View more Trail Moments stories.
Through our Trail Moments campaign, more than 2,000 people have shared the importance of trails in their lives and what motivates them to get outdoors. To encourage more people to explore trails and be active outdoors, we’re highlighting a few of those inspirational tales in our story gallery. We hope you enjoy reading them and that you’ll continue to share your #TrailMoments!
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“Most children are itching to spread their wings, and biking can give them that feeling of doing something grown-up."
—Laura Stark
“Cars don’t mix well with bikes and pedestrians—we need more separate spaces.”
—Stephen Dunn,
@thebikingfireman
“Before learning about rail-trails, it just seemed like such a far-off dream, like, ‘Maybe one day I’ll bike across America.’ And, now, it’s like, ‘Wow, I biked across America!"
—Whitney Washington, @recapturinglife_
“Talking about trails and trying to make improvements to the city’s trail system is a way for me to give back to the people that took us in.”
—Daniel Cederberg
“As I left the studio, I noticed that he had a bike on his car,” said Flory. “And I like to ride bikes, so I said, ‘Do you want to go ride bikes sometime?’
—Arias Flory
“I’m enjoying this,” Patrick said. “Me too, it’s nice not to deal with traffic,” Rachel agreed.
—Rachel and Patrick Hugens
“I especially love what our little section of the O&W Rail Trail does. It reconnects towns and people the way the railroad did originally.”
—Hal Simon
“There is something about seeing someone out on the trails or at the campsite with that sparkly look in their eye from trying something new that just keeps me going.”
—Adriana Garcia, @outdoorhomie
“After a long day of being in the house, sitting in front of a computer for seven hours, the only thing I wanted to do was close down my Zoom and go outside and ride my bike.”
—MaShanta Ashmon, Michigan
“I am most impressed with Shahreen, who has gone from fearful to (almost) fearless. She talks of that feeling of freedom, the extra energy after a bike ride.”
—Silvia Ascarelli
“During these times of uncertainty, it is reassuring to have trails as a constant. My local trail has never been so important to me.”
—Jorge Brito, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
“If you want to go for a walk, find a place that you want to see. If you are doing some kinds of working out or fitness, you can make it fun for yourself!”
—Ayesha McGowan, @ayesuppose
“Since COVID-19 began, our activities have been limited and our universe has shrunk. But we found that one activity still brings us so much joy—biking as a family on our local trails. ”
—Darlene Maxfield
“We have never met a trail we did not like. When you are on a community trail, you get to experience the local area. There is always so much to see, whether it is nature, residential, industrial … or the diverse people on the trail biking, running, walking or rollerblading (there are still a few out there!).”
—Dan Brownstein, New Jersey
“I’m always so thrilled that you have such diversity; birding doesn’t just attract one section of the community or one type of person.”
—Keith Russell, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
“Riding these trails has been so impactful; it has brought me a healthy way to work out the stresses of life—and a peace of mind.”
—Anamaria Spiteri, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
“When the weight of it all is crushing, those [trail] moments outside have given us freedom and time to breathe.”
—Brandi Horton, Arlington, VA
“This is where I’m going to get emotional, because I feel like running saved my life …. If I hadn’t gotten into exercise … [t]here’s no doubt I would have had a heart attack.”
—Vincent Viars, Morgantown, WV
“Trails are a literal escape from the monotony and existential angst of 2020. I am grateful to have rail-trails nearby, and thankful for our park staff and volunteers for keeping them in such nice condition.”
—Amy Collins-Warfield, Ohio
“They're more than a connection between two points in space; they connect lives, loves and memories. Our ride on the Chief Ladiga Trail—our #TrailMoments—made me feel connected to everything I loved, and I felt like I had finally come home.”
—Ed Coleman, Columbus, OH
Share Your Trail Moment on Social Media
Have you recently discovered trails, or are you a long-time trail enthusiast? Either way, we hope you’ll share your “Trail Moments”—and the stories of how trails have impacted your life using #TrailMoments on social media.
