Comments for trailsnet.com http://trailsnet.com a network of trails on the internet Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:59:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Comment on Trail Definition: What is a Trail? by Steve Muller (Florida Biking) http://trailsnet.com/2012/02/22/trail-definition-what-is-a-trail/#comment-523 Steve Muller (Florida Biking) Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:59:26 +0000 http://trailsnet.com/?p=781#comment-523 I think of a trail as any path (beaten or paved) that is used to travel by walkers, hikers, bikers, horses, skiers, dog sled etc. I think you would have sub categories that would define the type of trail, such as multi-use (this would need to be spelled out with signage), Mountain Bike, Dirt bike, Pedestrian, Equestrian, Cycling, and others. I have a bike path (as it is called) near my house that was built as a transportation corridor between two rural cities and runs 12 miles in one direction. However it also gets a lot of walkers (with and without babies and dogs), recreational cyclist, runners, rollerbladers, and electric wheel chairs and scooters. All coexist on this Trail (path) in Harmony and their is no signage defining the type of trail (path). I never really think of a sidewalk as a trail. Its purpose other than separating pedestrians from traffic is to provide a short paved access from point A to point B. It was interesting, I googled your original question as to the miles of trails in the US and no one gave a total, Wikepedia listed dozens of trails with their individual mileage but no totals or even estimates. I then googled by State and basically got the same response, so to your original point, I don't think anyone has a clue as to the quantity of trails themselves much less the total number of miles they make up. I'd love to go through my state and document the miles of trails, but then I'd probably forget why I was out there and start enjoying the scenery! I think of a trail as any path (beaten or paved) that is used to travel by walkers, hikers, bikers, horses, skiers, dog sled etc. I think you would have sub categories that would define the type of trail, such as multi-use (this would need to be spelled out with signage), Mountain Bike, Dirt bike, Pedestrian, Equestrian, Cycling, and others. I have a bike path (as it is called) near my house that was built as a transportation corridor between two rural cities and runs 12 miles in one direction. However it also gets a lot of walkers (with and without babies and dogs), recreational cyclist, runners, rollerbladers, and electric wheel chairs and scooters. All coexist on this Trail (path) in Harmony and their is no signage defining the type of trail (path).
I never really think of a sidewalk as a trail. Its purpose other than separating pedestrians from traffic is to provide a short paved access from point A to point B.

It was interesting, I googled your original question as to the miles of trails in the US and no one gave a total, Wikepedia listed dozens of trails with their individual mileage but no totals or even estimates. I then googled by State and basically got the same response, so to your original point, I don’t think anyone has a clue as to the quantity of trails themselves much less the total number of miles they make up. I’d love to go through my state and document the miles of trails, but then I’d probably forget why I was out there and start enjoying the scenery!

]]> Comment on Trail Definition: What is a Trail? by trailsnet http://trailsnet.com/2012/02/22/trail-definition-what-is-a-trail/#comment-522 trailsnet Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:14:24 +0000 http://trailsnet.com/?p=781#comment-522 By the way, Steve, if you're not already a member of the Trails & Greenway Forum, you may enjoy some of their discussions. It's a good group. 99% of the time I just enjoy reading the forum discussions, but lately I've enjoyed being involved in some of the conversation. By the way, Steve, if you’re not already a member of the Trails & Greenway Forum, you may enjoy some of their discussions. It’s a good group. 99% of the time I just enjoy reading the forum discussions, but lately I’ve enjoyed being involved in some of the conversation.

]]> Comment on Trail Definition: What is a Trail? by trailsnet http://trailsnet.com/2012/02/22/trail-definition-what-is-a-trail/#comment-521 trailsnet Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:12:00 +0000 http://trailsnet.com/?p=781#comment-521 Good points, Steve. And to muddy the waters even further, what about electric bikes or pedal-assist bikes? Should trails that allow them but not other motorized vehicles still be considered non-motorized paths? And besides the use issue, how about surface. Should all surface materials be included in the definition of trail and/or affect their designation as a trail? asphalt, cement, gravel, dirt, etc.? Good points, Steve. And to muddy the waters even further, what about electric bikes or pedal-assist bikes? Should trails that allow them but not other motorized vehicles still be considered non-motorized paths?
And besides the use issue, how about surface. Should all surface materials be included in the definition of trail and/or affect their designation as a trail? asphalt, cement, gravel, dirt, etc.?

]]> Comment on Trail Definition: What is a Trail? by Great Plains Trail http://trailsnet.com/2012/02/22/trail-definition-what-is-a-trail/#comment-520 Great Plains Trail Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:05:59 +0000 http://trailsnet.com/?p=781#comment-520 Interesting topic. I mostly agree with you assessment, but I suppose the modern definition would include that its main purpose is for recreation as opposed to transportation. That would exclude small park trails such as the ones you mentioned, but would include seasonal trails like cross country ski trails. And just to play devil's advocate, does the recreation have to be non-motorized? Is a trail made for motocross bikes not a trail? I, of course, prefer non-motorized, but there is a large number of people who use trails on motorized equipment. I suppose this is more of a way to categorize trails, some are multi-use, some are not. Interesting topic. I mostly agree with you assessment, but I suppose the modern definition would include that its main purpose is for recreation as opposed to transportation. That would exclude small park trails such as the ones you mentioned, but would include seasonal trails like cross country ski trails.

And just to play devil’s advocate, does the recreation have to be non-motorized? Is a trail made for motocross bikes not a trail? I, of course, prefer non-motorized, but there is a large number of people who use trails on motorized equipment. I suppose this is more of a way to categorize trails, some are multi-use, some are not.

]]> Comment on Plan Your Next Trail Trip With MyCampMate.com by Steve Muller (Florida Biking) http://trailsnet.com/2012/02/21/plan-your-next-trail-trip-with-mycampmate-com/#comment-518 Steve Muller (Florida Biking) Wed, 22 Feb 2012 02:39:37 +0000 http://trailsnet.com/?p=773#comment-518 Fair enough Kevin... You must have been really impressed to rally this company! I do agree with you that I also am a big fan of any company, start up or existing, that encourages people to get outside. I'll let you know what I think when I see the finished product! Fair enough Kevin… You must have been really impressed to rally this company! I do agree with you that I also am a big fan of any company, start up or existing, that encourages people to get outside. I’ll let you know what I think when I see the finished product!

]]> Comment on Plan Your Next Trail Trip With MyCampMate.com by Tyler http://trailsnet.com/2012/02/21/plan-your-next-trail-trip-with-mycampmate-com/#comment-517 Tyler Wed, 22 Feb 2012 02:27:58 +0000 http://trailsnet.com/?p=773#comment-517 Thanks Kevin for the chance to share our exciting project with both you and the hiking community. We're growing and it is fun to watch, and be a part of an idea take flight. Steve, we completely understand the need for the Droid and I promise its coming! Having a couple Droid fans within the company, I know the need=) We're nailing down what we want the application to do, the functionality and all that we can do with it. We're getting there! Thank you BOTH for your support and endorsement of myCampmate. Steve, by the way...we have a lot of bikers that use it as well to "Bookmark" their spots! Thanks Kevin for the chance to share our exciting project with both you and the hiking community. We’re growing and it is fun to watch, and be a part of an idea take flight.

Steve, we completely understand the need for the Droid and I promise its coming! Having a couple Droid fans within the company, I know the need=)
We’re nailing down what we want the application to do, the functionality and all that we can do with it. We’re getting there!

Thank you BOTH for your support and endorsement of myCampmate.

Steve, by the way…we have a lot of bikers that use it as well to “Bookmark” their spots!

]]> Comment on Plan Your Next Trail Trip With MyCampMate.com by trailsnet http://trailsnet.com/2012/02/21/plan-your-next-trail-trip-with-mycampmate-com/#comment-516 trailsnet Wed, 22 Feb 2012 02:12:47 +0000 http://trailsnet.com/?p=773#comment-516 I must say, Steve, I was pretty impressed by both the MyCampMate website and the interview I had w/ Tyler, the CEO & founder. Hopefully you'll reconsider & give 'em a fair shot. I'm a big fan of any startup company that encourages people to get outside. I must say, Steve, I was pretty impressed by both the MyCampMate website and the interview I had w/ Tyler, the CEO & founder. Hopefully you’ll reconsider & give ‘em a fair shot. I’m a big fan of any startup company that encourages people to get outside.

]]> Comment on Plan Your Next Trail Trip With MyCampMate.com by Steve Muller (Florida Biking) http://trailsnet.com/2012/02/21/plan-your-next-trail-trip-with-mycampmate-com/#comment-515 Steve Muller (Florida Biking) Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:22:25 +0000 http://trailsnet.com/?p=773#comment-515 Will have to wait for the Android version to come out. It amazes me that 3/4 of all cell phones in the world are Android (with open source coding) and yet applications are written to the IPhone first. I'll take your word on it Kevin, great review but they will not get more than one thumbs up when I get a chance to review it because of the platform they chose to promote it on. Thanks for the great info and I'll look forward to seeing the product when it finally makes its appearance down our way! Will have to wait for the Android version to come out. It amazes me that 3/4 of all cell phones in the world are Android (with open source coding) and yet applications are written to the IPhone first. I’ll take your word on it Kevin, great review but they will not get more than one thumbs up when I get a chance to review it because of the platform they chose to promote it on. Thanks for the great info and I’ll look forward to seeing the product when it finally makes its appearance down our way!

]]> Comment on Support Recreational Trails Program by trailsnet http://trailsnet.com/2012/02/13/support_trails/#comment-509 trailsnet Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:27:10 +0000 http://trailsnet.com/?p=757#comment-509 We need more politicians like that. It's good to know there are still some folks in that business who have their heads on straight. We need more politicians like that. It’s good to know there are still some folks in that business who have their heads on straight.

]]> Comment on Support Recreational Trails Program by Steve Myers http://trailsnet.com/2012/02/13/support_trails/#comment-508 Steve Myers Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:51:43 +0000 http://trailsnet.com/?p=757#comment-508 She's quite a popular senator in my home state of MN. Daughter of a well liked columnist from the MPLS Star-Tribune. She's smart and real. Glad to know she's still making a positive impact. She’s quite a popular senator in my home state of MN. Daughter of a well liked columnist from the MPLS Star-Tribune. She’s smart and real. Glad to know she’s still making a positive impact.

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