Oct 06 2011

SmartTrail app.

Those wonderful outdoor folks in Boulder, CO are at it again. The people at Boulder Mountain Bikes are creating an app called SmartTrails to help users locate & navigate bike trails. The app will not only help you find a trail but will provide updated trail conditions, trail descriptions, and trail ratings.

There was a great story in the Boulder Daily Camera about the SmartTrails app. The developers are seeking a grant to help them get this worthwhile project off the ground. If you’d like to help them out and put them over the top, you can vote for their grant idea on the GOOD Boulder Fund website. It’s easy to vote, doesn’t cost you anything and helps support a good trail cause.

So far, the only problem I see w/ this app is that it’s not quite available for iphone yet; but according to BMA rep. Andria, they are on top of it. In fact, they “have an iOS developer working in parallel…” What I think that means to us non-techie folks is that they are soon going to have an [iphone] app for that.


If you want more information about the app, you can drop an email to smarttrail@bouldermountainbike.org.

In the meantime, I’m curious what apps, GPS, or other trail-navigation devices you guys are using out there. Leave a comment below.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/10/06/smarttrail-app/

Oct 04 2011

Great Biking Road in the Smoky Mountains

I finally found a road that I’d love to ride my bike on. Take a look at this video, and you’ll see why.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/10/04/great-biking-road-in-the-smoky-mountains/

Oct 02 2011

New Trail Poll

Yes, government money should be used to build trails!!

100% of the people who responded to last month’s poll agreed that tax dollars should be used to pay for some or all of trail funding.
Hopefully Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn is paying attention to our poll. Recently, he said he would refuse to support transportation funding if it included money for trails????
Our next poll is another yes or no answer: Have you ever hiked or biked on a National Scenic Trail?
Below is a list of our National Scenic Trails: (You can obtain a map of the National Trail System from the U.S Department of the Interior.)
mountain bikers on one
of America’s great trails
And hopefully, someday we can add: Great Plains Scenic Trail
We’d love to hear about your experience on any of these trails. Please leave a comment below.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/10/02/new-trail-poll/

Sep 29 2011

(No title)

Bikes patiently waiting to be rented in Aspen, CO.

“Progress should have stopped when man invented the bicycle.”  – Elizabeth West

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/09/29/370/

Sep 23 2011

Trails Benefit Communities & Nation

According to recent articles in American Trail magazine, trails provide enormous benefits for communities, workers, and the nation in general.
Here are some important economic figures that relate to the benefits of trails:

hikers enjoying the trail

  • Active outdoor recreation generates $730 million to the economy each year.
  • Trails and other outdoor pursuits provide 6.5 million jobs annually.
  • There are 437 million recreational visits to Interior-managed lands.
  • One U.S. trail generated an estimated 80,000 trips w/ trail users spending $40.8 million.
  • Bicycle recreation supports more than $924 million in tourism.
  • Although the per capita annual cost of trail use is $209, per capita annual direct medical benefits was $564. This means that every dollar spent on trails provided $2.94 in direct medical benefit.
While one U.S. Senator is refusing to vote for highway funding as long as some of the money is going for trails, the opposite should be happening. In light of the figures presented above, and for numerous other reasons, the amount of trail funding in transportation apportionments should be increased. Unlike roads, trails:
  • are cheaper to build
  • are cheaper to maintain
  • provide more jobs per mile
  • provide health benefits
  • provide recreational opportunities
  • provide viable transportation options
  • are much more environmentally sustainable
If you haven’t yet done so, contact your representative and urge them to fully fund all trail options in U.S. transportation funding. 
Coming up on the trailsnet blog:
  • Information about new active travel websites
  • Information about a possible huge format change for the trailsnet website
  • Information about new maps to be included on the trailsnet website
  • Information about the National Trails System

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/09/23/trails-benefit-communities-nation/

Sep 15 2011

(No title)

If you’re looking for real adventure, check out the Great Himalaya Trail website.
By the way, I probably won’t be doing this one. I’m out of breath just thinking about it.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/09/15/367/