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ZiZZO In Search of Gravel and Dirt Trails

by Beau Grant on November 11, 2021

ZiZZO, NOT JUST FOR COMMUTERS 
ZiZZO Folding Bike Commuter
Who wants to get a little dirty on their ZiZZO? I know I like to. We all know that most folding bikes are primarily promoted as “urban commuters”. With that unique folding design, you can take it on a bus, train, boat, etc. then unfold and ride to wherever your legs will take you. City streets will be nice and smooth for the most part and the gearing on a ZiZZO will allow you to head up even some of the steeper streets, well maybe not some we have in San Francisco like Filbert St. with a 31% grade...ouch!  

ZiZZO, NOT A FAN OF TRAFFIC 
ZiZZO Folding Bike TrafficBut over the years, as we all know traffic is getting worse. With drivers not paying attention more than ever it may be a little bit scary to be sharing the road with cars. Even the bike lane isn’t all that safe with only a white line separating cars and cyclists by 4 or 5 ft. I have personally come close to an accident as the driver nudged into my lane as they looked down to check on their social media, a text...who knows. When I raced in the late 80s all those quiet country roads I trained on without ever seeing cars are now like dragstrips for the people looking for a short cut to avoid the congested freeways. I hope you still have some quiet country roads to ride your ZiZZO on but if you don’t let's take the road less traveled and find some dirt! 

ZiZZO, FOR TRAILS 
ZiZZO Folding Bike TrailsAs a lifelong “roadie” I saw the humble beginnings of mountain biking and never quite got into off road riding. I didn’t know what I was missing! Well better late than never as they say. Taking the road less traveled on my ZiZZO has been a such a breath of fresh air, literally and figuratively. What a sense of freedom comes over me when being in nature on some dirt path in the hills, mountains, parks or anywhere away from cars. I can feel my daily cares get lost in all the “feels” of riding fully in tune with the path, the sights, sounds as I hear my heart pumping. 

My shoulders aren’t so tight and my mind is open without having to worry about getting clipped by a car. Just the sound of the gravel or some leaves crunching under my ZiZZO's tires is all that I hear. With the 2-inch wide Kenda tires and a little tread most trails and paths are attainable. I have put my ZiZZO to the test many times with some loose gravel or a bit of rocky terrain and it has performed well.  Just keep in mind It is important to be sensible and in tune with our own ability and fitness level when deciding a safe off-road experience on your ZiZZO.   

ZiZZO, FOR SECRET SPOTS 
ZiZZO Folding Bike Secret Spot in SnowThe other thing that makes off-road riding on your ZiZZO a great experience is all the amazing places that we now have access to ride. In the past we really didn't know where many of these trails were or if you were allowed to ride on them. Now with a simple search the world is at your fingertips. Not to mention some amazing apps like Komoot, AllTrails, MTB Project, and Trail Forks that are user friendly with so many details to help you navigate some new rides. Whether you are going away for a weekend, a quick afternoon spin or an epic long adventure those apps will take the guesswork out of much of your route. Want to get even more high tech? Most those apps you can download routes to your smart phone or cycling computer and they will guide you turn by turn.   

ZiZZO, FOR ROUTES 
ZiZZO Folding Bike Fire RoadThe other great resource for routes is at the National Trails Map at www.nps.gov . So many old railroad routes that are not in service anymore have given cyclists a new place to ride. Service roads, fire roads, logging trails and many other places we never could experience before have now opened up to the public for riding and they are still relatively unknown. So, if you want to get out somewhere really secluded for some alone time those places are out there. As always, it's important to be safe and let someone know where you're going if you are alone out in the “boonies.” If you don’t have cell service you will need to be self-sufficient if you have a mechanical issue. Plan accordingly for food and water and maybe have some basic tools in your ZiZZO trunk bag along with a spare tube.  

ZiZZO, FOR NATURE 
ZiZZO Folding Bike in NatureSince you're out in nature maybe consider bringing a camera other than the one on your phone. It will fit great into the ZiZZO handlebar bag and with easy access to grabbing it you won’t miss a shot as you see something that was unplanned. Nature happens! I have seen so many things on trails over the years that I would have never experienced. Beautiful deer with their babies, coyotes hunting for a meal, tarantulas looking for a mate and countless amazing sunsets are just a few things that stopped me in my tracks. So get out there in the dirt and crush a little gravel with your ZiZZO on some fun trails or paths you can always wash it later. Happy pedaling! 

 

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