Mar 29 2011

Enjoy this tribute to alternative transportation.

If a picture paints a thousand words, does a video paint a million words? Enjoy this tribute to alternative transportation shared by the folks at Streetfilms and Seattle Bike Blog:


MBA_Trailer from Streetfilms on Vimeo.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/03/29/enjoy-this-tribute-to-alternative-transportation/

Mar 28 2011

A Bike Journey: The Danube Cycle Path in Europe


Danube Cycle Path in Europe

The Danube Cycle Path is one of the most popular bike routes in Europe, and as a result we found it to be a very sociable ride. As the trail is fairly flat and easily accessible, there are many families and weekend cyclists as well as long distance cyclists on the trail, and we met cyclists of many different nationalities and backgrounds. Contrary to what we expected, the cycle path does not always run directly alongside the river but winds its way inland through pretty little towns and quaint countryside on more than a few occasions, making for a more varied journey.

Guest Blog from Frederike Ramm at A Bike Journey blog.

The Danube Cycle Path: A Ride through the Heart of Europe
As part of our bicycle tour from England to Australia, we followed the Danube Cycle Path through Europe for six weeks. The Danube Cycle Path begins at the source of the Danube river in the Black Forest in Germany and follows the river all the way to the Black Sea, through 8 countries covering a distance of 2,875km. In Germany and Austria, the cycling is almost entirely on traffic-free bicycle paths, whereas in Eastern Europe, cyclists find themselves on minor roads shared with low levels of traffic.
Thanks to its historic towns, castles and monasteries, beautiful scenery and good infrastructure, the 350km Austrian section from Passau to Vienna is the most popular part of the Danube Cycle Path. We were worried that it would be very crowded, but although we saw other cyclists regularly, it wasn’t as busy as we had expected. We found it enjoyable to meet some of our fellow cyclists, particularly at camp where we would swap stories and talk bike.
Accommodation is usually easy to find, as there are many campsites and bike friendly hotels and home stays along the route, particularly on the German and Austrian section. During the busy summer months it may be necessary to book hotels in advance, but we visited in July and used campsites, which was never a problem. We also enjoyed visiting the many cafes and beer gardens along the route that always seemed to spring up just as our energy levels were wavering – it’s a great way to taste the local specialties, particularly in the Wachau, a beautiful apricot growing region. If you only have a week or so and are planning to do the Austrian stretch of the cycle path, you could fly into Vienna and take your bike to Passau on a river boat, then cycle back to Vienna.
While the German and Austrian sections of the Danube Cycle Path are enjoyable and easy to ride, they are certainly not off the beaten track. However, as soon as we left Vienna to follow the Danube further east, the number of cyclists dropped dramatically as did the facilities. Gone are the Biergartens and cafés so stock up on pastries before you leave Vienna. Suddenly the cycle path felt much more adventurous as we rode along the potholed roads of rural Eastern Europe. Accommodation wasn’t as easy to find, and while there were still campsites or hotels most nights, we also ended up camping in people’s gardens on a few occasions. Our highlights for this part of the trip were the cities of Bratislava and Budapest, the dramatic scenery of Serbia, and the cheerful people of Romania.

Danube Cycle Path in Europe

In all our bicycle travels we have never found an area that appeals to such a variety of cyclists, from people on their first bike tour, to families travelling with small children, people on package tours, groups of friends cycling together and long distance cyclists like ourselves. Whether you are into food, beer appreciation, culture, scenery or socialising, the Danube Cycle Path offers something for everyone. 

For more details see the excellent Bikeline guide books.

Please visit the A Bike Journey blog to read more about the two-wheeled adventures of Frederike and Guy on their amazing bike journeys around the world. In addition to great writing, it includes incredible photography.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/03/28/a-bike-journey-the-danube-cycle-path-in-europe/

Mar 28 2011

Dirty Bismarck Loop – Funny Name, Great Trail

I love it when they connect a bunch of shorter trails to make a longer one… or better yet, to make a loop trail.

That’s just what they’ve done in Superior, Colorado when they added the brand new Meadowlark Trail to the Singletree Trail, the Cowdrey Draw Trail, the Marshall Mesa Trail, the Community Ditch Trail, and the  High Plains Trail. They created a loop of  a little over 12 miles of moderate mountain biking trail to form the Dirty Bismarck Loop trail.

Marshall Mesa Trail portion
of the Dirty Bismarck Loop

I’ve been riding portions of this loop for many years, but alas, I had to ride on the dreaded road for portions of it. So I was ecstatic when they finally completed the Meadowlark Trail to make a complete, roadless bike loop trail.

Since it was just a semi-formal loop before, some of us called it the Happy Meal Loop. I’m not sure why, but I am sure why they have now named it the Dirty Bismarck Loop. It’s named after the old road bike racing course that was originally called the Morgul-Bismarck Classic. Then it was called the Coors Classic, then the Celestial Seasonings Classic, then…

Well, eventually the race was eliminated from the circuit. But the long and short of it is that this new mountain bike loop follows the same general inside track of the old Morgul-Bismarck bike race. And it’s a great biking loop trail. It’s possible to ride this loop without ever crossing a paved road, even if you start from Louisville or Lafayette Colorado and ride in from the Coal Creek Trail.

Interesting side note… Even though the trail starts and ends in Superior, Colorado, residents of the new portion of that town will have to cross a major road to get to the trail while residents of nearby communities can utilize the Coal Creek underpass to avoid crossing McCaslin Blvd.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/03/28/dirty-bismarck-loop-funny-name-great-trail/

Mar 26 2011

Cycling Snacks

I just added the Cycling Snacks website/blog to the trails network blogroll.

If you get a chance check out the awesome looking trail snacks suggested on their website.

The Pistachio and Chocolate Brownies look like a terrific trail treat.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/03/26/cycling-snacks/

Mar 22 2011

New Hampshire rail trails making the spring transition

Snowmobile and cross-country ski trails are quickly becoming hiking and biking trails with the click of a gate in New Hampshire.

According to an article from WMUR, southern New Hampshire trails are closing the gates on rail trails signaling an end to winter sport season and a start for spring and summer trail activities.

Two of the trails included in the seasonal transition are the Cheshire Rail Trail and the Rockingham Recreational Trail.

In other parts of New Hampshire, they will continue grooming the rail trails for winter trail usage.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/03/22/new-hampshire-rail-trails-making-the-spring-transition/

Mar 20 2011

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

What has Rails to Trails Conservancy done for you lately?

Chief Ladiga Trail in Alabama

A lot, as a matter of fact. RTC is celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, and they have accomplished many incredible feats in those 25 years:

  • They have built 1,600 trails…
  • … for a total of 20,000 trail miles.
  • They now have trails in all 50 states.
  • They have launched the very successful and helpful traillink website…
  • … which documents over 30,000 miles of trail.
  • They have instituted a “Campaign for Active Transportation.”
If you’re not a member of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, please consider joining. You can contribute at whatever level you feel comfortable, and you’ll be supporting an incredible cause. It is truly the gift that keeps on giving.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2011/03/20/rails-to-trails-conservancy-3/