Microadventures on the trails
How short, exciting adventures reward cyclists, hikers, and towns on the trail
I am a fan of Alastair Humphreys, evidenced by his landing on my favorite 5 cycling reads. Allister Humphreys is a person who travels the world by bike. His most notable achievement was cycling around the world for over 4 ½ years by bike. On returning from that epic journey, he became a renowned speaker of adventure and exploration.
He recognized that he could share more than his stories. He could inspire and encourage others to embrace that spirit of adventure. Most people do not have 4 ½ years, even a week, to leave their current life behind and explore. They could do it in bite-size pieces for 1-3 days.
A microadventure is an adventure that is short, simple, local, cheap – yet still fun, exciting, challenging, refreshing, and rewarding. Alastair Humphreys
He termed these short, simple, local, and cheap explorations microadventures. People underestimate their abilities and limit their dreams. Microadventures enable people of all ages and abilities to inspire others to get out and explore through their extraordinary achievements.
Microadventures allow people to explore long-distance trails such as the Ohio to Erie Trail or Great Allegheny Passage in 1–3-day pieces. Humphreys is spot on in how microadventures open the world of fun, exciting, challenging, refreshing, and rewarding adventures to about anyone.
From the adventurer’s point of view
A 1–3-day microadventure is easier to plan, cost-effective, and fits easier into a busy life. It is easier to encourage friends to join in this smaller, less challenging adventure. The adventure can be in a hub-and-spoke radiating from a trail town, a round trip between trail towns, or whatever your imagination dreams up.
The adventurer benefits from a feeling of accomplishment and pride. They develop the desire to embrace longer, more adventurous tours. Every subsequent microadventure grows one’s self-confidence, abilities, and perspective on exploring the outdoors and the world beyond their front door.
From the trail town point of view
Humphreys did not delve into how microadventures impact the locations of microadventures. Long-distance cyclists and hikers are outnumbered by those who explore by bike or foot for 1-3 days. These adventurers generate an economic and tourism impact that should not be underestimated.
Towns on the trail need to market themselves as microadventure destinations. It starts with helping microadventurers plan 1–3-day itineraries by suggesting accommodations, food and drink, attractions, and events. It ends with the towns, businesses, and people making memorable impressions on the adventurers.
Continue your exploration
Alastair Humphreys portal about everything you need to know about microadventurers.
The Manual lays out some of the basics of planning a microadventure.
Outside magazine shares some interesting microadventures to explore while learning something new.
Trail to Peak inspires you on how microadventures can change your life.
Rails to Trails Conservancy outlines how to be a welcoming town on the trail and how other towns are welcoming visitors.
Trail Towns Program Guide gets you started on connecting your town to the trail.
Happy Trails!
Tom on the Trail