Nature is the Key to Happiness

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.

Nature is the Key to Happiness

The Bike Speech

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:

The Bike Speech

Trails are starting to get more attention!

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. 

Trails are starting to get more attention!

Hit the trail with a Trikke for a great workout.

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.

Hit the trail with a Trikke for a great workout.

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

Local Rail-Trail a Source of Pride

I love to hear/read about people and communities that are enthusiastic about their local rail trails; they should be. I don't think a lot of people realize all the benefits that major trails bring to their communities. For a reasonably low price, trails bring tourists, economic benefits, health benefits, added transportation options, decreased air pollution, job opportunities, community togetherness, recreational opportunities, and the aforementioned civic pride.

spur trail that connects to the Coal Creek Trail

I just discovered a blog called pedalparadise that details the great biking opportunities in Northampton, MA. One particular post on the site describes how the trail of Northampton (not to be confused w/ the Bridges of Madison County) helped lure a cyclocross racer into moving to the area.

I can relate. The cycling atmosphere, in general, helped lure me to the town where I live; then a great regional trail specifically convinced me to move to my present neighborhood. Looking out my back window and seeing people enjoying the trail on a daily basis bring immeasurable contentment.

Of course, I'm probably preaching to the choir on this particular venue. Now we just need to convince the rest of the world that trails make a difference and return much more than they cost.

Local Rail-Trail a Source of Pride

Bike equipment for rail-trails.

I have often spoken of the many benefits of rail trails when it comes to health, the environment, alleviating traffic congestion, family togetherness, and saving fossil fuels.

Rail trails are for everyone.

Another benefit of rail trails is their versatility. Not only are they an ideal fit for nearly all possible riders, regardless of age, size, or ability, they are also versatile when it comes to equipment. Nearly any type of cycle will work on most rail-trails. Personally, I have ridden recumbents, mountain bikes, cruisers, road bikes, and hybrid bicycles on rail trails. And I was quite comfortable in all instances. (Sometimes road bikes are less-than-ideal on dirt or gravel trails, so I use one of the other types of bikes for those trails.)

It's nice to know that you don't need something fancy, expensive, or technical to enjoy the vast network of rails-to-trails out there. Not only is it physically possible to ride just about any type of non-motorized wheeled vehicle on the rail trail network, but it's also socially acceptable. Unlike road and mountain biking, there is no expectation that you wear certain clothes and ride expensive bikes. Rail trails are like the great equalizer. Everyone from all backgrounds and socioeconomic groups is welcome. Spandex or no spandex, fancy bike or plain Jane bike, you're accepted just the way you are.

Ya gotta love rail trails.

Bike equipment for rail-trails.

Map of trails

Thanks to the folks at Everytrail.com, I am able to share a nice visual representation (aka. map) of some of the trails I've ridden in the past couple years. The markers below represent trails I've published trips or guides for on Everytrail.

I love my job!!!


View Trailking's profile on EveryTrail

Map your trips on EveryTrail

Map of trails

Is there really a constant need for speed?

I've been involved in an ongoing online dialogue about bollards on trails. For those of you not familiar w/ the term, a bollard is a device used on trails to keep motor vehicles out. (see enclosed pictures.)

In the course of the discussion, I mentioned that riders/bicyclists could avoid dangerous collisions w/ bollards by limiting their speed. One member of the discussion asked "Don't we like riding fast ?"

My simple reply to that is, "NO!" Not always. In fact, when it comes to trails, for me the answer is never.

There are so many places and activities where fast seems to be the default speed. Some examples of perpetually fast(er) vehicles include motorcycles, road bikes, planes, trains, & automobiles. Okay, I'll grudgingly give them their "need for speed."

But what about trails? Can't we have just one place where we can escape speed? Can't we have a place where we can relax and enjoy the scenery? How about a place where we can relax and enjoy each other w/out constantly being angry that someone is going "too slow?"

And no we can't just leave it up to each individual; because then trails will just end up like the road: just another place to get frustrated w/ one another.

Bikers already have a bad name. Automobile drivers don't like them because they're a nuisance. Pedestrians don't like them because they're too fast and dangerous. And much of that criticism is rightfully earned.

But I'm a complete trail fanatic. I love trails, not because they're another place to put the race in "rat race." I love trails because they're a place to slow down and enjoy the world. They're a place to enjoy the view and stop to chat with fellow trail-users.

So it's a very short, one-word answer to your question. "NO!" We do not like riding fast. Not everywhere. And we don't like constantly worrying about others who ride fast. I'm not saying you can't ride fast, but please do it on the road or the race track or the velodrome. Please allow the rest of us one place for tranquility, harmony, peace, and all those other 6os words.

Trails are a special place, and we should keep them that way.

Is there really a constant need for speed?

Mike' Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

A huge congratulations goes out to Colorado's Mike Molloy for his recent American Trails personal website award. Take a look at the Mike's Hikes website featuring trails in Rocky Mountain National Park and much more.

Once at Mike's website, you can easily navigate to his blog page. He's got some great information and beautiful pictures on the website and blog.

Way to go, Mike and thanks for sharing your trail knowledge and passion.

Mike' Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Health Benefits of Living Near Open Space/Rail Trails

Many studies have shown that living near open spaces (such as those provided by rail trails) is beneficial to your health. Specifically, a study done in the Netherlands that examined medical records showed that those who lived close to "green spaces" were a third less likely to have anxiety disorders.

Bear Creek Trail is an urban trail near Denver, CO.

But what about those people not fortunate enough to live near open/green spaces? That's where rail-trails come into play. Even if you can't live on or near open space, trails offer the opportunity to relax, unwind, & reinvigorate yourself. America's trails are for everyone and investment in trails is an investment in our national health.

Health Benefits of Living Near Open Space/Rail Trails

Winter Trails

Winter is definitely in the air. The high is only in the thirties and we had a beautiful white Christmas.
For the most part, that's good news. It provides much-needed water for our plants & reservoirs and it's gorgeous.
But what about our beloved trails. The snow certainly crimps our bicycling, hiking, & trail-running activities. But it also brings new ways to enjoy the trails. Personally, I look forward to the change of pace and scenery provided by snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. It's like discovering a new trail. Plus, it opens up new territory that is otherwise off-limits. For example, the open-space and golf course off my beloved Coal Creek Trail are normally verboten. And technically, even after a snow they aren't completely copacetic for illegitimate recreational activities. But what the hey! No one seems to really care, or, if they do, their access to the scofflaws is a bit hindered by the white stuff.
In addition to being ascetically pleasing and great exercise, nordic skiing and snowshoeing are also low impact. So as far as the snow goes, bring it on.

Out of curiosity, I'd like to know what the rest of you think of winter trails. Do you welcome the cold weather or spend the winter months longing for spring? As always, I would enjoy hearing from you. Become a follower and add some comments to this discussion/topic.

Winter Trails

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