Reply to Cowboy? Trail

Who is paying for this city people's amusument trail? Great, just what the producing people of this state needs is more city people on bikes to look out for, while trying to produce food for YOU people.

My goodness Don, you sound so cranky. :) Most of us who ride the trails are country folks who love to be out on the trail enjoying the world. Please join us and smile.

I really doubt you are true country people, or you would be working at producing food, not taking up space on the back country roads like you folks like to do.

I lived across the river in Sioux City, IA for over 18 years. I remember the people of Nebraska to be more friendly than Don here. I typically spend several hundred dollars a year searching for new trails to ride. I'll be sure not to spend any out there in Bushnell.

Don's just cranky because so many small towns around here are dying - city folks never have a reason to come spend money to support local businesses. I'm sure he'd be less cranky if only his town had something that would attract city folks from Omaha, Lincoln, Kansas City, Des Moines, and beyond. And while all those city folks were there, they would spend money at local restaurants, stores, and motels, thereby putting more money into the pockets of Don's friends, neighbors, and family members. What could possible get city folks to come out to this part of NE and spend their time and money? Maybe... a nice long bike trail?

It worked for the Katy Trail in Missouri - towns that would otherwise be dead by now have B&B's and bike shops that get almost all of their business from out-of-town trail riders.

So lighten up Don, farming is not the only solution for Nebraska. I'm sure you have some friends and neighbors who would love to run small businesses where these city folks could inject their money into your local economy.

Anybody watched the movie Deliverance?

This was taken from Wikipedia (if you trust this source since it is not peer-reviewed):

Bushnell, Nebraska

“The village has very few businesses left. The High School closed in the spring of 1981, with the elementary closing 5 years later. The students now attend School in Kimball, Nebraska. After the school closed all the businesses in town struggled to survive. The grain elevators closed, the gas station closed, then it was like dominoes. About all that is left is a Post Office and the village office. However, two new retail businesses and a nonprofit organization opened in the village in 2011.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushnell,_Nebraska

Don,
I would be more appreciative that people are exploring the state of Nebraska. It really is a beautiful state, and touring via bicycle is one great way to do it.

I appreciate your work as a farmer, and the fact that you produce food (or at least it will become edible food after it is processed). Since, we people pay for your farm subsidies; you can let us ride our environmentally friendly bicycles and spend money in towns that nobody else would visit. We will dodge your air-conditioned, digitized tractors and combines to see the beauty of the Great Plains.

I am from a rural town in Nebraska (no city folk), and I think any tourism a small town that can attract is a win for that community.

Beef production is much like manufacturing. How would you like to have your entire country living in a manufacturing plant product, produce, livestock or otherwise? We as people need to have our recreation and enjoyment separate from the production enviroment.

To C: Thank you for your spot-on sentiments.

I come from farming stock in several lines of my family. I know that Midwesterners can be extremely friendly, kind, generous and helpful folk. I also know that they can be cranky as hell at times due to resentment about their economic plight. I've become one of those "spoiled city bikers" who prefers paved or finely crushed trail (e.g. Acadia National Park carriage trails in Maine) and amenities are preferred. I'm more than happy to pay high taxes, including subsidies of all sorts when needed, and I'm also more than happy to spend what's leftover of my earnings on lodging, restaurants, museums, and shops. After reading all these threads about trail conditions, I'd still be willing to rent bikes with thick tires and cycle slowly to appreciate the beautiful views and wide open spaces but Don's remarks don't do anyone any favors -- he paints the locals as PIAs and it's a turnoff for tourists -- who can be nice people, too. If increased state taxes aren't possible/likely to improve trail conditions and amenities, then at least be nice to the people who come visit anyway so that the people factor outweighs any inconveniences. Perhaps also seeking a federal designation would inject federal funding into the trail. Perhaps that could add to the local/regional/state economy as well.

Give it some time Don. I've ridden the Katy Trail 3 times over the last 10 years and have seen positive changes in the reception locally over the years. There was a lot of hesitation and some open hostility at first, but over time people saw that the bicyclers were mostly friendly and spent much needed money in their communities. My last trip was last year, and most people waved and welcomed us warmly. By the way, I grew up on a farm and understand your concerns, I just think you'll find it's not as bad as you think.

To anon who has ridden the Katy Trail 3 times. Do you recommend the Katy or the Cowboy for novice bike riders? Not planning to ride the full length of either, but want to give it a try.

Cindy, We live close to the Katy trail and ride on it often. It is very well maintained and used more and more. In September, 2015 we rode the Cowboy trail from Norfolk to Valentine and back. It was a pretty well maintained trail with almost no one else riding it while we were there. We did get 2 flat tires around Ainsworth but no problems otherwise. I would recommend starting with the Katy and then trying the Cowboy next!

Funny...I was going to say JUST what Ray did about the Katy Trail reviving the small dying towns along the Trail. I lived there when they built the Katy and rode 1000's of miles on it, as well as End to End.

I too live way out, 161 acres that sits on 100,000 of acres. Our closest neighbor is 9 miles away....no no kidding! The closest Utility Pole is 4 miles from us and we are not hooked in.....betting this guy is NOT as 'country' as we are!

The truth is, so many of these folks that fight the Rails to Trails are angry because they did not get the land back when the RR abandon the area. I get that. BUT! The fight is over, time to move on, FIX AND CONTINUE the Cowboy Trail and make it, let it be, an enjoyable destination and a money maker for your State....

I have seen the development of public trails for nearly 40 years. There are always the not-in-my-backyard types in the beggining of projects but pretty soon they reallise the benefit to ALL Americans when WE develop public parks and recreation areas. I have spent the past 7 years visiting rail/trails around the country . I sure as hell prefer spending my travel money in Local US economies as opposed to Disyney World or Europe. The bicycle touring industry has become serious business in many parts of America..Lots of us Baby Boomers enjoying the bike trails like we used to enjoy hiking or mountain biking..

That's a lot of anger you got there Don. Do you really live each and every day with feel bad chemicals running around in your brain? I wouldn't want to live your life.

Jesus Don have a drink and relax. I'd love to ride this trail but hope not to run into any cranky aholes like you!

Says Don as he collects ag subsidies (welfare) for his unsustainable cattle operation paid for by taxpayers like me on the east and west coast...

I'd think Don would appreciate all those city slickers working up an appetite to eat the food he's producing. He's got to have buyers after all.

I too have ridden the Katy Trail, but more recently and frequently the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) and C & O Canal Towpath. All of those trails and their towns seem to be enjoying the economic benefits of the trails. You are always going to get someone who is grumped out about something.

Don's an arrogant asshole - try to never ride his portion of the trail, and don't spend any money anywhere near him that might bene3fit him or his neighbors.

Yes. He is. But. What we should do is VISIT his area and be especially nice to each person there and spend money....THEN he looks like the jerk he is....Trail Riders/Users, look like the good people we are.