Mar 26 2012

Mountain Bike Trails vs. Rail Trails

Waterton Canyon trail goes by a dam spillway.

wide trail, pretty views, near Denver

I returned to my mountain biking roots yesterday and joined a group of 14 mountain bikers for a Sunday trail outing yesterday. As always, it was a lot of fun; getting out on the trail, any trail, always feels good. We rode the Waterton Canyon trail, southwest of Denver, Colorado. In addition to being a great bike trail in and of itself, Waterton Canyon trail also happens to be the first section of the 28-section Colorado Trail that runs 485 miles from Denver to Durango, Colorado.

That’s all well and good, but here’s the issue that arose while on the ride; only 1.75 miles of the ride was actually a “mountain bike ride.” The first six miles of the ride followed the South Platte River on a wide, fairly level biking and hiking trail. Upon completion of the bike ride, we were sitting around Rib City, eating various forms of barbecued food and putting back a beer or two. That was when I heard the comment that I’ve heard so many times before. “The mountain biking portion of the trail was great, but the rest of it was boring.”

Now I will admit, it was nice to be on a mountain bike trail again. It requires a lot of energy as well as quick-thinking and alertness. All

mountain biker near snowy patch in single-track bike trail

snow on single track trail

of those can be fun qualities in a bike ride. But I also felt the rest of the ride was far from boring. While riding on the wide, level trails, it is much more feasible to take in the scenery along the way and maybe even spend a few moments in conversation with fellow bike riders. Neither of these activities are good options while bouncing and bumping along on a technical mountain bike trail.

My guess is that I’m in the minority here, but I’d like to know what other bike riders think. Is it possible to have fun on a rail trail, canal trail or urban trail, or is bicycling fun limited to only hazardous biking such as mountain biking and road biking?

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/03/26/mountain-bike-trails-vs-rail-trails/

Mar 25 2012

Chief Ladiga Trail in Alabama

First, so you don’t make the same mistake I did, Chief Ladiga is pronounced with a long i like in tiger.

Chief Ladiga Trail sign hangs above trail where Silver Comet Trail & Chief Ladiga Trail meet

end of Silver Comet Trail & beginning of Chief Ladiga Trail in Alabama

However you decide to pronounce it, you need to ride this trail. It is 33 miles of easy ridin’, smooth-sailin’, soul-soothin’ fun.
If you combine it with Georgia’s Silver Comet Trail, (the two trails meet @ the state line) you’ve got over 100 miles of pure pleasure.
To ride the full trail, you’ve got two choices of starting spots. One of them is between the towns of Anniston & Weaver in Alabama. The other one is at the Georgia/Alabama state line. However to start from that end, you’d have to ride at least a portion of the Silver Comet Trail. And when I say “have to,” I mean “get to.” …

Read more about Alabama’s Chief Ladiga Trail and view photos, a trail map, and vital trail statistics here.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/03/25/chief-ladiga-trail-in-alabama-2/

Mar 19 2012

Mount Vernon Bicycle Trail in Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. bike trails are fantastic, and the Mount Vernon bike Trail is the best of them all. Technically it is a Virginia Trail rather than a District of Coumbia trail, but let’s not get technical. The Mount Vernon Trail is a sweet rail for a whole host of reasons:
1. Just cross the Potomac River from Washington D.C. and you’re on the Mount Vernon Trail. The first time I rode on it, I had no idea how close the trail was. Just by coincidence, it turned out that the trail started right outside of the hotel where I was staying.

bike trail meanders past blooming flowers

Mount Vernon Trail in the spring

2. Like many other multitrails, the Mount Vernon Trail provides the best of both worlds. It starts in a large metropolitan area with ready access to bike rentals, transportation, lodging, and supplies. Then it guides bicyclists through pastoral riverside settings that provide peace and tranquility for even the most harried of bike riders.
3. The people on the Mount Vernon Trail were incredibly friendly and helpful. One time while I was pulled over and fiddling with my GPS, I had a couple people ask if I needed assistance. And despite the general sparsity (see #4) of fellow trail users, the few that I met smiled and offered a friendly greeting.
4. For such a major trail, so close to dense population, I was pleasantly surprised by the infrequency of meetings with fellow bike riders, walkers, & skaters. (I only saw one of the latter.)
5. As you can see from the pictures, the natural scenery was gorgeous. Between the views of the Potomac, the lush foliage, and the trail itself, I was constantly in awe of the beauty that surrounded me.
6. In addition to the natural beauty, the Mount Vernon Trail offers a unique benefit. From beginning to end, it offers a glimpse of national monuments, historical settings, and unique architectural structures. Of course the first part of the trail provides views of such Washington DC monuments as the Washington and Jefferson Memorial and the Arlington Memorial Bridge. One of the great and unique treats found along the trail is the Navy and Marine Memorial (see picture above). In addition to being a nice memorial, it is unique because the Mount Vernon Trail is just about the only way to access this memorial. Most people don’t even know the memorial exists. And finally, there’s Mt. Vernon itself. A tour of the structures and grounds of George Washington’s family estate is the perfect way to spend a day. Just make sure you leave enough time for the ride back. (Since I was in D.C. as a chaperone to 130 8th graders, I got to ride back on a tour bus with some of them. That was a little less relaxing than the bike ride there, but fun in its own way.)
7. Another unique experience on the Mount Vernon Trail is Battery Park. Basically, this is where the trail runs right under landing and departing jets from the runways of Ronald Reagan Airport. As you can see from the pictures above, the jets are so close, you almost feel as if you can touch their bellies as they zoom by overhead.
8. Finally, the proximity of other trails such as the Custis Trail, the W & OD Trail, the Cherry Creek Trail, and many others, make Virginia and Washington D.C. a bike trail paradise. If you get a chance to ride these trail, hop on the trailsnet home/ blog page and leave a comment to let me know what you think.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/03/19/mount-vernon-bicycle-trail-in-washington-d-c/

Mar 17 2012

Mississippi Forest Trail

Thanks to Larry from Mississippi for submitting the Coldwater River Nature Trail. In addition to the description below, he sent a beautiful trail picture and a link to the Desoto Greenway. Trailsnet really appreciates all trail submissions. Please join Larry in contributing to our network of trails on the internet.

Coldwater River Nature Trail System

North Outlet Trails

The North Outlet Channel Recreation Area provides access to the Coldwater River Nature Trail System. This network of trails encompasses two hiking trails (one trail is 3 miles in length and the other is 5 miles in length) and the Big Oak Nature Trail which is a self-guided interpretive trail.  The area includes pristine bottomland hardwood and pine forests where an abundance of wildlife and native plant species can be found throughout.  A self-guided interpretive booklet is available at the trailhead located on the north side of the Outlet Channel, or the booklet is available for download by selecting the link below.

South Outlet Trails – Swinging Bridge Nature Trail

forest trailbeautiful trail image

The South Outlet Channel Recreation Area offers a unique trail experience.  The Swinging Bridge Nature Trail is a self-guided trail that includes an old section of the Coldwater Riverprior to the construction of the dam.  The Coldwater Riverwas once flowing through this very trail area!  Please enjoy a walk through this historic trail and learn about the history of the Arkabutla community or how the Corps of Engineers redirected the Coldwater River. Maybe you would like to learn how to identify native plants and wildlife, or just enjoy the tranquility of the trail’s azalea garden.  Information panels are placed throughout the trail to help guide you along your walk.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/03/17/mississippi-forest-trail/

Mar 15 2012

Rockingham Recreational Trail in New Hampshire is this Week’s Featured Trail

For active travelers, the Rockingham Recreational Trail is probably the most readily available of the New Hampshire rail trails. Due to its proximity to Manchester, New Hampshire’s largest town (and airport), the trail is a cinch to access.

new hampshire rail trail going over scenic bridge

Rockingham Trail has many water crossings

Once you get to Manchester, the trail is not quite so easy to find, but if you use the map found below, you shouldn’t have too much difficulty. Many people, including some bicycle enthusiasts I spoke with, did not know where the Rockingham Recreational Trail was located. So if you’re asking for directions, you might want to start by asking how to get to the Massabesic Lake boat launch. The trail is quite close to the boat launch and actually wanders alongside the lake for awhile. Basically, if you’re traveling from Manchester, you’ll follow State Route 101 north/east, then take State Route 28 south. After a fairly short drive, you’ll go through a rotary/roundabout. When you see the boat launch on the left, you’re also at the trailhead. There is parking at the boat launch, but if you get there early, the gate to the parking lot will be locked, so you may need to park in the baseball fields parking lot across the street. There were some no parking signs there, but it seemed to be where most of the trail-users were parking.
Once you’re on the trail your parking worries and pretty much every other worry will quickly melt away as you follow the lakeshore and begin crossing scenic bridges and waving at friendly people. Much of the trail has a nice shade cover and the first part is no exception. Although I heard numerous reports of mosquito infestations, I wasn’t too inundated with the little critters. Given the proliferation of puddles, ponds, and bogs, however, I can imagine that the insects can be pretty bad for some portions of the year; so I recommend you take along some repellant, just in case.
The trail is excellent for mountain bikes, hybrid bikes, and maybe even for most recumbent bikes. I wouldn’t, however, recommend it for road bikes. I was pleasantly surprised by the trail surface. I imagine it can be a bit muddy in the spring, but since I was there in the fall, the trail was in pretty good shape. From what I understand, we have the regional snowmobile clubs to thank for that. Like most of the rails-to-trails in New Hampshire, it is the winter trail users who maintain the trail. Hats off to the snowmobilers. They make great trail partners.
While near Lake Massabesic, there were a fair number of fellow trail users, but before long, I felt like I had the trail to myself most of the way to Newfields, NH. As with so many other rail trails, the trail abounds with tranquil scenery and historically significant detours. Some of the old railroad bridges cross beautiful New England waterways. And near the halfway point of the trail, riders are treated to the old railroad depot in Raymond, New Hampshire. It is the perfect midway spot for hungry, weary bike riders to stop for lunch. In addition to history and nourishment for the soul, the town of Raymond also provides nourishment for the tummy with plenty of snack options located quite near the trail.
Most Rockingham trail users will ride out and back in one day. But since the trail ends near Great Bay, I’d love to hear from any of you who spend the night in one of the towns near the east end of the trail. It seems as if it would make for a great weekend to spend a day on the trail and leave time to explore some of the small towns near the bay. I imagine there’s got to be some great seafood and nice little shops. If you decide to do that, please let me know through either the trailsnet contact page or, better yet, using the comment link below.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/03/15/rockingham-recreational-trail-in-new-hampshire-is-this-weeks-featured-trail/

Mar 14 2012

Trail Buddies

I hand out my trailsnet business card to folks that I meet on the trail and often get emails from them. I just received one today:

Kevin, It was very nice meeting you on the St. Vrain Trail yesterday.

bike riders on trail

trail pals & bike buddies

Great site, a wonderful record of riding trails.
I rode the northernmost 10 miles of the Mickelson Trail, SD last year
on my Strida. Less than a tenth of the total length, so not enough for
a report here…
Regards,
Richard

Richard was riding an awesome recumbent tadpole Catrike. I was carving on my Trikke on that particular sunny day. It’s funny how those of us on our unique personal transportation vehicles (PTVs) are drawn to one another. It makes conversation fun and easy when we can share our common interests of trails, PTVs and the great outdoors.

Anyway, Richard was very interesting and shared a passion for getting outside, exercising and meeting other folks on the trail. I swear, trail people are the happiest, friendliest, and most interesting folks around. Now if I could only convince everyone who I meet to send me correspondence via comments on trailsnet, I’d be even more pleased. Don’t get me wrong, I love to get emails from fellow trail advocates; but when I get comments on the website, it opens up the conversation to an even greater audience. For example, Richard’s email may appeal to fellow recumbent riders, Mickelson Trail fans, or trail fans in general. Then not only would I enjoy the exchange, but it might also start a great group conversation about those topics and more.

So thanks to Richard and all of those who I meet on the trails. I only hope trailsnet can become known as a place that’s as friendly as the trails that spawned it. Need I say, “Comments are welcome.”

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2012/03/14/trail-buddies/