We already credit the Swiss with being quite good at a range of things: Army knives, watches, chocolate and banks. Turns out we can add something else to the list: an impressive network of hiking, cycling, skating and canoeing paths perfectly signposted for us to use, as part of the SwitzerlandMobility project.
Apparently all of these trails and paths have been around for ages, but now that they've got them properly interconnected and have standardized the signage, there's no stopping us, whichever method of getting around we choose.
Hikers can choose from almost 4,000 miles of paths, cyclists from nearly 5,300 miles and even mountain-bikers get over 2,000 miles of signposted Swiss beauty. Those clever Swiss have even tied in public transport routes to help us get to and from these trails. No excuse for staying still in Switzerland now.
The tiny Indian state of Sikkim is home to the world's third highest peak, Khanchendzonga, and its craggy landscape ranges in elevation from 920 to 28,000 feet. It's probably one of the most ridiculously difficult places in the world to ride a mountain bike. But, man, the things people will do for money.
The Khanchendzonga Mountain Biking Expedition is a ten-day, 370-mile-long course that winds through all of Sikkim's four territories. The prize money totals $25,000.
The event kicked off on March 3 and drew about 60 competitors. Most were from India, but a handful were from other countries, including one from the United States. The race was organized largely to help boost tourism in the region. (They probably could've started by fixing up their website.)
Flying down narrow singletrack trails on a mountain bike is challenging. Doing so after sundown in the South African wilderness sounds damn near crazy. But if there's a beer and a beach at the end of the road, then we're all in.
Live2Ride tours in Langebaan, South Africa--a coastal city roughly 60 miles from Cape Town--offers just that experience for only about $30. Starting at sunset, riders head out from the beachfront, winding through town and up into the woods. The ride is just shy of eight miles long, but the darkness makes dirt roads all the more tricky. (Yes, you'll have lights.) The trail spits you back out by the water where you can score drinks at Driftwoods restaurant.
If you're looking for something a bit longer, Live2Ride also offers day tours for about $70. The Aurora route is a grueling climb up into the Piketberg mountains with a total elevation gain of over 3,000 feet. But save some of that energy for a fast descent on the second half--you'll need it to squeeze your break levers.
With nearly a month of summer left there's still plenty of time for cyclists to take to the open road. Our recommendation? Zion National Park.
The Narrows attract canyoneers from around the world, and opportunities for hiking are endless. But with miles of trails designated just for bikers, Utah's oldest park has also become known as the state's most biker-friendly one, too. Its most popular path, the Pa'rus Trail, offers scenic views of Zion's cutters, the lower Zion Canyon and several of the highest mountains. For those who'd rather not venture out on their own, Zion Cycles will show you the way.
Sure, you can ride a burro through all of mother nature's splendor, but this way is faster. And a whole lot more fun.
Since summer trip driving season is about to go into full swing we figured why not take a look at the world's most dangerous roads. Know a road rage inducing strip of asphalt that puts normal highways to shame? Send it along.
Do you really need any more evidence than the above video to prove that this road belongs on the World's Most Dangerous Roads list?
Every year, 200 to 300 people die along a stretch of dirt road less than 50 miles. Locals know The North Yungas Road, as El Camino de la Muerte, or "Road of Death." Packed buses regularly plunge off cliffsides. The 43-mile road leads northeast from the La Paz to Coroico, in the Yungas region of Bolivia. Along the way, it winds up and down through the Andes Mountains.
First, the road ascends to a nausea-inducing elevation of over three miles, before plunging down to a height of 1,079 feet. Stop for a minute before the descent -- as long as no cars are coming -- to glimpse an untouched mountain landscape.
Travelers, many of whom must maneuver tractor trailers and buses, contend with sharp dropoffs (with no guardrails to break the fall) and single-lane width. Frequent rain and fog reduce visibility, make the road surface muddy, and loosen rocks from the hillsides above.
Extreme mountain bikers have taken to riding the stretch of road, dodging diesel trucks and jumping roadblocks. Let's just hope they wear their helmets.
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by amandak
