Washington State To Washington DC Bike Path Planned

[Revoltingest]

This is an odd forum for this thread, but I saw no better one.
Great American Rail-Trail | Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Picture yourself … pedaling across the entire country on a safe, seamless and scenic pathway—or walking a local trail that connects along historic routes. Imagine the incomparable experience of exploring America’s heritage by trail—its potential, its beauty and bounty, its people and places. Consider the economic opportunities and the benefits for communities along the route of a multiuse trail that stretches more than 3,700 miles from Washington to Washington. Learn more about the vision of the Great American Rail-Trail.

 

[Woberts]

Meh.

 

[Revoltingest]

Meh.

I thank you for showing up to express your disinterest.
This thread is for those who like traveling by bike without
the risk of being killed by a car. Exercise & green tourism
aren't for all. But we progressives really like it.

 

[Woberts]

I thank you for showing up to express your disinterest.
This thread is for those who like traveling by bike without
the risk of being killed by a car. Exercise & green tourism
isn't for all. But we progressives really like it.

I'm all for bike paths, lanes, whatever. I just don't see how one super long one is... noteworthy.

 

[PureX]

I don't see myself doing it on a bicycle, but maybe in some sort of electrified easy-chair.

 

[Revoltingest]

I'm all for bike paths, lanes, whatever. I just don't see how one super long one is... noteworthy.

It would be to bike tourists what the Appalachian Trail is to hikers.

 

[Ellen Brown]

I thank you for showing up to express your disinterest.
This thread is for those who like traveling by bike without
the risk of being killed by a car. Exercise & green tourism
isn't for all. But we progressives really like it.

I just saw this post today, May 10th, so I don't know where it was? I would love such a trail!!! My concern would be safety from two legged predators, so perhaps one would want to do it with a partner or group? So, which rail route would you convert to bike trail?

I am not an elite bike rider, and the most I have ridden is about 20 miles in one slow <12 MPH trip. If the trail did follow a railroad grade, that would keep the hills down to something I could manage, though some of it would be >5000 Feet. I would say perhaps rest/service area every 50 miles?

Due to past injuries to C-6, and lower back, I sit upright, but use road tyres inflated to 80 psi on my very pretty bike. I do have a rack and some paniers, but am not in love with the idea of weight hanging off the movable portion of the front of my bike, so perhaps a motel at night, not sleeping bag? I wonder if my 'seat part' would eventually adapt? I use a tractor seat now. The idea of a real riders seat is ludicrous to me.

I think riding across the 1000 miles of corn fields would be a trial.

Perhaps after the Apocalypse then?

 

[Stevicus]

This is an odd forum for this thread, but I saw no better one.
Great American Rail-Trail | Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Picture yourself … pedaling across the entire country on a safe, seamless and scenic pathway—or walking a local trail that connects along historic routes. Imagine the incomparable experience of exploring America’s heritage by trail—its potential, its beauty and bounty, its people and places. Consider the economic opportunities and the benefits for communities along the route of a multiuse trail that stretches more than 3,700 miles from Washington to Washington. Learn more about the vision of the Great American Rail-Trail.

It looks like it goes through some pretty steep mountainous terrain in the Northwest. But it seems interesting. Is it just for bikes, or do they allow horses or covered wagons?

 

[Revoltingest]

I just saw this post today, May 10th, so I don't know where it was? I would love such a trail!!! My concern would be safety from two legged predators, so perhaps one would want to do it with a partner or group? So, which rail route would you convert to bike trail?

I am not an elite bike rider, and the most I have ridden is about 20 miles in one slow <12 MPH trip. If the trail did follow a railroad grade, that would keep the hills down to something I could manage, though some of it would be >5000 Feet. I would say perhaps rest/service area every 50 miles?

Due to past injuries to C-6, and lower back, I sit upright, but use road tyres inflated to 80 psi on my very pretty bike. I do have a rack and some paniers, but am not in love with the idea of weight hanging off the movable portion of the front of my bike, so perhaps a motel at night, not sleeping bag? I wonder if my 'seat part' would eventually adapt? I use a tractor seat now. The idea of a real riders seat is ludicrous to me.

I think riding across the 1000 miles of corn fields would be a trial.

Perhaps after the Apocalypse then?

On a trail like that, a recumbent would be the only way to go.
You'd be faster because they're more aerodynamic, & you'd
be more comfortable in the reclining seat.

 

[Revoltingest]

It looks like it goes through some pretty steep mountainous terrain in the Northwest. But it seems interesting. Is it just for bikes, or do they allow horses or covered wagons?

I suppose that would depend upon each section of the trail.

 

[Quagmire]

I don't see myself doing it on a bicycle, but maybe in some sort of electrified easy-chair.

Take your pic : electric recumbent bikes pics - Google Search

 

[Quagmire]

This is an odd forum for this thread, but I saw no better one.
Great American Rail-Trail | Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Picture yourself … pedaling across the entire country on a safe, seamless and scenic pathway—or walking a local trail that connects along historic routes. Imagine the incomparable experience of exploring America’s heritage by trail—its potential, its beauty and bounty, its people and places. Consider the economic opportunities and the benefits for communities along the route of a multiuse trail that stretches more than 3,700 miles from Washington to Washington. Learn more about the vision of the Great American Rail-Trail.

This is so cool!

If they install charging stations along the way I'll never have to fly again!

 

[Valjean]

It would be to bike tourists what the Appalachian Trail is to hikers.

And think of the boon to eco-minded long distance commuters.

 

[Revoltingest]

This is so cool!

If they install charging stations along the way I'll never have to fly again!

I'd expect Ebikes to become quite prevalent.
Recharge at your motel, or carry solar cells
to charge while you ride.

 

[Quagmire]

I'd expect Ebikes to become quite prevalent.
Recharge at your motel, or carry solar cells
to charge while you ride.

Or you could rig it up so that your bike is being charged while you pedal it!
(note: please don't ruin this fantasy with physics)

 

[Dan From Smithville]

This is an odd forum for this thread, but I saw no better one.
Great American Rail-Trail | Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Picture yourself … pedaling across the entire country on a safe, seamless and scenic pathway—or walking a local trail that connects along historic routes. Imagine the incomparable experience of exploring America’s heritage by trail—its potential, its beauty and bounty, its people and places. Consider the economic opportunities and the benefits for communities along the route of a multiuse trail that stretches more than 3,700 miles from Washington to Washington. Learn more about the vision of the Great American Rail-Trail.

Where I did my graduate work was near a rails to trails conversion. I made good use of it regularly road a few hundred miles a week.

If it helps this may make it more relevant to the forum.

Will they make it a bipartisan trail or will it have a left lane and a right lane?

 

[Revoltingest]

And think of the boon to eco-minded long distance commuters.

Washington State congressmen could commute to work by bike, eh.

 

[Revoltingest]

Or you could rig it up so that your bike is being charged while you pedal it!
(note: please don't ruin this fantasy with physics)

There are already systems like that.
Regenerative braking is on at least one I know of.

 

[Revoltingest]

Will they make it a bipartisan trail or will it have a left lane and a right lane?

Some will have lanes.
Some won't.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

Some will have lanes.
Some won't.

Connecting one side of the country with the other in both fact and philosophy. You cannot beat a sweet deal like that.

The most interesting things I saw riding trails were my first and only badger and goats. The goats were big, in a group and quite a surprise. I would imagine that a trail of the projected length would have a lot more to see and some surprises too.