Biking Trip
Years ago, I read Nothing Like It In The World by Stephen Ambrose. In February 2002 I wrote to CPRR.org asking questions about biking along the CPRR. ... After years of thinking about it, I have registered for a group bicycle trip from San Francisco to Maine that starts in June. The bike tour has a set route and prearranged daily lodging. A portion of the route goes from Sacramento to Salt Lake City some of it on the shoulder of I-80. The tour has nothing to do with railroad history but for me it is an opportunity to go on a bike hike and see some of the transcontinental railroad. Could you point out any CPRR highlights along my route that I could possibly see from the road or explore? I will be on a road bicycle not a mountain bike.
Mon June 6 Sacramento, CA
Tue June 7 Auburn, CA
Wed June 8 Truckee, CA
Thu June 9 Sparks, NV
Fri June 10 Lovelock, NV
Sat June 11 Winnemucca, NV
Sun June 12 Battle Mt., NV
Mon June 13 Elko, NV
Tue June 14 Wendover, UT
Wed June 15 Salt Lake City, UT
I am aware of the close proximity of the road to Summit Tunnel so I plan on exploring that area in the afternoon of June 8th. I also understand that portions of the current UP line have been realigned from the original CPRR line. Is the original CPRR line visible from the road? I plan to visit Golden Spike National Historic Park in Utah on our rest day on June 16th.
Thank you for any ideas,
Neil Sardiñas
King of Prussia, PA
P.S. Do you know the map coordinates of the former Secret Town Trestle and the compass direction of the [linked] view?
posted from CPRR Discussion Group at 9:27 AM
2 Comments:
From: chris graves
... Your challenge regarding the old grade is that despite what Ambrose printed, the old grade and the current grade do NOT run parallel. Suggest that you look at current views of what does exist. As to the Secret Town trestle, it is still there, but covered by earth and stone. It is but 100 yards from I-80, at the Secret Town exit. Tunnel 6 is on old Highway 40, the tunnel itself is perhaps 50 yards from pavement. Have a safe trip, I envy your energy. Should you find yourself at loose ends at a future date, and have the time to spend on the old grade, a person can shoot a day between here and Cape Horn, and another full day over the Summit. Much of the old grade is accessible across Nevada, but on a bicycle it would be hazardous. Try this: as you approach Oreana, Nevada, take the Coal Canyon Road exit. Proceed over the current UPRR grade. Turn right on the frontage road to the overpass, go over the overpass. Proceed 1/4 mile, look to your left, DOWN to the old grade.
Happy rails........G J Chris Graves, NewCastle, Cal.
Original Message – 19 Feb 2002
From: "Neil Sardinas" nsardinas@prismeng.com
Subject: thanks
Hello,
Your site http://cprr.org is the coolest website I've ever seen. The fact that I can sit here in Pennsylvania and see what I read about in Stephen Ambrose's, "Nothing Like It In The World" is just too cool!
Do you know who I should contact if I wanted to bicycle along the original route of the transcontinental railroad?
thanks,
Neil Sardiñas
----------------
Thanks for your e-mail and the kind words about the CPRR.org website.
See the Tours FAQ.
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