Rail Trail
- Thread starter heevy
- Start date
I'm still here, It's now April 2006 and the Murwillumbar to Casino rail link has been closed since the last post as far as I know so now I am in the process of writing emails to government departments, BFA, and associated associations, by the look of my reply list, it may be a lonely job but what a great ride it would be through beautiful countryside and mountains with stop off points such as Byron Bay and Bangalow to name a few, this trail is a sleeping giant... 
Hi Trek Rider 05, Where do your trails go from/to, are they ex railways, I've just ridden the Otago Central Rail Trail in New Zealand, fantastic!!! 150klms, did it both ways, very windy, 4 seasons in one day, lots of riders use this trail, check out the web site...
Heevy
Heevy
I'll wade in here with a few general comments on rail trails, as I have used them for years. In many ways they are great because they get you in a direct route from one place to another. They are great in hilly areas as trains don't like hills so the grades are even and comfortable. They are also great for stealth camping because they take you away from busy areas.
BUT:
They can be boring (yawn) because they are so straight and the grades so even. Sometimes is has been a while since the trains ran and other groups have poached the land so you sometimes have to stop at a golf course or even run through peoples back yards like in Wiltshire.
I love rail trails and even canal tow paths beacuse it keeps you away from the lorries and gives you time to think.
BUT:
They can be boring (yawn) because they are so straight and the grades so even. Sometimes is has been a while since the trains ran and other groups have poached the land so you sometimes have to stop at a golf course or even run through peoples back yards like in Wiltshire.
I love rail trails and even canal tow paths beacuse it keeps you away from the lorries and gives you time to think.
Talk to your local bike club and local council. You will probably have to lobby the RTA. There is a rail trail in Newcastle and a unsealed one near Melbourne. Contact some of the respective bicycle clubs for their advice.
Thanks mikesbytes,
I've had one response to all the emails I've sent and that's from Tweed Shire Council who will be forwarding my letter to the local state member so that's something, judging by the letter, Tweed council seem quite keen on the idea, it's just a pity about all the other shire councils...but I shall just lobby em again!!
I've had one response to all the emails I've sent and that's from Tweed Shire Council who will be forwarding my letter to the local state member so that's something, judging by the letter, Tweed council seem quite keen on the idea, it's just a pity about all the other shire councils...but I shall just lobby em again!!
Excellent starting point. If Tweed manage to find the funding and get the approvals, the other councils will hopefully take an active interest. My exposure to your part of NSW is largely thru a windscreen stuck behind a truck. Heevy, do you have any useful info about the area, such as what communities would be connected, a map perhaps?heevy said:Thanks mikesbytes,
I've had one response to all the emails I've sent and that's from Tweed Shire Council who will be forwarding my letter to the local state member so that's something, judging by the letter, Tweed council seem quite keen on the idea, it's just a pity about all the other shire councils...but I shall just lobby em again!!
Didn't know they were killing off that much of the rail network It would make an fantastic bike trail. Shame about the demise of the rail system.heevy said:Thanks mikesbytes,,
I just have the standard issue road maps, 16 towns along the 140klm trail including Mullumbimby, Byron Bay, Bangalow, Lismore and Casino to name a few.
