Good ideas take time
We return to hysterical Concord and that portion of the Bay Circuit Trail that crosses it.
My early disclaimer is that I really like the Bay Circuit idea. I hope that the missing pieces will be fit into the puzzle in my lifetime, preferably whilst I am still capable of locomotion. I say that now because the following might otherwise seem abrasive.
The overall concept looks like this (go here to see it in better resolution):
The green lines are portions that have been gathered into the fold: note that I don't say "complete." Some are temporary links. Many portions are, as mountain bikers like to say, "technical," which means "leave your skinny tyres at home." Other parts are on busy, busy roads, which is hard to avoid in a place like Massachusetts. A couple of sections appear to run through neighbourhoods where the signs should be subtitled "don't pedal faster: they're not shooting at you." Still others, viewed close up, resemble Bil Keane's famous dotted line strips in The Family Circus comic. For example, consider the upper left of the following:
Still, what was only an idea a few years ago has made remarkable progress in acquisition and layout. What it could use now are some more signs. You'll observe the Bay Circuit logo in the graphics above. At present, that's what you look for to guide you along the trail, and not much bigger, either. The signs are about four by four inches. Lacking directional arrows, they serve only to tell you that you're still on the trail (as if, in places like Concord, irate neighbours letting the dogs out wouldn't let you know you'd strayed), but they're sparse and hard to spot.
We went from A to B on the map above, about a 4 1/2 mile round trip. Only trouble with B is that we left the trail to get there, going a block (and a bridge) too far. On the return we found a 6 by 9 inch directional sign, subtle in both colour (brown) and content, sort of marking the turn. It was hard to see on foot: I can hardly imagine seeing it from a bike. At this stage in the trail's development, one needs the trail maps, narrative directions, a good set of topographical maps, and a compass as well. Things are not as clear as they might seem, or it wouldn't be adventure.
It's easy to be critical of details like this—and they are details. A good trail, like a good meal, takes time to prepare. It also takes money for things like signs, and it takes boots on the ground, volunteers to hang the signs and see that they make sense to trail users. I don't think the Bay Circuit Trail is rolling in either. So, having poked a bit of fun at the undertaking, I'll say that if I'm spared and actually have a retirement, volunteering for the Bay Circuit Trail is on my list.
My early disclaimer is that I really like the Bay Circuit idea. I hope that the missing pieces will be fit into the puzzle in my lifetime, preferably whilst I am still capable of locomotion. I say that now because the following might otherwise seem abrasive.
The overall concept looks like this (go here to see it in better resolution):
The green lines are portions that have been gathered into the fold: note that I don't say "complete." Some are temporary links. Many portions are, as mountain bikers like to say, "technical," which means "leave your skinny tyres at home." Other parts are on busy, busy roads, which is hard to avoid in a place like Massachusetts. A couple of sections appear to run through neighbourhoods where the signs should be subtitled "don't pedal faster: they're not shooting at you." Still others, viewed close up, resemble Bil Keane's famous dotted line strips in The Family Circus comic. For example, consider the upper left of the following:
Still, what was only an idea a few years ago has made remarkable progress in acquisition and layout. What it could use now are some more signs. You'll observe the Bay Circuit logo in the graphics above. At present, that's what you look for to guide you along the trail, and not much bigger, either. The signs are about four by four inches. Lacking directional arrows, they serve only to tell you that you're still on the trail (as if, in places like Concord, irate neighbours letting the dogs out wouldn't let you know you'd strayed), but they're sparse and hard to spot.
We went from A to B on the map above, about a 4 1/2 mile round trip. Only trouble with B is that we left the trail to get there, going a block (and a bridge) too far. On the return we found a 6 by 9 inch directional sign, subtle in both colour (brown) and content, sort of marking the turn. It was hard to see on foot: I can hardly imagine seeing it from a bike. At this stage in the trail's development, one needs the trail maps, narrative directions, a good set of topographical maps, and a compass as well. Things are not as clear as they might seem, or it wouldn't be adventure.
It's easy to be critical of details like this—and they are details. A good trail, like a good meal, takes time to prepare. It also takes money for things like signs, and it takes boots on the ground, volunteers to hang the signs and see that they make sense to trail users. I don't think the Bay Circuit Trail is rolling in either. So, having poked a bit of fun at the undertaking, I'll say that if I'm spared and actually have a retirement, volunteering for the Bay Circuit Trail is on my list.
Labels: Bay Circuit Trail, hiking
posted by Uncle | 00:31
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