Bike trail draws praise

By GINA KINSLOW
Glasgow Daily Times

November 29, 2008 01:48 pm

— MAMMOTH CAVE — Mammoth Cave National Park’s new hiking and cycling trail has been named “Trail of the Week” by Adventure-Crew.com, according to National Park Concessions, Inc.
“We were very proud and pleased to learn that the trail had been named trail of the week by a national organization,” said Woodford L. Gardner, president of National Park Concessions, Inc. “We encourage all local people to make use of it in their recreation activities.”
The Web site describes the trail in detail, and talk about the terrain it crosses and what type of cyclist it would suit best — beginner or advanced.
National park officials were also pleased to learn of the recognition.
“The write up of the Mammoth Cave Railroad Bike and Hike trail on Adventure-Crew.com is a great acknowledgement of that trail, and an accurate description too,” said Vickie Carson, public information officer for the park.
Carson also liked the photos of the trail that were posted on the Web site as well.
The trail spans nine miles and is made of gravel and wooden boardwalk. Opened in December 2007, it is not for the beginner cyclist, according to information posted on Adventure Space.com, which can be accessed through a link on Adventure-Crew.com.
“There are numerous hills and three areas that are so steep, they recommend you get off your bike and walk it up the hill,” a review on Adventure-Space.com said. “It was a recommendation we thought highly of as we attempted to ride part way up the hill before hopping off the bikes and walking. We did, however, have great fun riding down those steep hills.”
The online review pointed out that the trail takes cyclists past several cemeteries where several of the original settlers of the area are buried.