TrailBlog Page 6

New Mexico's Bitter Lakes National Wildlife Refuge | Courtesy Moonrock Outfitters

Trail Moments | A Path Forward for Better Biking in Roswell, New Mexico

Posted 04/27/22 by Daniel Cederberg in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Local Organizing, New Mexico, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Moments

We love the adventures that trails bring—seeing what lies beyond the next bend, drop, curve or climb. Roswell has two main trails in the downtown area, which provide safe ways to transport yourself across the city while avoiding traffic. They’ve also provided great spaces for us to offer clean-up rides, garden rides and after-dark glow rides for residents to get out and experience more of the community.

Photos by Stephen Matera, courtesy IZIP

Slow Down and Enjoy the Trail With These E-bike Tales and Tips from IZIP

Posted 04/14/22 by Corey August at IZIP in Trail Use | Tagged with Bike Commuting, Biking, ebike, Encouraging Trail Use, Why Use Trails?

We believe that pedal-assist e-bikes provide an intuitive experience that gives you all the benefits of cycling plus the power to ride longer and stronger. IZIP eBikes integrate some of the most efficient, state-of-the art, mid-drive and hub-drive electric motor systems which include a drive unit, battery pack, display and user interface.

Whitney Washington | Courtesy Whitney Washington

Trail Moments | Recapturing Life on a Great American Journey

Posted 04/14/22 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, Great American Rail-Trail, How-to, Trail Etiquette, Trail Moments, Why Use Trails?

If a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, Whitney Washington’s 3,700-mile route across the country began with a few hard-earned turns of the bike wheel. She estimates that she traveled about 5 miles her first day, but as she gained strength and experience over the course of weeks and then months, that number grew to 20 and then 40 and then as many as 87 miles in a single day near the end of her journey.

Anacostia River Trail | Photo by Sam Kittner, courtesy Capitol Riverfront BID

We Asked—You Answered: Rails-to-Trails Supporters’ Top Priority Picks for 2022 and Beyond

Posted 04/13/22 by Ryan Cree in America's Trails | Tagged with Demand for Trails, Great American Rail-Trail, History Happened Here, State and Federal Programs, TrailsTransform

Over the past few weeks, we asked our members and supporters for feedback on the direction of our work this year via online survey. We were thrilled to receive more than 10,000 responses from passionate trail users, and we’ll be using what we learned to prioritize our efforts into the future. Here’s a quick rundown of the results. Thanks to everyone who responded!

Rails-to-Trails staffers Kevin Belanger and Marianne Wesley Fowler at the opening of the Beverly Bridge along the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail in Washington | Courtesy Kevin Belanger

Beverly Bridge Opening Marks Major Jump Toward Statewide Trail Connectivity in Washington

Posted 04/12/22 by Kevin Belanger in America's Trails | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, Great American Rail-Trail, Washington

On April 8, 2022, a ribbon cutting marked a new beginning for the Beverly Bridge—gathering more than 200 people to celebrate its long-anticipated revitalization after years of advocacy from organizations around the state. For the first time since the bridge was closed in 1980 as part of the disused Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, people can cross the Columbia River on this iconic piece of infrastructure.

California's Napa Valley Vine Trail in Yountville | Courtesy Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition

California’s Napa Valley Vine Trail

Posted 04/12/22 by Amy Grisak in America's Trails | Tagged with Art, BATC, Bike Commuting, California, Connected Systems, Cross-Sector Collaboration, Demand for Trails, Health and Active Living, Local Organizing, Mode Shift, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, TrailNation, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

It’s remarkable how a single trail brings together an entire region. As California’s Napa Valley Vine Trail grows to reach its ultimate 47-mile potential, community members and visitors realize the beauty of connectivity and accessibility.

Herring Run Trail | Side A Photography

New Guidance for Transportation Alternatives: Transformative Funding for Trails, Walking and Biking

Posted 04/07/22 by Mary Ellen Koontz in Policy, Building Trails | Tagged with Connected Systems, Federal, Funding, Recreational Trails Program, State and Federal Programs, Transportation Alternatives

Last week, the federal officials released new guidance on the Transportation Alternatives (TA) Set-Aside. This guidance instructs state departments of transportation (DOTs) on how to implement the TA funding in alignment with policy changes included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge connecting Iowa and Nebraska | Photo by TrailLink user thejake91739

Spring News from the State Legislatures

Posted 04/06/22 by Andrew Dupuy, Brian K. Housh in Policy | Tagged with California, Colorado, Funding, Iowa, North Carolina, Ohio, RAISE, South Carolina, State and Federal Programs, Virginia

Depending on where you live, this time of year may mean the prolonged dregs of winter, early signs of Spring, or some variation on “mud season.” But for most of the country—regardless of climate or geography—it’s also the height of the state legislative season. Most states’ general assemblies are part-time, and generally convene in the early part of each calendar year. All but a handful of states are currently in session. So what does this mean for trails and active transportation funding in states?

Photo courtesy Groundspeak Inc. (dba Geocaching)

Geocaching: Find the Fun!

Posted 03/30/22 by Chris Ronan in Trail Use | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, How-to, Trail Use Tips, Why Use Trails?

With millions of geocaches hidden throughout the world, there’s a very good chance one is located on your favorite trail! Geocaching is a high-tech game of hide and seek. Put simply, someone hides a container for others to find. The game started in early 2000. When Geocaching.com launched later that year, only 75 geocaches existed. Today, there are more than 3.3 million geocaches in 190 countries.

El autor, Willie Karidis, en una expedición con raquetas de nieve | Cortesía de Willie Karidis

El mágico mundo de las raquetas de nieve: una guía práctica para senderos

Posted 03/24/22 by Willie Karidis in Trail Use | Tagged with Alaska, Gear, How-to, Spanish, Trail Use Tips, Winter Uses

Caminar con raquetas de nieve puede parecer un poco intimidante al principio, pero, una vez que lo prueba, es posible que encuentre una nueva libertad para recorrer los senderos. Yo era un niño cuando aprendí a caminar con raquetas de nieve. Fue en la cabaña de los padres de mi amigo “en el Norte”, en Conover, Wisconsin. Mi amigo y yo nos abrochamos nuestras raquetas de nieve con armazón de roble con correas de cuero sin curtir y fijaciones de cuero y luego partimos. Ninguno de nosotros había caminado con raquetas de nieve antes y, al ser jóvenes y aventureros, lo intentamos de inmediato. Aunque mi par de raquetas de nieve actual es muy diferente, las lecciones que aprendí ese día todavía están conmigo.

Northern Rail Trail de New Hampshire | Cortesía de New Hampshire State Parks

Consejos para senderos ferroviarios para esquí de fondo (una guía 101)

Posted 03/24/22 by Tom Sexton in Trail Use | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, How-to, Spanish, Trail Use Tips, Winter Uses

Si está tratando de encontrar formas nuevas y divertidas de salir al aire libre este invierno, ¿por qué no agregar el esquí de fondo o nórdico a su lista? No deje que la palabra esquí lo intimide, no es tan difícil como piensa; la verdadera palabra en la que debe enfocarse es "fondo", ya que puede ver a fondo el paisaje local bajo una luz completamente nueva, mientras mantiene los pies un poco más calientes que cuando va caminando, ya que se deslizan sobre la nieve. Y, si bien es bueno para las piernas, por supuesto, también es un excelente ejercicio para la parte superior del cuerpo y los abdominales.