Originally Posted by
Roody
Good scouting, gwd. Watch out for cops if you're trespassing. I have my own shortcuts. One involves taking a path through a woodlot, crossing an unused RR track, and "sneaking" through the parking lot of a little factory. It takes more than 1/2 mile off my commute to work. When it's not real muddy or snowy, I can do it without getting off my bike.
Please be careful crossing railroad tracks, even if they look unused. Many tracks that people think are abandoned are actually used once or twice a week. Plus there are inspection and work trains.
Train traffic is predicted to go up 88% by the year 2035, so be prepared to see trains on tracks you thought were abandoned.