The Dirt Bum blog

I enjoy finding blogs about bicycle touring and the people who ride their bikes for enjoyment and exploration.

bike riding w/ friends on a
great American rail-trail

One of my recent finds is the Dirt Bum blog. It's by a guy who enjoys exploring the back roads of Kansas on his bike. I think what really caught my attention was his information about the time he spent riding a couple different recumbents. I usually assume (sometimes incorrectly) that people who ride recumbents are more into the scenery, relaxation, and recreation of riding rather than the speed & competition. Since that's my style of biking, it's fun to read the experiences of like-minded individuals

Of course I had to ask, in the comments section of the blog, if he'd had any experience on rail-trails.  I know that Kansas is home to the Prairie Spirit Rail Trail and a few smaller ones also.

Don't get me wrong. Sometimes I enjoy biking the back roads. But when I really want to relax and enjoy my biking, nothing beats a good rail-trail.

I'd love to continue exploring blogs that are related to trails, bicycling, and active travel. If you have any suggestions, please leave a comment. I love to get reader feedback about the other favorite blogs out there.

The Dirt Bum blog

Relationship between biking, walking, & obesity

There's yet another study out showing the relationship between active travel (biking & walking to get from here to there) vs. car travel and the relationship to obesity rates.

Infographic by The National Building Museum in Washington DC, USA.

It's no surprise that where children utilize human-powered transportation to get to (for example) school as opposed to being driven there, they seem to be much less likely to suffer from obesity and its ill-effects.

Obviously, activity is the key: If kids participate in movement-based after school activities, this might very well help to alleviate some of the affects of being driven to and from school. But then there's the whole petroleum consumption and its maladies.

I have noticed a related correlation. The schools that have trails (some safe, off-road route) that lead to them, have a much greater rate of children who walk or ride their bicycles. Of course this makes sense from numerous standpoints. First, the trails are safer than kids walking & riding on busy (or any) roads due to a decreased risk of auto/pedestrian accidents. Secondly, for those people who are paranoid about someone kidnapping their child ("The Ransom of Red Chief" is more realistic than this fear, but that's another story.) then trails are also much safer. It is much more likely that the (ubiquitous) kidnapper will utilize the services of an automobile when attempting a kidnapping. I would assume (having never seen the upside of kidnapping) that it would be much easier to pull off such a stunt from a motor vehicle than on foot or (nearly impossible) on bike.

Anyway, I think the above chart allows the statistics to speak for themselves. Active kids are healthy kids.

Relationship between biking, walking, & obesity

Bicycle Travel on the Rise

Active travel in general and bicycle travel specifically is on the rise. More people are choosing to jump on rail-trails or pedal the highways & byways of this country rather than lounging around the pool or zipping by the monuments and mountains in their cars.

Looking down on the C & O Canal Towpath trail from
the Western Maryland Rail Trail.

Recent press releases from Adventure Cycling Association and various outdoor tourism blogs have cited some incredibly heartening trends in the travel industry:

• Despite the recession & high unemployment, active travel tour companies are seeing an increase in visitor traffic and, in some cases, they're having record years.
• In addition to private travel companies, states and municipalities are seeing an increase in bicycle-related visits and, as a result, many are increasing their marketing toward the active travelers.
• More communities are beginning to add infrastructure such as trails and lodging to attract bicyclists.
• U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray  LaHood seems to be a big supporter of bicycling and other modes of alternative transportation.
• The Rail-Trail network continues to expand in both potential (new land acquired) and in trail miles.
• The U.S. is seeing an increased influx of travelers from other countries who travel here specifically to utilize the rail-trails.

None of this is surprising or new to me. I spend vast amounts of time on the trail all throughout the United States. I see more and more people of all ages, shapes, and backgrounds riding their bikes on our network of rail-trails.

As I talk to people, I notice a fairly equal mix. About half of them are locals, out enjoying the fresh air and exercise. The other half are travelers who specifically planned their vacation around one or more rail trail. Some of them are U.S. citizens and others come from around the world. These people stay in local hotels, eat at local restaurants, and buy souvenirs in local stores. In other words, they are helping to boost the local economy. And in every instance, they are friendly, kind, and caring people. They are truly interested in their health, the outdoors, and the local culture; they are just the type of tourists every town dreams of.

But don't take my word for it. Get out on a trail; talk to your fellow trail-users. You will enjoy both the  outdoor experience and the social experience.

Bicycle Travel on the Rise

Big Dry Creek Trail in Colorado

When most people think of Colorado, they think of mountains... big, snow-capped mountains located deep in the wilderness.

And that is a part of what makes Colorado such a great state for outdoor enthusiasts. But it's not all there is to see and do. Colorado also has great plains, exhilarating urban settings, and vibrant suburbs. So today's featured trail is the Big Dry Creek Trail that winds through the western & northern suburbs of Denver.

Big Dry Creek Trail has plenty to see & do. From the trail you can see plenty of wildlife including fox, coyotes, deer, beavers, and too many birds to mention. You can go ice-skating, take in a movie at a multiplex theatre, watch a softball game, eat ice cream, or take another of the many side trails that branch off Big Dry Creek Trail.

For more information about the Big Dry Creek Trail in Westminster, Colorado, click here.

Big Dry Creek Trail in Colorado

What to take on your bike trail trip

Okay, spring is nearly sprung and we're all itchin' to hit the (hopefully not so) dusty trail. I understand your enthusiasm, but slow down little buddy. Take a few minutes to prepare for your bike trip. Let me make a few suggestions for you to take on the trail:

1. well-tuned bike w/ storage onboard (seat pack or panniers or handlebar pack)
2. sunscreen
3. sun glasses
4. helmet
5. water
6. weather protection (depending on forecast and local conditions you may need sweatshirt, windbreaker, shower cap to put over helmet [see my article in May 2009 Budget Travel magazine], gloves)
7. snacks (nuts, energy bar, fruit)
8. $
9. bike repair kit, pump, spare tire
10. optional items that I usually take include cell phone (w/) GPS & bike light (front & back)

What to take on your bike trail trip

Lookin' for Some Southern Trails

As you can see by my Winter Trails post, I appreciate a good, brisk trail outing as much as the next guy. Come November, December, even into January, I enjoy slapping on some warm clothes (I'd say muckalucks, but I have no idea what those are.), donning a pair of warm boots, and sliding along a scenic cross-country ski trail or plowing through hip-deep snow atop a pair of old fashioned snowshoes.
But we're coming to the end of January and sailing full tilt toward February and guess what. The novelty of  fresh powder and crisp air is wearing thin. Unhitch the dogs from the sled, it's time for some warm weather. I'm longing for a warm day on a sunny southern trail.
Don't get me wrong, I'd love to visit the Ashuelot Rail Trail in New Hampshire, the Hiawatha Trail in Idaho or the Boulder Creek Path in Colorado. But not now. Not in the midst of winter. I want sunshine, shorts, and a hankerin' for an ice-cold root beer rather than a pipin' hot cocoa.
The worst part is, I'll probably have to wait over two months for my dream to come true. In March, I fly into Birmingham, Alabama to check out trails in Georgia and Alabama.  Then in April, I'm off to New Orleans to try out some Louisiana trails & Mississippi paths. I look forward to it, but I'd prefer not to be looking forward to it with binoculars. March and April seem to be a long ways off.
Let's see.... the bright side?  Oh yeah, I have plenty of time to research. So if any of you have any ideas for great trails down south, please leave a comment/post/suggestion on this blog. I'm dyin' to hear from you. I'd just to prefer to be dying of heat frustration rather than hypothermia about now.

Lookin' for Some Southern Trails

In some ways this post is the opposite of my usual posts. For starters, I usually write about biking and bike trails. This post is about a cross-country ski   outing. And most of my blog posts talk about trails I travel around the country to ride. This one is about a trail just outside my back door. And speaking of trails, I usually stick to the beaten path, but on this day, I chose to wander where my skis led me. And as a result, I got to see some beautiful scenery, including this owl WHO waited patiently while I fumbled around in my winter jacket to get my camera out. It took me forever to locate him in the viewfinder, since he was so well camouflaged against the tree. I guess my point here is, sometimes it's better to try new adventures and ways of doing things. In so doing, you experience life's little surprises. Don't get caught in a rut. Go new places, see new things, eat new foods, meet new people and above all, experience the world and live a full life. Have a Merry Christmas and I hope to hear from you in the new year.

trailsnet

Do you enjoy riding your bike? Do you enjoy exploring new trails? Are you looking for great trails all over the country?

I would answer yes to all of the above. Over the years, I've enjoyed mountain biking, road biking, and recumbent biking. Now, I prefer multitrails such as rail-trails. One of my favorite pursuits is to travel across the country to ride on a great trail. I know there are other people out there like me, because I see them on the various trails.

Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of forums out there for us active travelers. That is why I developed a website called trailsnet.com. It posts the names, locations, descriptions, and photos of great trails located from Washington D.C. to Hawaii. All of the trails (45 at this point) are ones that I've personally ridden. And all the trails are widely accessible for bikers of all levels.

Please visit my site and tell me what you think. There's a contact page and another blog located directly on the site.
Visit a network of trails on the internet at trailsnet.com.

trailsnet