Find the Best International Bike Trails Here Discover a World of Cycleways Cycling offers an incredible way to explore the beauty of nature, challenge yourself, and discover new places, all while enjoying the fresh air. …
Bikepacking is an exhilarating way to explore the great outdoors, combining the adventure of mountain biking with the self-sufficiency of backpacking. For those new to this activity, it can seem a bit daunting at first. …
What is National Trails Day? National Trails Day is an annual event dedicated to celebrating the vast network of trails across the United States. Held on the first Saturday of June, this day aims to …
The Netherlands: A Cyclist’s Dream Best Country for Bike Trails Ah, the thrill of cycling through diverse landscapes! A destination that offers a plethora of trails and scenic beauty is the perfect choice. Join us …
Exploring the Great Outdoors The Best Versatile Backpacks for Every Adventure Embarking on outdoor adventures requires reliable gear, and a versatile backpack is a fundamental piece for any trailblazer. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker, an …
Choosing the Right Trail Boots: Your Ultimate Guide to Hiking and Backpacking Footwear What are the Best Trail Boots for Hiking and Backpacking? Embarking on a journey into the great outdoors is not only a …
Winter may be a ways off, but I thought you trail buffs would be interested in this awesome winter sports trail in Winnipeg, Canada. It is the Forks River Trail and has been officially recognized by The Guinness Book of World Records as the World’s Longest Ice Skating Trail.
Since it is a natural trail, it is obviously closed right now. But if you love to ice skate, and you’ve always wanted to explore Canada, then head to Winnipeg, put on some ice skates and give the Assiniboine Credit Union River Trail a try.
Imagine never having to pump air into your bike tire again. According to the CEO of PumpTire, you can stop imagining & start purchasing.
I’m not an engineer, so I don’t know for sure whether this will work or not, but it sure sounds like a nice concept. Have a look at the PumpTire process on this video:
If you love active travel such asbike trips, then you may want to check out Globetroopers.com.
Globetroopers provides you with a network of active travellers, travel providers, travel information, and travel networking. Although it is possible to get some information by just visiting the site as a casual observer, like similar sites, you need to register to get the full benefit of their website and to interact with other travelers and trip providers.
As you will see by the navigation bar at the top of their web pages, you have the options to find trips, create trips, talk to other active travelers, shop (of course), peruse the news (some good information available), and check out their blog. In fact, I just added the GlobeTrooper blog to the trailsnet blogroll in the left column.
On a recent trip to Canada, my dad met a guy who is a partner in a venture called Skizee.
Knowing that I am interested in alternative transportation, Dad got me a web address for the Skizee and so I looked it up online. It is like a ski – snowboard – skateboard version of the Ridekick. Whereas the Ridekick is a self-propulsion system for bikes, the Skizee does the same thing for skis.
It’s almost like an infinite chairlift. Next stop… wherever!!
Take a look at the video and imagine the possibilities:
If you’re not familiar with Sustrans or the UK National Cycle Network, then you’re not familiar with one of the most valuable tools available to mankind. Okay, so I may be guilty of a slight bit of hyperbole, but Sustrans truly is amazing. Basically, it’s all about sustainable transportation in Great Britain and bicycle transportation plays an important role in the equation.
The Sustrans link I have provided here is to an interactive trail map. In a recent email I received from Sustrans’ Information and Trading Officer, Sam Howard, I discovered that, “Approximately one third of the National Cycle Network is made up of traffic-free cycle routes.” The only problem with the interactive Cycle Network map is that I could literally spend all day perusing it. Between my obsession with the UK and my love of bike trails, the map has an almost hypnotic draw.
England’s Sustrans provides an active way to view the scenery and history of the UK.
If you haven’t had enough statistics yet, the bikehub.com website reveals that, “420 million journeys were made in 2010 on the National Cycle Network, of which 204 million were on foot and 216million were by bike.” So that means that, despite what so many naysayers are spouting here in the U.S., a national trail network gets use and easily pays for itself economically, environmentally, and physical fitness…ly?!
And Sustrans and its interactive map is exactly what I’ve been trying to pitch to my congressmen lately. A network of trails is great, but we also need a unifying body to consolidate all the resources and to get the word out. What good is a network of trails without the people to use them?
I would love to hear from any of you who have experience with Sustrans or would like to see something similar in the U.S. Heck, even if you don’t think it would work, I’d like to hear from you and your reasoning as to why it wouldn’t. Don’t be afraid to leave a comment below. You can do it anonymously or loudly and proudly.
