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members network
We’d like to hear from you.Write to “Members
Network,” Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, 2121Ward
Ct., NW, 5th Floor,Washington, DC 20037.
Or e-mail:
magazine@railstotrails.org.
Letters may be edited for publication.
Double Take
I was impressed to see another Double
Vision tandem bike in the Winter 2014
Rails to Trails
(“
Trail Tales,” page 5).
Initially, I thought it was me, as I also
often escort people around for a short
spin, giving them the feel and flavor of
tandem recumbent riding.
However, the greatest impact of my
pedaling is going to be helping establish
signed and safe bike routes throughout
the region connecting Texas, New Mexico
and Mexico. While El Paso continues to
upgrade its bicycle-friendly status, I regu-
larly pedal the roads and am constantly
providing information regarding feasibility
from an expert’s bicycling viewpoint.
We don’t have much in the way of rail-
trails here (yet), but I often get inspired
by articles in your publication. I am not
much of a “joiner,” but I am pleased to be
a card-carrying member of RTC!
John Eyberg
EL PASO, TeXas
Pathway to Paradise
Well done story on the Keys (“Connecting
the Keys,” Winter 2014). There is a differ-
ent way to ride the trail, which I have done
for the last six years. At age 80, I can’t bike
50
miles a day, but since I’ve retired, I have
time to enjoy the area. I stay in motels and
bike 5 to 7 miles one way and back for a
total of 10 to 15 miles, using my car for
a shuttle. Most days, I do the same in the
afternoon.
The total trip takes me about 11 days,
but I also have time to bike some of the
wonderful side trails on the islands, meet
local people and visit local attractions. This
approach means I totally avoid biking the
narrow highway bridges. In five years I
have never had a flat, but you do need to
be careful about a low-spreading flower
that has bad thorns. If you do a little
research first, you will enjoy the trip more.
Bob Youker
ROCKVILLE, MD.
I had just gotten home from riding
the entire length of the Florida Keys
Overseas Heritage Trail when I found
the Winter 2014
Rails to Trails
in my
mailbox. The cover feature was appropri-
ately titled “Pathway to Paradise.”
I found the article to be right on
for accuracy. With the Atlantic Ocean
on your left shoulder and the Gulf of
Mexico on your right, it is impossible
to find a more scenic ride in Florida. I
would venture to say it is unique among
trails in the United States.
Being a Florida resident, I was hesitant
about mixing with the busy U.S. 1 high-
way traffic. But I was very pleased at how
courteous the Monroe County drivers
were to bicyclists and would highly recom-
mend this ride to others. Be sure to bring
your snorkel and mask for use at rest stops,
and visit the National Key Deer Refuge at
mile marker 30 on the gulf side of the trail.
Clint Oster
BOCA RATON, FLa.
I just returned from biking the Florida Keys
Overseas Heritage Trail and read your story.
While I understand the desire to promote
cycling trails, the article painted an exces-
sively rosy picture of the trip, while mini-
mizing the hazards. Yes, the scenery is beau-
tiful. But it’s hard to enjoy it when you are
biking on a narrow shoulder next to a four-
lane highway with cars going by at 50 to
60
mph. Because the Keys are narrow and
there is only one main road, you are always
close to vehicle noise. The lack of signage is
a major problem, and while some of the old
railroad bridges can be crossed, others can-
not. Crossing Route 1 is not easy, as there
are few traffic lights or crosswalks. For safety
reasons, I cannot recommend this trip.
Richard Bisk
PRINCETON, MAss.
Back Issues?
Is there a way to view back issues of
Rails
to Trails
online? The article about the
trail in the Florida Keys really caught my
wife’s attention. Now, she’d like to see
some of the back issues that she never
had the chance to read, and which I no
longer have in the house.
Bob Abrams
WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y.
Yes, all that blue sky and sparkling water
sure did look inviting! And, yes, you can
read back issues of
Rails to Trails
at our
website. Just go to railstotrails.org/
magazine and click on the “
archive” link
in the top left of the page. Happy reading!
That’s Us
My 13-year-old son and I were delighted
to see ourselves in the 2013 Greenway
Sojourn photo spread (“A View From,”
Winter 2014); that’s us on page 21, mid
dle
left! We had just reached the Continental
Divide on our last day of riding and
stopped to memorialize our achievement.
As recreational riders, we were ner-
vous about participating in a multi-day
trip and concerned about the daily mile-
age requirement. While the first day was
challenging, and not helped by the 95+
degree heat, we found that being able to
go at our own pace and being on rail-
trails made each day’s goal very achiev-
able. It was a perfect combination of
testing our endurance while experienc-
ing the natural beauty of an area that we
would not have discovered on our own.
Emily Beezley
GLEN ROCK, N.j.
Reindeer Head Count
Twelve reindeer? (See “Greetings From:
Wow at the Plows,” Winter 2014). The
poem says, “When what to my wonder-
ing eyes did appear but a miniature sleigh
and
eight
tiny reindeer.” Some 65 years
ago, Gene Autry added Rudolph who,
some wits say, gave us Olive, as in, “Olive
the other reindeer used to laugh and call
him names.” That’s still only 10. Who are
the others: Grumpy and Sleepy? Athos
and Porthos? Mutt and Jeff?
Love the magazine.
Mark Lander
OLD SAYBROOK, Conn.