Is Scotland the next big adventure travel destination?

by Kraig Becker on

It’s no secret that the adventure travel market is booming. It is estimated that that segment of the travel industry generated $89 billion in revenue in 2009 alone, and 2010 is expected to be another banner year. One destination that is helping to contribute to that massive revenue is Scotland, a country that already garners more than $1.4 billion in adventure travel per year, and yet analysts are forecasting an increase in the number of visitors to the country of more than 70% over the next three years.

More than 3.2 million adventure trips were booked to Scotland in 2008 and with the predicted increase for the years ahead, travel companies are already ramping up to help meet the demand. New options for hiking, cycling, and paddling in Scotland are in the works, offering plenty of active adventures for travelers looking to explore the country’s varied landscapes.

The most popular draw for adventure travelers is undoubtedly a multi-day hike through the famed Scottish Highlands. Those treks can consist of a few days of short day hikes while staying in luxurious accommodations or up to ten full days of walking during which travelers stay in simple inns each night. The trails pass through low lying mountains covered in mist and heather that are surprisingly rugged, and breathtakingly beautiful.

Many of those same mountain trails are also accessible by mountain bike, which make them a lure for an entirely different crowd. Road cyclists will find plenty to enjoy as well, albeit on the quaint roads that wind through the Scottish countryside. Kayaking and canoeing are also popular ways to explore the Highlands and the country’s famous Lochs, while the beautiful rocky coastlines offer some of the best sea kayaking found anywhere on the planet. Mix in a rich history and culture, and you have all the best ingredients for your next adventure trip.

With so much to see and

[Photo credit: Warwick Bradly via WikiMedia]

24-Hours of Moab mountain bike race begins today

by Kraig Becker on

Ever wonder what it would be like to ride a mountain bike across a scenic, but challenging, course for 24 hours straight? Me neither! But that’s exactly what competitors in the 24-Hours of Moab mountain bike race are preparing to do when the event gets underway today at noon local time in Moab, Utah. As you can probably deduce from the name, the ride won’t end until noon tomorrow, after a very long, and grueling, day in the saddle for the riders.

Racers are allowed to compete in three categories, riding as an individual or part of a two or four person relay team. If they are part of a team, they’ll be allowed to switch out from time to time and get some much needed rest. The individuals will have it the toughest however, riding solo while trying to accumulate as many laps as possible before the 24 hour cut off.

The course is a challenging one for sure. Consisting mostly of old jeep trails, the route winds its way through the scenic backcountry that Utah is so famous for, ensuring that the riders will at least have something beautiful to look at along the way. Not that they’ll have time to notice however, as some of the bigger drops will have them rushing down hills at over 40 mph, as they carefully pick their lines hoping to avoid danger along the way. The entire route is just 15 miles in length, and the top riders will be able to finish laps in under an hour, but the more than 1360 feet of vertical gain on each lap will have their legs crying out for mercy. Especially when it is the middle of the night and they’ve already been riding for more than 12 hours straight.

The race has been going on for 15 years now, and during that time it has earned itself a reputation as one of the top endurance mountain biking events in the world. This year, there will be more than $20,000 in cash, and another $15,000 in prizes, up for grabs, although for most of the riders it is all about the fun and camaraderie of the event.

[Photo credit: Xavi Fane]

Moab promises adventure and fun this fall

by Kraig Becker on

For many outdoor enthusiasts, Moab is the epicenter of adventure in the western United States. Located in eastern Utah, the city is home to 5000 residents and serves as a great home base for travelers who visit the region in search of an adventurous escape. The area boasts some of the best hiking, paddling, and mountain biking found anywhere in North America, and Moab’s proximity to the Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, makes it all the more appealing for a getaway. With a host of other great activities on the docket for the fall, now may be the perfect time to plan your visit.

Fans of mountain biking and endurance sports will find plenty to keep them busy throughout October and November for instance, the 24-Hours of Moab bike race takes place October 9th and 10th, pitting 550 individuals and teams against one another in an event that last for one full day, on a course designed to challenge their skills and break their spirits. If that event doesn’t quench your thirst for mountain biking however, you can return later in the month for the four-day Moab Ho-Down Bike Fest, which runs from October 28 – 31, and features multiple races, a crazy bike jumping contest, movies, and more.

Perhaps you prefer your bikes have a motor instead of pedals? In that case you’ll want to check out the KTM Adventure Rider Rally, which will be held on October 15-17. That event offers off road riding for the motorcycle crowd and includes technical training and riding seminars, guided rides through the surrounding wilderness, a BBQ, and much more. The rally has been held in Moab for seven years, and gives motorcycle enthusiasts an opportunity to ride some of the best trails in the west in a safe and fun fashion.

As if that wasn’t enough adventure to draw you to Moab, the city will also play host to the Checkpoint Tracker National Adventure Racing Championships. This event will pull in some of the best adventure and endurance athletes from around the country to run, ride, climb, and paddle their way through a hundred miles of the region’s amazing backcountry. The 24-hour long race takes place on October 29 and 30.

For those who simply enjoy taking in the scenery in a more relaxed manner, consider the Plein Air Festival which is going on now through the 9th of October. This more staid event features dozens of artists who descend on Moab, and the surrounding area, to compete for prize money in a variety of categories. There will also be a number of workshops with those same artists providing demonstrations and instructions on how to paint. Visitors can also enjoy an art walk, awards show, and two distinct auctions.

Finally, the beginning of November brings the Moab Folk Festival, which takes place November 5-7 and features plenty of live music and workshops as well. Tickets are available here and you can checkout the line-up of musicians and bands that will be on hand by clicking here.

Will all of these great events taking place this fall, Moab is sure to have something for everyone.

[Photo credit: Tom Johnson, Sedona Magazine, via WikiMedia]

The Adventure Racing World Championship begins today

by Kraig Becker on

The Adventure Racing World Championship gets underway today in Spain, where 53 coed teams of four will begin a six day, 450 mile non-stop race across some of the most challenge terrain in all of Europe.The incredibly demanding sport requires that the athletes master multiple disciplines while balancing their sleep and eating schedule to maximize their performance out on the course over days of racing.

For those not familiar with adventure racing, the sport is one of the most challenging endurance activities in the world. Races vary in length from a few hours to a few days, with teams of between two and four competitors covering sections of the course on foot, mountain bike, and kayak. Typically the racers must navigate through checkpoints that are often hidden in remote areas, requiring them to not only read maps, but plot the fastest course through the wilderness between those checkpoints. Occasionally races will mix in other disciplines as well, with climbing, rappelling, inline skating, and paddle boarding being popular options.

One of the more challenging aspects of adventure racing is that the races are often non-stop, with teams racing for hours, or even days without much rest. Because of this aspect of the sport, knowing when and where to sleep plays a huge role in the overall strategy for the event. Because the racers often go for long periods of time without sleep, they’ve been known to hallucinate while out on the course. This occurs often enough that it has spawned the term the “Sleep Monsters” as a result.

This week’s AR World Championships are expected to take the fastest teams approximately 4 days to complete, with slower teams arriving as much as two days later. Over the course of that time, they’ll be required to navigate through 22 checkpoints and contend with more than 68,000 feet of vertical gain along the way. Did I mention that this sport was demanding?

While most of these racers are unknown to the casual sports fan, they are amongst the most amazing endurance athletes on the planet. Their skills and conditioning will be on display all week long, with updates and online tracking allowing fans to follow the action at home.

The Festy Experience offers live music and outdoor adventure

by Kraig Becker on

Are you looking for something to do this Columbus Day weekend? Do you enjoy outdoor fun and live music? Then you’ll definitely want to check out the Festy Experience, a two-day long camping festival that is scheduled to take place on October 9 and 10 at the Concert Grounds at Devil’s Backbone in Nelson County, Virginia.

Over the course of the weekend, there will be two stages with live music playing from 1 PM to 1 AM each night. A host of bands will be on hand to help keep the party going, and local breweries will be serving up their fine libations. But music festivals are a common occurrence across the U.S. and what sets the Festy apart from the rest is that it also throws some outdoor adventure into the mix.

In addition to this being a camping festival, those in attendance can also take part in several popular athletic events. For instance, the 15th annual Blue Ridge Burn is a 5 and 10k trail race, sponsored by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine. That foot race takes place on day one, while the second day of the Festy brings the Devil’s Backbone mountain bike challenge which will push riders to the limit with tough climbs and heart-pounding drops. There will also be a climbing wall on hand with a variety of routes for beginner to advanced climbers, as well as other activities for the outdoor crowd.

Tickets for the event are still available, but they are going fast. The two-day tickets include a campsite and access to both music stages as well as the outdoor events. Single day tickets are available as well allowing you to pick and choose which day you’d like to participate. With summer now officially coming to a close, it is time to have some fun in the autumn air, and the Festy seems like a great way to do just that.