Want To Walk Or Bike Across The Country? There's A Plan For That.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Hat tip, Greater Greater Washington:

Breakfast links: There’s a plan for a car-free trail from DC to the Pacific Ocean
By Latisha Johnson (Contributor) May 9, 2019

WAMU | MAY 8

Want To Walk Or Bike Across The Country? There’s A Plan For That.
Jacob Fenston

Picture it: A car-free route across the country. ... It’s been a dream since the 1980s, when the nonprofit Rails-to-Trails Conservancy was founded. And for decades it was just that — a dream. ... Now, the group says, there has been enough progress in terms of trail construction that a cross-country route is actually viable. The group announced the planned route at a press conference in front of the U.S. Capitol — mile zero for the new cross-country trail.

From the Capitol, the 3,743.9 mile route would wind its way across 12 states, ending at the Pacific Ocean, west of Puget Sound. D.C.’s 7.5 mile portion of the route would travel along the National Mall, the Potomac and then follow the C&O Canal into Western Maryland. D.C. and Maryland are the only two jurisdictions where the route is already 100% complete, using trails that have been in operation for years.



3,743.9 miles of pure fun (and sweat and broken spokes and flat tires).
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Currently, about half of the route follows already completed trails. The group spent about a year looking at different route options, using its database of abandoned rail lines and 34,000 miles of current trails. The group also analyzed more than 300 state and local bike plans to see where trails are already planned or in the works. Some parts of the country were more challenging than others.

“You do have to get over the Rocky Mountains at some point,” says Kevin Mills, vice president of policy for the conservancy. “But the railroads had to face the same challenge.” The chosen route crosses the Rockies in Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. Those states have some of the largest gaps in the existing trail network.
....

[Sanity Claws]

1. Wow

I hope they create a trail that starts from NYC and another trail that goes somewhere south along the Pacific.

[hlthe2b]

2. Cool!

[dhill926]

3. that would be great...

[The Figment]

4. I've ridden the Little Miami River Trail,

The Erie Canal Trail in N.Y.,The Katy Trail in Missouri, The C&O on more than one cross country trip, if any one wants tips or tricks drop me a line.

Until my health crapped out bike touring was my thing,I have done light weight, (just panniers),Fully loaded with both single wheel and dual wheel trailers.

The hardest part of crossing the U.S. you might ask The Rockies closely followed by Kansas or Nevada.

Edit to add:
I brought my dog on many of my adventures, ask me anything!