Meet the “Trikke Riders of Pennsylvania”

The carving movement has been gaining momentum on the east coast with an epicenter in southeast Pennsylvania.  A passionate group of riders has overcome the challenges of hilly terrain, brutal winters, and sweltering summers to put Trikking on the region’s map.

Founded in 2009 by Norman Lazarus, the Trikke Riders of Pennsylvania uses Meetup.com as its base of operations.  Yours truly stepped up as Assistant Organizer in 2012, and Susan C rounded out our leadership group in 2013.  Having three ride organizers enables us to cover a large geographic area, with Norman in southeast Pennsylvania, Susan near the Pennsylvania/Delaware border, and myself in the Lehigh Valley.

Our membership stands at 50 as of this writing, and a typical ride draws in half a dozen or more Trikkers.  We welcome riders of all skill levels, and are especially friendly to beginners.  Our early season rides in particular offer spare Trikkes for beginners to try, and experienced riders stay near the parking area to give lessons.  Some riders also bring their children and spouses, even if they are riding on roller blades or bicycles.  We’ve even had a small dog run alongside us!

May 2014 LSM - Philadelphia Art Museum

We are committed to hosting LSM rides (Last Saturday/Sunday of the Month) from April to September, and will consider them other months if Mother Nature cooperates.  We’ve had a strong turnout for 2014’s LSM’s so far:

• March LSM:  6 Trikkers at Warminster Community Park
•  April LSM:  13 Trikkers at Warminster Community Park
•  May LSM:  11 Trikkers in Philadelphia (Art Museum, Martin Luther King Blvd, Kelly Drive)
•  June LSM:  7 Trikkers on the Horsham Power Line Trail

Although we are still working out the locations for the year’s remaining LSM’s, you can pencil in the following dates:  Sat. 7/26 morning, Sun. 8/31 afternoon/evening, Sat. 9/27 morning, and Sat. 10/25.  We are hoping to branch out geographically with some of these rides, and we are looking at Jersey City, Delaware City, Lancaster, and the Jersey Shore as potential destinations.

Chester Valley Trail

In addition to the LSM’s we host 1 or 2 Friday night “Happy Hour” rides at each month on the Chester Valley Trail in Malvern, PA.  This trail is 15 miles long and growing.  The western end is flat and beginner-friendly, while the central and eastern segments feature some gradual but long hills.  We typically choose a 5 mile segment (10 mile roundtrip) for the ride and rotate through the sections to keep things interesting.

You can find more information and ride schedules on our Meetup page at:  http://www.meetup.com/TrikkePA/

We also have an expanded group of “Trikke Riders of Delaware and Southeastern Pennsylvania” on Facebook at:  https://www.facebook.com/TrikkeRidersOfDEandPA

Our rides post to both locations in hopes of reaching a larger geographic area.  We hope you will join the carving action on one of our rides soon!

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The Spring Thaw – Take 2

The Spring Thaw

The Spring Thaw – Take 2

Everyone knows the old saying, “if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.”

This spring has certainly put our resolve to the test as rainy, windy, and even snowy conditions have delayed many of our spring riding plans.  The first casualty was Trikke Riders of Pennsylvania’s LSM scheduled for 3/29 in Warminster Community Park which was besieged by heavy rains.  The rescheduled ride for 4/5 saw only half the riders able to make it, and even they braved strong headwinds as they taxied up and down the runway on their three-wheelers.  (Yours truly had another commitment that day.)

Several of us met for an impromptu LMM (Last Monday of the Month) ride at Glasgow Park in Delaware.  We were also plagued by raging winds, but enjoyed exploring the park and getting to know each other better.

Norman, Ken, Jamie, Megan, Susan, and Pam at Glasgow Park

I followed this up with a solo ride at Rodale Fitness Park when Tuesday gifted me beautiful weather and an unusually easy commute home.  But this ride was also a reminder of why we must ease back into our fitness regimens, as it left me with sore and strained muscles and a recovery of nearly two weeks.

I rode the electric Pon-e Lite last Monday as I explored the new Michael N. Castle trail in Delaware with Susan, Megan, and Cassidy.  Again, high winds were a constant, but they joy of being outdoors and exploring a new trail with friends gave me the determination to push forward.

Yesterday’s ride on the Palmer Bikeway with new Trikkers Jim and Val finally set me back on the path to recovery, both physically and emotionally.  The weather was as picture-perfect as a day can get, and it was a joy to help my new friends improve their riding skills.  I extended my ride with a solo excursion to the northern end of the trail and back racking up a total of 6 for the day, and 27 for the season so far.  While that may not sound like much, it’s quite an achievement after a solid 5 months of inactivity during the harshest winter in recent memory.

Looking forward, the Trikke Riders of Pennsylvania have scheduled April and May LSM’s in some of our favorite locations.  We will return to Warminster Community Park on 4/26, and Trikke on Martin Luther King Boulevard in Philadelphia on 5/31.

I hope to see both old and new friends at these rides, and as we head for another beautiful mid-60 degree day here, I hope we can now safely say that winter is behind us.

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The Spring Thaw

New Year, New Universe

A Long Winter’s Nap

The Spring Thaw

It’s sunny now, almost warm, and there’s this funny green stuff poking through the carpet of white in my yard.  My cats are watching the birds flutter about in the bushes beside my window, and the itch to ride my Trikke has become unbearable.  This can mean only one thing . . . IT’S FINALLY SPRING!!!!

If you live in the northeast, my mind’s eye sees you nodding in agreement as you read this.  If you don’t, I can feel your deep sigh of relief since you’ve no doubt heard our horror stories about one of the harshest winters in decades.

As I re-read my last few posts here, I realize my winter has not been as productive as planned.  My dreams of writing and web designing were replaced with almost daily shoveling, snow-blowing, and ice-breaking.  My aching body decided it wanted to do nothing more afterwards than to curl up on the couch with my cats and read “Game of Thrones.”  Winter truly did come (I love you Ned Stark, but did you have to be right about that?!), and I suppose I picked a great season to read the series as the weather outside set the mood and atmosphere to bring Westeros to life.  But now it’s finally time to snap myself out of my winter slumber and march myself down the Kingsroad to my stable of Trikkes.

Spring ahead . . .

Luckily all has not been lost this winter.  The Trikke Riders of Pennsylvania picked up several new members during the deep freeze, bringing our total to 45.  And we have set our first LSM ride for March29 at Warminster Community Park.  As of this post we have 12 riders signed up, and surely more will join us with the ride still two weeks away.

If you haven’t ridden with us here before, please consider joining us.  This is one of our most popular ride locations, and it is well-suited to riders of all skill levels.  The entire concrete runway is open for riding, as well as paved trails around the park’s perimeter and across the street at Northampton Municipal Park.

Whether you are looking to carve your very first mile, sweat out an epic 20-miler, or do something in between, this park will give you the ride you’re looking for.  I am eagerly joining this ride, although I may only be able to do a few miles as I seek to reclaim the energy and fitness I lost over the winter.

I am also considering this blog “reopened” for the season, and I still hope to launch a companion website soon.  Elise Bennett’s Trikke Universe has grown well over the winter, and you can read my Keystone Karvers blog there as well.

Winter may have gotten us down for the count, but it’s time to spring back into shape.  I hope all of you are done digging out of the mess and heading for the trails soon too.

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New Year, New Universe

A Long Winter’s Nap

A Long Winter’s Nap

I know what you’re thinking . . . didn’t I just have a long autumn’s nap?  I haven’t exactly been writing here for a while, but a long autumn’s nap would be the furthest thing from the truth.  I know it’s easy to throw around the “busy” excuse in this day and age, but “busy” is exactly what I have been these past three months.  I don’t want to bore you with the litany of “must do’s” I have been faced with, but I did want to take a little time today to reflect upon the year that is winding down, and look forward to the new year that is just around the corner.

The highlight of the year was the growth our MeetUp group, the Trikke Riders of Pennsylvania.  We hosted 14 rides from late March through mid-November.  We hosted our inaugural group rides in several places:  Rodale Fitness Park, the Chester Valley Trail, the D&L Trail, the Cooper River Trail, and Liberty State Park.  We had strong turnouts, including several new members.  Susan has begun organizing rides, which will give us three organizers going into 2014.  I’m anticipating another strong year of fun and growth for this group.

As for this blog, it has been going strong for nearly a year and a half.  Sure, it’s had its highs and lows, but it helped me learn better what I like to write and what everybody likes to read.  Despite this strength, my main reason for writing today’s post is to say that I will be taking a break from the blog this winter.  I’m not going to try to fill it with half-hearted non-Trikke posts just for the sake of doing so, because I have chosen to direct my energy to other projects this winter.

A few posts ago, I hinted at two exciting changes coming for this blog.  Sadly one of them will not see the light of day.  I had been gearing up to write regular articles for Trikke World Magazine, but we now know that has ceased publication.  The other change is alive and well, and involves a new Trikke website I plan to build over the winter and launch in time for the spring riding season.  This blog will not go away, but will instead supplement the material on my new website.  I will have more information on this when it’s ready, but I wanted to give everyone something to look forward to as winter descends upon us.

In the meantime, there has been a lot of other Trikke community-building happening online since the demise of Trikke World Magazine, so I’d like to leave you with some links to keep you informed and connected this winter:

• Trikke Riders of Pennsylvania – Meetup:  http://www.meetup.com/TrikkePA/
• Trikke Riders of Delaware and Southeastern Pennsylvania – Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TrikkeRidersOfDEandPA
• The Sweet Spot Annex:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/sweet.spot.annex/
• Trikke Universe – Website:  http://www.trikkeuniverse.com/
• Trikke Universe – Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/464652020314080/
• Trikker Chicks (New Address):  http://trikkerchicks.wordpress.com/
• Silverlake Trikker (LSM Rides):  http://silverlaketrikker.blogspot.com.au/

Thank you for being part of my journey through 2013, and I look forward to an even better year in 2014!

Missions Accomplished!!

Today’s tale is one of rockets, Trikke hill climbs, and spontaneity.  As I checked two items off my bucket list this weekend, it was a spirited reminder that life is about more than to-do lists.

Susan riding Rokk-it Red

My Friday commute home is never fun, but I got out a little early and for once I thought I could get ahead of traffic on the Blue Route.  How wrong I was!  As my car crept forward on the freeway at Trikking speed, I turned the radio on for a traffic report.  What I got while waiting was a report that a rocket launch in Virginia would be visible from Pennsylvania later that night.  So I stayed up late, and from a ridge overlooking the Lehigh Valley, I saw the glowing orange trail of the LADEE rocket as it reached for the moon.  Check one lifelong wish off my bucket list!

I started Saturday morning on a high note.  I awoke to a beautifully sunny day, and looked forward to Trikking at Rodale Fitness Park with Susan, Dan, and Pam.  But for the second time of the year, I arrived to a troubling sight at the park.  Last time, the trail was ravaged by damage from Hurricane Sandy, this time it was overrun by hundreds, if not thousands, of bicyclists for a cyclocross event.  My heart sank as I realized my friends had just driven nearly two hours for a non-event.  But they took it well, and we weighed our alternatives.

Pam riding one of her Triplets

So my second spontaneous weekend event took us out to the paved portion of D&L Trail along the Lehigh River.  This is one of my favorite riding spots, and I knew my friends would enjoy exploring it.  We started at Riverview Park and Trikked westward towards the boat launch.  The air was fresh and crisp, and we nearly had the trail to ourselves.

We came to the fork in the road where the D&L meets the Palmer-Bethlehem Rail Trail.  Beyond that fork was another bucket list item – climbing the “Two Mile Hill.”  My friends were not up to that challenge, but graciously agreed to part ways as they saw my hunger for doing the climb.  As they headed for the boat launch, I launched my T12 upward.

“Two Mile Hill” hill is not the steepest climb I know of, but it is the longest.  It’s a narrow stretch of aging asphalt that hooks around Route 33 as it heads back towards Easton.  The grade is only 1 degree for most of the run, but there are no breaks in the climb save a slight dip as it crosses a driveway near Hope Road.  The summit is a metal bridge spanning Freemansburg Avenue, and I reached it after about 25 minutes of climbing.  I’m proud to say I rode the whole way, stopping only for a few pictures and to let a few bicyclists through.

I find hill climbing to be one of the most challenging yet fulfilling things I can do on a Trikke.  Perhaps this was because two years ago I could barely do a 25 minute walk, let alone a 25 minute hill climb.  I savored my leisurely ride back down the hill, and was greeted by my joyous friends as I neared the bottom.  They had begun climbing the hill to greet me, and I hope to see them back for the full climb again someday.

All told I Trikked 11 miles that day, but my joy came from the spontaneity of the ride and the company of my friends rather than just the number on my odometer.  In my stressed-out life of jam-packed workdays and horrific commutes, I need more days and weekends like this where I can just take a deep breath and savor whatever goodness life decides to send my way.

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LSM Ride – Rodale Fitness Park

Rokk-it Red!

Group Ride – Doylestown Central Park

The Trikke Riders of Pennsylvania scheduled a mid-month ride in Doylestown Central Park, because most of our regulars won’t be available for July’s LSM Ride.  Six riders met for the hilly 8.5 mile challenge, despite the sultry weather.

We warmed up with a loop through the neighborhood trail across the street from the park.  This shaded trail wound between the houses and the creek, followed by a long but gradual hill climb back up to Wells Road.

After trading riding tips and checking out each other’s Trikkes in the parking lot, we began the longer ride through the park, through a neighborhood, past an elementary school, and out to an office park where we completed two long laps.  The group exercised great restraint at not jumping into the fountain to cool off after our photo session!

Come on in, the water's fine!

From there we rode a short trail into a cul-de-sac of a quiet residential street.  This road was a veritable Trikke rollercoaster!  Some of us made it back up some of the hills, but all of us had to walk at least some point.  I believe we could’ve done more had it been a cooler day, but by this point fatigue was setting in.

Our return to the park looped us around its small pond, and past the Kid’s Castle which was closed for renovation.  All of us grown-up kids on our big 3-wheelers are eagerly awaiting the reopening of the castle as an excuse to return.  I can’t say how much Trikking will occur, as we’ll likely be busy climbing the castles spires!

Two new riders joined us in Doylestown: Dave for his first ride, and Susan for her second.  Susan has been so enthused about riding her new Trikke that she is looking to set up some rides in southern and northern Delaware.  So look for this group to continue to grow and feature new rides in new locations.

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Ride Map

Meetup Event

Rock and Roll into July's Double-Header

Rock and Roll into July’s Double-Header

Lehigh Valley Trikke and Trikke Riders of Pennsylvania have been partnering to host regional LSM (Last Saturday of the Month) rides this year.  Because a number of regulars could not attend July’s LSM, we’ve put together a second ride this month in hopes that everyone can join us.

The first ride on 7/20/13 will be to Doylestown Central Park in Doylestown, PA.  This is a beginner-friendly park for Trikke riders with several miles of trails around its perimeter and extending into nearby neighborhoods.  For those seeking a more challenging ride, it also connects to the eastern end of the new Route 202 Parkway Trail.  We’ll start with the park trails, and then riders who have the endurance and skill for hill climbing can continue onto the Parkway Trail.

Click here for Doylestown ride information.

The second ride on 7/27/13 will be held on the D&L Trail along the beautiful Lehigh River in Easton, PA.  This ride will be a double-header in its own right.  Beginning at Riverview Park in Palmer Township, the first segment will head west to the boat launch and back, for an easy five miles of flat carving.  The second part is optional, and will head east, crossing the Lehigh River and then carving between the river and the D&L Canal.  This part is not for the faint of heart, as it includes several challenging hills and sections of trail along the water’s edge.

Click here for Easton ride information.

A beautiful view of the Lehigh River's chain dam

I hope you will consider joining our growing group as summer riding season carves into high gear.  If you are not a member of the MeetUp group, I would highly recommend joining.  If you decide not to, you can also RSVP via the comment option here.  I would like to know who’s coming so I make sure we don’t leave anyone behind.

LSM Ride – Taking Off in Warminster Community Park

The oppressive summer heat wave and threat of thunderstorms were no match for the Trikke Riders of Pennsylvania who came out in force for the June LSM ride at Warminster Community Park.  While temperatures reached for the triple-digits, our attendance surged to the double digits, with ten Trikkers making this one of the group’s most successful rides.

Filing our new flight plan

Long-time members Norman, Jamie, Trent, Greg, Gonda, and Dave were joined by newcomers Joan, Donna, Susan, and her husband (whose name I regrettably did not get).  For Dave, this was a recovery ride, his first after he and his Trikke lost a street fight with a manhole cover last summer.  Donna, an avid Trikker and newly certified Trikke Trainer from Ohio, joined us as part of her summer tour to Trikke with groups in different states.  Joan had joined us as a Trikke newbie last month, and with Norman’s generous loan of a T78cs, her riding skills have improved considerably.  Susan and her husband were new riders this month, and are also doing well with learning the basics.

Because of the diverse riding abilities of the attendees, we split into two separate groups.  Norman stayed at the west end of the runway with Joan, Susan, and her husband to help train them, while Norman, Trent, Greg, Gonda, and I headed down the runway for our ride.

Our takeoff was soon aborted though, as the east end of the runway was barricaded for an autocross competition.  Fortunately Warminster Community Park has a large network of trails that circle the runway, so we filed a new flight plan and cruised down those paths instead.  We hit a patch of turbulence as our guest Donna took a tumble after cresting a hill.  Fortunately Donna is doing well, suffering only minor cuts and bruises, and we were able to continue the ride.

Front Row: Greg & Norman, Back Row: Gonda, Dave, Joan, Trent, Donna, Susan & her husband

Crossing over to Northampton Municipal Park, we met up with Dave who was joining us for his first ride since his Trikke accident.  We circled the trails in Northampton for a while before returning to base at Warminster to check in with Norman and our new riders.  Everyone was having a great time meeting each other, comparing notes, and posing for a group photo.

Comparing notes after the day's ride

It was there that we were all treated to the highlight of the day.  When you get a group of Trikkers together, it’s inevitable that strangers will come up and ask about the curious machines you are riding.  We were approached by a 78 year old retiree, who was intrigued by what we were doing.  Norman helped him onto my T8, and he took to it like a fish takes to water, riding a short ways up the runway and back like a pro!  What a way to show that you’re never too old to ride or to try something new.

The group split off after the photo shoot, with a few of us opting for another lap of Warminster Community Park.  I have to confess that the heat of the day had finally worn me down.  I started strong, but took a shortcut back when exhaustion got the best of me.  My GPS app wasn’t working for some reason, but I would estimate I had ridden about seven miles for the day.  Others did more or less, depending on their choice.  That is one of the advantages of riding at these two parks; each rider can do as much or as little as he or she desires, while the gathering remains fun for everyone.

Jamie's out from behind the camera for once!

I am delighted and enthused with how this group is growing and maturing this year.  Pennsylvania does not have the inherent climate and terrain advantages that California and Florida do for building communities of Trikkers, yet we are well on our way to being one of the larger groups that log LSM rides each month.  If you have not yet ridden with us, I’d encourage you to join one of our upcoming rides.

Our next ride will of course be the final Saturday of July, the 27^th.  Norman and I would like to seek out some new venues, and will be scouting a few more southeastern Pennsylvania parks in the next week or two.  So go ahead and mark your calendar for 7/27, and stay tuned as we will be announcing the location as soon as we make a decision.

Related Links:

Meetup Event Information & Comments

Meetup Photo Gallery

LSM Ride – June 29, 2013

Trikkers around the world have embraced the tradition of the Last Saturday of the Month (LSM) ride.  One June 29, we will return to Warminster Community Park.  This ride has been set up in conjunction with the Trikke Riders of Pennsylvania:

http://www.meetup.com/TrikkePA/events/120089882/

Although this ride is south of the Lehigh Valley, it is a perennial favorite for Trikke riders.  Warminster Community Park is unique and enjoyable, as it features a former Willow Grove Air Base runway for anyone to enjoy.  You can carve to your heart’s content without worries about blocking fellow riders.  There is also a network of traditional trails to explore around the perimeter of the park, as well as across the street at Northampton Municipal Park.

Our May LSM ride was held a week early to avoid conflict with the Memorial Day holiday.  However, it was lightly attended as it’s a busy time of year and most of our regulars had other commitments.  Norman and I had the pleasure of meeting our latest new member, Joan, and were able to devote our time to teaching her the basics of riding a Trikke.  I think Joan had as much fun as we did, and we hope to see her again for our June ride.

I hope you will consider joining our small but growing group as we head into the summer riding season.  Riders of all skill levels are welcome, as the park is well suited towards everyone.  If you are not a member of the MeetUp group, I would highly recommend joining.  If you decide not to, you can also RSVP via the comment option here.  I would like to know who’s coming so I make sure we don’t leave anyone behind.

LSM Ride – May 18, 2013

Trikkers around the world have embraced the tradition of the Last Saturday of the Month (LSM) ride.  Although take note that this month we will break with that tradition and ride on the next-to-last Saturday of the Month to avoid conflicts with the Memorial Day holiday.  This ride has been set up in conjunction with the Trikke Riders of Pennsylvania:

http://www.meetup.com/TrikkePA/events/116495092/

Cleared for takeoff . . .

Although this ride is south of the Lehigh Valley, it is a perennial favorite for Trikke riders.  Warminster Community Park is unique and enjoyable, as it features a former Willow Grove Air Base runway for anyone to enjoy.  You can carve to your heart’s content without worries about blocking fellow riders.  There is also a network of traditional trails to explore around the perimeter of the park, as well as across the street at Northampton Municipal Park.

I hope you will consider joining us for this fun ride in what will hopefully be some fresh spring weather.  Riders of all skill levels are welcome, as the park is well suited towards everyone.  If you are not a member of the MeetUp group, I would highly recommend joining.  If you decide not to, you can also RSVP via the comment option here.  I would like to know who’s coming so I make sure we don’t leave anyone behind.

LSM Ride – Martin Luther King Blvd, Philadelphia, PA

Riding my Trikke in the City of Brotherly Love was not something I ever thought I would do, until Norman from the Trikke Riders of Pennsylvania told me about the closure of Martin Luther King Boulevard every Saturday and Sunday morning for recreational use.  That conversation was over a year ago, and I’ve been looking forward to this ride ever since.  Finally, we decided to do it for our April LSM ride.

And we couldn’t have picked a more beautiful day to do it!  It was a picture-perfect, sunny and 70-degree spring morning.  Our group formed at 30^th Street Station, since three of the five riders were arriving via rail.  That’s another testament to the advantages of owning a Trikke; they fold up easily and are light enough to carry onto public transportation.

Left to Right: Norman, Matt, Joe

Matt, who we had met in Warminster last year, returned for his second ride with the group.  Then we had two new members who were both Trikking for the first time.  Wanda is a resident of Philadelphia, while Joe had traveled from Lancaster, PA to be with us.

We were happy to help them learn the basics of riding the Trikkes, as we headed down Market Street and crossed the Schuylkill River.  This led us down a long ramp to the popular Schuylkill River Trail, and we had to thread out way through the crowd of walkers, joggers, and bicyclists to get to Martin Luther King Boulevard.

Philadelphia's Boat House Row

From there, the ride really began in proper as we carved past the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  The two-lane road soon widened to four-lanes, and without the usual vehicular traffic, we had carving room to spare as we shared the road with the bicyclists.  To our right was the river and Boathouse Row.  I had only ever seen this landmark from the highway before, and it was a joy to finally get a closer work.  Many rowers were on the river enjoying the beautiful day as well.

We continued north to the Strawberry Mansion Bridge, enjoying the fresh air and each other’s company.  After a brief rest in the shade of the bridge, we returned to the Art Museum, just in time to avoid the re-opening to traffic.  We had a nice chat about all-things-Trikke at the top of the Market Street Bridge before parting ways.

All told, we rode 11 miles and got to enjoy the rarity of a wide-open city road.  Thank you for joining me today, Norman, Matt, Joe & Wanda!!  I hope I will be seeing all of you at future rides.

Leaving Center City in our rear-view mirrors

I will be hosting the next LSM ride at Warminster Community Park, which has an old airport runway and a sprawling network of trails around it.  This is a park we ride at frequently, and it is wide open and perfect for all skill levels.  We will break with tradition and hold it the next-to-last Saturday on May 18 to avoid conflicts with Memorial Day weekend.  Stay tuned here and at the Trikke Riders of Pennsylvania’s Meetup site for more details.

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Meetup Event & Photo Gallery

LSM Ride – Rodale Fitness Park

It was with great anticipation, yet some hesitation, that I scheduled a March LSM ride for the Trikke Riders of Pennsylvania.  I say “great anticipation” because the winter has been long and hard, and I have been aching to go Trikking with friends again.  But I also say “some hesitation”, because the aforementioned winter has indeed been long and hard, and has shown little sign of abating.  Luckily Mother Nature smiled upon us today, and graced us with her beautiful sunshine and temperatures in the low to mid 50’s for our ride.

Cleanup from Hurricane Sandy continues, even this far inland

I was joined by Norman, Gonda, and Trent for today’s ride, and for all three of them it was their first visit to the Rodale Fitness Park in Trexlertown, PA.  As I pulled up to the parking lot though, I nearly had a heart-stopping moment.  The parking lot was barricaded and there were signs posted about the park being closed for tree removals due to damage from Hurricane Sandy.  Had I really just made my friends drive all the way to the Lehigh Valley for nothing?

I spoke to a cyclist who was preparing for a road ride who told me that the paved circuit was dirty, but passable, and that since they weren’t working on the weekends it seemed okay to ride.  While I waited for my friends, I saw numerous people heading to the trail to walk and roller blade.  When my Trikke pals arrived, we took our chances and headed for the trail anyway.

We've reached the summit of Mount Rodale!

Fortunately, the trail was passable, despite the heart-wrenching scenes of hundreds of trees being cut down.  Although construction equipment and several stacks of logs blocked the biking lane, the roller blade and walking lanes were rideable, albeit slightly dirty.  It didn’t deter us, and we eagerly lapped the circuit.  Most of our laps were on the outer loops, and I was thrilled to find that I could still climb “Mount Rodale” despite the setback in my fitness over the winter.  Don’t get me wrong, it had me gasping for air and cursing my recent inactivity, but it encouraged me that I’m starting from a much better place than I was last year.

Left to Right: Norman, Gonda, Trent

Norman, Gonda, and Trent really enjoyed the trail, despite the adverse conditions.  It’s a great fit for riders at varying skill and endurance levels.  Everyone can enjoy it as much or as little as they want, and can use the flatter inner loop as well.  We’ve decided that from now we will kick off each Trikke riding season with a March LSM ride at Rodale, as well plan our final ride of the year there in October.

Thank you for joining me today, Norman, Gonda, and Trent!!

Norman is going to host the next LSM ride in Philadelphia, where they close a 4-mile stretch of road on weekend mornings for recreational use.  Stay tuned here and at the Trikke Riders of Pennsylvania’s Meetup site for more details.

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LSM Ride – March 30, 2013

Rodale Fitness Park Review

Climbing Mount Rodale

LSM Ride – March 30, 2013

Support Trikkers around the world by participating in the first Last Saturday of the Month (LSM) ride for the 2013 season.  I have set up a ride at 10:00 am on March 30 at Rodale Fitness Park in Trexlertown, PA.   This ride is being held in conjunction with the Trikke Riders of Pennsylvania:

http://www.meetup.com/TrikkePA/events/108554252/

The summit of "Mount Rodale"

We’ve all endured a harsh winter, and everyone will join this ride with varying levels of fitness.  The beauty of the Rodale Fitness park is it’s a closed-circuit that will allow each rider to do as much or as little riding as he or she wishes.

The 0.6 mile inner loop is partially flat, with some slight inclines.  All but the very beginners will be able to handle this loop with ease, and it is a great place to ease into riding season.  The 1.3 mile outer loop features a 4.5 percent grade climb if you’re up to the challenge.  Ride one loop, or ride them both.  Everyone can ride at their own pace, while staying in touch with the other riders.

Ample carving width for Trikkes

The other beauty of this circuit is that it is three lanes wide.  The left lane is for walkers, the center lane is for inline skaters, and the right lane is for bicyclists.  The middle lane is under-utilized and is ideal for Trikkes.  I have Trikked it many times, and even if there’s a skater or two using it, we’re typically riding at the same pace.  This trail is wide enough that there’s little concern about blocking other riders, or in being blocked by pedestrians.

We will meet at 10:00 am in the parking lot off of Mosser Road.  I will have two extra T78’s to lend to anyone who needs one, or wishes to try a Trikke for the first time.  I will not set an end time for this ride, and everyone can stay as long as they’d like.

I hope you will consider joining us for this first LSM ride of the year.  If you are not a member of the MeetUp group, I would highly recommend joining.  If you decide not to, you can also RSVP via the comment option here.  I would like to know who’s coming so I make sure I catch up with everyone.  If you’re coming to try a Trikke for the first time, please let me know and I’ll arrange to be there early to teach you the basics of riding.

Related Articles:

Rodale Fitness Park Review

Climbing Mount Rodale

Back in the Saddle

Er . . . or should that be “Back on the Foot Rests”?  Regardless of how I say it, yesterday’s return to three wheels really soothed my soul after going through a trying couple of weeks.

I have been a little more absent from the world than my recent blog posts would indicate.  I have to confess that I wrote the last two articles before Hurricane Sandy hit, and had them scheduled to auto-post during the week.  That was good foresight on my part, as the massive storm left me without power for 24 hours and without internet for the better part of a week.  All things considered, I was one of the lucky ones.  Despite sustaining some minor damage from the 70+ mph winds that tore through the Lehigh Valley, I look at what our brethren at the Jersey Shore are dealing with, and I know how much worse it could have been.

I spent the bulk of last weekend cleaning up downed tree branches, as well as cutting down two trees that have been damaged bit by bit with every storm in recent years.  They were diseased, and I decided to just take them down entirely before they damaged my property or caused someone injury.  Although my body would tell you this hard work fell into the exercise category, my mind was growing increasingly cranky at not doing anything fun.  Several weeks of cold and cloudy weather certainly weren’t helping my disposition either.

So with yesterday’s return of sunshine and temperatures in the 60’s, I eagerly accepted my friend Tara’s invitation to ride with herself, Tom and Mary up in Stroudsburg.  I realized that life really does look brighter atop the foot rests of a Trikke, as we rode through the peaceful neighborhoods in town.  Everyone was enjoying the nice day as well, raking leaves in their yards, or taking to the streets to walk or bike.  I am continually amazed at how many smiles I get as I Trikke past total strangers.  They smile, wave, say hi, and offer words of encouragement on my ride.  Imparting these moments of happiness to those around me is one of the real rewards of Trikking, and no matter how rough a week I may have had, I can’t help but feel warm and happy inside.

Like my first ride with Tara a few weeks ago, she again had that magical effect of inspiring me to ride faster and further than I’d go by myself.  After several loops through the neighborhood, she took us up some steep hills on the campus of East Stroudsburg University.  Some of these are beyond my current ability, but seeing her and Tom climb them gives me something to aim for on future rides.  We rode well into dark, and I was grateful I had recently installed lights on my T8.

When we were nearly back to our starting point, I checked the tracking app on my phone to see we had covered 18.65 miles!  Recalling that my longest ride to date was 12 miles, I should have been elated to have blown that record out of the water.  And I was, but . . . the realization hit me that doing just another 1.35 miles would put me at the 20 mile mark for the first time ever.  More importantly, it would let me reach a goal I had set when I bought my T78 back in February.  At that time, I had set a goal of Trikking 200 miles for the year.  It seemed nearly unthinkable at the time, yet after the LSM ride in Warminster, I was at the 180 mile mark.  A 20 mile ride would let me check off that goal as met.

So Tara and Tom agreed to circle the block a few more times with me.  I had held up pretty well most of the ride, but now my arms were aching, my back was aching, and it was just pure adrenaline that was moving me forward.  When we reached the finish line, I’d racked up 21.18 miles for the day!!  I had met my goal, and in the process discovered that I’m capable of a whole lot more than I ever imagined.

Thank you, Tara, for pushing to towards new heights!!  It’s always good to make a comeback, and this comeback was a heck of a boost for my mind, body and soul.

LSM Ride – Storming into Warminster

Yesterday I had the pleasure of joining two fellow members of the Trikke Riders of Pennsylvania for our October LSM ride in Warminster, PA.  I had met Trent at June’s Riding Clinikk in Philadelphia, but this was our first chance to ride together outside the Clinikk.  Our newest member, Matt, had attended the Clinikk as well, but was in the Sunday session instead of the Saturday one that Trent and I were in.

LSM Rides are "taking off" around the world

It wasn’t the prettiest day weather-wise, but the overcast skies and temperatures in the mid-60’s suddenly looked inviting compared to the forecast for the coming days as Hurricane Sandy moves up the east coast.

We began our ride with a sweeping circle of the outer trails in Warminster Community Park.  I was riding my new T8 Sport, while Trent and Matt were both on their T12’s.  After finishing our first loop, we carved up the former Willow Grove Air Base runway then crossed the street to Northampton Municipal Park.

I had never fully explored there yet, so we chose our journey somewhat randomly from the myriad of trails.  Both of these parks are ideal for carving.  Despite their popularity, there are enough trails to allow everyone to spread out, so you’re not constantly dodging joggers and bikers.  The parks had a few more hills than I remembered, but we all relished the chance to get a good workout on them.

Our return trip down the old airport runway gave us a chance to take in the sights and sounds of a local display of fire trucks, police car, and ambulances.  There was even a Medivac helicopter, which landed while we were riding.  At the end of our ride, we had a chance to mingle with the locals who were fascinated by our three-wheel toys.

As we parted ways, I savored the memories of the ride, knowing that with the coming hurricane it may be a while until I can hit the trails again.

The Trikkes weren't the only cool toys on this ride.

At this time, I am uncertain of my plans for LSM rides for November and December, given that both Saturdays fall within days of major holidays.  I may set up rides here in the Lehigh Valley, and if anyone wants to come I would certainly welcome their company.  I’m just not sure I want to set up rides that take me an hour or two to drive to, only to end up riding alone.

Trent, Matt and I kicked around some great ideas for LSM rides for next year though.  These will include the nearby Horsham Power Line Trail, the Chester Valley Trail in Exton, PA, and a boardwalk and in-town ride in Rehoboth Beach, DE.

Stay tuned for information on these and other upcoming group rides.  In the meantime, stay safe through Hurricane Sandy, and look forward to some sunnier days when we can get back to riding our Trikkes.

LSM Ride Reminder – October 27, 2012

This is just a quick reminder about Saturday morning’s LSM ride.  Our initial ride will start at 10:00 am and cover approximately 4 miles.  We will ride to the east end of the runway, do a counterclockwise loop of the park then return down the runway to the starting point.

My current skill level allows me to do 8 to 10 miles in a day, so I will lead an additional part of the ride for those who wish to join me.  We will head back up the runway, cross to Northampton Municipal Park and complete a clockwise loop.  Returning to Warminster Community Park, we will head down the runway back to the parking lot.  This will add an additional 3.5 to 4 miles to the ride.  From there we can decide what, if any, additional riding we wish to do.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.meetup.com/TrikkePA/events/80427282/

http://lehighvalleytrikke.blogspot.com/2012/09/upcoming-lsm-ride-october-27-2012.html

I hope you can join us on Saturday for a great autumn ride.  Please RSVP here or on the MeetUp site if you plan to attend.

Faith Can Move Mountains

You would think after I conquered Mount Rodale Saturday and completed my longest ride ever, I would have been content to sit back and relax.  But as fate would have it, I would be back on my Trikke and heading to the Pocono Mountains for a longer and more challenging ride on Sunday.

I first met Trainer Tara and her husband Tom from Northeast Trikke at June’s Trikke Academy in Philadelphia.  Tara made her Trikke World Magazine writing debut last week, as she inspired us with her story of learning to ride on terrain that can intimidate all but the hardiest Trikkers:

http://www.trikkeworldmagazine.com/pennsylvania-trikke-rider-overcomes-mountain-of-challenges/

I was thrilled to head up north yesterday to ride with Tara, Tom and their friend Yarrow, who is just learning to ride herself.  (And doing quite well, I might add!)  Apart from a few group rides in southern Pennsylvania, I always ride solo here in the Lehigh Valley, so I jumped at the chance to make some new friends and enjoy their company as I explored a new area.

Trikking's more fun with friends!

Riding on hilly streets and sidewalks, a few with crumbling surfaces, can be quite tough, but the endorphins from Saturday’s ride were still coursing through my veins as I embraced the new challenge. I’ve been doing 10 mile rides on relatively flat trails for a while now, feeling that was the extent of my abilities.  It is easy to become complacent when we exercise, and that is why riding with friends can really encourage you to push yourself to the next level.  That’s exactly what happened on this ride, as I was overjoyed to complete 12 grueling miles, setting a new personal record.  A few short months ago, I would have backed away from such a ride, feeling that it was impossible for me.  But having persevered has rekindled my faith in my ability to tackle increasing challenges.

Thank you Tara, Tom and Yarrow for allowing me to join you on this awesome adventure!!

Tara plans to host regular group rides on Sunday afternoons, and all are welcome to join in the fun.  I will be riding with them as often the weather and my schedule permit.  If you would like to challenge yourself to conquer this great terrain, contact Northeast Trikke for more information.

LSM Ride – Pounding the Pavement in Pottstown

Today I carved into new territory by hosting my first LSM ride in Pottstown, PA.  I’d like to thank Katie, Norman and Greg for joining me on this enjoyable ride via the Trikke Riders of Pennsylvania Meetup group.

We began by riding the planned 6 miles on the Schyukill River/Thun Trail.  It was a bit chilly and overcast, but once we started carving it was plenty comfortable.  The trail was a slight climb from our starting point on College Road.  We reached the Grosstown Road parking lot, which was as far as we could go before the trail turned to gravel.  The ride back was smoother, and we had a few nice down hills to reward our efforts.

When we returned to the parking lot, Norman was astute enough to notice markers indicating that the trail continued across the street and into town.  We bid farewell to Greg, then the three of us continued to explore new territory.  The trail crossed the train tracks then joined East High Street, the main drag through town.  We were thrilled to find a dedicated bike lane on each side of this street, and rode it to Madison Street.  We turned around and headed back towards the start. This is a challenging ride, as many sections are a steady climb, and you have to be mindful of the vehicular traffic.

We were almost back and starting to feel fatigued, when we found a nice pizza and sub shop that beckoned us in for lunch.  This was a great chance to chat and get to know each other better, as well as get a much needed rest.  By the time we returned to the parking lot, we had covered 9.7 miles, which was a great distance for all of us.

I really enjoyed this ride, and the company of my fellow Trikkers.  I’m looking forward to the next LSM ride, which will be at Warminster Community Park on October 27, 2012.  This ride is open to everyone, and we would love to make some new friends, so come out and join us!  Information on the next ride can be 

found at:

http://www.meetup.com/TrikkePA/events/80427282/

http://lehighvalleytrikke.blogspot.com/2012/09/upcoming-lsm-ride-october-27-2012.html

LSM Ride Reminder – September 29, 2012

This is just a quick reminder about Saturday morning’s LSM ride.  We will meet 11:00 to ride the Schyukill River/Thun Trail.  We will start this 6 mile ride from the parking lot of Montgomery County Community College, 140 College Drive, Pottstown, PA.  This is a mostly flat trail which is suitable for riders of all skill levels.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.meetup.com/TrikkePA/events/82743822/

http://lehighvalleytrikke.blogspot.com/2012/09/upcoming-lsm-ride-september-29-2012.html

Please RSVP here or on the MeetUp site if you plan to attend.

If you’re also looking ahead to October’s LSM ride, please visit:

http://www.meetup.com/TrikkePA/events/80427282/

http://lehighvalleytrikke.blogspot.com/2012/09/upcoming-lsm-ride-october-27-2012.html

Upcoming LSM Ride – September 29, 2012

Trikkers around the world have embraced the tradition of the Last Saturday of the Month (LSM) ride.  I have set up a ride for the last Saturday in September in conjunction with the Trikke Riders of Pennsylvania:

http://www.meetup.com/TrikkePA/events/82743822/

Although this ride is south of the Lehigh Valley, I thought it best to join forces with an established riding group.  The Pottstown section of the Schuykill River Trail, known as the Thun Trail, has a smoothly paved surface, which is mostly flat.  There are a few small hills on the eastern part of the ride, but they are easily ridden or walked up.  Our ride will start at the Montgomery County Community College parking lot, and travel west to Grosstown Road and back.  This will be approximately 6 miles round trip.  The trail turns to gravel just west of the Grosstown Road parking lot, so we will not be able to go any further.

I hope you will consider joining us for this fun ride in what will hopefully be some fresh autumn weather.  Riders of all skill levels are welcome, as the trail is well suited towards everyone.  If you are not a member of the MeetUp group, I would highly recommend joining.  If you decide not to, you can also RSVP via the comment option here.  I would like to know who’s coming so I make sure we don’t leave anyone behind.

My plans at the moment are to host LSM rides for the remainder of the year in the Delaware Valley area where most of the Trikke Riders of Pennsylvania live.  September and October’s rides are already scheduled, and I will be announcing November’s and December’s soon.   I have decided to wait until next spring to start the new Lehigh Valley group, because starting it now would not give it enough chance to grow before the winter “break”.  If you’re in the Lehigh Valley, I hope you will consider joining the Trikke Riders of Pennsylvania in the meantime.