TBD: ATT KMZ

update: I just realized the link for the .kmz file was off, it is fixed now. update#2 - if you have anything to add, feel free to send it my way.

No, I don't just like to use acronyms whenever I get the chance. :) I started a Google Earth map (.kmz file) of the ATT (American Tobacco Trail). Download the KMZ here. I'll update it when I can with more points of interest and pictures.

• The red path is the trail itself, it is highlighted from the southern-most trail head in Apex up to the interruption point just south of I-40. Then it is highlighted again just north of I-40 in Durham up to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
  
• The green push-pins are trailheads, or entrances to the trail where there is available parking.
  
• The yellow push-pins are general points of interest, some of which have photos linked.
  
• I will attach photos soon.
  

I find it pretty useful because I can plan a run or bike ride, and use the ruler feature of Google Earth to check out the distance of my route. For example, next time I am going to start at O'Kelly Church Rd and run north to Northeast Creek trestle, turn around and run south to Panther Creek trestle, and then back to O'Kelly Church Rd again. This will be a 4.6 mile run with a rewarding view at each turnaround point.

Tobacco Trail: Trail or Paved Path?

I recently came across this nicomachus.net blog, which has a category of posts about the ATT, and saw this old post which almost made me throw up in my mouth: "The Outspokin' Cyclist: To pave or gravel part of biking trail under debate".

Check out these quotes from the posting, which quotes from a Phillip Barron
article in The Herald Sun from the Fall of 05.

• Chris Sevick to The Herald Sun: "Given the long distances that the trail connects, it would be more efficient to use a road bike on a paved trail..."
  
  Me: Well duh! But then the ATT would not be a trail, but a paved path. I sure hope the awesome natural beauty of the southern parts of the ATT don't get spoiled by paving, as the northern Durham section is.
  
  
• Bob Morris, vice president of the mountain bike club NC Fats, says that if the existing Wake County section of the ATT is an example of how the rest of the trail might be finished, he wouldn't want to ride it either. The loose, softer trail surface attracts equestrians, but the impact of the horses' hooves contributes to the fairly steady erosion of the trail. The ATT is pocked with rough sections that, even on a "cushy" full-suspension mountain bike, leave the trail difficult to ride, Morris says.
  
  Me: Wait just a second...did you say VP of the mountain bike club or the bike sissy club? What mountain bike owner is worried about the cushiness of his ride? I have been on nearly every mile of the trail personally, and I've seen plenty of hoof prints, but certainly nothing that I would even notice on a mountain bike or even on my runs.
  
  
• "So, if like Sevick, you've ever wished that you could continue riding your bike the entire length of the planned 23 miles of greenway"...
  
  Me: Then I would suggest you get a bike with a tire that is more than 1 inch in width. I sympathize with those cyclists who would use the trail as a commuter path (its a great alternative to riding on the road), but its not worth sacrificing the beauty of the current southern trails. Go out and buy a beefier bike, especially if you are a member of a mountain biking club.
  

Running the American Tobacco Trail in South Durham County

Yesterday during lunch I took a 50 minute run down a part of the American Tobacco Trail that I hadn't been to yet: the 3 mile southern Durham stretch which goes from Massey Rd (just south of I-40) down past Scott King Rd (the picture below, from Wikipedia, is about halfway through this stretch). I remember that little fence because it struck me as odd to have this fence out in the middle of this "natural" part of the trail. Overall there is a lot of great scenery in this area, and it made for quite a relaxing run.

This part of the trail itself is great, in fact parts of it are amoung my favorite parts of the trail (that I have seen so far). One complaint is that several parts of this stretch of trail have large (ie, bigger than golf ball sized) gravel. That seems potentially dangerous to me as a runner, should I land on one the wrong way. I understand this part of the trail is under a re-construction plan right now so hopefully they will be using a fine gravel next time like they have in the Wake County parts of the trail. Surely they will also add mile markers.

There is a parking area close to Fayetteville Rd, but it is roped off right now for some reason. I found plenty of roadside parking on both Massey Rd and Scott King Rd.

My next short term running goals for this spring:

1. Run this southern Durham part of trail down to Chatham County line (I didn't realize how close I was yesterday time when I turned around after 25 min).

2. Run 7 miles for the first time. I will probably combine these goals into one: 3 miles down, 3 miles back, and then a little half mile up and back loop. Since there are no mile markers here I will have to do the last mile by time.

A longer term goal for the year 2007: A 12 mile run (half-marathon).

Wake Co. School Bond

The new Wake County school bond is very controversial right now. It would raise property taxes in order to build new schools. As an example of the increase, property taxes for a $200,000 home will be $94 more per year.

Are you telling me that people aren't willing to pay $94 a year to help educate the kids of wake county? Seriously? Good grief.

Of course, taxpayers should be pissed off, don't get me wrong. The real problem is that the state of North Carolina isn't giving Wake County what it needs. Mecklenburg County (Charlotte) is getting much more from the NC Education lottery than Wake County is, even though Wake county has more students. Wonder how that happened?

Here are the numbers:

Estimated proceeds: $1.2 billion a year, $425 million for Education.
Meck. Co. will receive an estimated $18 million/year, for 127,000 students.
Wake Co. will receive an estimated $9 million/year, for 127,767 students.

Apparently those folks against the bond are doing so for one of two reasons: #1, they just don't want to pay more in taxes; #2, they want to make a statement against the school board. For those who fall in category two, IMO you are justifiably pissed off at the school board for lots of reasons like forced busing, forced year-round, .etc. And how else are you to change anything? Damned if I know.

Did anyone see the 20/20 episode about the state of public education in the United States compared to education systems in other countries? John Stossel's famous "Stupid in America". Absolutely pitiful. Its good to know that some people are doing something about it. Unfortunately it seems like most people are afraid too do anything about it. But...why be afraid? It would be pretty hard to do worse.