Trailsnet now has an “about” page. So for those of you who were wondering, here’s what trailsnet is all about:

What is trailsnet?

• Trailsnet is a website for active travelers and trail lovers.
• Trailsnet provides information about both self-guided and hosted active travel opportunities worldwide.
• Trailsnet is a network of trails on the internet.
• Trailsnet allows users to find the trail of their dreams for biking, water sports, hiking, snowshoeing, inline skating, cross-country skiing, backpacking, trail running, Trikking and more.
• Trailsnet allows users to add their own trails and specifically encourages all different types of users to add trails that best suit their particular activities and personal transportations styles.

What kind of trails are found on trailsnet?

▪ bike trails       ▪ kayak trails     ▪ hiking trails       ▪ canoe trails     ▪ underwater (scuba & snorkel) trails        ▪ rail-trails      ▪ canal trails     ▪ urban trails     ▪ connector trails     ▪ mountain bike trails     ▪ backpacking trails            ▪ historical trails     ▪ scenic trails     ▪ park trails     ▪ county trails         ▪ inline skating trails         ▪ paved trails          ▪ cement trails           ▪ dirt trails           ▪ gravel trails            ▪ Trikke trails    ▪ International trails    ▪ Island trails    ▪ Trekking trails     ▪ handicap accessible trails     ▪ snowshoeing trails     ▪ nordic ski trails

How do I add trails to trailsnet?

• From any page in the trailsnet website, click on the “Add a New Trail!” link near the top of the page.
• For first-time users, you will be prompted to enter a username & password.
• Enter as much trail information as you know.
• If you have pictures, enter those also. (Unfortunately, some users have had problems with this feature because of browser compatibility issues or file size for the picture. If this happens, feel free to send a couple trail pictures to kevin@trailsnet.com, & he will enter the pictures on the trail page for you.)
• Once you enter all the information, you will submit the trail for final review; you will be notified when it has been published. (When that happens, feel free to notify the world that you are a published trail-guide writer. Share the good news with your Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and blog friends.)

Why add trails to trailsnet?

• Believe it or not, there is absolutely no record of how many miles of trail there are in the United States, the world, or even any given state. Trailsnet would like to remedy that by providing a list of every trail in the world in one central location. That way, we will know how many miles of trail are out there, what types of trails they are and who is using the trails. This will improve trail location, trail funding and trail record-keeping.
• If you have your own website, trailsnet allows you to provide a link back to your website with each trail you add to the trailsnet trail inventory.
• It’s nice to share. If you have a trail that you enjoy, now you can share it with others so they can enjoy it.
• It allows particular types of trail users to share trails that are specific to their interests. For example, if you are a recumbent lover, you can add a recumbent trail that you enjoy. If you are a Trikke rider, just add a Trikke trail and share it with your fellow Trikkers. The same goes for tandem bikes, Elliptigos, Street Striders, inline skaters, equestrians, trail runners, backpackers, hikers, snowshoers, nordic skiers, etc.

What makes trailsnet unique?

• Trailsnet is the only trails website that caters to active travelers. We realize that some people enjoy trails so much that they design vacations around their favorite long-distance trails. So we provide news about trail tours, active travel tour companies, long-distance trails, and how to plan trail-based vacations.
• Trailsnet knows that trails are particularly well-suited to most personal transportation vehicles (PTVs) like bikes, Trikkes, recumbents, tandems, G3 Steppers, Elliptigo, Street Strider, inline skates, etc. So we provide information about personal transportation vehicles as well as the trails that cater to those vehicles.
• Trailsnet is not directly affiliated with any other organization, so our trail reviews are unbiased and diversified. We include information about all types of trails, not just limited types of trails.
• Trailsnet absolutely does not compete with other trail organizations but works in conjunction with them. In fact, trailsnet is a huge supporter of such organizations as American Trails and Rails to Trails Conservancy.
• Registering with and adding trails to trailsnet is incredibly easy. We don’t require membership, personal details or a lengthy profile.

What is the difference between trailsnet.net and trailsnet.com?

• Trailsnet.com includes a blog, trail vehicle (PTV) information, trail tour information, trail products reviews, and the ability for users to add trail information.
• Trailsnet.net is mainly a listing of trails with the ability for users to add trail information.
• Both trailsnet.com & trailsnet.net are currently non-profit websites, however trailsnet.net is officially registered as a non-profit entity whereas trailsnet.com does not currently have that official designation.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

New Orleans Bike Trails

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 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.