Aug 23 2011

Rollerpacking – Am I the last to hear about this?

Thanks to Everytrail user Ben, I recently found out about an awesome trail activity called Rollerpacking. It involves an overnight trail trip on inline skates. Basically, it’s back-packing on inline skates. Of course, it requires a nice smooth paved trail, but there are plenty of those featured on trailsnet. (Just click on the “Locate Trails by State” link above.) I don’t know about you, but that sounds like an awful lot of fun to me.

Most trailsnet trails are
great for inline skating.

Ben roller-bladed the Western Maryland Rail Trail which runs parallel to the C & O Canal Towpath trail. I have had the pleasure of riding my bike on both of those trails and thoroughly enjoyed them. Now I want to go back and try them on inline skates, a recumbent, a Trikke…

I appreciated Ben sharing information about his roller-packing trip. He reminded me of the much-appreciated snowcone stand near the trail in Hancock, Maryland. He also reminded me of how many trails are located in the Washington D.C./Maryland area. From the C & O trail, riders can access the Capitol Crescent trail, the Western Maryland Rail Trail, The Mount Vernon Trail, and the world famed Appalachian Trail. So thanks to Ben and to all of you who send me your trail stories whether by blog comments (preferred method), email, or Everytrail contacts.

I’m soon going to be publishing my fall foliage trail recommendations. I’d appreciate hearing from any of you who have suggestions for fall color trails. Feel free to leave a comment with your recommendation. And if you haven’t signed up to “Follow” trailsnet, please do so in the column to the right.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/08/23/rollerpacking-am-i-the-last-to-hear-about-this/

Aug 18 2011

World’s Longest Ice-Skating Trail

Put on your skates &
hit the ice!!

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.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/08/18/worlds-longest-ice-skating-trail/

Aug 16 2011

Self-pumping Bicycle Tire?

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:

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/08/16/self-pumping-bicycle-tire/

Aug 13 2011

Globetrooper helps you plan active travel vacation

If you love active travel such as bike 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.

So check out GlobeTrooper when you get a chance and let me know what you think. 

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/08/13/globetrooper-helps-you-plan-active-travel-vacation/

Aug 08 2011

Ski all year long with the Skizee

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:

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/08/08/ski-all-year-long-with-the-skizee/

Aug 01 2011

Time for Sustrans in America

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.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/08/01/time-for-sustrans-in-america/