rails
to
trails
◆
winter.13
3
members network
We’d like to hear from you.Write to “Members
Network,” Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, 2121Ward
Ct., NW, 5th Floor,Washington, D.C. 20037.
Or e-mail:
Letters may be edited for publication.
Correction
In the Spring/Summer 2012 issue, we ran
a letter from John Stamm, who correctly
pointed out that the Kelly Creek Trestle
along the Route of the Hiawatha is the
highest trestle on a rail-trail. We also cred-
ited him with the photo shown alongside
his letter, but the image actually came from
Michael Holman, who also identified and
provided visual evidence in support of the
Kelly Creek Trestle’s distinction. We place
enormous value on the contributions of our
readers, and we apologize to Mr. Holman
for the mistaken credit.
Clean River
The Boise River Greenbelt described in
the Fall 2012 issue sounds inviting, and
I hope to ride it someday. So I appreciate
the “enlightened city officials, business
leaders and citizens” who helped bring it
about. But I also thank the federal envi-
ronmental laws and regulations that no
longer allow the river to run “red with
waste dumped by meatpacking plants,”
as well as the leaders whose politics
produced those laws and regulations.
Bill Marker
BALTIMORE
Downhill Ride
Nice story on the Galloping Goose Trail
in Colorado (“Destination,” Fall 2012).
I did this great trail a few years ago using
a guided tour from a local fishing store.
It is all downhill from the top of Lizard
Head Pass. Several spots are tricky,
though, so the guided tour is worth it—
especially since you don’t have to ride
back uphill!
Bob Youker
BETHESDA, MD.
Hooked on Rail-Trails
We have been cycling rail-trails for at
least 20 years. Our first trail was the
Root River State Trail in Lanesboro,
Minn. We have since biked nearly
every trail in Minnesota (where we
lived for more than 60 years), several in
Wisconsin, and now some in Florida
during the winter. Most recently we dis-
covered two Ohio trails—the Kokosing
Gap Trail and Holmes County Trail—
which we shared with the Amish bug-
gies. We had such a good time.
The discovery of biking on safe trails
off the road has changed our lives. We
are in such good shape and have experi-
enced such fun trips.
Charlotte and Trevor Stevens
SOMERSET, KY.
My wife and I are hooked. Three years
ago we bought our hybrid bikes with a
tax refund check and joined Rails-to-
Trails Conservancy. With our four chil-
dren raised, we have enjoyed an explo-
sion of riding trails in Missouri’s Ozarks.
We started locally with our manicured
Galloway Trail in Springfield, which is
stunning. We worked our way up to
the rugged Frisco Trail, and then to the
nationally famous Katy Trail State Park.
Last summer we planned a trip that
included a national forest on the Tunnel
Hill State Trail in Illinois, a metropolitan
masterpiece in the Silver Comet Trail
in Georgia, and Spanish moss along
the beautiful, tree-lined Gainesville-
Hawthorne Trail State Park in Florida.
This summer we rode the rustic Sugar
River Trail in New Hampshire and the
rolling Great River Trail in Illinois.
Every trail has created a healthy
renewal of spirit. I am a pharmacist, my
wife is a middle school math teacher,
and we always return to our respective
professions renewed with a positive atti-
tude, ready to take on life’s challenges.
Next summer, maybe the Galloping
Goose Trail in Colorado?
JimWeissler
SPRINGFIELD, MO.
Horse Sense
I’d like to add to the comments made
in the Fall 2012 “Members Network”
regarding etiquette when passing on
the trail. I regularly ride my horses
on the Nashua River Rail Trail in
Massachusetts. The main corridor is
paved, and horses use a parallel unpaved
strip. There is no divider or median, and
the horses are accustomed to bicycles,
tricycles, baby strollers, scooters, inline
skaters and other users. However, I am
often startled (and distressed) by bicy-
clists who approach from behind and,
with no warning, whiz by at high speeds
with inches to spare. Many bicycles are
so quiet that not even the horse hears
them approaching until the last second.
Even the calmest horse can get startled
occasionally and step sideways into the
path of an oncoming cyclist.
For the sake of everyone’s safety,
calling out “Passing on your left” or
“
Coming up behind” well in advance
could avoid a very nasty wreck.
Colliding with a 1,000-pound horse is
not an experience anyone wants to have.
Judy Lorimer
PEPPERELL, MASS.
Another Line
I very much enjoyed the article
about the Hank Aaron State Trail
(“
Milwaukee’s Home Run of Trails,”
Spring/Summer 2012). You may not
be aware of another rail-trail involved
here. The map on page 12 shows an
on-road section that includes Sixth
Street. The Chicago North Shore and
Milwaukee Railroad—the famed electric
“
North Shore Line”—used this street
to the Milwaukee station from around
1908
until the line ceased operation in
1963.
Much of that time the street was
also used by streetcars run by the same
company.
S. David Jennings
WASHINGTON, D.C.
