Pennsylvania - peaceonabike

October 18, 2025October 19, 2025

Pine Creek Trail

JERSEY SHORE, PENNSYLVANIA

I was here once before, back in 2020, and the opportunity to ride with friends presented itself. The stars sort of aligned in that it was my grandson’s only week this fall without high school football. So when the Prince William Cycling Club posted this road trip, I signed on.

When I rode five years ago, I rode the trail over two days. I parked in Jersey Shore, rode 30 miles until I found a parking area, then turned around and rode back. The next day, I went to the parking area and then rode to Wellsboro before heading back to my car, via the road on the return trip.

For this trip, we met in Jersey Shore and took a pre-arranged shuttle from Pine Creek Outfitters. Unlike my disaster shuttle experience in Jim Thorpe, Pa., in May, this one arrived on time and loaded our eight bikes on the trailer. We boarded a 15-passenger van for the hour drive to Wellsboro. And I got to ride shotgun.

I tried to remember this route since it was my return ride on Day 2 five years ago. But except for the one small town of Morris, it was as though I had never been here. But I was following my map on RideWithGPS as we drove, and it was exactly the route I took. Sometimes, when you ride in the opposite direction, it really is a brand new ride.

The driver was very nice, but I may have been the only one to notice since I was riding shotgun. When we unloaded, I think I was the only one to tip him. It was a fair tip if everyone tipped him. And if I saw that no one else tipped, I would have given him more. Sorry dude.

At the trailhead, I briefly rode off towards Wellsboro on a yet-to-be-opened section that will go into town. I was also adding an extra kilometer in case the route would be 99 km. It was chilly, 50/10 degrees, and overcast, although not as cold as the start to the New River Trail last week in Galax, Va. (Michele says it is pronounced GAY-lax).

The trail has a crushed limestone surface, which is only “gravel” in the smallest sense. It is very fine and easily rideable with 32 mm tires, which many road bikes have. The downside is that there is always dust, and there was some, but not nearly as bad as on the GAP and sections of the C&O Canal Towpath.

Swinging bridge over Pine Creek (No trespassing)

We had a few stops. I like to take photos and didn’t want the group to feel like they had to stop for me. They did a couple of times, but in other places I rode ahead or simply caught up.

I rode ahead to position myself for this photo.

Within the first 10 km we passed a couple of riders who were stopped admiring something. That something turned out to be a bald eagle. We would see a second one later.

The trail itself follows the Pine Creek. It is situated IN the gorge called the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania. So, views you may normally get from heights you do not get on this trail. You are on a valley floor, which brings its own beauty.

There are just four trestles on this trail. When we came to the one at Glade Run, about halfway on the trail, it seemed unusually busy with small children. As we exited, we saw why: there is a campground here which looks very nice. The Pettecote Junction Campground offers traditional tent and RV camping as well as cabins and glamping options. It would be a perfect spot for two days on the trail – ride one direction and back to Jersey Shore or Wellsboro on one day, and ride the other on the second day.

Store at Glade Run. Closed for the season. The Moose should have told you.

We stopped at Wolfes General Store in Slate Run. The deli offered sandwiches that were too large for me. However, I did have a small backpack (mesh), and I should have eaten half and taken half with me.

Wolfes General Store (the trail is on the other side)

About 3/4 of the way, I started to get lightheaded. I stopped and got my gels from my backpack, and ate those. One was my in-case-of-emergency-break-glass one – a Danish gel from Cycelnerven last year in France. It was my last Danish gel and I really liked those. But I needed nutrition because I only bought a Snickers Ice Cream bar at Wolfes.

It’s always amazing when you get a pick-me-up from nutrition. Once I took on that gel, actually two, I felt good to the end.

I was displaying kilometers, and we had a couple of discussions about how far this ride would be. I thought I had read 62 miles, which is right at 100 km (62.14 to be exact). In fact, as we returned to the parking lot, one rider asked me how many miles were in 100 km. I told her 62.14, and she went to the end of the parking lot and back to make sure she had 100 km. My head unit was already displaying 101 km so I had nothing more to ride for.

Signage at a restroom (pit) on the trail

It was a great day. A light rain during the night kept the dust on the trail to a minimum. The temperature did warm up to 70 – perfect for a fall bike ride. My legs were trashed because yesterday I hiked the mountain in Duncannon – a very bad idea. My Whoop band agreed – my recovery was just 26% going into the ride.

This is a destination trail. I encourage everyone to ride it once. This was my second time, and with the campground option, I’m not ruling out a third ride – next year.

Barry on the trail. Already working on my winter weight. Photo Credit: Sunny Phuong

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LODGING – Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown, Williamsport
SHUTTLE: $60

August 17, 2025September 16, 2025

Panhandle Trail

MCDONALD, PENNSYLVANIA

A description of the Panhandle Trail from TrailLink:

The Panhandle Trail offers a direct 29-mile journey between the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia and the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Although the trail follows an old railroad grade through the hilly terrain, there was only so much the railroad builders could do to flatten the route across the Allegheny Plateau. Expect a steady climb to Bulger, the high point on the rural journey.

The Panhandle Trail leaves off from its western endpoint in Weirton, which borders both Ohio and Pennsylvania in West Virginia’s narrow Northern Panhandle. It makes a steady 16-mile climb through hardwood forests to Bulger, where the trail begins its descent to Collier Township in the western suburbs of Pittsburgh.

I didn’t have a lot of time before my mother’s surprise birthday party and I wanted to ride 40 miles (64 km). I was looking at the Montour Trail, “mostly paved,” but RideWithGPS showed mostly gravel. I think it is mostly paved, but I have to figure out where that is. In the meantime, I found the Panhandle Trail.

This trail, as described, is a 29-mile trail from the western suburbs of Pittsburgh to Weirton, West Virginia. I would not have time for the entire trail and looked for a trailhead close to where I could easily attend my mother’s party. I headed to McDonald, Pa.

I wasn’t expecting much, and I wasn’t disappointed. I look for great scenery, great fixtures, including high trestles and long tunnels. This trail had none of those. The best trestle was passing underneath the Montour Trail.

I wanted a ride that was traffic-free. And a trail that was paved was perfect, even if boring compared to many other rail trails. The scenery was meadows and forests.

It was muggy and the forecast called for a possibility of rain later in the day, around 2:00 or 3:00. From McDonald, I figured I could ride to Weirton and back in three hours or less. I would have to deal with being sweaty for the party, but that’s why I keep skin wash in my car.

I headed out from McDonald and passed four riders, two of whom were on e-bikes, and the two e-bikers would pass by me shortly. I let them have about 100 meters, and kept them in sight to Burgettstown, where they stopped. I figured this might be a popular out-and-back for the locals.

I continued to West Virginia, seeing very few people. It was truly meadows and woods. I expected and was looking for a “State Sign” when I entered West Virginia, and was surprised when I came to a trail head and checked my phone to see where I was.

Panhandle Trail – state line between WV and PA. Washington Co., Pa is on the right; Brooke Co., WV is to the left.

I checked my Maps app on my phone and saw that I had been in West Virginia for a while, maybe 20-30 minutes. I saw a local and asked how far the trail went. He said perhaps a mile or two, then added that the trail just dead ends at some brush. I decided to turn around.

On the way back, I was very curious as to where the state line was. I held my phone looking at my progress on the map until I saw I was at the state line. Tucked away by a hillside was an old state line marker used by the train.

State line marker. If you know where to look … The Pandhandle Trail followed the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis Railroad (PCC & StL), a railroad created in the 1860s.

It was just a ride. I was riding well enough and much better than yesterday on the rooted mess (with gravel) that was the Allegheny River Trail. I was sweaty, so much in fact that I stopped to take some photos because I didn’t trust myself holding the phone while I rode (which is always a bad idea anyhow).

Montour Trail crosses the Panhandle Trail

With about 20 km remaining, the sky turned dark. The air got cooler. Oh boy. I hoped that I didn’t have to ride in it. I didn’t want to take pictures on the way out, preferring to make mental notes of where to stop on the way back. And with the sky threatening, I really didn’t have time for photos.

Burggestown on the return trip. The sky was turning dark.

I had passed a “water stop” on the way out that looked unique. Unbeknownst to me, it belonged to a legend. Jack Eckenrode started cycling at age 75 and won national championships in his 90s. The messages on the whiteboard would indicate that he loves having a water stop for users of the trail. And people love stopping there. I didn’t take water, only a photo.

I had hoped I could outride the storm, but I could not. My brother-in-law told me that where I was, there was nowhere to go. And he was right.

I had no choice. Even if I could find shelter, I was on the clock to finish and get to the party. I pedaled a little faster, but only the last five miles (eight km) trended downhill. While it seemed I had a headwind on the way it felt like a headwind going back to. In reality, it was probably a cross-head going out and a cross-tail coming back.

It started to rain, a little bit at first and then it was a downpour. If you were caught in it you needed a light to be seen (I had it although a hole in the trail jarred it loose). I passed by one rider who was huddled under some trees. And yes, there was lightning.

I just rode as fast as I could safely until I got back to McDonald. It seems stupid since I was already soaked (squishy feet), but when I found a picnic table under a shelter at the start/finish, I ducked under it while the storm raged on for five more minutes, partly to protect my phone.

On a day I was worried how sticky and sweaty I would be at the party, I found that this would be no problem. I did not need a shower today. Nature took care of that.

PAVEMENT: 4/5 (a little rooted near McDonald. Plus I found a hole.
SCENERY: 1/5
FIXTURES: 1/5

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EPILOGUE: My phone took a beating. At first, I got a warning that the connector cord had water in it. When it was dry enough, I could charge and use CarPlay. Over the next week, CarPlay would work intermittently by the end of the week it didn’t work at all. Charging worked in that port, but data transfer no longer worked. On Monday, I submitted a warranty claim on the phone and by that evening had a new phone in hand. Lesson: On unsettled weather days, carry a zip-lock bag for your phone.

August 16, 2025August 20, 2025

Allegheny River Trail

EMLEMNTON, PENNSYLVANIA

A description from TrailLink:

The Allegheny River Trail runs on asphalt between Franklin and Emlenton for 27.5 miles and on an isolated section between Foxburg and Parker for 2.5 miles.

I spent the night before in Clarion, Pa. and was simply looking for a place to ride today. My introduction to the Allegheny River Trail came from TrailLink, which advertised a 27.5-mile asphalt trail. I don’t think my narrative needs to be lengthy.

Parking at the trailhead in Emlenton is easy and spacious

A paved rail trail sounded great to me. What was not advertised was a somewhat nasty one-mile gravel detour, which appears permanent. Perhaps landowners were able to buy some land from the railroad before it became a rail trail.

“Four miles past the viewing platform, the trail veers onto gravelly North Kent Road for 0.75 mile through the Sunny Slopes community.“

Temporary (or is it permanent?) end of trail (and start of gravel detour)

The gravel section is gnarly. When I came upon it, I wondered if it was the end of asphalt, but continued until I met a local and she told me the gravel road came back to the trail in 1/2 mile. Because of this gravel section, I would not recommend this trail for a road bike with tires smaller than 30 or 32 mm.

My brother-in-law calls the homeowner who appears to be blocking the trail a jerk. I don’t presume to know what went on, how the entire trail is on the right of way of the former Allegheny Valley Railroad, but one guy has property. His stance is obviously NIMBY. Or for this trail, NIMFY.

ART – Closer to Franklin as this area is exposed to the sun

It would not be that big of deal if the county or township paved the Sunny Slopes Connector Road. But that gravel section keeps this trail from being a premier destination trail.

ART passes by lots of camps and private homes

There are NO amenities along the trail. Carry enough food and water.

Mileage marker on the Allegheny River Trail

I had not read the description very well, if at all, when I came to the Rockland Tunnel. About 100 meters from the tunnel, the air got cold, and I knew I was approaching nature’s air conditioner even before I saw the tunnel entrance.

The two tunnels on this trail are VERY DARK because they both have curved or dogleg portions. It takes a while before you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. A light is a necessity to ride in the tunnel. Not by law, just by common sense.

The first section of the trial, to includes both tunnels, is very wooded. The second section, north of the Sandy Creek Trail, is wide open and is not shaded.

The first section is rooted. It was not as bad as the Mount Vernon Trail near D.C., but was just as bad as the Western Maryland Rail Trail in Hancock, Md., until it was repaved in the Fall 2024. It is nearly unridable in spots. That, along with a gnarly gravel section, keeps this from being a premier trail.

You never know what you will find on a new trail and I came upon a railroad trestle. At first, I thought it was an active railroad, but I would soon learn that it was part of a second rail trail.

Sandy Creek Trail at Belmar is also the intersection of the Sandy Creek Trail

I stopped briefly at the sign in Belmar before continuing on to Franklin, which was five miles away. When I reached Franklin, the Allegheny River Trail ended but it does continue into or past Franklin to Oil City as another trail. I turned around.

I returned to the Belmar sign and then followed the “trail” extension that led to the Sandy Creek Trail. Less than 100 yards of trail went underneath the Bolman Bridge. There, the trail looked to continue as a hiking trail but also connected to steps up to the bridge itself. There is bike path or rail on which you can push your bike while walking. I wonder in retrospect if it would have been easier to take my bike up the steps instead of pushing it because gravity was winning and wanting to push the bike back down.

Allegheny River Trail from the Belmar Bridge

I climbed the steps which wasn’t easy. Near the top, the clearance is low, and one has to duck even while walking.

The Sandy Creek Trail is a 12-mile paved rail trail pretty much in the middle of nowhere. But it does have two fixtures worth seeing. The first is the 1,385′ (422m) Belmar Bridge that crosses the Allegheny River. I rode across the bridge and even took some time just to enjoy the view of the river from the bridge.

Unbeknownst to me, if I took the time to ride some of the trail, I would have come to the Mays Mill or Deep Valley Tunnel, a 967′ (295m) structure that doesn’t sound like it’s in great shape. They have a tunnel inside the tunnel. The Sandy Creek Trail was originally the Jamestown, Franklin & Clearfield Railroad. I would be willing to check out this trail as a standalone ride, but it also isn’t a destination trail.

Both tunnels on the Alleghenry River Trail appear to be a great shape, although there was a lot of water leaking near the south end of the Rockland Tunnel. The surface instead is smooth asphalt as opposed to the Abandoned Tunnels near Breezewood which are built on the decaying Pennsylvania Turnpike and are littered with glass.

The trail was relatively empty, but the few people I saw tended to favor e-bikes, especially e-Mountain Bikes. And there were some people milling around at both tunnel entrances.

Indian God Rock, “A large boulder at the water’s edge with numerous inscriptions, including Indigenous petroglyphs, carved in the soft sandstone.” (TrailLink)

As I rode back through the gravel section, a homeowner asked me if I was okay on water. Even though I had 1/2 a bottle of water remaining, I underestimated what I would be drinking the final 14 miles (22.5 km). I violated my own rule: Never turn down an offer of water.

Summary:
Scenery: 5/5
Pavement: 2/5 (3/5 for the roots and minus one for the one mile of gravel)
Fixtures: 4/5 Tunnels are cool, but no trestles other than the Big Sandy Trail (optional)
Not a destination trail, but if I rode it again,n I would want my gravel bike.

August 8, 2025September 16, 2025

Susquehanna Double Cross

DUNCANNON, PENNSYLVANIA

I was surfing on Facebook and one of those annoying and not-requested groups showed up. It featured a paddlewheel ferry on the Susquehanna River. I read quickly to see what kind of ferry it was, that is, was it passenger only? I saw they took cars plus horses and buggies, so I figured they would take a bike.

Parking in Duncannon. It’s a private lot but open for your enjoyment.

I went to RideWithGPS and looked for bike routes around Millersburg. I found a 44-mile ride that started at the ferry in Millersburg and ended there as well, with a ferry ride across the river from a campground on the west side of the river.

Private park in Duncannon overlooking the confluence of Juniata and Susquehanna Rivers

It was a bit difficult to find current information about the ferry, but it seemed to operate only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I texted them and got confirmation that for today (Friday), the hours were 10-4.

Looking at the Juniata River bridge in Duncannon

I hoped to leave the house by 7:00 a.m. but I was a little late. My ETA kept creeping back as I drove north towards Harrisburg. As I got closer to Millersburg, I realized I didn’t have a lot of room for error if I started from Millersburg and rode the 44 miles on the route that I downloaded, should I have any problems. On a clock face, Millersburg would be around 2:00. Duncannon would be at the bottom, i.e., 6:00. I headed to Duncannon to start since it would be the closest starting point on the route as I drove north.

Bridge in Duncannon crossing the Juniata

I was very glad to make this alteration to the route.. The original route had a half-mile diversion to a Sheetz on U.S. 22. This section is quite busy, although there is a shoulder. There is no way to get back to the turnoff short of salmoning upstream against traffic on the shoulder. No thanks. Since I started in Duncannon, I did not need to start with a rest stop and was able to cut this part out.

I found an empty lot, a private lot, that was posted as open for visitors. It was at the confluence of the Juniata and Susquehanna Rivers. You could feel the power of the rivers and appreciate the overwhelming beauty.

Bridge in Wheatfield Twp., near Duncannon

As soon as I started pedaling, I was on a narrow two-lane bridge that crossed the Juniata River. As quickly as I went through an underpass, I turned right to leave town and started climbing. There were no mountains today. There were plenty of hills. The longest hill was probably 1.5 miles.

Most of the way from Duncannon to Newport was on backcountry roads. No traffic. Zero.

Newport is a neat-looking town. I followed my map and passed the Weis grocery store, which was listed on this route as a rest stop. It was here I crossed back over the Juniata.

Sidewalk on bridge at Newport over the Juniata. It was better than the steel grate deck,

The bridge over the river looked to be a long span without a wide berth or shoulder. I could see a sidewalk and decided that I would not ride on the deck. It was a wise decision. The deck was an open grate bridge. Those aren’t fun to ride on. I was glad I was on the sidewalk.

Leaving Newport, I rode 2.5 miles on the Juniata Parkway, which was more like a lightly traveled highway, two lanes, and not a parkway. Turning off, I headed back into the woods. And saw the dreaded orange sign – FRESH OIL AND CHIPS.

Ugh. Owl Hollow Road didn’t appear to have been done recently, as I never saw fresh oil. But there were plenty of loose chips, gravel, and I had to use caution even while climbing. The road was empty, maybe because it had been recently chipped. No cars. Just a lovely ride through the forest down to the river.

The dreaded Fresh Oil sign – Greenwood Twp., Pa.

I came down to U.S. 15 and alternately rode on the shoulder of 15 and Old Trail Road, a parallel road to 15. I came to the ferry campground and had to cross over a median on 15. That was sort of sketchy. I think the route was designed for me to cross at an intersection and then salmon on the shoulder for about 100 yards.

U.S. 15, Liverpool 15. Rode the shoulder.

The Ferry Campground looked very nice. I followed the road next to the river and saw the ferry was docked and boarding. I was hoping to enjoy an ice cream at the camp store before the ride, but instead walked onto the ferry.

It is a ferry that has been operating for 200 years (“began as early as 1825”). Not these actual boats, of course, but the ferry business. There were two cars and one trike (three-wheel motorcycle), plus one bicycle on this paddlewheel ferry. And a bunch of people.

Boarding at the Millersburg ferry campground

Halfway across the river, the captain announced he was going to sound the horn. I expected a good, hearty riverboat horn, but instead it was a 1920s Model-T a-oooga horn. We were approaching two guys floating and fishing in a canoe, and the captain yelled out to them, “Please move, you are in our way.”

It appeared at first that they were not going to move. I wondered who had the right of way. But the canoe moved.

As we disembarked, the captain was very curious about where I was going. He knew I was going one way, he had greeted me by telling me I looked like a professional cyclist, but was concerned that I would miss the last trip and be stranded. I assured him that I had a bike and that I would be fine.

Leaving Millersburg, I was on State Highway 147. There was enough of a shoulder that much of the way back for the next 15 miles was on a shoulder. There were a few areas where I had to be in the travel lane, but I didn’t hold up traffic often.

In Halifax, I found a convenience store and was able to get water. I thought it might be the last store I would see headed back to Duncannon. But the next couple of miles had lots of options, which is why I liked starting in Duncannon. I stopped at a Sheetz. I was going to buy water, but had a full bottle on the back cage. I simply filled my front bottle with ice and poured the water from the second one into the iced-up bottle. And bought a Snickers.

After another mile or so, I was back on country roads. With two miles to go, I came back to Hwy 147. I wondered why I wasn’t routed that way initially but I think the trade-off of highway for country roads was the answer.

Highway 147, Halifax, Pa. Look closely, there’s a shoulder.

I had to cross the Susquehanna River at Clarks Ferry Bridge on U.S. 22. There is a shoulder, but at the end, it was very sketchy waiting for an opening to get to the left turn lane so I could get back to where I parked.

What a nice ride. Mostly very rural roads and, of course, a paddlewheel ferry. I don’t think I will do this ride again simply because it’s too far to travel. But if someone wanted me to join them they I would agree. I feel strongly that starting in Duncannon is the key, first to avoid the Sheetz on 22 as a necessary stop, and second, to have the stores after Halifax as an option near the end of the ride.

TYPE OF RIDE: ADVENTURE
NUMBER OF RIDERS: SOLO

May 31, 2025June 4, 2025

Da George

TREXLERTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA

This would be my last “training” ride before France, although training occurs over months and not a day or two before an event. This was just meant to be a fun day on the bike.

A FULL NARRATIVE WILL BE ADDED LATER. FOR NOW HERE ARE SOME PHOTOS

The Hincapie Gran Fondo Lehigh Valley was set to approximate a Spring Classic route. “We’re rolling the short climbs of Flanders, the smooth dirt sections of Strade Bianche, and the iconic velodrome finish of Paris-Roubaix all into one epic ride.”

It had short, steep, punchy hills (I saw 20% on one climb), 18 of them at least. It had gravel and dirt – none too dangerous for 32mm tires, and a finish on the velodrome. And being spring, it had rain.

It rained all night before the ride and was still raining when we lined up at 7:45 a.m. The rain ended at 9:45 a.m. The course was harder than I expected probably because I didn’t study the course. It had 4400′ of elevation gain over 55 miles (1351m / 89km).

After the ride I saw George Hincapie. He saw my jersey and aksed if that was the Alpe d’Huez on the jersey. I told him I didn’t know but that I was going over next week to the Pyrenee and will be climbing the Col du Tourmalet. He paused for a second and then said, “That one is tough.”

Indeed, George, Indeed.

May 30, 2025September 16, 2025

Delaware and Lehigh

JIM THORPE, PENNSYLVANIA

What a beautiful place this Jim Thorpe is. It was not the start I wanted but it was a beautiful ride and a great day on the bike.

I parked in Lehigh Gorge State Park to meet a shuttle, although the shuttle was a no-show. There are companies, including the train, that will take a cyclist and their bike 30-35 miles into the gorge so they can ride back to Jim Thorpe. The trail, alongside the Lehigh River, trends downhill, as much as 3-4%.

I wanted to ride the entire distance but didn’t have time for 70 miles out-and-back, so the shuttle would have been a great option. It just didn’t materialize.

Inside the state park. On the road although the trail is at the left in this photo.

From the park I took the road, not the trail, into Jim Thorpe. I knew that I would be returning via the trail.

I took the main road back into Jim Thorpe and admired the architecture. I would call it Victorian although former resident Hans Egli identified Federalist, Greek Revival, Second Empire, Romanesque Revival, Queen Anne, and Richardsonian Romanesque. It is beautiful for sure.

Riding into Jim Thorpe the train station immedialty captured my attention. I stopped and admired the building and saw a bike rental across the street.

I decided to explore the town a little bit although I really wanted to ride on the trail. I only went two blocks and it looked like the road seriously turned up to escape the valley. I didn’t want serious climbing to be on my plate and turned around.

Back at the train station I decided I would take the trail to the next town, Lehighton, if it wasn’t too far away. The bridge over the Lehigh River is beautiful in its own right and I stopped and watched a man doing some fly fishing in the river.

The trail was paved for a few hundred meters and I hoped for good luck in that it would be paved for miles but my luck ran out. It is a stone crushed limestone surface easily ridable on my road bike.

I track my biometrics using my Whoop band and when I woke up this morning I saw that my body’s recovery was in the red. Badly. That was my warning to go easy today and maybe even take a day of rest. Tomorrow is the Hincapie Gran Fondo so light riding was all I should do. That was the reason I decided not to ride into the gorge and back.

It was a day of exploring. Going slow. Enjoy nature. The trail hugs the river on one side and the old canal on the other.

Driving in this morning I passed a caboose in Lehighton and wanted to explore the trail near there. It was four miles (6 km) from Jim Thorpe to Union Hill, a small town across the river from Lehighton.

Once on the other side of the river in Lehighton I looked to see if a trail continued ob this side of the river to Jim Thorpe. It does not although the road does. I had drive it this morning and remembered it was two lanes without a shoulder. I thought of just taking the pavement back to Jim Thorpe but then decided to head back on the trail the same way I came. I think that was wise.

Just easy pedaling although now I was going against the river and terrain. I was going back every so slightly uphill.

Back at the train station I was intrigued with the Bike Train option. That would not be an option for today but perhaps for a second trip.

TripAdvisor is your friend. Mostly. I did not use it and found a shuttle online. They were a no-show and later I would read about 1/5th of his reviews were one-star, often because “I couldn’t give it zero.” When the owner agreed to refund my booking less a 10% booking fee, I was satisfied. When he hadn’t done it within a week and I informed him it would be simpler for me to dispute it, he went off on me. “May the best man win.” LOL

My charges were 100% reversed.

The train still looks like a great option except all bikes seem to be stacked without padding in one of two gondolas. Note to self: take the Checkpoint.

The train – bike option is available one weekend a month. I may still try this option.

August 4, 2024November 5, 2024

Blair Mountain Challenges

ALTOONA, PENNSYLVANIA

My go-to climb in Blair County, Pa. has been Glenwhite Road from Horseshoe Curve to the top of the mountain. I climb it 3-4 times per year and always love it. I didn’t need anything different but I found something different.

While visiting my mother in Pennsylvania, I was looking to see if I could find a group ride in Blair County. I found the Blair Cycling Club on Facebook but didn’t find any group rides listed. Lots of cancellation notices. But I found something better. It looked like they have a “Mountain Challenge” ride every Tuesday. And they posted those along with a map file.

I found two challenges. On my way home I would stop and ride one. If it went well I would ride the second one if it wasn’t too far out of the way.

The two were the Baumgardner Mountain Challenge and the Williamsburg Mountain Challenge. I was familiar with the areas but not with the climbs. I thought the first one was one I had descended before – Sproul Mountain. When I got on the road I realized it wasn’t.

I drove to the tiny village of Imler. I parked at the fire department and then headed to Osterburg. There begins a one-mile climb to I-99. Once under the Interstate I turned on Mountain Road. This is a 2.5-mile climb over Baumgardner Mountain. As I climbed the gradient got progressively steeper until the last half mile was around 12%.

I was thinking it was an easy climb and thought I would go to the summit in the saddle. But as I climbed increasingly higher that goal gave way just to staying comfortable on the climb. I went over the top searching for the gradient sign and found one – 12% for two miles.

After turning around most of this ride was downhill or flat going back. It really was delightful. I thought I would look for one of Bedford County’s covered bridges if the route did not take me to one. But it did.

I went past the Bowser Covered Bridge. I stopped for a couple of photos and then headed back to the car.

Nice loop. I’d ride it again if the circumstances were right.

The second climb began in Williamsburg. This one would be a little out of the way. I decided if it was less than 45 minutes away I would do it. I turned on Waze and my ETA was 43 minutes. I honored the deal that I made with myself.

I knew Williamsburg mostly from being a rest stop on the MS rides from Hollidaysburg to State College. We always went in by rolling valley roads so I looked forward to seeing the climb.

On the way to Williamsburg on U.S. 22 I passed Turkey Valley Road and turned left. Just a quarter mile up the road is a bat house managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources. But I know it was the former Canoe Creek E.U.B. Church. This was one of three of my dad’s first churches he was assigned to as a probationary pastor in 1958. The other two churches were East Freedom and Mount Moriah.

Just being here was to be in my dad’s presence once again. It brought me peace remembering him and his service to this community.

In Williamsburg, I parked at the trailhead. There is a rail trail here but I would be climbing and not taking the east 1% grade of the former train on the Lower Trail.

Immediatley I began climbing. It was a half-mile climb followed by a half-mile descent that I hated. I knew I would be added that half-mile back into the next climb. There was a little more than one mile of flat and then I hit the wall. The climb began in earnest. It started at 9-10% and never got easier. It was a 2.5-mile climb to the summit and stayed around 10% with some sections of 12%. It was a tough climb,

I’ve read ratings of climbs in the area. I like the Horseshoe Curve. I’ve also ridden Henrietta Mountain which is rated tougher. My memory could use a rain check on Henrietta – I think this was the toughest climb that I’ve done.

My glasses were covered in sweat. I tried to clean them at the top before turning around an descending but I was still sweating. I think I could have hit 50 mph on the descent if I could see the road clearly. I could not.

Near the bottom, I turned and made this into a 17-mile out-and-back loop ride. The valley was pretty and I enjoyed not just riding a nine-mile up and down mountain ride.

Back in Williamsburg, it was time for a treat. Ice cream at the end.

July 14, 2024November 24, 2024

When Flat is Good

ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA

Face it, when riding “flat” is usually in reference to a tire with no air. But it is also a terrain. And this flat is good.

In preparation for the Cykelnerven event in France in June, we were asked for a self-evaluation. One of the questions was “How fast to you ride on a flat route?” My rhetorical answer was “Where can I find one of those flat courses?”

My answer did not fit into the boxes we were given. I added a note and said 27 km per hour (17 mph). And then I went to France. I was nowhere close to that average and felt like I was dishonest with Bo, our ride leader, and dishonest with myself. I began to wonder if I would ever see that speed again.

In town for a wedding, I did not have time for a long ride on Saturday because we had an afternoon wedding. Likewise on Sunday we were meeting for breakfast/brunch and then headed home. So I went to Presque Isle for a quick ride.

On Saturday I parked at Beach One. On Sunday I parked on the bay side at the first parking area. Each day I planned to circumvent Presque Isle State Park.

I did not know the distance (approximately 12 miles – 19.3 km). On Saturday I had a little more time. I exited the park, rode to Sarah’s, the very popular 50s-style hot dog and ice cream stand at the entrance and then another half lap. On Sunday I only had time for one lap.

The roads here are great. On the bay side there is a bike path that follows the bay and is well suited for kids on bikes and runners or walkers. It is not a serious place to ride a road bike. Rather the roadway for the first 3.5 miles is a two-lane one-way road that is parallel to the bike lane that weaves in and out of the woods.

At the end of the 3.5 miles the road becomes two-lane with traffic in either direction. This forms a six-mile loop at the top of the peninsula before opening up to another two-lane one-way road that exists the park.

I started riding at a good pace. I was never watching my speed but new I felt good. It wasn’t quite an all-out effort one might give in a time trial. Instead of a 100% effort it was probably 90%.

Traffic was very light and very respectable. It was also 7:00 a.m. so the beach traffic was not materializing at that time. I was riding pretty fast, at least for me, and was getting very sweaty. I did not want to try to take photos while I rode, both in an effort to keep my speed up and also not wanting to drop a sweaty phone.

I checked my speed. On Saturday it was 18.5 mph (29.8 kph). On Sunday I was just happy to ride and had no pretense that I could ride at 18.5 again. And I was even faster – 18.8 mph (30.3 kph). It didn’t match the 21.7 mph (34.9 kph) that I averaged last year at Corolla, N.C. But that was a full out effort whereas this was 90%.

This was close to a JRA ride (just riding along) although at a higher pace. I felt that I was honest in my pre-France assessment. I can average 17 or 18 mph on the flat – if I can find a flat. I found one.

July 12, 2024November 24, 2024

Everything but a Lake

MILLCREEK TOWNSHIP, PENNSYLVANIA (ERIE)

Despite living here for six years, I did not know any good cycling routes besides Presque Isle. I was a, GULP, runner in the early 80s. But a wedding brought me back to the area and I found some routes for the Lake Erie Cyclefest while the wedding planners were doing their planning stuff.

I drove out to Asbury Woods to begin a 50-mile (80 km) loop. The first three miles (five km) were on rough pavement. Lots of potholes. And that is where the loop portion began. I was in Fairview Township and rode north towards Lake Erie.

I could see on the map that the route did not go right beside the lake but in this area, the land back from the lake is typically higher so one can often see the lake despite being a mile or more away. Not today. I never saw the lake.

I thought I might set a record for at-grade railroad crossings. I was reminded that a lot of rail traffic goes through this area. I went through Fairview Township and passed some vineyards. Compared to the ones in Loudoun County, Va., the vineyards I saw were very unkept.

I went into Girard and then turned south towards Albion and Cranesville. These were small towns very familiar to me and, strangely enough, I have never been. On May 31, 1985, we were told that “Albion was wiped off the map” by the killer tornadoes that swept through the area on that day. It was surreal riding through here. I’m sure a swath had been wiped out but I could not tell where some 39 years later.

Franklin Township – between Cranesville and Fairview

The route was mostly on rural roads with little traffic. Some of it is wooded, and some of it is open next to fields. Although it was not exactly on the route, I saw a McDonalds in Albion should I wanted to stop.

Nice route. I’d recommend it. Ialso doubt that I will get to ride this again.

DISTANCE: 49.8 miles (80 km)

May 3, 2024May 9, 2024

Happy Happy Pain

THURMONT, MARYLAND

It’s like Happy Happy Pain Pain but with half the pain.

The need for more mountain training became obvious when on Sunday I rode from Myersville on my Happy Happy Pain Pain ride. I had one metric that day I wanted to improve on. That was the two-mile climb from Pen Mar to High Rock. And I failed. Miserably.

Bridge over Big Hunting Creek (Blacks Mill Road)

We didn’t time segments back in 2009 but I had the segment loaded on my bike computer on Sunday. I started out 1-2 seconds ahead of my 2009 self. After 3-4 minutes I was behind the pace. I fell off dramatically and finished at 17:08. I lost 3.5 minutes in 15 years. France is not looking good.

Today’s ride was planned for 45 or 57 miles but from Thurmont, Md., and not from Myersville. But the destination again was High Rock. I rode with my friend, Tim, and told him I would ride with him except at High Rock. There I had to go for a PR (personal record). This assumed that he couldn’t or wouldn’t want to stay with me as I went all out.

It was a gorgeous day as we arrived at Thurmont Community Park. The temperature would hover in the low 70s most of the day with bright sunshine obscured by forested roads for most of the route.

Catoctin Furnace – You only see this traveling at the speed of bike

We rode some flat country roads for about eight miles before starting the climbing portion of the day up Catoctin Hollow Road. I have ridden this road at least twice before, once in 2009 and once in 2012. Has it really been 12 years since I last climbed this?

I designed this route using a route ridden by three cyclists I met at High Rock on Sunday. They had ridden from Walkersville so I wasn’t going to duplicate their exact route as I wanted to ride out of Thurmont. But we would follow their route from Catoctin Hollow Road to High Rock and back to Thurmont.

The roads are beautiful. Most were shaded in the forest and it was hard to resist stopping on the climb for photos. We made our way over to Fort Ritchie and the beginning of the climb to High Rock. We went through an intersection at the High Rock Park. And I took off.

I wasn’t sure where the segment on the climb began although Wahoo would show START. But from history, I also know that there is a delay in actually passing the start location, and by the time it shows up on the bike’s computer. So it was good to have some speed going at that point. In a few hundred meters I hit the start and was immediately up on my personal record (PR) by 2-3 seconds.

My goal, and it would change frequently over the next 15 minutes, was to set a PR. For that I needed to beat my 2009 time of 13:26. The time ahead went up to 20 seconds then 30 seconds. Then my goal was to beat 13:00. At one point I was 0:48 ahead and Wahoo also predicted a finishing time. That time was 13:28. Even Wahoo didn’t believe that I could hold a 48-second lead to the finish.

I unzipped my jersey. The winds felt like headwinds but were cooling and weren’t hated. My wind map would show that those were crosswinds.

At 400 meters to go I could see the opening at High Rock in the road ahead. I still had a 45-second lead. As I crested the summit it showed I still had 60 meters to go. But where? There was only a parking lot and an access road to the left. I stayed on the road. And then the display switched to my course map. There was no indication that I finished a Strava segment. I know I was ahead. Does it count if it’s not on Strava?

I turned around. I descended 800 meters (0.5 miles) to find Tim and to ride the last section with him. He asked me if I got it (PR) and I told him I didn’t know. I mean, I killed it but Strava may not have it. I thought about descending and riding it again but doubted my second effort would match the first.

We took some photos. Saw some Methodists. I found a dad with his son and took their photo. Another woman climbed on the rock and I asked for her phone to take her photo. And then we left.

Taking photos of strangers
Photo Credit: Tim

I missed a planned turn in Blue Ridge Summit, Pa., and we improvised. We found the Sunoco/Convenience store and Tim bought some Gatorade. The road out of Blue Ridge Summit was one I’d ridden 4-5 times during the Civil War Century and I should have recognized the sweet descent on Gladhill Road. I did but not until it was too late to get some real speed. I did hit 45 mph (72.4 kph) though.

We made our way over to Sabillasville Road which trends downhill to Thurmont. Unlike most Maryland highways, there are no shoulders on this road but Tim and I would pull over when we passed an intersection to allow any following cars to pass. We’re nice.

The Roddy Road covered bridge became our decision point. At 43 miles we were two miles from where we parked. Or we could add a second covered bridge and 12 more miles. We pushed forward. We made a late decision to avoid Creagerstown Road and that added 3-4 miles.

I showed Tim their Trolley Trail and we were only 1-2 miles from a Metric Century. When we got to the parking lot I told Tim we could ride the park’s loop road and he agreed. I only needed two laps to get my 100 km but I rode a third one with Tim and he completed four laps. Century complete.