Getting started… If you are interested in buying a road bike there a few questions you should ask yourself that will help you purchase a bike that will be the best fit for you. 1) Are you a new cyclist? What are you really going to use this bike for? 2) Are you training for an event? (Race, triathlon, or fun ride?) 3) Are you looking to commute to work or school? 4) What is your price range?... [More]

I’m a senior and I plan to graduate in a short week and a half. I’ve heard some of my peers talk about their Pullman bucket list and I want to get in on the action; UREC style.  I enjoy running and I’ve ran a couple miles into the Bill Chipman Palouse Trail, or as I usually refer to it as the Moscow/Pullman trail, but I’ve always wanted to ride a bike all the way to Moscow, Idaho.  So my first entry to the bucket list is: Ÿ       Ride bike all the way to Moscow, Idaho, on the Moscow/Pullman Trail. Next on the list is more relaxed.  My friend and co-worker, Kerri, told me about this wonderful place where you can pick your own bouquet of wildflowers for $7!  There was even an article about Jane Stratton, the woman who started this business, http://bit.ly/K5wuhu, in MaryJanesFarm magazine.  The second entry of my bucket list includes: Ÿ       Pick a bouquet of wildflowers at Stratton Farms. The bucket list activities listed above include accomplishing things I have yet to do.  I’ve already done a considerable amount of unforgettable adventures during my time as a student at WSU.  I hiked Kamiak Butte last summer with a group of close girlfriends, the hike was easy and my friends kept me laughing all the way to the top.  I went miniature golfing with my Dad and little sister, Meagan, during Dad’s Weekend in far-to-cold weather (I recommend enjoying golf in the warmer months).  I’ve attended a variety of WSU athletic events in Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum to Martin Stadium.  I was a tag along for a white water rafting trip.  And I cannot forget green bikes have been a close companion on my quick trips across campus. I’ve done so much but I do want to accomplish a few more things in the Palouse before I have to leave.

Living here in Pullman since February of 2000, I have had my fair share of outdoor experiences in and around the Pullman area.  One place I really enjoy is Moscow Mountain-just across the border in Idaho.  Some of my friends at the Outdoor Recreation Center (ORC) introduced me to a group of mountain bikers in the area who traverse the trails of Moscow Mountain on the regular.  Being the adventurous gnome that I am, I quickly gathered a group of friends to check out the trails of Moscow Mountain.  To my surprise, there are a bunch of interconnected trails all over Moscow Mountain.  After my first trip to Moscow Mountain, I was hooked and have been going back often throughout the year for the past 10 years. The great part about Moscow Mountain is the diversity.  With a bunch of different trails weaving in and out of other interconnecting trails, the options are almost limitless.  There are trail lengths and difficulties ranging across the spectrum, Moscow Mountain is a perfect place to learn the sport of mountain biking or to challenge your biking expertise.   My first trip out there was more of a feeler, trying to get used to the terrain and ensuring I knew where I was and where I was going.  Now, I hit the ground pedaling and don’t look back, it’s truly a great place to bike! While the majority of the land is private, the Moscow Area Mountain Bike Association (MAMBA), a group out of Idaho, maintains 39 mountain biking trails.  This non-profit organization conducts trail restoration events throughout the year.  Their website requires a donation to access the most detailed information about the trails, but the free access to the site is sufficient for most (bikemoscow.org). Additionally, some information about mountain biking trails can be found on the Moscow Chamber of Commerce website (moscowchamber.com) and Trails.com website. Having such an amazing place to go mountain biking just down the roa... [More]

Rejoiced after the New Year, I was excited to finally get exercising and obtain that same, great feeling I had about my body when I participated in high school sports. I decided to sign up for a class at the UREC. With three labs this semester, my schedule was not very flexible. But, I knew that I needed that extra little push from an instructor and I couldn’t rely on myself to get to the gym every day. I settled on an AM Sunrise Spin/Cycling Session. The class starts at 6AM and last for 75 minutes. Today was my first day at class. Due to snow and the snooze button, I was around 10 minutes late. The class was not what I expected, but I was very impressed. The instructor was upbeat and pushed each of us to our limits. She reminded us that what we put into this class is what we will get out of it. You have the option to alter the resistance of your bike at any time increase the intensity of your ride. Although the instructor pushed us, I never felt uncomfortable or harmed. It was a great way to start out my day. After the class this morning I’m feeling very refreshed. Exercising in the morning is supposed to boost your metabolism and potentially last for 24 hours which so far I would agree with. I have also noticed that I am more alert and paying better attention to details. If I would do anything to change my experience I would have gone to bed earlier so I could have been on time to the class. I plan to be on time for the next class though! I am so excited that I had a good experience and was actually able to wake up. I hope over the course of the semester I see the results of my efforts!

  Trying to make weekend plans and not sure where to go?  Fall is here and soon there will be snow. It might be a great time to get on your bike one more time, a good place to go is the Trail of the Couer d’Alenes. The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes bike path follows the Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way from Plummer, ID to Mullen, ID. More than 71 miles of paved path takes you from high mountain splendor, through the historic silver valley, into the chain lakes region, and along the shore of Lake Coeur d'Alene. I got to bike this trail last spring and it was a great treat to be on the bike path by myself. Since the summer is over, the trail is less populated and the trail is really quite peaceful. I typically go on long bike rides to wind down and relax.