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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

493.0. "ATB Power Line Riding" by WILVAX::GAZZARA (Ben) Fri Oct 30 1987 09:58

       Hello again.  I just found out some good news about riding under
    the power lines in N.H.  Someone I work with told me that last year
    the state of N.H. made it legal to ride on the trails that are in
    these areas.  I'm not sure if this is already well know but I thought
    I put it in here since there seems to be a shortage of legal riding
    areas for ATB's.  Apparently, the law states that one must aquire
    a $15 permit to use a motor vehicle in these areas.  I wouldn't
    think one would need a permit for a bicycle.  Next time I stop at
    the town hall I'll verify this.
       I realize that some ATB riders will not ride in the presence
    of off-road motorists due to the risk of collision but I've been 
    riding on these power line trails in Litchfield, N.H. where I live 
    since the summer and I have yet to encounter one motor vehicle or 
    even a person.  These trails provide great riding and vary
    from flat smooth trails to rugged terrain and even jumps.  
    I would advise riders, though, to scout out a trail before trying 
    to set a speed record on it.  You never know what you might
    encounter.  It's funny, I don't have to be cautious of dogs anymore, 
    just moose.  Litchfield (next to Hudson) is a low, damp area with
    ponds and swamps here and there.  I hear moose every night where I
    live (they sound basically like cows only much deeper).  I have yet to 
    run into a moose (I would think the best way to describe it would be 
    like running into a natural wall) but just yesterday I found some
    tracks and a matted, grassy area where they lay down.
       I am very fortunate to live near a whole network of power line
    trails and I suggest at least exploring one if you are in the vicinity
    of one.  They can be great fun.
                                 
    
    
                                                              Mike
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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493.1One caveatTASMAN::EKOKERNAKFri Oct 30 1987 11:597
    Great, except it has been shown that people who spend a lot of time
    under high tension lines have a great chance of getting skin cancer
    when they get older.  I have some in-laws who grew up and/or recreated
    (hunted, metal detected, etc.) near power lines, and they all have
    skin cancer.
    
    Elaine
493.2I'll Keep RidingWILVAX::GAZZARABenFri Oct 30 1987 12:3719
       Interesting point Elaine but I usually ride for no more than a half
    an hour, 5 days a week.  I also ride in the street once in awhile.
    I think I stand at a higher risk to skin cancer just walking around 
    outside or working around people who smoke, not to mention sitting
    in front of this video terminal day in and day out.  
       It's also possible that your in-laws may have aquired skin cancer
    possibly by smoking, genial inheritance, the atmospheric content of 
    pollutants in which lived or they worked or just by sheer chance.  
       I'm not sure of the level of radiation that is produced and
    dispersed by high tension wires but I truly feel that spending 5% of 
    my total week's time riding under high tention wires isn't any more 
    harmful than living day to day in this atmosphere.  Your point is
    an interesting one though.  I do appreciate you concern and please 
    don't feel offended by my response.  It's just my opinion.
                                                        
    
    
                                                         Mike
    
493.3How 'bout a tour?ARCHER::KLASMANMon Nov 02 1987 12:5211
< Note 493.0 by WILVAX::GAZZARA "Ben" >

Mike,

   How 'bout organizing a tour of these trails for any interested noters?  It 
would be a fun way of meeting some of the people in this conference.  I've
recently been told of these trails, but haven't made the time to check them 
out.  A group ride should be sufficient motivation.

Kevin

493.4put a baseball card in your spokesMTBLUE::MILLEY_ROBBMon Nov 02 1987 15:5514
    
    I was in the local bike shop the other day and the owner mentioned
    somehting that got me to thinking.  Here in Maine, deer season opened
    last saturday.  Now, maybe in MA. and NH. the hunters are less likely
    to pump lead into anything that moves in the hopes that they can
    keep it, but I'm sticking to the roads untill Sunday (theres no
    hunting on Sundays in ME.)  At least go in a group large enough
    to make more noise than your average gun toting, beer drinking,
    bambi blasting hunter.
    
    ==>Robb
    
    P.S. I have nothing against hunting, just the methods of many hunters.
    
493.5Back to pavement for awhileWILVAX::GAZZARABenFri Nov 06 1987 12:4211
         I was just going to make that point.  Just last Sunday I went
    300 yards into the woods and saw a man with a rifle.  I didn't think
    much of it at the time.  Within the next 15 minutes I heard 6 different
    shots in all different areas.  I then realized that I would be riding
    on pavement for awhile.  I still can't believe that hunting is allowed
    in the area I live.  Children are everywhere and there really aren't
    that many secluded areas of woods anyway.
    
    
                                                           Mike
    
493.6Keep an eye out...WILVAX::GAZZARABenFri Nov 06 1987 13:0217
         Hi Kevin.  I would like to show some of the trails to people
    but unfortunatly I'm a family man and I barely get a ride in before 
    dark anyway.  Besides, I think I'll wait until all of the hunters
    kill themselves out there before I go offroading again.  I usually
    check out trails from the road first and then work my way in, slowly.
    Then the next day I go back and ride a little faster.   When I'm well
    aquainted with the trail then I go all out.  I suggest just keeping
    an eye open when traveling in your car in the vacinity of your town.
    Just the other day I found a powerline trail of off RT102.  There
    are trails out there.  You just have to look for 'em.
    
    
    
    
                                                              Mike
      
    
493.7No trespassing?ARCHER::KLASMANFri Nov 06 1987 18:1411
< Note 493.6 by WILVAX::GAZZARA "Ben" >
                            -< Keep an eye out... >-


I've seen a number of interesting trails on power lines, but they all seem to
have no trespassing signs all over the entrances, even tho they don't look 
like they're on private land.  I don't want to get shot by a hunter OR a 
property owner.

Kevin

493.8No trespassing - yesHARDY::NUZZOzk01-3, dtn: 381-1111, weez&#039;in wheelsTue Jan 26 1988 14:1612
    .7 
    
    Yes I agree since I own land through which the power lines run.
    I still own the land and Public Service of NH has a right of way
    to access that strip of land to inspect and repair the power lines.
    All others are trespassers.  I routinely stop and redirect MotoCross
    riders, and  snowmobilers.  Some of the land under the power-lines
    may be owned by the utility but much is still privately owned. 
    If its posted get the owners permission before you use it.
    
    jbn
    
493.9MENTOR::REGIt was 20 years ago next MayWed Jan 27 1988 11:325
    
    	I'd be worried about the defoliant they use under power lines,
    specially if I heard a 'copter or light plane in the area as I was
    riding.
    
493.10and I've never been bothered by weevils!WINERY::MCALLISTERWish they all could be CA girlsWed Jan 27 1988 11:466
    Nonsense.  I've been crop dusted and defoliated many times back
    in my youth.  Never did me any damage.
    
    `course the purple hair and kelly green skin tones tend to disturb
    other people.