15 Sep One Step at a Time on the Adirondack Rail Trail
ARTA Blog
One Step at a Time on the Adirondack Rail Trail
The Adirondack Rail Trail was built to be an experience accessible to everyone. Saranac Lake singer/songwriter Tom Techman decided to be the first person with Cerebral Palsy to walk the entire trail, demonstrating both the importance of accessibility and the value of a trail for all.
Tom graciously spent some time talking with ARTA’s Executive Director, Julia Goren, about his journey.
JG: What inspired you to want to do this?
TT: I fell off the map in terms of feeling connected. I needed a way to reinvent myself. The Rail Trail was a way to do it.
I sort of had this idea a couple of years ago and got reinspired.
JG: What’s been the most challenging part?
TT: Not having markings (landmarks)of where you are—all you can see is open road with no landmarks. That can be disorienting, even if you’re physically prepared for it.
People sometimes need a reminder that the Adirondacks are beautiful, but hide a danger if you’re not prepared and don’t have the right tenacity for your undertaking.
JG: What have you been doing to prepare?
TT: I’ve been doing two walks a day and getting myself physically and mentally prepared. It’s focus as well as strength training. I’ve been training since May and training really hard for about 6 weeks.
JG: What have you seen or experienced that’s been a surprise?
TT: I’d seen footage from walking, but I’m surprised at how picturesque some stretches are.
I don’t have a good sense of direction, so I had to learn to identify landmarks, like the Lake Colby bridge, or a tree that’s fallen, or when you head back into the woods by the next pond.
I also had to learn how to manage the deerflies.
JG: What do you think the value of the trail is?
TT: People shouldn’t be fooled by the word accessible. It just levels the playing field a bit. This hike is just as challenging as any other hiking trail. But if you prepare and know what to do, you’ll never forget the experience.
It’s also valuable because when I walk in town, people are always offering me a ride, but I don’t need it. Everyone understands when I’m out on the trail I’m walking for fun.
This whole experience has been more than I hoped for. It’s a beautiful place and also a community that supports you.