PARASAILING

“ Aloha ” is how Kevin Pilger signs his emails , and a Hawaiian way of life is exactly what this California transplant is hoping to offer his customers at Island Style Parasail in Newport . Parasailing tours run from May to September and depart from Bowen ’ s Wharf , where customers can choose from 600-foot-line , 800-foot-line and 1,000-foot-line options . “ The higher you go , the better your view ,” says Pilger , who adds you can see Block Island on a clear day . “ A lot of people think that it ’ s going to be this really exhilarating , fast ride almost like a roller coaster , but actually it ’ s a lot more peaceful than that .” islandstyleparasail . com

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Rhode Island is home to nearly 500 miles of mountain bike-accessible trails , many of them maintained by the Rhode Island chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association . Alan Winsor , chapter president , recommends beginners start with an easier area like the Big River Management Area , which offers 8,600 acres of trails for all skill levels just off Route 95 . Once they ’ re comfortable , riders can hit up a more challenging system such as Westerly ’ s Woody Hill , where all the trails are named after local craft beers . Try out the Flying Jenny or the Captain ’ s Daughter before sipping the real thing at Grey Sail Brewing down the street . rinemba . org

RAIL EXPLORERS

If hurtling down narrow trails on the seat of a mountain bike doesn ’ t sound like your idea of a good time , a leisurely ride along the former rail lines of Aquidneck Island might be more your speed . In Portsmouth , visitors can catch views of Narragansett Bay and enjoy the scenery from the comfort of their own railbike with Rail Explorers , the pedaling activity that takes riders along the tracks of the former Old Colony and Newport Railway . Tours include northern and southern routes as well as fireside , evening and brunch options ( another mimosa , please ). After your tour , duck into Newport or check out the Grand Bellevue dinner train for more rail-based exploring . railexplorers . net

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