Adventure Cycling Association

Please use this page to submit any private information, such as tax information.

Thank you for your interest in Adventure Cyclist magazine. We accept queries and manuscripts on a rolling basis year-round. However, since our very small staff is primarily focused on producing each Adventure Cyclist, we'll be reviewing them on a roughly quarterly basis. This is a time-consuming process among our many other duties, so please be patient and bear with us. Due to the volume of submissions, we won’t be able to respond to everyone.

Please make sure to thoroughly read our submissions information.

Time Frame: If a story pitch is accepted, the typical period of time until publication is approximately 12-18 months from the time of acceptance.

GUIDELINES FOR CONTRIBUTORS

Adventure Cyclist is a quarterly bicycle-travel magazine published by Adventure Cycling Association, a nonprofit service organization for bicyclists. Adventure Cyclist is dedicated to publishing stories about bicycle travel and other recreational cycling subjects.

Adventure Cyclist generally uses three types of stories from freelancers:

1. Feature-length stories. These should be travelogs about specific rides or reported narratives about important bicycle travel issues. Both must be accompanied by high-quality photos in terms of content, composition, and size.
2. One- to two-page (500 to 1000 word) department stories, focusing on cycling news and reader service (actionable advice, tips, recommendations, etc.)
3. The Final Mile. These are essays less about locale than about a singular experience while on a bicycle trip. These run at 1,200-1,500 words and don't require accompanying photos. Note: we do not buy Final Mile essays based on queries, we want to see the full manuscript.
   
   What we pay is negotiable, but generally ranges from $.30 to $.60 per word, depending on various factors. We buy first rights and will consider simultaneous submissions as long as we are informed of the other publications considering your manuscript.
   
   Photos: Feature submissions should be accompanied by electronic images (300 dpi is standard). Special focus and humor pieces do not require photos, but if you have something good, by all means, send it. And remember, we are always looking for stunning verticals to go on the cover. (See more about photos here). When you send us photos through Submittable, you are only allowed to upload three files, however, if you create a .zip file from your collection, this will only count as one single file. If you don't know how to create a .zip file, use the links below or simply Google it:
   
   4 Ways to Zip a File on a Mac - wikiHow
   
   4 Ways to Compress Large Files - wikiHow
   
   Adventure Cyclist staff does not guarantee that you will receive a response concerning your story nor will we guarantee the return of unsolicited materials.
   
   For further and more detailed information, visit adventurecycling.org/adventure-cyclist/adventure-cyclist-submissions/
   
     Editor-in-Chief, Nicholas Hunt
     magazine@adventurecycling.org
     Adventure Cycling Association
     150 E Pine St
     Missoula, MT 59802

Thank you for being part of the adventure cycling community.

Adventure cycling isn’t confined to one place or one kind of ride — it’s a way of moving through the world wherever cyclists dare to explore. It lives in the packed panniers of a cross-country tourist, the muddy tire tracks on a backwoods trail, the conversations shared over camp stoves, and the stories told long after the journey ends.

Whether it’s a cross-country odyssey or a quick weekend loop, your journey helps inspire the next generation of adventure cyclists and strengthens the community we’re all part of, and we’d love to hear about it.

We’re collecting stories, photos, and videos that capture the spirit of adventure cycling from your unique perspective. By sharing your story, you're helping build a stronger, more connected community.

When you submit, you give Adventure Cycling Association permission to feature your name, story, images, and/or video across our channels, including our website, social media, email, Adventure Cyclist magazine, and beyond.

This is a rolling submission process. Keep an eye out on our channels for your story to be featured!

Story Ideas:

Not sure what to share? Here are just a few themes we love to help get you started. All stories are welcome!

1. A personal story: A ride that challenged you, changed you, or helped you grow.
2. A community connection: A surprising connection, a helping hand, or the magic of meeting someone on the road.
3. A place that stuck with you: A stunning route, a favorite roadside stop, or a town you’ll never forget.
4. An inspiration or legacy: What sparked your love of adventure cycling? How do you hope your story might inspire someone else?

PHOTOS & VIDEO

• You can upload up to 10 photos (grouped into a zip file if needed).
•  Optional video submissions should be 30 seconds to 2 minutes long.
•  We love real, authentic moments — whether it’s a sweeping landscape, a muddy gear repair, or a candid snapshot of you and your crew mid-ride.
  
   Note: If you’re submitting through Submittable, you're limited to three uploaded files but a .zip file counts as one. Need help zipping files? Try these quick tutorials or Google it:
  
  4 Ways to Zip a File on a Mac - wikiHow
  
  4 Ways to Compress Large Files - wikiHow
  
  For more details, visit: adventurecycling.org/adventure-cyclist/adventure-cyclist-submissions/

Follow along and tag us on social — we love seeing your adventures in action:

Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | X (formerly Twitter) | LinkedIn

This submission portal is for use by Adventure Cyclist magazine advertisers only. It is not for story inquiries, submissions, or images. 

PRINT: We only accept advertising creative in PDF or JPEG format. The file should be press-optimized, colorspace set to CMYK (not RGB), and resolution of 300 pixels per inch. Convert all spot colors to CMYK. Please include your company name in the filename. 

NEWSLETTER: Please submit newsletter ads in PNG or JPG format at 728x90 pixels. Files should be 72 dpi and RGB. Include URL with submission.

Once the file is uploaded, you will receive a confirmation email that the file is ready for download by the Adventure Cyclist team.

Adventure Cyclist invites you to enter your most stunning photos — highlighting the beauty, adventure, and inspiration of bicycle travel — in our 18th Annual Bicycle Travel Photo Contest. By submitting, you agree to the contest's terms and conditions. 

We're looking for your most spectacular bike travel images in five categories:

• En Route: Whatever the route, wherever the location, we want to see your shots documenting active bicycle travel. Special attention paid to photos on Adventure Cycling routes.
• People/Portraits: Portraits (including self-portraits!) of bicycle travelers experiencing all the life-changing joys and struggles that come along with adventure. 
• Around Camp: All the down time of bicycle travel — typically at a campsite, but also in hotel rooms, at Warmshowers stays, or wherever you call “camp.”
• First Bike Adventure: Whether you went on your first bike trip two months ago or 20 years ago, show us your best photos from it!
• Cover Shot: Give us your very best, most compelling photos. A shot so good it could grace the cover of Adventure Cyclist magazine.
• Drop-in Rides: Your best moments from riding the TransAmerica Trail, Golden Gravel Trail, or Great Divide in 2026.

Your original images in digital format, capturing all aspects of bike travel, are eligible for the competition. For some examples of exceptional submissions, check out the winners of the 13th Annual Bicycle Travel Photo Contest.

The contest is open to ALL photographers at least 18 years of age WITH U.S.-BANK ACCOUNTS. The winner of each category will receive $300 cash. Both winners and honorable mentions will receive free one-year Classic Adventure Cyclist membership with Adventure Cycling. Chosen images will be printed in Adventure Cyclist magazine. The images will also be featured on adventurecycling.org, which is visited by more than a million people annually.  

The contest opens January 1, 2026, and closes December 31, 2026, at 11:59pm Mountain Time. Photo entries will be judged based on creativity, quality, originality, responsiveness to the prompt, and overall impact. You may submit up to 5 photographs per category for a contest total of 25 submissions. You'll need to complete the form for each photo submitted. In order to be printed in Adventure Cyclist without being stretched or distorted, contestants must submit photographs in .jpeg or .jpg format, at least 4,000 pixels wide, and no smaller than 8 MB.

Position: Development Manager

Reports to: Executive Director

Start Date: June 1, 2026

Salary: $60,000-$70,000

Position Overview: 

Adventure Cycling seeks an entrepreneurial, relationship-driven Development Manager to assist in growing the organization’s fundraising and membership programs. This is a highly autonomous role for someone who is equally comfortable writing a compelling donor appeal, managing database tasks, and cultivating major gift relationships. 

Reporting directly to the Interim Executive Director/VP of Engagement and working closely with the marketing team for content and communications support, the Development Manager will be responsible for executing a comprehensive annual giving program, membership conversion, managing corporate sponsors, and supporting major gift fundraising efforts. 

This is a role for a self-starter who thrives without a large team around them, brings strong writing and communication skills, and understands how data-informed donor engagement drives sustainable revenue.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities: Fundraising & Membership Campaign Management (35%) 

• Assist in planning, execution, and evaluation of annual giving campaigns across direct mail, email, digital, and in-person channels
• Manage membership acquisition, renewal, conversion, and lapsed member reactivation campaigns and systems
• Manage corporate sponsor prospecting and renewal, including outreach, tracking, and stewardship
• Solicit financial gifts from members and sponsors via email and phone
• Track campaign progress and prepare regular performance reports for the leadership and board of directors
• Assist with all gift processing, acknowledgment, and stewardship tasks related to incoming contributions
• Monitor and respond to donor and member inquiries promptly and professionally

Major Gifts & Moves Management Support (25%) 

• Manage all donor and prospective donor cultivation activities including identification, research, direct stewardship and advancement with special focus on gifts of $5,000+
• Support the preparation of major gift solicitation materials, proposals, and follow-up correspondence
• Work collaboratively and effectively with other staff and board members and other volunteers to cultivate, solicit and steward donors
• Coordinate donor engagement opportunities including events, site visits, and 1:1 stewardship activities 

 Content & Communications (20%)

• Working in close partnership with the marketing team, develop messaging and written content for email, direct mail, and digital channels for fundraising appeals, membership conversion, and member/donor stewardship activities
• Manage Microsoft Marketing systems to effectively build, schedule, execute and track fundraising and membership bulk emails and campaign journeys
• Learn Adventure Cycling initiative and program details to effectively communicate their value and ensure consistency of voice and messaging across communications

 Database & Donor Operations (20%)

• Own donor database processes including marketing list creation, segmentation, data hygiene, and reporting
• Maintain donor records in CRM, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and confidentiality
• Maintain data-driven systems for tracking donor engagement, campaign performance, and pipeline activity
• Develop and implement donor segmentation strategies to optimize outreach and conversion across giving levels
• Support gift processing, rejected gift follow-up, and reconciliation in collaboration with finance

Qualifications & Skills: REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:

• 2+ years of experience in fundraising, development, membership, communications, or a related field
• Strong communication skills (written and oral). Able to craft and relay compelling, audience-appropriate content and solicitations for donors, members, and prospects
• Experience with donor or CRM database systems; comfort with segmentation, list management, and reporting
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple campaigns and deadlines simultaneously with strong attention to detail
• Self-directed and entrepreneurial. Able to build and run programs independently with limited support
• Strong interpersonal skills and comfort engaging with donors, board members, and external partners

 DESIRED EXPERIENCE:

• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 or similar CRM platforms
• Familiarity with major gift and planned giving fundraising practices
• Experience with email marketing platforms and digital fundraising tools
• Knowledge of nonprofit membership models and membership conversion strategies
• Exceptional project management skills
• Experience in the outdoor, cycling, or conservation sector
• Bicycling and bicycle touring experience
• Comfort working with and presenting data to senior leadership

About Adventure Cycling: 

As the largest nonprofit cycling organization in the country, Adventure Cycling has an impactful voice in policies and programs that advance the safety and accessibility of cycling. Adventure Cycling serves through its members and the bike travel community. Our cycling community encourages and supports countless cyclists each year as they explore the beauty and history of America while tending to their mental and physical well-being. For half a century, Adventure Cycling has created life-changing experiences that deepen appreciation for our country’s diverse cultures, communities, landscapes, and people. Adventure Cycling headquarters are based in Missoula, MT, and we acknowledge and honor the Indigenous peoples who consider this land their home. The area’s natural abundance was stewarded by many peoples including the Blackfeet, Crow, Shoshone, Cheyenne, Kootenai, Pend d’Oreilles and Salish for millennia before colonization, and continues to be to this day.

Physical Requirements: 

Elements of job duties may require occasional moving of up to 15 pounds and the ability to occasionally stoop, kneel or crouch; candidates not able to meet such demands can possibly work with staff or others to accommodate.

Compensation, Schedule and Benefits: 

This is a full-time, exempt position (average 40 hrs/week). Schedule varies by supervisor, but is generally M-F, 8am-5pm MST. We are located at Adventure Cycling’s headquarters in beautiful and bike-friendly Missoula, Montana, but will consider a remote work location. Benefits include paid time off, holidays, an additional fully paid one-week bike vacation (a.k.a. “bike respite”), medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, and retirement plan. We have a wonderful office in downtown Missoula, with plenty of bike racks! Adventure Cycling Association is an equal opportunity employer.