Oct 16 2021

Active Travel Wallet

Allett Wallet

Sometimes it’s the little things that make all the difference. Who would have thought that I’ve been traveling with the wrong wallet all these years? When I got a chance to try out the Allett Wallet, I must admit I was a bit skeptical. Anyone who knows me realizes that I’m willing to give anything a try, but how am I going to fit all the stuff I need for a typical trail trip into one of those little wallets? As it turns out, it’s the ‘little’ part of these wallets that make them so valuable.

Smaller is Better

It turns out that my worst fear about the Allett wallet turned out to be its #1 asset. When I first looked at the slim design of the Allett, I thought, “I’ll never fit all the stuff from my old bulky wallet into this little wallet.” I was right. And that turned out to be a good thing!! Because I didn’t actually need all the junk I had in my old wallet. At least I didn’t need it on one of my trail trips. I didn’t need my library card, my grocery store discount card, my coffee punch card, my…. Well you get the picture. It turned out that it wasn’t all that difficult to become a minimalist and still have all I needed for my trip-du-jour. So I headed off to New York to explore the Hudson Valley trails, and I did it without my usual bulging pocket stuffed full with a bulky wallet. In addition to all that, I discovered some other benefits to using a small wallet.

Benefits & Justification for Smaller Wallet

First of all, a bit of a mind-set change was needed. For those of you (us) who grew up with the old way of thinking when it comes to wallets (etc.), we needed that huge wallet to keep all of our daily necessities organized. After all, we needed cash, driver’s license, credit cards, debit cards, family photos… the list goes on. But all that stuff isn’t needed on a daily basis any more. Think about it. A lot of that stuff is now in our phones or even on our smart watches. And speaking of our phone, a good cell phone case also has space for a driver’s license, a credit card and even a little bit of cash. In fact, we may not even need the credit card when we can pay with a scan of our phone or watch. So now we can get by with a much smaller wallet, and that has some advantages:

  • We no longer have that unsightly bulge in our pocket.
  • We are not such a visually appealing target for pick-pockets.
  • We can travel much lighter, and this is an especially important advantage for active travelers and trail travelers. The less, the better.
  • With our cash and cards divided between our wallet and our phone case, we are now following the cardinal rule for travelers. Don’t keep all your eggs (or credit cards, or cash) in one basket (or wallet). I wish I would have followed that rule in Paris a few years back. Curses on those Parisian pick-pockets.

Bottom Line

I highly recommend the Allett wallet. It makes a great travel wallet and, if you’re like me, you may decide to make it your new permanent wallet. Sometimes smaller is better and less is more.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2021/10/16/active-travel-wallet/

Oct 14 2021

Hudson Valley Rail Trail

fall colors on rail trail
The Hudson Valley Rail Trail is ideal for human-powered vehicles of all types. It’s a great way to see fall colors and easily accessible from New York City via Amtrak to Poughkeepsie. One suggested route for enjoying this trail is to take an Ulster County bus from the Poughkeepsie train station to New Paltz. Most of the bus drivers are willing to let you off right where the trail begins near the America’s Best Value Inn hotel in New Paltz. Then, make the walk or bike ride back toward Highland, NY or the Walkway Over the Hudson. It is possible to walk the whole thing in one day and fairly easy to bike it in a day.

Empire State Trail

If you stay near the east end of the trail, you can also hike or bike the Walkill Valley Rail Trail on another day and the River to Ridge Trail on yet another day. The Walkill Valley Rail Trail goes both north and south from the eastern end of the Hudson Valley Rail Trail. If you take the Hudson Valley Rail Trail east from Poughkeepsie (actually from the east end of the Walkway Over the Hudson), then turn north on the Walkill Valley Rail Trail (just east of highway 87), you are on the Empire State Trail the entire time. The Empire State Trail is 750 miles of trail enjoyment. It runs all the way from New York City to Buffalo, NY with most of the route being off road. The northern portion of the Empire State Trail utilizes such historic pathways as the Erie Canal Trail and the Champlain Valley Trail.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2021/10/14/hudson-valley-rail-trail-2/

Jun 11 2021

Trailsnet Father’s Day Gift Guide

Why do so many people depend upon Trailsnet each year for the best Father’s Day Gift Guide? It’s simple. We understand that every Father is different, so we have a wide variety of great Father’s Day gifts. Most of them are centered around our Trail-centric outdoor oriented website theme, but not all of them. So let’s get started and see what those crazy folks at Trailsnet have in store for Dad this year. As always, some of our suggestions may include affiliate links, but that does not affect our judgement. We only include gift suggestions that we would enjoy receiving.

Wind Blox Noise Blocker

When you are riding your bike, wind noise can be distracting, irritating and dangerous. Bicyclists need to hear what’s going on around them. Wind Blox is a great product for avid bike riders. It’s functional, inexpensive and easy to attach to your helmet strap. Dad will enjoy this addition to his bike gear. He’ll love this fun and functional Father’s Day gift.

Dad Jokes Gift Book

Here’s the perennial Father’s Day gift for any father, grandpa, step-dad or spouse who has a fatherly sense of humor. Ralph Lane’s Dad Joke Books are favorites for all holidays, but this one is the original Ralph Lane Dad Jokes Gift Book. You can’t go wrong with this Dad’s Day gift. The whole family will love the hilarious jokes and the great illustrations that go with them. Order your Dad Jokes Gift Book today.

Outdoor Survival Kit

Outdoor Dads will appreciate this professional emergency survival kit with essential tools, including: survival knife, Compass, wire saw, water bottle clip, emergency blanket, flint stone, scraper, flashlight, credit card Knife, tactical pen, Survival Bracelet , multi-use spoon, Carabiner, black waterproof box, bait, blow fire tube, Fire tinder, Band aid, Alcohol Pad, gauze swabs. This is a great gift for hikers, backpackers & mountain bikers.

Wild Game Sausage Sticks

The way to Dad’s heart is through his stomach, and his tummy will love this assortment of game meat sausage sticks. Each package contains 15 assorted 1oz individually wrapped 100% Exotic Game Meat Sausage Sticks with 5 sticks each of Elk, Venison and Wild Boar. Unlike other sausage snacks, these sticks are made with 100% exotic game meat – no beef, pork or chicken.

Happy Father's Day to Trailsnet Fans

Thanks to Trailsnet subscribers and visitors. We’d like to extend a special thank you to all the fathers out there who spend quality outdoor time on the trails with their families. You are the absolute best!!!! Keep having fun and making those great outdoor connections with your family. It means more than you know. Happy Dad’s Day!!!

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2021/06/11/trailsnet-fathers-day-gift-guide/

Dec 28 2020

Electric Bikes on Long-Distance Trails

More and more of the world’s greatest bike trails are allowing electric bikes on long-distance trails. Unfortunately, the majority of long-distance bicycle trails in the United States still aren’t suitable or legal for riding electric bikes. Fortunately, that may be changing soon. Some of the new extended trails such as the East Coast Greenway and the Great Plains Trail show great promise for fans of electric bikes and destination trails. In Trailsnet’s dozen + years of publication, one of our most popular posts was entitled Electric Bikes on Trails. It garnered a great deal of attention, comments and social media links. We followed up with an Electric Bikes on Trails Update a couple years later. Just like with regular bikes, there’s a substantial group of us who prefer riding e-bikes on trails rather than (or in addition to) navigating the hazards of riding on roads and facing the inherent risks associated with that option.

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

What to Look for in an E-Bike Trail

England bike path
Bike Path in England

Due to the unique nature of electric bicycles, you’ll need to look for specific characteristics in the trails you choose for riding. Of course, the first requirement for a suitable trail is one that allows electric bikes. Many trails do not allow e-bikes (yet), so be sure to inquire as to rules of the trail. When you find trails that allow e-bikes, be sure to add them to Trailsnet.com, one of the only trail-finding websites that lists special categories for electric bike trails. Another consideration when choosing longer trails that are suitable for electric bikes is the availability of electricity for recharging your bicycle. And finally, you want to choose a trail that fits the style of bicycle you own. Many paved and packed gravel bike trails will be good for most types of e-bikes. Of course many dirt trails are more suitable for rugged bikes or electric mountain bikes with at least front suspension.

What to Look for in a Long-Distance e-Bike

Anyone who follows electric bicycle trends knows that this will likely be the next big nut to crack. There are two reasons for this. First of all, as adventure travel returns from this past year of pandemic uncertainties, both active travel tour companies and individual active travelers will be looking for ways to explore the ever expanding universe of long-distance trails. You are certain to see a big rise in the number of people looking to navigate these trails on the seat of an electric bicycle. So these people will begin to search for electric bikes that have been shown to be capable of withstanding the rigors of multi-day bike excursions. In fact, even your average electric bike customers will see the value of choosing a bike that is tough enough to go the distance. Until we start to get reports from e-bicyclists who have actually completed such rides, here are some features to look for in an e-bike that might be able to complete a long-distance trail such as the East Coast Greenway or the Great Plains Trail:

  • Sturdy frame (aluminum frames are good for most trail types.)
  • Powerful motor (Something in the 750W range is good.)
  • Puncture resistant tires (For gravel & dirt trails, fat tires are helpful for both traction and comfort.)
  • Ample battery (Lithium-ion is one of the best currently on the market. Look for one that typically gets at least 45 to 50 miles per charge.)
  • Payload capacity of at least 250 pounds. (Remember, you’ll likely be hauling yourself and your gear and possibly even an extra battery.)
  • Front & rear lights. (These are for you to see and to be seen.)
  • Front suspension at least. (Even if you’re on mostly asphalt or packed trails, front suspension comes in handy for comfort and stability. If you are on a single-track trail, you may also need rear suspension.)
  • Rack system compatibility (Even if you are on a vehicle supported tour, you will need to carry plenty of supplies for you and your bike. Look for e-bike companies that also sell front and/or rear racks, panniers and or other rack systems.)

Stay tuned to Trailsnet on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, pinterest and, of course this website for further information about the best electric bicycles for both long and short trails.

Let's Advocate for More Long-Distance e-Bike Trails

As mentioned above, some trails are less than ideal for electric bikes due to extremely rough terrain or a lack of electrical facilities. However, as new trails are being developed, we should be requesting that e-bikes be allowed on them. The trail developers and administrators will be more likely to consider this option if they feel that electric bicyclists are good trail stewards and courteous trail users. So let’s all do our part to give e-bikers a good name. The way we all conduct ourselves now will help determine which trails are open to us in the future. Here are some tips for safe and courteous electric bike riding and ownership:

  • Know your limits and ride within your skill level.
  • Bring the right kind of bike for the terrain you’re riding.
  • Wear a helmet when riding e-bikes on trails.
  • Stay alert while riding!
  • Know and obey the rules of the trail!!
  • Be kind and courteous to fellow trail users!!!
Mountain Biking skills

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2020/12/28/electric-bikes-on-long-distance-trails/

Mar 17 2020

Trails: The Best Way to Fight the CoronaVirus

I don’t know about where you live, but I have just spent the past two days in both the mountains and Front Range of Colorado and saw something absolutely amazing. The trails, greenways and bike paths normally get lots of happy and healthy traffic. But these past few days, they have been busy non-stop from morning until evening. Instead of staying home and moping about the CoVid 19 pandemic, people are wisely choosing to get outside and enjoy the beautiful Colorado weather on bicycles and on their own two feet. I’ve seen individuals, couples and, most of all, families out on the trails walking, bicycling, talking, laughing, exercising and getting fresh air.

Bike riders on Colorado rail trail
Bicycle Trail

The Best Gyms in the World

Most recreation centers and gyms are rightfully closed during this awful epidemic. But people aren’t letting that stop them from getting exercise. Ski areas are also closed, but folks in mountain communities are still getting their recreation and fitness. Instead of ski slopes, they’re hitting the bike trails, footpaths and sidewalks for all the same pleasures without the great costs. People are rediscovering our greatest resources… trails.

Greatest CoronaVirus Hero

family on bike trail
Family on Trail

Over the next few weeks and months we’ll hear about all the selfless and important folks who are working their tails off to help us all deal with the CoVid epidemic. You’ll probably hear less about the important role that trails are playing to help people cope with this terrible sickness. All I have to do is look out my back door to see the impact trails are having. As always, they are providing transportation, recreation, fitness and relief to people who are otherwise worried about both the virus itself and its horrible impact on the community. For a short while, people are able to get outside, be active and forget about some of their many other worries. If you haven’t tried it yet, get out there and enjoy your local trails. You won’t regret it, and your body will love the relief from stress and worries. Even if for only a short time, you will discover the joys of nature and exercise.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2020/03/17/trails-the-best-way-to-fight-the-coronavirus/

Feb 18 2020

How Trails Benefit Communities

Community trail in Germany

To see how trails benefit communities that they pass through, let’s take a look at articles about the benefits of trails from four extremely important trail organizations. We’ll learn from the experts at Rails to Trails Conservancy, American Trails, the National Park Service and Headwater Economics. These organizations have compiled a wealth of information regarding both the economic benefits of trails and the societal benefits of trails such as recreation, fitness and sustainable community building. For today’s post, we’ll focus on the economic benefits of trails on nearby communities.

Economic Benefits of Trails

For some folks, the economic bottom line is the only benefits that matter. Fortunately trails provide numerous economic benefits to the communities they pass through or those that are nearby. Let’s start by taking a look at how trails affect real estate values. According to the CDLandTrust.org website, “Studies in Denver, Seattle, Minnesota and other communities across the country have consistently found that that proximity to trails increases the value of homes from 1-6.5%.” Unbelievably, some people still think a trail that runs near their property will hurt the value of their home when, in fact, it helps the value.

Economic & Health Benefits of Trails

Health Benefits of Trails

According to the American Trails website, “Per capita annual direct medical benefit of using the trails was $564.” In other words, not only do trails improve the health of a community, but they also improve the economic well-being at the same time through lower health care costs. A healthy trail community is not only a happy community, but also a wealthy and wise community.

Business Benefits of Trails in Communities

According to Headwaters Economics, “Trails can generate business impacts and create new jobs by attracting visitors, especially overnight visitors.” For those of us who spend lots of time on trails, this is a no brainer. Hotels, bed-and-breakfasts and other types of lodging benefit tremendously from active travelers who seek out accommodations near trails. Not only do trails provide more business for motels, they provide a high quality of responsible customers as well as demographic that has above average travel expenditures. In addition, trail travelers spend plenty of money on meals, travel supplies and souvenirs as they journey through towns.

Companies Want to Move Where Trails are Available

England bike trail

According to information compiled by Rails to Trails Conservancy, “The economic effects of trails and greenways are sometimes readily apparent (as in the case of trailside businesses) and are sometimes more subtle, like when a company decides to move to a particular community because of amenities like trails.” Both large corporations and small businesses want to be located in communities that provide benefits for their employees. So they want to be in communities that have abundant access to trails. Trails are good for the health and happiness of their employees as well as providing a safe and enjoyable transportation option for those who prefer environmental and healthy commuting choices. And, from an economic standpoint, trails are a logical choice for community amenities. They’re inexpensive to build, inexpensive to maintain & free to use. Trails provide one of the best economic benefits to communities worldwide.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2020/02/18/how-trails-benefit-communities/