Wikipedia links for all towns on Transamerica Trail

[RussellB]

As part of preparing to ride the TransAmerica Trail this summer, I made a web page with links to the Wikipedia pages for essentially every town along the route (ordered from west to east and starting in Florence).  Towns which begin map sets, and towns which contain bicycle shops (accurate through the most recent map addenda), are each specially flagged.

Anyway, it's posted at http://russellb.livejournal.com/1093596.html for the sake of any other cyclists who might find it useful.

[Spokey]

Out of curiosity, why did you?

While the Wikipedia entries are interesting, they don't look like it will be terribly useful while en route. 

[RussellB]

Out of curiosity, why did you?

While the Wikipedia entries are interesting, they don't look like it will be terribly useful while en route. 

They're not useful en route, but then neither is most of the information about flora, fauna, and history provided in the official Adventure Cycling maps.

If practicality were all we cared about, then we wouldn't ride across the country at all: we'd all just get stationary bikes and work out at home.

The Wikipedia pages are the best way I've found to learn about the nature and eccentricities of each town I pass through.

[bdegroodt]

Very nice idea and appreciate the bold indicator for map segments.

[staehpj1]

Very nice.  Thanks for sharing.

[jsieber]

Neat idea, thanks for posting for others.

[destination]

That was a lot of work!

[jimbeard]

 Thanks for sharing  .Great idea .

[dubovsmj]

great job...and idea!

[staehpj1]

You have inspired me.  I think I will do the same thing for the Sierra Cascades Route once the maps are out.  It seems like a good way to preview the route and if going to the pages anyway creating a web page isn't that much extra effort.

[Lucky13]

>>we'd all just get stationary bikes>>

If you would get cracking on a TransAm DVD, I could go shopping for an exercise bike

Thanks for a great resource.

[Awf Hand]

I think the idea is quite smashing as well.

Different folks look at different elements of that through which they travel.  I tend to look at the physical Geography and Geology as I pass, and enjoy reading about it beforehand.  That way I know what types of features I may spot.  There are many formative features that create landscapes.

Other folks may look at the socioeconomic history of a region.  A great book that I read was "Investment Biker" (no, not that kind of bike) where he examined the economic histories and hypothosized about the future of those regions through which he passed on a round-the-world tour.

Pre-reading the ride is a great way to feel more in touch with your journey.

Kudos to you for organizing all of this info!!

[hem]

Very Nice. Have you thought about using Google Maps and putting the links in place markers?

[RussellB]

I just finished reading all of the Wikipedia pages for all of the towns along the TransAmerica Trail, and updated the web page linked to in my original message with the most unusual attractions and events in many of them.

Two of the whimsical findings include that one town along the route was the inspiration for the TV show South Park, and that many riders are likely to be passing another during the annual "Gathering of the Juggalos."

[RussellB]

Oh, and I'd also like to recommend another discovery which has made cycling much more interesting for me: the book Infrastructure: A Field Guide to the Industrial Landscape by Brian Hayes.

It lets you recognize and understand all the working man-made objects you pass by, basically.

http://www.amazon.com/Infrastructure-Field-Guide-Industrial-Landscape/dp/0393329593/ref=tmm_pap_title_0