Sep 10 2012

Lighten Your Load: Smart Tips for Backpackers

Backpacking Light

Backpacking is an activity that is an adventurous way of life for some people. Professional backpackers have learned, through experience, all the tips and tricks of packing smart for their journeys. Packing light is essential – bring too much with you, and you’ll suffer throughout your trip with a sore back and depleted energy. If you’re new to backpacking, here are some important tips on how to lighten you load.
Readjust Your Strategy

A common mistake that newbie backpackers make is bringing along as much as they think they can carry. Do not try to pack as much as you can handle or fit into your bag. Instead, try to pack as little as you can manage with. Don’t try to come up with creative ways to bring more stuff or cram it all into your pack. Instead, try to be as minimalist as possible and leave behind things that you can do without.

Don’t Bring “Just in Case” Items

Anyone who’s ever over-packed for a vacation knows that more often than not, the things you pack “just in case” are never needed. Think carefully about your “just in case” items; in cases, it’s better not to bring them at all. For example, you may be tempted to bring along a fishing pole “just in case” there’s a good fishing hole. Instead, just bring along some fishing line, one sinker & a hook. If that fishing hole materializes & you have time, you can always find a grub, worm or grasshopper to pop on the hook.

Bring Multi-Purpose Gear

Multi-purpose gear will help you lighten your load by reducing the total number of items you need to pack. Look for items that have multiple functions whenever possible. Bring a cooking pot that can double as a food bowl, for example. You can use socks as hand warmers if necessary. Your clothing can be used to stuff your pillow at night. And a Swiss army knife is always recommended.

Reduce Clothing Items

Never bring more than one full week’s worth of clothing, and you should usually bring less than that. Three or four of each clothing items (shirts, pants, underwear, socks) should be enough. Wear items more than once, and wash your clothes when you need to. Bring clothing that can be worn in different situations, and bring outfits that can be mixed-and-matched to wear in different weather. As for shoes, choose a pair that is very durable, and comfortable. Don’t bring more than one extra, lightweight shoe.

Reduce Toiletries

Absolutely never bring full-size toiletry items; it’s highly unnecessary and will increase the weight of your backpack significantly. Bring only small or travel size toiletries with you. Try to measure out appropriate amounts for the length of your trip, and leave behind items you can do without (do you really NEED mouthwash when you have toothpaste?). Bringing a little more sunscreen or bug spray than you think you need isn’t a bad idea, but things like shampoo and soap can easily be purchased if you run out. 
L. Evans is an adventure seeker based out of Kenya. She uses Glovico to learn Swahili.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/09/10/lighten-your-load-smart-tips-for-backpackers/

Sep 05 2012

Tips to Getting Fit for Even the Most Experienced Couch Potatoes

Trailsnet is always encouraging you to get out on the trails for a bike ride, run, Trikke ride, inline skate or hike. But what if you don’t feel as if you are physically fit enough to hit the trail. Here are some tips from our guest blogger Lori.

Tips to Getting Fit for Even the Most Experienced Couch Potatoes

If you’re a couch potato, chances are you’re tired of hearing all the weight loss gurus telling you what you’re doing wrong. How are you supposed to gain inspiration from an overly tanned, energetic ball of muscle? Those people obviously don’t understand what it feels like to be you. The bad part about going from an overweight, lethargic state to getting in shape is that, at your current state, you have close to no energy or motivation to do anything about it. However, here are some tips to help even the most seasoned couch potatoes to get up off their butts and get fit and fab!

Start Slow

Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither was a six pack of abs. If you’re most recent physical activity involved reaching for the remote, don’t attempt to overdo it in an effort to get fit. The only thing this will accomplish is a sore body and an “I’m never doing that again” attitude. Start really slow and small. Rather than going for a mile-long bone jarring jog, try going for a leisurely walk.

Change Your Routine

Even the most seasoned couch potatoes have to do things like grocery shop and go to work. If you do these things, there are little changes you can make to your routine that will add some physical activity to your day without you even noticing. Park far away from the building, so that you will walk farther to get to where you’re going. Choose the stairs instead of the elevator. If you’re going to the fifteenth floor, maybe take the stairs for three or four flights and the elevator the rest of the way. After a week or two, try taking the stairs for five or six flights.

Ditch the Dread

If you dread your exercise and think of it as a chore, you will find any excuse you can to avoid doing it. Make your exercise routine fun and appropriate for your current physical state. If you do this, you will find yourself looking forward to exercising, rather than dreading it altogether.

Don’t Fool Yourself

Often times, people convince themselves that it’s too late to make a change in their life. If you’ve been overweight and out of shape for a decade, there’s no better time than now to fix that. It’s never too late to change the state of your health. In fact, there’s no better time than the present. Think about it. In a year, you’ll wish you had started today.

There is a Routine for You

Don’t be fooled by exercise fanatics. It is perfectly possible to get into shape and stay that way without spending every waking moment at the gym and spending thousands of dollars on protein shakes and weight loss supplements.

Good, old fashioned physical activity and a healthy mindset is all you need. Make small changes to your diet and incorporate some healthy foods. Make minimal changes to your everyday routine and take some time out to get physical. That’s all it takes. Before you know it, the pounds will drop off and you’ll feel better than ever!

Lori Alfreds enjoys writing about fitness, exercise, and health insurance quotes.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/09/05/tips-to-getting-fit-for-even-the-most-experienced-couch-potatoes/

Sep 01 2012

Help Trailsnet Keep Trail Information Up-to-date

Reader Updates Huckleberry Trail

Thanks to Trailsnet reader John for trail mileage updates on Virginia’s Huckleberry Trail. Trailsnet relies on readers like you and John to keep us updated about trails. This is especially true of trails entered by users. Although they usually do a great job, sometimes their facts don’t always figure and their figures aren’t always factual.

Thanks for the Trail Comments!!

It would appear that numerous comments to Trailsnet were ignored over the past few months. WordPress normally does an excellent job of notifying me when new comments are posted, but for some reason, I wasn’t notified about a dozen comments. So for all of you who I failed to acknowledge… Sorry ’bout that!!

Trail Wiki Needed?

One of the comments that went unacknowledged was also from John, and it made a great trail suggestion. John noted, “I just feel that until there is a wiki type trail site , like Wikipedia, we will never have a up to date forum for trails.. too many things happen Like last week we had a wind storm and most trails in area are impassable because of tree’s down. with a wiki and thousands , and local riders there would be good up to date information , like a detour route. Even trail link which continues to improve; is slow and not current.. and they have funding, and many many years behind them.. where Wikipedia in just a few years out performed hundred year old encyclopedia companies.”

These are excellent points, John, and thanks for sharing them. I would love to have Trailsnet turn into just such a wiki where trail enthusiasts can share trail updates, suggestions and information. Maybe someday, that is exactly how Trailsnet will evolve. Until then, trail fans are encouraged to continue sharing comments and trail information on Trailsnet.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/09/01/help-trailsnet-keep-trail-information-up-to-date/

Aug 29 2012

Top Safety Precautions on Bike Trails Abroad

International Bike Trails

Looking for something unique and different next time you’re abroad? Then why not consider bike trails? This way you get to go off of the beaten track and into the parts of the country that not everyone and their wife will have seen. At the same time you’ll this way be able to get outside in the sun and you’ll be able to get some exercise – it’s healthy, adventurous and it gives you an authentic experience of the country you’re in. It’s also a great opportunity to bond as a family and will present you with many great pictures for Facebook or your photo albums when you get home.

However if you are on a bike trail this also means that you will be exposed to the elements and probably somewhere in the wilderness while exerting yourself in the baking sun. Point is there are things that can go wrong and it’s crucial that you account for these and have failsafes to prevent you from getting caught out. Here we will look at some of the most important ways to make sure you are safe when you go on these biking adventures…

Take Bike Helmets

Of course one of the very most important things to do is to make sure you and your family all have helmets when you are cycling. Without having helmets with you, you won’t have anything protecting your heads from impact and trauma meaning that a simple accident can be literally fatal and cause serious brain damage. Having helmets might be hot and it might feel inconvenient when you’re out cycling in the sun and exerting yourself – but it is also crucially important if you want to keep you and your family safe.

Stick to the Marked Trails

If you are one of the proper bike trails then you should never be too far from help – and so one more good precaution is to make sure that you stick to the marked trails and don’t go off on your own where they might be dangerous wildlife and where it may be hard to find people who can help you.

Take a First Aid Kit

It’s also a good idea to have a first aid kit with you, so that even if it does take a while for help to reach you, you can still tend to some basic needs. It’s a good idea to have plasters and things in your bag for instance to be able to stop bleeding, while bandages can help tend to twists, sprains and breaks. Finally you should take any medications that pertain particularly to you or your family and that means things like insulin, like asthma inhalers, and anything else along those lines. Food and water are also smart things to take with you depending on how long you are stranded for.

Phone

A phone is of course highly important to be able to call for help, and can come in handy in a large range of situations. At the same time phones these days also have many other uses such as translating what you’re trying to say, and even using your GPS to help get back to the hotel if you’re lost and don’t know where you are.

Make Sure People Know Where You Are

It’s important to let at least someone know where you are going and when you plan on coming back – even if it’s someone who works in the hotel – as that way they can know if you are taking too long and something is wrong.

Of course this isn’t a highly dangerous endeavour and people do it all the time – so you should still enjoy yourself and not be put off. Just make sure you are sensible as well and that you follow these guidelines.

 

Sarah McPherson is an avid traveller and writes for www.onemilebeach.com.au. Through her posts she shares her experiences about the numerous adventures she has had on her vacations.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/08/29/top-safety-precautions-on-bike-trails-abroad/

Aug 22 2012

5 Steps to 5k – Running Has Never Been So Simple

The following article is a guest post and a Trailsnet trail product review

Personal Running Trainer App for Smart Phones

man running on treadmill

treadmill or trail? – you decide

I have big dreams of running a marathon.  Seriously, it’s a goal of mine to not only start and finish a marathon, but also run the whole time in between.  No easy task, considering I’m pretty sedentary.  Some days walking five miles is a struggle enough, let alone the mere thought of running that distance.  But still, I have this dream and maybe one day I’ll take some quick-paced jogging-like steps toward achieving it.

Those of you who know me well know that I had an embarrassing situation happen at the Race for the Cure.  I’d trained plenty on a treadmill, something virtually unheard of for me, then performed miserably once I tried running on pavement.  This was enough to turn me off from running for a while, and then I heard that my sister has been running 5k’s just about every six weeks.  What the heck! I’d gotten her into running in the first place, and now she’s making strides toward my goal of running a marathon.

You’re Going to Need Strong Cardio When the Zombie Apocalypse Comes

The time had come for some serious action.  Sibling rivalry had set in, wounded pride be darned, I was going to get off my rump and hit the ground running.  Wanting to know my sister’s secret, I went straight to the only woman who could give me insight into this curious situation – our mother.  Turns out my sister has been using an iPhone app called Personal Running Trainer.

From Couch Spud to Running Stud

  • Coaching and Motivation – Once you’ve selected the distance you wish to run, Personal Running Trainer schedules the training, offering flexible options so even a busy person like myself can find time to fit in a run.  Once my workouts are scheduled I can select a customized playlist from my own collection of music.  As I’m running, the friendly voice of a certified personal trainer coaches me through the routine, telling me when to run, when to walk, and when to pick up the pace.  It’s all very motivational and much easier than keeping one eye on my watch and the other eye on the road.
  • Five Distance Options – Even the longest distance starts with a single step, and Personal Running Trainer understands this, giving you options from 1 mile to a full marathon, and everything in between.  Not only will this app schedule your workouts, it will tell you just how long it will take to bring you up to your desired fitness level.
  • Designed for All Levels of Fitness – From absolute beginner to seasoned veteran, Personal Running Trainer provides motivational coaching for every level of fitness, with workouts designed for your particular needs, and more strenuous options available once you’re ready to increase your speed, endurance, or pace.
  • Increase Difficulty at Your Own Pace – Feel like it might take some time for you to build up from a 5k to a half-marathon? No problem! Personal Running Trainer is built to match your goals at the pace you wish to achieve them.  When you’re ready to increase the intensity, Personal Running Trainer will be ready with the program that fits your needs.
  • It’s Free – Okay, not entirely free.  The first program assigned to each distance is free, so you can still get a comprehensive series of workouts for all your distance goals, be it 1 mile, 5k, 10k, half-marathon, or full marathon. After this you have the option of purchasing the full version of Personal Running Trainer.

Running Right Through the World is More Than Just a Song By the Toasters

One of the things I like best about Personal Running Trainer is how easy it makes running.  Looking at practice charts and trying to remember how much time to spend warming up, followed by 60 seconds of running, then 90 seconds of walking, alternating running and walking, followed by a cool down, it’s exhausting just trying to commit that information to memory, let alone trying to recall it while actually in the throes of a workout. Instead, I’m just cruising along,listening to music that I love, with a friendly voice reminding me when to speed up or slow down. I’ll tell you what, the only thing easier than practicing with Personal Running Trainer is reading exercise bike reviews.

Freelance writer Rachel Cook is always on the run, yet she tends to have very little time to fit in an actual run, that’s why she likes to make it fun when she does.  Often drawing upon personal experiences for inspiration, there’s very few topics she won’t cover, except maybe alligator wrangling and jell-o wrestling. An avid supporter of all things related to wellness and personal growth, Rachel often suggests her friends review the wealth of information available at http://www.allexercisebikes.net.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/08/22/5-steps-to-5k-running-has-never-been-so-simple/

Aug 16 2012

Hebb eBikes Are Top Performers

Hebb Electric Bikes

electric bicycle by Hebb

Hebb eBike step-through

If you haven’t heard of Hebb eBikes yet, you’re about to become acquainted with one of the top electric bicycles on the market. Bill Hebb first discovered electric bikes on his business trips to China. So he decided to build and market an ebike of his own. It is obvious from the quality of Hebb bikes that Bill takes great pride in the bicycles he produces and sells.

Hebb Electric Cycle Models

Hebb electric bikes are built, from the ground up, to be an electric vehicle. Every part on the Hebb cycles is of the highest quality from the wheels right up to the handlebars. The battery and motor on the Hebb eBike are also top notch. Hebb currently produces two models of electric bikes. One of them is a diamond frame ebike and the other is a step-through ebike. If that means nothing to you, think of the old (and definitely inaccurate) classifications of boys bike and girls bike. A step-through bike used to be referred to as a “girls’ bike.” As I’m sure many of you have realized, that old system of classifying bikes made absolutely no sense considering some of the anatomical differences between the genders. The old classifications were probably devised due to old-fashioned dress codes of females wearing dresses. Since very few people wear dresses when riding bikes these days, those old customs are now rendered obsolete. Having said that, I highly recommend the step-through bike for either gender. It makes getting on and off the bicycle much easier.

author riding a Hebb electric bicycle near Platte River Trail in Denver, Colorado

author on a Hebb

SmallPlanet eVehicles

I was first introduced to the Hebb eBike at SmallPlanet eVehicles in Longmont, Colorado. Tom, the owner of SmallPlanet spoke quite highly of the Hebb electric bicycle. A  couple days later, while meeting with a group of electric vehicle enthusiasts on the Platte River Trail in Denver, Colorado, I had the chance to ride a Hebb. I was immediately impressed by both the looks and feel of the bike. Anybody who has not ridden an electric bike in a few years needs to give the Hebb bikes a try. In general, the electric bike technology has come a long way in the last decade and some manufacturers, like Hebb, have done an especially nice job of utilizing modern battery and electric motor technology. The Hebb electric cycles ride smoothly, quietly and, when needed, quickly. I would agree with Bill Hebb’s analysis that electric motors and batteries will continue to evolve and improve; but for now, electric bikes such as the Hebb are head and shoulders above the previous generation of electric bikes.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/08/16/hebb-ebikes-are-top-performers/