Great Trail in Bedford to be PAVED !

[Redsars]

There is a real risk that a great trail we have in Bedford Mass will be paved.

The old rail bed that goes out from the Depot in the Town centre out towards Concord is a great trail that allows you to ride off road from Bedford to Concord and connect up to great trails in Estabrook Woods. There are moves afoot to pave it out to the Concord Road.

If you live in Bedford and do not want to see this great trail get converted into a 12 ft wide paved highway, please come to a special Selectman meeting to voice your concerns. Jan 31st at 7:30pm

> The forum will be held in Bedford Town Hall Auditorium, on Mudge Way.
> From the traffic light at the Bedford Town Common (Great Rd at South
> St.), proceed west on the Great Road about 0.2 mi; take a left (south)
> on Mudge Way immediately after the Police Station and take the next
> left (east) around the Police Station to continue on Mudge Way. Town
> Hall will then be directly ahead. Great Road in Bedford is routes 4,
> 62, and 225 as it passes the Town Common.

[heckler]

Are we talking about this being paved as a bike path? I love that as a dirt trail but honestly it would work really well for roadies and others as well as an extension to the minuteman. Not sure how I feel about that one. Rt 62 is not a fun road to ride on but that IS the only dirt heading out that way.

Would they be paving the part on the west side of 62 as well?

[radair]

...If you live in Bedford and do not want to see this great trail get converted into a 12 ft wide paved highway, please come to a special Selectman meeting to voice your concerns. Jan 31st at 7:30pm...

So when you say "highway", do you mean they're opening it up to motorized traffic?

I'm not familiar with the trail, but it sounds like they are proposing to pave a rail trail.

[C.P.]

I'm pretty sure this is the "Reformatory Branch Trail (http://www.bedforddepot.org/RBRT_guide.pdf)" that is basically unpaved rail bed that runs from the end of the minuteman to Concord center - correct me if I'm wrong...
I've explored back there in the past by Mtb (more then 7 years ago) What I do remember is that the trail/grown in rail bed was a peaceful wooded trail. If you've spent any time on the Minuteman on a busy weekend, and use this reformatory trail to access Estabrook trails, I could see why it might concern a mtber who has a desire to keep dirt trail left in tact.

OTOH, in the grand scheme of things, a paved bike path offers so much to the benefit of the community. To extend the Minuteman, seems to make sense to me...I really dont remember the specific MTb trail (estabrook) access points, so I cant really comment on the impact there.

Redsars, care to elablorate on the specific impacts you think this extension project will bring? In terms of bicycling advocacy, IMO it's gonna be tough sell to the folks here...

[hogboy]

are you joking ? paving this thing would be awesome ! it is only a connector trail and sure it is -trail- and yeah we'd miss it.


but think of the express-lane action to the real meat, like estabrook, punkatasset, and great brook farm ? not to mention acton trails.

and bicycle commuters will benefit greatly not having to slog the mud section at the preserve

this has been needed to be paved for ages !


I recommend any Bedford residents to go to the meeting an PROMOTE teh paving.

this is about bicycle commuting. drop in at concord and have a lazy pedal right into cambridge....sweet !

we got real trails elsewhere...this is about extending
the greatest bicycle path in the USA to more greatness.


I, for one, welcome our new asphalt overlords.

[CouchingTiger]

Hogboy knows the deal. Extending the bikeway is a good deal.

As a Bedford resident and above average user of said "trail", I think it is a great idea to pave it. Why you ask? Because it is an old RR bed now, not a pristine single track. Parts of it tend to get wet and nasty also.

The Minuteman Bikeway ends in Bedford. Tons of road rides come out on the path and then have to dump to town surface roads to get to the real roads. It causes congestion and incidents. It also makes for a sucky interaction with traffic.

We have many real trails in Bedford. This isn't a real trail. Why not pave it and extend the bikeway to RT62 on the Concord town line. Road ride from my house (which I lead multiples of weekly throughout the spring/summer/fall) would then be able to avoid the downtown, snarled, rush-hour traffic. This also would extend the MinuteMan Bikeway another couple miles which is a good thing. The Bikeway is a "safe haven" for folks to ride, who are not up to the challenges of riding in traffic. The more the better.

If you want to see some actual offroad in town, shoot me a PM and I'll be happy to either point you to it or show you myself. A number of us the board use the railroad bed on a regular bases and although it fun to hammer on on the way to or from an MTB ride, I think it'd be much more valuable as a paved route to get a clean exit from town on the road bikes also.

Oh yea, paving and gating would also tend to keep the ATV traffic off it (which is a current issue).

-Couch

[CouchingTiger]

Oh yea, the town meeting where they are simply getting public opinion is Jan 31st.

-Couch

[recum_MTB]

I agree they should pave it. There's plenty of other riding opportunities for off-road. MA historically is just awful with converting rail trails to public use. I'd like to see a lot more. Instead they let them vanish into nothingness. And there are many other user groups who enjoy rail trails. The old Mass Central rail bed that goes 100 miles to Northampton. Man, that would be nice. Hardly any of it has been converted.

[Redsars]

Dissapointing responses on a Mountain Bike forum.....my view is that we have more than enough pavment to go round in Massachusetts, we don't need more.

The great thing about the trail is that is actually goes somewhere. The problem with off-road riding in Massachusetts is that all you get to do is loops around a contained piece of conservation land or park.

I am used to riding in the UK and France, where you have networks of trails that span the whole country. You can actually ride off-road to a destination.

I think paving the trail will be a big loss to those who enjoy riding off pavement

[DAVID J]

Not for nothing,but I can link 5-8 towns in my area via trails(good ones-not old rail beds).There are plenty of other areas in Mass that the same sort of loop can be done.Look beyond the mountian and focus on cycling.

[hogboy]

Dissapointing responses on a Mountain Bike forum.....my view is that we have more than enough pavment to go round in Massachusetts, we don't need more.

The great thing about the trail is that is actually goes somewhere. The problem with off-road riding in Massachusetts is that all you get to do is loops around a contained piece of conservation land or park.

I am used to riding in the UK and France, where you have networks of trails that span the whole country. You can actually ride off-road to a destination.

I think paving the trail will be a big loss to those who enjoy riding off pavement

the responses you think are disappointing come from peeps who have traveled about a thousand miles on that one 5 mile stretch between Bedford and Concord, and are serious mountain bikers and trail builders. we know what we are talking about when we say pave the thing. we are thinking about all the other cyclists who don't like to get dirty, and they greatly outnumber us dirt meisters. we are focused on cycling. paved rail trails are good, m'kay ? especially when talking about Concord/Bedford all the way to Cambridge, m'kay ? it is the #1 rail trail in the USA already...lets extend it

if you want dirt I can show you (and a lot of other peeps) a dozen trails in Bedford and Concord you probably don't know.

I personally love the colonial houses and history of concord and lexington and all that 1700's jazz, and a rail trail fits right in with it. get some nice people who aren't hammerheads started on beach cruiser bikes on a hot summer day and roll into lexington for ice cream and roll back to concord...man...

sounds good to me

[Chris_T]

I personally love the colonial houses and history of concord and lexington and all that 1700's jazz, and a rail trail fits right in with it. get some nice people who aren't hammerheads started on beach cruiser bikes on a hot summer day and roll into lexington for ice cream and roll back to concord...man...

sounds good to me

This reminded me of one of the best all-time Craigslist posts:

http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/bos/70245362.html
Date: 2005-04-26, 8:26AM EDT

I know this is a rant but whatever, I put it in the rant section also. Every once in a while I take an easy ride on the Minuteman bike path. By the time I am done I swear never again. A month later I don’t want to go to the fells and repeat the same mistake again. I know the bike path is for everyone but HOLY **** there are some really annoying people on it.

1) Two-A-Breasters: There is a reason the bike path has a yellow line. You ass wipes ride (or walk) side by side and hog the whole thing. Get with the program! The only good thing about you are your screams of fright as I blow by you without warning.

2) Queer-Eye-For-The-Biker-Guy: I realize that it is possible to buy an entire suit made from Spandex. It is also possible to beat off with a cheese grater, that doesn’t necessarily make it a good idea. If you were you going fast enough to make wind resistance an issue I might be more understanding but you are usually granny-gearing it as you swerve around trying to adjust your $200 sunglasses. Spend less time buying expensive crap and more time riding.

3) Slow-And-Lowers: Do you know that you can adjust your bike seat so that you don’t look like a bear riding a mini-bike at the circus? Take the 30 goddamn seconds to raise the freakin’ seat. Your back will thank you and you’ll be able to break 12 miles per hour with out blowing out a knee cap.

4) Sky-Bar-Enders: Bar ends ARE NOT for getting your hand six inches above the handle bars. They should not be pointing straight up in the goddamn air! If you don’t know exactly why you would want bar ends then YOU DON’T NEED THEM. They are not a convenient resting place for your chubby hands. They are for getting your weight forward during a STEEP TECHNICAL CLIMB. I hope impale yourself on them after you hit a tree because you couldn’t reach the brake lever in time.

5) Richie-Dick: Yah you, the guy with the $3000 full suspension big hit bike poking along the bike trail. The biggest hit you have ever taken was when you got butt raped by the guy who sold you that bike. YOU SUCK! You are the same dumbass who buys a Hummer so you can gun it when you roll over some construction on Mass Ave. You buy a sweet bike and then ride it on freakin’ pavement. I know you have never hit the trail cause’ there is NO DIRT on the thing. Not a spek. Plus you look like a pussy. Either take it off pavement or give it to someone who will.

6) On-Your-Late: Ok there is absolutely nothing wrong with a well timed “On your left” but here is the thing. The whole point of saying it is to warn the rider in front of you that you will soon pass them. Not that you are already next to them on their left side! If your bike is next to mine, IT’S TOO FREAKIN LATE. If we were going to collide we would have. You screaming “On your left” in my ear at that point will only increase the chances of me making an error and crashing into you. Just pass you re-tred.

7) The HFS (Huge ******* Stroller): HOLY ****! Are you running a cloning lab? If your stroller needs a brake it’s too damn big. Take your kids to the playground and play some tag or something. Jesus, there are bikes flying by at 30 miles per hour. If one hits you your kid will ******* die. I know you think the world will stop for you and your precious little angels but get a clue. Three words “Severe Head Trauma”.

8) Woof-Woof-Splat: Keep your dog on a leash you ass. First of all it’s the ******* LAW. Second of all your dog is dumb. So dumb in fact, that it will run in front of my bike to eat some piece of **** left by another jackass dog walker. I WILL hit your dog. I will not get killed or hurt somebody else trying to swerve around Fido. I almost died last year trying to avoid an unleashed dog and will not repeat the mistake. I love dogs but I like my unbroken bones better. Take responsibility for your pet.

9) Roller Bladers: You all suck ass, flailing your arms wildly as you coast along on you roller skates. YES they are roller skates and thus, quite lame. I don’t care if the wheels are “inline”. You jackasses suck so hard I have to break you down into sub-categories of suck.

9.A) Newbi-Tard: You people are ridiculous. You are all decked out in helmets and pads. You mostly look terrified as your (usually fat) ass careens down the very slight grade of the trail. Here is a hint. If you don’t know how to STOP then it probably isn’t safe for you or anyone else for you to be on the path. I swear one of you is gonna fall in front of me and get an imprint of my front sprocket on your fat thighs.

9.B) Pack Of Newbi-Tards: See above but clustered together, literally hanging onto each other for protection. You are worse than the individuals. You take up the WHOLE TRAIL so nobody can pass. Heed the dirty looks you get and go find a freaking parking lot. I hope to kick one of you as I ride by and watch as you all fall over in a flabby whimpering heap.

9.C) Hot Chicks With Skimpy Outfits: The only reason you suck is because you are fully clothed and make me slow down to check you out. Other than that you rock.

9.D) Super Sweet Doooods: You guys are sooo ******* gay it’s not even funny. You think you are awesome as you take up the whole trail gliding back and forth in super sweet slow motion. I dream of you flying off the trail and getting wrapped around a tree.

People Of Mention:
Having been on the path more than a few times I have come to recognize a select few people who require special attention.

The kid who shot me with a plastic BB gun: I saw you hiding behind the bush well before you shot me. You were lucky I was going fast when the yellow BB hit my chest and thus had to slow down a little before leaping off my bike and chasing you as far as your back yard. You were scared shitless which is good because you could kill someone doing that ****. If I ever see you again you won’t be so lucky.

The 35 people who rode by me pretending I didn’t exist as I asked for a spare tube or a patch kit after blowing both of my spare tubes: You all suck ass. A very nice lady eventually stopped and gave me a patch. I know I was covered in mud but come on people. I always stop and ask people if they need help, common freaking courtesy.

The Decked Out Intense Midget Woman: OK you are not actually a midget but you do look very small. Or perhaps you look small in comparison to the mounds of crap attached to your mountain bike which is too big for you and I am sure has never left the pavement. Not only do you fall into categories 2, 4, 5 and 6. You were also one of the 35 jerks who didn’t help me. In fact you looked me in the eye and didn’t even slow down. I KNOW you have every sort of tool and tube imaginable packed away in your various slings and packs yet you rode by as if I were invisible. You look like a goddamn scuba diver with your neoprene outfit and mirrors sticking off of every available part of your bike. I see you on Mass Ave. from time to time in the morning on my way to work. You look retarded. And why do you hang a huge plastic bag from your bar ends?!?!?! It looks like your gear makes you waterproof to the depth of at least 15 meters. What are the bags doing? Worst of all YOU ARE SLOW!!!!! God you are slow. Jettison some of your useless **** and maybe I won’t blow by you 4 times in one ride.

Tubby Guy On The Tiny Road Bike: I’ve only seen you a few times. Once I passed you through an intersection not knowing that this would enrage you so much that you would be forced to almost hit me as you sprinted past me sneering. I must say I was impressed, you hauled ass dude. I’m guessing you didn’t keep it up very long tho. If I hadn’t been on the tail end of a five hour ride I would have raced.

Gay Guys On The Tandem Bike: I am assuming that you are gay simply because I don’t know any straight guys who would go in 50/50 on a bright yellow tandem Cannondale and then ride it regularly in spandex forgive me if I am wrong. I haven’t seen you guys in a year or so. You were my arch rivals. Holy crap you were fast. One time I kept up with you (on the downhill) for a few minutes and almost died. I swear you would slow down until I got close and then take off again. I salute you, you bright yellow bastards. Oh and good call making the one eyed guy ride in back.

People Who Rock: Yes there are some people who rock! I’m not a total *******.

Hard core road bikers: Holy crap you guys (and gals) are fast as hell, keep it up.
Mountain Unicyclers: I’ve seen you in the fells and there is only one word for you BADASS!!!!!!!!
Messengers/Anyone on a fixed gear with no brakes: You know it but I’ll say it anyway. Elite.
Trials Riders: I wish I had skills like that.
Little Kids with Big Helmets: You rock, two thumbs up!

See you on the Minuteman!!!!





Posting ID: 70245362

[CouchingTiger]

Oh man, that Craigslist post kills me ever time I read it. There is such a subculture to the bike path and the whole commuter class. Good stuff.

In terms of the rail trail extension being mountain biking, huh? The best bike for that stretch is a cross bike. I was on it yesterday and noticed fresh ATV tracks, again. Paving should cure that.

As so many others have said, extending the busiest rail trail in the country is a good thing for all. Keeping it dirt/cinder is a good thing for the guys who ride ATV's out into the illegal stuff and I guess its a good thing for the MTBer who doesn't actually want to ride trail. If that is your cup of tea let me suggest the Battle Road park.

Also, as Hogger said, if you want some real MTB trail, shoot me a PM and I'll be happy to show you some trail. Unfortunately, I suspect though that this is either a concerned "not in my back yard" resident or someone else with an agenda other than the public good. Pity as this will be a boon to so many.

-Couch

[heckler]

Interesting though as there really are very few residents affected by paving that trail. I ahven't ridden it in a while but I really don't remember going by a lot of houses.

I was speaking with one of the major rail trail advocates in the state last night and he was eager for a paved outcome from this. Not only for the access points already made but because it gives some leverage against Concord who are heavily resisting any sort of path through their town. The section in question is all in Bedford and it goes pretty close to the town line I guess. If the Bruce Freeman trail goes through sudbury and heads up Concord way (and that helped Concord pave the next stretch of this path), it could lead to a huge network for the non-road riders of the area.

[CouchingTiger]

Interesting though as there really are very few residents affected by paving that trail. I ahven't ridden it in a while but I really don't remember going by a lot of houses.

I was speaking with one of the major rail trail advocates in the state last night and he was eager for a paved outcome from this. Not only for the access points already made but because it gives some leverage against Concord who are heavily resisting any sort of path through their town. The section in question is all in Bedford and it goes pretty close to the town line I guess. If the Bruce Freeman trail goes through sudbury and heads up Concord way (and that helped Concord pave the next stretch of this path), it could lead to a huge network for the non-road riders of the area.

Yep, Concord has a big old bee in their bonnet about paving the swampy sections of the rail trail out to Monument from RT62. They are all about "not in my backyard", same as Weston was.

Oh well, we can hope.

-Couch

[hogboy]

same with anything

save the planet build reduced carbon footprint systems...we must take action !

wind power...but not in my backyard

build bicycle commuter paths so more people get exercise and ride to work...but not in my backyard...

look at me I drive a Prius...(but don't know that the overall carbon footprint
of manufacturing and driving and maintaining one creates more waste than
a regular automobile!) but hey I drive a Prius !

[wannabee]

quickie question re bike paths in general.
my town is thinking of putting in a paved bike/pedestrian path from the local train station to down town, about 3 miles. during the winter, is the pathway plowed and sanded? and by whom?

[C.P.]

quickie question re bike paths in general.
my town is thinking of putting in a paved bike/pedestrian path from the local train station to down town, about 3 miles. during the winter, is the pathway plowed and sanded? and by whom?

Most of the minuteman (according to their site (http://www.minutemanbikeway.org/Pages/basics.html)) is not plowed in the winter.
Bikeways around Boston are usually plowed...

[bikdav]

I had to give this issue some thought, but I really think that the Bedford to Concord "link" should be paved. My feeling is that it should have been done originally. To many, Concord is a bicycle paradise, not just to mountain bikers, but to ALL cyclist no matter who they are. But, getting to Concord from Bedford can be a headache at times. And if you have kids tagging along with you on a ride, forget trying to get to Concord. That is not a good situation. Redsars concerns are valid, but a big number of mountain bikers (like myself) spend more time on pavment than on dirt. Now that this issue is out in the open, I have a question. If this paving project gets the "O.K.", does anybody know when this is all suppose to happen?

[CouchingTiger]

I had to give this issue some thought, but I really think that the Bedford to Concord "link" should be paved. My feeling is that it should have been done originally. To many, Concord is a bicycle paradise, not just to mountain bikers, but to ALL cyclist no matter who they are. But, getting to Concord from Bedford can be a headache at times. And if you have kids tagging along with you on a ride, forget trying to get to Concord. That is not a good situation. Redsars concerns are valid, but a big number of mountain bikers (like myself) spend more time on pavment than on dirt. Now that this issue is out in the open, I have a question. If this paving project gets the "O.K.", does anybody know when this is all suppose to happen?

Lat night's meeting was for Bedford residents so the BBC (Bedford Bike Comm) to gauge interest and public opinion. Apparently there have been a number of vocal opponents to the project. I wanted to make it to the meeting but was unable to.

http://www.bikebedford.org/

Also keep in mind that this project only proposes paving to RT62 in Bedford. Concord has a VERY VOCAL group of opponents to this plan. They like their swampy, nasty, "rancid dog-poo fragrant" trail the way it is and feel it holds true to the character of the town.

-Couch

[Chris_T]

Concord has a VERY VOCAL group of opponents to this plan. They like their swampy, nasty, "rancid dog-poo fragrant" trail the way it is and feel it holds true to the character of the town.

-Couch

Ouch! But a fair criticism of the NIMBY folk in that town. I feel bad for you in Bedford being bordered on two sides by them (Concord AND Lexington, although Lexington has at least made steps to embrace the trail).

-C

[heckler]

Hey, Lexington OKed the Minuteman. which is more than some towns did and it has been an incredible boon for them. I haven't heard the dollar amount but the business that the Minuteman brings into that town is amazing! Put them on the map, so to speak.

What really pisses me off is Weston. They worry about what happened to Lexington and they don't want anything like that to happen to them (meaning prosperity, "thank you, we have enough on our own without help"), but the section of trail that would have run through their town wouldn't have effected them at all! Ever ride around trying to find the rail bed? Not easy! People would hav eridden right on through without even knowing they were near a town. At least Concord acknowledges bikers existence. On the paved roads at least. The bathrooms at the old North Bridge are one of the best things that town has done for roadies ever!

[bikdav]

It looks like we all will have to just watch this situation and see what really happens. If this forum has any "pull" on this issue, the trail should be paved.

[CouchingTiger]

... The bathrooms at the old North Bridge are one of the best things that town has done for roadies ever!

BTW, the restrooms are part of the National Parks Service, not Concord directly. However, Concord does have public restrooms in the center. Very nice. In Bedford we have port-o's on the bike path. Thats kinda cool :)

-Couch

[Redsars]

I did go to the special meeting in Bedford this week, and was pleasantly suprised at the number of people speaking out against paving.

It seems the Bedford CPC has now voted to investigate a stabilised soil approach, as there was such a strong voice against paving. In my book this is a bit of a cop-out, as it will still result in a 10 ft wide path with 2 ft verges in place of the nice meandering trail we have now. Funding for the investigation will still have to go to a town meeting however to be voted on.

I agree with all the various comments here, it would be great to have an extended and connected network of bike paths, but I guess I am just being selfish, as I do enjoy riding out to Concord on the trail just as it is.

I also use the Minuteman to ride into Boston, and enjoy this also.

BTW, if anyone can point out all the various trails in and around Bedford I would appreciate that. I am relatively new to the area, and have only found a few so far.

[hogboy]

I did go to the special meeting in Bedford this week, and was pleasantly suprised at the number of people speaking out against paving.

It seems the Bedford CPC has now voted to investigate a stabilised soil approach, as there was such a strong voice against paving. In my book this is a bit of a cop-out, as it will still result in a 10 ft wide path with 2 ft verges in place of the nice meandering trail we have now. Funding for the investigation will still have to go to a town meeting however to be voted on.

I agree with all the various comments here, it would be great to have an extended and connected network of bike paths, but I guess I am just being selfish, as I do enjoy riding out to Concord on the trail just as it is.

I also use the Minuteman to ride into Boston, and enjoy this also.

BTW, if anyone can point out all the various trails in and around Bedford I would appreciate that. I am relatively new to the area, and have only found a few so far.

send a PM to couch and he'll hook ya up