When it comes to biking on the road, safety is one of the most important things to think about. This article will highlight the best tips to staying seen, and riding safely.

The most important things to remember when riding is to always have a helmet, high-visibility clothing, and a blinking red light in the back.

How can one industry save us all? It’s simple. The ability and willingness to adapt, and the deep understanding that there is no success without our planet’s success - in business or in life. The Outdoor Industry is rooted in the environment, recreation, and community, but it isn’t until now, or at least it hasn’t been truly visible until now, how powerful that connection is.

How many times have you ordered a pair of shoes and expected them to fit perfectly but they caused a hot spot, they were too wide, or they were just not soft enough? Unfortunately, this is common but ...but there are ways you can shop online and still get the perfect fit. Sometimes all it takes is a little help from your friends (friends at your local running store that is). So below, we have outlined some suggestions and aspects to consider when making the ultimate decision.

Tip #1: What’s Your History?

The first thing you should do is take a second to think about what you may have used in the past. Was there a particular brand or model that worked really well for you? Maybe a brand that just didn’t cut it for you?

The dawn of the virtual race. For many runners, virtual races have become the new norm - from living room 5k’s to backyard ultras. The running community has banded together creating hashtags like #RunningIsNotCanceled and events like the Aravaipa Strong Virtual Race turning out over 2000 runners across 29 countries - numbers that rival even some of the most prestigious races. Most have small or no prizes or medals but for many a percentage of each entry goes to charity, like Ironwood Adventurework’s Shelter In Pace Virtual Marathon. So to think motivation is low sounds contradictory, but the truth is, many people are feeling like their hearts aren’t in it, or are feeling disorganized and stuck in their training. So what can you do?

Due to COVID-19 and VT Department of Health guidelines, Vermonters are asked to "stay home, stay safe" and avoid group activities. Even though riding your bike outside is OK to do at this time, you are limited to riding solo or just within your household. To keep up the social aspect of riding bikes, setting up an indoor bike trainer group ride on Zwift can be a great option while getting some exercise.

Many people around the world are facing the daunting prospect of not being able to ride with their friends over the coming weeks. While I'm not a competitive rider, the primary reason I'm out there is the social fun, a few high fives, some solid exercise and a post ride beer. No matter if it's the mountain bike, a gravel route or just ripping around town on a single speed it's the fun of seeing friends and sharing an experience that almost all of us can enjoy. Even when facing a new pandemic, exercise and socializing are necessary parts of day-to-day life.

Between the news of COVID-19, being at home all day and Tiger King episodes on Netflix, getting out for a run has been the most challenging yet therapeutic activity I have been able to give myself these past few weeks.

Navigating the 6 feet social distancing rules on a run should be renamed “defensive running”. But with a little practice, following these 5 tips while developing your own, we hope to help ease your anxiety and encourage you to safely get out for a run. These tips can easily be applied to other activities like walking, hiking or biking. Please note these tips are subject to change via Vermont Department of Health guidelines.

With all of the mayhem this pandemic is creating it is important to take a step back from the news, negativity, and stress. Stay aware of what's going on, but take some time to unplug and clear your mind. It is now typical that wherever you go places are closed and no one is to be seen. Although this eerie sight has become the norm, birds are chirping, the sun is still shining, and there should be even more of a motivation to get out and do something while still keeping a safe physical distance.

All cyclists can benefit from having a bike fit. That’s right, everyone. Whether you get paid to ride a bike to riding your bike casually on the bike path, a bike fitted properly will be more comfortable, be less prone to causing you injury and be more efficient.

Would you ride your bike more often if it were more comfortable? Ever think about that? Does your posterior bother you on a short ride? Do you experience any numbness, aches or pains while riding? Are these aches or pains only present on the bike or aggravated by the bike?

If you have recently decided to run a marathon this spring, you will know the uncertainty of figuring out how to transform yourself from your current state into someone who can run 26.2 miles and maybe even stand up at a BBQ later. There’s no other race that inspires the same type of equal parts giddiness and terror. In my experience, locking down a training plan that works for you is the best antidote to some of these nerves.

After a two year hiatus, I am finding myself in this exact situation. From May 2017 to May 2018 I trained for 3 marathons. My plan for the second two looked quite different from the first and very extremely contrasting results. While I trained for my first, the Vermont City Marathon, I was doing a lot of speedwork with a track club in Boston. These workouts involved me running all out for shorter repeats like 800m. I built up to 20 miles on my own and continued to run hard on Tuesdays with the club. When Memorial Day weekend rolled around I ran 3:49 and felt like death for the last 8 miles. Shortly after this, I left the club and started training on my own.

I remember setting down my first ever skin track in the shadow of Sugarloaf Mountain, Maine. We rode the King Pine lift up to the ridge that connects over to Burnt Mountain via a trail called Golden Road. From here, we transitioned our splitboards into touring mode and set out along the ridgeline. This first transition for me was unlike anything my normal snowboarding career had prepared me for. Moving my bindings around. Applying skins to my splitboard?! Riding skis?! I probably spent a solid 20 minutes on this first “transition”. That was 5 years ago, and since then I have dialed in my transition time and general skills as a backcountry traveler.

Here are 6 areas of focus to help you get more confident and efficient as a splitboarder: