Health and Active Living

Older, Wiser and Faster: A Friendly Competition Among Family

Posted 06/30/21 by Thresa Giles and Albert Grant in America's Trails, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Florida, Health and Active Living, Healthy Aging, Trail Moments, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Photo courtesy Thresa Giles and Albert Grant, graphic by RTC

Although our first ride together was only 5 miles, the after-effects were excruciating: muscle pain, fatigue and a few choice words. But despite the Florida heat and the muscle pain, we were not deterred from riding. We became a daily fixture on the sidewalks of our neighborhood. Soon, we became known as “the riding couple” on the weekends.

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Photo courtesy Thresa Giles and Albert Grant, graphic by RTC

Older, Wiser and Faster: A Friendly Competition Among Family

Posted 06/30/21 by Thresa Giles and Albert Grant in America's Trails, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Florida, Health and Active Living, Healthy Aging, Trail Moments, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Although our first ride together was only 5 miles, the after-effects were excruciating: muscle pain, fatigue and a few choice words. But despite the Florida heat and the muscle pain, we were not deterred from riding. We became a daily fixture on the sidewalks of our neighborhood. Soon, we became known as “the riding couple” on the weekends.

MaShanta Ashmon on Michigan's Clinton River Park Trail | Photo by Rachel Walker | Graphic by RTC

Finding Health, Healing and Hope on the Trail

Posted 05/13/21 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Health and Wellness | Tagged with COVID-19, Health and Active Living, Michigan, Trail Moments, Why Use Trails?

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. I think that kept me sane. It truly gave me something to look forward to.

Washington's Olympic Discovery Trail | Photo by John Gussman

What’s It Like to Ride the Great American Rail-Trail? Just Ask These Trail Trekkers.

Posted 05/07/21 by Cory Matteson in America's Trails, Trail Use, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Great American Rail-Trail, Health and Active Living, Healthy Aging, Tourism , Trail Destinations, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

To commemorate the anniversary of the launch of the Great American, RTC talked to several long-distance bicyclists who have taken on the trail already—or are about to—to learn about their experiences so far, and why they’re tackling it the way they are.

Fun Run 5k on the W&OD Trail in Northern Virginia | Courtesy RTC

How to Train for a 5K or 10K Using Rail-Trails

Posted 04/05/21 by Emilia Benton in Health and Wellness, Trail Use, America's Trails | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living, How-to, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Rail-trails are an especially great option for training for that first race for a variety of reasons. For one thing, many of these trails are paved, flat or with a very light grade. They’re free to use, often close to home and easily accessible, making them an excellent option for anyone who loves to be outdoors.

Canyon Rim Trail | Courtesy Los Alamos County Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Division

New Mexico’s Canyon Rim Trail

Posted 12/04/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Best Of, Connected Systems, Federal, Funding, Health and Active Living, New Mexico, Schools and Young People, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, Walkability and Bikeability

One of Los Alamos County's most popular pathways, the Canyon Rim Trail, provides an easy—and easy to reach—option in the heart of the community, packing a lot of wonder into its 2.5 miles.

Metropolitan Branch Trail in Washington, D.C., and Maryland | Photo by India Kea

How to Build Physical Activity Into Daily Life on Trails During COVID-19

Posted 11/20/20 by Cory Matteson in America's Trails, Health and Wellness, Trail Use | Tagged with COVID-19, Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living, Healthy Aging, People with Disabilities, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Getting outside right now, especially on local trails, can provide a wealth of benefits to your body and mind—once you get in the habit. Some of the most common trail activities—biking, skating, running—can burn over a thousand calories in an hour’s time. And being out in nature—especially right now, as more people are staying home and cool weather is making people less inclined to step outside—can strengthen your resilience and mental health.

Three Rivers Heritage Trail | Courtesy Healthy Ride, Pittsburgh Bike Share

Six Tips to Carry Your Summer Biking Habit Into Fall

Posted 11/05/20 by PeopleForBikes in America's Trails, Trail Use, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, Gear, Health and Active Living, How-to, Trail Use Tips, Winter Uses

The beauty of autumn also means cooler temperatures, earlier sunsets and sometimes less-than-ideal weather. For the many of you who picked up biking for the first time this summer or returned after a long hiatus, the thought of braving colder weather while riding might feel intimidating.

Image by RTC, Photos courtesy Hollie S.

She Moved Cross-Country During COVID: How One Runner Is Connecting to Her New Community on Trails

Posted 10/26/20 by Hollie S. in America's Trails, Trail Use, Health and Wellness | Tagged with COVID-19, Health and Active Living, Trail Moments, Why Use Trails?

Moving across the country during the pandemic was one of the scariest—but also most exciting—things we've ever done. Along the way, we stopped at several rail-trails. Running on trails was one of the best and most enjoyable ways to see the country safely.

Vincent Viars and his running partners on the Mon River Trail | Courtesy Vincent Viars

Morgantown Man Gets a Running Start to a Healthier Life on Trails

Posted 10/23/20 by Laura Stark in Health and Wellness, America's Trails | Tagged with COVID-19, Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living, Healthy Aging, IHTC, Trail Moments, West Virginia, Why Use Trails?

Vincent Viars is running for his life. Both his mother and one sister had suffered from heart problems and diabetes, passing away in their 60s. Another sister had triple bypass surgery and several stents. Overweight and living a sedentary lifestyle, Viars’ gnawing fear of dying grew as he approached middle age, so he decided to make a change with a health journey that began one literal step at a time.

Tweetsie Trail entrance in Johnson City | Courtesy Carter County Tourism

Tennessee’s Tweetsie Trail

Posted 10/13/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Health and Active Living, Tennessee, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, Walkability and Bikeability

Nestled into the recreational playground of northeastern Tennessee, the Tweetsie Trail connects two charming towns in the Appalachian foothills, following a railroad corridor that once snaked through the mountains and crossed into North Carolina.

Seattle Parks and Recreation staff gathered data on nearly 10,000 trail users over the course of 25 intercept studies on five local trails for the city's e-bike pilot program. | Courtesy Seattle Parks and Recreation

Seattle E-Bike Pilot Program Promotes Safe Shared Use on Local Trails

Posted 10/07/20 by Danielle Taylor in America's Trails | Tagged with Health and Active Living, Mode Shift, Motorized Use, Washington

Like other cutting-edge West Coast cities, Seattle often sees the first waves of new technology, and recently, that tech has made its way onto the city’s trails in the form of e-bikes, e-scooters, hoverboards, solo wheels and more. Micromobility devices like these feature a small electric motor the rider can engage for a boost when needed, and in Seattle and many other urban areas, e-bike and e-scooter sharing programs provide convenient alternative-transportation options.

Anamaria Spiteri on the Pelishek-Tiffany Nature Trail | Courtesy Anamaria Spiteri

Reclaiming My Health and Community Connection on America’s Rail-Trails During the Pandemic

Posted 10/02/20 by Anamaria Spiteri in America's Trails, Health and Wellness | Tagged with COVID-19, Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living, Trail Moments, Why Use Trails?

As I contemplated how to incorporate a good cardio routine into my life, I challenged myself to create a structure that would not only help me and inspire others to stay committed, but also helped those more severely impacted by the pandemic. Hence, my blog Ride Bikes. Eat Local. was born.