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/

Aug 10 2012

Pon-e Electric Trikke Review

Electric Trail Vehicle Information

Trailsnet has been the leader in reviews of Personal Transportation Vehicles (PTVs) and specifically electric personal transportation vehicles. Of course, here on Trailsnet, we prefer to call them trail vehicles, but whatever you call them, they’re economical, environmentally friendly and lots of fun. Here’s a sampling of some of the electric vehicle information provided by Trailsnet:

Trikke rider on boulder creek path

Trikke T-12 body-powered carving vehicle

But what if you want to Stand Up and Ride your electric vehicle? There’s an app for that! Better yet, there’s a Trikke for that. In a previous post, I reviewed the Trikke carving vehicle, a self-propelled, cambered carving vehicle that provides great exercise, mobility and recreation. But now, Trikke electric vehicles such as the Pon-e provide a whole new range of mobility for Trikke users.

Trikke Electric Pon-e Review

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Trikke Corporation, a brief introduction is in order. The Trikke is a three

electric three wheeled personal transportation vehicle on boulder creek path

Electric Trikke Pon-e

wheeled, cambered carving vehicle that is propelled using a rhythmic body motion. Since it has three wheels, it is quite stable. Since it is cambered, it screams around corners and down hills. Since riders utilize their entire body to power the Trikke, it provides a great full-body workout. Since it has fairly small tires, it is best to be ridden on asphalt or cement surfaces. The beauty behind the Trikke electric vehicles is they are equally as much fun as the regular Trikkes, but even more versatile. One of the best characteristics of a Trikke is that you stand up to operate it. This allows you a clear line-of-sight and is also a comfortable way to get around. On the Electric Trikkes, you can get as much or as little exercise as you like depending on how much you assist the motor with your own carving motions.

Whether you call it Trikke Pon-e, Trikke Tribred or Trikke EV, you’ll never call it boring. All Trikkes let you stand up, above the crowd and enjoy an unparalleled ride. With numerous electric vehicles on the market, why would you choose a Trikke EV? Here are some of the most compelling reasons:

folded Trikke carving vehicle

folded Trikke

  • uniqueness – Trikkes are unlike any other personal transportation vehicles (PTVs) out there.
  • portability – Because they can easily be folded up, Trikkes are easy to store and easy to transport.
  • exercise – Unlike most other PTVs, Trikkes (both electric and body-powered) provide a full-body workout.
  • ease of use – Since they have a stable three-wheel base of support, Trikke Electrics are simple to get started on and have a quick learning curve.
  • ergonomically friendly – As long as you can stand up, you can ride a Trikke. You don’t have to worry about being hunched over handlebars, chafing your posterior on a seat or craning your neck to see in front of you.
  • Simple to maintain – Since there are no chains, sprockets or derailleurs, your hands stay clean and your maintenance woes are greatly reduced.
Visit the “Trikke vs. bike” page on the Trikke website for more information about the benefits of riding a Trikke or Trikke EV. You can expect to see the electric Trikkes popping up more and more on golf courses, roads, on security/police forces and parked in front of your local coffee shop. But best of all, you will begin to see Trikkes and Pon-e Trikkes more often on a trail near you; because Trikkes and trails were meant for each other. It’s a match made in heaven.

 

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/08/10/pon-e-electric-trikke-review/

Aug 04 2012

Could Marine Rules Work on Trails?

Electric Bikes Provide Added Trail Access

A big thanks to Bob who recently sent in a very well-thought-out comment about the Trailsnet Should Electric Bikes Be Allowed on Trails post. Bob started out by making some astute observations about electric bikes allowing for more trail access for those of us whose bones, muscles & joints ain’t quite what they used to be. Then he wrote about a subject near and dear to my heart: keeping speeds (both human-powered and electric) low on trails.

Trail Rules Borrowed from Maritime Tradition?

Then Bob made a great suggestion. As a way of providing trail access for a broad range of users while also keeping the trails safe and sane, maybe we could use some of the same rules already being used in the Maritime community. Bob suggested, “I would recommend bike path rules to be similar to marine ‘Rules of the Road’  E-bikes (when under power) yield to bikes, and all yield to pedestrians, much like sailboats under power, yield to sailboats, and all yield to human powered boats.”

Is it just me or does that not make a whole heap of sense? I’d love to hear any other suggestions. The Trailsnet community if chock full of great ideas just waiting to be shared.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/08/04/could-marine-rules-work-on-trails/