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It would be nice to see a Trail Review forum where people could post trails that they have been on. After a brief description of it they could give their personal likes and dislikes. In addition, this forum could be used for inquiries on trails someone is interested in riding on, and needs info. With the number of new trails yearly being added for our riding pleasure, especially in the rails-to-trails category, this would seem like a logical place. I know, I personally would use it. Just a thought.
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I like this idea, too. How would they be divided? Continent > Country > State/Region/County? That could be some long lists to wade through though.
Actually the way it could work would be after someone rides a trail they would post the trail name only on the thread title, and write a brief trail review, including their opinion. As time goes on trails could be continually added that could be searched for. Also if someone is interested in a certain trail posted they could inquire about that trail. If I'm searching for a trail to ride currently not posted I could inquire on it, as well, and get more personal info than a web-site could offer. It just seems more convienent to have a forum just for posting a trail review or to get info for a future ride. I know there's hundreds of trails existing today, but it would be a start.
But what if I'm somebody that doesn't know the name of a trail or where it's located, but I know that I want to ride a trail that's in ____________ (insert a location here)? By having a sorting mechanism at the start allows a) people to know where to post info about trails about which they know or b) people to read about trails in areas in which they may have an interest. I know there are a lot of trails around where I live, but I only know a handful of names for trails.
DPS3749, as I said before, I think the idea is a good one, but I see a lot of work going into creating the structure to make it useful.
If there's 25 trails that are reviewed, then it's not a problem. It all fits on one page. If there's 50, no big deal, it's two pages. But if there's 500 trails, then a user has to click through 20 different pages of trail names to see if the trail they want to know about is even listed. And trail names won't tell other people where the trail is located. They'd have to open the thread to find out.
Yes, I guess it could be a lot of work to set up. For the time being if I'm interested in a certain trail somewhere I'll have to post on a general forum inquiring if anyone has ridden on it, and what they thought of it. Occasionally, I have seen trail reviews with a web-site (Katy State Trail in Missouri has one.) Of course, it would take time compiling all the info, and keeping it current.
I too would be interested in this type of forum. I started a church bike club and we go to a different rail-to-trail each month in our area (west Central Il.). Most trails seem to have their own website but I like to hear from people who have actually ridden on them or camped along the way and can tell you the good, bad and ugly of each trail. Good idea I think.
Mark
I too would be interested in this type of forum. I started a church bike club and we go to a different rail-to-trail each month in our area (west Central Il.). Most trails seem to have their own website but I like to hear from people who have actually ridden on them or camped along the way and can tell you the good, bad and ugly of each trail. Good idea I think.
Mark
I like that idea, Mark, of a church bike club. I get tired of the same trails, and I hate riding by myself. I live near 3 bike trails; Hennepin, I&M, and the Rock Island. The I&M Trail goes by Starve Rock State Park, and the Hennepin Trail starts just west of there. The Rock Island Trail starts by Peoria which isn't too far from you. If interested in any of the 3 trails let me know, and I will give you some info on them. Also, if your want to travel around the Chicago suburbs the Illinois Prairie Path (great trail!) can be ridden to the Fox River in St. Charles, IL to pick up the Fox River Trail (another great trail mostly on blacktop). If you want any info feel free to ask.
That's why I'd like to see a trail forum. I think the best way would be to post a trail's name, town and state in the thread title. I've been on so many trails in Illinois and Wisconsin, and would love to post some info with personal comments, but need a spot for that. That would be great with a trail forum.
It would be nice to see a Trail Review forum where people could post trails that they have been on.
Who needs trails when there are roads to ride on?
Who needs trails when there are roads to ride on?
For people like me and many others that don't wish to ride on the roads, because of dealing with vehicular traffic. I know that there are many less-traveled back roads that I will occasionally use, but for the most part I personally feel safer on a designated bike trail. Most family rides accompanied by young riders prefer to stick to the bike trails. I'm sure I speak for others as well. Fortunately where I live I'm within 2 hours of at least 6 bike trails.
I personally feel safer on a designated bike trail.
Not always the case for me. Roads don't have "undesirables" walking down the middle or walking 2-4 abreast making it hard to get by them without an incident.
There are also three nasty features of many trails that don't exist on roads:
- Posts and gates placed in the middle of the trail, usually near intersections and downhill, to prevent wide vehicles from using the trails. Clearance is sometimes barely enough for a child trailer. Besides, who would accept a cement block as a lane delimiter on an Interstate motorway?
- Chicanes near railway crossings (in Laval and near the Lachine Canal). Maybe they want to make sure cyclists slow down at railway crossings, but I have yet to understand how a set of chicanes that take 20 minutes to deal with (while the bike is still on the railway) is safer than a quick crossing.
- Intersections – even minor ones – where trails users never have the right of way.
It's either "stop because there is a driveway here" (with a police officer to catch offenders), or "stop because there is a busy road to cross" (and wait for 1 hour until the coast is clear) or "stop and press the button to get a green light" (why not automatic sensors?)
Add to that poor design features, tight curves, especially if riding with a long bike, and you'll see why I generally prefer the road. On arterials, it's either traffic in the other direction that has to stop, or I have a traffic light that tends to be green a good portion of the time.
Still trails have some advantages:
- may be silent if it's not too close to motorised traffic (providing the surface is paved, because crushed stone is noisy);
- if alongside a river or a canal, there might be fewer intersections than on arterials;
- sometimes provide a bit more protection against headwinds.
There are also three nasty features of many trails that don't exist on roads:
- Posts and gates placed in the middle of the trail, usually near intersections and downhill, to prevent wide vehicles from using the trails. Clearance is sometimes barely enough for a child trailer. Besides, who would accept a cement block as a lane delimiter on an Interstate motorway?
- Chicanes near railway crossings (in Laval and near the Lachine Canal). Maybe they want to make sure cyclists slow down at railway crossings, but I have yet to understand how a set of chicanes that take 20 minutes to deal with (while the bike is still on the railway) is safer than a quick crossing.
- Intersections – even minor ones – where trails users never have the right of way.
It's either "stop because there is a driveway here" (with a police officer to catch offenders), or "stop because there is a busy road to cross" (and wait for 1 hour until the coast is clear) or "stop and press the button to get a green light" (why not automatic sensors?)
Add to that poor design features, tight curves, especially if riding with a long bike, and you'll see why I generally prefer the road. On arterials, it's either traffic in the other direction that has to stop, or I have a traffic light that tends to be green a good portion of the time.
Still trails have some advantages:
- may be silent if it's not too close to motorised traffic (providing the surface is paved, because crushed stone is noisy);
- if alongside a river or a canal, there might be fewer intersections than on arterials;
- sometimes provide a bit more protection against headwinds.
Please lets not make this thread a debate of roads vs trails! The question was would people like a trail forum, not are trails worth while.
I think a trail review forum would be a great idea. There are a number of ways to locate trail or state websites with trail names, maps, descriptions, etc. but it is difficult to get some honest evaluations, tips, and recommendations from the people who have actually ridden or toured on them.
Being able to gather some information regarding the best portions, places to stay and eat, etc. would really help in planning trips and tours.
I sometimes personally find the flatness of old railroad beds a bit boring and get tired of the constant pedaling, but the view of the country side and solitude that you get from a trail is so different than most roads that they are well worth the ride.
What can be done to initiate a forum?
Sorry about that.
BTW, there is a sub-forum inside the Touring forum for travelogues or links to travelogues. Perhaps a sub-forum inside the Recreational and Family forum would be suited for that?
Ok, probably won't happen. Picture the fiasco if there was a trail review. You'll be having people arguing left and right about what is a trail. Remember us mountain bikers have a different definition of what a trail is compared to the definition the road folk have for a trail to mountain bikers a paved trail is basically a fire lane with no building. I just don't think this idea would work.
www.trails.com
Nuff said!
L8R
www.trails.com
Nuff said!
L8R
This web site is not complete. In Illinois I've been on 2 trails significant enough to have been listed, but weren't. Also, unless I missed something I didn't see any personal reviews of the trails or a place I could post mine.
The best thing you can do is contact them and tell them what you said. I contacted a website that gave information about trails and updated them about a Chicago trail- they did get in touch with me. It took about 2 weeks, but when they contacted me, they asked me for the additional information, and I gave it to them.
They won't know it's incomplete if someone doesn't tell them!
Koffee
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