Sherman's Travel

For mountain biking enthusiasts as well as history buffs passing through San Francisco International Airport in the next few months, an exhibit called From Repack to Rwanda is an excellent reason to arrive at the airport a few minutes early.

It offers a fascinating look at the history of mountain biking, which traces its roots to a group of daredevil riders who started bombing down hills and mountains in the Bay Area during the early 1970s on modified bikes they called “clunkers.”

Included in the exhibit is a display of mountain bikes that chronicles the influence of those riders, as well as the development of the sport over the decades, from the early versions to the super-sleek models of today. Read more

Summer is great for enjoying nature, but there’s just something about fall – the crisp weather, the scent of a wood fire burning, the frenzy of college football – that seems to fire up the adventurous spirit. Fortunately, festivals abound this time of year that cater to those of us who’d rather enjoy the brilliant foliage from the saddle of a bike than the backseat of a car. Here, some picks for fall festivals with adventure front-and-center.

Moab Ho-Down Mountain Bike & Film Festival, Moab, Utah, October 25-28
Extended to four days this year, this gathering at one of the country’s top mountain biking meccas encompasses all the essentials of the sport: biking, beer, and revelry. Sponsored by the local Chile Pepper Bike Shop, the festival also features a film component, with evening showings of movies featuring independent mountain biking footage. Rounding out the action is a Hot Pepper Eating Contest and Ridiculous Costume Party that promises plenty of photo ops galore – all for the bargain price of just $35 for a festival pass.

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I like camping as much as the next outdoor enthusiast, but sometimes I’m looking for something more noteworthy than hiking by day and a wienie roast at night. That’s why these great fall weekend getaways and festivals caught my eye: They’re all about enjoying the great outdoors, but bring a little something extra to the mix, like great food, music and adult beverages, to boot. Read more

Callaway Gardens, a resort about 60 miles south of Atlanta, markets itself as a place where families can enjoy quality time together while getting back to nature. That’s all good, but its wholesome reputation had me slightly skeptical that the property’s new TreeTop Adventure, a combination ropes course and zip line nestled high in the trees that opened in mid-May, would be, well, bland enough for Mom, Dad, Junior, and maybe even Grandma.

So, just a few minutes into the experience, my inner adventure snob is more than impressed. Guides call these 24 aerial challenges, some of which are about 30 feet high, “games” – but then, so would Jason Bourne. For mere mortals, they’re no joke: suspended logs, bridges, and even a series of more than a dozen narrow swings to navigate, one by one, the latter of which was so tricky for me I prayed mightily for the security of my safety clips and harness.

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Until earlier this week, I knew the term “Red Rooster” only as a punch served at a holiday party years ago, so potent it induced a days-long hangover. But, oh, what you can discover on a random Google search. Seems Red Rooster is also the name of a well-run B&B organization in an area of Italy called South Tyrol, which borders Austria and has a fairytale landscape of forests, farmlands and vineyards, all intertwined with walking and biking paths.

Tourism in this autonomous province, which is also a mountain biking haven, centers on agriculture and sustainability. In fact, typical Tyrolean accommodations are farm stays, with more than 1,450 properties developed and overseen by Red Rooster (www.redrooster.it). Doubles usually cost around $70, typically including a breakfast of locally grown cuisine, use of a pool and free Wi-Fi.

Affordable prices, endless mountain biking and hiking options, cozy accommodations on farms and vineyards – anybody else ready to start planning an adventure in South Tyrol?

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I finally saw 127 Hours last night, and, just as I expected, I was blown away.

Actor James Franco as solo hiker Aron Ralston, whose incredible survival story culminated in the amputation of his  forearm after he was trapped by a boulder, was outstanding. As were the movie’s script and cinematography, a mix of rock-and-roll headiness and emotional reflection. And the setting – Utah’s breathtaking rock formations and clausto-inducing canyons – had me itching to book a flight.

Which is exactly what the folks at Utah’s Office of Tourism have been hoping for, with promotional trips in place to capitalize on all the buzz.

Shortly after the film’s release, Travel Utah announced five 127 Hours-themed excursions to the state (visit www.travel.utah.gov/127hours), whose stunning landscape plays its own starring role in the film. Says Tracie Cayford, spokesperson for the Utah Office of Tourism and Film, “The premise is if you had 127 hours to spend in Utah, what would you do?”

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