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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

91.0. "rail-beds" by MANANA::RUDNICK () Wed Jul 02 1986 12:37

    Has anybody out there been riding there mountain bikes along unused
    railroad beds?  The other night I was cranking along on the old
    Boston-Maine line in Derry, NH.  I got real strange vibes from being
    on the track.  It felt like the land had lived out it's usefulness
    and was kindof frozen in time.  Very twilight-zoneish...
    
    Ben.
    
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91.1Rail BedsEAGLE4::CAMILLIThu Jul 03 1986 09:3712
	I've been on some sections of previously used, but currently
	paved railroad beds with a touring bike.  Looks like lots of
	states are claiming old beds and paving them for bike paths.

	I tried a little of the Albany to Buffalo one, near Albany.
	From calls to NYS, I got maps that indicate they have about
	120 miles paved so far.  I guess you're free to use the rest
	as-is.

	Was it Ford that had ads for a truck that showed one driving over
	(railroad) ties?  Whatever turns you on...
91.2Here's one for EVERYONELSMVAX::MILLERGary MillerTue Jul 08 1986 13:409
*** Has anybody out there been riding there mountain bikes along unused
    railroad beds?***
                     
One of the nicest rides I do, is on an old unused railroad bed. It's been
"derailed" and paved, and named "Cape Cod Rail Trail". It is 20 miles long
with about 2 miles of town streets in Orleans to interrupt it. Otherwise
it is a delight. No grey vans, no blind curves and lots of width. Moreover,
it doesn't *REQUIRE* a Mountain bike.

91.3Rails to TrailsEQUINE::DANIWed Nov 16 1988 07:4813
    
    There is a group that has been formed called Rails To Trails. I
    joined them about a month ago and am still waiting for the news letter.
    THe news letter will give a list of the rail-trails in the U.S.  
    Some are paved and some I presume are not as they are used for
    horseback riding.
    
    Will post more info when I get it, or I can post the address of the
    group if others are interested.
    
    Danielle
    
    
91.4re:-1....yes, post the address!MAILVX::HOOD_DOWed Nov 16 1988 08:555
    I'm interested.... if the list includes railbeds in the southeast.
    Could you post the address OR send a copy to Doug Hood at
    IPO/IPO?
    
    doug
91.5Cape Cod trail before it was...SCOMAN::BOURGAULTI have a story to tell.....Mon Nov 28 1988 02:4938
    re: .2 on the Cape Cod bike trail.  
    
    I rode it back around 1965, at a time when it was still officially
    railroad.  Most of the length from Hyannis to Orleans had the ties
    removed, but there were patches with ties still in place.  Very
    few people were yet interested in bike trails.... but that's
    another story!
    
    I rented a tandem... a big, heavy frame, fat balloon
    tired, american-made tandem.... from a place (gas station?)
    near Nickerson State Park in Brewster (next to Orleans).  
    With various members of my family or the family we were
    "camping with" for the week, I made the trip from Nickerson
    to Orleans, Nauset Beach, etc. and back.  After a couple of
    trips on the main road, I started looking for another route!
    I got smart... I bought the appropriate topographic map(s),
    thinking to find little back roads not on road maps.  What
    I found was a nice, straight, level.... "road" that came
    out about 50 yards from the front entrance to the park!
    
    With the fat tires, I had no trouble riding over the slightly
    sandy surface... and one trip into town was enough to convince
    me!  I was riding in the shade (in August), no cars... except for
    the pickup truck going to somebody's cranberry bog, once...
    very little ANYthing except peace and quiet.  I loved it.  
    
    A couple of years later, I even wrote to a couple of political
    types urging the creation of a bicycle path there...  my older
    brother was connected (member?) with the Worcester-based
    Sevenhills Wheelmen, and was at least attending meetings with
    the local League of American Wheelmen (LAW) chapter, and he
    got information on the campaign from both places.  As I recall,
    the best anybody got was a "not feasible at this time" type
    of answer.... and a strong impression that politicos are NOT
    interested in something as "juvenile" as bicycle riding!
    I hope that attitude has changed....
    
                                        - Ed -
91.6Penn Central Aint bad either!ADVAX::G_FRYEFri Aug 04 1989 17:036
    I've been riding on the old Penn. Central railway bed, It's  pretty
    quite. The portion I've been riding runs from Baldwinville Ma. to Ottis
    Ma. 15 to 20 miles or so I'd guess. I've seen deer,coyote,partidge,and
    a couple of Ford's too! 
    
     
91.7SX4GTO::HOLTRobert Holt @ UCSWed Aug 16 1989 08:259
    
    The SP tracks through Cupertino to Stevens Creek Blvd 
    are rideable for about 3 miles, as are the ones through Mt
    View and Palo Alto.
    
    Beware of junk on the Palo Alto lines, especially scrap wire which
    once caught in my BB and threw the bike in one direction and me
    in the other. Cost me a new BB and a painful scrape on the ol
    hindquarters..