attempt to remove it from Turkey, where it has existed for centuries, long before the presence of Ottoman Turks. In 1971, the Turkish government closed down the Orthodox Theological School of Halki and, more recently, has confiscated church properties. If Turkey wishes to join the democracies of Europe in the EU, should it not demonstrate its humanitarian values by allowing the school to be opened and returning those properties?
MARTHA J. PAYNE
Muncie, Ind.
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