Do you know where you belong on the Holmes County Trail?
Holmes County Rails-to-Trails presents a unique challenge in that it is divided into two different lanes, one to allow buggy and horse travel and the west side designed to support runners, walkers and bikers. Protocol states bikers should ride in the same path as walkers and runners, and then it is their responsibility to move out toward the center of the trail to pass.
Holmes County Rails-to-Trails has been around for two decades now, and it has gotten a great deal of use, but for visitors, newcomers to the area or anyone from here who is just now finding the benefits of the trail, it can be a bit confusing as to where they should walk, jog, bike or skate.
The reason for the confusion is because, unlike most trails, the Holmes County Trail is designed to provide safe travel for an added element: buggies.
When the Holmes County Trail was built, it was designed so the east side of the trail would support buggy travel while the west side of the trail would be for anyone else traveling by foot or bicycle.
“We knew it would take some time for people to figure everything out because of the addition of the buggy portion of the trail,” said Jen Halverson, Holmes County Park District director and Holmes County Rails-to-Trails Coalition board member.
She said over time locals who use the trail have gotten used to the idea buggies and horseback riders are to use the east side, which is reinforced with two layers of chip and seal coating that was designed to prevent wear and tear from the wheels of the buggies and the horse shoes clopping along the trail.
However, she said for anyone who isn’t used to the trail, it can be a confusing time of figuring out where they belong in the overall scheme of things.
“It can be confusing for people who aren’t used to having two halves of the trail at their disposal,” Halverson said.
Aside from the rare times when buggies happen upon one another heading in opposite directions, buggies should never waver from the east side of the trail, outside of one spot north of Holmesville where the trail switches for a very short stretch.
“We’ve found that bikers and pedestrians aren’t fond of walking in and around road apples,” Halverson said. “We do proactively clean the trail once a week and sometimes twice in the fall during the really busy season, but by keeping the buggies on one side, it makes foot and bicycle travel much easier and cleaner.”
However, protocol on the west side varies from person to person. Some people walk against the grain on the outside of the west lane so they can see who and what is coming toward them. That also allows faster-moving bicycles to freely swing past them on the inside of the lane.
Other walkers and bikers tend to view the west lane as a road and drive on the right side of the west lane when heading north and the left or outside lane when traveling south.
Halverson said there is no perfect solution to that dilemma, noting walkers, joggers and bikers should do what is most comfortable to them.
“People have their own preferences and have used the entire trail to walk, jog and bike,” Halverson said. “Again, it comes to being aware of your surroundings.”
While comfortability is a great thing, it can add to the confusion, but Halverson said there is a fairly simple solution that should help everyone navigate the trail with safety and ease.
She also said ear buds present an issue when it comes to communication on the trail. She said she uses earbuds when she walks and noted that those using earbuds should keep the sound down low enough that they can hear anyone approaching from behind. She even suggested people use just one ear bud if possible to keep the other ear open to lines of communication.
“Everyone has them now, so we just need to be conscientious about where they are and who is around them,” she said. “Just be alert and aware and follow some simple rules and we can all continue to share the trail together. It’s really a matter of everyone simply respecting those around them.”
The rules of travel on the trail are simple. The speed limit is 20 mph and drops to 10 mph in high-traffic areas like the Hipp Station Depot to create safer travel in highly congested areas.
Anytime someone is passing another traveler, they are to slow down, move in single file and alert the person in front of them prior to passing.
“People need to be aware that the trail is here for everyone and there can and will be other people anywhere and everywhere, using other modes of transportation,” Halverson said. “Always be aware of that.”
Halverson said nonhorse travelers can use the buggy side of the trail, but if they encounter a buggy, it is their duty to return to the west side of the trail as they pass by. She said everyone should take caution when making a turn on the trail, making sure they stop and look both ways rather than making a turn that could put them in harm’s way.
Halverson said there is a significant amount of repair work being done on the trail thanks to grants, and once that is completed, the coalition will add more signage, whether it be messages on the blacktop or signs along the trail detailing where buggies and foot traffic should be.
Fortunately, she said the majority of those utilizing the trail are polite, respectful and aware and everyone works together.