I stopped by the Swamp Rabbit Trail in early December. I had been in nearby Spartanburg, South Carolina attending the Appalachian Leadership Institute (and also had given a keynote presentation at the Carolina Thread Trail Forum in neighboring North Carolina)…
Writing by Amy Camp
Gravel: Another Great Cycling Option in Pennsylvania
Gravel cycling, perhaps better explained as mixed surface riding, is one of the fastest growing forms of cycling. The sport is poised somewhere between road cycling and mountain biking. Most routes incorporate unpaved dirt and gravel roads, hence the term “gravel.” When the Pennsylvania Environmental Council wanted to advance a reginal understanding of the sport, […]
Gushing Over the High Trestle Trail
The High Trestle Trail in Iowa is one of my favorite trails to talk about. I visited in 2015 and was completely enamored with the High Trestle Trail Bridge. I’ve been sharing the story of the bridge ever since. In fact, when I issued the first “Trail Townz” Zine last year, I put it on the cover and included a story. I’ve pasted the story below…
Unlocking the Economic & Community Development Potential of IHTC Trails Report: Positioning Regional Multi-use Trails as Part of a Growing Regional Economy
Photo credit: Renee Rosensteel, Courtesy of Rails to Trails Conservancy The Industrial Heartland Trails Coalition (IHTC) is working to complete and connect a system of multi-use trails across 51 counties in western Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia, eastern Ohio, and southwest New York. One of the coalition’s supporting organizations, Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC), realized that […]
Cycle Forward Celebrating 10 Years in Business
Cycle Forward is celebrating 10 years in business! It’s been a heck of a ride that continues to become more thrilling. Founder Amy Camp has built connections and shared ideas in communities far and wide and is eager to keep going. In the meantime, this is a milestone worth celebrating!
Cycle Forward at the International Trails Summit
It’s been a few long years since the trails community has gathered for the International Trails Summit (ITS). This year’s ITS is being held in Reno, Nevada from April 17-20. If you’re attending ITS, please stop by exhibit booth 217 to see me. I’ll have all sorts of info about Cycle Forward, free stickers, and […]
Start a Connellsville-Pittsburgh GAP ride with AMTRAK
Enjoy a 60-mile GAP ride without ever getting into your car. This route is made possible by catching an early morning train from Pittsburgh to Connellsville and then biking back to your starting point.
WV TRAIL: Building a West Virginia Trails Movement
Not all states have a statewide trail advocacy organization. West Virginia was among those without a statewide body until 2020, when a working group of trail leaders gathered to discuss common challenges. Their intent was (and remains) “to build a West Virginia trails movement.” Within a two year period, they achieved nonprofit status and raised […]
Central Ohio Greenways: Bringing Trail Towns to Central Ohio
Trail town initiatives are typically led by trail and tourism organizations. When a Metropolitan Planning Organization comes along with the idea of developing a program, it approaches trail towns a bit differently. In 2021, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission hired Cycle Forward to develop a program that places as much value on local quality of […]
Two Fayettes Finding their Way – Exploring the outdoor economy in two Fayette counties
Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and Fayette County, West Virginia…both are experiencing growth spurred by the outdoor economy. I participated in two unrelated tours last month, but quickly realized there were overlapping themes.
