General Cycling Discussion - Rails-to-trails harder???

It seems to me that riding on a rails to trails path is harder than riding on the road. Maybe because you are on a relatively flat surface so there's no time to coast? Has anyone else had this experience. I think I'm getting a better work out when I'm doing the trail.

Since you are from Detroit(?), we'll make this one time exception, but generally no coasting (or at least no admitting that you coast) is allowed, so your work on the road should be no easier than the rail trail for that reason.

Perhaps it's dodging bladers or stopping at every crossroad that increases the effort ;)

That 50 lb MTB makes a big difference too------after a ride on the dirt trail and get on my road bike the next day---it almost seems too easy.

Another thing that's really weird about our dirt trail here(Wabash Trace) is that it always looks like you're going uphill---even though I'm going faster and using higher gears-----in reality I know I'm going downhill----but it sure "looks" like I'm going uphill.

The gravel surface has a lot more resistance than pavement.
Joe
:beer:

I rode on one once when it was wet, and couldn't believe how it sucked at my tires! I was in my third lowest gear for 6 miles.


I was glad when the brown gravel changed to grey gravel (dunno what the stuff is actually called) and I could go at speed again!

I ride the Katy Trail quite a bit for training. The rolling resistance is signifigant compared to the road. It's hard to keep up good speed as on the road, and as you said you can't let up pedaling. With the rolling resistance you won't go far. The upside is, no cars and no hills! :D

There's no rolling on those trails. It's push, push, push. Even downhill. At least once a week I give up the road ride in favor of my cross bike for the challenge of trails. The ones I ride are mulched.

Kathy

So much gear, so little $$

DirtG,

What is the Katy Trail like? We visit my parents in Missouri alot and would like to get a ride in. Where they live is a bit hilly, so it isn't a very fun ride.

It's relatively flat seeing as how it's an old RR line. Very small gravel/sand mix which is packed almost like concrete. It's a little soft after a lot of rain, but small amount aren't noticeable. You could ride a road bike on it but it might be a little squirrely with small slick tires. I see lots of comfort bikes on it. Even some recubents. Pretty scenic along the river; bluffs on one side and the MO river on the other.
http://www.mostateparks.com/katytrail.htm

Here's another link. It has an interactive map of the Katy.
http://katytrail.showmestate.com/frames.asp?map=yes

Hi,

In Indianapolis there are some rails-to-trails paths. Here they are paved. I think it's much harder than riding on the road, since you have to avoid the slower people and then stop at every intersection. They're OK but not very useful for actual transportation it seems.

Some of the rails to trails have very long inclines, some as long as 6 miles but it is only a 1 to 2% grade. So you really think it is flatter than it is but your going up hill all the way. Another thing is the one here is paved with concrete so it is relatively rough which cuts down on rolling resistence.

Of course around here most of the roads are pretty rough anyway. :)

The Springwater Corridor here in the Portland area is paved for much of it's length and is very flat. The problem, er...challenge here is that the pavement is rippled and sucks momentum like a sponge. Add to that a still, hot day and a few unwary fellow cyclists and pedestrians to circumvent and you've got quite the workout. And yes, intersections are a pain in the saddle.

Bike paths can make for great rides, and I'm glad they exist. Road riding is more interesting though. :D

-Rob