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New 4000-mile trail will let people bike or hike across the US on one path.

The Great American Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has been working for almost two years with local governments to transform obsolete railroad tracks into multi-purpose public paths.

Stretching “sea to shining sea,” the trail gives cyclists and hikers the opportunity to experience all the terrain across the US, “from purple mountains majesty to amber fields of grain,” the organization says.

“Picture yourself pedaling across the entire country on a safe, seamless, scenic pathway—or walking a local trail that connects along historic routes."

More than 50% of the trail is already in place using pre-existing trails developed along the railroad tracks, built a century ago.

birdingnut 8 Sep 15
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I do like the idea. I think we need to do more with rail service tho (for those wanting a faster ride or who are unable to peddle or walk great distances). Americans love affair with the automobile is biting us in the butt. I realize big oil has played a huge roll but geezzz sheeple wake up!!

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I've hitch hiked across the country twice. Biking across would be wonderful !

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I actually have them as a Facebook feed so I can be kept informed and can show support for more bike trails in our local communities. I feel fortunate to have great trails in Wisconsin in general and in my home town specifically. My goal is to bring my bike along on vacations and scout out the trails!

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Brilliant idea! What an adventure! Wondering about infrastructure....rest areas, etc. Any plans for those?

The article didn't say, but national parks use natural materials to make shelters that have skylights and other passive "green" features. Even on the Appalachian Trail, there are shelters built of logs and rock taken from the location, with passive solar heating. I don't know about safety..maybe tiny, hidden trail cams, installed every 200 yards or something with solar recharging stations, although I don't know of any currently in use.

@birdingnut Safety's a good point...I'm imagining potential problems there. The shelters should have some kind of alarm...an alarm which can't be damaged/disabled. But, again---what an adventure!

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