Apr 12 2012

Silver Comet Trail in Georgia

trail tunnel on Georgias silver comet trail

Tunnel on Georgia's Silver Comet Rail Trail

I felt like a Hell’s Angel sitting on my low-slung, bad-boy Harley.
I looked like a dork. (See 4th picture on carousel for proof.)
I didn’t care. The bike I rode was a recumbent, and I probably didn’t ever exceed twenty mph. But that’s okay.
The weather was perfect; the trail was incredible.
According to the literature, The Silver Comet is the longest paved trail in the U.S.
It is the ideal trail for a recumbent bike or just about any other bike for that matter.
I started my ride on a Thursday. I started in Smyrna, Georgia where I rented a recumbent bike. There were a few people on the trail, but the population diminished rapidly as I headed west.
There’s absolutely no chance of getting lost on this trail. Not only is it extremely wide and mostly concrete, but it is also well marked. For the first portion of the trail, there is a (mostly) separate path for equestrians, but I only saw a couple horseback riders…
Read more about the Silver Comet Trail in Georgia and the Chief Ladiga Trail in Alabama on trailsnet.com.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/04/12/silver-comet-trail-in-georgia-2/

Apr 10 2012

Trikke Carving on the Hawthorne Trail in Florida

The Hawthorne Trail is 16 miles long, not counting the side trail to the look out areas.
From the Hawthorne side it is fairly flat for about the first 6 miles and then some hills, then sink holes ! For trikkers, a good challenge! Probably the most natural scenic trail in Florida.

Here is a link to the FL trail information
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/regions/north/trails/gainesville_hawth.htm

Here is a good video of the trail as well.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/04/10/trikke-carving-on-the-hawthorne-trail-in-florida/

Apr 08 2012

Loop Trail Around Boulder, Colorado

A multi-use trail around Boulder, Colorado has finally been officially proposed. It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one with these wild and crazy ideas. At least four years ago, I started talking to people about a trail that encircles Boulder. Why  not?

dirt path lined with flowers

Connect trails for a loop trail.

  • The land is there, since Boulder is surrounded by protected open space.
  • The need is there, since Boulder may be the outdoor recreation capitol of the world.
  • The people are there, since Boulder has a huge community of trail bikers, trail hikers, and trail runners.
  • The motivation is there since Boulder was recently voted the most healthy community in America and would love to keep that designation.
  • And now, the organization is there…

According to an article in today’s Boulder Daily Camera, numerous groups  may be working toward the goal of creating a trail that encircles the People’s Republic of Boulder:

  • Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks
  • Boulder Area Trails Coalition
  • Boulder County
  • Colorado Department of Transportation
  • City of Boulder and…

Trailsnet!!  Okay, trailsnet wasn’t mentioned in the article, but I’d love to get involved in the process because I think it’s a great idea. Of course I think all trails are a good idea. I’m especially sold on the idea of creating trails that are functional (commuter trails), easily accessible, and heavily used. A Boulder loop trail would definitely meet all those criteria.

The article also mentioned Portland, Oregon and Loveland, Colorado as cities that either currently have such a loop trail or are working toward completing one. I’m guessing there are probably other loop trails around communities in existence or being created. I know that Denver has four unofficial loop trails all radiating from Confluence Park and utilizing the Platte River Trail as their common denominator. If you know of any other community loop trails, I’d love to hear about them.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/04/08/loop-trail-around-boulder-colorado/

Apr 06 2012

Big Dry Creek Trail in Colorado

hikers on big dry creek trail in colorado

Hikers enjoy Big Dry Creek Trail in Colorado.

There is no shortage of diversions on this trail. In fact, getting from point A to point B may not even be your goal on the Big Dry Creek Trail. Having fun along the way seems to be the order of the day.
In fact, at the (Westminster) City Park area alone, you could see a movie, go ice skating, have a great lunch, watch a softball game, play soccer, throw a frisbee, or hang out at the Butterfly Pavilion. You could also head off on another trail such as the Highline Canal Trail.
Another great aspect of this trail is that you are only on a road for about a half mile and that road (99th Ave.) is a very sedate little byway. It is hard to believe that this trail passes through such a busy, industrious part of Colorado, because it is such a relaxing ride. It’s one of those types of rides where you could put yourself on auto-pilot and just let the bike follow the path while you daydream and sightsee.
For out-of-town guests on this trail, it has a few hotels near mile 4.3 (if you’re starting at Standley Lake). Even better, you will find a variety of types of hotels from fairly expensive to relatively cheap. One of the hotels is a Westin and another is called Spring Hill Suite by Marriott.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/04/06/big-dry-creek-trail-in-colorado-2/

Apr 03 2012

New Orleans Also the City of Trails

New Orleans Bike Trails

Tammany Trace Trail skirts Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana near New Orleans.

View Lake Pontchartrain from the Tammany Trace trail.

Tammany Trace Trail: Covington, Louisiana

I just flew in from New Orleans and boy are my legs tired!!

Although most people associate New Orleans with Mardi Gras and Cajun food, it’s also trail central for outdoor enthusiasts. Located directly across Lake Pontchartrain from the Big Easy, the Tammany Trace trail is a bike rider’s paradise. It’s easy to find, easy to ride, and easy to fall in love with. Trail lovers will start their tour of Tammany Parish in the beautiful southern community of Covington, Louisiana. Stay at one of the many local bed & breakfasts such as the Camillia House Bed & Breakfast, and they may even let you use one of their trail bikes for free.

Whether you rent a bike, bring your own, or borrow one from your hosts, you’ll love the activities available on the Tammany Trace. For the younger crowd, there are numerous “state of the art” playgrounds right beside the trail. There’s one in Abita Springs, one at the Tammany Trace (Caboose) Headquarteres, and a children’s Splash Fountain at the Mandeville Trailhead.
For the adults, there are also a couple recreation areas in the form of a brew pub and a brewery. The Abita Brew Pub is located right on the trail in Abita Springs and serves great food and drinks. The Abita Brewery is officially located in Covington but is much closer to the actual town of Abita Springs. The brewery is located near Josephine Street which crosses over the Tammany Trace Trail. It offers a free tour and beer tastings at 2:00 on weekdays and twice daily on the weekends.

Longleaf Trace Trail: Hattiesburg, Mississippi

bike riders on the Longleaf Trace trail in Mississippi

Bike riders enjoying the Longleaf Trace Trail in Mississippi

Another biking trail within easy reach of New Orleans is the Longleaf Trace Trail in Southern Mississippi.

How do we love this magnificently charming Mississippi trail? Let us count the ways:

  1. It is a short side trip from food, parties and culture of New Orleans.
  2. It is also near the Tammany Trace trail just south of New Orleans.
  3. Because it is a paved trail with negligible hills, it is perfect for the entire gamut of personal transportation vehicles including recumbents, Trikkes, Elliptigos, inline skates, Street Striders, & more.
  4. For the same reason, it is the perfect trail for children, recreational bicyclists, commuters, seniors, etc.
  5. Due to its southern location, it makes a nice destination trail during the fall, winter & spring.
  6. It has an abundance of southern charm & makes a great southern travel destination.
  7. It is a botanists dream with labels for most of the trees including ones w/ unique names like loblolly Pine and Sugar Magnolia.
  8. The trail length is perfect for a two day ride starting in Hattiesburg, MS, traveling to Prentiss, MS; stay overnight in Prentiss then ride back to Hattiesburg.
  9. Rent a recumbent at the Gateway at Southern Miss bike rental center that just happens to be located right at the trailhead.
  10. Enjoy a southern immersion tour starting in the college town of Hattiesburg and traveling through quaint southern towns like Sumerall, Carson, Bassfield, & Prentiss.

If you have ever visited the Longleaf Trace Trail or the Tammany Trace trail, we’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below. If you have any questions about these two wonderful trails or the bike riding experience in and around New Orleans, don’t hesitate to ask.

 

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/04/03/new-orleans-also-the-city-of-trails/

Apr 03 2012

California’s Santa Ana River Trail

bike trail beside California's Santa Ana River

The Santa Ana is a beautiful California trail

You would think that traveling from the beaches of Huntington and Newport to the Chino Hills would be a tough workout. But surprisingly, the elevation climb of west to east was easier than vice-versa. But more on that later.

The best route for starting California’s Santa Ana River Trail is from the Huntington Beach Trail to Weir Canyon Road. You will notice very little difference, exertion-wise, when going either way on the trail due to the winds usually blowing west to east. So you’ve got elevation gain going west to east, but you’re bucking headwinds going east to west. So it’s a wash.

Even on the weekend, this trail isn’t nearly as crowded as its sister trail, the Huntington Beach Trail… (Learn more about the Santa Ana River Trail here.)

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/04/03/californias-santa-ana-river-trail/