Sep 20, 2007
Six Great Long Distance Rides
Kevin Kelly has six rides where you will not have to share the trail with a car. Thanks to the “Rails to Trails” there are more bike trails opening up that will allow folks to ride gentle gravel paths for miles on end with no cars.
…A quickly emerging network of abandoned railway lines are being converted by regional governments into superb bike paths. In addition to offering very gentle grades that are ideal for bikes, many of these new trails are satisfying long. The longest rail trail is over 300 miles long, and the longest off-pavement bike trail in the country stretches 2,500 miles. On these bike roads you can cruise along for weeks without ever encountering a car, or worrying about being bumped off the white line by an oblivious motorist. These are not paved roads, but packed gravel or dirt. Many sport spectacular tunnels and bridges courtesy of the former railways. At the same time these trails pass through small towns affording local eateries and rural lodging, as well as the usual camping spots along the way. I tell you, there’s nothing like arriving at the soft pillows of a B&B after a long day of pedaling.
There are other rides too, in fact the NY Times has stories on the Lachine Canal path in Montreal which extends into Quebec. The trail makes it easy ride since many tourist amenities are near the trail such as Bed and Breakfasts and bike repair areas. Not necessarily for the racer type, but a good way to get the non biking wife and family into cycling.