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If You’ve Dreamed of a Cross-Country Bike Trip, This Nearly 4,000-Mile Trail Could Make That a Reality
getpocket.com ^ | 5/8/2019 | Lyndsey Matthews

Posted on 02/14/2020 1:12:53 PM PST by rktman

A road trip may be the classic way to traverse the United States, but cyclists will eventually be able to make the cross-country bike trip a reality on a newly created trail system. Once it is completed, the Great American Rail-Trail will connect more than 3,700 miles of repurposed train routes and multi-use trails—all separate from vehicle traffic—across 12 states from Washington, D.C., to Washington State. Here’s everything we know about it so far. Where Will the Route Go?

In May 2019, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) revealed the route that will connect 125 existing trails with another 90 “trail gaps,” or sections that will need to be developed to turn the new Great American Rail-Trail into one contiguous path.

(Excerpt) Read more at getpocket.com ...


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: arrogant; bikeride; boondoggle; chat; chatforum; hippietrash; keywordrage; lawbreakers; railtrail; railtrails
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To: rktman

The only cross country bike trip I want to take is on the seat of my Indian Scout. I don’t do peddling.


21 posted on 02/14/2020 1:39:52 PM PST by ChildOfThe60s (If you can remember the 60s........you weren't really there)
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To: rktman

This is a very nice project and it will take many years, however it’s been in the works for some time.

My longest bike trip was 1,500+/- miles and it would be nice to do a long ride NOT on the roadways...


22 posted on 02/14/2020 1:40:25 PM PST by BBB333 (The Power Of Trump Compels You!)
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To: Gay State Conservative

‘My hunch is that the Rockies might be a bit tough.’

the uphill part (in the Rocky Mountain National Park in CO) is surprisingly doable, and many people accomplish it easily...the downhill part, however...terrifying, especially with all the road traffic...


23 posted on 02/14/2020 1:40:35 PM PST by IrishBrigade
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To: ETCM

‘It will likely be too crowded to enjoy.’

yes it would...


24 posted on 02/14/2020 1:42:34 PM PST by IrishBrigade
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To: rktman
Many years ago my older boy made a coast to coast bike trip. Not a race, just a ride. Came back with lots of pictures and interesting stories. He's now an engineer for NASA.
25 posted on 02/14/2020 1:43:13 PM PST by JoeFromSidney (Colonel (Retired) USAF.)
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To: rktman

All I can say is Coeur d’Alene - one of the most beautiful places in the country.


26 posted on 02/14/2020 1:44:55 PM PST by Gumdrop
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To: billyboy15

I did it on a motorcycle. It was huge fun.


27 posted on 02/14/2020 1:45:49 PM PST by Vermont Lt
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Great interactive map lets you see the proposed route in detail:

https://gis.railstotrails.org/grtamerican/

Remember, Lewis and Clark pushed wagons and carts over these mountains in far more difficult circumstances. And they didn’t have carbon fiber or a c-store every 10 miles.


28 posted on 02/14/2020 1:48:03 PM PST by bigbob (Trust Trump. Trust the Plan.)
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To: Gay State Conservative
Electric Bike Image result for electric bike
29 posted on 02/14/2020 1:50:26 PM PST by Leep (Everyday is Trump Day!)
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To: Rebelbase; rktman
IMO, rail trails are a great repurpose of abandoned railroads so long as it’s done with private money.

Although that may be the intent, the fact is under Reagan's Rail Banking initiative, many miles of rail line that were to be abandoned due to non use failed to revert to the original landowners. The railroads only leased the Right of Way for rail use. The Rail Banking program was a run around land grab by the Federal Government to avoid having to go through normal legal channels.

30 posted on 02/14/2020 1:51:08 PM PST by whodathunkit
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To: rktman

My physical therapist did this down the US west coast with her husband. She was already a marathon runner and started training for this months ahead of time. More than half who started didn’t finish. She said while it was tough, it was easier than some of the weeks she went through training and prep because they had all day to ride and they weren’t racing everyone. I’ve done 80 miles a few times in a day and that was brutal, but I can see how you can build up to that.

Coincidentally the same year, there was a documentary about a group who went cross country. During that event, a woman was hit by a car and died.


31 posted on 02/14/2020 1:57:57 PM PST by Nifty
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To: Gay State Conservative
Not much of the Rockies look to be involved. Maybe the top of the Continental Divide in Wyoming (why do I know this, you ask? Welp, on a recent “my life can't suck anymore so why don't I go on a couple thousand mile road trip, alone” I crossed the Great Divide about 4 times, all on (I'm pretty sure) the same highway.

It was the 2nd most trip of my life. Michigan (why didnt they route the trail thru the UP, eh?) to Wyoming, not purposely on a freeway.

32 posted on 02/14/2020 1:58:09 PM PST by blu (Bagster-s ping on the side)
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To: BBB333

“My longest bike trip was 1,500+/- miles and it would be nice to do a long ride NOT on the roadways...”

Mine was about 900 miles, Hong Kong to Shanghai via back roads


33 posted on 02/14/2020 2:00:34 PM PST by Fai Mao (There is no rule of law in the US until The PIAPS is executed.)
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To: Rebelbase

Hilarious! Well deserved for those cyclists who insist on riding on the white line, they can’t possibly ride on the PAVED SHOULDER...douches eat dust!


34 posted on 02/14/2020 2:04:26 PM PST by blu (Bagster-s ping on the side)
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To: Buckeye McFrog
It would be like the Appalachian Trail. Everyone would want to give it a go.

But the article kind of jumps the gun.

"Decades" to finish the trails

35 posted on 02/14/2020 2:04:32 PM PST by onona
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To: Leep

That’s what I thought of as well. Gotta set up those charging stations tho....


36 posted on 02/14/2020 2:07:30 PM PST by onona
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To: DannyTN
Sierras not Rockies. ❄😃
37 posted on 02/14/2020 2:08:19 PM PST by rktman ( #My2ndAmend! ----- Enlisted in the Navy in '67 to protect folks rights to strip my rights. WTH?)
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To: Rebelbase

Good grief. Those cyclists were breathing in some heavy duty exhaust fumes. :-)


38 posted on 02/14/2020 2:10:29 PM PST by plain talk
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To: mad_as_he$$; rktman

That’s what happens you don’t know your Donner history. You get eaten alive.


39 posted on 02/14/2020 2:11:31 PM PST by DannyTN
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To: rktman

trails-all separate from vehicle traffic

___

I’ll believe it when I see it.


40 posted on 02/14/2020 2:12:16 PM PST by conservative98
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