Jan 27 2013

Trail Hiking Preparation Tips

Training Tips For Trail Hiking

family on hiking trail

hikers enjoy trails

There are a million reasons to be a lover of the outdoors. The fresh air in the woods can feel invigorating after spending weeks trapped in the city. Hearing the birds sing in the branches and seeing the creepy crawlers rustle the leaves is another reason some people love trail hiking. Other people, meanwhile, just enjoy spending time outside and hiking on trails because it is a much more pleasant form of exercise than running in place on a treadmill inside of a gym in a giant building with lots of other sweaty people. The solitude, the scenery, and the sounds are just better outside. But it’s important that if you are going to be going on a trail hike that you take some basic precautions and train yourself to be prepared for the trail hike ahead. Below are some training tips for trail hiking. Make sure you follow them before your next trail hike – whatever your reason is for getting outside.

TRAIL TRAINING TIP #1 – Pick the right trail.

The first thing anyone preparing for a trail hike needs to do is to select the right trail. Make sure you know what you are getting yourself into. Are you a beginner? Then don’t choose the biggest, hardest, longest, coldest trail in the area. Start with something easier. The Appalachian Trail, for example, is one that should only be braved by experienced trail hikers during the cold months. If there is snow on the ground on the trail you’ve chosen, find a different trail with less snow. Even a moderate trail will get exponentially more dangerous after a snowfall.

TRAIL TRAINING TIP #2 – Exercise your hiking muscles.

Even if you are generally pretty physically fit, it makes sense to do some exercises with a specific focus on the muscles you will use on the trail hike you are planning to go on. The most important muscles are, unsurprisingly, those in your legs. Make sure you exercise your calves, your thighs, your quads, and your ankles. You should also focus on your core – try Pilates for that. Cardiopulmonary exercise, meaning exercise that works on your lungs and heart, also should be done to make sure you are in top hiking condition. That includes running and jumping rope.

TRAIL TRAINING TIP #3 – Get the right gear.

You can’t go on a trail hike without being prepared with the right gear unless you want to find yourself in serious trouble. Make sure your boots, specifically, are comfortable and fit you correctly. You should also make sure that your backpack fits well on your hips and shoulders. It can be dangerous to go on a hike with poorly fitting boots and a pack that is too big or too small. You should also be prepared with plenty of water, the right snacks, a compass, and all the other accouterment.

TRAIL TRAINING TIP #4 – Learn basic First Aid.

It is also a good idea to train yourself to know how to deal with minor and serious health problems that can occur on the trail. If you are hiking alone, you may need to apply your medical knowledge to yourself. If you are hiking with a partner, you should all sign up for the first aid class together. Learn how to put a sling on a broken arm and how to perform CPR. These skills can’t hurt and having them can save lives.

About the author: Kennith Campbell writes for UltraSlide.  Kennith enjoys reviewing sideboards and other fitness equipment.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2013/01/27/trail-hiking-preparation-tips/

Jan 25 2013

Minneapolis Midtown Greenway

Commuting Trails & Recreational Trails

denver trails

Platte River Trail

Trails are fantastic recreational resources that help people get outdoors, stay in shape and have lots of fun. But it’s important to note that trails are more than just fun. They are becoming an important part of the commuting infrastructure of many cities also. For example, the Colorado Department of Transportations (CDOT) is just getting started on construction of an 18 mile trail that will link Denver and Boulder, two very active communities. Such a trail will allow commuters from both of those cities to forego their automobile and commute by bike. This is part of a program known as the 36 Commuting Solutions and the US 36 Express Lanes project.

Minneapolis Bicycle Commuting

Another city that is coming on board with safe and efficient cycle paths is Minneapolis, Minnesota. Watch the short video below to get an idea of what Minneapolis is doing to promote bicycling as a feasible commuting option.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2013/01/25/minneapolis-midtown-greenway/

Jan 24 2013

Electric Bike Trailer for Kids and…

logo for ridekick electric bike trailersRideKick Introduces Electric Bike Trailer for Kids

The folks from RideKick have come up with another great idea. First they came up with the electric bike trailer that turns any bike into an electric bike. Now they have come up with a kid bike trailer that is also an electric. So now, you can take your children on a bike ride and get that extra little boost for those tough hills, long hauls or “into the wind” sections of the ride. In other words, now you can take your children on your trail rides. Pure genius!!

Electric Boost, Plus It’s a Utility Bike Trailer

So you don’t have kids or your kids are all grown up? No problem. Personally, I think this trailer would also be great for hauling groceries, camping gear, trail maintenance supplies, etc. In other words the new Ridekick trailer would be great for providing a boost to anyone who needs to haul a load with a little extra oomph. And the best part… you can now be one of the first people to get the new Ridekick at a discounted price. Check out the video below for more information. Then go to RideKick’s IndieGoGo child trailer page and become a supporter of this great company and fantastic new innovation.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2013/01/24/electric-bike-trailer-for-kids-and/

Jan 22 2013

Notify Someone When You Hit the Trails

bike riders looking at trail map

trail navigation

Stay Found is First Trail Rule

“When you’re going out for a trail hike, trail run, backpacking trip or bike ride, you should always let someone know where you’re’ going and when you expect to be back, especially when you’re going on a solo adventure.” Said the world’s biggest hypocrite. I’d say about half the time I’m on a trail journey, I break this rule. (Or for you optimists out there, half the time I follow the rule.)

Make Sure I Return App

It’s such a pain to remember to tell someone all that information. And let’s face it, sometimes it feels as if you’re imposing on people or burdening them with “being in charge” of making sure you get back safe from your trail adventure. But it just got a little easier. Thanks to Tim Shettlesworth at the All Outdoor Forum, you can now “set it and forget it.” Well technically you won’t want to forget it, but my point is that it just got easier to stay found. He has added a Make Sure I Return function to his website.

Notify Someone That You’re Going to Be Out on the Trail…

… without really notifying them. It’s a great idea. Whenever you’re going on a trail outing, you visit the Make Sure I Return App. Once there, you fill out a form that tells where you’re going and set a timer for when you expect to be back. You also leave your [cell preferably] phone number and – most important – the email address of who you want to be contacted. Then, if you don’t return at a certain time that person will get an email notifying them of your no-show. In many cases, they’ll call you and you’ll say, “Oops, I was out on the trail a little longer than I expected” or “Oops, I forgot to shut off the timer when I got back.” But in the worst case scenario, they may have to send out the search party to look for you. Actually, that isn’t the worse case scenario. The worst case scenario is if you didn’t use the Make Sure I Return App and no one knew you were missing.

So be safe. Let someone know where you’re going or use modern technology to do the job for you. Make sure you set the app up correctly when you venture onto the trail and turn off the timer when you return. You will find similar apps out there for iPhones, iPads & Androids. But before you look at those other ones, visit the All Outdoor Forum and take a look at Tim’s potentially life-saving web page. The life you save, may be your own.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2013/01/22/notify-someone-when-you-hit-the-trails/

Jan 21 2013

Rails With Trails Movement

Add Trails Alongside New Railroad Lines

rails with trail petition

rails with trail petition

Some things just make a lot of sense. I’m all in favor of adding new rail lines. But as long as they’re building those lines, it makes perfect sense to build trails alongside them. And I’m not the only one who feels that way. There’s a national group that is promoting Rails With Trails.

Petition for Adding Rails With Trails

I wanted to draw your attention to this important “Rails With Trails” petition that I recently signed:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/rwt/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=system&utm_campaign=Send%2Bto%2BFriend

I really think this is an important cause, and I’d like to encourage you to add your signature, too. It’s free and takes just a few seconds of your time.

Thanks!

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2013/01/21/rails-with-trails-movement/

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/