In message , at 15:26:17 on Sat, 12
Jan 2013, tim..... remarked:
I'm only questioning this assertion that the "right" way that people
should choose to go can be usefully constructed from the shortest
route on the ground, and that if they don't do this they have done
something wrong.

Who was asserting that?

The article did.

I can't see where. The only discussion of distances "on the ground" is
in terms of making the entire trip on foot, not comparing the track
miles.
--
Roland Perry