Aug 14 2010

Bike crashes




Youtube and other sites have thousands of videos of bike crashes. Many of them are pretty wicked. I have noticed one common factor.

All of them are either on the road or on mountain bike trails. None of them are on rail-trails or other multi-use trails. Let’s keep it that way. Let’s keep rail trails as the last bastion of sanity in the biking world. It doesn’t matter whether they’re urban trails, country trails or something in between; safe and relaxing trails are good trails.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2010/08/14/bike-crashes/

Aug 13 2010

Rockingham Recreational Trail in New Hampshire

For active travelers, the Rockingham Recreational Trail is probably the most readily available of the New Hampshire rail trails. Due to its proximity to Manchester, New Hampshire’s largest town (and airport), the trail is a cinch to access.


The trail is accessible year round, but for bikers, we are coming to the best season of all. I rode this trail in late September last year, and the temperature was perfect. Unfortunately, it was a bit early for fall colors, but it was absolutely gorgeous, nonetheless.


The foot traffic  was moderate near Manchester, but I enjoyed plenty of solitude after just a couple miles on the trail. Expect to see lots of water, trees, and small critters. There are a couple places to stop for refreshments, but in general the trail is fairly remote, so make sure to bring along water, snacks, & emergency supplies like rain gear and a basic tool kit.

bridge on Rockingham Rail Trail

If it looks like rain, bring along a shower cap to put over your helmet. It looks dorky, but keeps you fairly dry in minor rain showers.


For detailed Rockingham Rail trail information, pictures, and a map, visit trailsnet.com.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2010/08/13/rockingham-recreational-trail-in-new-hampshire/

Aug 11 2010

The Great Allegheny Passage

This is the trail I’ll be on in a little over a month. I thought I’d share this video in hopes that a few of you become as excited as I am about a journey on the Great Allegheny Passage. It will truly be the trip of a lifetime.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2010/08/11/the-great-allegheny-passage/

Aug 11 2010

350 BICYCLISTS FROM 30 STATES CELEBRATE AND RALLY FOR CAMDEN/PHILADELPHIA TRAIL CONNECTION

“…the Greenway Sojourn has a long history showcasing trail-building and improvement projects along its route.”

Keep greenways green!

Follow the link in the title of this blog post to read about the Greenway Sojourn and the celebration they had for it in Washington, D.C.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2010/08/11/350-bicyclists-from-30-states-celebrate-and-rally-for-camdenphiladelphia-trail-connection/

Aug 09 2010

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.


Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2010/08/09/is-there-really-a-constant-need-for-speed/

Aug 07 2010

Cycling is on the Increase

“Government data published this morning confirms that in 2009 cycle use increased to the highest level in decades.”


Hopefully this isn’t a surprise to you because it certainly isn’t to me. I mean, what’s not to love about cycling?

  • It’s fun.
  • It’s easy.
  • It’s inexpensive.
  • It’s environmentally friendly.
  • It uses no fossil fuels.
  • It’s great exercise.
  • It’s a great activity for all ages.
  • It’s a wonderful family activity
  • I could go on and on…
Bicycling is the perfect activity for any economy, but it is especially appropriate for this recession.

Anyway, the National Travel Survey shows that while biking is on the increase, “car use is steadily falling.” Now that’s double good news.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2010/08/07/cycling-is-on-the-increase/