30 x 30 – Public Lands Update
An update from Ashley about the 30×30 America the Beauty initiative. The original blog on this topic focused on what it means for the bike community.
Oil, Gas, and Recreation: Part 1 – Methane
There is no doubt that, whether we like it or not, the oil and natural gas industry plays a big part in our day-to-day lives.
President Biden’s America the Beautiful Program
Earlier this month, the Biden Administration launched the America the Beautiful Initiative, a ten-year, locally led, voluntary effort to restore and conserve America’s lands, waters, and wildlife. This program was inspired by the goal of preserving 30% of America’s lands and oceans by 2030, dubbed the “30x30” initiative. The goal is to make real progress on the climate crisis by protecting ecosystems and keeping more land in its natural state. By doing this, we can capture more metric tons of CO2, while simultaneously protecting wildlife habitat and providing more places [...]
Bike Love – Part 1
I have seen bike love in many forms. When I was 27, I became the president of a small company called Merlin. I’d just graduated from business school and put everything I learned to work. I had to order titanium in the same quantities as Boeing, six months in advance. To do this I had to raise private capital and create a board of directors who were committed to cycling. At the time, Merlin made arguably the best bikes int he world and for about five years we simply [...]
How Monuments Create Jobs.
Cyclist in Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument President Trump's Executive Order on the Antiquities Act calls for a review of the national monuments designated over the last 20 years. As an outdoor business owner, I have had a front row seat for many of these monument designations and have seen the on the ground impacts. In many cases local residents and stakeholders from mountain bikers to energy companies to environmental advocates began the process of updating plans for their public lands by asking for new laws. People worked together to [...]
Public Lands: It’s All Yours – Part 1
Why you need to know about public land: As mountain bikers, we are dependent on public lands. Through my career in bike manufacturing, racing, and as an outfitter I have had the opportunity to ride on trails of every description on public lands of every type. Today there are increasing pressures on our public lands from all directions, so we here at Western Spirit thought it would be useful to use our blog as quick and easy place for mountain bikers to get informed on public land issues that are likely [...]
Five Things to Know Before You Bike From Telluride to Moab
Telluride and Moab are two of the most charming destinations in the West. Destinations for adventurers, historians, and families alike, you’ve likely heard of them. Western Spirit’s ride from Telluride to Moab is one of our favorites. Here are five things to know before you go. This is the perfect first off-road adventure This ride is challenging, but not too technical, making it ideal for the road cycling enthusiast who is ready to try some dirt-road riding. If you’ve never ridden on fat tires and dirt before, prepare for an exhilarating experience, away from [...]
Things to Know Before Going on Your First Mountain Biking Trip
Gearing up for your first mountain biking adventure? Here are few tips from those of us who have been around the block a few times. You Can Bring or Rent Camping Gear If you are a seasoned and equipped camper, feel free to bring your own gear on your Western Spirit trip. If not, we’re happy to rent you some! We have North Face tents, 20-degree sleeping bags, and Thermarest pads to keep you comfortable and warm. Same deal with bikes, though we really recommend renting them from us. Most airlines charge extra [...]
All About Telluride Hiking
Telluride, Colorado is a town like no other, surrounded by peak after peak of amazing mountains with endless terrain to explore. Hiking is surely the most popular activity in the summer, and there’s plenty of great cycling as well. Here’s what you need to know about hiking in Telluride. Allow for Plenty of Time There are over 90 different hiking trails in the immediate vicinity of town, so if you are visiting from out of town, make sure you stay a little longer than you think you should. There are also [...]
A Rundown of The Best Resorts For A Family Vacation
When you travel with your family, it’s nice to have access to a variety of activities that allow you to take advantage of all that a destination has to offer—without too much research or mid-trip decision-making. Here are our three favorite resorts to take our family—and then a fun idea to take things to the next level! Crested Butte, CO At first glance, Crested Butte is a sleepy mountain town, nestled in the southwestern corner of Colorado. If you keep looking, you’ll realize it’s one of the most [...]
Tips for traveling with a group on any trip
It's no secret that traveling with people can come with challenges. Leaving the comforts of home often brings out the best in people—and can also bring to light some less desirable traits. If you've taken trips with groups, you've probably learned lessons of your own, but here are some things we've learned over the years that might keep you from learning the hard way. Choose Your Group Wisely A trip really begins when the planning process starts. I find that trips focused around a particular activity can help to filter potential travel [...]
Five No Fail Fun Family Vacations
Getting away with your family is a great way to make memories, celebrate different parts of your kids’ lives, and have new experiences together. But let’s not forget that getting the family away together can be a big job! Here are five trips where you’ll have a little support with logistics, making it a bit easier to travel with your family this summer. Grand Canyon Any list of family vacations in the United States would be incomplete without mention of the Grand Canyon. Even if you’ve seen a million [...]
