Video: The Beauty of Mountain Biking

I'm not going to be able to get some time on my mountain bike this weekend, so this video will have to satiate my craving to go for a ride. It is filled with stunning footage of mountain bikers riding through unbelievable settings, and it is a good reminder of why we love the sport so much. It isn't just about the speed or challenge of riding a tough trail, but also about the places we can go on a bike. After watching this, you'll have some new places you'll want to ride.

Video: Mountain Biking the Albula Haute Route in Switzerland

If you're in need of three-and-a-half minutes of pure mountain biking porn, this video will be just what you're looking for. It takes us to the Albula Valley of Switzerland to ride the Haute Route there, with some stunning scenery serving as a dramatic backdrop. This is the kind of ride that mountain bikers live for, with beautiful single track, snowcapped peaks overhead, and lush forest all around.

Trail Tales - Episode 02: Albula Haute Route from Filme von Draussen on Vimeo.

Tomorrow is the Opening Day for Trails!

Need yet another excuse to get outside and hit a trail this weekend? Than let the Rails to Trails Conservancy provide one. The non-profit has declared Saturday, April 16 Opening Day for Trails in celebration of all of the great trails that are available to outdoor enthusiasts in the U.S.

The Rails to Trails Conservancy is an organization that is dedicated to taking unused railway corridors and converting them to trails for use by hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners, or anyone else is looking for a good place to enjoy nature. Their goal is to have 90% of all Americans living within 3 miles of a trail system by 2020. That's an ambitious, but noble goal for sure and one that I'm sure Adventure Blog readers can relate to.

For Opening Day for Trails there are over 140 free events taking place across the U.S. to celebrate the arrival of spring and our ability to hit the trail once again. Some of the great events on tap include organized bike rides, group hikes, bird watching excursions, and more. Events are scheduled in 25 states and the District of Columbia.

Of course, you don't have to attend one of these outings, as you can also just organize one for you and your friends locally too. The point is to head out on a trail and enjoy the benefits that those routes provide in terms of health and well being. But, if you head over to the Rails to Trails website and take the pledge to get outside, you can also be entered to win one of two Fuji bikes as well.

Seems like as good of a reason as any to get outside this weekend. Find out more at RailstoTrails.org.

Video: Mountain Biking in the Shadow of the Eiger

This is the third – and final – video in Teton Gravity Research's Single Track Sweden series, this time taking us back to that fabulous country to mountain bike in the shadow of the Eiger, one of the most iconic mountains in the entire world. As in the other videos of the series, we're treated to fantastic scenery, great looking trails, and amazing riding. Now I'm ready to go to Switzerland and ride a mountain bike too.

Video: Mountain Biking New Zealand with Yeti Bikes

We all know that New Zealand is an outdoor playground with few equals, but did you also know that it is a fantastic mountain biking destination too? In this video, Yeti Cycles takes us to the New Zealand backcountry to ride everything from narrow sheep trails to custom made routes built specifically for riders. The best part? The amazing scenery that surrounds these trails, which will leave you breathless just looking at it. I need to go ride here.

NEW ZEALAND. PROVEN HERE. from Yeti Cycles on Vimeo.

Gear Closet: G-Form Pro-X Compression Shirt and Pro-B Bike Compression Shorts

A few years back, when I got my first iPad, I looked for a case that could protect it when carrying the shiny new tablet with me in remote locations. I checked out a number of different products, but ultimately settled on the Extreme Sleeve 2 from a company called G-Form. While it was a bit thicker than other cases that were out there, it also was engineered from a high-tech material called G-Form RPT that has the unique ability to sense an impact and automatically stiffen to provide support. The Extreme Sleeve ended up saving my iPad on more than one occasion, more than proving its worth in the field.

Fast forward a few years, and G-Form has taken that same material and applied it to a line of gear designed to keep us safe while participating in a wide range of sports. The company has produced compression shirts and shorts that can be used in a wide variety of activities, as well as shin guards, elbow pads, and other gear for skaters, soccer players, or anyone else who needs a little extra protection. These products incorporate the same G-Form RPT materials, protecting athletes from impact in the exact same way the Extreme Sleeve protected my iPad.

Recently, I had the chance to try out both the Pro-X Compression Shirt and Pro-B Compression Short while on a few mountain bike rides. Both pieces of apparel feature strategically placed RPT cushions that are designed to offer protection in case of a crash. Fortunately, I didn't suffer any significant wipeouts while wearing the products, but I was able to put them to the test through other means, and came away very impressed.

If there is one thing that I need from my active apparel it is the ability to move without compromise. If I wear an article of clothing – no matter how well it performs technically – if it impedes my motion I'm probably not going to like it much. That was my fear with both of these items, as when you look at them before putting them on, it seems like they might be restrictive in some way. But that couldn't be further from the truth, as both the short and shirt fit like a glove, but moved nicely while I walked, jogged, and rode my bike.

The designers at G-Form went to great lengths to find just the right places to install their RPT shields. I found them to sit exactly where I needed them to if they were going to provide any kind of protection, but not in such a way that I was put off by their placement. In fact, within a few minutes of putting these two pieces of apparel on, I actually forgot that I was wearing anything out of the ordinary. That's exactly the point of these products however, as they provide good protection without making you feel conspicuous in any way.

The shorts feature a built in chamois that is a bit on the thin side, but does provide a measure of protection. Considering mountain bikers who wear this type of padding are probably not going to be spending a great deal of time in the saddle however, it never became too much of an issue. I'm sure there will be some riders who would prefer a thicker level of padding, but it was seldom a consideration on my part.

Both the Pro-X Compression Shirt and Pro-B Compression Short are incredibly comfortable to wear. I wore a pair of baggy shorts over G-Form's shorts without any problems at all, and simply wore the compression shirt completely on its own. Both fit well, moved nicely, and have the ability to wick moisture while breathing, all things that come in handy when you're on an intense ride.

Both the compression shirt and shorts are a bit pricey. The shirt will set you back $129.99, while the shorts cost $119.99. That will undoubtedly cause sticker shock for some, who simply want to wear a comfortable shirt and riding shorts when they hit the trail. But for those of you who ride more difficult terrain, and are not unfamiliar with unexpected dismounts – aka the occasional crash – G-Form's RPT technology will come as a welcome addition to your wardrobe. They'll not only protect the more important parts of your body in a fall, they'll also have you back on the bike riding much more quickly too.

As I mentioned, I didn't personally suffer any crashes during my testing, so instead I put on both article of clothing and had a friend hit me directly the sports where the RPT pads were located, both with a fist and with a wooden stick. While in both cases the force of the impact was registered, the energy from that impact was deflected and diluted nicely by the pads. That means that while I could feel the impact, it didn't really have an real effect on me. There was not pain, bruising, or injuries at all, which is exactly how you'd hope these pieces of gear would perform.

If you need a bit of extra protection for your mountain bike rides, or other activities for that matter,  check out G-Form's products at G-Form.com.

Video: Freeriding Awesome Mountain Bike Trails in Switzerland

In this video, we return to the Alps with our friends from Teton Gravity Research for the second episode of their "Singletrack Switzerland" series. Once again, we're treated to breathtaking scenery and some awesome looking trails that hint at the amazing riding that can be found in the mountains of Switzerland. After watching this, I know I'd sure like to go there myself.

Video: Trippin' - Climbing and Riding the Scottish Highlands in Winter

Here's a pretty cool adventure. The video follows outdoor adventurer Oe Nagan has he heads out to the Scottish Highlands for some winter adventure. He begins by riding his mountain bike to the mountains before climbing up to the top with the bike strapped to his back. Once he reaches the summit, the reassembles it, and provides to ride back down, on snow no less. Quite an amazing way to combine two great activities into one winter escape.

Trippin - Winter Climb Ride from Trippin on Vimeo.

California Dreamin' - Adventures in Santa Rosa

If you saw my post from a few days back, you probably already know that I'm in California for the week spending some time in Santa Rosa and exploring all of the travel options it has to offer. The city  is nestled in the heart of wine country, and is surrounded by a landscapes of rolling hills and lush grasslands. But best of all, it has plenty of things to offer the adventurous, active traveler too, including outstanding mountain biking, road cycling, and much more.

I arrived in Santa Rosa late Tuesday afternoon after flying into San Francisco, grabbing a rental car, and hitting the road. It took about an hour and a half to drive to town, where I first checked into the Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa, my base camp for my stay in the region. The Flamingo is a unique hotel to say the least, which a retro chic design that is both charming and fun. Sure, there are plenty of other places to stay in Santa Rosa, but I'd wager few of them have the character of this place.

After getting settled at the Flamingo, I had to run across town to the Trek Store of Santa Rosa to pick up a mountain bike for a planned ride the following day. The friendly and very helpful staff at the bike shop hooked me up with a Trek Fuel EX 8, and plenty of great suggestions on trails to ride in the area. Their knowledge and experience would come in handy when I would hit trail in Annadel State Park on my second day there.

On a side note, if you want to check out a fantastic bike shop when visiting the area, the Trek Store is one of the best I've seen. They have a great selection of bikes both for sale and rent to meet the needs of just about any kind of rider. There is also plenty of cycling apparel, accessories, and other items too. If you have some time to kill while in Santa Rosa, it's worth a stop even if you're not going to be riding.


After collecting my bike, I rounded out my first day by grabbing dinner at The Pullman Kitchen, a trendy and tasty bistro in downtown Santa Rosa. The menu included some light, healthy options, along with a good selection of local wines. After all, vino is what this part of California is best known for.

On my second day in Santa Rosa would definitely be a more active one. After grabbing a light breakfast, I drove over to Getaway Adventures, a local outfitter that specializes in organizing cycling and kayaking tours of the area. Getaway has been around for more than 25 years, and offer customers such options as the Velo 'n Vino wine tour and Pints and Pedals for beer lovers. But on this day, the company's owner – Randy Johnson –  took me on the Jenner Coastal Kayak tour, a paddling excursion that takes travelers to the place where the famous Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean.

Jenner is a small town located about 45 minutes from Santa Rosa. It overlooks the river and the scenic Northern California coastline. The paddling is easy and relaxed, with plenty of wonderful things to see along the way. The highlight of the trip is watching the Pacific Harbor Seals sun themselves on the beach. And since it is early spring, they have started to give birth to their babies. Were able to spot a couple of the pups from the water as they mingled with the rest of the herd.

As we paddled along the edge of the river, the curious seals came closer to our kayaks, occasionally bobbing their heads above the water to get a closer look. It was clear that they wanted to know who we were, and what we were doing there, but we were careful not to start too close to the main group, as they are easily startled and will quickly dash into the water.

At one point of the tour, we pulled our kayaks onto the beach and got out to take a look around. The beauty of the California coast was on full display, with rocky outcroppings, towering cliffs, and roaring waves crashing against the shore. It was worth the entire trip out Jenner just to take in the view.

Sadly, our paddling excursion had to come to an end, and after grabbing a quick lunch in town, we were back on the road to Getaway Adventures' headquarters in Santa Rosa, where they had other clients waiting and it was time for me to move on. For me, the tour was over far too quickly, but my day was far from over. After saying goodbye to Randy and his very helpful crew, I was off to Annadel State Park for the mountain biking portion of my tour.

This magnificent outdoor playground sits just 15 minutes drive out of Santa Rosa, and yet it has miles of trails for every type of rider. Whether you like twisty and technical single track, smooth and wide fire roads, or something in-between, Annadel has you covered. There are grueling climbs, and breathtaking drops. White knuckle descents and rocky routes can all be found there, with some fantastic views to be had along the way too.

I stared off by going up the North Burma Trail, a difficult climb that left my legs and lungs screaming out for relief. Near the top, it levels out nicely and become easier, but if you want an easier ascent, I'm told that South Burma is the way to go. Eventually I made my way over to the Lake Trail, which circles Lake Ilsanjo, one of the park's hidden gems. After that, I pedaled over to the Canyon Trail for a fun and fast – albeit rocky – descent back to the parking lot.

All told, I spent about two hours riding around Annadel, and came away very impressed. Not only is the riding fantastic, but there are trails for every style and experience level of riders. Best of all, the proximity of the park to Santa Rosa makes it easily accessible to anyone living in or visiting the town. We should all have such a wonderful natural resource so close to where we live.

After my ride, I zipped back into town, dropped off my bike at Trek Santa Rosa, and returned to the Flamingo for a quick shower. As you can imagine, my busy and active day helped me build up quite an appetite, and it was time to refuel. What better way to do that than with a big steak and a glass of local wine? I'd heard that Stark's Steakhouse was the best in town, and after one meal there it's hard to argue with that. The prime rib was delicious, especially when paired with the restaurant's truffle fries. Following a long and busy day, it definitely hit the spot.

Following a good meal, it was back to the Flamingo for some rest. Tomorrow is another busy one filled with more adventures, and I'm already looking forward to seeing what else Santa Rosa has in store for me.

Gear Closet: The RinseKit Pressurized Portable Shower

Every once in awhile a piece of gear comes along that sounds good on paper, but it doesn't necessarily click just how useful it can be until you've actually tried it. That was exactly the case for me with the RinseKit, a personal, portable shower that is one of the most interesting pieces of kit that I've seen in a long time that I'm convinced is a great addition to anyone's gear closet.

I first heard about the RinseKit last summer, when the product was first being introduced. Reading about it, it sounded like something that would be really useful for many outdoor enthusiasts in a wide variety of circumstances. I became convinced of that when I first saw the product in person at Summer Outdoor Retailer in August, so of course I was eager to get my hands on one myself, which I did a couple of weeks back.

The concept behind the RinseKit is a simple – but brilliant – one. The idea is to use natural water pressure to create a steady output of water that can be used for any number of purposes without the need for batteries or pumping. The product itself is pretty much a portable tank that can hold up to two gallons of water inside a rugged plastic case. The entire thing weights 9 pounds when it is empty and 24 pounds when it is filled with water, which makes it easy to carry around just about anywhere, although you won't be lugging it into the backcountry.


Popping the top on that case reveals a hose, nozzle, and a special adapter for connecting the RinseKit to the same water spigot that you use with your garden hose. (An optional adapter for your kitchen sink is also available) With that adapter installed, you simply remove then nozzle, hook the hose up to the spout, and turn it on. It takes about 20 seconds to fill the tank, which builds up pressure from the water spigot as you go. That same pressure is used to pump the water back out using the nozzle once you're ready to use it.

The nozzle resembles something you'd also use on your garden hose, although it has multiple settings to allow you to dial in exactly the type of spray that you'd like to use. For instance, it has a shower setting that is perfect for hosing yourself off after a long day on the trail, while other settings provide a higher pressure setting for other activities. When completely full, the RinseKit can provide up to four minutes of spray before it needs to be refilled again.

This is one of those items that you'll probably find more uses for the longer you own it. For instance, I've had mine a couple of weeks, and I've already used it to clean my grill, wash off my mountain bike, and give my puppy a bath. It will also come in handy later in the summer when paddling season starts and I get the chance to test a new stand-up paddleboard that was sent my way.

Surfers, fishermen, and car campers will love the RinseKit. It provides high pressure water for a multitude of uses, and it provides the opportunity to truly clean off at the end of the day. It is actually impressive how well this product works, and I think it is an extremely useful tool to have at your disposal.

The RinseKit is priced at $90, which probably sounds like a lot for a water tank that holds two gallons of liquid. But it is the other functionality that makes this a product that really stands out. Being able pump out a steady stream of high pressure water without the need for batteries or pumping   comes in very handy, and I think you'll find it just as useful as do.

Check out the RinseKit in action in the video below, and find out more at RinseKit.com.

Men's Journal Has 196 Adventures for Us - One For Each Country on Earth

Consider yourself a globe-trotting adventurer? If so, you'll definitely want to check out the latest list from Men's Journal, which offers 196 unique adventures - one for each country on the planet.

The list is presented in alphabetical order of the countries, starting with Afghanistan and ending with Zimbabwe, with every other destination on Earth in-between. Each entry includes a brief paragraph describing an adventure that is available at the particular place, with some good information to help you get started with your planning.

The options for activities in these places are as varied and widespread ad the locations themselves. You'll find everything from hiking and camping, to mountain biking and road cycling, to scuba diving and snorkeling, and so much more. It maybe cliché to say there is something for everyone on this list, but with a round-up this extensive, that statement has never been truer.

What I like about this list is that it not only suggests classic adventure ideas (visit Patagonia in Chile, gorilla trekking in the DNC) but also some lesser known options such as sailing along the coast of Croatia and surfing in Ghana. It also makes it easy for you to find an adventure, even when you're going to a place where you don't think there is necessarily one to be had. Just scrolling through the gallery will get the wheels spinning with the possibilities.

While this is a fantastic article to read, you do have to set aside some time to go through it all. 196 adventures is a lot, and you'll want to savor every suggestion. I know I've already added a couple of ideas to my always-expanding bucket list.