This is a great and all. I’m totally supportive of it, and I hope to see it happen.
The US Bicycle Route System is a vision for a network of these routes, allowing for easier and safer bicycle travel to all reaches of the nation. The country already has some active segments in the Mid-West and East Coast.
Washington is working to develop USBR 10, working with towns, cities and parks across northern Washington. And, as the Bicycle Alliance of Washington’s John Pope reports, the collaboration has already resulted in some unexpected benefits.
It sounds like an amazing thing, and I’d certainly take it some way. But I can’t imagine going to Eastern Washington on a bike, but I’m not in the greatest shape of my life. Maybe it’s less daunting if you’re planning it. God bless anyone who would be willing and able to do it.
I would be more inclined to go South to Vancouver, then to Longview, and then up the East Sound. That sounds like a fun vacation if the vision for Washington is ever completed. I wonder how long that would take if the route is ever completed?
As I said, I am not against cars. I am for a multimodal system, where people have a choice of modes. I am also practical at times. I would love to see the Seattle Streetcar network be the Seattle Municipal Street Railway network of the 1920s, but I know we’ll be lucky to get what is planned. I am starting to see more commuter rail operators accomodate bicycles. I think Amtrak Casscades two new sets have a car set aside for bicycles. Caltrain in San Francisco goes one further, and converted a couple coaches, or at least their lower decks, to carry bicycles(not a few, but removed many of the seats)
When I was younger, and rode bicycles, hills gave me a tough challenge, so would mountains. Although for Snoqulamie Pass, they already have a bicycle crossing, the former Milwaukee Road Tunnel, I believe.
For example of multimodal transportation, see “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.”
I think I saw that movie. John Candy and Steve Martin were pretty good.
Washington already has the cross-state John Wayne trail. We just need to spend a little cash to fix it up so that it as a Columbia river crossing and about 80 miles of it are rideable without super fat tires. These guys rode it a while back.
http://26inchslicks.blogspot.c.....wayne.html
Twenty-five years ago, when living in Seattle, my son and I planned a ride from Burlington to Missoula, MT., over the North Cascades. In four days we made it to Republic where I busted a wheel and couldn’t find spokes, a wheel or a repair shop, so I had the missus drive over and get us. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
As if I’m not already thinking enough about retirement. Thanksalot, guys.