Great American Rail-Trail

World Record Holder Sets Out on 475-Mile Wheelchair Trek on the Great American Rail-Trail

Posted 09/23/22 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Demand for Trails, Encouraging Trail Use, Equity, Great American Rail-Trail, People with Disabilities, Why Use Trails?

Ian’s ride on the Great American Rail-Trail began with a ceremony on the National Mall. | Photo by Anthony Le, courtesy RTC

Ian Mackay formally started the ride accompanied by his teammates and dozens of supporters who rode alongside him in wheelchairs and on bikes from the National Mall to the C&O Canal Towpath trailhead in Georgetown. Chants of “Let’s go, Ian!” filled the background.

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Ian’s ride on the Great American Rail-Trail began with a ceremony on the National Mall. | Photo by Anthony Le, courtesy RTC

World Record Holder Sets Out on 475-Mile Wheelchair Trek on the Great American Rail-Trail

Posted 09/23/22 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Demand for Trails, Encouraging Trail Use, Equity, Great American Rail-Trail, People with Disabilities, Why Use Trails?

Ian Mackay formally started the ride accompanied by his teammates and dozens of supporters who rode alongside him in wheelchairs and on bikes from the National Mall to the C&O Canal Towpath trailhead in Georgetown. Chants of “Let’s go, Ian!” filled the background.

Megan Gray | Photo by Jovanka Novakovic, courtesy RTC

Trail Moments | Equestrian Finds Emotional Freedom on the Trail

Posted 09/20/22 by Megan Gray in Trail Use | Tagged with Great American Rail-Trail, Trail Moments, Why Use Trails?

My motto has always been “emotional freedom starts on the trail,” and it’s something I’ve trademarked for my business, as I truly believe in it. In the process of being out there on the trail—if you have lost yourself somewhere along the way—I promise you that trails will help you find yourself again. Hope is always there, and you are never, ever alone.

Photo by Micheli Oliver

#TrailMoments with Vanessa @vanessa_chav

Posted 09/14/22 by Vanessa Chavarriaga Posada in Trail Use | Tagged with Great American Rail-Trail, Trail Moments, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Here, being outdoors seems associated with having the right type of gear, body, ability, partners and knowledge. I am grateful for my multicultural upbringing because it has allowed me to challenge this perception, and expand the narrative of who belongs outdoors. (Spoiler: everyone belongs outdoors!)

Shevonne and Pat Travers | Photo courtesy Shevonne and Pat Travers

Best Of: Great American Rail-Trail Adventures With the Traverses

Posted 09/12/22 by Shevonne and Pat Travers in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with District Of Columbia, Great American Rail-Trail, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail Use Tips, Washington

In June 2021, my husband, Pat, and I began our trek on the Great American Rail-Trail® in Seattle, Washington, at the western end of the 3,700-mile developing route.

Rep. Carey Hamilton on the Nickel Plate Trail in Indiana in 2022 | Photo courtesy Rep. Carey Hamilton

Indiana State Rep. Carey Hamilton Named 2022 Rail-Trail Champion

Posted 09/12/22 by Cory Matteson in America's Trails, Success Stories | Tagged with Champions, Great American Rail-Trail, Indiana, Local Organizing, Rail-Trail Champion

RTC is pleased to announce Indiana State Rep. Carey Hamilton as the 2022 Doppelt Family Rail-Trail Champion for her leadership in founding the Indiana Legislative Trails Caucus, a bipartisan group of state legislators committed to building out the state’s trail network.

Hall of Fame milestone on Florida's Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail | Courtesy Carol Alexander

Trail Moments | Our Quest to Visit All of America’s Hall of Fame Rail-Trails

Posted 07/05/22 by Carol Alexander in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Great American Rail-Trail, Hall of Fame, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail Moments, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

For the last three years, we have concentrated on pedaling different regions of the country using two important planning tools: the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame guidebook and TrailLink.com. We have also expanded our agenda by incorporating other interests such as canoeing and geocaching. Our journey started with an F150 pickup carrying two solo canoes on the roof, bicycles and hiking attire in the truck bed, and a very comfortable 20-foot travel trailer towed behind.

Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail | Courtesy of Chelsea Murphy

Trail Moments | A Conversation With Chelsea Murphy of She Colors Nature

Posted 06/10/22 by Chelsea Murphy in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, Equity, Great American Rail-Trail, Health and Active Living, Trail Moments, Walkability and Bikeability, Washington, Why Use Trails?

Recently, we were able to sit down with Chelsea Murphy to talk about her Trail Moments. Chelsea is a self-proclaimed “adventure mom,” who simply loves getting outdoors and inspiring others to do the same through sharing her experiences on She Colors Nature and building a welcoming community.

Wendy Park Bridge along the Cleveland Foundation Centennial Lake Link Trail | Photo by Jason Cohn

Bridge to Everywhere: Examining Signature Gateways Across America

Posted 06/09/22 by Cory Matteson in America's Trails | Tagged with BATC, Best Of, Connected Systems, Featured Magazine Articles, Great American Rail-Trail, IHTC, Trail Destinations, TrailNation

Across the United States, bridges are serving as the hallmarks, gateways and centerpieces of communities, providing connectivity that has a major impact on active transportation, tourism and economic development. Plus—there’s the view. Here, Rails to Trails spans the country to examine how bridges are transforming trails and regions.

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge connecting Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska | Photo by Matthew Nissen

20 Iconic Bike and Pedestrian Bridges in America

Posted 06/08/22 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Circuit Trails, Connected Systems, Florida, Great American Rail-Trail, IHTC, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Top10, Trail Destinations, TrailNation, Washington

Across the country, bridges are literally serving as gateways for communities to achieve critical strides in active transportation, conservation and economic development. Here, we take a look at 20 iconic bridges and trestles in the United States (in no particular order) that have played—or are playing—transformative connectivity roles in their regions.

Northern Cheyenne Monument | Courtesy Northern Cheyenne Journey Home Committee

A Path Toward Healing

Posted 06/03/22 by Scott Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Featured Magazine Articles, Great American Rail-Trail, History Happened Here, Local Organizing

Until recently, the term generally preferred was the Northern Cheyenne Breakout, but just as the monument represents a better understanding of the events, so too does what it’s called. The Northern Cheyenne’s Tribal Council voted recently to change the name of their group focused on these events to the Northern Cheyenne Journey Home Committee. “It is a more accurate reflection of our ancestors' decision that day,” said Major Robinson, “which wasn't just to break out—it was to journey home, or die fighting to get there.”