What is left to do when you’re in the middle of a global pandemic and at the same time trying to grow your travel blog?
After hiking the Great Allegheny Passage Trail (and seeing numerous bikers), and then while biking with friends on the rail trail along the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, the light bulb inside our heads grew from dim to very bright.
We then reflected to one of our past journeys like when we went to the United Kingdom, we traveled over to Ireland where we had rented bikes as part of our Cliffs of Moher – Aran Islands tour. Ultimately, we had a blast riding around the island checking out historic buildings and places. We also remembered wine tasting by bike in Maipu region of Mendoza, Argentina.
Before COVID-19, our plans were to go to Belgium this year. Part of that trip included a bike tour in Bruges as one of our outings.
Because our movement and socialization is still restricted, biking in various places seems like the perfect thing to do! It allows you to see more and go further than a normal tour. Plus, it does provide at least some minimal exercise.
JMO’s Revised Plan for 2021? Short Trips!
For the time being, we’re all restricted from traveling unless we have to. But why not take advantage of the Local Gems we have in our area right here? In other words, why not take a series of short trips to discover all the opportunities we have near us by bicycle?
Considering today’s current climate with COVID-19, we at Journey Moore Often came to a conclusion. Instead of taking a more extended trip to another country, we will be traveling within driving distance in the mid-Atlantic region. As part of this new discovery, we began researching rail trails in our area. We found out there are quite a few just within a 4 hour drive. A day’s drive and there may easily be hundreds.
Our plan is to switch back and forth between day trips and overnight trips. For the overnight trips, we will stay a few days to get some time in biking, and depending on the area, hiking and wine tasting.
What a perfect solution as an alternative in our world today. This is something everyone of us can do. Plus, biking provides a good opportunity to explore while social distancing.
So JMO has purchased bikes (to be delivered in January – another adventure in and of itself).
We currently have 2021 mapped out. We plan to participate in a whole host of bike trails. Some months we’ll be going near where we live, other months we’ll be going on a day trip and staying over for a few days.
We will be taking advantage of a combination of Bed and Breakfast locations and some smaller hotels. As we have been recently with restaurants, we are trying to spend our money with local business in an attempt to help them sustain their business through COVID-19.
Exploring Rail Trails by Bicycle
You may already know this, but a rail trail is simply an old railroad bed turned into a hiking/biking trail.
In the mid-Atlantic, abandoned railways have been targeted by municipalities for conversion to rail trails (Great Allegheny Passage Trail, Schuylkill River Trail, Washington & Old Dominion Trail). In other cases, former canal tow paths (Chesapeake & Ohio Trail) have been converted.
What’s interesting about this, is that railroad specifications restrict most inclines/declines along the railway to less than 2%. There are only soft curves as well. Quite a few rail trails (especially those in or near urban areas) are often paved. A huge bonus is that rail trails often have spectacular scenery along the way for bikers to enjoy.
Another plus is that a number of trails closer to urban areas have restaurants and even brew pubs nearby! The Rocket Frog Brewing Company in Sterling, VA is located less than a 3 minute ride from the Washington & Old Dominion Trail. There are some even closer. Restaurants like Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern, which is only 350ft from the trail. In addition, there are Bed n Breakfast establishments along a number of trails.
If you were so inclined, you could bicycle your way from Pittsburgh, PA all the way to Washington, DC!
Wrap Up
As inferred earlier, the trails we’ve listed in this article are far from an inclusive list of bicycle trails. In the last 10 years alone, dedicated bike trails have probably doubled. In addition, bike lanes in cities have become more prominent.
Of course the major key is to research your bike path before leaving. That way you’ll remove a lot of the unknowns before you leave. And of course with the internet, there’s practically an exhausting amount of information out there.
Translation? Everyone, even those whose mobility may be limited can enjoy the outdoors and some history on rail trails. Even those in wheelchairs.
Stay tuned for the ride!