Jul 16 2011

Trail Mapping Websites

If you’re looking for a great trail, you will find an incredible selection of trail-mapping websites available. Not only do these sites allow you to map your own bike ride, trail run, or hike, they also allow you to access trail information provided by other users.

Following is a briefly annotated list of trail mapping websites:

  • Ride with GPS – a site to help cyclists plan bike rides and find routes in their area
  • Ride Dog– designed to help bicyclists find, map, & share cycling routes worldwide
  • gpsies – allows outdoor recreationalists to create “tracks” and view those of others
  • alltrails – Share your own trail information & explore over 40,000 trails & trail reviews
  • fitgroups – Plan group rides & hikes in your neck of the woods.
  • biketrippin – Use BikeTrippin to journal, track progress, & upload photos.
  • trailpedia – a collection of trail descriptions that have been submitted by registered contributors.
  • routebuddy – a UK-based developer of GPS-enabled mapping software
  • sports-tracker – Turns your mobile device into a social sports computer.
  • sportypal – Log & map your run, bike ride, walk, or inline skate experience.
  • Everytrail – Create and view trail trips and trail guides.
Most of the above websites/apps can be used to monitor your own activity, share your trail experience, and view the trail activities of other users. Basically, they are interactive versions of such trail location sites as traillink, trailsnet, and Trails.com.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/07/16/trail-mapping-websites/

Jul 10 2011

Hiking with Plantar Fasciitis

Don’t let plantar fasciitis keep you from enjoying your favorite hiking trail.

On a recent hike to Leigh Lake in northwestern Montana, I implemented my new hiking regimen that involves stretching before during and after a rigorous hike. As always, I found that not only is it possible to hike with plantar fasciitis, hiking can actually alleviate some of the symptoms of chronic heel pain, if you take the proper steps:

Leigh Lake near Libby, Montana

1. Always wear hiking shoes/boots with plenty of arch support. This is not the time to scrimp on footwear.
2. If you have orthotics for your everyday shoes, don’t forget to transfer them to your hiking boots/shoes.
3. Lightly stretch before you start the hike, but don’t stretch to the point of pain.
4. Shortly after you begin your hike, once you have warmed up your muscles, stop and do a more thorough stretching regimen. Don’t just stretch your feet; stretch your calves also.
5. Continue to take stretching breaks throughout your hike. One of the best stretches is to find a rock, root, or mound and elevate the front  portion of your foot. Then gradually add more weight and lean into the stretch. Do this slowly and don’t bounce on it.
6. Once your hike is over, stretch one last time, while your muscles, tendons, and fascia is still warm. If possible, ice the bottom of your foot after stretching.
7. Sometimes, it is helpful to take anti-inflammatory medicine before your hike.

Of course you should refrain from hiking and other rigorous exercise if your doctor advises you to do so. It is also unwise to try and “hike through the pain.” If your foot continues to hurt, it’s time to stop hiking and visit your doctor.

Otherwise, get outside and enjoy a good hike.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/07/10/hiking-with-plantar-fasciitis/

Jun 23 2011

On your next trail trip, should you drive or fly?

So you want to ride the Silver Comet Trail and you’re trying to decide whether you should fly into Atlanta, Georgia or drive. With the price of gas, it’s no longer assumed that driving will be cheaper. But how do you find out for sure whether tis cheaper to drive or fly?

Should you fly or drive on your next active travel trip?

Now there’s a website called befrugal.com that helps you decide. It even figures in such details as airport parking, hotels on the road, and local transportation fees. Unfortunately, it doesn’t figure in bike rental or shipping costs; other than that, befrugal is pretty darned thorough.

I just figured out that I’ll save a little bit on my upcoming Montana trip by driving instead of flying.

Give it a try and let me know what you think.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/06/23/on-your-next-trail-trip-should-you-drive-or-fly/

Jun 20 2011

Great trail discussion on topix.com

I just found a great discussion about bike trails on topix.com.

road bike or trail bike?

It’s one of the few forums that allows anyone to participate w/out joining.

This particular forum starts with a question about why anyone would want to ride their bike on the road when there is a perfectly good trail right beside it or near it.

I’ve often had the same question. I will go way out of my way to find a trail rather than ride on the road. On the other hand, some people seem to avoid trails like the plague.

I love the topic of the discussion, but it doesn’t seem to go anywhere. Half the participants seem curious why the bikers are avoiding the trail and the other half keep answering because, “Bikers have a right to be on the road.”

Here’s what’s so frustrating about that:

  1. Just because you have the right, that doesn’t explain why you do that. I have the right to play an accordion in a walk-refrigerator in Speedo tights. But why would I want to?
  2. Often times, these people seem to be saying, “By gosh, I’ve got the right to impede traffic, risk my life, and piss people off, so by golly I’m going to do it.”
One other point that comes out in the discussion is, “Why spend tax-payer money on trails if people aren’t going to use them?” Although I don’t fully agree w/ that perception, I can see where others may find it valid.
Do me a favor: either comment to this post or add your two-bits to the Bike Trails forum on topix.com.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/06/20/great-trail-discussion-on-topix-com/

Jun 19 2011

Biology of Dad, from BBC

This video shows the tremendous importance of fathers in the lives of their daughters. So all you present, past, and future dads, this one is for you. Happy Father’s Day; you’re important.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/06/19/biology-of-dad-from-bbc/

Jun 14 2011

Mountain Bike Trail Guide Featured This Week

Mountain bike fans rejoice. This weeks trail-of-the-week is Boulder’s Heil Valley Ranch Trails as featured in the new Everytrail guide.

Heil Ranch may be one of the best intermediate mountain bike trails around. Technically, there is no trail called Heil Ranch Trail. It is a series of trails including Wapiti Trail, Ponderosa Loop trail, and Lichen Trail.

The reason I have such high praise for this trail is the thought and planning that went into it. As I have mentioned before, I’m not the mountain biker that I used to be. About the same time I realized I was mortal, my knees started complaining about the stresses of rigorous hill climbing. The combination of those two factors caused me to rethink my frequent forays into the tortuous roller-coasters of the hills.

But every once in a while, I like to explore a mountain bike trail or two. And that’s exactly what I did this weekend. I rode one trail on Friday and another on Sunday. And they were both awesome; I never went over the handlebars once.

Check out the Heil Ranch Everytrail Guide to see some pictures of the ride and directions to the trailhead. I’d like to hear what others think. Am I just a sentimental old fool who remembers taking my students on this trail a few years ago or is it actually as awesome as I perceive it. If you’ve ever ridden Heil Ranch, send me your thoughts/comments.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/06/14/mountain-bike-trail-guide-featured-this-week/