Apr 22 2011

Handlebargains.com features great deals for bicyclists

Happy Earth Day!!

In the words of Queen, “Get on your bikes and ride.”

We want to send a big thanks and congratulations to all the students out there who participated in the “Ride to School Day.” It was a bit windy here on the Front Range of Colorado, but I still saw plenty of participants on their bikes.

On the subject of bikes, I wanted to send a big congratulations out to the crew at handlebargains.com.
It’s a great website along the lines of Groupon.com, but it’s specifically geared toward cyclists.

The sign up procedure for handlebargains couldn’t be easier. I just signed up, and it took me, literally, seconds. Now I look forward to getting notice of great bicycle-related bargains sent to me via email. I’m a big fan of the social bargain websites, but this one is especially exciting because it will have products near and dear to my heart.

If you’re a cyclist, handlebargains is the site for you.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/04/22/handlebargains-com-features-great-deals-for-bicyclists/

Apr 21 2011

Santa Ana River Trail in California: a trail for all seasons

When you’re getting sick of the cold weather in your neck of the woods, it’s time to head to southern California for a bike ride on the Santa Ana River Trail.

the Santa Ana River Trail

Oh sure, you may visit Disneyland, Hollywood, and the beaches. But while you’re in the Los Angeles area, you’ve got to try out some of the great bike trails. For starters, you can bike on the beach on the Huntington Beach Trail that starts in Newport Beach, California. While you’re on it, you’ll see a trail junction that heads eastward. That is the junction for the Santa Ana River Trail.

The 26 (and growing) mile trail is a great way to see two professional sports stadiums, three California communities, and more flowers than you can shake a stick at. And if you’re feeling adventurous, rent a fun set of wheels for a change. Don’t feel bound to your usual road or mountain bike. Try a cruiser bike, or a tandem, or a 3GStepper, or ….

All of these options are available at rental shops in Newport Beach. And since the trail is smooth concrete/asphalt and fairly level, now would be a good time to experiment with your blood powered transportation.

For more information about the trail, check out the Santa Ana River Trail guide on Everytrail.com. You’ll love the trail and download the guide. Preferably not in that order though.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/04/21/santa-ana-river-trail-in-california-a-trail-for-all-seasons/

Apr 16 2011

Life’s a beach, and then you ride.

Holy moly, that’s some nice biking!!

The Huntington Beach Trail in California, may be the premier beach trail (dare I say it?) in the world.

Huntington Beach Trail in Newport Beach, California

It’s got it all:

  • beautiful beaches
  • a wonderful bike path
  • awesome people watching opportunities
  • great rentals of alternative trail vehicles (Check out the 3GStepper)
  • cool breezes in the summer and mild California weather in the winter
  • incredible food/snack options
  • easy access to the Santa Ana River Trail
And more.
I recommend that you start your ride in Newport Beach. Once you find parking (good luck) just head toward the ocean, and you’ll find the trail. Once you find the trail, you should have no problem finding someone to rent you a bike or other wheeled trail vehicle.
Don’t bother packing a bulky back pack with food. You’ll find plenty to graze on as you go. Just bring some money and an appetite. If you don’t find enough food options trailside, just head to Main Street (head up at the pier) in Huntington Beach. You’ll find some funky-delicious restaurants there.
Make sure to have cool-weather and warm-weather clothing available because you can get some pretty decent weather changes from one minute to the next. The California sun and Pacific breezes team up to provide you with ever-changing conditions.
But ya gotta try this trail. It’s crowded on weekends and busy on weekdays. Just chill out and enjoy your fellow trail users. Who knows what you’ll see?

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/04/16/lifes-a-beach-and-then-you-ride/

Apr 13 2011

rail-trails for sale?

How much are our trails worth to you?

Times are tough, money is tight. We read the headlines every day. Funding will be reduced in an effort to reduce our nation’s debt/deficit. As much as we’d like to believe that our precious trails will be exempt from the fiscal guillotine, that probably won’t be the case.

So where will the funding come from to add more trails and maintain the current ones? Private donations play a role, but probably won’t increase enough to make up for the upcoming government cuts.

In Florida, they have proposed selling the naming rights to their top eight trails to the highest bidder. Imagine such sports arenas as the Coors Field in Boulder, Colorado or the Honda Center in Anaheim. Now apply that to, say the Withlacoochee State Trail. Instead, it might be called the Budweiser State Trail or the Cigna Scenic Trail.

Do you think that’s a good idea? I ask that in all sincerity, because I haven’t decided yet. If it’s done tastefully, it might not be such a bad idea. If the trail goes all commercial, with billboards every half mile, then it could be a nightmare.

Should rail-trails be funded by sponsorship
or trailside advertising?

Other options could include just selling sponsorship of the trailhead or allowing small, informational/advertising signs along the trail. This last suggestion is not as horrible as it sounds if the following rules are applied:

  1. No more than one sign per mile is allowed.
  2. Signs must be small, unobtrusive, and uniform.
  3. Businesses must offer a service that is essential to trail users. Such services would include: lodging, camping, food, trail equipment sales, equipment rentals, equipment service
  4. Signs would be simple, informational, and clear.
The signs suggested above would kill two birds with one stone. They would provide a steady flow of advertising income to the trail. They would provide information to trail users.
Don’t picture big, gaudy billboards with garish colors and slogans. Instead, imagine small, wood or faux wood signs that list:
  • Bob’s Sporting Goods – .5 miles – trail left
  • Emma’s Diner – .3 miles – trail left
  • Shady Cove Campground – .7 miles – trail right
  • Shady Cove General Store – .7 miles – trail right
Only these official signs would be allowed on the trail right-of-way. Rather than advertising, they would be considered “trail sponsorship.” Businesses would benefit from trail traffic and trail users would benefit from information about upcoming services. The trail would benefit from the funding.
What do you think? Should private industry be involved in public trails. Leave a comment with your input.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/04/13/rail-trails-for-sale/

Apr 04 2011

Rio Grande Trail: Part II in my funky trail guide series

How many trail guides have your read that start with the question:
“Would you like a glass of wine?”

Mt. Sopris from the Rio Grande Trail

That’s how I started my Rio Grande Trail guide. I related an episode from my own experience on this Western Colorado trail gem.

The theme of the Rio Grande Trail Everytrail guide is how to enjoy the swanky town of Aspen for a not-so-swanky price. Of course, as always, the guide includes the ubiquitous trail map, points-of-interest, trail photos, and trail description. But in addition to the everyday, “this is here and that is there” type description, I tried to give a little taste of the trail experience rather than just the trail details.

Here are some of my favorite Rio Grande Trail memorable characteristics:

trail bridge over the Roaring Fork River

  1. The trail starts in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, one of the premiere adventure travel hotspots with whitewater rafting, top-notch hiking trails, ziplines, Segway trail tours, and of course biking trails.
  2. The Rio Grande Trail is 42 miles long, perfect for a day of pedaling and touring.
  3. Even getting to Glenwood Springs is fun with Amtrak service that lets you off right by the famous hot springs, hotels, restaurants and, best of all, two world-class bike trails.
  4. Aspen is a blast just to hang out, people watch, visit art galleries, and eat lots o’ gelato.
  5. The RFTA transit system makes your return trip a cinch since it’s found in handy locations and welcomes bikes on the bus racks.
I haven’t even mentioned the fun towns in between Aspen and Glenwood Springs, or the trail activities, or the scenery, or the wildlife, or ….

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/04/04/rio-grande-trail-part-ii-in-my-funky-trail-guide-series/

Apr 03 2011

Santa Fe Rail Trail is latest Everytrail guide

stone railroad bridge near Santa Fe Rail Trail in New Mexico

“Planes, trains, and automobiles … and bikes (a New Mexico biking odyssey)

Before we begin our trail exploration, let’s take a look at a couple southwestern recipes. We’ll start w/ a “Regular Trail Burrito.” Grab a tortilla, slap on some refried beans and chicken. Add a little rice & lettuce and there you have it.

Now let’s spice it up New Mexico style. We’ll toss in some green chiles, sliced jalapenos, add some spicy salsa and sprinkle on some jabeneros. Now you’ve got the Santa Fe Rail Trail. It is definitely a more spicy version of the typical rail trail.

Rather than rails to trails, New Mexico’s Santa Fe Rail Trail is more of a “rails beside trails.” For its entire length, the trail is accompanied by a functioning railroad line.”


Thus starts the description in the latest Everytrail guide by trailking (yours truly).


I got a little wild & crazy on this one and tried to add a little more pizazz to the trail description. I’m not sure whether readers will prefer that style or not. You know how it is; some things you read for fun and others for information. 


I suppose it’s okay to mix them up to a certain extent, but it’s a balancing act. When does the “creativity” take away from the narrative?


Actually, the way Everytrail has their guides structured, there’s a little wiggle-room for mixing business with pleasure. It’s possible to go a little crazy in the “Overview” and then give more detailed and succinct information in the Points of Interest section… or vice-versa.


Anyway, take a look at the Santa Fe Rail Trail guide and let me know what you think. Fun, distracting, or outright annoying?

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/04/03/santa-fe-rail-trail-is-latest-everytrail-guide/