trailsnet

Trailsnet Trail Blog Has Moved

2011-12-03T08:13:00.001-07:00

Your network of trails on the internet has moved… just slightly. We're still located at www.trailsnet.com, but we are now hosted by WordPress rather than Blogger. Among other changes, that means you will no longer be redirected to trailsnet.blogspot.com. That's the good news.
The bad news is that until I get the hang of how Wordpress works, there will be a lot of turmoil on the trailsnet website. The other bad news is that a lot of people who are linked and subscribed to this blog, will need to make the switch (please and sorry 'bout that) to the new WordPress site.

Trailsnet hearts trails and trail lovers.

I have to admit, there were a lot of things I liked about Blogger. It was actually quite a bit easier to build a functional and aesthetically pleasing blog on Blogger/Blogspot than on WordPress. But unfortunately, most of the major website hosting companies support WordPress and not Blogspot/Blogger. That meant that linking to the rest of the trailsnet site (locate trails by state, trail pages, etc.) was difficult & unreliable.
So please visit the new trailsnet blog and website and thank you for sticking with trailsnet throughout this tumultuous process. We plan to just keep getting better, adding new trails, and providing trail information to all you trail lovers.

Trailsnet named in Top 100 Camping Blogs

2011-11-07T11:53:00.000-07:00

Trailsnet nominated for top 100 Camping Blogs

Trailsnet has been nominated once again for a blog award. This time, we have been chosen as one of the top 100 Camping Blogs and are eligible to win the #1 Camping Blog award.

This is an especially big honor for us since our main focus is on trails and camping is just one portion of our blog content. So a big thank you goes out to JustBackPacksOnline for nominating us for this award. We know the competition is stiff, but we also know that trailsnet is an awesome outdoor website/blog.

Big switch coming up

2011-10-17T21:49:00.000-06:00

I would like to send a big thank you for those of you who are signed on to follow the trailsnet blog. I appreciate your support & following.

Like the good trail leaders that we are, we'll try to keep
you on track as we make the big switcheroo. Thanks for
your patience and persistence.

I will soon be switching the trailsnet blogspot blog over to WordPress. I'm not quite sure whether your RSS Feed (followship) will be switched over with the big swap. If I had to make a guess, I would say not. In fact, I'm worried that quite a few things will have to change, whether I like it or not.
But the change is a necessary one to keep (start) the blog and website running more smoothly since my website host works with WordPress but not Google (Blogspot/Blogger).
The favor I would like to ask of you is to continue following trailsnet, even if it means signing on w/ the WordPress feed. I want to keep the loyal trailsnet followers as we move into this new era at trailsnet.
There will be more information forthcoming. In fact, I've already written a WordPress blog entry explaining the 3-step process of transforming trailsnet.com.
As always, your comments about this issue are welcomed below.

SmartTrail app.

2011-10-06T15:54:00.000-06:00

Those wonderful outdoor folks in Boulder, CO are at it again. The people at Boulder Mountain Bikes are creating an app called SmartTrails to help users locate & navigate bike trails. The app will not only help you find a trail but will provide updated trail conditions, trail descriptions, and trail ratings.

There was a great story in the Boulder Daily Camera about the SmartTrails app. The developers are seeking a grant to help them get this worthwhile project off the ground. If you'd like to help them out and put them over the top, you can vote for their grant idea on the GOOD Boulder Fund website. It's easy to vote, doesn't cost you anything and helps support a good trail cause.

So far, the only problem I see w/ this app is that it's not quite available for iphone yet; but according to BMA rep. Andria, they are on top of it. In fact, they "have an iOS developer working in parallel..." What I think that means to us non-techie folks is that they are soon going to have an [iphone] app for that.

If you want more information about the app, you can drop an email to smarttrail@bouldermountainbike.org.

In the meantime, I'm curious what apps, GPS, or other trail-navigation devices you guys are using out there. Leave a comment below.

Great Biking Road in the Smoky Mountains

2011-10-04T00:04:00.000-06:00

I finally found a road that I'd love to ride my bike on. Take a look at this video, and you'll see why.

New Trail Poll

2011-10-02T11:57:00.000-06:00

Yes, government money should be used to build trails!!

100% of the people who responded to last month's poll agreed that tax dollars should be used to pay for some or all of trail funding.

Hopefully Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn is paying attention to our poll. Recently, he said he would refuse to support transportation funding if it included money for trails????

Our next poll is another yes or no answer: Have you ever hiked or biked on a National Scenic Trail?

Below is a list of our National Scenic Trails: (You can obtain a map of the National Trail System from the U.S Department of the Interior.)

mountain bikers on one
of America's great trails

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Arizona National Scenic Trail

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail

Florida National Scenic Trail

Ice Age National Scenic Trail

Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail

New England National Scenic Trail

North Country National Scenic Trail

Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail

Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail

And hopefully, someday we can add: Great Plains Scenic Trail

We'd love to hear about your experience on any of these trails. Please leave a comment below.

2011-09-29T10:03:00.002-06:00

Bikes patiently waiting to be rented in Aspen, CO.

“Progress should have stopped when man invented the bicycle.” - Elizabeth West

Trails Benefit Communities & Nation

2011-09-22T19:45:00.001-06:00

According to recent articles in American Trail magazine, trails provide enormous benefits for communities, workers, and the nation in general.
Here are some important economic figures that relate to the benefits of trails:

hikers enjoying the trail

Active outdoor recreation generates $730 million to the economy each year.
Trails and other outdoor pursuits provide 6.5 million jobs annually.
There are 437 million recreational visits to Interior-managed lands.
One U.S. trail generated an estimated 80,000 trips w/ trail users spending $40.8 million.
Bicycle recreation supports more than $924 million in tourism.
Although the per capita annual cost of trail use is $209, per capita annual direct medical benefits was $564. This means that every dollar spent on trails provided $2.94 in direct medical benefit.

While one U.S. Senator is refusing to vote for highway funding as long as some of the money is going for trails, the opposite should be happening. In light of the figures presented above, and for numerous other reasons, the amount of trail funding in transportation apportionments should be increased. Unlike roads, trails:

are cheaper to build
are cheaper to maintain
provide more jobs per mile
provide health benefits
provide recreational opportunities
provide viable transportation options
are much more environmentally sustainable

If you haven't yet done so, contact your representative and urge them to fully fund all trail options in U.S. transportation funding.

Coming up on the trailsnet blog:

Information about new active travel websites
Information about a possible huge format change for the trailsnet website
Information about new maps to be included on the trailsnet website
Information about the National Trails System

2011-09-15T17:44:00.000-06:00

If you're looking for real adventure, check out the Great Himalaya Trail website.
By the way, I probably won't be doing this one. I'm out of breath just thinking about it.

Photo Book

2011-09-15T13:26:00.001-06:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

Ohio Is This Year's Trail State

2011-08-28T09:41:00.000-06:00

View these great long-distance trails
on the Ohio Bikeways website.

Ohio has incredible trails, and lots of them.

Thanks to an email from Ohio trail advocate, Pam, I recently became aware of the miles and miles of trails in Ohio. Pam directed me to the Ohio Bikeways website where I found not only a great trail resource, but also an area specifically devoted to long distance trails in Ohio. I believe this is the only website I know (besides trailsnet of course) that has a specific section just for long-distance trails.

Keeping in mind, only a couple states have trails that are over 100 miles long, Ohio has at least four trails that are slated to run over 100 miles; these trails are the Ohio to Erie Trail (325 miles), the North Coast Inland Trail (NCIT) (270 miles), The Ohio & Erie Towpath trail (100 miles), and the Great Ohio Lake-To-River Greenway (100 miles). Most of these trails are not yet complete, but when they are, Ohio may well become the go-to destination for active travelers worldwide.

So thanks to Pam for alerting me to the wonderful network of trails in Ohio and thanks to the visionaries in Ohio for seeing the need for such trails and moving toward a true Trailtopia. Last year, trailsnet christened Wisconsin as the "Trail State of the Year." This year, we're casting our vote for Ohio. I can't wait to visit Ohio to ride its trails, meet its people, and enjoy the beautiful sights.

Rollerpacking - Am I the last to hear about this?

2011-08-23T17:16:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Everytrail user Ben, I recently found out about an awesome trail activity called Rollerpacking. It involves an overnight trail trip on inline skates. Basically, it's back-packing on inline skates. Of course, it requires a nice smooth paved trail, but there are plenty of those featured on trailsnet. (Just click on the "Locate Trails by State" link above.) I don't know about you, but that sounds like an awful lot of fun to me.

Most trailsnet trails are
great for inline skating.

Ben roller-bladed the Western Maryland Rail Trail which runs parallel to the C & O Canal Towpath trail. I have had the pleasure of riding my bike on both of those trails and thoroughly enjoyed them. Now I want to go back and try them on inline skates, a recumbent, a Trikke...

I appreciated Ben sharing information about his roller-packing trip. He reminded me of the much-appreciated snowcone stand near the trail in Hancock, Maryland. He also reminded me of how many trails are located in the Washington D.C./Maryland area. From the C & O trail, riders can access the Capitol Crescent trail, the Western Maryland Rail Trail, The Mount Vernon Trail, and the world famed Appalachian Trail. So thanks to Ben and to all of you who send me your trail stories whether by blog comments (preferred method), email, or Everytrail contacts.

I'm soon going to be publishing my fall foliage trail recommendations. I'd appreciate hearing from any of you who have suggestions for fall color trails. Feel free to leave a comment with your recommendation. And if you haven't signed up to "Follow" trailsnet, please do so in the column to the right.

World's Longest Ice-Skating Trail

2011-08-18T11:30:00.000-06:00

Put on your skates &
hit the ice!!

Winter may be a ways off, but I thought you trail buffs would be interested in this awesome winter sports trail in Winnipeg, Canada. It is the Forks River Trail and has been officially recognized by The Guinness Book of World Records as the World's Longest Ice Skating Trail.

Since it is a natural trail, it is obviously closed right now. But if you love to ice skate, and you've always wanted to explore Canada, then head to Winnipeg, put on some ice skates and give the Assiniboine Credit Union River Trail a try.

Self-pumping Bicycle Tire?

2011-08-16T14:03:00.002-06:00

Imagine never having to pump air into your bike tire again. According to the CEO of PumpTire, you can stop imagining & start purchasing.

I'm not an engineer, so I don't know for sure whether this will work or not, but it sure sounds like a nice concept. Have a look at the PumpTire process on this video:

Globetrooper helps you plan active travel vacation

2011-08-13T09:08:00.001-06:00

If you love active travel such as bike trips, then you may want to check out Globetroopers.com.

Globetroopers provides you with a network of active travellers, travel providers, travel information, and travel networking. Although it is possible to get some information by just visiting the site as a casual observer, like similar sites, you need to register to get the full benefit of their website and to interact with other travelers and trip providers.

As you will see by the navigation bar at the top of their web pages, you have the options to find trips, create trips, talk to other active travelers, shop (of course), peruse the news (some good information available), and check out their blog. In fact, I just added the GlobeTrooper blog to the trailsnet blogroll in the left column.

So check out GlobeTrooper when you get a chance and let me know what you think.

Ski all year long with the Skizee

2011-08-08T12:02:00.005-06:00

On a recent trip to Canada, my dad met a guy who is a partner in a venture called Skizee.

Knowing that I am interested in alternative transportation, Dad got me a web address for the Skizee and so I looked it up online. It is like a ski - snowboard - skateboard version of the Ridekick. Whereas the Ridekick is a self-propulsion system for bikes, the Skizee does the same thing for skis.

It's almost like an infinite chairlift. Next stop... wherever!!

Take a look at the video and imagine the possibilities:

Time for Sustrans in America

2011-08-01T12:31:00.000-06:00

If you're not familiar with Sustrans or the UK National Cycle Network, then you're not familiar with one of the most valuable tools available to mankind.
Okay, so I may be guilty of a slight bit of hyperbole, but Sustrans truly is amazing. Basically, it's all about sustainable transportation in Great Britain and bicycle transportation plays an important role in the equation.

The Sustrans link I have provided here is to an interactive trail map. In a recent email I received from Sustrans' Information and Trading Officer, Sam Howard, I discovered that, "Approximately one third of the National Cycle Network is made up of traffic-free cycle routes." The only problem with the interactive Cycle Network map is that I could literally spend all day perusing it. Between my obsession with the UK and my love of bike trails, the map has an almost hypnotic draw.

England's Sustrans provides an active way to
view the scenery and history of the UK.

If you haven't had enough statistics yet, the bikehub.com website reveals that, "420 million journeys were made in 2010 on the National Cycle Network, of which 204 million were on foot and 216million were by bike." So that means that, despite what so many naysayers are spouting here in the U.S., a national trail network gets use and easily pays for itself economically, environmentally, and physical fitness...ly?!

And Sustrans and its interactive map is exactly what I've been trying to pitch to my congressmen lately. A network of trails is great, but we also need a unifying body to consolidate all the resources and to get the word out. What good is a network of trails without the people to use them?

I would love to hear from any of you who have experience with Sustrans or would like to see something similar in the U.S. Heck, even if you don't think it would work, I'd like to hear from you and your reasoning as to why it wouldn't. Don't be afraid to leave a comment below. You can do it anonymously or loudly and proudly.

Nature is the Key to Happiness

2011-07-31T09:09:00.000-06:00

I have often cited the important role that trails play in overall health and well-being. And I have specifically discussed how trails seem to have an incredibly positive effect on mood and attitude.

For a quick dose of nature's medicine,
find a nearby trail.

But I also attributed a lot of that positive force to the healthful benefits of exercise. It turns out, I was only partially correct; and that's good news. Because if exercise was the only good aspect to trails, then people could get the same results by working out in a gym.

But a relatively new study out of the University of Rochester shows that being outdoors and surrounded by nature may play an even bigger role in the positive effects of trails on our mood.

The study was carefully conducted to neutralize the exercise-effect by comparing people who walked indoors with those who walked outdoors. It became fairly obvious that nature and the outdoors environment played a significant role in boosting people's morale. This is not to downplay other factors such as exercise and social interaction. Many studies have shown that these are also important factors in happiness and contentment. However, it would appear that Mother Nature may play the most significant role of all.

So when you're feeling down and need a quick pick-me-up, just hit the trail. You'll soon be feeling the effects of exercise, social stimulation, and, best of all, nature's own magic elixir.

A Coordinated Trail Network

2011-07-27T22:12:00.000-06:00

I recently met with a representative for Senator Michael Bennet. I was scheduled to meet with Senator Udall in June, but was unable to make it to Washington D.C. as planned.

At my recent meeting with Representative Bennet's assistant, I asked him to deliver the following letter to Colorado Senators about assisting me in developing a coordinated network of trails in the United States:

Dear Senators Bennet and Udall,

Thank you for the opportunity to present you with my ideas.I am confident that you will find this information useful and worthwhile.

I am a retired public school teacher and currently producea non-profit website and blog at trailsnet.com. As a lifelong bicyclist andtrail-user, I believe that the United States has one of the most incredible andextensive systems of trails in the world. I also believe that this system is vastlyunder-utilized and often unheralded.

Thirteen years ago, I had the opportunity to ride theTrail of the Hiawatha in Idaho. It is easy for me to remember this eventbecause my daughter was one year old and my father was in his mid-seventies.This was a pivotal moment in my life, because I had not realized that suchtrails existed that would allow three generations to explore history, nature,tunnels and trestles while sharing valuable time together and getting anabundance of fresh-air and exercise.

I began to research trails on the Internet and had adifficult time finding any information about the vast network of trails that Iwas starting to discover through travel, word-of-mouth, and extensive research.So I decided to develop my own website to help people find trails. I wasespecially interested in highlighting family-friendly trails that could be usedfor both recreation and transportation.

The more I researched, the more I discovered an abundanceof such trails. Now, after thirteen years of trail sleuthing, I have good newsand bad news. The good news is that there are not only thousands of greattrails out there, but there are also a multitude of websites devoted to helpingpeople find these trails. The bad news is that there is very little coordinationof the various trail entities and websites. The other bad news is that there isstill a lack of information (at least coordinated, comprehensive information) availableto potential trail users. The trails exist, but most people do not know aboutthe trails. And many of the websites devote the majority of their time andresources to mountain bike trails than the utility trails that are useful tomost Americans. In fact, most of the trail websites still do not even have aspecial category dedicated to multi-use, accessible trails such as rail-trailsand canal trails.

As I travel the country, riding and researching trails, Iam constantly amazed that people aren’t aware of the wonderful trails locatedright in their back yards. Once these people are made aware of the trails, theylove them and use them prodigiously. And think of what that means for ourcountry. With increased trail use, comes decreased obesity, decreased traffic,decreased fossil fuel use, decreased sedentary lifestyles, decreased pollution…

What would it take to vastly increase the use of ourAmerican trails? Surprisingly, it would take very little. In a word, it wouldtake coordination. The trails alreadyexist in abundance. The organizations such as American Trails and Rails toTrails Conservancy already exist. The websites such as Traillink, Everytrail,and Alltrails already exist. The government agencies such as the ForestService, National Park Service, and Department of Transportation already exist.What is missing is the coordination between these entities; and another missinglink is any type of coordinated communication to the general public. There isno synchronizing body to bring these various agencies together.

It would not take a great deal of funding to provide thecoordination needed to bring this issue to the forefront. In fact, it would takevery little if any federal government funding. For a relatively small level offunding, we could educate Americans about the trails that are available. Wecould organize the systems that currently exist so that our trails arediscovered and utilized to their maximum potential. We could help individualstake advantage of the health benefits of our trail system and small businessestake advantage of the economic benefits of nearby trails. Studies have shownthat trails have a far-reaching and positive impact on the communities throughwhich they pass, but many of these communities have no idea how to takeadvantage of such opportunities.

I would like to help develop a system that allows us tocoordinate and make use of our current trail system to a much greater extentthan it is currently being utilized. Whether this program is funded throughstate government, federal government, corporate sponsors (REI, Trek, Microsoft,etc.), non-profits (Rails toTrails Conservancy, American Trails), website sponsors (Expedia, Trails.com,Google) or private donations, it is time to introduce the American people tothe incredible resources already located within their country, state, and community.

I would greatly appreciate your help in getting thisinitiative off the ground. Colorado has a rich history of outdoor recreationand environmental stewardship. Wouldn’t it be great if Colorado’s electedrepresentatives took the lead on this issue? It is one of those rareopportunities to make a substantial impact with very little governmentspending. And the impact would be far-reaching including: recreation,transportation, environmental responsibility, healthy lifestyles, and jobcreation.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this issue. Ilook forward to hearing from you about helping to create a new direction forone of America’s greatest yet most underutilized assets. Please contact me forfurther ideas, information, and suggestions. I greatly appreciate theleadership you two have provided for our state and country. I am proud to haveyou as Colorado’s elected representatives.

Respectfully yours,

Kevin L. Purdy

Why do you ride your bike?

2011-07-21T08:08:00.002-06:00

I recently found a quote that aptly describes why I love bike trails. It also illustrates a different biking philosophy than the norm:

"Moving fast is not the same as going somewhere." - Robert Anthony

What does that have to do with biking and trails?

I think it has a lot to do with my biking style and that of many other rail-trail riders.

It seems like most bikers I meet are into speed. They are more concerned with getting from point A to point B... quickly. Whether they are on a road bike or a mountain bike, they are sprinting down the straight stretches and blasting around corners. If they are riding with others, they are concentrating on the competition of going faster than the next guy. How many people can I pass, how quickly can I get "there?"

That's what I see on the roads, and that's what I see on mountain bike trails. But when I'm on a destination trail (rail-trail, canal trail, distance trail) I see the opposite. People are riding for the joy of riding. Their priorities seem to be to enjoy:

enjoying a Wyoming rail-trail

the scenery of the trail
the outdoor experience
the camaraderie
the fresh air
the relaxation
nature

You'll notice that nowhere on that list are the words speed, competition, or thrill-seeking.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not against those pursuits. My point is, "It's nice to have somewhere to go where you can get away from those things when you want to relax, rejuvenate, and enjoy the great outdoors. There's enough stress in everyday life without also forcing it into your vacation, hobby, or leisure pursuit.

So where can you go to find such peaceful and tranquil trails? Well for starters, here's a list of states with links to their premier destination trails:

Alabama trails
Colorado trails
Florida trails Georgia trails
Hawaii trails
Idaho trails
Louisiana trails Maryland trails
Mississippi trails
Montana trails
Nevada trails
New Hampshire trails
New Mexico trails
Pennsylvania trails
Texas trails
Virginia trails
Washington state trails
Wisconsin trails
Wyoming trails

Trail Mapping Websites

2011-07-16T11:21:00.002-06:00

If you're looking for a great trail, you will find an incredible selection of trail-mapping websites available. Not only do these sites allow you to map your own bike ride, trail run, or hike, they also allow you to access trail information provided by other users.

Following is a briefly annotated list of trail mapping websites:

Ride with GPS - a site to help cyclists plan bike rides and find routes in their area
Ride Dog- designed to help bicyclists find, map, & share cycling routes worldwide
gpsies - allows outdoor recreationalists to create "tracks" and view those of others
alltrails - Share your own trail information & explore over 40,000 trails & trail reviews
fitgroups - Plan group rides & hikes in your neck of the woods.
biketrippin - Use BikeTrippin to journal, track progress, & upload photos.
trailpedia - a collection of trail descriptions that have been submitted by registered contributors.
routebuddy - a UK-based developer of GPS-enabled mapping software
sports-tracker - Turns your mobile device into a social sports computer.
sportypal - Log & map your run, bike ride, walk, or inline skate experience.
Everytrail - Create and view trail trips and trail guides.

Most of the above websites/apps can be used to monitor your own activity, share your trail experience, and view the trail activities of other users. Basically, they are interactive versions of such trail location sites as traillink, trailsnet, and Trails.com.

Hiking with Plantar Fasciitis

2011-07-10T16:26:00.004-06:00

Don't let plantar fasciitis keep you from enjoying your favorite hiking trail.

On a recent hike to Leigh Lake in northwestern Montana, I implemented my new hiking regimen that involves stretching before during and after a rigorous hike. As always, I found that not only is it possible to hike with plantar fasciitis, hiking can actually alleviate some of the symptoms of chronic heel pain, if you take the proper steps:

Leigh Lake near Libby, Montana

1. Always wear hiking shoes/boots with plenty of arch support. This is not the time to scrimp on footwear.
2. If you have orthotics for your everyday shoes, don't forget to transfer them to your hiking boots/shoes.
3. Lightly stretch before you start the hike, but don't stretch to the point of pain.
4. Shortly after you begin your hike, once you have warmed up your muscles, stop and do a more thorough stretching regimen. Don't just stretch your feet; stretch your calves also.
5. Continue to take stretching breaks throughout your hike. One of the best stretches is to find a rock, root, or mound and elevate the front portion of your foot. Then gradually add more weight and lean into the stretch. Do this slowly and don't bounce on it.
6. Once your hike is over, stretch one last time, while your muscles, tendons, and fascia is still warm. If possible, ice the bottom of your foot after stretching.
7. Sometimes, it is helpful to take anti-inflammatory medicine before your hike.

Of course you should refrain from hiking and other rigorous exercise if your doctor advises you to do so. It is also unwise to try and "hike through the pain." If your foot continues to hurt, it's time to stop hiking and visit your doctor.

Otherwise, get outside and enjoy a good hike.

On your next trail trip, should you drive or fly?

2011-06-23T16:35:00.000-06:00

So you want to ride the Silver Comet Trail and you're trying to decide whether you should fly into Atlanta, Georgia or drive. With the price of gas, it's no longer assumed that driving will be cheaper. But how do you find out for sure whether tis cheaper to drive or fly?

Should you fly or drive on your next active travel trip?

Now there's a website called befrugal.com that helps you decide. It even figures in such details as airport parking, hotels on the road, and local transportation fees. Unfortunately, it doesn't figure in bike rental or shipping costs; other than that, befrugal is pretty darned thorough.

I just figured out that I'll save a little bit on my upcoming Montana trip by driving instead of flying.

Give it a try and let me know what you think.

Great trail discussion on topix.com

2011-06-20T15:47:00.000-06:00

I just found a great discussion about bike trails on topix.com.

road bike or trail bike?

It's one of the few forums that allows anyone to participate w/out joining.

This particular forum starts with a question about why anyone would want to ride their bike on the road when there is a perfectly good trail right beside it or near it.

I've often had the same question. I will go way out of my way to find a trail rather than ride on the road. On the other hand, some people seem to avoid trails like the plague.

I love the topic of the discussion, but it doesn't seem to go anywhere. Half the participants seem curious why the bikers are avoiding the trail and the other half keep answering because, "Bikers have a right to be on the road."

Here's what's so frustrating about that:

Just because you have the right, that doesn't explain why you do that. I have the right to play an accordion in a walk-refrigerator in Speedo tights. But why would I want to?
Often times, these people seem to be saying, "By gosh, I've got the right to impede traffic, risk my life, and piss people off, so by golly I'm going to do it."

One other point that comes out in the discussion is, "Why spend tax-payer money on trails if people aren't going to use them?" Although I don't fully agree w/ that perception, I can see where others may find it valid.

Do me a favor: either comment to this post or add your two-bits to the Bike Trails forum on topix.com.

Biology of Dad, from BBC

2011-06-19T05:10:00.002-06:00

This video shows the tremendous importance of fathers in the lives of their daughters. So all you present, past, and future dads, this one is for you. Happy Father's Day; you're important.

Mountain Bike Trail Guide Featured This Week

2011-06-13T19:02:00.000-06:00

Mountain bike fans rejoice. This weeks trail-of-the-week is Boulder's Heil Valley Ranch Trails as featured in the new Everytrail guide.

Heil Ranch may be one of the best intermediate mountain bike trails around. Technically, there is no trail called Heil Ranch Trail. It is a series of trails including Wapiti Trail, Ponderosa Loop trail, and Lichen Trail.

The reason I have such high praise for this trail is the thought and planning that went into it. As I have mentioned before, I'm not the mountain biker that I used to be. About the same time I realized I was mortal, my knees started complaining about the stresses of rigorous hill climbing. The combination of those two factors caused me to rethink my frequent forays into the tortuous roller-coasters of the hills.

But every once in a while, I like to explore a mountain bike trail or two. And that's exactly what I did this weekend. I rode one trail on Friday and another on Sunday. And they were both awesome; I never went over the handlebars once.

Check out the Heil Ranch Everytrail Guide to see some pictures of the ride and directions to the trailhead. I'd like to hear what others think. Am I just a sentimental old fool who remembers taking my students on this trail a few years ago or is it actually as awesome as I perceive it. If you've ever ridden Heil Ranch, send me your thoughts/comments.

Get Outdoors and Find a Trail

2011-06-11T01:59:00.007-06:00

Today is National Get Out Doors Day.

To celebrate, the U.S. Forest Service will waive the day-use fees associated with many recreation sites or amenities on national forests nationwide . Just think of all the trails you can explore, and it won't cost you a dime.

So if $ was an excuse to keep you away from the great outdoors, now's your chance to throw caution to the wind and visit one of your national forests.

See you there!!

Trailsnet profile page from USA Today

2011-06-07T04:34:00.009-06:00

Trails are the answer. Here are the questions:

How can we improve our fitness?
What is an environmentally-friendly vacation idea?
How do we promote family togetherness?
What's a great way to discover new travel destinations?
What's a great vacation idea for individuals, couples, and groups?

Where can I go to locate trails?

trailsnet.com

What type of information can I discover on trailsnet.com?

Locate trails by state.
Find trail photos.
View a brief description of trail information.
View detailed information about trails.
Find trail maps.
Enjoy daily blogs with information, opinions, and details about trails.

Is there another great website to locate trail information, trail maps, and trail pictures?

Everytrail includes trail guides and trail trips for worldwide trails.

How can I locate trails by state

Visit the trailsnet trail locator for an extensive list of trails organized by state.

Trailsnet wins in American Trails Website Contest

2011-06-06T05:34:00.006-06:00

trailsnet wins American Trails award

Trailsnet Chosen in Personal Website Category
There it is, on page 30 of the Spring 2011 American Trails magazine.

Under the Personal Website category, you'll find trailsnet as the award winning site.

This has been a very good year for trailsnet in the awards category. This is the third award and counting.

But most important, we're getting the word out about all the great trails in the U.S. and beyond.

Thanks for your support, and I hope to see you continuing to read the trailsnet blog and using the trailsnet website.

The Bike Speech

2011-06-05T02:12:00.004-06:00

Who says learning to ride your bike isn't a big thing? Don't tell that to this little guy. He is swelling with pride and excitement, as well he should be. Now just think of all the trails he can ride:

Celebrate National Trails Day

2011-06-04T01:14:00.005-06:00

trails are for everyone

Today is National Trails Day! Since 1993, we have celebrated the first Saturday in June as National Trails Day.

If it was up to me, this day would trump every other holiday. We'd launch fireworks, open presents, eat turkey, and hide trail eggs. But it's not up to me, so how about I just provide you with some National Trail day links instead of all that other aforementioned stuff:

These are but a few of the awesome organizations celebrating National Trails Day.

But you can have the mostest bestest National Trails Day of them all. Just pack up your colorful eggs, tryptophanic turkey, obnoxious fireworks, and pretty presents & hit the trail.

Don't forget to let us know how you celebrated National Trails Day!

Take your dog on a bike ride with pupRunner

2011-06-02T16:00:00.000-06:00

I know that many of you, in addition to being trail lovers, are also dog lovers. So take a look at this video about a cool bike trailer that allows you to enjoy both your dog and your bike ride, at the same time. Note that your dog can either ride along or walk along.

Loop Trails

2011-05-31T22:03:00.000-06:00

I don't mind riding out-and-back trails. In fact, when I'm writing a trail guide, I am always focused on the details, such as taking pictures, jotting notes, and getting GPS coordinates, so the ride back is kind of nice to actually enjoy the trail without so many distractions.

bridge over Cherry Creek Trail

Having said all that, though, my favorite rides are on loop trails. I especially enjoy my first ride on a loop trail, because the whole trip includes new scenery. I recently had the opportunity to write a trail guide for Colorado's Northeast Denver Loop Trail that includes Cherry Creek Trail, Highline Canal Trail East, Sand Creek Greenbelt, and the Platte River Trail. Altogether, it was a 42 mile trail with a nice combination of urban, suburban, and rural scenery. Those of you who follow this blog know that I was in seventh heaven. That's the kind of trail I like the most. I am deeply appreciative of the changing scenery.

The weather was perfect, and I made pretty decent time, but I still barely got off the trail by dark. Each one of the trails was vastly different. Cherry Creek Trail cuts right through the heart of Denver. It starts at beautiful and busy Confluence Park, then meanders past historic parks, cultural parks, country clubs, and a high-end mall.

Just as the city portion of Cherry Creek Trail begins to turn into the suburbs, I turned onto Highline Canal Trail. Like Cherry Creek Trail this trail is completely paved; and it has a lot of potential. Unfortunately, numerous major road crossings makes it a little less relaxing than I prefer. So I was glad when I turned onto Sand Creek Greenway. This trail has no major road crossings but less than half of it is paved, so a mountain bike is recommended. Sand Creek also passes through numerous environments including a major industrial section. I know many people are turned off by this type of scenery, but I like it for a change. The mountains and prairies are beautiful, but the factories and refineries are an important part of America's culture also.

Finally, the greenway dumps riders off onto the Platte River Trail which, in turn, delivers them right to Confluence Park in Denver for a completed loop. It's a good ride and a great workout. Now I've completed two of the four major Denver bike loops. I look forward to riding the other two soon.

Chicago Family Friendly Bike Trails

2011-05-24T10:48:00.000-06:00

trails provide perfect family recreation

I just came across this list of Chicago bicycle trails in the online version of Chicago Parent magazine.

I am always happy to share family-oriented trails on trailsnet.

New Santa Fe Regional Trail in Colorado

2011-05-22T08:29:00.000-06:00

Palmer Lake, Colorado

A biking trip along the New Santa Fe Regional Trail is an extremely unique trail experience. Oh sure, you'll see the usual beautiful trail sights such as flowers, deer, streams, and trees. But what other trails offer you views of the enigmatic Air Force Academy chapel, football stadium, and perhaps even jets & gliders directly overhead?

New Santa Fe Regional Trail

Then add in the views of Pikes Peak and the prospect of continuing your ride on the lengthy Pikes Peak Greenway, and you may have one of the top rail-trail experiences around. The trail starts in Palmer Lake, Colorado and goes through the beautifully forested grounds of the Air Force Academy all the way to Colorado Springs. From there you can turn around and ride back to where you started or continue for another 16 miles all the way to Fountain, Colorado.

trail overpass near Air Force Academy

Eventually, this trail will be a part of the Colorado Front Range Trail and continue all the way from New Mexico to Wyoming. In the meantime, this is a great time of year to take a bike ride or walk on the New Santa Fe Regional Trail.

sandstone bluff

nearing Pikes Peak Greenway

About Trailsnet

2011-05-20T11:55:00.000-06:00

The "about" page on the trailsnet website has been completely rewritten and revamped. Below is the text of the page so those of you blog readers can become more familiar with the website:

about trailsnet.com - If you want to find a trail on the internet, trailsnet is the place to look. We have a comprehensive list of trails, organized by state. Our trail descriptions include a brief list of important trail facts, a longer description of the trail, trail photos, and a trail map.

about our trails - We're all about trails! For a good idea of the types of trails found on trailsnet, take a look at the following two lists.

Characteristics of trailsnet trails:

accessible
appropriate for all ages & abilities
multi-use (see list on right)

recreational and commuter
safe
accessible to hikers & bikers
suitable for active travelers
usually fairly lengthy
family friendly
senior friendly
often handicapped accessible

Types of trails found on trailsnet:

bike trails
hiking trails

running trail

equestrian trails
recumbent trails
Trikke trails
inline skate trails
Eliptigo trails
snowshoe trails
nordic ski trails
rail trails

about active travel - Many people access trailsnet to find local trails for a day or weekend outing and that is wonderful. But one of the main goals of trailsnet is to promote active travel for couples, singles, families, seniors; for people of all ages, shapes, sizes, and abilities. Active travel is not quite the same as adventure travel. Whereas adventure travel is quite adrenaline-oriented, active travel is geared to a much wider audience and caters more to such characteristics as scenery, history, family gatherings, relaxation, exercise, and environmentally-friendly vacationing.

about trailsnet founder - Kevin Purdy is the founder of trailsnet and a huge trail fan. His love of rec-trails (see below) began in the late 1990s with the birth of his daughter. He went from avid mountain biker to occasional mountain biker quite rapidly. He wanted to continue enjoying the fun and fitness of biking, but in a way that was safer and more inclusive of his young daughter. On a three-generation trip to the Trail of the Hiawatha in Northern Idaho, Kevin discovered the joys of rail-trails and began a lifelong pursuit of family-friendly, multi-generational, mixed-use trails.

Since then, Kevin has traveled to most of the U.S. states in pursuit of the longest, friendliest, and most scenic trails in existence. He has documented his trail travels on the trailsnet website, trailsnet blog, and Everytrail guides. His future goals include traveling the world in pursuit of even more trails and publishing books to document his many trail discoveries and share them with you.

about rec-trails - Rec- trails have many names and is often incorrectly called a mountain bike trail. For the best idea of what constitutes a rec-trail, take a look at the characteristics... and types... charts found above. Those charts provide the "list version" of the rec-trail definition. To help you better understand what is meant by a rec-trail, I have provided two more lists (seems rather bureaucratic). The first one basically shows what is not a rec-trail. The second list gives you some common synonyms for rec-trails.

The common alternatives for rec-trails include the road and mountain bike trails. Here's a list of how rec-trails differ from the road (as in road biking) and mountain (as in mountain biking) trails:

safer
less stressful
more inclusive
not necessarily on a mountain
both utilitarian (commuter) & fun
available for all ages & abilities
relaxing as opposed to competitive
urban, suburban, & rural locations

other names for rec-trails:

rail-trails
commuter trails*
multi-use trails
canal trails
bike trails
urban trails
greenways
green-belts
park trails
bike paths
family trails
all-season trails

* I realize that the terms commuter trail and rec-trail seem a little oxymoronic but I have yet to come up with the perfect name for this type of trails. I welcome any and all suggestions.

Bicycle Commuter Act

2011-05-18T20:33:00.000-06:00

Did you know that your employer can get reimbursed, by the government, for helping you pay for a new bike?

If you've never heard of the Bicycle Commuter Act, you may want to check it out. According to the legislation, not only can your employer help you purchase a bike, they can also help pay for your bicycle improvements, repairs, and storage at the rate of $20 per month.

Sometimes good legislation
comes out of this place!!

Wow!! Now, in addition to fun, exercise, and environmental friendliness, you have another reason to ride your bike to work. Have a talk with your employer and see if they are willing to participate in the program. If you need to, have a copy of the Bicycle Commuter Act in hand.

Bike Stickers May not Rock...

2011-05-16T04:00:00.000-06:00

... but they certainly roll!!

Even I'm not completely sure what that means, but I love the World's Best Bike Stickers website!!

For those of us into trails, alternative transportation, recreation, fun, it's nice to find a business and website that allows us to announce our passions to the world. Here are some examples of shirt and sticker slogans you'll find on worldsbestbikestickers.com:

Live Free or Drive
Live Fast, Ride Hard
If it ain't fixed it's broken
I'd rather be ridin' the rails (my personal fave)
I got here by bike
How's my bike riding? Dial 1-800-CARS-SUCK
Don't pollute - Bike commute
Burn fat, not oil

Of course the shirts and bumper stickers look a lot better than my boring old list because they have awesome graphics. So you'll just have to visit worldsbestbikestickers.com to see for yourself.

Segways now allowed on the Rio Grande Trail

2011-05-16T02:58:00.000-06:00

Should electric powered bicycles, Segways, Trikkes, and scooters be allowed on hiking and biking trails?

Should electric vehicles
be allowed on trails?

That is the current debate. How do we assure trail access to people with handicaps while still maintaining the pristine environment of the trail?

As you read this, legislators are wrestling with this issue. But local trail authorities are not waiting for a final answer. Some, like the Roaring Fork Transit Authority are taking steps to make trails more handicapped accessible. The RFTA is in charge of the Rio Grande Trail in western Colorado. The trail runs from Glenwood Springs, CO to Aspen, CO. They have decided to allow Segways on the trail; but only disabled trail-users who can prove their disability (if requested) are allowed to use electric-powered vehicles on the trail.

One of the major goals of trailsnet is to increase the visibility and usage of trails worldwide. That is why we mainly feature trails that are accessible to all ages and abilities. Providing trail access to those with disabilities is the right thing to do. Everyone should be able to use our wonderful network of trails.

How far are your typical bicycle outings?

2011-05-15T00:06:00.000-06:00

Our survey says...

Our last trailsnet poll was the most successful one so far. We had a lot of participation. In the end, the mountains were the clear favorite bike trail destination. And the mountains are a beautiful place for biking. But I have a feeling that if more people knew about some of the great bike trails found on the plains, in the cities, and alongside beaches, the vote may have been closer. Personally, I was glad to have the opportunity to vote in more than one category, because I love biking all over the place.

Which brings us to our brand new trailsnet poll over there at the top of the left-hand column. How far do you ride your bike in a typical bicycle outing? Once again, you're allowed to vote for more than one choice or choose the ubiquitous "lengths may vary" option. The unique thing about this month's poll is that it applies to both trail bikers and road bikers.

Take a whopping couple seconds to vote in the trailsnet "poll-o-the-month." We want to hear from you!!

Trail Notes = Stay Found

2011-05-13T23:23:00.000-06:00

I often expound upon the safety virtues of trails, and it's true that they are usually very safe places to ride your bike, hike, ride your horse, inline skate, run...

But even trails have their potential hazards. Thundershowers happen; people get lost. The best laid plans of mice & men sometimes go awry.

I started thinking about all this as a result of a comment (Thanks Barry!) regarding a recent blog-post on the trailsnet blog. Within a minute after reading a comment about the importance of letting someone know where you're going on the trail, I came across a Twitter Feed for a website/company called TrailNote.com.

At Trails Note, their motto is "Get there. Get back. Be safe." It's succinct and to the point. And TrailNote has an online alert program to help you achieve your goal of trail safety. The program allows you to:

Give your trip details.
Set your trip time and date.
Select your return time and your contact list.
Mark your location.
Go on your trip.

Okay, technically you don't need an online program for that last step. But TrailNote seems like a promising application to take trail safety to the next level. And best of all.... It's FREE!!

So visit TrailNote.com, login, and check them out. Because it's important to (Here comes another TrailNote motto.) "Protect your adventure today!"

Bicycling Saves Lives

2011-05-12T11:17:00.000-06:00

An afternoon on the bike trail could extend your life!!

So often, we hear about all the ways to help us live longer, and they often involve sacrifice. I mean, who wants to stop eating fun food. Most people would say, "Go ahead & take a couple years off my life if I can keep enjoying the treats I love."

Hit the trail and help your heart!!

But now, we're finding out that there's a fun way to get healthier and fight heart disease.

According to a recent study, "Three hours of bike riding per week could cut your risk of heart attack and stroke in half." Wow... talk about having your cake and eating it too. Riding bicycles (especially on trails) is a blast!! AND... it's good for you. Talk about doubling your fun!

Thanks to People for Bikes for a great web page with the above bike facts and more. They made a nice graphic showing the benefits of bicycling. If you get a chance, check it out.

Minnesota Trails On Top

2011-05-12T10:56:00.000-06:00

Last year, we sent out special congratulations to Wisconsin for their great biking trails.

This year, we've chosen Minnesota to receive the trail award. Minnesota gets our trail kudos for the following reasons:

American Trails elected Minnesota as the Best Trails State last year.
Minnesota has more miles of paved trails than any other state.
Minnesota has an awesome shared trails program that makes maximum use of their wonderful trails.
In addition to great paved biking trails, Minnesota also has an abundance of mountain biking trails.
The League of American Bicyclists has named Minnesota among the elite bicycle friendly states.
Bicycling Magazine Chose Minneapolis as the #1 bicycling city in the nation.

If every state shared Minnesota's support and enthusiasm for trails and biking, then we would have taken a huge step toward:

lowering our dependency on fossil fuels
improving our environment
promoting family togetherness
ensuring healthy and fit citizens
enjoying, respecting, and utilizing the great outdoors

Congratulations to Minnesota for their well-deserved awards for being a great trail state.

Trail Mileage Markers

2011-05-11T05:58:00.000-06:00

Why so many mileage markers on trails? Do we really need that many? Aren't they kind of a waste of money?

mileage marker on the C & O Canal Towpath trail

Actually, there's a very good, common-sense reason for the abundance of mileage markers on trails, and it has very little to do with keeping you from getting lost or helping you know how much further you have to go.

The most important reason for all those mileage markers is for emergency services. Say someone has a heart attack on the trail, or you discover a forest fire. The mileage markers help you to identify exactly where you are so emergency personnel can easily and quickly locate you and/or the incident.

So the next time you're on the trail, take note of those mileage markers. Sometimes they're every mile and other times every half, quarter, or even tenth of a mile. You may find them on a signpost beside the trail (such as on the C & O Canal Towpath trail in Maryland) or set in concrete in the middle of the trail. (Such as on the St. Vrain Greenway trail in Colorado.)

Enjoy the trail, but always be aware of your surroundings.

Bike Trail Meetups

2011-05-10T08:55:00.000-06:00

Find other trail biking enthusiasts

If you're looking for a group to ride bike trails with, then you may want to check out the Meetup website.

You can find all kinds of different group rides and trail gatherings in your area or around the country.

It's an especially good website for active travelers who want to join a group trail ride while on the road.

Mother's Day Trails

2011-05-07T21:19:00.000-06:00

Happy Mother's Day to one and all.

I won't bore you with a long and drawn out post. It's spring, and there are some great trails you should be riding. So I have two trail suggestions for Mom to enjoy her special day.

St. Vrain Greenway view from Sandstone Ranch trailhead.

First, for those of you in Colorado, I just published a St. Vrain Greenway trail guide on Everytrail.com. It's the best little trail you've never explored. It's one the whole family can enjoy, so click on the link in this sentence and check it out.

Secondly, for all the rest of you, if you haven't been to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy traillink website lately, it's time for you to head on over there. Wherever you live or you're visiting, they've got a trail nearby.

Enjoy the day and, as always, HAPPY TRAILS!!

A dozen of Colorado's best trails

2011-05-06T05:32:00.000-06:00

Denver's 5280 magazine recently published a list of great Colorado trails broken into these categories:

Day Hikes
Weekend Trips
Multi-day Trips
Mountain Biking

Check them out to see what you think. I've only been on a couple of them, but they look pretty awesome. Most of them are not for the faint-hearted.

If you'd like some more gentle and accessible trails, you may want to try these:

Colorado Trail near Mt. Elbert

Exercise is Medicine

2011-05-05T12:42:00.000-06:00

Hills are better than pills!

"Exercise is Medicine" is a global initiative that encourages doctors to prescribe exercise much like they now prescribe drugs.

It's not a crazy idea and it might just work. In fact, according to a New Zealand study, a group of inactive women was prescribed exercise, and two years later, 39% were still at it.

"Hike two miles and call me in the morning." It has a nice ring to it. I prescribe a local trail. They're a lot safer, healthier, prettier, and more exciting than medicine.

Pikes Peak Greenway Trail overnight

2011-05-04T19:30:00.000-06:00

Pikes Peak Greenway trail

I just published the Pike Peak Greenway trail guide on Everytrail, and it reminded me of a fun overnight experience.

Most of us think of urban trails as a fun little morning or afternoon activity. Hop on your bike; ride from point a to point b; go home and do another trail tomorrow.

And that is indeed lots of fun. But have you ever thought of turning it into an overnight? It's pretty easy to do and doesn't take a lot of planning. Basically, make a hotel reservation, pack and extra pair of skivvies and a t-shirt and you're ready to go. Since it's an urban trail, you'll have plenty of eating options along the way.

It's like a mini-vacation, but way cheaper and easier to plan. The next day, after a restful night at a hotel (preferably one with a pool) you feel refreshed and ready to hit the trail again.

Some reasons why this is a great option include:

Side trails off Pikes Peak Greenway

It allows you to ride a longer trail than you normally would since you don't have to go all the way out and back.
It allows you to combine two trails. For example, I combined the New Santa Fe Regional Trail and the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail.
It allows you to explore side trails. The Pikes Peak Greenway, for example, has tons of side-trail options including one to historical Colorado City. (See picture w/ trail options above.)
It allows you to try out new restaurants.
As mentioned above, it's like going on a mini-vacation with fewer hassles.

Am I the only one who has tried this mini-vacation on the trail thing? If you've ever done it or have some trail suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below.

Physical Activity is the Key to Fitness

2011-05-01T14:04:00.000-06:00

Colorado is firmly established as the least obese state in the U.S. It is often cited as being the healthiest state overall.

Biking trails are part of a well-rounded fitness program.

In today's Parade magazine, it was clear that exercise, not diet, is the leading cause for Colorado's enviable fitness level.

Colorado did not make the short list of states that ate the most fruits and vegetables. However, it did make the list of top five states for physical activity.

Good job, Colorado. In essence, this means the key to a healthy, fit, trim life is exercise. To me, that's great news because I enjoy exercise such as bike riding, hiking, and other forms of trail-related activities. However, I also love to eat. Oh sure, I make small concessions when it comes to diet; but in general I eat early, often, and prodigiously. It's one of life's little pleasures.

This also bodes well for other trail users. You're staying fit while having fun. In my mind, this is just one more reason why trails should be funded, built, and maintained at a higher level. They are incredibly important to the health, recreation, and environment in this country.

I'd love to hear what you think is more important to people's health:

exercise
diet

Epic Trails on the Horizon

2011-04-30T11:44:00.000-06:00

Neighborhood trails are fine for that quick bike ride after work or a family stroll on a weekend. But what about those of us who love to spend full days on the trails... even enjoy planning our vacations around long-distance trails?

Trail Vacations
I've been fortunate enough to travel all over the world and visit castles, cathedrals, theme parks, beaches, and landmarks. But after all that, I've found the most satisfying and fulfilling vacations include lots of time on the seat of a bicycle or in a pair of hiking boots. I enjoy trails for numerous reasons:

I can see places I wouldn't see otherwise.
I get exercise while touring.
The trails are usually less crowded and always have a nice mix of tourists and locals.
Long-distance trails often take you to authentic locations like a New England Village or an uncrowded beach.
Rail-trails often allow you to view historical sites that are mostly unchanged over the years.
Trails frequently go through a nice mix of urban, rural, and suburban.
The slower pace of biking trails and hiking paths allow for a better view of the local scenery.

American Discovery Trail

One new trail that is currently being planned and constructed is the American Discovery Trail. It travels east to west (or vice-versa) and spans the entire width of the United States. If traveling from the Pacific Ocean, you would venture through California, Nevada, Utah, and into Colorado where the trail splits into two tracks near Denver. The north track takes you through Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana. The south track takes you into Kansas Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. The trails come back together near the three-points region of Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. Then the trail continues through Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Washington D.C.

The ADT connects five national scenic trails such as the Appalachian and Pacific Crest trails. It also connects 10 national historic trails and 25 national recreation trails.

Great Plains Trail

Proposed map of Great Plains Trail

In the very early stages of planning, the Great Plains Trail runs north/south, like the Pacific Crest and Appalachian. In fact, it is our inland version of those two trails. It travels through seven states including Montana, South Dakota, Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Texas. The GPT will highlight the best of the Great American Plains including such beautiful areas as the American Prairie Reserve, Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, Black Hills, Scotts Bluff National Monument, Pawnee National Grasslands, Arikaree Breaks, Cammanche National Grasslands, Santa Fe National Historic Trail, and Guadalupe Peak in Texas.

You have a rare opportunity to get involved in these trails from the start and watch as they progress and come to fruition. I hope you become a part of history by following the development of two larger-than-life trails. Please let me know what part you play in the development of these great American classic trails.

Mountain Lion Spotted from Biking Trail

2011-04-29T18:23:00.000-06:00

I spotted my first mountain lion (in the wild) while bike riding on the South Boulder Creek Trail in Colorado.

I swear, the blob you see in the middle of the
picture is a mountain lion... really!!

I was riding along and saw what I first thought to be two deer running through the field nearby. Then, I realized they were running too fast and decided it was a coyote chasing a deer, which was a little weird but nature is never totally predictable, so I chalked it up to an extremely hungry coyote.

On my return ride, as I was nearing the South Boulder Road trail underpass, I noticed lots of flashing lights on the road. Hmm? Car wreck, drug bust, or what?

Then, as I drew nearer, a guy told me they had a mountain lion cornered up a nearby tree. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera at the time... only my iphone. So I snapped a few pictures of a moving blob in the tree, then quickly drove home, grabbed my camera and got back to the scene (with considerably more spectators at this point) just as it was getting dark. Now, with my improved camera, I was able to get a zoomed in picture of a slightly bigger and darker moving blob in the tree. Only this blob clearly had a tail. (When Claude Monet paints fuzzy pictures, they're called pieces of art. When I take a blurry photo, it's called a crappy photo. Wazzup wid dat?)

So it turns out that what I saw earlier was a mountain lion chasing a deer. Now when I see the signs warning of mountain lions in the area, I know they aren't just bluffing. They're serious; they mean business; now I know that once every 50 years or so, I'll actually see mountain lion from the trail.

Have you had any wildlife experiences on the trail lately/ever? I'd love to hear about them in the comments below.

bike trails and hiking paths on the internet

2011-04-28T03:54:00.000-06:00

bike trails on the internet

You may have found this blog while doing an internet search for biking trails. Below is a graphical representation of a search for the keywords/phrase "bike trails."

One part of this chart is surprising and the other part is not. The surprising part is that, as a percentage of total searches on the internet, bike trails is very gradually going down over the years and forecast to go down even further throughout this year. That doesn't bode well for things like gasoline consumption, global warming, obesity, and our health in general.

What is not surprising is that searches for bike trails peak in the summer months of May, June, July, and August. This is represented by the yearly peaks you see in the line graph above. So we are rapidly approaching the busy season for bike trail searches. I also see that on the Google Analytic charts for both the trailsnet website and trailsnet blog. In addition, I start noticing a rapid increase in purchases of my trail guides on Everytrail.com.

So let's get out there and enjoy the summer trails, but we need to do a better job of convincing people that biking trails and hiking paths are fun, healthy, and environmentally friendly.

Interesting biking quotes and trail wisdom

2011-04-27T12:37:00.000-06:00

"... more patents issue on bicycles than anything else." - David Pressman in his best-selling book "Patent It Yourself" by Nolo Press

Who knows what great ideas you might
discover the next time you're on the trail?

Even when I'm reading non-trail and non-biking books, I find information about biking. It goes to show how popular bicycles specifically and non-motorized transportation in general is becoming. And is it any wonder? Have you taken a look at the price of gasoline lately?

Here's another trail-related quote from the same David Pressman Patent book:

"To discover something you've never seen before, walk the same path you walked yesterday." - R.W. Emerson

Once again, it does not surprise me that some of the world's greatest writers, inventors, and creative geniuses got an immense amount of inspiration and innovation while walking or riding their bikes. Albert Einstein famously stated, "I thought of it while riding my bike."

In my mind, the best reasons for hitting the trail are exercise and relaxation. But hey, if you happen to discover the cure for cancer while wandering along your nearest footpath, that's just icing on the cake.

Trail calendar available online

2011-04-24T13:42:00.000-06:00

Find a new trail buddy on
TrailCalendar.com

Are you looking for a local hiking partner or someone to join you for a bike trip on the Great Allegheny Passage Trail in Pennsylvania?

Then, TrailCalendar.com is the website you've been waiting for.

It's awesome for a number of reasons:

It allows you to discover trail events and partners for your next adventure.
It's incredibly easy to use.
In order to find trail events and buddies, you don't even need to "enroll" or give out lots of personal information.
It's another great website out there dedicated to your love of the outdoors and trails.
In addition to finding activities already organized by other people/groups, Trail Calendar also allows you to post your own trail-related activity.

To use the basic functions of Trail Calendar, all you have to do is enter your location. This isn't your specific location, such as your address or GPS coordinates. This is just your general location such as state and nearest major town. So in my case, I just had to enter Colorado and then Boulder, and I was ready to go.

Trail Calendar also has a blog with good information and an easy format for leaving comments.

Have a look at the Trail Calendar website and blog. Maybe you'll find your new BTF. (Best Trail Friend)

Two new trail guides posted on trailsnet and Everytrail

2011-04-23T11:56:00.000-06:00

Bike riding season is here and I've just posted trail guides for two great California bike trail.

Follow these links for bike trail information on your computer and on your smart phone:

Huntington Beach Bikeway (Trail) in Southern California

Santa Ana River Trail on trailsnet.com
Santa Ana River Trail guide on Everytrail.com

Huntington Beach Trail on trailsnet.com
Huntington Beach Trail guide on Everytrail.com

Handlebargains.com features great deals for bicyclists

2011-04-22T11:36:00.000-06:00

Happy Earth Day!!

In the words of Queen, "Get on your bikes and ride."

We want to send a big thanks and congratulations to all the students out there who participated in the "Ride to School Day." It was a bit windy here on the Front Range of Colorado, but I still saw plenty of participants on their bikes.

On the subject of bikes, I wanted to send a big congratulations out to the crew at handlebargains.com.
It's a great website along the lines of Groupon.com, but it's specifically geared toward cyclists.

The sign up procedure for handlebargains couldn't be easier. I just signed up, and it took me, literally, seconds. Now I look forward to getting notice of great bicycle-related bargains sent to me via email. I'm a big fan of the social bargain websites, but this one is especially exciting because it will have products near and dear to my heart.

If you're a cyclist, handlebargains is the site for you.

Santa Ana River Trail in California: a trail for all seasons

2011-04-20T23:22:00.000-06:00

When you're getting sick of the cold weather in your neck of the woods, it's time to head to southern California for a bike ride on the Santa Ana River Trail.

the Santa Ana River Trail

Oh sure, you may visit Disneyland, Hollywood, and the beaches. But while you're in the Los Angeles area, you've got to try out some of the great bike trails. For starters, you can bike on the beach on the Huntington Beach Trail that starts in Newport Beach, California. While you're on it, you'll see a trail junction that heads eastward. That is the junction for the Santa Ana River Trail.

The 26 (and growing) mile trail is a great way to see two professional sports stadiums, three California communities, and more flowers than you can shake a stick at. And if you're feeling adventurous, rent a fun set of wheels for a change. Don't feel bound to your usual road or mountain bike. Try a cruiser bike, or a tandem, or a 3GStepper, or ....

All of these options are available at rental shops in Newport Beach. And since the trail is smooth concrete/asphalt and fairly level, now would be a good time to experiment with your blood powered transportation.

For more information about the trail, check out the Santa Ana River Trail guide on Everytrail.com. You'll love the trail and download the guide. Preferably not in that order though.

Life's a beach, and then you ride.

2011-04-15T23:09:00.000-06:00

Holy moly, that's some nice biking!!

The Huntington Beach Trail in California, may be the premier beach trail (dare I say it?) in the world.

Huntington Beach Trail in Newport Beach, California

It's got it all:

beautiful beaches
a wonderful bike path
awesome people watching opportunities
great rentals of alternative trail vehicles (Check out the 3GStepper)
cool breezes in the summer and mild California weather in the winter
incredible food/snack options
easy access to the Santa Ana River Trail

And more.

I recommend that you start your ride in Newport Beach. Once you find parking (good luck) just head toward the ocean, and you'll find the trail. Once you find the trail, you should have no problem finding someone to rent you a bike or other wheeled trail vehicle.

Don't bother packing a bulky back pack with food. You'll find plenty to graze on as you go. Just bring some money and an appetite. If you don't find enough food options trailside, just head to Main Street (head up at the pier) in Huntington Beach. You'll find some funky-delicious restaurants there.

Make sure to have cool-weather and warm-weather clothing available because you can get some pretty decent weather changes from one minute to the next. The California sun and Pacific breezes team up to provide you with ever-changing conditions.

But ya gotta try this trail. It's crowded on weekends and busy on weekdays. Just chill out and enjoy your fellow trail users. Who knows what you'll see?

rail-trails for sale?

2011-04-13T10:54:00.000-06:00

How much are our trails worth to you?

Times are tough, money is tight. We read the headlines every day. Funding will be reduced in an effort to reduce our nation's debt/deficit. As much as we'd like to believe that our precious trails will be exempt from the fiscal guillotine, that probably won't be the case.

So where will the funding come from to add more trails and maintain the current ones? Private donations play a role, but probably won't increase enough to make up for the upcoming government cuts.

In Florida, they have proposed selling the naming rights to their top eight trails to the highest bidder. Imagine such sports arenas as the Coors Field in Boulder, Colorado or the Honda Center in Anaheim. Now apply that to, say the Withlacoochee State Trail. Instead, it might be called the Budweiser State Trail or the Cigna Scenic Trail.

Do you think that's a good idea? I ask that in all sincerity, because I haven't decided yet. If it's done tastefully, it might not be such a bad idea. If the trail goes all commercial, with billboards every half mile, then it could be a nightmare.

Should rail-trails be funded by sponsorship
or trailside advertising?

Other options could include just selling sponsorship of the trailhead or allowing small, informational/advertising signs along the trail. This last suggestion is not as horrible as it sounds if the following rules are applied:

No more than one sign per mile is allowed.
Signs must be small, unobtrusive, and uniform.
Businesses must offer a service that is essential to trail users. Such services would include: lodging, camping, food, trail equipment sales, equipment rentals, equipment service
Signs would be simple, informational, and clear.

The signs suggested above would kill two birds with one stone. They would provide a steady flow of advertising income to the trail. They would provide information to trail users.

Don't picture big, gaudy billboards with garish colors and slogans. Instead, imagine small, wood or faux wood signs that list:

Bob's Sporting Goods - .5 miles - trail left
Emma's Diner - .3 miles - trail left
Shady Cove Campground - .7 miles - trail right
Shady Cove General Store - .7 miles - trail right

Only these official signs would be allowed on the trail right-of-way. Rather than advertising, they would be considered "trail sponsorship." Businesses would benefit from trail traffic and trail users would benefit from information about upcoming services. The trail would benefit from the funding.

What do you think? Should private industry be involved in public trails. Leave a comment with your input.

Rio Grande Trail: Part II in my funky trail guide series

2011-04-04T12:54:00.000-06:00

How many trail guides have your read that start with the question:
"Would you like a glass of wine?"

Mt. Sopris from the Rio Grande Trail

That's how I started my Rio Grande Trail guide. I related an episode from my own experience on this Western Colorado trail gem.

The theme of the Rio Grande Trail Everytrail guide is how to enjoy the swanky town of Aspen for a not-so-swanky price. Of course, as always, the guide includes the ubiquitous trail map, points-of-interest, trail photos, and trail description. But in addition to the everyday, "this is here and that is there" type description, I tried to give a little taste of the trail experience rather than just the trail details.

Here are some of my favorite Rio Grande Trail memorable characteristics:

trail bridge over the Roaring Fork River

The trail starts in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, one of the premiere adventure travel hotspots with whitewater rafting, top-notch hiking trails, ziplines, Segway trail tours, and of course biking trails.
The Rio Grande Trail is 42 miles long, perfect for a day of pedaling and touring.
Even getting to Glenwood Springs is fun with Amtrak service that lets you off right by the famous hot springs, hotels, restaurants and, best of all, two world-class bike trails.
Aspen is a blast just to hang out, people watch, visit art galleries, and eat lots o' gelato.
The RFTA transit system makes your return trip a cinch since it's found in handy locations and welcomes bikes on the bus racks.

I haven't even mentioned the fun towns in between Aspen and Glenwood Springs, or the trail activities, or the scenery, or the wildlife, or ....

To find out more about the Rio Grande Trail in Aspen, Colorado, visit the Everytrail guide or the trailsnet condensed version.

Santa Fe Rail Trail is latest Everytrail guide

2011-04-02T20:23:00.000-06:00

stone railroad bridge near Santa Fe Rail Trail in New Mexico

"Planes, trains, and automobiles ... and bikes (a New Mexico biking odyssey)

Before we begin our trail exploration, let's take a look at a couple southwestern recipes. We'll start w/ a "Regular Trail Burrito." Grab a tortilla, slap on some refried beans and chicken. Add a little rice & lettuce and there you have it.

Now let's spice it up New Mexico style. We'll toss in some green chiles, sliced jalapenos, add some spicy salsa and sprinkle on some jabeneros. Now you've got the Santa Fe Rail Trail. It is definitely a more spicy version of the typical rail trail.

Rather than rails to trails, New Mexico's Santa Fe Rail Trail is more of a "rails beside trails." For its entire length, the trail is accompanied by a functioning railroad line."

Thus starts the description in the latest Everytrail guide by trailking (yours truly).

I got a little wild & crazy on this one and tried to add a little more pizazz to the trail description. I'm not sure whether readers will prefer that style or not. You know how it is; some things you read for fun and others for information.

I suppose it's okay to mix them up to a certain extent, but it's a balancing act. When does the "creativity" take away from the narrative?

Actually, the way Everytrail has their guides structured, there's a little wiggle-room for mixing business with pleasure. It's possible to go a little crazy in the "Overview" and then give more detailed and succinct information in the Points of Interest section... or vice-versa.

Anyway, take a look at the Santa Fe Rail Trail guide and let me know what you think. Fun, distracting, or outright annoying?

Should rail trails be classified as road biking?

2011-03-31T10:18:00.000-06:00

Route of the Hiawatha trail in Idaho

In addition to my own trail website, I enjoy contributing to other trail communities. After all, it is my hope that we all have the same general goal: to promote the enjoyable and healthy lifestyle that trails offer.
However, I am having trouble convincing other websites that there should be a third category of biking besides mountain biking and road biking.
My most recent foray into this topic was with Russell of Alltrails.com. First, I want to thank Russell for replying to my request. I appreciate that he took the time to consider the issue and give me a detailed reply. As with all people in the internet trail business, he is most gracious and helpful.
Here is what Russell had to say about my request:

"Thanks for the suggestion Kevin. Today we classify most of the rail trails under road biking since as you pointed out they are paved surfaces that require little to no mountain biking skills. When we spoke with users most people found adding an additional category for biking to be confusing. That being said, we do appreciate the feedback and we'll make sure to revisit this in future updates to the site."

This is similar to the replies I have gotten from other websites such as Everytrail, Trails.com, Mapmyride, Ride with GPS, etc. So my intent is not to say that Alltrails is out of line. In fact they are right in line with all the others. Instead, I would like to offer my own suggestions regarding this issue and hope that I can convince one of the major trail-information websites to take the bold step of adding a third category of trails called trail biking:

Rail trails should definitely not be classified as road biking!! The obvious reason for this is because it does not involve a road, but a trail. In fact, most people who ride on rail trails are doing so to avoid riding on roads.
It would not confuse people to add a third category. Much more confusing is to classify rail-trails as road biking. By definition, a trail is basically the opposite of a road when it comes to biking and hiking.
Although many rail-trails are paved/concrete, many (possibly most) are not. Some are gravel, some cinder, some ballast, some dirt... Each one is different. But they all have one thing in common. They are all family-friendly and they all cater to the needs of all demographic groups, unlike mountain biking and road biking.
Both road biking and mountain biking, at least in the minds of many people, offer some element of danger and risk. Trail biking, once again, is quite the opposite. It is relaxing and extremely safe. It attracts a completely different type of user.
It is estimated that only 1% of Americans ride bikes on a regular basis. Despite the fact that bike riding is fun, healthy, environmentally-friendly, inexpensive, and (potentially) relaxing, something is keeping people from riding bikes on a regular basis. It is my firm belief that our stringent policy of categorizing all biking into the two narrow categories of mountain biking and road biking is a major factor in the limited biking habits of most Americans.
I first became interested in trail biking (I was already an avid mountain biker.) when I took my one-year-old daughter on the Hiawatha Trail in Idaho. Of course she was in a bike trailer and I was pulling her behind my bicycle. It was a revelation to me. I loved the idea that I could enjoy trails with my daughter while avoiding the risks of road biking and mountain biking. Our father/daughter biking trips continued on trails such as the Withlacoochee Trail in Florida and others throughout the country. We were biking together, but we were not mountain biking or road biking. My daughter has never been interested in the rigors of mountain biking, and I don't like the odds of serious/fatal accidents involved with her biking alongside large, fast-moving, often distracted drivers and their automobiles. (side note - Believe me, I am the polar opposite of an over-protective parent, and I would gladly allow my daughter to road-bike if she had such an inclination.)
As I travel the country and ride the various family-friendly trails, I can't help but notice that they attract a completely different type of recreationalist. In general, these people are incredibly friendly, laid back, nature-loving, slow-paced individuals and families. That's what they have in common. What they don't have in common is age, income, background, or lifestyle. They seem to come from all walks of life and have varied ages, backgrounds, and socio-economic status. Most of them have no desire to risk life and limb on a road or mountain bike trail. They just love getting out and enjoying the laid-back offerings of a safe and simple trail.

It is for the reasons listed above and many more, that I started the trails network website. I wanted to help other people find the joy of these trails without the risks of road biking and mountain biking. Trail biking is as different from these other two categories as hiking is different than backpacking or trail-running. Alas though, my website is just a small fish in a big pond and doesn't attract the visitors that the other big websites do. And since my objective is to introduce as many people as possible to the joys of trail riding, I'd prefer to have at least one other site promote trail biking.

It isn't my goal to change all of the various trail websites to my way of thinking. In fact, I hope that there remains variety and choices among the different sites. However, I hope I can convince just one of them to add the category of trail biking so we can spread the word about a third category of trails. It is my dream to raise the percentage of regular bikers in America from 1% to 50% or 75% or, what the heck, let's shoot for 100%. Biking does not have to be dangerous, competitive, or mundane. I am so glad that I get to experience, on a daily basis, the joys of trail-biking throughout America. I look forward to seeing more people join me in this healthy, green, and enjoyable pursuit.

Trails are starting to get more attention!

2011-03-30T12:32:00.000-06:00

I love it!!

Extra, extra read all about it!! Trails making the front page!

In today's newspaper, there were four trail-related news articles and two trail-related letters to the editor.

Trails are starting to make the news. I'll admit that not all the stories are positive, but as they say in show biz: Any publicity is better than no publicity.

Examples of some of the trail topics for today were:

"Greener Car Care: Ride Your Bike More Often"
15- Second Pitch for a biking business called "Bikerpelli Sports"
Letter about a professional biker who got busted for using an illegal/unsanctioned trail
Letter about the possibility of opening portions of a hiking trail for bikers
On the front page of the newspaper: "Trail-use Decision Nears: City Council to vote on Plan for Management"
Also on the front page: "Pro Cyclist Ticketed for Using Illegal Trail"

This is just for one day. Trails are big news and that's how it should be.

Enjoy this tribute to alternative transportation.

2011-03-29T13:44:00.000-06:00

If a picture paints a thousand words, does a video paint a million words? Enjoy this tribute to alternative transportation shared by the folks at Streetfilms and Seattle Bike Blog:

MBA_Trailer from Streetfilms on Vimeo.

A Bike Journey: The Danube Cycle Path in Europe

2011-03-28T13:23:00.000-06:00

Danube Cycle Path in Europe

The Danube Cycle Path is one of the most popular bike routes in Europe, and as a result we found it to be a very sociable ride. As the trail is fairly flat and easily accessible, there are many families and weekend cyclists as well as long distance cyclists on the trail, and we met cyclists of many different nationalities and backgrounds. Contrary to what we expected, the cycle path does not always run directly alongside the river but winds its way inland through pretty little towns and quaint countryside on more than a few occasions, making for a more varied journey.

Guest Blog from Frederike Ramm at A Bike Journey blog.

The Danube Cycle Path: A Ride through the Heart of Europe

As part of our bicycle tour from England to Australia, we followed the Danube Cycle Path through Europe for six weeks. The Danube Cycle Path begins at the source of the Danube river in the Black Forest in Germany and follows the river all the way to the Black Sea, through 8 countries covering a distance of 2,875km. In Germany and Austria, the cycling is almost entirely on traffic-free bicycle paths, whereas in Eastern Europe, cyclists find themselves on minor roads shared with low levels of traffic.

Thanks to its historic towns, castles and monasteries, beautiful scenery and good infrastructure, the 350km Austrian section from Passau to Vienna is the most popular part of the Danube Cycle Path. We were worried that it would be very crowded, but although we saw other cyclists regularly, it wasn’t as busy as we had expected. We found it enjoyable to meet some of our fellow cyclists, particularly at camp where we would swap stories and talk bike.

Accommodation is usually easy to find, as there are many campsites and bike friendly hotels and home stays along the route, particularly on the German and Austrian section. During the busy summer months it may be necessary to book hotels in advance, but we visited in July and used campsites, which was never a problem. We also enjoyed visiting the many cafes and beer gardens along the route that always seemed to spring up just as our energy levels were wavering – it’s a great way to taste the local specialties, particularly in the Wachau, a beautiful apricot growing region. If you only have a week or so and are planning to do the Austrian stretch of the cycle path, you could fly into Vienna and take your bike to Passau on a river boat, then cycle back to Vienna.

While the German and Austrian sections of the Danube Cycle Path are enjoyable and easy to ride, they are certainly not off the beaten track. However, as soon as we left Vienna to follow the Danube further east, the number of cyclists dropped dramatically as did the facilities. Gone are the Biergartens and cafés so stock up on pastries before you leave Vienna. Suddenly the cycle path felt much more adventurous as we rode along the potholed roads of rural Eastern Europe. Accommodation wasn’t as easy to find, and while there were still campsites or hotels most nights, we also ended up camping in people’s gardens on a few occasions. Our highlights for this part of the trip were the cities of Bratislava and Budapest, the dramatic scenery of Serbia, and the cheerful people of Romania.

Danube Cycle Path in Europe

In all our bicycle travels we have never found an area that appeals to such a variety of cyclists, from people on their first bike tour, to families travelling with small children, people on package tours, groups of friends cycling together and long distance cyclists like ourselves. Whether you are into food, beer appreciation, culture, scenery or socialising, the Danube Cycle Path offers something for everyone.

For more details see the excellent Bikeline guide books.

Please visit the A Bike Journey blog to read more about the two-wheeled adventures of Frederike and Guy on their amazing bike journeys around the world. In addition to great writing, it includes incredible photography.

Dirty Bismarck Loop - Funny Name, Great Trail

2011-03-27T20:28:00.000-06:00

I love it when they connect a bunch of shorter trails to make a longer one... or better yet, to make a loop trail.

That's just what they've done in Superior, Colorado when they added the brand new Meadowlark Trail to the Singletree Trail, the Cowdrey Draw Trail, the Marshall Mesa Trail, the Community Ditch Trail, and the High Plains Trail. They created a loop of a little over 12 miles of moderate mountain biking trail to form the Dirty Bismarck Loop trail.

Marshall Mesa Trail portion
of the Dirty Bismarck Loop

I've been riding portions of this loop for many years, but alas, I had to ride on the dreaded road for portions of it. So I was ecstatic when they finally completed the Meadowlark Trail to make a complete, roadless bike loop trail.

Since it was just a semi-formal loop before, some of us called it the Happy Meal Loop. I'm not sure why, but I am sure why they have now named it the Dirty Bismarck Loop. It's named after the old road bike racing course that was originally called the Morgul-Bismarck Classic. Then it was called the Coors Classic, then the Celestial Seasonings Classic, then...

Well, eventually the race was eliminated from the circuit. But the long and short of it is that this new mountain bike loop follows the same general inside track of the old Morgul-Bismarck bike race. And it's a great biking loop trail. It's possible to ride this loop without ever crossing a paved road, even if you start from Louisville or Lafayette Colorado and ride in from the Coal Creek Trail.

Interesting side note... Even though the trail starts and ends in Superior, Colorado, residents of the new portion of that town will have to cross a major road to get to the trail while residents of nearby communities can utilize the Coal Creek underpass to avoid crossing McCaslin Blvd.

Cycling Snacks

2011-03-25T21:55:00.000-06:00

I just added the Cycling Snacks website/blog to the trails network blogroll.

If you get a chance check out the awesome looking trail snacks suggested on their website.

The Pistachio and Chocolate Brownies look like a terrific trail treat.

New Hampshire rail trails making the spring transition

2011-03-21T20:02:00.000-06:00

Snowmobile and cross-country ski trails are quickly becoming hiking and biking trails with the click of a gate in New Hampshire.

According to an article from WMUR, southern New Hampshire trails are closing the gates on rail trails signaling an end to winter sport season and a start for spring and summer trail activities.

Two of the trails included in the seasonal transition are the Cheshire Rail Trail and the Rockingham Recreational Trail.

In other parts of New Hampshire, they will continue grooming the rail trails for winter trail usage.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

2011-03-20T08:44:00.000-06:00

What has Rails to Trails Conservancy done for you lately?

Chief Ladiga Trail in Alabama

A lot, as a matter of fact. RTC is celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, and they have accomplished many incredible feats in those 25 years:

They have built 1,600 trails...
... for a total of 20,000 trail miles.
They now have trails in all 50 states.
They have launched the very successful and helpful traillink website...
... which documents over 30,000 miles of trail.
They have instituted a "Campaign for Active Transportation."

If you're not a member of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, please consider joining. You can contribute at whatever level you feel comfortable, and you'll be supporting an incredible cause. It is truly the gift that keeps on giving.

Red Cross Japan & Pacific Tsunami Fund

2011-03-18T10:56:00.000-06:00

For a limited time, Living Social will double your $5 donation to the Red Cross Japan & Pacific Tsunami Fund. It is extremely fast and easy to make a donation on the Living Social website. Just click on any of the links provided with this blog post and it will take you to the Living Social donation page.

At a time like this, it's nice to be able to help those in need. I love it when, instead of fighting and competing with each other, nations come together to help one another. This is definitely one of those times.

Sometimes we just don't have the time or resources to get involved. That's why I was pleased to see a reputable company offer a way to allow people to quickly and painlessly contribute a small amount to make a big difference.

Give 'til it feels good. How's that for a motto?

A dozen reasons why bicycles are the best form of transportation

2011-03-17T10:11:00.000-06:00

I recently found a great article entitled "12 reasons to start using a bicycle for transportation."

A functional bike like this one
can be a real work horse and a
great alternative to commuting
via automobile.

You'll want to read the article for all 12 reasons and the explanations, but some of the reasons include:

cost effective
less pollution
improved health
improved environment

These are the obvious ones, but the web page also shows a couple new reasons that I hadn't thought of before. For example, it explains how bicycle commuting is sometimes faster than car commuting.

If you're a skeptic, check out the green tech, transportation web page.

Water trails suggested for trailsnet.

2011-03-17T05:47:00.000-06:00

"How about adding water trails?"

That was a suggestion I just received from Archie in South Carolina regarding the trailsnet website.

And it's an excellent point. When I first began compiling information for the trailsnet website, my intention was to include every possible type of trail. So I collected information about mountain bike trails, rail trails, backpacking trails, and water trails. In fact, I still have files full of information about water trails all over the United States and a few international ones as well.

But alas, once I actually built the trailsnet website, it became overwhelming, so I decided to focus on multipurpose trails that were bike accessible and able to be used by people of all ages and abilities. I felt I could do more justice to the site and site visitors by having more of a focus.

My dad relaxes in his kayak on
the beautiful waters of Middle
Thompson Lake in NW Montana.

However, the trails network blog is much more diverse and includes other types of trails. Which brings me back to Archie's suggestion: What about water trails?

I would love to include information about water trails. Some of my most enjoyable trail trips have included kayaking on the chain of lakes in northwestern Montana or canoeing on the Powell River lakes up in Canada. For at least a couple more years, I will continue focusing on bike/multipurpose trails on the website, but I will definitely begin sharing more information about water trails on the trails network blog.

So let me start by sharing this website for the Berkeley County Blueways in South Carolina. It looks like a great water trail system. Since I haven't yet featured any South Carolina trails on trailsnet, I'm hoping maybe I can check out the B.C. Blueways when I visit S.C.

Thanks for the suggestion, Archie!!

trailsnet wins its third award in a little over a year

2011-03-16T05:04:00.000-06:00

Just a couple days ago trailsnet announced its nomination for the "Stylish Blogger Award."

trailsnet wins another internet award

Today, American Trails announced that trailsnet won the award for the best "Personal Site" (relating to trails) on the internet.

No, these awards don't involve red carpets, acceptance speeches, or limo rides. But they're pretty darned special nonetheless.

It is especially gratifying to win an award from American Trails because it is such an important and influential organization.

So now both the trailsnet blog and trailsnet website have won awards. But much more important than that, trails are starting to become more and more important in American society, so people are starting to visit trail-related sites to get information about hiking, equestrian, running, inline skating, Trikking, and biking trails. In the long run, this will be very good for our country as people start to get in better shape and to rely less on automobiles.

So many thanks to American Trails for this latest award. Trailsnet will keep producing an awesome trail website that is useful for active travelers and hometown trail users alike.

Federal Budget Deficit Calculator; Select Proposals to Balance Deficit - AARP Bulletin

2011-03-15T13:51:00.000-06:00

I just balanced the federal deficit without cutting a penny from trail funding; and it was easier than I thought it would be.

Now it's your turn to give it a try. Click on the link below and try balancing the budget. It's really quite enjoyable and enlightening.

Federal Budget Deficit Calculator; Select Proposals to Balance Deficit - AARP Bulletin

Hit the trail with a Trikke for a great workout.

2011-03-15T07:12:00.000-06:00

In addition to bikes, I enjoy our great trails as a hiker, inline skater, equestrian, and runner. Within the past year, I have also begun riding a Trikke on some of my trail travels. Not only is the Trikke a lot of fun, but it's also a great, full-body workout. The images below show some of the muscle groups used when riding/maneuvering a Trikke. As you can see, a person doesn't have spend all day cooped up in a boring weight room to get in shape. A half hour on the trail gives a nice upper and lower body workout in addition to aerobic fitness.

What country has the best biking trails?

2011-03-14T10:33:00.000-06:00

Bike trails are awesome and travel is one of the world's most popular pastimes. More and more people are beginning to combine their passions of bike riding and travel into the growing market of active travel.

Where in the world can you find
the best bike trails?

After all, what's not to love about:

staying fit
exploring uncrowded countrysides
being environmentally responsible
staying safe
meeting locals and fellow travelers
seeing unique places that are less traveled
getting to know the true flavor of a country
saving money

These are all benefits of traveling via bicycle on the trail networks of various countries.

So now it's your chance to vote on which country you think has the best bicycle trails in our monthly trailsnet poll found at the top of the left hand margin in this blog. If you're undecided, that's okay; you can choose more than one. If you don't see the country of your choice, feel free to tick (as our friends in England would say) the box next to "other" and then leave a comment with the name of your favorite bike trail country.

In fact, no matter what country you choose, we'd love to hear why you think it's the best bike trail country. Leave a comment explaining your choice. Heck, you may win some converts to the bike trail country of your choice.

Trailsnet Nominated for Stylish Blogger Award

2011-03-10T05:01:00.000-07:00

Woohoo!!

Trailsnet has just been nominated for its second award. (Last year trailsnet received an award on the American Trails website.)

I am pleased and proud to say that Australian blogger KirstyGirl7, the recent recipient of the Stylish Blogger award, nominated trailsnet & seven other blogs to receive the torch she has passed along.

Kirsty is definitely a stylish blogger, and it would be a great honor to follow in her footsteps.

I'll keep you posted as to how the contest develops.

Going Slowly is a great bike travel blog w/ awesome photos

2011-03-09T10:27:00.000-07:00

I've always said that bike travel is the best way to really see the land, no matter where that land happens to be. Now I've found another blog that proves that.

It's called Going Slowly and it chronicles the adventures of Tyler and Tara as they venture around the world on their bikes. In the process, they are taking some incredible photos and writing beautiful journal entries. I wish I was still teaching so I could show this blog to my students as an example of how to have fun with writing while doing something you love. Ya gotta love the new writing opportunities that the internet has spawned.

barge on C & O Canal Towpath trail in Maryland

Anyway, Tara was nice enough to send me some links to particular journal/blog entries that dealt with trails and/or bikeways. One of them entitled "The Canal" is set in Germany, but looks like an extremely lush version of the C & O Canal Towpath in Maryland.

Another entry, entitled "Altmuhltal Cycle Route," is also set in Germany and contains some beautiful photos of the forest, meadows, and miniature wildlife near the path. That cycle route is definitely on my bucket list of future rides. It's all I can do to stick with my itinerary of finding the 50 best bike trails in the U.S. Each time I see a blog like Going Slowly, I want to venture into Europe and beyond. (I must be strong. Only 23 trails to go.)

Anyway, a big thanks and shout-out to Tara and Tyler, wherever you are. Keep up the great riding, writing, photography, and bike blogging.

Lake Mineral Wells State Trailway in Texas

2011-03-08T20:06:00.000-07:00

So what are these Everytrail guides all about?

I get asked that question a lot, so I'll start by displaying a sample of the description from my latest Everytrail Guide entitled Lake Mineral Wells State Trailway, near Fort Worth, Texas:

Lake Mineral Wells State Trailway rail trail

Immerse yourself in the history, wildlife, and countryside of Texas as you make your way from Mineral Wells to Weatherford on this 20 mile trail through time.

When it's freezing cold up north, this trail makes a nice winter-time escape. If you are a trail-lover, then you'll enjoy the flat terrain, peaceful surroundings, and well-spaced diversions along the trail.

Who will enjoy this trail?
- Bike riders who want to get in a 40 mile ride without risking life and limb on the highways.
- Hikers who want the solitude and serenity of a country trail.
- Vietnam veterans who want to stop off at the National Vietnam War Museum.
- Bird watchers who want to see an incredible variety of aviary delight from the pure white of the waterbirds near Sunshine Lake to the vibrant red and yellow birds that flit through the Texas underbrush.
- Historians who want to learn about the old, abandoned railroad, the Native American uprisings, and the days of Texas cattle/oil barons.
- Anyone who wants to get some exercise while viewing the Texas countryside.

That's just a small portion of what is found in an Everytrail guide. In addition, there are numerous trail pictures, descriptions of those pictures, a trail map, trail points of interest (POIs), useful trail links, suggestions for other trails, and a brief summary of the important trail facts such as length of trail, trail level, and trail activities.

The really nice thing about the Everytrail guides is their portability. If you have a smart phone such as an iPhone or Android, you can download a trail guide and have it available on the trail. Another nice aspect of the Everytrail guides is that you only need to purchase the guide you need for a specific trail or bundle of trails as opposed to a whole book of trails you may never use.

If you haven't had a chance to check out Everytrail, give it a try on your next hiking or biking trip.

Fort Worth's Trinity Trail an excellent urban trail

2011-03-07T17:07:00.000-07:00

I hadn't heard much about the Trinity Trail in Fort Worth, Texas. In fact, I had a difficult time finding information about it on the web.

But what the heck, I was going to be in Dallas to watch my daughter in a cheerleading competition, so I figured I would find a couple good trails.

On my first day, I rode the Lake Mineral Wells State Trailway, but I'll tell you more about that in another entry.

On my second day in Texas, I drove out to Gateway Park, east of Fort Worth and prepared for a Texas trail ride. I had no idea what to expect. Some urban trail can be a bit confusing and occasionally even depressing.

This definitely wasn't one of those trails. In fact, I would rank the entire Trinity River Trail System as some of the best urban trails in America.

Even though the trail runs right into a major park and very near a major business area in Fort Worth, it seems more dominated by riparian/river views than by city views. And the portion of Fort Worth where the trail runs is actually quite beautiful and very well maintained.

I was fortunate to be riding the trail on an ideal winter day, but I would imagine it can get pretty hot in the summer. As if to punctuate this point, there are misting stations at a couple spots along the trail. That was a first for me. I mean I've seen misting stations at amusement parks before, but never beside a trail.

One of my favorite portions of the trail was the part where it ran through Trinity Park. It was very scenic with lots of trailside distractions. Other nice parts of the trail included the river crossings, bridge underpasses, city views, and access to downtown Fort Worth.

If you're ever in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, take some time to explore the Trinity River Trails. You'll be glad you did.

Trailsnet blog merges with trailsnet website

2011-03-03T20:50:00.000-07:00

The title of this blog post is also a link to the trailsnet website homepage. Click on it to see what happens...

Find the best trails in the world,
right here on your computer.

... I'll wait.

Surprise. Look familiar?

This blog is now also the homepage for trailsnet.com, the trail locator website.

And this time, it actually works!! I tried this same move a couple months ago, with no success. This time, it actually took hold.

Admit it, the old home page for the trailsnet website was pretty boring. So I merged the path less traveled with the spectacular (If I do say so myself.) trailsnet blog, and voila... I present to you, the new and improved trailsnet home page.

To find the trail descriptions for trailsnet, just click on the "Locate trails by state" in the navigation bar near the top of the blog page and you'll still be able to find pictures, descriptions, and maps of your favorite trails. It's the best of both worlds.

Yogi Berra quote applies well to trails.

2011-03-02T17:43:00.000-07:00

Lake Mineral Wells State Trailway in TX

“You can’t observe a lot just by watching.” - Yogi Berra

Normally, Yogi Berra is noted for his malapropisms rather than his words of wisdom.

But his quote above is actually quite perceptive and appropriate.

This past weekend, I drove thousands of miles to ride a couple epic Texas trails. I can tell you very little about what I saw on those thousands of miles of driving. But in slightly less than 100 trail miles, I can tell you a volume of great sights.

Trinity Trail in Fort Worth, Texas

So to tie this back into the Yogi Berra quote, when you drive, you spend a lot of time watching. But when you are on a bike trail or hiking trail, you are constantly observing; you are immersed in your environment and you actually see and appreciate your surroundings.

Obviously, that is one of the reasons I love trails so much. They allow people to become a part of their surroundings and to be keenly aware of the rhythm and peculiarities of nature.

If you haven't seen America by trail, you haven't really seen America.

Idaho trails featured in latest Everytrail guides

2011-03-01T21:53:00.000-07:00

The Trail of the Couer d' Alenes, a paved path that runs for 72 miles from the backwoods of northern Idaho to the shores of beautiful Lake Couer d' Alene is one of two featured trails on both Everytrail and trailsnet.com.

Bikers rest outside one of ten tunnels
found along the Route of the Hiawatha
bicycle trail in northern Idaho.

This trail is famous for it's perfectly sloped grade and smooth surface. It is ideal for inline skating, recumbent cycles, bikes, and Trikkes. If your idea of a good time is bumping and bouncing over tree roots, rocks, and ruts or constantly avoiding deadly encounters with cars, then you might not like this trail. But For the rest of us, the Trail of the Couer d' Alenes is paradise on earth.

The other trail featured this month is the Route of the Hiawatha, another great northern Idaho trail. It is not paved, like the Couer d' alene trail, but it has some of the greatest trail tunnels and trestles anywhere in the world. It is also rife with wildlife, history, and bodacious scenery.

Visit trailsnet and Everytrail to view these two great Idaho trails and start planning your trail trip today.

Topeak handlebar mounted phone/PDA case

2011-02-26T05:54:00.000-07:00

I haven't published a product review on the trailsnet blog for awhile, so now's a good time to review one of my most useful trail tools.

Next to my trusty steed, or in this case my trusty bike, my Topeak phone carrier is probably my most important trail tool. Heck, since I often rent a bike, but always have my Topeak, I could argue that the phone case is my most valuable trail tracking tool.

I learned, the hard way, that carrying my phone in my pocket wasn't a good idea. I had finally broken down and purchased an iPhone, because a.) I needed a portable trail-tracking GPS and b.) I love everything Apple makes.

The first time I took it out on the trail, I turned on the tracking system (At the time, I was using the Trails app.) and jammed the phone in my shirt pocket.

Bad move.

After owning the phone for less than a month, I was mortified to feel the phone slip out of my pocket, hear it as it crashed to the ground, and see it as it made its final tumble into a nearby ditch.

It'll be fine, I thought. Only a couple scratches... or in the immortal words of Monty Python, "It's only a flesh wound."

Wrong!!

Major damage!! Long story short... I had to buy a new phone. And for a cheapskate like me, that hurt.

So I knew I had to come up with a better system than jamming the phone into my pocket.

I began the search for a phone case that mounted on my bike. It had to be something that would secure and protect the phone yet allow the magic satellite signals to reach the GPS thingy majobby on my phone. (Sorry to go all technical on you.)

Topeak handlebar-mounted
PDA/phone case

My search ended at REI in Boulder, CO where I discovered the handlebar mounted PDA case by ToPeak. The actual case is perfect. It's just the right size, holds the phone securely, and is easy to put on and take off my bike. The plastic mounting bracket is easy to secure to the handlebars and can be put on just about any bicyle.

Topeak PDA case w/
iPhone inside

I've had it for almost two years now and haven't dropped another phone. I have ridden many trails in that time, and some of them have been brutally bumpy; not a problem.

The only downside is that the ToPeak PDA (or smart phone) case is a bit hard to find. I have discovered that the same REI where I bought my first case, no longer carries them or at least didn't when I went back to buy a handy-dandy back up case to mount on another bike.

Topeak case on left & mounting
bracket on the right

They do appear to be available at Amazon.com, so if your local bike shop/sporting goods store doesn't carry them, check out this Amazon.com link.