Mar 21 2013

Urban Trails of America

Greatest City Trails in America

As part of our “America’s Best Trails” series, I’d like to highlight some of our great urban trails in today’s post. So often, when we think of trails, we picture mountains, streams and forests. And that’s a good thing. I grew up in Montana with a wilderness area literally out my front door. That’s where I first developed my love of trails. Back then, it was backpacking trails that drew my interest. Now, although I’m still a huge fan of backpacking and wilderness trails, I also have an affinity for biking on urban trails.

Urban Trail Attractions

Mount vernon trail in washington dc

Mt. Vernon Trail

So what do urban trails have to offer, you ask? I’m afraid I’d be typing all day if I listed every one of the benefits of urban trails. But a few of the urban trail attractions include:

  • healthy & environmentally friendly commuting
  • a great stress reliever in an otherwise hectic life
  • fantastic coffee shops
  • wonderful microbreweries & local pubs
  • incredible bookstores
  • magnificent people-watching opportunities
  • tranquil parks & greenways
  • riverside and stream-side sojourns
  • restaurants galore

Examples of the Best Urban Trails

Here are some examples of fun towns with fantastic urban trails:

Orlando – West Orange Trail
New Orleans – Tammany Trace Trail
Atlanta – Silver Comet Trail
Washington D.C. – Mount Vernon Trail
Philadelphia – Schuylkill River Trail
Dallas – Trinity River Trail system
Denver – Platte River Trail
Des Moines – Racoon River Valley Trail
Los Angeles – Huntington Beach Trail and other beach trails
Spokane – Spokane Centennial Trail

 

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2013/03/21/urban-trails-of-america/

Mar 18 2013

50 Best Trails in United States

Greatest Trails in America

hikers on colorado's glenwood canyon trail

Glenwood Canyon Trail

What are the best United States trails? I need your help in compiling that list. Although I don’t know exactly what trails to include, I do have a good idea about the criteria for selecting America’s greatest trails. Here are some of the trail qualifications I’m looking for:

  • destination trail – the trails must be worth traveling to and maybe even planning an active travel vacation around. So as a result, the best trails must be:
  • long trails – Who would want to travel halfway across the country to ride on a 3 mile trail? I’m thinking the best trails must be at least 20 miles long in order to make the best trails list.
  • accessible trails – In order to qualify as one of the U.S. best trails, the trail must be accessible by the general public. It must have at least one trailhead that is either near a large population center, can be reached via some sort of mass transit or public transportation system or is linked to other trails. It could be an urban or rural trail, as long as it’s relatively easy to reach.
  • multi-use trails – Paths that qualify as the country’s top trails must accommodate a wide range of personal transportation vehicles. So we’re not talking about bike trails or hiking trails but also recumbent trails, tandem trails, inline skating trails, equestrian trails, Trikke trails, running trails and more.
  • versatile trails – The best trails are the trails that can be used by everybody, no matter their age, ability, disability or shape. These trails aren’t just for the robust 5%, although they would love these trails also, but for people of all ages, shapes, sizes, interests and abilities.
  • scenic trails – This is the most difficult one of all because “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” So rather than trying to find a single definition of beauty (because there isn’t one) we’ll strive for a variety of scenery from urban to rural, from plains to mountains, from tree-lined trails to wide-open trails.
  • interesting trails – We will look for historic trails, scientific trails, nature trails, park trails and educational trails. Once again, each person has their own definition of interesting, so we’ll look for a wide variety of trails that suits a diversity of interests.

As you can see, this is a pretty major undertaking. So we could use your help. Please read the criteria (or is it criterion?) listed above and send your America’s best trails suggestions via the comments below.

SaveSave

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2013/03/18/50-best-trails-in-united-states/

Mar 15 2013

Trail Flashlight

Why a Flashlight on the Trail?

A flashlight may be the most undervalued yet often invaluable item to include with your trail gear. Although I don’t pack a flashlight on every trail trip, I’ve been extremely fortunate to always have a flashlight when I truly needed it on the trail. Here are some real-life examples of when I’ve needed a flashlight on the trail:

camping flashlight

Dorcy flashlight for trail

  • Trail tunnels – On both the Route of the Hiawatha Trail and the C&O Canal Towpath Trail, a flashlight is a must for the extremely long tunnels. (Although I just heard that the C & O trail tunnel is currently closed.)
  • Night riding – Never recommended, night-time bicycle rides are sometimes a necessity. Once on the Great Allegheny Passage Trail in Pennsylvania, I ended up riding for two hours after sunset. It wasn’t fun, but I’m glad I had both a handlebar-mounted light and a headlamp.
  • Trailhead camping – Despite my preference for hotels and bed & breakfasts, I occasionally pitch a tent before or after a multi-day trail ride or hike. In those instances, it’s nice to have some lighting for both the tent and for nocturnal wanderings.

Flashlight Recommendation

I recently had the good fortune to test the Metal Gear XL-M Extreme 618 Lumen LED Flashlight by Dorcy. Now that is one bright flashlight. I wish my bike-mounted lights were that bright. It would come in handy on my morning coffee sojourns.

Dorcy flashlights are not only bright, but they’re also quite durable and efficient. Dorcy carries a complete line of flashlights for all your home, trail and camping needs. Some of my favorite Dorcy products include their LED Camping Backpack Flashlight, their Submersible Lantern Series and their LED Headlamps.

I highly recommend that you have some type of flashlight available every time you venture out on the trail. You never know when you’re going to need one, and you’re better safe than sorry. Not only are flashlights great for seeing things in the dark, they’re also great for being seen. Fortunately, when you’re on the trail, you don’t have to worry about being struck by a car, but it’s still nice to be visible.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2013/03/15/trail-flashlight/

Mar 08 2013

Grand Trunk Hooded Neck Pillow

hooded neck pillow

Grand Trunk Travel Pillow

Travel Pillow Extraordinaire

When you’re on a long flight and yearning for some shut-eye, you have three essential needs:

  • neck support
  • a light shield
  • a sound muffler

The Grand Trunk Hooded Neck Pillow provides all three of these needs. It is a traveler’s best friend.

Superior Neck Support

neck pillow

Use as a regular neck pillow.

You know those memory foam mattresses that magically conform to your body shape? That’s what’s in the Grand Trunk Travel Pillow. It is incredibly soft yet extremely supportive for those long plane, bus or train trips. Unlike the blow-up type of pillows, the Grand Trunk pillow cradles your neck and head allowing you to get a good nap even on the bumpiest of rides.

Privacy Hood

“Why didn’t I think of that?” You’ll be asking yourself. The built-in hood that comes with the Grand Trunk Travel Pillow is surprisingly convenient. It gives you your own little personal private space so you can rest peacefully without distracting lights and sound to keep you awake. Heck, it’s even great for blocking out that annoying chatterbox sitting next to you on the plane. And the drawstring that comes with the pillow allows you to scrunch the hood snugly around the top of your head so as to give you the privacy you

hooded travel pillow

… or with the hood.

deserve.

Active Travelers Rejoice

So when you are going on your next active travel tour, whether it’s a bike trip, ski tour, snowshoe trek, or canoe adventure, pack along a Grand Trunk Travel Pillow so you’re all rested up for the big adventure that awaits you at your destination.

Article by Trailsnet staff

Public Relations by Deep Creek PR Disclosure of Material Connection: I received [product name] for free from [name of product company] as coordinated by [Deep Creek Public Relations]<- Hyperlink to: http://deepcreekpr.com/ in consideration for review publication.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2013/03/08/grand-trunk-hooded-neck-pillow/

Mar 07 2013

Ireland’s Best Treks And Walks

A Guide To Ireland’s Best Treks And Walks

Ireland, the green and pleasant land that it is, is the perfect place for walking and trekking enthusiasts and there are numerous wonderful places to take a trip to if you want to get out and about.

Ireland’s sparse population density and beautiful scenery combine to ensure that there are rural walks galore. Whether it’s a day walk or a two week walking holiday you’d prefer, there’s something for everyone. So, let’s take a look at some of the best.

Kerry Way

hiker reaches a fork in the trail

Walk this Way in Ireland.

This is one of the most popular walking treks in the country and understandably so as the area is stunning. The area takes in droving paths, as well as the Iveragh Peninsula and there is much sub-tropical plants and fauna to note and it makes for an interesting ecosphere. The area also hosts a number of great historical sights too, including the home of Irish revolutionary Daniel O’Connell.

Connemara Way

This walking trek is quite short at just under 50 miles and starts at Oughterard and stretches to West Port in Mayo. Connemara is one of the most rustic and also the quietest areas of the country and takes in some of the area’s most amazing scenery. From bog lands, shadowed by quartz peaks, to the beautiful coast line, this is a wonderful walk for those wanting to get to grips with Ireland – however they will also have to take account of the rainfall.

Dingle Way

This is one of the longer national routes in Ireland and stretches for 112 miles. The walk is however worth it if you have the fitness and includes a 1200 feet descent across the shoulder of the Brandon Mountain, along the side of Slieve Mish, which is positioned beside the Atlantic Ocean. The area is filled with Celtic history and the remnants of Ireland’s rich past. From Beehive huts to Megalitic tombs, the area is wealthy in culture. It’s also far into the Gulf Stream and so white sandy beaches and all sorts of tropical fauna and flora are everywhere.

Wicklow Way

This walk is situated in the east of the country, not far from Dublin and is around 83miles long. The trail includes the Wicklow Mountains National Park and the beautiful Glendalough – a beautiful early Christian settlement. The area of Wicklow is known as the Garden of Ireland and is filled with lush greenery and beautiful valleys – well worth the walk.

Antrim Hills Way

This walk is situated in Northern Ireland and is a short one of just over 20 miles. It’s a moss filled, sheep grazing trek that will take you across old roads in fields and along the Antrim coastline taking in the Giant’s Causeway, the seabird colony at Rathlin Island and a number of other amazing sights along the way.

Ireland offers so much as a walking destination, so pack your shoes and your rain coat and take a trip.

Cormac Reynolds has written numerous articles on Ireland and elsewhere. He is a lover of walking and the countryside and writes this article for www.dubaishortstay.com/

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2013/03/07/irelands-best-treks-and-walks/

Mar 04 2013

Avoiding Injuries While Barefoot Running On Trails

We continue our Trail Safety & Trail comfort series on Trailsnet.com with:

Avoiding Injuries While Barefoot Running On Trails

Studies show that up to 80% of runners suffer injuries that keep them off the trails for a month or more, so it’s no surprise that preventing injuries is a popular topic in the running community. Runners look for better techniques, better stretches and even better shoes to reduce the time spent nursing an injury. Some runners want to try running barefoot because it seems more natural, but others have heard it can help reduce stress on the feet and legs. It’s important to beware, however, that many injuries occur to barefoot runners, too.

Running Shoes

boys running on trails

trail running

The most important thing to remember about getting started running without traditional shoes is to introduce running barefoot or in minimal shoes gradually. Running with minimal footwear encourages a safer midfoot or forefoot landing pattern, but can cause stress fractures or Achilles tendon injuries in people who are accustomed to striking their heel first. These injuries can be prevented by not making a sudden change to barefoot styles, rather adding distance and speed slowly. Plantar fasciitis is also common for runners who don’t gradually go from traditional shoes to minimal footwear.

There is a tendency to feel like there shouldn’t be a difference in your abilities just because you changed shoes, and if you can run 10 miles of trails in traditional shoes today, then you should be able to run 10 miles in barefoot running shoes tomorrow. This approach stems from a lack of understanding about the differences and the advantages of running barefoot.

Barefoot Running

In fact, those new to barefoot running and concerned about injuries probably shouldn’t be on trails at all. Barefoot trail running requires the body to react instinctively in several ways that do not fully develop without several months of barefoot running on flat surfaces.

As you become accustomed to running on asphalt or concrete trails in a barefoot running shoe, you will step on small pebbles and other items that require you to shift your weight quickly to the other foot. This skill is used extensively in trail running, where almost every stride involves the foot landing on an uneven surface.

Trail Running

When trail running, a runner has to visualize the trail in front of him and where his feet need to land. Are there obstacles you will need to clear? Is there rough terrain to avoid? Preparing yourself for a difference in gait with every step is necessary in trail running, no matter what shoes you are wearing. Most runners do this automatically, but it is more difficult barefoot because your stride length and foot placement vary from what you are accustomed to in traditional shoes. These skills will also come naturally as you spend more and more time in your barefoot running shoe.

Once you are ready to begin training barefoot on trails, it is best to begin with barefoot trail walking. From there, slowly mix in short bursts of jogging. Resist the urge of your usual speed or distance. Instead, continue adding speed and distance slowly and methodically until you are running your usual trails barefoot.

Author bio:

Golden Harper is a previous all American runner who founded Altra Zero Drop Footwear, a company run by passionate individuals committed to helping running enthusiasts achieve their dreams through biomechanically proper footwear. You can check the company’s updates and their latest in their blog.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2013/03/04/avoiding-injuries-while-barefoot-running-on-trails/