Conference noted::bicycle

    On good place to get info on the rail trail is from AYH, 1020
    Comm. Ave in Boston, near EMS.
    
    Last Summer I organized a group that biked to P-town in 4 days and
    took the ferry back.  We rode the length of the rail trail.  It
    starts about 8 miles NE of Hyannis, and goes to Orleans.   
    
    If you are in Littleton or Maynard, I could photocopy the maps.
    
    	Some of the good features were:
    It went in the direction that we wanted to go.
    No pedestrians!!!
    Few turns, no hills with more than a 1% grade.
    Few cross streets.
    Forest surroundings.
    Good pavement.
    
    	A few of the not so good features (many common to most bike paths)
    Loss of right-of-way at crossroads.
    Car baricades that stick into the middle of bike traffic.
    Going out of the way to avoid using the regular roads.
    Motorists that think bikes should stay on the bike paths.
    Dangerous intersections.

Have ridden it a number of times, can't be as positive as .1 but
it's still worthwhile. 

Total about 22 miles.  Starts in Dennis Rt 134, Mid point in East
Brewster (Rt 6A) at Nickerson State Park (make reservations), end in
Eastham, right across from National Seashore entrance (Rt 6), which
also has some good paths which can also help you get to Ptown (but
not totally there).  There is a Youth Hostel in Truro, near end.

You can rent bikes at middle and end, in season.

In busy times it has pedestrians and runners.  Have seen (illegal) 
mopeds.  Parts can be so flat as to get boring, especially if you 
like a few hills.  If its speed you want, use it in January.

	~Mike

>>>		at Nickerson State Park (make reservations)

Last time I looked, about 3 years ago, Nickerson was a "first come first
served" campground. Do they take reservations now?

>>>  There is a Youth Hostel in Truro, near end.
 
There's a youth hostel in Orleans, on a side road off the trail. Name of
the road escapes me, but it's something like "Brady Hallett Lane". The Truro
hostel is 10 miles out from the end. Be sure to call or write for reservations
on both of these, because I'm sure they're seasonal.

I like the trail because it's quick and free of motor traffic. I agree that
you'll occasionally see a pedestrian, but the pavement is W I D E, and
straight. No hills is a feature to all but Reg. 
I stay away from the bike trails in the Nat'l. Seeshore, tho, cause they're
loaded with pedestrians, are very narrow, and have sharp curves that lead
to nasty surprises.                                        

Happy Trails!

    
    I've been on the Cape Code Rail Trail.  
    
    It is very pretty, but be prepared for SLOW mellow riding.  It is
    dangerous to yourself and others to zip along there.
    
    Chuck
    

    Like I said, when I was there, I found no pedestrians at all.
    
    What I should have mentioned was that I was there on an overcast friday
    morning in mid-September.  I'll admit that it could be crowded at other
    times.
    
    -Jeff Bell
    

    I've ridden the trail several times.  It's very pretty and peaceful,
    especially early on a week-day morning.  But most times you have
    to deal with a lot of beginners who tend to take up the the width
    of the path and go SLOOOOOOOOOW  (even slower than me).  Near
    Nickerson State Park on a fairly busy day I kept getting behind
    people who would see a friend coming in the opposite direction.
    Both people would stop their bikes for some conversation in the
    middle of the path.  It got pretty aggravating!
    
    But as an alternative to driving on Cape roads in the summer, I'd
    rather deal with the bikers than with the drivers!
    
    Kathy

    
    There has not been an entry here for 87'.  
    
    A note mentioned to make reservations.  Was that only if you want to
    rent a bike?  Why would you need to make a reservation to just ride
    the trail?
    
    I'm planning on going there this weekend (I know a real busy weekend
    to go) but it's the only time I'll have to try it.
    
    Is there ample parking for cars?  Any do's and don'ts I should know
    about?
    
    Thanks,
    
    Louisa

We spent a week on the Cape a short while ago, and rode the CCRT a lot.

The reservations probably referred to the bike shops, certainly not to the 
trail itself.  However, my stepson had no trouble renting a bike for his
friend in the middle of a midweek day.  Weekends might be more difficult.

There is parking at various access points along the trail - look for signs
along Rtes 6 and 6A.  There is a fair amount of parking in and near Nickerson
State Park.

The trail has been extended into Wellfleet, with parking just off Rte. 6
about a mile beyond the Marconi Beach turnoff (when headed for Ptown).  The
extension was not officially open when we were there, and workers were doing
some of the final fencing and landscaping - but it was open for bikes.  It
is very nice - glass smooth, and with fewer road crossings than the older
section.  I think the extension runs about six miles.  Take a sidetrip down
to the Marconi historical site, there is a nice view off the bluff.

A lot of people were enjoying the trail when we were there, especially 
families.  It was rarely unpleasantly crowded, though.  Go early in the
morning for a less-crowded ride.

    
    Thanks very much for all the great info.  I'll report back on
    our trip.
    
    lou

If you're going to be doing anything more than just riding back and forth
on the trail, invest in a good Cape map.  The trail goes near many beaches,
historical sites, and other attractions, but you'd never know it - in fact
you are hard put even to tell what road you are crossing.  You can use the
trail for access from one part of the Cape to another, then branch off over
local roads.  The map will also help you find parking areas near the trail.

The two things you -can- find easily when riding the trail are snack bars
and bike shops - several of both are strategically located - in fact there is
an alternate branch of the trail in Orleans that seems designed to deliver
you right to the door of the local bike shop.

    
    good idea, I will get a map.  I will assume I can pick on up at
    one of the bike stores.
    
    thank you all very much
    
    Lou

    Information needed on Cape Cod bicycle routes:
    
    I'm staying in So. Wellfleet from July 22-29 and need to find
    information about routes from So. Wellfleet to P'town and also heading
    toward Orleans from Wellfleet.  I have not been on the Cape in years
    but do remember Route 6 is not the place I want to ride.
    
    I know many suggest "maps" of the area, does anybody know the most
    convenient place to purchase in the GMA.
    
    Thanks in advance
    
    Bill

    A couple places to get info on near Wellfleet:
    	1. The Cape Cod visitors center right off of RT. 6.. the bike
    	   trail goes under the highway, Coast Guard beach and Nausett
    	   Light beach are right nearby.  I believe this is the start
    	   of the National Seashore protected areas.
    	2. Nickerson State Park has some maps, although old, they show
    	   most of the trail between Dennis and the national seashore.
    	3. Pick up a map of Cape Cod.