UPDATE: Yelm to Roy Trail in Washington State. 'Twas the other day, I decided to go check on the progress of this particular new bicycle/pedestrian trail in my backyard. It has been a couple of weeks or so, since I last did so. The last thing that was needed to be done was the application of asphalt pavement.
This article of the local online newspaper prompted me to go out and find out for myself: https://www.yelmonline.com/stories/public-could-use-prairie-line-trail-by-end-of-the-month,334568? Low and behold, I discovered that there was asphalt pavement laid down finally about a mile and one half ? all the way to near the Nisqually River railroad bridge. The City of Yelm workers did a very wonderful job in doing so. Pictures are here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/bXihkvWaLmqTGSAG6 Always open to new adventures on my bicycle. I'm waiting for the next phase of the development on the bridge and over into Pierce County to the town of Roy. Kim Hetzel. On Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 5:27:42 PM UTC-8 John Rinker wrote: > Kim, > Lot's of water, indeed! The Nisqually looks to be a beautiful river (from > the Google images I found) and, on a hot summer day, a perfect spot for a > mid-ride dip. > > Yeah, I hear you on the pavement. I don't understand the need for it when > there's already too much pavement as it is. > > Fingers crossed they keep it gravel. > > Cheers, John > > On Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 2:42:47 PM UTC-8 Kim H. wrote: > >> [image: Map of the RR line from Yelm to Roy.png] >> >> On Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 2:41:37 PM UTC-8 Kim H. wrote: >> >>> Hi John, >>> >>> I am in future updates via email directly from the Yelm City Planner in >>> their development and progress of this particular trail. The City of Yelm >>> is working with the City of Roy in connecting this trail from both sides of >>> the Nisqually River, of which is a dividing boundary between the two >>> counties, Thurston and Pierce. See attached file for location and the >>> direction of the old railroad line. >>> >>> The stretch of railroad bed that I ventured on yesterday is about one >>> and a half miles long ? I live less than a mile from this trail. >>> >>> The RR ties remain in place upon the RR bridge all the way to Roy >>> currently. I am sure that there are some ponds or creeks that are nearby >>> along the trail on other side of the Nisqually River. >>> >>> I wish the developers would leave the trail unpaved and in a natural >>> state. It would be more appealing for me as well as other cyclists, as well >>> as equestrians. Every trail in Thurston County is paved that I have rode >>> on. The trails in Pierce County I do not have a full report on those. >>> >>> Kim Hetzel. >>> >>> >>> >>> On Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 12:04:32 PM UTC-8 John Rinker wrote: >>> >>> Randy, I'm of the very same mind when it comes to riding- open to the >>> deep exploration of my immediate surroundings. This is probably why I like >>> climbing so much; the slow pace (for me) reminds me to look around and >>> enjoy what it is I am riding through. >>> >>> Kim, You'll certainly have a golden trail there when the ties are pulled >>> and the path is smoothed. Hopefully, all ready for Spring and Summer! Does >>> this beautiful-looking trail pass along water (ponds, lakes, rivers) at any >>> point? >>> >>> Cheers, John >>> >>> >>> On Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 10:41:05 AM UTC-8 >>> [email protected] wrote: >>> >>> More often on rides I worry less about traveling far, but emphasize deep >>> travel and exploration, often close to home. Your ride definitely qualifies >>> as deep travel and your bike looks well-suited for exploration. >>> Randy >>> >>> On Wed, Dec 27, 2023 at 11:05 AM Kim H. <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> [image: 20231226_145002.jpg] >>> >>> Kim Hetzel. >>> On Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 9:04:05 AM UTC-8 Kim H. wrote: >>> >>> Hi Randy, >>> >>> I thank-you for you positive and encouraging words of my bicycle >>> adventure yesterday. I appreciate them. >>> Here are a couple more pictures from yesterday's adventure. >>> >>> Kim Hetzel.[image: 20231226_144433_HDR.jpg] >>> >>> On Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 6:14:35 AM UTC-8 [email protected] >>> wrote: >>> >>> Great story and pictures Kim! The bicycle is the perfect vehicle to take >>> us to new places and explore the world around us. >>> Thanks for the contribution, >>> Randy in WI >>> >>> On Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 12:42:13 AM UTC-6 [email protected] >>> wrote: >>> >>> [image: IMG_2011.JPG] >>> >>> On Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at 10:40:50 PM UTC-8 Kim H. wrote: >>> >>> Yesterday, I decided to see if the city workers were out on their >>> continuation of pulling up the railroad ties for the preparation of the new >>> bicycle pedestrian trail from Yelm to Roy, WA. To my surprise, they were >>> not here today. I took advantage of this situation and decided to have my >>> private own adventure and explore where the city workers stopped pulling up >>> the ties. The child in me was so excited to venture out on my blue 52cm >>> Clem to see how it handled off road. >>> >>> The weather was cool with a lot of fog with no sight of blue sky. The >>> ground surface was compacted from all the heavy and repetitive machine >>> traffic. There was long sections of imprinted tires tracks from a very >>> large loader. For the most part, I managed well. >>> >>> When I reached to the old railroad bridge over the Nisqually River, I >>> found about 75 feet ? of railroad bed, where the ties were not pulled up. I >>> decided not to or over the bridge. I was just here to take pictures and >>> satisfy my curiosity. >>> >>> Here are some pictures. >>> [image: IMG_1999.JPG] >>> >>> On Monday, October 30, 2023 at 10:11:06 PM UTC-7 Kim H. wrote: >>> >>> [image: thumbnail_20231030_162233_HDRuuu.jpg][image: >>> thumbnail_20231030_164024_HDRvvv.jpg] >>> >>> On Monday, October 30, 2023 at 10:03:43 PM UTC-7 Kim H. wrote: >>> >>> [image: thumbnail_20231030_161253_HDR.jpg][image: >>> thumbnail_20231030_161920_HDR.jpg] >>> >>> On Monday, October 30, 2023 at 10:00:40 PM UTC-7 Kim H. wrote: >>> >>> [image: thumbnail_20231030_161003_HDR.jpg] >>> >>> On Monday, October 30, 2023 at 9:59:04 PM UTC-7 Kim H. wrote: >>> >>> This afternoon, I decided to go on my second adventure to find out >>> exactly where the end of the railroad rails were pulled up about a month >>> ago ended for a future bicycle/pedestrian/equestrian trail near my home. It >>> is within fifteen minutes from my house. It was a very sunny day about 56 >>> degrees. I took my Clem and set off by myself. >>> >>> I rode on a trail along the Nisqually River as far as I could. I found a >>> steep very short trail that lead up to the railroad bed and ties. It took >>> awhile for me to maneuver myself with my Clem up this steep small incline, >>> applying my brakes in slow steps. I made it alright. >>> >>> I did not feel safe enough to ride my bike along side of the old >>> railroad bed, because the ground was uneven and to the right of me the >>> ground dropped off below me. I walked my bike all the way to the railroad >>> bridge taking in all the wonderful colored golden fallen maple leaves on >>> the ground. There was no one else around. I must have walked about more >>> than a quarter of a mile and then some. >>> >>> The railroad bridge finally came into my view. It has been many years >>> since I was back here on foot. There had been a chain-link fence across the >>> entrance of the bridge crossing to not allow people to cross it. However, >>> this time, there was no fence on my side nor there was none across on the >>> other side. It was all open to my surprise. In fulfilling my curiosity, the >>> railroad rails ended to the entrance of the railroad bridge. >>> >>> My phone rang. My wife was asking me, if I was alright. I replied, >>> "Yes". I told her that I would call her, when I was heading back. >>> >>> I maneuvered my Clem in and around several railroad ties in preparation >>> to walk across the railroad bridge. This will be an exciting memory I told >>> myself. I was very cautious in walking my Clem over and onto each railroad >>> tie to reach the other side. I paused occasionally to take pictures, >>> holding my cellphone very carefully not to drop it down through the cracks >>> of the railroad ties into the river. Each time after taking a picture, I >>> would carefully place my phone back into my vest pocket and zip it up not >>> to lose it. >>> >>> About half way, I scared an adult blue heron into flight swooping out >>> over my head, as he called out. After that, I decided to take a 180 degree >>> video with great care. I proceeded on and make it to the other side into >>> the next county. From there, my eyes noticed that the railroad rails and >>> ties continued on through the forest. I paused and took more pictures >>> looking back and the river below me. The sun was slowly going down behind >>> the trees. It was most definitely time to head back in this late afternoon. >>> >>> I made it safely back across the railroad bridge. It was a long walk >>> back to the spot, where I had came up from that steep embankment down to >>> the trail, where I could ride my Clem back home. At some point, whilst I >>> was walking, I almost twisted my left angle under soft soil. Thank goodness >>> that I did not. >>> >>> I made it home safe and happy in going out on my personal adventure in >>> the sunny fall weather. Soon after arriving home, I very quickly, I felt my >>> hips and muscles hurting from my journey. I took some acetaminophen to help >>> reduce the pain. I am not as young as I used to be. However, my heart >>> remains younger than my body in riding my bicycle and going on adventures. >>> >>> Kim Hetzel. >>> >>> .[image: thumbnail_20231030_160518_HDR.jpg] >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On Friday, October 27, 2023 at 11:34:12 PM UTC-7 Kim H. wrote: >>> >>> @Richard, >>> That Potawatomi MTB trail in Pinkney, Michigan looks pretty gnarly. I am >>> glad that tried out your Gus on that trail as an introduction to mountain >>> biking. I'm looking forward to your upcoming upgrades to your Gus and ride >>> reports, as well. >>> I went out on a fairly long bike ride today. It was mostly pavement on a >>> bike/pedestrian trail near my home. Towards the end, I decided to venture >>> off road along a very long stretch of newly pulled RR rails with RR ties >>> left from the excavation to see how far down the hired company pulled the >>> ties. I decided to go all the way to the RR bridge that goes over the >>> Nisqually River perhaps another time. The future plan is in the making of >>> extending the bicycle/pedestrian trail over the river into a town called >>> Roy. This is apart of a greater plan to connect to other trails in the next >>> county. >>> >>> The next phase will be for the city to hire a company to clean up the RR >>> ties. >>> >>> I had fun going off road with my Clem. It is more adventurous and >>> handles very well. >>> >>> Kim Hetzel. >>> >>> [image: 20231026_143115_HDR.jpg][image: 20231026_143133_HDR.jpg] >>> >>> On Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 7:40:14 AM UTC-7 [email protected] >>> wrote: >>> >>> [image: image0.jpeg] >>> This pic is from the Potawatomi MTB trail in Pinkney, Michigan - The >>> “Poto” for short. This is the quintessential SE Michigan trail, and a place >>> that has shaped my life as a cyclist. I don’t recommend it but this place >>> was my introduction to mountain biking. Some of the very best times I’ve >>> had on a bike happened here. This particular ride was my first time giving >>> it a go on the Gus. It was pretty great but is also the reason I am >>> currently working on cockpit changes & installing a rapid rise rear >>> derailleur.:) >>> It’s a destination type trail & every trip there is like visiting an old >>> friend. >>> Sent from my iPhone >>> >>> On Oct 25, 2023, at 8:51 AM, [email protected] <[email protected]> >>> wrote: >>> >>> One of my (and probably many of you) main motivations for riding my >>> bikes is to get to a special place. This may be a place of natural beauty, >>> a quiet place to get away from the hustle of daily life or a place that has >>> special meaning to us. Post a picture of a special place your bike has >>> taken you, and why this place is special. >>> >>> >>> This is my Appaloosa at the mouth of the Huron River in the Upper >>> Peninsula of Michigan. The Huron Islands are visible in Lake Superior. This >>> place is remote feeling and beautiful, and I was there recently many years >>> after my first visit. >>> >>> Randy in WI >>> <Appaloosa Huron River BeachBWWEB.jpg> >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>> an email to [email protected]. >>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/b7f13541-ae5f-4438-8f09-c6b83994bd9fn%40googlegroups.com >>> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/b7f13541-ae5f-4438-8f09-c6b83994bd9fn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> . >>> <Appaloosa Huron River BeachBWWEB.jpg> >>> >>> -- >>> >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the >>> Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/crSHt80FMjs/unsubscribe >>> . >>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >>> [email protected]. >>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/511715be-e7e6-4b1f-8e6f-fdfecf05cc13n%40googlegroups.com >>> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/511715be-e7e6-4b1f-8e6f-fdfecf05cc13n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> . >>> >>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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