Dec 15 2010

Military biking website

Military Cycling rocks!!!

Thanks to Twitter, I just discovered the Armed Forces Cycling website. Now I just need to convince our soldiers to get out there and explore the great trails in this country. They put their lives on the line to protect our country, so they need to at least enjoy the safety of trail riding instead of risking their lives on our crazy roads. Besides, it would be a great way for them to relax.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2010/12/15/military-biking-website/

Dec 14 2010

Bike equipment for rail-trails.

I have often spoken of the many benefits of rail trails when it comes to health, the environment, alleviating traffic congestion, family togetherness, and saving fossil fuels.

Rail trails are for everyone.

Another benefit of rail trails is their versatility. Not only are they an ideal fit for nearly all possible riders, regardless of age, size, or ability, they are also versatile when it comes to equipment. Nearly any type of cycle will work on most rail-trails. Personally, I have ridden recumbents, mountain bikes, cruisers, road bikes, and hybrid bicycles on rail trails. And I was quite comfortable in all instances. (Sometimes road bikes are less-than-ideal on dirt or gravel trails, so I use one of the other types of bikes for those trails.)

It’s nice to know that you don’t need something fancy, expensive, or technical to enjoy the vast network of rails-to-trails out there. Not only is it physically possible to ride just about any type of non-motorized wheeled vehicle on the rail trail network, but it’s also socially acceptable. Unlike road and mountain biking, there is no expectation that you wear certain clothes and ride expensive bikes. Rail trails are like the great equalizer. Everyone from all backgrounds and socioeconomic groups is welcome. Spandex or no spandex, fancy bike or plain Jane bike, you’re accepted just the way you are.

Ya gotta love rail trails.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2010/12/14/bike-equipment-for-rail-trails/

Dec 13 2010

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath trail section 2

To those of you who enjoyed yesterday’s C & O Canal trail post, you’re welcome.

I was quite pleased to get the C & O Canal Towpath section #1 trail guide published. Today I found out that section #2 C & O Canal trail guide has also been published. So here’s a link for that guide on the Everytrail website. And here’s a little picture from my latest outing on the canal trail.

Check out the wildlife pictures on the
Everytrail C & O Trail Guide.

If you get a chance, check out the Everytrail guide. Even if you decide not to buy it ($1.99) I’d appreciate your input. It doesn’t cost anything to look at it.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2010/12/13/chesapeake-ohio-canal-towpath-trail-section-2/

Dec 13 2010

C & O Canal Towpath trail guide published

Bike trails are a dime-a-dozen, right? I mean they’re all over the place; this one’s three miles long, that one’s five miles long. If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all.

bike rider on the
C & O Canal Towpath trail in Maryland

I dare you to ride the C & O Canal Towpath trail and say that. This one is truly unique:

  1. It’s over 180 miles long.
  2. It has more historical significance than your average trail.
  3. It starts in a big town, ends in our nation’s capital, and has some surprisingly remote countryside in between.
  4. The C & O trail probably has more campgrounds than any other trail in the world.
  5. C & O Canal trail users can connect with numerous other major trails including the Appalachian Trail, the Billy Goat Trail, the Western Maryland Rail Trail, and the Great Allegheny Passage trail.
Now, to make it even better, there’s a guide for section one of the C  & O trail(Georgetown, D.C. to Brunswick, MD) that you can download onto your smartphone (iphone or Android for example). The guide supplies users with a trail map, photos, points-of-interest, camping/lodging suggestions, and lots of great advise for negotiating the trail. And it’s a lot easier than lugging around a big old guidebook. I mean, admit it, you were going to bring your cell phone with you anyway. You might as well splurge for the $1.99 and get the guide. Where else could you buy such an awesome, helpful guide for less?

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2010/12/13/c-o-canal-towpath-trail-guide-published/

Dec 10 2010

Velo Ride Across America = Roll Over America

I’m a big recumbent fan, and these Velos (see picture) are the ultimate recumbent. So I was interested in this Velo ride across America at the website rolloveramerica.eu. From what I can gather, the velo movement is gaining steam and is becoming a major player in the recumbent cycle scene. 
I wish I had the time to join the Velo Tour of America. It sounds like a fun activity with enjoyable people. And when it rains, unlike with regular biking, you’re under cover and out of the elements.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2010/12/10/velo-ride-across-america-roll-over-america/

Dec 08 2010

Netherlands Bicycle Routes and City Planning

City planning in the Netherlands and throughout Europe plans around bicycles and bike routes. As the following video shows, they have organized the town(s) so that it is actually easier and safer to travel by bicycle than it is by car:

I don’t know about you, but I’d love to spend a couple months exploring all these European bike routes.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2010/12/08/netherlands-bicycle-routes-and-city-planning/