Confessions of a FreeWalkers Map Nerd
As I prepare to celebrate the upcoming one-year anniversary of my first walk with FreeWalkers, I still can’t help but laugh.
Not at my crazy ambition to tackle 14 miles without any real training, but at the three hours of time I spent sitting at my computer – printed step-by-step instructions from the Coordinators in one hand and Google Maps up on my computer screen – figuring out exactly how the streets in the towns where I grew up were going to get me through those 14 miles from Maplewood all the way to Morristown.
Yet while I’m sitting here laughing, this total Map Nerd proudly confesses that I would go through that scoping exercise again in a heartbeat, as I will in advance of this year’s same walk.
Why?
For some extra context: Before each FreeWalkers walk, the coordinators will, when possible, provide information about the route to all those who have signed up – either via step-by-step instructions, an actual map with the route drawn, or with a QR code to follow as well. For this walk, the instructions were provided as step-by-step typed out instructions.
Regardless, scoping that Maplewood to Morristown route in advance proved invaluable for me (as well as some other folks on the walk) for several reasons. And while everyone is different in terms of how they like to read maps and what they might find helpful, my specific “why” reasons will hopefully make sense, and will also provide some additional context as to how FreeWalkers works and what to expect!
Reason 1: When the Group Does Not Stay Together
Depending on the number of participants for each walk and the nature of each particular walking route, it is not always possible for the entire FreeWalkers group to stay together for the whole distance.
For smaller groups and “trail” type walks, we generally try to stay together. For larger groups going longer distances through towns, streets, etc., people naturally walk at different paces and ultimately split up into “pockets” of walkers. Some will keep the pace of the group, while others prefer to travel at a more leisurely one.
I personally fall somewhere around a pace of 3.2 miles per hour – which, for last year’s Maplewood to Morristown walk (a very large group of approximately 60 people), was definitely slower than the pace of the larger group. However, because I had scoped the route and had a solid sense of where I was going, I was completely comfortable going at my pace, and found others to walk with me.
Reason 2: If You Only Plan To Do A Portion Of The Walk
One of the best things about FreeWalkers is that you can do as much or as little of the total distance as you want. For my first walk, I was in no way concerned that I’d be “voted off the island” if I could not finish the full 14 miles from Maplewood to Morristown.
Many of our walks are specifically designed to have a “mini” version of the full distance or, for Maplewood to Morristown (and for this year, vice versa and starting in Madison), designed with access to 5 NJ Transit Stations along the route in case someone decides at any point that they are “done” and want to train it back to the starting point where they parked. (***And now it should make sense why we are calling it the TRAINing Walk).
Scoping the route/map for this year’s 10-mile walk (Madison to Maplewood) in advance will allow you to figure out a possible escape plan and how far/where each train station in each town is located according to the following mileage breakdown:
To walk from Madison to Chatham will be approximately 2 miles.
Onward to Summit: 4.5 miles
To Short Hills: 7 miles
To Millburn: 8 miles
To finish in Maplewood: 10 miles
***Fun Fact: Last year (doing the reverse route), Chatham was where I decided I was “done.” Scoping the map in advance also told me that I had to make one turn down a side street to access the Chatham train station.
Reason 3: If There Are Portions of The Walk With No Sidewalks/Other Safety Precautions…
No sidewalks = Be more mindful of cars/trucks.
Also, if the instructions happen to say “Caution” at any point, there is usually a good reason (like if there can be construction or other obstacles).
Reason 4: If You Need to Cross The Street/Make a Turn at a Specific Place
Having grown up in the Livingston/Short Hills area, I remember how excited I was telling my Mom about my first upcoming distance walk past all the places we used to go when I was a kid… notably on Morris Avenue in Short Hills by the Kings, the Bagels4U, our haircut place, etc.
And then came the next part of the conversation:
Mom: So how are you walking from Short Hills into Summit?
Me: We cross Morris.
Mom: [silence]
Me: Hello? Hello?
Mom: WHAAAAAT??????
In my Mom’s defense, I had no idea there actually WAS a safe place to cross Morris Avenue between Short Hills and Summit. Amazingly, there is, in fact, a pedestrian crosswalk at Cleveland Place for this exact purpose.
Who knew? Well, I did – but only because I scoped it in advance and knew to look for it.
Reason 5: Be Mindful About Spotty/No Cell Reception, Bathrooms, Food, Etc.
Anytime you are hiking a trail, there is always a chance of spotty or no cell reception. Always plan (again knowing where you are going) and it’s recommended to carry a backup phone battery for longer walks.
Additionally, a quick scope of the main streets of each town allowed for a worst case scenario “if I needed a bathroom” confirmation. While trails/reservations may have portable bathrooms hanging out at convenient stopping points, towns likely don’t.
On the other hand, towns can provide slightly more flexibility than trails/reservations for food and beverage purchases if necessary. For this walk there are more than enough places for both bathrooms and to fuel up with food.
In closing, it wasn’t just the practical and/or safety stuff brought about by that “know before you go” due diligence. The ability to scope the route also really can make a difference in one’s ability to enjoy themselves on any walk so much more.
More importantly, I hope to see you all on Sunday the 28th for our 10-mile Madison to Maplewood TRAINing Walk!