In reference to your question about bike trails, I have seen two of them. One was located at Abingdon, VA and was built where the old railroad tracks had been for a distance of 20 miles. It went through park areas, crossed small bridges, and the scenery was beautiful. My friends and I walked a short distance along the bike trail and saw many other people walking and riding bikes. At the beginning of the trail, one could rent a bicycle. We thought the experience was great. Another bike trail was located in a small town called Galax, VA, near the Blue Ridge Parkway. This bike trail also followed the old unused railroad tracks. It, too, was a beautiful place. One thing about creating bike trails where the old tracks have been is that, if you will recall, the trains always went through wooded terrain and along creek beds. I believe it is a wonderful idea and is creating interest in various parts of the state. Go for it!
I forgot to mention that I think Lexington, KY, is considering a bike trail and I believe it will start at the old railroad depot. (don't quote me on that). Of course, tracks have to be removed, or covered to create the path. The ones I saw in VA were wide enough for cars to drive on (they don't allow cars though). The surface was similar to blacktop with a fine grade of gravel pressed into the surface. Unless you have walked or ridden a bike on one of these trails, you can't begin to imagine how nice they are. I'm sure there are lots of these trails popping up around the country, but if you ever get a chance to go to Abingdon, VA, take a look at theirs. The trail at Galax, VA, started at the old railroad depot. If you are like I was, the first time I visited Galax, I didn't know such a place existed. It is a very small community, but alive with the arts. Arts--mostly mountain music. They have various festivals that draw up to 40,000 people each year. They come from everywhere. Anytime you go there, you can count on something special taking place. I was totally amazed at how alive the small place is. Galax is located a few miles from the NC border, not far from Blowing Rock. In fact, if you get on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Galax, you can look out in the distance and see Mount Pilot. Galax is ten miles from Mt. Airey. (Andy Griffith's hometown) Now, you've just had a history/geography lesson!
I wish this would get some serious consideration from city officials. I have been in dozens of towns that put in bike trails, and it was the talk of the town. One friend of mine was elected to City counsel and her win was attributed to the recreation efforts she worked on, such as bike trails, a basketball facility, tennis courts and other healthy lifestyle projects. Corbin is a prime location for bike trails, and I can see it implemented downtown and at the south exit area, up along the Tech Center and down the Falls Highway towards town, or even up the bypass towards EKU Corbin. I'd get my bike out and dust it off, but there is nowhere safe to ride, especially for kids.
Instead of a cushey bank account for Tourism, lets use some of that money for what it is supposed to be used for - to be spent on tourism and recreation, not to brag about how much money they have in the bank. I heard Steve McBurney say one time, and I agree 100%, Tourism's job is to spend that money, not save it for a rainey day or pad their bank account.
To the poster up two! why didn't you have enough guts to tell steve McBurney what you thought? If you want more money to ride your little bicycles around then tell them.........
To the poster up two! why didn't you have enough guts to tell steve McBurney what you thought? If you want more money to ride your little bicycles around then tell them.........
What makes you assume I didn't? I don't remember seeing you standing there during any of our conversations, so you have no idea what we discussed. Instead of being a smarta$#, why don't you debate the issues? What part of the above comments do you disagree with? Are you against bike trails, exercise and family activities? Or would you rather see sofas, remote controls and potato chip bags placed throught town for your daily fitness routine?
This is a fantastic idea, and I hope it gets some thought. I ride bikes, and I love it. My family does too.
So what's the problem 2 posts up.
Berea has a city wide bike trail, and it's always used, all hours of the day.
Did you know an area outside of Townsend, Tn, close to Gatlinburg, closes down a part of a state road once a week, so cyclers can ride the road. Now that's tourism.
We could put a bike trail from the exit 25 to the shopping center, the roads are wide enough.
Ironically, I just came through Townsend today, on our way home from the Smokies. They do have a great bike trail, that is very well used. Would be great if we had something like that here.
I've noticed many people riding bikes downtown in the past few months, and even now, during the day if it isn't too cold. Even trent Knuckles mentioned it in his column today about riding bikes.
Cycling is a great exercise, and if promoted correctly, a great tourism draw.
I hope this cycling thing takes off this year.
I read a thread about a bike race in another section. I would love to see that come to fruition. I think it would grow to be as big as the race in London has.
We need to quite worrying about what other towns are doing, and study them, and if they are doing something that works or draws people, then lets us do it too. Give people many events to attend and participate in.
I talked to Joe Shelton about this some time ago. He rides, and is all for this type of thing. There is some logistics to it, and some state road issues, but, it can be done.
If we had some sort of organized trail or route, it could add a lot of interest to the downtown areas.
