How-to

Golden Rules: Six Things You Need to Know for Trail Season

Posted 06/13/17 by Suzanne Matyas in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, How-to, Trail Etiquette, Trail Use Tips

You, me, and other trail users agree: It’s officially primetime for trail season. And whether you’re a commuter, a caregiver or a long-distance rider, it’s important to know and practice good safety and trail use etiquette. Here’s our list of must-knows to make the trail safe, fun and a good time for everyone!

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

Posted 04/11/17 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.

A look back at RTC President Keith Laughlin's resolution to walk 2,000 miles in 2016 | Photo by Brittni Geibel

How I Walked 2,000 Miles in 2016

Posted 12/29/16 by Keith Laughlin in Health and Wellness, Success Stories | Tagged with Health and Active Living, How-to, Trail Use Tips

Last December, I made an ambitious New Year’s resolution: In 2016 I would walk 2,000 miles on an “imaginary trail.” I made this resolution publicly with trepidation, knowing that there were numerous reasons that could cause me to humiliate myself by failing to walk an average of 5.5 miles a day, seven days a week for an entire year. But there was no reason for all that angst. I’m proud to report that I beat my goal and will finish the year with about 2,200 miles logged on my Fitbit. And you know what? It really wasn’t that hard. Here's how I did it.

Hit the trails and #OptOutside for some feel-good fun and fresh air. | Photo courtesy Cleo Fogal | CC by 2.0

Five Feel-Good Ways to #OptOutside on Black Friday

Posted 11/15/16 by Suzanne Matyas in Taking Action, America's Trails | Tagged with Ecology and Environment, Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living, How-to, Trail Use Tips

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is inviting you and your family to #OptOutside with us, REI and millions of others on Black Friday, Nov. 25, 2016! Grab your grandpa, Grover and the rest of the gang—and give the gift of time, sun and the great outdoors. Here’s a list of five ways you can go the extra mile and make a difference while you #OptOutside this year.

Photo courtesy Mikey Wally | CC by 2.0

13 Reasons Bicycles Are Perfect for the Zombie Apocalypse

Posted 10/29/16 by Barb Chamberlain in Health and Wellness | Tagged with Biking, Health and Active Living, How-to, Washington

Special thanks to Barb Chamberlain, chief strategic officer of Cascade Bicycle Club and Washington Bikes, for permitting us to re-post this blog—originally published on the Washington Bikes blog on Oct. 25, 2014. Just in time for Halloween, your list of 13 reasons bicycles make the perfect vehicle for the zombie apocalypse!

Eastside Trail, part of the Atlanta BeltLine | Photo by Jim Brown

The Results Are In from Our 2016 Share the Trail Poll!

Posted 09/01/16 by Suzanne Matyas in Trail Use | Tagged with How-to, Safety and Law Enforcement, Trail Etiquette, Trail Use Tips

As RTC wraps up a second summer of our Share the Trail campaign, we wanted to thank everybody who pledged to be unofficial trail ambassadors. Special thanks to those of you who participated in our Share the Trail polls on social media. We were excited to see the poll results, and we have shared them here with you!

Image courtesy Virginia State Parks | CC by 2.0

Pokémon GO for Rail-Trails 101: Tips for Trail Users and Managers

Posted 08/10/16 by Ryan Cree in Trail Use, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, How-to, Mapping and Technology, Trail Use Tips

Pokémon GO is sweeping the nation—and getting people outdoors. For those who play the game, it’s a fantastic way to get out and enjoy your local trail! For trail managers and organizations, the game offers a lot of opportunity to get visitors out to your specific trail and even reach out to new trail users. Here are some quick and easy Pokémon GO tips for trail users and trail managers.

Burke-Gilman Trail in Seattle, Washington | Photo courtesy King County Parks | CC by 2.0

Keep Right, Pass Left—Please!

Posted 08/11/15 by Mary Stutzman in Trail Use | Tagged with How-to, Safety and Law Enforcement, Trail Etiquette

I learned to ride bikes at Champoeg State Park ... when I was growing up. Four years old and foolhardy, I thought I owned the trail. To try and keep up with my older brothers (I hate being left behind!), I had to go fast, but there were all these people in the way. So my dad taught me how to pass and what to say.

Photo courtesy Mark Stosberg

How to Plan Your First Overnight Bike Trip

Posted 05/22/15 by Katie Harris in Trail Use | Tagged with Biking, How-to, Trail Use Tips

Bike touring is rising in popularity across the country, and for good reason. Many seasoned cyclists will tell you: “There’s no better way to experience a place than by bike. If your relationship with your bike stops at day trips, the idea of a multi-day excursion might seem intimidating! Rest easy! These simple tips can help get you on your way to your first overnighter. And we bet it won’t be your last!