Jan 20 2013

Is Damascus, Virginia the Real Trail Town?

Seven Trails, One Town

trail town u.s.a.

Trail Town?

Many towns call themselves “Trail Town USA.” But for my money, Damascus, Virginia has a pretty good claim to the title. For one thing, seven major trails come together in Damascus. Six of those trails come together in the parking lot of Mojoes Trailside Coffee House. Can you imagine the stories you’d hear if you sat in that little coffee house each day. It sounds like my kind of place.

List of Trails That Merge in Damascus Virginia

So I was bound & determined to find out which seven trails came together in Damascus. It took a bit of research, but finally, on the Virginia Bike website, I found the fabled seven trails of Damascus, VA. Without further ado and in no particular order, here’s the trail list:

I’m not saying that Hancock, Maryland isn’t a strong contender for the title of Trail Town USA. After all, it is the home to both the C & O Canal Towpath Trail and the Western Maryland Rail Trail. Those are two awesome trails. And it’s not far from the Appalachian Trail and some other wonderful bike paths and hiking trails. But seven trails? That’s kind of hard to beat.

Feel free to leave your opinion about what you think is the greatest trail town. Glenwood Springs, CO, Huntington Beach, CA, Cumberland, MD? They all have great trails and are fun places to visit. We’d love to hear what you think.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2013/01/20/is-damascus-virginia-the-real-trail-town/

Jan 18 2013

Trail Hiking & Backpacking Boost Creativity

Trails Versus Tech: Trails Win

hiker with walking stick and daypack

trail hikers more creative

Recent research shows that backpackers scored 50% better on creativity tests after spending four days on the trail disconnected from electronic gadgets. WebMD article reveals that connecting to nature and disconnecting from electrical distractions provides a pretty significant boost in creative juices.

Is there no end to the ways that trails improve our lives?

Apparently not. So turn off your cell phone and find a good hiking trail. You’ll have fun, get in shape, save money and become more creative.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2013/01/18/trail-hiking-backpacking-boost-creativity/

Jan 16 2013

Trail Classes Offered By Ontario Trails Council

trail college diploma

trail school graduate

School of Trails

How would you like to major in trails at college? Where do I sign up? Since I’ve already got my quota of degrees, it’s too late for me. But if you’re interested in a trails education program, the Ontario Trails Council has just the syllabus for you.

Ontario Trails Training and Education Classes

Kudus to the folks at Ontario Trails for developing a recreational trails education program that contains a series of courses geared toward improving the knowledge and skills of trail professionals and trail volunteers who are interested in the field of trail design, maintenance and operations. Some examples of the courses they offer include:

  • Trail Construction and Maintenance
  • Trail Design
  • Trail Law and Risk Management
  • Trail Legislation
  • Trail Marketing and Promotion
  • Trail Safety
  • Trail Volunteering

The courses listed above are only half of the ones available through the Ontario Recreational Trails Education Program. The courses are offered as standalone classes, as part of a specialty package or as a complete trails education program. The Ontario Trails Council has worked in conjunction with the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Ontario Parks Association and Algonquin College to be able to provide this wonderful program of trail training. The program is even able to offer some on-line learning opportunities as part of their overall course offering. For a complete list of courses and course descriptions, visit the OntarioTrails website. Visit the Ontario Trails course calendar for information on when classes are offered.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2013/01/16/trail-classes/

Jan 14 2013

Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Byway

Idaho Byway Becomes Oregon Trail

trail map for Owyhee byway

Owyhee Byway map

Thanks to Jim for posting a new trail on Trailsnet.com. Jim posted a description & map of the Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Byway. An excerpt from the trail post follows:

The Byway is 103 miles long and consists of gravel and paved roads that are suitable for passenger vehicles. This region provides access to one of the best remaining examples of the sagebrush-steppe ecosystem and habitat for…

Jim also provided a link for the Bike Touring News website. For those of us who are Trailsnet fans, bike touring is one of our active travel passions. So check out both the Owyhee trail and the Bike Touring News website.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2013/01/14/owyhee-uplands-backcountry-byway/

Jan 13 2013

Cool Cat on the Trail

head band & neckie

Cool Cat is your new trail friend.

Trail Fashion Meets Trail Function

It’s not easy to find trail products that are fashionable, versatile and functional in all four trail seasons. But here at Trailsnet, we have discovered the Cool Cat. The Cool Cat is a head band, wrist band, balaclava, neck protector, head cover and face guard… all in one great product.

The Cool Cat is the perfect trail companion for bike riders, trail runners, snowshoers, canners and more. Some of our trail nemeses include sweat, sunburn, cold & foul air. Can one product help to remedy all of these? Well the Cool Cat has certainly provided some great assistance.

For those who hang out in bars, smoke gets in their eyes. But for those of us on trail, sweat gets in our eyes… and on

particle filter & face guard by Cool Cat Pro

face guard by Cool Cat

our hands. The Cool Cat can be used as a sweat band around either the wrists or the forehead. It makes a great sweat barrier for those mid-summer runs or bike rides. But what about in the winter? Cool cat also makes a great face protector on those cold winter snowshoe treks. It provides warmth for both the neck and the lower face without being so bulky as to hinder breathing. In fact, the Cool Cat also provides warmth on those cool autumn & spring bike rides. As most bicyclists know, it’s tough to fit hats or ear muffs underneath a bike helmet. But the Cool Cat is thin enough to cover your ears and still fit a helmet over the top.

My favorite use for the Cool Cat is as a sun barrier on my neck. It seems like no matter how much sunscreen I apply, my neck always gets burned. Or at least it used to get burned. Now, the Cool Cat provides a great barrier between the sun and sensitive necks. And the sun isn’t the only element that is blocked by the Cool Cat. On days of heavy pollution or high pollen count, the Cool Cat works nicely to block particulates from polluting your lungs & sinus cavities. In fact, according to the Human Performance Resource Center (HPRC), “Inhalation of major air pollutants has been found to decrease lung function and exacerbate symptoms of exercise-induced [maladies].”

Since the Cool Cat has multiple snaps, it is adjustable to fit any size neck, head or wrist. So the Cool Cat is invaluable for trail users of all shapes, sizes, abilities & interests. So next time you ride a bike trail, jog a running trail or navigate a snowshoe trail, think about adding the Cool Cat to your trail supplies. It’s inexpensive, lightweight and extremely versatile.

Information for this blog comes from the CoolCatPro with Public Relations by Deep Creek PR.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2013/01/13/cool-cat-on-the-trail/

Jan 10 2013

Travelers Enjoy Bicycle Friendly Cities

bike trails in city

city bike trails

Bike Friendly Communities for Active Travelers

As a bicyclist, you are most likely aware of the fact that some places cater to those on two wheels, while others fall flat (no pun intended). If you plan on bringing your bike with you on your next trek, then it might help to know of the best places for bicycles, before you purchase a ticket or create your itinerary. Need some help choosing your next vacation destination? Here are five amazing cities for bicycle friendly travel:

Copenhagen, Denmark. This city is so bike-friendly that nearly thirty percent of its residents commute to work every day via bicycle! Copenhagen is even home to a progressive neighborhood, called Christiania, where cars have been banned, in effect making bicycling mandatory.

Chicago, Illinois. This self-proclaimed, “most bicycle friendly city in the entire United States” is not joking when it comes to taking initiatives to get its residents and tourists on two wheels. From bicycle lanes on all the major roadways to special laws that protect bicycler rights, you can be sure to get some good use out of your bike when you visit this city. Before you travel, check out the city website to find all of the information you need about bicycling in Chicago.

Paris, France. Sure, the city of lights is known for being a romantic destination for lovebirds everywhere, but it is also home of the world’s most expansive bicycle renting program. Choose from over twenty thousand modern three-speeders at over 1,450 bike rental locations across the city. Prices vary depending on how far you plan on travelling, but you can snag all of the under 30-minute bike rides you want for free!

Portland, Oregon. This is largely considered the bicycle capital of the United States, and for good reason. Portland provides its cyclists with over 260 miles of biking trail infrastructure, and an impressive ten percent of its residents (that’s the highest amount in the United States) travel primarily by bicycle. What’s more is that you can expect a warm welcome from the well-developed bicycling community there when you travel.

Barcelona, Spain. With its initiation of a mass bicycle rental program in 2007, Barcelona was amongst the first of the European cities to take positive action toward promoting the use of bicycles for travel. If you plan on visiting in May, be sure to participate in the annual Bike Week, designed to spread awareness about bicycling and incite enthusiasm for what is quickly becoming a way of life there.

There is no shortage of great cities in the world where you and your bike are welcome to roam. Draw from this list for inspiration the next time you are planning a bicycle-friendly vacation.

About the Author: Armand Brandwein loves traveling and prioritizes cities with bike friendly destinations over others, when he can. This year he’s planning a Brazil tour with his wife followed by a bike through through Barcelona.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2013/01/10/travelers-enjoy-bicycle-friendly-cities/