Skip to main content

Plan out your weekend excursions with Bivy, an online adventure planner

Bivy
As any avid outdoors person would attest, there exists a never-ending search for the next adventure capable of getting them outside. Whether it’s the saddle of a mountain bike, the cockpit of a kayak, or just strapping on hiking boots and slinging on a backpack, all they need is a destination and they’re gone.

This is exactly where Bivy, a multi-activity outdoor adventure planning site, comes in. Bivy launched in 2016 via an avid mountaineer, rock climber, outdoor adventurer, and longtime software developer, Vance Cook. Vance created Bivy to help people find, track, and share outdoor adventures all over the United States.

Recommended Videos

“I was frustrated with how difficult it was to find adventures in my area or in a new area I visited,” Cook told Digital Trends. “I was forced to either go buy guide books or find a friend who knew the area. Even then, guide books were really difficult to follow, especially on activities like rock climbing. With cryptic instructions like ‘park by the big cottonwood tree, follow the gulley until the scree field empties into it, and then go left following the deer trail,’ I knew there needed to be a better way.”

Image used with permission by copyright holder

With the growth in numbers and capability of mobile phones, Cook decided to solve this problem by blending his love of the outdoors with his software development background. Now, anyone looking for an adventure simply visits the site or downloads the app to their iPhone — both of which are completely free. The Bivy cartography team uses a variety of sources for data including sending people armed with GPS devices, cameras, and computers all over the U.S. to catalog details for 17 different outdoor activities. This group identifies locations and full paths of tens of thousands of trails, waterways, and climbing routes.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

“It’s been an exhausting effort because we’ve mapped the full path of every adventure and not just the start and end points,” Cook said. “We’re very happy and proud of the result.”

Since Bivy launched, its online community helps build the database by tracking and uploading new adventures, photos, corrections, and comments. With thousands of people already registered and contributing to the information on the site, new and updated information hits the app every day. For Android users, the company plans to release a compatible app this summer, meaning the reach and user capabilities of Bivy is only expected to grow even more.

“We’re also working on a host of new features for the next update of our iPhone and web versions,” Cook added. “We are very product focused and as our user base grows, so will Bivy. The more accurate and easier it is to use, the more people will be motivated to get outside.”

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Not only does Bivy help people find, track, and share outdoor adventures across the country, it also includes tens of thousands of adventures in 17 different adventure types including hiking, biking, climbing, skiing, paddling, and running. It’s a tool that helps you find and choose the ideal adventure in your area and within your abilities. All of which are found by selecting the search parameters you enter on the Bivy site.

Bivy also uses GPS technology to monitor progress and track positions, while also providing a social community to help users learn from others and build a reputation. Additionally, Bivy boasts important safety features which allow users to share locations with family and friends so in the event they don’t come back on time, they know where to begin the search.

Wes Parrell
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Wes Parrell’s professional outdoor experience spans more than 20 years as a Search and Rescue K9 handler, survival skills…
Aventon Abound SR combines thoughtful design, enhanced security, and smart connectivity
Aventon Abound SR hero image with couple on the e-bike

Electric bikes are nothing new at this point, and while there are many styles, few purportedly do-it-all, and even fewer actually offer smart or more advanced features. They tend to do one thing particularly well, like cruising, carrying cargo, or sightseeing -- like city riding -- but the biggest way they push the envelope is by offering that long-range electric power. The Aventon Abound SR, a new do-it-all bike, goes far and beyond anything that's come before it.

For starters, it's the first bike equipped with Aventon's electronic control unit (ACU) which empowers intelligent safety features. That gives you 4G and GPS tracking built-in, plus remote locking, an alarm system, and much more. But also, this top-of-its-class bike is incredibly versatile and is suitable for everything from commutes to tough exercise rides and daily routines. It features a top speed of 20 miles per hour, has a range of up to 60 miles per charge, and can carry a payload of up to 440 pounds. Impressive, indeed. Let's take a closer look and get a little more friendly with it, shall we?

Read more
Velotric: One of our favorite e-bike brands is having a huge sale right now
Velotric T1 ST Plus bike couple riding on the road

Take a minute to browse through the e-bike category, and you'll see lots of options but not many that I would classify as accessible. As far as technology goes, they can be pretty expensive, especially compared to your everyday traditional pedal bike. So, it makes sense that most people would wait until the holiday season, including Black Friday and Cyber Monday, to get a great deal on a new bike. Prices are at their lowest ever, and it's a great time to save some money. But guess what? You don't have to wait until later in November to save big because Velotric, a premium-quality e-bike maker, is hosting a huge sale right now. You can head over now to take a look, otherwise, we're going to explore some of those Velotric e-bike deals that are available.
save Now
 
What are these "Lower-Than-Black-Friday" Velotric e-bike deals?

Velotric is claiming these deals are "better" than Black Friday, so they better be good, right? Don't worry, they are. For example, you can grab the Velotric Go 1 Ebike for $400 off, while still getting it in a bundle that includes two free gears. That price is currently $1,299, normally $1,700. The Go 1 features a 500-watt motor, supports a maximum load of 440 pounds, and can travel up to 55 miles on a single charge. Pretty impressive. It's also designed to lug cargo, like a picnic basket, day bag, or even camping gear. That's mostly thanks to a lower center of gravity for the frame and hydraulic suspension system.

Read more
Yamaha offers sales of 60% on e-bikes as it pulls out of U.S. market
Yamaha Pedal Assist ebikes

If you were looking for clues that the post-pandemic e-bike market reshuffle remains in full swing in the U.S., look no further than the latest move by Yamaha.

In a letter to its dealers, the giant Japanese conglomerate announced it will pull out of the e-bike business in the U.S. by the end of the year, according to Electrek.

Read more