Trail Use Page 4

Three Reasons 18-Year-Old Jan Gierlach Just Biked 3,300-Miles Across America

Posted 04/28/17 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, California, Champions, Florida, Health Organizations, Young Champions

Jan Gierlach riding in Austin, Texas, near the midpoint of his 2017 Ride For 3 Reasons route between San Diego, California, and St. Augustine, Florida | Photo courtesy Jan Gierlach + Ride for 3 Reasons

Eighteen-year-old Jan Gierlach just spent three months bicycling 3,300 miles solo and raised more than $600,000 for three causes near and dear to his heart.

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The trail offers unbeatable views of the Pittsburgh skyline | Photo by Kelly Carter, courtesy Friends of the Riverfront

Pennsylvania’s Three Rivers Heritage Trail

Posted 04/07/17 by Laura Stark in Trail Use, America's Trails | Tagged with Connected Systems, Local Organizing, Pennsylvania, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

Spiraling outward from downtown Pittsburgh, the 24-mile Three Rivers Heritage Trail traces the banks of three waterways—the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio—that lifted the city to prominence as America’s industrial powerhouse. The development of this paved pathway, which began more than 25 years ago, sparked a biking revolution that is continuing to turn the famed “Steel City” into “Wheel City.”

High Trestle Trail | Photo by Milo Bateman

10 Bucket-List Biking Trails

Posted 03/28/17 by Suzanne Matyas in Trail Use, America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, California, Encouraging Trail Use, Idaho, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, OpeningDay, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Trail Destinations, Virginia, Washington

And while every trail offers its own unique experience, there are some that are so extraordinary that they truly rise to the top. So, saddle up your two-wheeled steed and celebrate Opening Day on April 8 on one of these bucket-listers!

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.

View of the Brays Bayou Greenway Trail in Hermann Park. | Courtesy Bob Bohmer Photography

Texas’ Brays Bayou Greenway Trail

Posted 02/03/17 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Texas, Tourism , Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

While not generally known for its greenspace, Houston—the country’s fourth most populated city—is onto something big. Something Texas-sized big: the Bayou Greenways 2020 project, which aims to complete a 150-mile network of trails along the city’s major waterways in just a few year’s time. Houston is home to seven lengthy bayous and two creeks (engendering the fitting nickname of the Bayou City) stretching from the city’s western boundary to Galveston Bay. The longest of these, the Brays Bayou, is the close companion of the Brays Bayou Greenway Trail, which spans more than 30 miles, connecting several parks and running just a couple blocks north of NRG Stadium, where this year’s Super Bowl is taking place.

In Windham, the Hop River Trail meets the Air Line Trail on this bridge over the Willimantic River. | Courtesy Connecticut DOT-DEEP

Connecticut’s Hop River State Park Trail

Posted 01/19/17 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Connecticut, Tourism , Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

It’s hard to pick a favorite season to experience the Hop River State Park Trail, set amidst the dense forests of Eastern Connecticut. Sections of the 20-mile rail-trail dive through steep rock cuts that seep moisture, giving the feeling of air conditioning in summer and freezing into glistening ice falls in winter. Maples and oaks bring fiery autumn hues and, in the spring, trilliums and other wildflowers speckle the brush with color. Add three tunnels and a covered bridge and the trail’s picturesque backdrop is complete.

Moment from the 2015 Pennsylvania Rail-Trail Sojourn | Photo by Cleo Fogal, courtesy RTC

RTC’s 2017 Pennsylvania Sojourn Is Going to Be Awesome. Here’s Why.

Posted 01/12/17 by Amy Kapp in Trail Use, Building Trails | Tagged with Maryland, Pennsylvania, Sojourn Series, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations

We’re so excited that you’ve decided to join us on Rails-to-Trail’s Conservancy’s 2017 Pennsylvania Sojourn, which—with its amazing sites, legendary route along the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) and Montour Trail, and welcoming towns—promises to be an adventure of a lifetime. Here are just 10 reasons why this year’s trip is going to be awesome.

Snow biking and skiing on the Rio Grande Trail near Basalt, Colorado | Photo courtesy Pitkin County Open Space and Trails

10 Rail-Trail Winter Wonderlands

Posted 12/20/16 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Featured Magazine Articles, Health and Active Living, Trail Destinations, Winter Uses

When the snow hits, many trail enthusiasts stow their running shoes or tuck their bikes into the back of the garage, missing an opportunity to enjoy rail-trails in a completely different way. Here are 10 winter wonderland trail views to get you motivated!

A view from the Katy Trail bridge in Windsor looking down on Rock Island Trail State Park. | Courtesy Missouri Rock Island Trail, Inc.

Missouri's Rock Island Trail State Park

Posted 12/05/16 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Missouri, Rock Island, Tourism , Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

Just in time for the holidays, a stunning new rail-trail has arrived in Missouri. Opening Dec. 10, the 47.5-mile Rock Island Trail State Park is notable for its length—and its connection to an even longer trail: the renowned Katy Trail State Park, which, at 237.7 miles, nearly crosses the entire state. While the Katy Trail stops short of Kansas City, a forthcoming extension of the Rock Island Trail will march right to the city’s doorstep, making it possible to utilize both trails to travel between the state’s two largest cities, Kansas City and St. Louis, without a car.

A collage featuring photos submitted to RTC's "I Support Trails!" Photo Contest

Picture Perfect: Check Out These Gorgeous Trail Photos from Our 2016 #OptOutside

Posted 12/02/16 by Suzanne Matyas in Trail Use, America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Encouraging Trail Use, Missouri, Wild and Wonderful

In celebration of REI’s campaign to #OptOutside on Black Friday, Nov. 25, we asked you to share how you spend time outdoors and on the trail through our “I Support Trails!” Photo Contest— and we were completely blown away by the positive response.