The picturesque landscape of Vermont is a wonder of the northeastern United States. Its stunning fall colors, historic cities, and quaint towns attract people from all over the world.

When most people think of Vermont, quaint and quiet outdoor experiences may be among the first that come to mind. While there is no shortage of relaxing farmstays, cozy inns, and peaceful outdoor attractions throughout the state, Vermont is also a place where visitors are never far from trail networks tailor-made for mountain bikers.

The Green Mountains that span the length of Vermont are famous for spectacular skiing, with more than 20 unique areas throughout the state. During the warmer months, the entire landscape is teeming with a variety of bike parks and meticulously maintained trail systems that make the state a bucket-list destination for mountain bikers.

Thanks to the contributions of community volunteers and members of the Vermont Mountain Biking Association who build, maintain, and advocate for trails, mountain biking in Vermont is about as diverse as it comes.

Sprawling farmland and mountainous landscapes create a dream scenario for pavement-free excursions on two wheels, including a wide variety of downhill bike parks and an incredible wealth of less-traveled yet incredibly fun trails, including plenty of options for adaptive mountain bikers.

Northern Vermont Mountain Biking

Northern Vermont is home to some of the top-tier biking venues in the state, many of which are situated within reasonably short drives to charming towns and attractions.

Bolton Valley Resort

Bolton Valley Resort is home to 28 unique downhill trails, including the Ebascootcha beginner trail, five blue intermediate trails, and more than 20 highly technical black and double black diamond trails to get the heart rate soaring.

Nestled in the mountains between Burlington, Montpelier, and Stowe, Bolton Valley is an ideal location to set up a home base to shred through the day and venture out to explore surrounding areas in the evenings.

Visitors also can stay at the resort and enjoy post-ride beverages and snacks at the James Moore Tavern, or take a short drive into Waterbury to sample Ben & Jerry’s ice cream at its factory, or enjoy a nice dinner at Prohibition Pig, which offers a variety of smoked meats and craft beer.

The Driving Range

The Driving Range is one of the most unique mountain bike trails out there. Just down the road from Bolton Valley Resort, The Driving Range is Vermont’s first fully adaptive mountain biking network, with 100% of its trail system accessible for adaptive bikes.

The community strongly supported building this trail network to create a system where people on adaptive bikes can ride without worrying about impassable obstacles or unfavorable conditions. While the network is completely adaptive, it is not tame. The Driving Range offers 13 different trails, including two black diamond and three double black diamond trails with serious features.

Burke Mountain Bike Park

Located in Northeastern Vermont, Burke Mountain offers a healthy mix of 12 downhill trails, including expert jump lines and excavated flow trails, along with 10 cross-country trails for folks who want to mix it up between gravity and hammering the pedals. 

The bike park sits near the expansive Kingdom Trails network, which has more than 100 miles of trails ranging from easy-to-navigate singletrack to lines that challenge even the best riders.

Beyond biking, Burke Mountain offers plenty of opportunities for fun and relaxation, such as horseback riding at D-N-D Stables or spending a peaceful afternoon taking in the views at nearby Lake Willoughby.

Central Vermont Mountain Biking

Killington Bike Park

Killington Bike Park sits in Central Vermont, which is about a 20-minute drive west of Rutland. The park includes more than 30 miles of pristine downhill trails cutting through three distinct mountain areas: Snowshed, Ramshead, and Killington Peak. A high-speed lift serves each area, allowing riders to relax and easily enjoy run after run.

Riders of every level can enjoy Killington. Snowshed offers a good amount of beginner-to-intermediate terrain. Killington Peak includes more New England-style trails with technical sections filled with rocks and roots, while Ramshead has signature freeride trails.

WAMBA’s Mt. Peg

Mt. Peg marries classic Northeastern singletrack with a handful of manicured freeride trails. This network consists of about 3 miles of trail that offers fast and flowy descents. The area also has a skills area with progressive drops with ample run-in and out, along with nice, forgiving sloped landings that make progressing to larger features easier.

The Woodstock Inn and Resort owns Mt. Peg, making it a great place to stay while visiting.

Woodstock also has a bustling downtown packed with entertainment and culture. Pentangle Arts Woodstock Town Hall Theater hosts live music, dance, theater, film screenings, and more. The town also is home to the charming Middle Covered Bridge, one of 100 covered bridges located throughout the state, which perfectly represents the unique style of covered bridges for which Vermont is famous.

Just outside of town, visitors can learn about local agriculture at Billings Farm & Museum. The working farm highlights scientific farming history and offers interactive exhibits, classes, and experiences.

Marsh-Billing Rockefeller National Historical Park, the state’s only national park, is less than a mile outside of town. The park boasts 400-year-old hemlocks, sugar maples, and covered bridges.

Mad River Rider’s Blueberry Lake (Family-Friendly)

Blueberry Lake is a family-friendly section of the larger Mad River Valley trail system. It has gentle grades and flowy, sweeping turns that are ideal for youngsters or beginners to build their confidence. The trail network consists of about 7 miles spread across 13 different trails, all of which are beginner or intermediate.

Blueberry Lake trails are managed by the U.S. Forest Service and were designated as an International Mountain Biking Association Model Trail-Gateway in 2013.

Blueberry Lake itself provides the perfect venue to cool off after a day of mountain biking in the sun. Riders also can enjoy a sandwich or coffee from the “almost world-famous” Warren Store. The nearby Sugarbush Resort provides family-friendly fun including a scenic chairlift ride, golf, and swimming.

Southern Vermont Mountain Biking

Slate Valley Trails Endless Brook

Slate Valley Trails Endless Brook Trailhead includes 15 miles of intermediate to advanced hike and bike trails. These trails feature a ton of climbs, along with fast descents featuring berms and rollers. The trail also includes benches with stellar views of Lake Saint Catherine, where riders can take a break or grab a snack.

As always, riders need to be sure to take care of the trails and leave no trace. Be aware: these trails are 100% on private property. However, the landowners’ generosity and partnership with Slate Valley Trails have made them available to the public.

Stratton Mountain Downhill Bike Park

Stratton Mountain lies in Southern Vermont, about 20 miles from Manchester. It is home to a more than 10-mile system of sweeping downhill trails designed by Sinuosity, a leading trail-building organization in Vermont.

At the base, visitors can enjoy time at the village, or play a round of golf at the Stratton Golf Course. Other key features of Stratton aimed at outdoor enthusiasts include indoor and outdoor climbing walls, scenic lift rides, mountain-top yoga, and guided UTV tours.

More on Vermont Mountain Biking

Vermont holds 1,400 miles of mapped mountain biking trails to sample, including the venues outlined above.

The Vermont Mountain Biking Association has compiled an exhaustive list of trail networks, complete with maps and information on trail conditions online at VMBA.org. By checking conditions before heading out onto the trails, riders can ensure they ride responsibly, and avoid sites where they could cause damage, or put other riders or the future of mountain bike access in certain areas in jeopardy.

Also, riders can find information on trails that offer adaptive riding at the organization’s dedicated adaptive riding webpage.

The post Green Mountain Flow: How to Experience Vermont by Bike appeared first on Bikerumor.

If it’s not the world-class skiing in the winter or Mt. Fuji, most of the hyped imagery around Japan is the neon lights of Shibuya Crossing, the crush of bars in Shinjuku’s Golden Gai, or the irrationally popular Running Man sign along Dotonburi canal. That, and the weird food.

But get outside the mega-metropolis of Tokyo, temple-filled Kyoto, and deceptively chill Osaka, and there’s a much more interesting side of Japan to discover. And, naturally, the best way to do that is by bike.

Ride & Seek offers just such an opportunity with their Samurai Cycling Tour, a two-parter that starts in northern and central Honshu (basically the middle of Japan), then finishes with a tour around Shikoku Island, the large island just west of Osaka. All in, it’s nearly a month of riding, including bonus loops around Mt. Fuji, but you can break it up into parts as needed. If that sounds like fun, here’s everything you need to know, plus stories from our experience riding the Shikoku Islands stage with them in May 2024…

About Ride & Seek

Ride & Seek is a global cycling tour operator, with multi-day to multi-week tours all over the world. Most have a slight theme based on the location, with the goal being to immerse you into the culture more than you could do on your own. They also handle all on-the-ground logistics and, if needed, can advise on coordinating travel, bicycle transportation, etc.

That logistics part is key, especially in Japan. Not only is the language barrier higher, but finding good hotels in the middle of nowhere is hard. Finding restaurants (any restaurant) that will be open when you need them to be is even harder. And even if they are open, as a foreigner, they may turn you away…not because they don’t like foreigners, but because they’d rather say no than risk providing sub-par service. That, or you needed a reservation so that they could have the food and staff on hand. It’s tricky, but Ride & Seek handles all that and much more for you.

They have a primary team for each location, then contract with vetted locals as needed based on group size. There’s always 1-2 guides riding with the group, and one person (or more, as needed) in support vehicles. For the Japan trip, they covered breakfast and dinner, and we were on our own for lunches most days (see the “food” section further down to see why).

They also set up snack stops several times each day, with a mix of local treats, candies, and snacks you’re unlikely to find at home. Plus sports drink, sodas, energy bars, and more.

The guides also include snack stops at local spots, like this cafe that serves an egg and banana…and coffee (and that’s it). Other times it’s a small shop that has local baked goods, jams, jellies, ice cream, and other treats. This is the local knowledge that’s hard to get on your own, which is one of the big perks of an organized tour.

Japan has a lot of vending machines that serve both hot and cold coffee, koucha and ocha (black and green teas), but if none are nearby, our guides made pour-over coffee, too.

Snacks are set up at the end of each day’s ride, too, so we could refuel before hitting the onsens (hot baths) and relaxing before getting ready for dinner.

Bathrooms are plentiful, too. Japan has an abundance of public bathrooms, and they’re almost always clean, well-stocked, and many have heated toilet seats with bidets. Oddly, most do not have soap or towels, and hand dryers are sporadic, so it’s a good idea to bring along a small thing of hand sanitizer, or use the one provided by the guides at the snack stops.

Pre-trip support is excellent, with plenty of documentation. Once we arrived, an information packet had printed details for each day plus common Japanese greetings and phrases, which is a handy reference.

There’s also a pre-trip app that has much of the same information if you prefer screen to paper, or just want to have a quick reference to the day’s route while you’re out riding.

The guides also provide daily route files through Ride With GPS, and can help you get them onto your cycling computers, too. You’ll need to create a free RWGPS account in advance, and it’s helpful if you know how to get a route onto your device. Most days offer short and long routes, so you can get more riding and climbing if you want, but typically even the short routes will hit all of the scenic highlights.

Supported, not rushed

One of the things I liked best about Ride & Seek is that there’s a very loose agenda. You have a breakfast time and a dinner time, and then a whole lot of hours in between.

We were able to ride at our own pace, stop and take as many photos (silly or otherwise) as we wanted, explore the temples and villages, and generally create the experience we wanted.

For us, that’s perfect. Even if we weren’t documenting the experience for this story, we like stopping and exploring, as you’ll see in the photos below (plus more on our personal Instas – @tylerbenedict and @collective.wild).

It’s also perfect because the hammerheads can hammer, and the slower folks can mosey. It means you can bring along friends or family of varying levels and everyone can enjoy the trip. There’s no pressure to keep up, and no expectation to wait up.

That said, everyone should be in good shape and able to comfortably handle 40 to 70 miles/day for 8+ consecutive days, and fix a flat and other little things that may go wrong. As long as you make it to dinner, you can be as autonomous as you like.

Cycling through Shikoku

I’ve mountain biked near Nagano, just east of Ride & Seek’s Honshu Stage of the Samurai Cycle Tour, and it’s rad. For this Shikoku stage, the terrain was completely new to me but, despite being a bit more coastal, it was just as mountainous.

Our eight days of riding had a claimed 24,800 feet of climbing (7,560m) with an average of just 53 miles per day. That’s a hair over 3k feet of climbing per day, though some days definitely had more than others.

Japan’s population is clustered in the big cities for a reason – it’s impractical to build anywhere else. Their major cities are generally surrounded by either the sea or mountains. Those mountains are so steep, and they get so much rain, that it simply isn’t feasible to build there. Once you head out and up, traffic and people quickly disappear.

Shikoku is even more remote. There are no major cities on it, and only a few bridges (and even fewer trains) connecting it. Which makes it a great place to ride if you want to explore a more ancient side of Japan.

Our route followed parts of the Kobo Daishi pilgrimage trail, which has 88 temples, and climbed over the highest mountain in Western Japan (Mt Ishizuchi, 1,982m / 6,502ft).

The upside to all that rain is that the roads are almost all perfectly paved. Or, at least, very well maintained. Even in the most remote areas, the roads might be single-lane, but they’re smooth and fast.

Where much of the world would leave these forest service roads and connectors as dirt or gravel, Japan’s voluminous rain means they’d be grading, repairing, and replacing them constantly. They would wash away too quickly. So they pave them. That means gravel cycling is harder to find in Japan, but it also means endless ribbons of beautiful, traffic-free roads through lush green forests and epic mountains.

Most of the days are spent crossing the interior of the island through a mix of villages, rice paddies, and mountain roads. Plenty of variety, and plenty of climbing!

There are plenty of miles along rivers, and lots of small bridges to cross just for fun and views.

Wildlife

Keep an eye out for the Tanuki, aka “Japanese Racoon Dog”. If you’ve ever played Super Mario Brothers and thought you were wearing a racoon suit, think again. It’s also in Animal Crossing.

Tanuki statues are massively popular, found outside almost every door we passed. They supposedly bring good luck, but also represent trust, good fortune, protection, and more, depending on how they’re dressed.

Closer to the coast you’ll find small crabs. I also found a massive toad, fire belly newt, and…

…a giant Japanese Blue Worm, literally one of the coolest creatures I’ve ever seen. There are also monkeys, deer, and more, plus large black birds that look and sound like ravens but are actually a large Jungle Crow.

Also worth noting: Almost every corner has a mirror so you can see what’s coming around the bend. It’s very handy, letting you take the corners a little quicker and have more fun without being surprised. They work really well, but obviously, you should still use caution.

Shimanami Kaido Bikeway & the Bridges

The trip finishes along the southern coast, then another day inland, then a quick train transfer to finish things off with the amazing 60km+ long Shimanami Kaido bikeway, a series of suspension bridges and six small islands that link Shikoku with the main island of Honshu.

Japan has invested in cycling tourism here in interesting ways. While there are “Blue Line” cycle paths marked along similar coastal roads on the Kii Peninsula (south of Osaka and Nara), those are more heavily trafficked and lined with businesses. I rode some of those sections after this tour and ended up moving back into the mountains to get away from the cars.

On Shikoku, though, it’s so remote and disconnected that there’s very little traffic, even on beautiful coastal roads like these.

The most impressive investment is the bikeway that was built into the suspension bridges connecting Shikoku to Honshu. It was purpose-built with separate cycling lanes and, in some cases, even separate lanes for scooters, too.

The popularity of it is apparent from the number of rental bikes we saw, and groups of casual cyclists. It still wasn’t crowded, but definitely more riders around the bridges than anywhere else we rode.

And for good reason – it’s really cool. The ramps leading up to and down from the bridge loop around in circles and figure eights and are quite fun…

…and the views from up top are stellar:

It’s an excellent way to finish, and the last night’s hotel is something special, too. It’s one of the few without an onsen, but it’s fully modern, cycle themed, and the dinner includes 90 minutes of all-you-can drink…if you’re into that kind of thing.

Meals and more

Breakfast and all but one dinner is included in the tour, and we all ate together for both.

The host hotels all served a full Japanese breakfast, which is lots of small plates of things you can mix together in your mouth to create different flavors. Or not. They were mostly good, always interesting, and thanks to the unlimited rice, always enough. Honestly, if you’re not an adventurous eater, breakfasts will be tough unless you seek out your own…which will also be tough due to the remote location of most of our hotels.

(We rode past a lot of 7-Elevens, Lawsons, and Family Marts, which all have plenty of other options…and excellent fried chicken, seriously).

Each restaurant served a similar multi-dish dinner, usually in waves that ended up being a LOT of food. And a lot of seafood, some in forms and flavors you will definitely not recognize. Candied fish, anyone?

As much as all of us, and there was a mix of Americans, Europeans, and Brits on the tour, were craving a burger by night five, the food is part of the experience and very good. Typically, Japanese do not eat like this – it’s a lot of work. But it’s what you’ll find when staying at traditional-style hotels and ryokans. Here’s a gallery of more of our meals (click any photo to enlarge):

Which is why it’s cool that we get to choose our own lunches:

Our guides had suggestions, but some spots had multiple options. And we sought out takoyaki stands when we saw them. It’s pan-fried dough balls with octopus in them, covered in a variety of sauces and seasonings. Very delicious, and a popular snack in Japan.

A big, hot bowl of pork ramen with the special egg is also a great, filling option. I definitely recommend asking for it oomori (large portion) with an extra serving of pork (a standard serving is usually only 2-3 slices).

I also strongly recommend looking around. The recommended lunch spot(s) is/are usually a “safe” option, but we found food trucks across the street with way more interesting dishes. This one smoked and seared fresh Bonito right in front of us, then sliced, seasoned, and plated it with pickled vegetables and more. It was amazing, and amazingly cheap…roughly $6 USD.

Don’t be afraid to explore, that’s the reason they leave lunch up to you. Take advantage!

Also, try the local beverages, and check out the ice cream section at the konbini (convenience stores)…lots of tasty treats there! Some restaurants had sake flights so you could try local and regional sake, too.

Note: While breakfast and dinners are included, alcoholic beverages are on your dime for most meals, as is lunch and extra snacks, etc. I recommend bringing about 20,000 yen in cash with you, and use the ATMs at every c-store if you need more. Not every store or cafe takes credit cards.

Hotels & Hot Baths

The hotels were a mix of Western-style and traditional ryokan, where you lay out sleeping mats on the tatami floors at night. Or, if you’re riding buddy snores, you leave their pad in the closet and close the door…

In most cases, you want to take your shoes off as soon as you enter your room, but always for rooms with tatami mat floors. One hotel had a shared bathroom on the hall and provided bath slippers, so you’d swap from your room slippers to the bath slippers, then back. You’ll also take off your shoes and slippers before entering the onsen.

Onsens

An Onsen (ōn-sin) is more than a hot tub, it’s a public bath. Where Scandinavian cultures go to hot springs to soak, Japanese go to bathe.

But don’t worry, no one’s scrubbing in the hot pools. Showers line the entrance, and everyone is expected to thoroughly cleanse themselves before entering the water. Many people spend more time cleaning than soaking, but how you enjoy it is up to you…after you’re showered.

Almost all are separated for men and women and do not allow clothes, phones, cameras, food, beverages, or tattoos. Yes, you have to get naked, dems the rules. Hotels with onsens, of which most had them during our tour, provide robes to wear to and from the baths, and small wash towels that also make great modesty pieces if you’re uncomfortable walking around bare.

There are some outdoor spots with foot soaks, which are co-ed, and occasionally you can find a hot spring feeding into a river that’s public. But most onsens and baths are private and separated.

These are a highlight of the trip. Soaking after a long ride is amazing, and especially on the cooler days. This trip is offered twice per year, in May and October. The May trip ends just as southern Japan is about to enter its rainy season, so there’s a good chance of sprinkles. We had a couple of days with showers, but nothing serious, and nothing that stopped us from riding. Bring a rain jacket, and soak in the onsen after!

Notes & more photos

Our guides Nate & Eri were great. Super friendly, happy to help with anything, and had the logistics dialed, bags loaded and unloaded, and hotel check-ins covered before we even finished the ride each day. All we had to do was show up, ride, and enjoy ourselves, which is exactly what you’d want and expect from a full-service guided tour like this. They took turns riding and driving the van, so we got to know each of them…when we could keep up – they’re both rippers up and down the mountain!

If you’re looking for a well-structured, expertly-guided cycling tour, I recommend checking out Ride & Seek’s extensive trip catalog. And if you’re interested in Japan, check out their Samurai Cycling Tour. We enjoyed ourselves immensely, thanks both to the guides’ stories and intel, and also because we could explore on our own, too. The route was the right mix of hard and fun, with plenty of short detours to be found if you want.

Nate even waited up to loop us through a small alley with a local brewery so we could grab a bottle for later, and they pointed out cool shops and local treats along the way.

Independently, and away from the guides, Steve and I also asked the other participants what they thought of the tour. They mostly echoed our sentiments, which is impressive considering they ranged in age from late 20s to 82! Plus, everyone’s cycling experience and personal backgrounds varied considerably, too, so the consensus confirmed our opinions in the best way.

It also made for an interesting week, talking to everyone, making new friends, and sharing our collective photos and stories from each day. It’s always interesting how different people experience the same thing, and I appreciate that there’s always something to learn from others. Sharing meals made that easy.

Temples and more photos

We took a LOT of photos. And video, which you’ll see in some of the reviews for products we used (list at bottom of this post). Many of our side trips were stops at various temples, which ranged from big and grand…

…to small and hidden, tucked down a path next to a waterfall. Our best advice? Just look around, and take time to stop. Here’s the best of the rest of our pics from Ride & Seek’s Samurai Cycling Tour.

Huge thanks to Ride & Seek for hosting us. Full disclosure, they covered the cost of the tour for us, but we paid for our flights and pre- and post-trip hotels and train rides, lunches, and other ancillary costs. To make this possible, our trip was also supported by the following brands – Links to reviews will go live as they’re are published:

• Lauf Cycles (Uthald road bikes)
• GoreWear (riding kits & gloves)
• CEP Socks (riding & travel socks)
• OSMO Nutrition (hydration, fuel & recovery)
• Trek (shoes, helmets, bottles & lights)
• Huckberry (merino travel clothes – on GearJunkie)

Check out dates, rates, routes, and more details at RideAndSeek.com

The post Review: Ride & Seek Samurai Cycling Tour Delivers a Quieter Side of Japan appeared first on Bikerumor.

Every day I get closer to the age where something always hurts. Some days, I’m already there.  As a result, I’ve started paying more attention to exercise recovery and overuse injury prevention. This is why recently, when KT Tape invited me to check out their latest products, I immediately signed up. Oh, and did I mention fat biking in Park City? 

If you’re familiar with the brand, you probably know KT Tape from their often colorful kinesiology tape adhered to some of the world’s best athletes. That’s still a big part of the KT business, but it’s a small portion of the greater population, so KT is thinking bigger. Specifically, they’re working to bring injury prevention and treatment options to every day athletes – even non-athletes.

It may be a stretch to see non-athletes taping themselves up, but that’s where KT’s newest products come in. Going forward, you’ll notice that KT is slowly removing the ‘Tape’ part of their brand identity. That’s big news for a brand that holds 80% of the market share for kinesiology tape, but many of their newest products are not tape so the name change makes more sense. Especially since the ‘KT’ in the name stands for Kinesiology Therapy – something you’ll now find in multiple forms. Tape products will still be under the KT Tape family, but the new products like the Ice Series will be under the KT Health umbrella.

Fat Biking in Park City with KT Health Activate

With a theme of KT Pro Ice, our time in Park City was all about how to prepare, perform, and recover. Broken down into two main groups, I was in the fat biking group along with KT CEO Jessica Klodnicki who joined the brand in 2022. Jessica is the real deal and was stoked to get out riding with the crew on her own fat bike (a beautiful Salsa Beargrease). The rest of us were on rental Norco Bigfoots from White Pine Touring, which worked out great.

But before any of us hit the beautifully groomed trails of Round Valley, we got to check out the first new product. Called the KT Health Activate Magnesium Cream, it’s kind of like an embrocation cream but with the added benefit of magnesium. KT acknowledges they’re certainly not the first to offer a magnesium cream, but many of the products on the market are aimed at restless leg syndrome, or basic pain relief. 

Activate on the other hand is designed to loosen and warm your muscles prior to exercise to reduce stiffness and reduce the risk of injury. KT originally started working on a magnesium cream in 2019 with an original goal of using it as an electrolyte to feed your muscles. But what they found was that the magnesium helped to release contracted muscles and reduce stiffness. The magnesium also helps to allow the creams to be better absorbed into the skin. 

Combined with Arnica, it doesn’t take long to feel the Activate cream going to work – at least for me. One of the things that KT’s Director of Product Development and Research, Jeremy Newns, pointed out is that sensates (something related to your senses) are often perceived differently from person to person. Because of that, no two people will experience the product the same way. 

For me, I can tell you it got hot quickly, and stayed noticeable for about two hours. I spread the Activate cream liberally on my legs and lower back, before pulling on some winter cycling tights that were then covered by trail MTB pants. It was a pretty warm day for fat biking that started out in the high 20’s and eventually rose past freezing, but even so, my legs were warm. But true to Activate’s promise, they were also loose, and I felt like I was riding much stronger than I had expected. Due to our nearly snow-less winter at home, I’ve spent very little time on a fat bike this year, and a lot of time on a trainer with road bike-q-factor. 

I expected the jump to the wide fat bike q-factor to result in the usual soreness to my knees and legs, but it never came. 

It’s also worth pointing out that the KT Health Magnesium creams are mixed with skin-friendly ingredients like aloe, vitamin e, shea butter, and jojoba oil. After the initial application it never feels thick or oily, but my skin was noticeably less dry and ashy where I had applied the Magnesium cream, even two days later. 

Snowshoeing & Paddleboard Yoga, Then Time to Recover

KT really wanted to make sure we were feeling a bit sore before introducing the next product, so we proceeded to snowshoe to and from a yurt for dinner that night, followed up by some paddleboard yoga inside a hot spring crater. If you haven’t tried to do tree pose on a paddleboard before, it’s humbling. But it also requires your muscles to continuously fire to help keep your balance – I think I was most sore after the yoga. Which made it a great time to introduce their Recover cream.

Like the Activate cream, Recover is a magnesium-based cream with aloe, vitamin e, shea butter, and jojoba oil for skin health, only this time it’s mixed with menthol for pain relief and cooling. According to KT’s research, the magnesium and menthol combination loosens stiff muscles like the Activate cream, but it also helps to cool muscles and the menthol actually blocks pain signals. 

Dr. Erin Hassler who is a member of the KT Sports Medicine Advisory Board explained this to us in depth, but also with an understanding of medicine science that few of us possess. Apparenlty, menthol increases opioid receptors and activates the same thermoreceptor (TRPM8) on nerve endings that’s involved in sensing cold. This causes a cooling, soothing, and tingling sensation while also promoting vasoconstriction for reduced inflammation. 

Personally, I’ve found the Recover cream to also be effective, though maybe not quite as noticeable as the Activate cream. Going back to the whole sensate perception thing, for me the cooling sensation of the menthol isn’t as strong as the warming sensation of the arnica no matter how much I use. But it’s definitely working – you can feel it and smell it. More importantly, the Recover cream has already proven itself useful in multiple scenarios. I’ve used it on everything from a smashed elbow, to a spasming back, to just sore legs after big rides. In each situation, my recovery has been faster than expected, allowing me to get back into action. 

I often struggle with sleeping after big rides, which may be one of the best features of Recover. I’ve had a few big days now where I’ve pushed my body to the point I would normally have a restless sleep, but the Recover cream seems to really calm things down and I’ve slept much better. It’s not a miracle cure, but it’s better than anything I’ve tried to this point. 

Because of that, it’s become a fixture in my gear bag for big rides. I don’t use it all the time, but on days where I’m feeling stiff or sore, it’s a sure thing – at least in cooler weather. I haven’t had the chance to try out the Activate cream in hot weather yet, but I’m wondering how the intense warming sensation would be on a hot day. KT says they’re always working on new products, so maybe someday we’ll see a version of Activate for warmer weather with some sunscreen mixed in as well?

Pro Ice Products Include U.S.-Made Tape, Best Ice Sleeve Yet

In addition to the menthol Recover cream, KT is also introducing a new Pro Ice Tape, and my personal favorite, their new Ice Sleeves. Their first tape to be made in the U.S., KT Pro Ice Tape uses menthol-infused adhesive to provide some of the same benefits as the cream. Only, this time it’s combined with the same pain relief properties of their kinesiology tape as well. I haven’t tried the Pro Ice Tape for the same reason that the rest of the KT tapes don’t work for me – I’m too hairy. In order for the tape to stick, I’d have to shave the area first. That’s one of the main reasons I love the Activate and Recover creams, since there’s no need to shave. 

For those who want to use KT tape but are unsure of the proper technique, KT has a new mobile app that gives you tailored instructions based on the body part and the pain. 

When you need more intense ice therapy, KT has a better solution for that as well. Rather than trying to use a bag of frozen peas or an ice pack that’s stiff as a board, their new Ice Sleeves are amazing. 

Designed to offer 360º cooling, the Ice Sleeves all have a soft microfiber exterior that is extremely comfortable on your skin. Inside, a proprietary water-based gel uses a glycol solution to prevent it from ever freezing solid. The semi-solid gel also won’t leak, even if the sleeve is punctured. The design also prevents any condensation from forming and the sleeves will perfectly contour to your elbow or knee and allow you to move around even while icing thanks to the light compression.

The Ice Sleeves ship in a protective resealable freezer bag that prevents them from absorbing any smells from the freezer. Pull them out of the bag, and the Ice Sleeves will stay cold for 20 minutes, which is supposedly the sweet spot. Dr. Hassler mentioned that ideally, ice therapy should be 40-50ºF for 20 minutes max.

Offered in three sizes (XS/S, M/L, and XL/XXL), the Ice Sleeves can be used on your arms and legs depending on the size used. When you’re done icing, pop the sleeves back into their freezer bag and back into the freezer for the next time. 

All together, the Activate cream, Pro Ice Tape, and the Recover cream and Ice Sleeve form the new KT Ice Family. When combined, you have products meant to help you prepare, perform, and recover – or to just help forget you’re getting older. 

Pricing & Availability

KT Tape Pro Ice 

• Launch Date: April 9
• MSRP of $24.99
• Now Available in retail stores
• Will be available for purchase online at kttape.com and Amazon on 4/9

KT Activate Magnesium Cream

• Launch Date: April 30
• MSRP: $17.99
• Now Available in retail stores
• Will be available for purchase online at kttape.com and Amazon on 4/30

KT Health Recover Magnesium Cream

• Launch Date: April 30
• MSRP: $17.99
• Now Available in retail stores
• Will be available for purchase online at kttape.com and Amazon on 4/30

KT Health Ice Sleeve

• MSRP: $39.99
• Available Now Nationwide

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If you’re looking for somewhere to ride in an unfamiliar place, Komoot is a great place to start. The app is part ride planner, part social platform allowing riders from all over the world to share their favorite adventures. Now, Komoot is making it easier than ever for you to share your own adventure with riders around you.

The most recent update is the new Group Tours feature that allows Komoot users to turn any planned tour into a social gathering. By simply sharing a QR code, other participants can instantly gain access to the planned tour on their phone so the whole crew can follow along at their own pace. The QR codes can also be printed out which could make the feature a useful tool for recurring group rides – like a bike shop that hosts a weekly ride. Just hand out a card with the QR code for the ride!

Get a mechanical? Need to stop for coffee? The tour organizer can also make updates to the route, and an adjusted itinerary will be sent out to all users in real-time. As a result, all of the group should be able to find their way to the meet-up points, even if they get separated.

Discover on Komoot

Hoping to make it easier to find the best tours, Komoot is also updating the tour listings with star ratings. Like other star ratings you’ll see on the web, these ratings will let you know what other riders thought of the tour route so you can avoid poorly rated rides, and focus on the best.

Discovering new routes is also getting easier with the options to explore routes on a map, find routes that start at a specific point or include a specific highlight, and explore the best routes in the area using the star rating. You’ll also find new route filters to allow you to search for rides based on distance, elevation, surface type, starting point, etc.

Komoot Map on Garmin

Finally, Komoot is bringing a big update to Garmin users with a premium Komoot account. The update allows you to see the Komoot map right on your Garmin, even if it doesn’t have built-in navigation abilities. That means you can use the Komoot map on Garmin devices running the Komoot Connect IQ app including the Edge, fenix, vívoactive, Venu and Forerunner series among others. Devices with native Garmin maps will have the option to choose either map.

Along with the maps, Live Sync allows users to ‘Navigate with Device’ on all Garmin devices that can run the Komoot Connect IQ app. The feature allows users to send Komoot Tours to the device and to start navigation with the push of a button without having to search for the route on the device list. You can also update tours while you’re navigating without interrupting the current activity.

komoot.com

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It’s been almost 20 years since my first trip to Moab, UT, and a lot has changed. Sure, the Slickrock is still just as impressive and awe-inspiring, but the town itself is hard to recognize. Thanks to an explosion of outdoor recreation for everything from trail running to side by sides, Moab has seen huge growth in tourism – and with that, the need for more hotel rooms.

While many of the hotels you’ll find in Moab are the typical uninspired chain hotels you could find in any city, there are a few new options in town that specifically cater to adventurers. Field Station Moab is exactly that. A base of operations for red rock adventures, Field Station is uniquely equipped to help you make the most out of your visit to Moab.

Walk in the front door, and instead of a boring lobby, you’re greeted by an impressively complete gear shop full of last-minute necessities. Forgot ride food or hydration? An extra layer? First aid kit? They have all that and more. If you’re in need of bigger items like, you know, a bike, the rental counter probably has you covered there too.

Inside you’ll also find the Little Station Coffee + Kitchen that serves breakfast, lunch & dinner with plenty of drink options. It opens out to a spacious back patio with plenty of outdoor seating and a fire pit next to the pool (and hot tub). Our trip got kind of sideways and the weather didn’t allow us to spend much time pool or fireside, but it looked inviting when we arrived.

No need to search for water

One of the best amenities on offer? The free water bottle (or hydration pack) filler in the lobby. Seriously, why is this not a thing in every hotel? No need to wander around hoping to find a water jug in the gym on the sixth floor. Just stop by the filler on your way out for an adventure – Moab is quite dry after all, so drink up.

Guest Room Details

When it comes to the rooms themselves, here you’ll also find outdoor inspiration indoors. We ended up in a Double Queen + Bunk room, which is listed at 6 people max. Inside the room, there are signs of the building’s former life as a tired Super 8 in the desert like windows that don’t quite seal and overworked air conditioners, but the experience was for the majority a positive one.

Realistically, this room would be great for four friends who each want their own bed, or 8 if you don’t mind going two people to a queen bed. For bigger groups of riding buddies that would probably be crashing in the same room anyway, this is a pretty luxe way to go about it.

Inside the cleanly decorated room, there was a Dometic cooler, camp chairs, and camp blankets to provide an outdoorsy feel while being perfectly functional indoors. More importantly, there was a bike stand showing that Field Station expects you to bring your bike inside. Just realize that there is no elevator for the two-floor hotel, so you’ll have to carry your bike and gear up the relatively short steps (along the same lines, if stairs are an issue, make sure to request a room on the first floor). Also, since we stayed there, they’ve updated the website to mention checking at the front desk for a bike cover prior to bringing your bike into the room – likely to try and keep things as clean as possible inside.

Moab Vanlife Parking Options

Those who don’t need a hotel because they have a sweet van will also find a spot at Field Station. Literally. Vanlifers can rent spots just outside of the pool which include power hookups, shower & pool access, wifi, and the all-important bike wash station for just $29 per day, year ’round. We spoke to a couple who had just stayed at Field Station in one of the Van Life Posts and said they would definitely stay there again.

Bike Cleaning Station

During our stay, I put the bike wash station to use during a thunderstorm which meant a very quick wash. Under normal conditions, there are also tools available so you can work on your bike if needed (while not dodging lightning).

Located just up the road from Arches National Park, Field Station’s location means you don’t have to deal with downtown Moab traffic unless you want to check out the restaurants and shops. Love Muffin is a must, though they’re not open Wednesday and Thursday, so plan ahead. Moab Garage Co. is another great spot for breakfast or lunch, and I had some amazing sushi at Sabaku.

Learn your knots, and where to go

If you find yourself in Moab and not sure what to do, Field Station also offers curated Experiences which include guided mountain bike tours, climbing, canyoneering, and rockaneering trips, and even complimentary Mappy Morning trip planning sessions.

Whether it’s your first trip to Moab, or you’re a seasoned red rock adventurer, Field Station Moab seems to have something for everyone. It’s one of those rare hotels which can actually enhance your adventures, rather than simply providing a place to stay. You get that too, but you seem to get a whole lot more – which is worth the price of admission.

fieldstation.com

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If your New Year’s resolution is to tackle the “world’s premier gravel race,” listen up: the 2024 Garmin UNBOUND Gravel presented by Craft Sportswear lottery for the 200, 100, 50 and 25 mile events opens tomorrow.

As usual, the event expects far more entrants than they can accommodate, so the fairest way to decide who gets to race seems to be by lottery. While the lottery for the UNBOUND XL has already come and gone, the lottery for the slightly more approachable versions opens tomorrow.

Once the lottery opens, you’ll have until January 20th to enter, with the final results announced on January 25th.

How much are the entry fees for the 2024 UNBOUND Gravel Race?

If you get accepted to the lottery, pricing for the event is as follows:

• 200 mile – $295
• 100 – $200
• 50 – $90
• 25 – $55

When is the 2024 UNBOUND Gravel Race?

The full schedule for the 2024 UNBOUND Gravel race is in the works, with the races scheduled for June 1st.

You can register for the lottery through the link below.

unboundgravel.com

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Ride with GPS has always been a great tool for planning & tracking your rides. Recently, they’ve been on a mission to improve the functionality of the app & website with new features such as QuickNav. Those improvements have made a Ride with GPS subscription more useful than ever – and now those subscriptions are on sale.

We’re told that this is the only discount they run during the year, which means if you plan on paying for a Premium RwGPS account, now is the time. Available until December 31st, RwGPS is offering 15 months of premium for the price of 12. That means you’re paying $79.99 for 15 months, which works out to a 25% discount. As a bonus, if you’re an existing basic subscriber, your remaining Basic balance will be automatically upgraded to Premium before the new subscription kicks in.

You could purchase the plan for yourself, or give it as a gift. The subscription can be redeemed any time in the future, and if you choose to gift the subscription, you can choose the delivery date when it will be delivered via email.

Time to start planning those rides in the new year!

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Ride & Seek puts on a global assortment of epically themed cycling tours, from the Caesar (London to Rome), the Iron Curtain (Berlin to Budapest), and the Hannibal (Barcelona to Rome), to more exotic and natural escapes like the Appalachian (Maine to North Carolina) and Maori (Auckland to Queenstown).

Now, they’ve acquired Cycle Japan and added the Samurai Tour, a two-parter that can be combined into one mega-epic. It’s offered in May and October and includes Honsho and Shikoku Islands routes, with a bonus Mt. Fuji stage.

The Honshu stage (15 days) rides north to south across the mainland through the Japanese Alps and Noto Peninsula, visiting landmarks like the Black Crow Castle in Matsumoto, Japan’s oldest original castle. The landscape hasn’t changed much in 400 years, offering a glimpse into the past while riding lightly trafficked yet modern roads.

After a rest day in Kyoto, the Shikoku tour (11 days) picks up by riding across many of small islands nestled between Shikoku and the mainland. You’ll ride across the Shimanami Kaido suspension bridges, through gorges, and climb Western Japan’s highest peak, Mt. Ishizuchi while passing ancient mountainside villages. Throughout, you’ll follow parts of the pilgrimage of Buddhist priest Kuka’s (aka Kobo-Daishi) 88 temples.

The bonus stage lets you cycle around Mt. Fuji for incredible views of the iconic Japanese mountain from the Fuji 5 Lakes, with the option of riding up the volcano. Explore the Izu Peninsula, pass through fishing villages, and ride past the site where the famous American Black Ships landed, a catalyst for ending feudalism and starting Japan’s rapid modernization during the samurai era.

Accomodations include a mix of traditional Ryokan and western-style hotels. Those and all meals (Ramen!!! Sashimi!!!) are included in the tour, focusing on traditional regional and local foods and preparation, plus natural hot springs baths at many of the stops. Sake and beer are on you, though, so bring some cash.

Word is the October tours sell out quickly, and May spots move a little more slowly but also fill up. Group sizes are limited to ensure good rider to guide ratios. More details and pricing on their website.

RideAndSeek.com

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Most of us have probably spent some amount of time poring over the Ride with GPS website, painstakingly planning the perfect route. But what about those times when you need faster direction straight from your phone?

To find the safest, most bike-friendly route possible, Ride with GPS has just rolled out their QuickNav feature. Available in both the iOS and Android RwGPS app, QuickNav gives you multiple ways to get directions. If you know the name of the destination, simply tap it into the search bar and it will generate a route including the estimated time to the destination.

Not sure of the name but know where you want to go? You can long-press on the map and get the same result. If you venture off route, the navigation will automatically update your route in real-time. And if you change your mind, you can open the app and input a new destination at any time, with the route and ETA adjusting accordingly. QuickNav also allows you to set a home location so you can quickly pull up the most cycling-friendly route home at any time.

Currently, the feature is available for free to all users, regardless of subscription level. To try out QuickNav, make sure you’re running the latest app versions, version 3.4.2 (iOS) and 3.4.3 (Android).

ridewithgps.com

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Have you always wanted to experience the amazingly diverse landscapes of Oregon on a bicycle? Not sure where to start? That’s where Summit Cycling Adventures comes in, as they’ve added four new, fully supported, professionally guided bike tours in Oregon. So, now you can just show up with your bike and let Summit lead the way through Oregon’s forests, high deserts, mountains, and coasts.

When using Summit Cycling Adventures, you’ll be able to take advantage of tapping into local knowledge while discovering backroads, nature reserves, and local “secret spots”, while soaking in the natural environment on road and gravel rides.

“I wanted to share my home state in a way that feels like exploring,” says founder and ride leader Marc McConnell. “Epic rides are mixed with gorgeous sights and fun side trips that offer a more memorable experience, challenging your body and refreshing your spirit.”

Summit Cycling Adventures says that they’ve intentionally integrated side excursions into the day’s ride. The objective is to not get stuck into just riding from point A to point B, but exploring the points in between. On the tours, you’ll be seeing hot springs, and waterfalls, taking short hikes through Redwoods, lava field lakes, and even stopping for coffee and beers.

“I created Summit Cycling Adventures to help adventurous riders enjoy that same experience without having to figure out all the logistics, routing, meals, and gear transport for themselves. Now you can just show up and have fun!” – Marc McConnel

Visiting Famous Landmarks

• Carter Lake National Park
• Cascade Mountains
• Grove of the Titans
• Steen’s Summit
• Alvord Desert Hot Springs
• North Umpqua River
• Many more…

“The tours ranging from 4-5 days are offered throughout Summer and Fall for up to six riders per tour. All meals and accommodations are provided, along with a fully stocked sag trailer to transport you and your gear. McConnel is a NOLS Wilderness First Responder, and the support vehicles are well-equipped to keep you and your bike running”.

Four distinct routes are offered to provide “something for everyone”. There will be plenty of snack stops and complete GOS routes provided for each day’s ride.

There are limited spots remaining for 2023. You can check the website below for prices, dates, and availability and to book your next adventure.

SummitBikeTours.com

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