My TrailLink

Longleaf Trace
Longleaf Trace a great trail

Just finish riding the trail this morning (Feb 28). I rode from Prentiss to Sumrall yesterday and finished in Hattiesburg before lunch today. The trail is well maintained and is enjoyable to ride because of its rural atmosphere and the slight ups and downs. It would be good if they would label the road crossings as most trails are. I'm trying to ride all the Hall of Fame trails and hope to finish the 8 remaining this year.
Chris Bracknell

New River Trail State Park
New River Trail a wonderful park and riding experience

I totally disagree with the person that had a bad experience at Foster Falls. Is a great trail with wonderful scenery. I do not know why they were admonished. Maybe they riding in an area where horse were not allowed. Certainly there is no excuse for an employee to be rude, but it too great a trail to discourage others from using. In good weather, my wife and I sometime bike some section it every week. We have found the staff to be helpful and friendly and most of the users the same.
Chris Bracknell

Sugar River State Trail
Wonderful little trailhead town and nice rural trail

We arrived in New Glarus around mid-afternoon Sunday afternoon September 11 and there was a festival in progress. I purchased my permit for the next day's ride and we checked out the event and the wonderful little town and when up to the New Glarus Woods State park where there were nice campsites, but had pit toilets and no showers (a sign said "near by, but there wasn't).
Monday was a great biking day and the trail was a good non-paved trail. The last mile or so into Brodhead was on the street with no clear indication that is was the bike route.

Chris Bracknell

Illinois Prairie Path
Suprisingly nice urban trail

In my quest to ride all of the "Hall of Fame"trails, I rode the trail on Saturday and Sunday, Sept 10 & 11. I was surprised on how much I enjoyed the ride even with the numerous street crossings. It was a beautiful weather and there were nice neighbors in which the trails went through. The trail had great signage and the surface was excellent for dirt. I was surprised on the rural feel of some areas on the branches. The trail is a real treasure for those communities.
The only real negative was the lack of clarity and difficulty in staying on the trail and crossing at Winfield Road. On Saturday, my wife found an excellent Texas style barbeque place in Wheaton just two blocks from the trail near the commuter terminal (we are constantly on the watch for barbeque as we travel around the country). As I was riding the Geneva branch through West Chicago on Sunday morning(9-11), I came upon a fire station where a fireman was practicing Amazing Grace on the bagpipes. There were other firemen in dress uniforms nearby. It appeared they were preparing for a ceremony or parade for the 911 anniversary.

Chris Bracknell

Tunnel Hill State Trail
Great trail in a number of categories

I rode this trail on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 8 & 9th beginning the wetlands center in Cypress. I rode it to Stonefort. It was a gradual easy climb to the tunnel. The tunnel wasn't that impressive when compared to the many significant tunnels on trails around the country. The hard packed surface was almost as good as asphalt. In Stonefort, there was a store and cafe that advertized on a board out front that they had a bologna salad sandwich. I had eaten lunch, but I just had to try one. It was pretty good for bologna.
The next day I rode from Harrisburg back to Stonefort. The trail was in good condition, plenty of mileage, t a variety of scenery, nice small communities, and good camping in the area. I hate that I did not take time to checkout the "ghost town" mentioned in the guidebook.
This was my first trail in Illinois and making it my 33rd state in which I have ridden a trail.

Hart-Montague Trail State Park
Good trail, a little rough on the Hart end

I rode this trail on Sunday, Sept. 25 and had an enjoyable ride even with 16 miles of in the rain. My wife and I found it very difficult to find the route through town from Gorney Park. It would be good if the towns people put up a few signs or marked the pavement. We finally found it on the edge of town across from the state police office and next to Hansen Foods. I rode a short distance back into town until I found that it ended at Wood and Waters street.
Chris Bracknell

General James A. Van Fleet State Trail
A wonderful trail full of wildlife

I rode the trail from north to south on March 1st. It was the 8th trail on my quest of 10 Florida trails. I was the most remote of all10. I saw seven alligators along with a couple of snakes lost of birds and turtles.
I really prefer trails that are in a more rural setting. The 29 miles are an ideal distance for a leisurely ride before lunch. Trailhead direction were right on.

Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail
A geat urban trail - Thanks Pinellas County and towns

I had been wanting to put this trail on my quest to ride 100 rail trails in the US and it was a excellent for an urban trail. (It was number 74). We had a little trouble finding the southern end. From what I can tell from the map, it actually begins by the waterfront on Tampa Bay. I began riding it around the area described and found out later it was about 2 miles from the start.

The day I rode (March 2) the weather and temperature excellent. The trail was well marked and there were a number of nice parks and facilities along the way. My wife and I had planned to meet in Clearwater for lunch, but she had a bit of difficulity find the trailhead. I stopped in Dunedin and used a phone at the Dunedin Police Museum and reconnected with my wife for lunch in Palm Harbor. I also wasn't clear where the northern trail ended. The sidewalks were marked for the trail beyond where the instructions said it ended. Would love to ride the trail again in the future.

Seminole Wekiva Trail
Great Urban trail

I rode the trail on Sunday, Feb. 27 along with Cross Seminole Trail on the east side of I-4. It was a very nice trail to be in a highly urban area. For the most part is was well marked. There was some confusion at Lake Mary Rd. where there was road construction and again at the Constitution Parkway crossing. You also have to be alert to find the connector across I-4 to connect with the Cross Seminole Trail. The pedestrian/bike bridge over the interstate was very impressive.

Gainesville-Hawthorne State Park Trail
Late February ride

I rode this trail on Wednesday, Feb 24th after riding the St. Marks and Nature Coast Trails on Monday and Tuesday. This was a very nice trail. From the computer on my bike, the mileage came out to be about a mile shorter than stated on this site. Also, my wife had a little trouble finding the trailhead parking lot. The only trail sign was on US 301 pointing generally into town. We bought some good oranges from a tourist store in town. Our GPS found the trailhead on the Gainesville end easily, but had trouble with the direction on the Hawthorne end.

Salt Trail
Salt Trail

The trailhead in Glade Spring is a little difficult to find. It is a the end of a spur that come off the main Norfolk Southern line. From the Glade Spring Exit off I-81, take Hwy 9l north toward Glade Springs. Keep straight on Va 750 when Hwy 91 bears right toward Saltville. Cross the railroad with a few hundred yards and continue on county road 750 until you cross the spur. The trailhead will be on the left about a half mile after the crossing. There are no signs indicating that it is the Salt trail and no developed parking. The trailhead in Saltville is right in the center of town, pretty much in front of the post office.
Coming from the east on I-81, take the Chilhowie exit and follow highway 107 to highway 91 and turn left toward Saltville.
Chris Bracknell May 29, 2010

Ten Mile Canyon National Recreation Trail
Ten Mile Canyon Trail

It was a long steady climb up to the highest point at Vail Pass, but a coast for the most part down. Even though you were between the lanes of the highway, it was not evident in most places. The scenery was spectacular. Had some problems finding my way through the resort of Copper Mountain. Stayed in Frisco and really enjoyed the town and the other trails around it.
Chris Bracknell September 24, 2008

Glenwood Canyon Bike and Pedestrian Path
Glenwood Canyon (Glenwood Springs to Dotsero, Co.)

It is a very unique trail in that it interwines with Interstate 70 as it follows the Colorado River. It is a concrete trail that follow the river through the canyon. It is very close to the banks of the river in places and there are blind spots where you must excercise caution for those coming in the opposite direction. I rode from the resort in Glenwood Springs to near the exit at Dotsero, where my wife picked me up. The historic canyon where the Colorado makes it cut through the mountains is very scenic. I generally prefer more remote trails, but the uniqueness of this one is worth riding.

White River Trail
Correction to a previous review/ Question

I made reference to the town east of Fort Robinson State Park as Gordon - It should be Crawford rather than Gordon. They only place I could find the White River trail is going 3.5 miles from the park to Crawford.
Chris Bracknell, Ivanhoe, Va

White River Trail
White River Trail - Is the info valid.

There is something strange about the data on the White River Trail. I rode it from Fort Robinson State Park to Gordon. The data on the TrailLink page states it go from Andrews to Harrison for 10 miles. The section from the park to Gordon is only 3.5 and is in the opposite direction of Andrews. Harrison and Andrews is west of the park. What's the problem? Where is the 10 mile section? Is there trail between Andrews and Harrision?
Chris Bracknell, Ivanhoe, Va.

George S. Mickelson Trail
Great trail

I'm from Virginia and rode a number of trails on a three week trip of 13 states. The George Mickelson Trail was one of my favorites. I first learned of it when I saw it feature as the tail of the month in the Convervancy magazine. I rode the 60 miles from Dumont to Pringle (breaking it into a two day ride. The surface was great and the scenery was beautiful