The highs are still in the high 80s here in Tucson, but the lows are getting lower. We’re opening windows and drinking coffee with cooler morning temps, so we’ll call this a Fall news roundup. This month we’re focusing on the beloved rails-to-trails network that’s been a continual work in progress since the mid 1960s. I learned a lot from PBS’s recent documentary, and I hope you enjoy it, along with a collection of other stories from the last couple of months. Enjoy!
A history of rails-to-trails
Some of my favorite rides over the last couple of summers have been on the Palouse to Cascades Trail, a 289-mile rails-to-trail system that spans nearly the entire width of Washington state. The “Milwaukee Road,” as it was once known, cut through the Cascade Mountains and served as a critical link to Chicago and beyond at the height of railway expansion in the mid to late 1800s. All told, nearly a quarter million miles of track were laid through the early 1900s for timber cutting, mineral extraction, and passenger service.
And then came the automobile and the interstate system, obsoleting tens of thousands of miles of perfectly graded paths that often cut through some of the most scenic parts of the country. Roughly half of those railroad miles were simply abandoned as automobile ownership grew in the mid 1900s.
Around this same time, the idea to put those miles to use as walking, cycling, and riding thoroughfares started to gain momentum from Chicago Tribune reader May Watts. Shortly thereafter, the Illinois Prairie Path opened in Chicago as the first example of recycling old railway beds into multi-use paths. Since then, nearly 26,000 miles have been converted into an extensive rails-to-trails system around the country.
PBS’s new documentary, “From Rails to Trails” highlights the movement that was sparked by Watts and the early efforts that went into creating one of the most beloved recreation resources in the country. There’s an accompanying book from Rails to Trail Conservancy co-founder Peter Harnik, and their website is an excellent resource to peruse as well.
More Bikepacking News
- Pedaleo Bikepacking Summit: A European bikepacking summit just sounds so dreamy. Do we have anything like this in the USA? If not, who wants to start one?
- Mark Egge on the Continental Divide Trail: One of only a few people to ride a singletrack-focused version of the Continental Divide Trail. A very detailed blog with daily ride logs and insights into the logistics and route planning for a massive ride.
- Josh Ibbett and the Silk Road: Pedaling to the start of this iconic race is becoming more and more common. Josh Ibbett reports on his journey to the start, and along the way, runs into Sofianne Sehili during his record attempt, and before the Russia arrest mentioned below.
- Sofiane Sehili Released from Russian Prison: That sounds wild to type. The news is a bit old at this point, but worth mentioning since we covered it in our last roundup. His social media is a good place to catch up on the nearly 2-month saga.
- Alaska’s Seward Peninsula at Risk: Open-pit mining. Not much more to say. An open comment period is running for another couple of weeks.
- A History of the Stumpjumper: Short video chronicling the early days and history of one of the most iconic bikes out there. From the early days of mountain bikes to modern racing bikes to hipster grocery-getters – a classic. I’m sure a few dozen folks reading this probably have an old Stumpy kicking around somewhere.
- Seldom Seen Fika Hip Pack: Any Ed Abbey reference catches my eye, and the bike bags, totes, and dog collars from Bozeman-based Seldom Seen look to be top notch. For those toting cameras, padded insert options are available.
- West Texas Showdown: Having grown up in Texas, it’s not a place I’m drawn to for the kind of riding and camping I’ve come to love in the western USA. Patrick Farnsworth, though, has done a wonderful job in crafting his three-race series to highlight the best Texas has to offer, with the West Texas edition being the newest offering in late November.
