Large Scale Central

Bike ride over the old Milwalkee Road The Hiawatha Trail

Videos
#1

Bike ride over the Hiawatha Trail from St Paul Pass on the Idaho/Montana border to Pearson, Idaho. It is a great ride, through tunnels and over trestles. Notice that the catenary still exists over most of the trestles. This is one of the better Rails to Trails projects. The roadbed is almost crusher fines.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR3QgP5asGM&feature=player_detailpage[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZXtGxwZBgA&feature=player_detailpage[/youtube]

Here is another, shorter, one.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQwTO6A3040&feature=player_detailpage[/youtube]

One more.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQwTO6A3040&feature=player_detailpage[/youtube]

#2

Here is the link to the Hiawatha Trail web page

A map or the trail. Scroll down to the second page.

#3

Nice trip Steve. And were you in the videos, or have you made the trip ?

#4

Great to see Steve. A wonderful journey. I try to imagine the MILW steam locos and Little Joes running there. It is sad that the MILW was forced out but at least it lives in the enjoyment and minds of those who ride the trails. :wink:

#5

Neat!

#6
Dave Marconi said:
Nice trip Steve. And were you in the videos, or have you made the trip ?
I've made the trip 3 or 4 times, but I've been too busy trying to keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down to take any pictchurs. That first tunnel is over a mile long, up a steady 1.2 per cent grade, very musty, and 57 degrees F year around. On a 100 F day in mid-August, you need a jacket to go through the tunnel.

It is a great ride, if you ever get out this way.

This summer, I plan to start at the bottom and ride to the top, then coast back down. I did say “plan.” :stuck_out_tongue:

#7

Wow!!!

#8
Ric Golding said:
Wow!!!!
Wow what? That Steve made the trip 3 or 4 times or that he knew how to ride a bike? Sorry ......had to say it.... ;)

Good stuff! Alan’s comment on the Little Joe never crossed my mind…Very cool!!!

#9

“Wow!”, That I’d like to get up there and take that ride. Looks like a beautiful part of the Country that I haven’t seen. I’m a big fan of the “Rails to Trails” program and use it quite often.

#10

While you are here, Ric, ride the continuation all the way down the Coer d’ Alene River valley. Old UP line.

http://friendsofcdatrails.org/CdA_Trail/index.html

#11

Ric, if you do get out this way, let us know. There are a bunch of us who will ride with you. We even have some layouts that are passable.

#12

Oh yes I remember that long 1.8 mile tunnel. It was two years ago last August that our family took that ride. We started out on the Montana side of the taft tunnel. And of course about 3/4 of the way through I eat the big one, crashed into the side wall, my bike went into the water drainage system along the sides of the tunnel and crushed my ankle. Of course I didn’t feel the ankle until I rode for another 8 miles down the trail.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/cncrr/_forumfiles/100_0632_1_1.jpg)

I’m the one on the far right with the grey bread. The real blessing out of this fun day was that after a month of my leg not healing, an MRI was done and thats how the doctors discovered I had Leukemia. So really this nice ride saved my life. I have since returned to this beautiful ride and completed the entire ride. If any of you come this way for vacation you can rent bikes and equipment to take this ride. Chuck

#13

Or you could borrow Chuck’s bike.
But the wheels might be a little out of round…:slight_smile: :slight_smile:

#14

Not to worry, I have an 8 pound finishing tool. :stuck_out_tongue: We can beat those wheels back into round.

#15

"I’ve heard of “Hitting the Wall”, but I never thought it was literal. Why did you turn? You know railroad tracks, fairly straight, even on a curve? I guess no pictures because it was dark?

#16

Ric, it’s really, really, really dark inside the tunnel. The light at the end of the tunnel isn’t even a dot until you’ve ridden 3/4 of the way! :lol: :stuck_out_tongue: :smiley: I think we can cut Chuck just a little slack.

Or maybe not.

#17

For everyone’s information, I hit a rock while making sure that my daughter-in-law was doing OK because she was pulling a kiddy kart behind her bike with my grandson in it. My son-in-law saw the whole thing and I’m sticking to it.

I saw more blood from hitting the wall then wiping out my ankle and shin.

#18

Chuck,

Sounds like a good “sea story”. When people ask, “Have you ever hit the wall?” You can answer, “Yes, at least once.” :wink:

Steve, everyone needs to play the “straight man”, every once in a while. And then of course, just sit back.

Still looks like a great “rail to trail”.