Posts by Tom Sexton

On the Sunset of the Sojourn Series, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Looks Back on Its National Impact

Posted 11/05/18 by Tom Sexton in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Circuit Trails, Community Events, Encouraging Trail Use, Facts and FIgures, Health and Active Living, History Happened Here, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, TrailNation, TrailsTransform, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Mansion House Bridge Dedication Ceremony on the 2018 Sojourn | Photo by Wendy Palmer

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy was honored to bring together 300 riders from 33 states on our 2018 Pennsylvania Sojourn to explore the exceptional D&L Trail. Over five days, we biked more than 160 miles, visited trailside communities, experienced the unique cultural and natural heritage of the region, and made new friends and everlasting memories.

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How to Be Equipment-Ready for Your First Long-Distance Trail Ride

Posted 03/13/18 by Tom Sexton in Trail Use, America's Trails | Tagged with Repairs and Trail Safety, Biking, Encouraging Trail Use, Gear, How-to, Most Essential, Sojourn Series, Trail Use Tips

If you’re planning a long-distance ride spanning several days or even a week—you’re probably hitting the trails to get in tip-top physical shape. But fitness is only one part of the equation—as the shape of one’s bike and gear can also help to determine one’s overall experience.

Cedar Lake Trail in Minneapolis, Minnesota | Photo by Tony Hull, Toole Design Group

How to Prepare for Your First Long-Distance Trail Ride

Posted 02/14/17 by Tom Sexton in Trail Use, Building Trails | Tagged with Best Of, How-to, Pennsylvania, Sojourn Series, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations

As Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) prepares for our 2017 Pennsylvania Sojourn on the Great Allegheny Passage and Montour Trail this June, we thought it was a great time to present five simple tips for long-distance trail rides! These are useful tips for any individuals who aren’t hard bike riders but who are interested in their first longer (over the course of several days or a week) off-road trip.

RTC's 2015 West Virginia Rail-Trail Sojourn | Photo courtesy Cleo Fogal

100 Riders, 3 Days, 7 Trails (and Sheep!): RTC's 2015 West Virginia Sojourn

Posted 05/04/15 by Tom Sexton in Building Trails | Tagged with Biking, Demand for Trails, Pennsylvania, Sojourn Series, Trail Communities, Walkability and Bikeability, West Virginia, Why Use Trails?

On April 24, 2015, approximately 100 people came together for RTC’s 2015 West Virginia Rail-Trail Sojourn. This 122-mile, three-day bike ride through four counties and seven rail-trails promised beautiful landscapes, warm communities and lots of adventure—and we weren't disappointed! Here are a few highlights from this incredible event.