For over four decades, ROW Adventures has been leading people on guided outdoor adventures here in the Inland Northwest and around the world. While the Coeur d’Alene-based company is most well-known locally for guided whitewater trips, ROW recently started offering fully-guided bike tours here in the Inland Northwest.

This new service includes several options for multi-day bike tours on trails like the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes with the potential to link up to the Route of the Hiawatha and other North Idaho rail trail routes. These new tours will no-doubt be a hit with cyclists from around the world looking to explore the region’s truly world-class rail trail network, but they are also a great option for local cyclists who may not be comfortable with a self-supported multi-day bike tour.

Some of the biggest challenges for any DIY bike tour are the shuttle and having to haul all your own gear. ROW’s guided trips include meal stops, a sag wagon (van) providing support if riders need it, and comfortable hotel lodging each night. The tours also come with knowledgeable guides who can help you learn about the places you’re pedaling past, and is a great option for people who want to focus on the ride and get a good night’s rest each night.

Check out all of ROW’s bike tour options, including the Bitterroot Bonanza that includes biking, rafting, and kayaking in the same week, at Rowadventures.com/biking.

The post ROW Adventures Adds Rail Trail Biking Tours appeared first on Out There Venture.

In collaboration with the Washington Trails Association, Washington Bikes, and the University of Washington, the studies looked at the economic, environmental, social and health benefits of trails and recommended that state leaders develop more trails and use them as a way to improve health. In a nutshell, Washington trails contribute more than $8.2 billion dollars to Washington’s economy annually. These same trails support more than 81,000 jobs each year. Best of all, physical activity associated with these trails results in more than $390 million of health savings annually.Fun fact discovered while making this report include: Washington trail use accounts for 1.45% of the 2018 Washington gross domestic product. That means Washington trails created 11 times more GDP than logging, and seven-times more GDP than craft breweries.

The post Study Shows Trails Are Crucial appeared first on Out There Venture.

After a wildly successful winter in 2018-19, with positive comments pouring into state and city parks according to Ryan Griffith with Spokane Parks & Recreation, plans for this year are set to take off, given the right snow conditions. Benish explains that an 8-inch packed base is ideal for grooming, and that it’s important for riders to use actual fat bikes to avoid damaging the trails. Fat bikes should have tires that are at least 3.6-inches wide and an air pressure of 10 PSI (pounds per square inch) or less. If bikes (or skis, snowshoes, feet, paws, or hooves) are sinking into the trail base more than 1 inch, users should avoid the trail until conditions improve.

This winter Benish estimates there will be nearly 20 miles of biking-specific grooming in Riverside, thanks to Evergreen East, Wheel Sport’s groomer, and a new single-track groomer. But that’s not the only local adventure to tempt cyclists into making their sport last all year. This fall, the Pend Oreille Peddlers purchased a groomer that will be used on beginner to intermediate trails in Pine Street Woods in Sandpoint. Brian Anderson of Greasy Fingers Bikes ‘n Repair says North Idaho boasts a number of shared-use groomed trails at areas like Farragut State Park, Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Western Pleasure Guest Ranch, and Priest Lake State Park.

Dave Dutro, owner of Trail Maniacs and a grooming pioneer in the Spokane/Coeur d’Alene area, says the local interest and investment has increased drastically over the past few years. He’s moved from a dirt rake and snowshoes to a machine that, with support from the Lake City Trail Builders, could groom up to 20 miles in the Canfield Mountain area in 5-6 hours! The Trail Maniacs Foundation is currently raising money for a double-track groomer that would allow for more beginner-friendly trails from the Fernan Lake Trailhead.

And don’t forget about the winter recreation mecca that is Winthrop! Rick Lewis, about to round out 30 years as a ranger with Pearrygin Lake State Park, says fat biking is one more way to get people outside in the winter. The state park has nearly 10 miles of groomed trails and adjacent Methow Wildlife Area has an additional 6.

While fat biking used to be a niche sport with goofy-looking tires and lots of extra layers, those passionate about the sport have worked tirelessly to build infrastructure and support. Every expert interviewed for this article, when asked what they were most excited about for this season, echoed this sentiment: Getting more people out on trails! So this winter layer up, buy or rent a #thiccbike from a local shop or resort, and give it a try. And of course, pray for snow!

While there really is “no bad weather,” all things being equal, Carol Corbin would prefer to use her fat bike on tropical beach sand in January. In lieu of that, though, Riverside State Park is the next best thing!

The post New Groomed Fat Bike Trails Grace the Inland NW appeared first on Out There Venture.

Ferry County Rail Trail celebrates second annual Ski Day

The Ferry County Rail Trail Partners have announced that the second annual Ferry County Rail Trail Ski Day will take place on Saturday, January 14th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Last year’s inaugural event proved to be quite a success. “It absolutely was a success with about 50 people taking part who had never skied or been on snowshoes before.” said organizer Keith Wakefield of N.E.W. (Northeast Washington) Recreation out of Curlew, Washington. “It was fantastic. We had people from ages two to 70.”

All told, there were 76 people who took part in the event last year. Wakefield donates his time to help plan and organize the event by pooling together both equipment and personnel and also grooming and track setting the trail. The event is being staged at the old rail car loading zone/trailhead north of Curlew and the trail will be groomed to the tunnel approximately two miles north of there.

There will be free cross-country ski and snowshoe lessons for beginners with two clinic sessions taking part at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. There will also be free gear to use for the event, including skis, boots, poles and snowshoes. Hot cocoa and tea will also be available to help keep participants warm during the event.

The City of Spokane Parks and Recreation has helped donate the gear for use at the event and also with organizing instructors for the lessons. There will be four Professional Ski Instructors Association certified nordic instructors at the event: Mike Aho, sisters Tammy Magnuson and Sue Sweeny, local ski legend Nils Larsen and last but not least big thanks to Bob Lattin for snow removal and instruction! “The group has been putting these ski events on for about 10 years,” said Wakefield.

For more info including maps and trail condition updates check out the web:
http://www.ferrycountyrailtrail.com/

&
THINK SNOW!!!

Ferry County Rail Trail celebrate second annual Ski Day

The Ferry County Rail Trail Partners have announced that the second annual Ferry County Rail Trail Ski Day will take place on Saturday, January 14th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Last year’s inaugural event proved to be quite a success. “It absolutely was a success with about 50 people taking part who had never skied or been on snowshoes before.” said organizer Keith Wakefield of N.E.W. (Northeast Washington) Recreation out of Curlew, Washington. “It was fantastic. We had people from ages two to 70.”

All told, there were 76 people who took part in the event last year. Wakefield donates his time to help plan and organize the event by pooling together both equipment and personnel and also grooming and track setting the trail. The event is being staged at the old rail car loading zone/trailhead north of Curlew and the trail will be groomed to the tunnel approximately two miles north of there.

There will be free cross-country ski and snowshoe lessons for beginners with two clinic sessions taking part at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. There will also be free gear to use for the event, including skis, boots, poles and snowshoes. Hot cocoa and tea will also be available to help keep participants warm during the event.

The City of Spokane Parks and Recreation has helped donate the gear for use at the event and also with organizing instructors for the lessons. There will be four Professional Ski Instructors Association certified nordic instructors at the event: Mike Aho, sisters Tammy Magnuson and Sue Sweeny, local ski legend Nils Larsen and last but not least big thanks to Bob Lattin for snow removal and instruction! “The group has been putting these ski events on for about 10 years,” said Wakefield.

For more info including maps and trail condition updates check out the web:
http://www.ferrycountyrailtrail.com/

&
THINK SNOW!!!

Ferry County Rail Trail celebrate second annual Ski Day

The Ferry County Rail Trail Partners have announced that the second annual Ferry County Rail Trail Ski Day will take place on Saturday, January 14th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Last year’s inaugural event proved to be quite a success. “It absolutely was a success with about 50 people taking part who had never skied or been on snowshoes before.” said organizer Keith Wakefield of N.E.W. (Northeast Washington) Recreation out of Curlew, Washington. “It was fantastic. We had people from ages two to 70.”

All told, there were 76 people who took part in the event last year. Wakefield donates his time to help plan and organize the event by pooling together both equipment and personnel and also grooming and track setting the trail. The event is being staged at the old rail car loading zone/trailhead north of Curlew and the trail will be groomed to the tunnel approximately two miles north of there.

There will be free cross-country ski and snowshoe lessons for beginners with two clinic sessions taking part at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. There will also be free gear to use for the event, including skis, boots, poles and snowshoes. Hot cocoa and tea will also be available to help keep participants warm during the event.

The City of Spokane Parks and Recreation has helped donate the gear for use at the event and also with organizing instructors for the lessons. There will be four Professional Ski Instructors Association certified nordic instructors at the event: Mike Aho, sisters Tammy Magnuson and Sue Sweeny, local ski legend Nils Larsen and last but not least big thanks to Bob Lattin for snow removal and instruction! “The group has been putting these ski events on for about 10 years,” said Wakefield.

For more info including maps and trail condition updates check out the web:
http://www.ferrycountyrailtrail.com/

&
THINK SNOW!!!

Ferry County Rail Trail celebrate second annual Ski Day

The Ferry County Rail Trail Partners have announced that the second annual Ferry County Rail Trail Ski Day will take place on Saturday, January 14th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Last year’s inaugural event proved to be quite a success. “It absolutely was a success with about 50 people taking part who had never skied or been on snowshoes before.” said organizer Keith Wakefield of N.E.W. (Northeast Washington) Recreation out of Curlew, Washington. “It was fantastic. We had people from ages two to 70.”

All told, there were 76 people who took part in the event last year. Wakefield donates his time to help plan and organize the event by pooling together both equipment and personnel and also grooming and track setting the trail. The event is being staged at the old rail car loading zone/trailhead north of Curlew and the trail will be groomed to the tunnel approximately two miles north of there.

There will be free cross-country ski and snowshoe lessons for beginners with two clinic sessions taking part at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. There will also be free gear to use for the event, including skis, boots, poles and snowshoes. Hot cocoa and tea will also be available to help keep participants warm during the event.

The City of Spokane Parks and Recreation has helped donate the gear for use at the event and also with organizing instructors for the lessons. There will be four Professional Ski Instructors Association certified nordic instructors at the event: Mike Aho, sisters Tammy Magnuson and Sue Sweeny, local ski legend Nils Larsen and last but not least big thanks to Bob Lattin for snow removal and instruction! “The group has been putting these ski events on for about 10 years,” said Wakefield.

For more info including maps and trail condition updates check out the web:
http://www.ferrycountyrailtrail.com/

&
THINK SNOW!!!

The post Ferry County Rail Trail celebrates 2nd annual Ski Day appeared first on Out There Venture.