Virginia Creeper Trail

The little boys, Jeffrey 12, Daniel 9 and I, had planned to camp along the Virginia Creeper Trail over Easter. We had planned to leave Wake Forest Thursday morning, arrive in Damascus, VA by noon, set up camp and be on our bicycles at the rail trail head by 1:00pm. My wife, Pat heard our plans and decided she would like to go. However she did not want any part of camping in Mt Rogers in early April, too cold. The solution, rent a cabin! She called it cabining instead of camping. This can be tough to do on a tight budget. Solution #2, Google! We found a great cabin 1 mile from the trail, fully equipped and at a great rate. We can hardly wait!

Virginia Creeper Trail

The little boys, Jeffrey 12, Daniel 9 and I, had planned to camp along the Virginia Creeper Trail over Easter. We had planned to leave Wake Forest Thursday morning, arrive in Damascus, VA by noon, set up camp and be on our bicycles at the rail trail head by 1:00pm. My wife, Pat heard our plans and decided she would like to go. However she did not want any part of camping in Mt Rogers in early April, too cold. The solution, rent a cabin! She called it cabining instead of camping. This can be tough to do on a tight budget. Solution #2, Google! We found a great cabin 1 mile from the trail, fully equipped and at a great rate. We can hardly wait!

Experience the 1800's on the C&O Canal

This past summer my family and I rode our bikes on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal trail from Cumberland, MD to Williamsport, MD. Throughout our 4 day trip we wondered what life along the trail was like in the 1800’s. We took particular interest in the numerous lockhouses and what life was like in and around these historical structures. Now, thanks to the C&O Canal Trust we all can experience life on the canal. Three lockhouses are available for overnight quests. A fourth is scheduled to open mid-2010. The lockhouses have been meticulously refurbished and furnished with  accommodations that are similar to those found in the 1800’s.

To learn more about this extraordinary opportunity to experience life as it may have been over 100 years ago on the C&O Canal click here. Donations to the C&O Canal Trust can be made by clicking here.

Experience the 1800's on the C&O Canal

This past summer my family and I rode our bikes on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal trail from Cumberland, MD to Williamsport, MD. Throughout our 4 day trip we wondered what life along the trail was like in the 1800’s. We took particular interest in the numerous lockhouses and what life was like in and around these historical structures. Now, thanks to the C&O Canal Trust we all can experience life on the canal. Three lockhouses are available for overnight quests. A fourth is scheduled to open mid-2010. The lockhouses have been meticulously refurbished and furnished with  accommodations that are similar to those found in the 1800’s.

To learn more about this extraordinary opportunity to experience life as it may have been over 100 years ago on the C&O Canal click here. Donations to the C&O Canal Trust can be made by clicking here.

A Worthy Cause

Mark Koltz is planning a bicycle ride across America in support of the American Lung Association. Pledges raised will help to fund research efforts to cure cancer, keep kids off tobacco, and fight for laws that protect the air we all breathe. The work of the American Lung Association helps to save lives every day.

To learn more or to support Mark and the American Lung Association click here.

A Worthy Cause

Mark Koltz is planning a bicycle ride across America in support of the American Lung Association. Pledges raised will help to fund research efforts to cure cancer, keep kids off tobacco, and fight for laws that protect the air we all breathe. The work of the American Lung Association helps to save lives every day.

To learn more or to support Mark and the American Lung Association click here.

Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation

 
From the U.S. Department of Transportation. Great news for everyone that loves bicycling and hiking trails.

Increased commitment to and investment in bicycle facilities and walking networks can help meet goals for cleaner, healthier air; less congested roadways; and more livable, safe, cost-efficient communities. Walking and bicycling provide low-cost mobility options that place fewer demands on local roads and highways. DOT recognizes that safe and convenient walking and bicycling facilities may look different depending on the context — appropriate facilities in a rural community may be different from a dense, urban area. However, regardless of regional, climate, and population density differences, it is important that pedestrian and bicycle facilities be integrated into transportation systems. While DOT leads the effort to provide safe and convenient accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists, success will ultimately depend on transportation agencies across the country embracing and implementing this policy.

Ray LaHood, United States Secretary of Transportation

To read the entire document click here.
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Policy Statement on Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodation

 
From the U.S. Department of Transportation. Great news for everyone that loves bicycling and hiking trails.

Increased commitment to and investment in bicycle facilities and walking networks can help meet goals for cleaner, healthier air; less congested roadways; and more livable, safe, cost-efficient communities. Walking and bicycling provide low-cost mobility options that place fewer demands on local roads and highways. DOT recognizes that safe and convenient walking and bicycling facilities may look different depending on the context — appropriate facilities in a rural community may be different from a dense, urban area. However, regardless of regional, climate, and population density differences, it is important that pedestrian and bicycle facilities be integrated into transportation systems. While DOT leads the effort to provide safe and convenient accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists, success will ultimately depend on transportation agencies across the country embracing and implementing this policy.

Ray LaHood, United States Secretary of Transportation

To read the entire document click here.
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Katy Trail Ride 2010

The longest developed rail trail is currently the 225-mile Katy Trail in Missouri. It's ideal for hiking, running, or cycling on just about any kind of bike. Many cross-country cyclists include the Katy Trail in their tours. It is part of Adventure Cycling's Lewis & Clark route, as well as the American Discovery Trail. Applications are now available for bicyclists who would like to participate in Katy Trail Ride 2010. This year will be the 20th anniversary of the Katy Trail. The 10th annual trip will take place June 21st – June 25th. Space is limited to 300 people. Registration is open until May15th. Click here for more information.

Katy Trail Ride 2010

The longest developed rail trail is currently the 225-mile Katy Trail in Missouri. It's ideal for hiking, running, or cycling on just about any kind of bike. Many cross-country cyclists include the Katy Trail in their tours. It is part of Adventure Cycling's Lewis & Clark route, as well as the American Discovery Trail. Applications are now available for bicyclists who would like to participate in Katy Trail Ride 2010. This year will be the 20th anniversary of the Katy Trail. The 10th annual trip will take place June 21st – June 25th. Space is limited to 300 people. Registration is open until May15th. Click here for more information.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Teams With Google for Biking Directions

Most of us that enjoy rail trails do not have quick access to them. The alternative is to ride on your local streets. Now that Google and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy have teamed up it is much simpler to map the safest route in your community. I have compared my three favorite local routes to those that are recommended by Google. The results were nearly identical! Over the past 5 years I have tweaked the routes with a focus safety. A route with safety in mind will not include major thoroughfares. Google maps for bikes offers turn-by-turn directions that show bike lanes as well as trails with routes that avoid big hills and busy highways. To learn more click here.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Teams With Google for Biking Directions

Most of us that enjoy rail trails do not have quick access to them. The alternative is to ride on your local streets. Now that Google and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy have teamed up it is much simpler to map the safest route in your community. I have compared my three favorite local routes to those that are recommended by Google. The results were nearly identical! Over the past 5 years I have tweaked the routes with a focus safety. A route with safety in mind will not include major thoroughfares. Google maps for bikes offers turn-by-turn directions that show bike lanes as well as trails with routes that avoid big hills and busy highways. To learn more click here.

13,000 Mile of Converted Rail Trails

More than 13,000 miles of unused rail lines already have been converted into recreational trails nationwide. To see where your state is in relation to others click here. For a a state by state search visit TrailLink.com.

Group to Convert Railroad Track to Trail At No Cost

A group that extracts railroad infrastructure across the country and sells the metal for barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border is coming to do some work in Topsfield, MA soon. And in return the Topsfield Rail Trail may receive a trail suitable for biking without any of the cost or effort. To read the entire article click here.

Group to Convert Railroad Track to Trail At No Cost

A group that extracts railroad infrastructure across the country and sells the metal for barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border is coming to do some work in Topsfield, MA soon. And in return the Topsfield Rail Trail may receive a trail suitable for biking without any of the cost or effort. To read the entire article click here.