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