Pennsylvania Trail Review: D&L Trail and Palmer-Bethlehem Township Bikeway

The D&L Trail is one of Pennsylvania’s longest and best-known rail trails, stretching 165 miles from Wilkes-Barre to Bristol.  It follows the route that canal boats once used to deliver anthracite coal from mines to market, and it offers stunning views of the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers.

There’s only one problem for Trikkers . . . most of the trail is gravel.  Fortunately there is a small section near Easton, PA that is a Trikker’s paradise.  Several miles of wide, flat asphalt run alongside the Lehigh River and the D&L Canal.  Riders can park in four locations:

• Long driveway at the end of Hope Rd, Freemansburg, PA (Boat Launch)
• Riverview Park, 25^th Street, Easton, PA
• Hugh Moore Park, south of 25^th Street, Glendon, PA (National Canal Museum)
• Hugh Moore Park, north of 25^th Street, Glendon, PA

Scenic overlook at the Lehigh River chain dam

My preference is Riverview Park because it offers easy access to all parts of the trail and also has restrooms.  The most Trikke-able portion of the trail runs southwest from the park to the boat launch.  Here riders can enjoy 2 1/2 miles of wide and nearly flat pavement alongside the Lehigh River.  When I was first learning to carve, this was one of my favorite spots due to its short distance and relatively light traffic.

Near the boat launch, riders will find a fork in the road that leads them to the Palmer-Bethlehem Township Bikeway.  I like to call it the “Two Mile Hill.”  It’s not the steepest climb I know of, but it is the longest.  It’s a narrow stretch of aging asphalt that hooks under Route 33 twice 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.  The hill’s dense tree cover makes it a haven in the summer, but be warned that climbing it in the fall can be treacherous due to debris.

Climbing the "Two Mile Hill"

Beyond the summit, the Palmer-Bethlehem Township Bikeway levels out and heads northeast another 2 1/2 miles back toward Easton.  Although it remains paved, there are numerous road-crossings, and pedestrian traffic through the neighborhoods can be problematic.  I was frustrated the two times I biked it, and as a result I never went that far on my Trikke.  But with enough determination, it could certainly be Trikked.

Returning to Riverview Park, there is a short ¼ mile section heading northeast that ends in a winding decent to Lehigh Drive.  Crossing the truss bridge along Hill Road leads to the two parking areas of Hugh Moore Park.  The southern parking lot is the largest, and leads to the National Canal Museum and the canal boat ride.

The trail itself continues beyond the northern lot, this time snaking between the Lehigh River and the D&L Canal.  This portion of the trail has some small hills which are quite challenging due to the narrower trail width.  The first 1 ½ miles of trail are reasonably Trikke-friendly, but beyond a small bridge near an old canal lock the asphalt gets crumbly and I consider it too risky to Trikke.  Riders with slightly more fortitude than I can continue all the way to the convergence of the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers.  I’ll offer one final warning; the bridge below south 3^rd Street (Route 611) is prone to flooding and may be impassible unless your Trikke sprouts pontoons.

Beyond 3^rd Street in the northeast and the boat launch in the southwest, the D&L reverts to gravel.  In between is enough asphalt to put a smile on the face of Trikkers of all skill levels.  Beginners can enjoy the flatter portion on the north bank of the Lehigh, while more experienced riders can brave the Two Mile Hill or the narrower, hillier trail on the south bank of the Lehigh.  Numerous photo opportunities appear along the way, and wildlife often peek out from the trees to marvel at our three-wheelers.

I have created a map of the trail with Trikke-related color-coding and notes.  Click on any trail segment, shape, or icon for complete information.

PA Trails - Chester Valley Trail - Part 2

East view along Matthews Rd

I was struck by a massive case of wanderlust after a long day of work Friday, and found myself exploring a still-under-construction segment of the Chester Valley Trail in Malvern, PA.  This has quickly become one of my favorite trails, due to its proximity to my office and its ability to spare me the worst of the Friday night traffic towards the Poconos.

I started at my usual location of the Battle of the Clouds Park and headed east towards Target.  Instead of turning around this time, I continued along Matthews Road.  A wide swath of new pavement parallels this road, although segments are still missing.  This resulted in some curb hopping between the trail and the road, being mindful about vehicular traffic while doing so.

Fragmentation viewed from same spot looking west

As it rounded a bend, I rode amongst a family of deer, who were no doubt curious about my three-wheel contraption.  The trail wound down to a bridge near Cedar Hollow Road, and this was as far as I went, even though I suspected the trail went further if you walked up the gravelly hill.  I later confirmed on Google Maps that the trail does continue east, stretching from Cedar Hollow Road to Swedesford Road.  This will no doubt fuel another after-work excursion in the near future. 

If you ride between Target and Cedar Hollow Road, you need to be aware of the fragmented nature of the trail, although it should be completed in the near future.  It is generally a downhill ride as you head east, giving you a substantial climb returning west.  I did not measure it, but I believe it to be about 3 degrees, and I was able to climb it without stopping.  For reference, it is slightly less steep than the hill at the far end of the Target parking lot, which is the steepest I have found on the trail so far.

Scenic . . . but watch for deer crossing the trail!

When I added these miles into my usual ride, it brought the round-trip to 12.84 miles.  With the waning amount of daylight, this was as far as I could have gone anyway in the time I had available.  I will continue to recommend this trail as the best place to Trikke in this part of the state.

Map of last Friday's ride: http://www.mapmyfitness.com/workout/370221675

Under construction near Cedar Hollow Rd

For more information about the Chester Valley Trail and the larger network of current and future Southeastern Pennsylvania trails, you can visit http://www.chestervalleytrail.org/ and http://connectthecircuit.org/.

Related Articles:

Chester Valley Trail – Part 1

PA Trails – Chester Valley Trail - Part 1

A nice shaded tunnel under Swedesford Road

Malvern, Pennsylvania is home to the small but growing Chester Valley Trail.  This Trikke-friendly stretch of asphalt currently runs five miles from the Wegman’s on South Morehall Road to the trailhead near the Valley Creek Corporate Center.  It will ultimately be part of a larger inter-connected trail network, and will meet with the Schuylkill River Trail to the east and the Enola Low Grade Trail to the west.

Looking east from the western end

For now though, there is plenty of asphalt laid for a good Trikke ride, as well as several convenient places to park.  Both the trailhead at Church Farm Lane and the Battle of the Clouds Park have ample parking and real restrooms.  You could also park at the Wegman’s, which can double as a good place for food and drink after the ride.

The trail is mostly flat, and the majority of the grades are so slight that even a beginner can handle them.  The only challenging hills are alongside the Wegmans, across the street from Wegman’s, in the vicinity of Knickerbocker Lane, and a construction detour under the Route 202 overpass.  The asphalt is new, smooth, and clear, although the tree cover on the eastern half will likely cover the trail with debris in autumn.

Donna at the end near Wegman's

Although the trail passes through a few housing developments, the pedestrian traffic is less than you would expect, making for a pleasant Trikke ride.  You do have to watch out for some faster road bikers, but this is less of an issue here than it is on the longer Schuylkill River Trail.  There are several road crossings, three of which are quite busy, but the drivers of cars were very courteous in letting trail traffic through.

To be continued . . .

I rode this trail last Friday on my own for 9.65 miles, followed by a longer outing with Donna (Lake Erie Trikke) for 10.84 miles on Sunday.  We had a wonderful time on the trail, and I anticipate hosting future rides here in conjunction with the TrikkeRiders of Pennsylvania.

You can see the map of last Sunday’s ride here:

http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/260292683

And for more information about the Chester Valley Trail and the larger network of current and future Southeastern Pennsylvania trails, you can visit http://www.chestervalleytrail.org/ and http://connectthecircuit.org/.

Related Articles:

PA Trails – Chester Valley Trail - Part 2

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 – 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

Pennsylvania Ride - US 202 Parkway Trail

Ah!!  It finally happened today . . . the first warm, sunny weekend descended upon the Lehigh Valley.  So what did I do?  I made the gut wrenching decision to leave the Trikke in the garage . . . GASP!! WHAT?! WHY?

Well, there’s a significant new trail that opened over the winter that I’ve been wanting to explore.  So I did . . . albeit on my bicycle.

Winding curves and rolling hills

The US 202 Parkway Trail spans nearly 9 miles from Montgomeryville, PA to Doylestown, PA.  Its 12 foot wide ribbon of asphalt parallels the newly constructed Route 202 byway.  It’s fenced off from the highway for safety, and they’ve planted new trees alongside it that will eventually give it some shade.

One of my coworkers lives nearby, and has been urging me to check it out.  But she warned me it was quite hilly, hence my decision to take the bike instead of the Trikke.  And that turned out to be the right decision . . . for today at least.  When facing a new trail, particularly a longer one, I often do like to scout it out on bicycle, as I can cover more ground and handle more difficulties that way.

I’ve been working out indoors for most of the winter, yet I know I’ve been slipping from where I left off last year.  The US 202 Parkway trail is constantly climbing up and down, with very few flat spots to be found.  I’d say it averages between a 2 and 4 percent grade, but there are some steeper hills at both ends.  The hill to climb the bridge crossing Route 309 in Montgomeryville has a sign warning of its 6.5 percent grade.  Fortunately, this is as steep as the trail gets.

A final challenge before the finish line

If you’re an experienced Trikker, you can certainly handle these hills.  As of last year, I could’ve handled all but the steepest of them.  However, I’m nowhere near being able to handle an 18 mile round trip worth of hills.  When I heard about the generous width of the trail, I had really hoped I could host one of this year’s LSM rides there, but that will have to wait.  However, if I ever reach a significantly better level of fitness, it has occurred to me that this would be an optimal trail for a future endurance Trikke ride.

I started my ride in Montgomeryville, and was feeling quite weak and rundown by the time I reached Doylestown.  I realize now this probably wasn’t the best choice for my first ride of the season.  The return trip took forever, and I opted to walk up some of the hills.  I would not let this discourage you from trying this new trail though if you feel you are up to the challenge.  You can certainly ride on a shorter segment of it, because riding on hills like this is a great way to get you in shape.

There’s a few other things I’d like to make you aware of if you check out this new trail.  It has frequent road crossings, most over busy 4-lane roads.  The dual crossover by the shopping center in Montgomeryville is particularly tricky.  Although there are crossing signals, you still need to be very careful as there are cars coming from every direction sometimes.

Given the trail’s newness, it is also lacking some amenities that you might take for granted on a more established trail.  None of the parking areas have porta-johns, and except for the Montgomeryville end, there’s really nowhere to stop to take care of business if needed.  There also aren’t any benches or picnic tables, save for a few at the parking areas.  These are minor issues, and it’s possible they will be remedied in the future.

You can see the map of my ride here:

http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/179728602

Lake Archer on the campus of Delaware Valley College

I started at the parking lot where Route 309 meets Route 202 in Montgomeryville.  I did the short round trip to the southwest end of the trail then took it northeast to Doylestown.  I missed the required zig-zag to stay on the trail where Route 202 crosses Lower State Road.  Hence I followed another spur that led to the campus of Delaware Valley College.  But it lead me to the serenity of Lake Archer, where I was able to enjoy a short rest on a bench before my return trip.

Overall, I’d say the US 202 Parkway Trail is a welcome addition for a populated region that does not have the extensive trail network I enjoy at home in the Lehigh Valley.  It’s over an hour drive for me to get there, so I won’t be there too often, but as my fitness improves it’s certainly going to be a nice place to hone my hill climbing skills.  Perhaps it’ll also be what motivates me to one day host a Trikke endurance event on the east coast for hill climbing enthusiasts.

LV Riding – Schoenersville Road and Stoke Park Road Area

Ah . . . the freedom of the open road!!  Today it saved me from the constraints of our seasonal woes.  If the Lehigh Valley’s trails were getting clogged with the fallen leaves and twigs a few weeks ago, I’d venture a guess that they are totally non-Trikkeable now in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.  I was tempted to venture out today to check, but I felt it would be a waste of the precious little riding time I had this weekend.  So I did something I never thought I would do in the Lehigh Valley; I took the Trikke out on the open road for an afternoon ride.  I credit my recent street rides in Pottstown and Stroudsburg for warming me up to the idea and giving me the comfort to do it.

In a way, I’ve begun to feel constrained by the local trails since those rides as well.  Trikking on a trail  usually means constantly yielding to faster bicyclists while constantly squeezing by walkers and joggers who have their iPod’s cranked up too high to hear your “passing on your left” call.  Hill climbing on these trails is tougher too, as the aforementioned pedestrians often kill your momentum, and you often don’t have enough width to carve deeply enough to ascend the steeper hills.

A trail also implies a defined length to your ride.  For example, I know that an out-and-back trip on the paved Easton section of the D&L Trail is 5 miles, so I’m likely to choose a ride length that is a multiple of that amount.  I’ll decide to do 10 miles, pace myself, and that’s that; I call it quits after meeting my goal.  What I discovered last weekend in Stroudsburg is that when you ride on the local roads, you can just go riding without any pre-planned path, and exploring new roads is a great way to keep your mind off the odometer.  It’s not that I couldn’t turn around midway down a path to customize the ride length.  It’s just that riding freely on the roads encourages you to stay open to more possibilities, and makes it easier to push yourself further.

Who says an office park can't be scenic?!

In that spirit, I started my ride from the parking lot of the Lehigh Valley Industrial Park at the intersection of Schoenersville Road and Stoke Park Road.  This office park, as well as the larger one to the south of Stoke Park Road, has narrow paved trails encircling them.  I personally don’t like these trails that much though.  They are too narrow to Trikke on any inclines, and some of them are getting old and crumbly.  If you ride here Saturday or Sunday though, the parking lots are wide open as hardly anyone is working.  You can ride freely on a gentle downgrade heading east, and have oodles of carving width heading back west.  I have worked in both of these office parks in the past though, and I would advise against riding here during the work week, as both have heavy traffic and full parking lots.

The neighborhoods to the east of these office parks are both great places to Trikke any day of the week.  They are clean and safe, have a low volume of car traffic, and most of the roads are freshly repaved.  Some roads are flat, but most have a long, gentle incline.  They are relatively easy to climb, but are sloped enough to give you a great workout.  There are so many roads back there that I have not even come close to exploring them all.  This gives me a good reason to go back again and again and again.  What’s great about riding here is that every ride can be a new adventure, because you're no longer limited by following the same route every time you go there.  For today’s ride, I combined the office parks and the neighborhood streets into a challenging but fun 16.17 mile joyride.

http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/154284323

If you happen to live in one of these neighborhoods, then you are lucky enough to be able to Trikke out of your own driveway and have plenty of good roads right there waiting for you.  If you have to drive here, I would recommend parking behind the Wawa convenience store in a parking lot at one of the medical buildings, which are always empty on the weekends.  When you return from your ride, it’s a welcome bonus to have the Wawa right there to reward yourself with a refreshing drink and a nice warm meal.

If you’re going to Trikke on public roads, it’s always worth taking all possible precautions to keep yourself safe.  I always ride with a helmet, and have taken to wearing my bright yellow biking jersey on the Trikke as well.  I probably look like a total dork wearing it, but I prefer to be as visible to traffic as possible.  (Just in case the Trikke itself isn’t attention-getting enough, lol!)  It’s also wise to have a headlight and taillight in case your ride goes into dusk or darkness like mine did today.

In this area specifically, you need to be extra careful around Stoke Park Road and Jacksonville Road, both of which are heavily travelled.  Jacksonville Road has a sidewalk to Trikke on, but most of Stoke Park Road does not.  Therefore, I would recommend just crossing Stoke Park Road at one of several intersections instead of actually riding along it.

If your favorite trail has become temporarily impassible due to the recent storm, take heart that there are still plenty of great places for Trikking in the Lehigh Valley!

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.

Climbing Mount Rodale

With the return of beautiful fall weather today, Rokk-It Red was clamoring to get outside to explore more of the Lehigh Valley trails.  She had never been to Rodale Fitness Park before, so I loaded her into the car and drove her to one of my favorite places.

I’ve gotten good at climbing the small hills on the 0.6 mile inner loop, and I can easily lap it many times now.  But I have always set my sights on the grand prize, which is climbing the big hill that I’ve affectionately dubbed “Mount Rodale” at the beginning of the 1.3 mile outer loop.  Despite my increasing fitness and Trikking skills, I’ve always put that goal somewhere “off in the distant future”.

Pictures don't do it justice.  It's steeper than it looks!

Perhaps it was all the pent up energy and frustration I’ve felt after several rough weeks of being cooped up at home and at work in the dreary weather, but as today’s warm sun cascaded down onto Mount Rodale, I couldn’t help but gaze at it longingly as I took the fork in the path that steered me away from it and onto the flatter inner loop.  My second pass of the same spot just made my yearning that much greater.

Should I try it today?  Could I possibly do it today?  “No way,” I thought.  “I’m getting stronger, but I’m just not ready yet.”  But as I approached the fork the third time, I made a quick decision.  I would try to climb Mount Rodale!  Today!  Right now!

The outer loop’s steepest hill comes just after the fork, and reads as 4.5 degrees on my iPhone level app.  Despite my best efforts, I ground to a halt in the middle of it.  No surprise here.  Ignoring the fact that I made it half way, the critical demon that lives inside my head began berating me.  What business did a fatty like me have trying to Trikke up such a big hill anyway?!  Surely the whole world must be laughing at my folly.  Before the critic could continue, I scolded myself for scolding myself and got back to the matter at hand.  I walked Rokk-It Red up the more gradual middle part of the climb, got back on, and resumed Trikking.  The approach to the summit of Mount Rodale grew steeper again, but not quite as steep as the lower part.  With some effort, I did make it up the 3.5 degree hill and smiled with joy as I glided down the back side.

“Okay, that wasn’t so bad,” I thought.  I could still enjoy the inner loop today, and I’d come back next year to tackle Mount Rodale again after my skills improved some more.  I circled the inner loop two more times, all the while realizing I didn’t want to wait until next year.  I would try it again . . . today!

My second attempt at Mount Rodale was only marginally more successful.  I ground to a halt at the same place again, but instead of walking, I gave Rokk-It Red a good boost by kicking off a few times, and then I rode her the rest of the way up that steep hill.  This was promising!  I decided to settle into a pattern of 2 laps on the inner loop followed by 1 lap on the outer loop for the rest of the day.

By my third attempt at Mount Rodale, I was really determined to succeed.  I put everything I had into building momentum leading up to the base of the steep hill.  Rokk-It Red began her inevitable slowdown.  “You can do this!” I actually said out loud, as I punched into the next carve even harder.

My heart was pounding in my chest as my breathing became more labored.  I punched and leaned, and punched and leaned, and punched and leaned, and Rokk-It Red kept crawling slowly up Mount Rodale.  It was now or never! “Come on!  You’ve got this!” I shouted.  Punch and lean, punch and lean, punch and lean, and . . . there it was . . . a sudden surge in momentum that told me I’d crested the top of the steepest part!!

I reminded myself to keep breathing as I continued climbing towards the summit.  My mind flashed back to all the trials and tribulations of my journey towards fitness . . . the 30 minute walk last December that left me light-headed and nauseous . . . the 10 mile bike ride in February that left me so sick, trembling, and crying to the point I almost gave it up for good . . . my first 2 mile Trikke ride in March that was fun, but exhausting . . . the 15 mile bike ride in April that left me feeling great and renewed my faith in my ability to do this . . . my first 10 mile Trikke ride in July after attending the Academy in June . . . and now this . . . as I finished my mental recap of the year, I crested the top of Mount Rodale for the first time without stopping!!  I did it, I did it, I FREAKIN’ DID IT!!!  Was that a tear in my eye as I glided back down the hill, or was it just the wind from my new burst of speed?  My lips trembled and my heart beat faster as the impact of what I’d just achieved sunk in.

Feeling on top of the world!!

I did 2 more laps on the inner loop, but instead of peeling off to go home as I had planned, I decided to have one final go at Mount Rodale for the day.  I had to know, was it just a fluke that I made it up the first time?  Or had I really taken my Trikking to new heights?

With renewed optimism, I carved towards the steep base of Mount Rodale.  My tired muscles were burning, but I had little doubt this time what the outcome would be.  I kept punching and leaning and before I know it I was back at the summit of Mount Rodale!  Despite my fatigue, I think it was actually a bit easier this time.

As much as I wanted to keep riding, I knew I had reached my limit for the day.  I peeled off the trail and did a victory lap around the parking lot before putting Rokk-It Red away for the day.  When I checked my MapMyFitness app, I found that one more surprise awaited me . . . I had not only scaled Mount Rodale, but I had just completed my longest Trikke ride ever at 10.41 miles!!

http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/147526207

I feel so alive and invigorated right now, I want to shout it from the rooftops!!  What a journey this has been in just 10 months to go from feeling sick and defeated after a half-hour walk to Trikking 10.41 miles and conquering some of the steeper hills the Lehigh Valley’s trails have to offer!!  And to think my fitness journey has only just begun . . . 

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

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.

Upcoming LSM Ride - October 27, 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 October in conjunction with the Trikke Riders of Pennsylvania:

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

Although this ride is south of the Lehigh Valley, I thought it best to join forces with an established riding group.  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 autumn 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.

Please note that I also am looking to host a September ride in the Lehigh Valley.  I am in the process of picking a location, and I also promised some fellow riders that I wouldn’t plan a rival event on the same date that they are making plans.  I hope to do a literal LSM ride, but if not, expect it to be towards the end of the month.  Once I firm up plans, I will announce the details here and on MeetUp.

Lehigh Valley Ride: Rodale Fitness Park

I was still craving more Trikke action after my exploration of Cedar Beach Park last Monday, so instead of doing more laps there, I headed to Bob Rodale Cycling and Fitness Park in Trexlertown.  I had biked here a few months ago, and it has been on my radar since then as a good riding place for the Trikke.

This trail is located across from the Lehigh Valley Velodrome on Mosser Road.  It has ample parking and porta-johns on site.  The trail is open from dawn to dusk, but sometimes is closed to the public for special events.  I have not yet located a schedule for these closures, but I believe they still run bicycle criterium races every Thursday night.

http://www.lehighcounty.org/departments/parksandrecreation/rodalepark/tabid/451/default.aspx#TOP

At all other times, you’ll find this to be one of the most delightful places to Trikke due to its unique design.  Although the Trikke friendly inner loop is a mere 0.6 miles long, the trail is very wide with individual lanes for walkers/joggers, inline skaters and bicyclists.  Traffic flows in one direction around the track; clockwise.  Because the Trikke moves at about the same pace as a skater, I selected the middle lane for my ride.  This layout almost eliminates the worries of being held up by slower traffic or by constantly having to watch your back for cyclists coming from behind.  That said, where the inner loop diverges and re-converges with the outer loop, it is necessary to check for upcoming bicyclists as you cross their path.  Due to the proximity to the velodrome, any bicyclists you encounter here are likely hardcore road racers doing 20+ mph, so safety is the key as you cross over.

The Rodale map describes the inner loop as “flat”, but whether you are on a bike or a Trikke you’ll likely disagree with this label.  From the starting point, it is a steady incline towards the southwest corner.  You get a slight breather around the corner itself before the trail climbs more significantly towards the northwest corner.  The level app on my iPhone showed this to be about a 3 degree incline, which for me is the maximum I’m able to handle right now.  From here, there is a short decline down to the junction where the inner and outer loop diverge.  Stay on the inner loop for a relatively flat ride back to the starting point.

The 1.3 mile outer loop lives up to its “hill” designation.  I have not attempted this on the Trikke, and would only recommend it to the most skilled and experienced riders out there.  I have biked it before, and it is a true challenge for me to get up it even using the so-called “granny gear”.

So if only 0.6 miles of this trail is Trikke friendly, why am I recommending it?  There are several good reasons.  As I mentioned earlier, you’ll likely have an unobstructed run in the roller blade lane.  Secondly, it is a great place to begin learning basic climbing techniques on the moderate inclines of the “flat” loop.  Finally, because of its short laps, you can vary your ride to whatever length fits your fitness level and mood of the day.

Because I had Trikked in Cedar Beach Park earlier in the day, I kept my ride here short.  It was a hot and humid day, so it was also pushing the limits of my endurance.  I did 5 laps for a total of 3 miles.  If you add the path to and from the parking lot the total ride was likely closer to 3.8 miles.  Despite that, I was able to complete 3 of those 5 laps without stopping on the inclines.  I was really proud of myself, because until last month’s Riding Clinikk in Philadelphia, I was rarely able to tackle even the smallest incline.

http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/116433315

Overall this is a fun place to ride, and may be an ideal spot for some mid-week rides after work, provided it isn’t closed for a bicycle race.  I will continue hunting for this closure schedule so I can share it with you.

Lehigh Valley Ride: Cedar Creek Path

I set out last Monday morning to explore Trexler Memorial Park, but was greeted by a sign in the parking lot that declared that no bicycles were allowed in the park on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.  Although the Trikke is hard to classify, I took that as a clear indication that I wouldn’t be welcomed there, as the park was very full with walkers and joggers.  Shaking off this disappointment, I recalled that Cedar Beach Park was literally around the corner, so I decided to explore there instead.

My first impression of this park is that although the trail is relatively short, it is by far the most beautiful riding spot I’ve found so far.  The park is basically divided into two halves, split by North Ott Street.  I parked on the west side off at a small lot at Parkway Boulevard and North 30^th Street.  There were some walkers, joggers and kids on bicycles, but not enough to get in the way of a good Trikke ride.

I started by riding the main loop of Cedar Creek Path around the west side of the park:

http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/116400833

There are some slight inclines and hills on this loop which may deter someone just learning to ride, but with a moderate level of experience they shouldn’t prove to be a problem.  In particular the area near where I parked (northern side) and the southeast corner involve some minor climbs.  This 1.3 mile loop is mostly out in the open with no shade for those hot days.  The northeast corner has some tree cover at the garden and pond portion of the park.  This section switches from a conventional asphalt trail to brick pavers, but the Trikke rides just fine over them.  It is here that the park really gets its distinct beauty and character.

Having completed that loop, I decided to start exploring everything else I could find.  There is an angled pathway through that loop which is flat and easy to ride, although you’ll likely have to walk your Trikke over the very narrow bridge connecting it back to the main trail.

I then crossed North Ott Street to explore the east side of the park.

http://www.mapmyfitness.com/routes/view/116415281

This side has less to offer a Trikker.  Cedar Creek Road runs the entire length of this part and has some vehicular traffic from North Ott Street to the parking lot.  It is closed to entry and exit from Hamilton Boulevard though, which does keep traffic to a minimum.  The nice thing is this road is very wide and flat, so with nobody else on it I was free to ride my Trikke without disruption.

Cedar Creek Path meets Cedar Creek Road at the east end of the park, but I was not able to Trikke this loop around Lake Muhlenberg as it is gravel.  So I rode back along Cedar Creek Road until I picked up a minor paved trail along the west end of the lake and around the parking lot.  This part was paved, but very narrow, and I would not consider this a real destination for Trikking.

As this was my first visit to the park, I cannot yet offer any commentary on how crowded it gets at different times.  It is located in a densely populated area, so I do have to assume there may be times it gets crowded.  I would not let that deter me from going back though, as it was an enjoyable ride in a beautiful location.  For future rides, I will likely stick with doing laps around the main loop on the west side, or riding back and forth on Cedar Creek Road on the east side.

Accidental Discovery

Sometimes things happen when we least expect them.  Take today for example when it seemed that I had really screwed up badly.  All weekend I had intended to set out on Sunday morning to explore Trexler Memorial Park in Allentown on my Trikke.  I was really psyched for checking out a new riding spot.

But rewind to yesterday . . . it was the first comfortable day in about two weeks as our heat wave finally subsided.  I mowed the lawn in the afternoon, and then got really ambitious about cleaning up the yard that had been largely neglected this year.  So out came the weed-whacker, and after an hour or so of attacking all the places the lawnmower can’t reach, I was left with a beautiful yard . . . and two arms that hurt so badly I wished they would fall off.  I didn’t feel much better when I woke up this morning, so the Trikke ride was scratched off the day’s agenda.

But it was 70 degrees, overcast, and generally quite comfortable and I really didn’t want to stay cooped up inside.  I decided a bicycle ride would be a nice compromise between giving my arms a rest while letting the rest of me get some much needed fresh air and exercise.  Because I was still craving a new riding spot, I decided to explore some of the D&L Trail near Easton, PA.  Despite my love of the Trikke, I do still bike regularly, and I use those opportunities to ride the Lehigh Valley’s many gravel trails that are inaccessible to the Trikke.

I had never ridden the canal path between Hugh Moore Park and downtown Easton before, so I pedaled in that direction and made a delightful discovery . . . that 2.5 mile section of trail is paved!  Voila!!  A new Trikke riding place!

There are a few caveats to this discovery.  It’s a very narrow path and although it’s mostly flat, there are a few hills that might be too much for me to handle on the Trikke right now.  There was also a complete trail blockage by trees that were downed in last Wednesday’s storm, but I would guess they will remedy that soon.  Because I was on my bicycle, I was able to hop onto the gravel trail that paralleled the paved trail to get around this obstacle.  Finally, on the eastern end of the trail, some of the pavement is somewhat lumpy and broken up. http://www.delawareandlehigh.org/index.php/trail/section/hugh-moore-park-forks-of-the-delaware/

That said I will be planning a trip there in the near future with the Trikke to get a better feel for it, and to provide a complete write-up and map.  Across the river, there’s a 2-mile paved stretch of the D&L Trail running from Riverview Park off 25^th Street west to the boat launch near the Route 33 overpass.  This section of trail is wider and completely flat except for one tiny hill.  If you’re looking for a place to Trikke in the area, this certainly would be a nice choice, and it provides beautiful views of the Delaware River while you ride.  http://www.delawareandlehigh.org/index.php/trail/section/freemansburg-hugh-moore-park/

There’s a short section of public road that connects Riverview Park and Hugh Moore Park.  Vehicular traffic was almost non-existent on Lehigh Drive, but the road surface itself is very rough.  The Hill Street Bridge is also closed for construction, although I was able to cross it on the sidewalk.  If you’re able and willing to Trikke this short stretch, you can combine both trail sections for a ride that’s about 5 ½ miles each way.

Despite the difficulties, I was thrilled to make this discovery today, and when I return to the area with the Trikke I will post a full trail review.  In the meantime, I’m hoping my arms are recovered enough by tomorrow to take the Trikke to Trexler Memorial Park.

Lehigh Valley Ride: The Ironton Rail Trail

This is the first in a series of posts as I find and share good Trikke trails and roads in the Lehigh Valley.  Anyone living here knows that it's a beautiful but hilly area, so Trikking here is particularly challenging when you’re a beginner. With that in mind, there are still some great flat trails and roads, and as I Trikke them I will review them here.

I most frequently ride the Ironton Rail Trail in Coplay, PA. The full trail consists of a paved 5 mile loop, and a 2.5 mile gravel spur, but only a portion of the loop is well-suited for the Trikke:

Click here for my Trikke Ride Map.

There's a small gravel parking lot in the southeast corner of the loop off of Water Street that is the ideal starting spot for this ride.  (Be aware that at the moment, the driveway leading to the lot has some large ruts in it, so be cautious if you have a low-to-the-ground car.)  Heading west on the bottom portion of the loop, then north will take you to the northwest corner. It is a slight and steady climb, but close enough to flat that it is easy enough for a beginning Trikker.

The bridge over Lehigh Street offers a slight climb in both directions.  When I was new at Trikking, I would have to walk it to the top of the bridge, but after a few rides I was able to get over it with ease.  On the west side of the loop, there are road-level crossings at Center Street and East Columbia Street. Use caution here as there is a decent amount of car traffic at each crossing.

Once you reach the northwest corner, you'll likely want to turn around because beyond that point is a long steep hill that is challenging even on a bicycle (but someday, I’m going to Trikke up it, someday….).  By this time, you’re Trikked 2.5 miles, and there are two benches you can sit on and take a well-earned break. The Trikke ride back to the parking lot will be slightly downgrade and is very smooth and enjoyable.

If you’re just starting out, this 5-mile round trip may be as much Trikking as you can handle for the moment.  I rode this route many times, before extending my ride to the full 8 miles.  If you wish to do the same, simply continue past the parking lot heading north along the east side of the loop.  You can ride almost a mile and a half north before you hit the gravel portion, which is the northeast corner of the loop. Some of this is getting to be a steeper climb than the other sides (I'm estimating it's a 2% or 3% grade), and then it's of course easier on the return trip. This side of the trail often has less joggers and walkers, because its access from the neighborhood is more difficult. There is a lot of tree cover here, so you do have to be careful of fallen branches and such on the trail surface.  The return ride to the parking lot brings the entire ride to 8 miles, and covers as much of the Trikke-friendly portion possible without repeating a section.

I have not yet Trikked the northern side of the trail, for the simple reason that it’s all a steep hill that still challenges me on my bicycle.  The climb from the northwest corner to the street-crossing at West Coplay Road is very steep, and if I can ever climb this I know I will have truly mastered the Trikke.  The climb from the northeast corner (park at Saylor Park, near the old kilns) to West Coplay Road is longer but more gradual.  I’m not ready to attempt this stretch yet, but will likely try it in the fall when the weather is cooler and the trail traffic less.

For those who may have difficulty with ruts in the Water Street parking lot, parking at Saylor Park off of Coplay Road is a decent alternative.  If you’re looking for the flat part of the trail, head past the kilns and around the corner towards the eastern side of the loop.  You’ll only be able to go a short distance before the trail turns to gravel.  Luckily it is only gravel for about ¼ mile, so just walk your Trikke through that short stretch.  From there, you’ll have smooth and nearly level pavement all the way to the northwest corner and back.  This will get you the full 8 mile ride I described, plus a little extra.

I have been riding this trail regularly and am finding it to be great for Trikking. You do have to be mindful that it is a popular trail that encircles a large neighborhood, so there will be lots of bikers, walkers and joggers on it at certain times.  You also have to be looking out for cyclists coming up from behind, which can happen fairly quickly given the unusual curvature of this rail trail.  I use a mirror mounted on my helmet that helps to warn me of their approach.  The locals in this neighborhood are generally very nice, and I get a lot of smiles and comments such as, “That looks fun!” while I ride there.  Do take care to practice good riding etiquette here as you will be faster than the walkers and (most) joggers, yet slower than the bicyclists.  Most people there are not yet familiar with Trikkes, and I would hate for their first impression of us to be a negative one.

As with any trail, too many disruptions to your momentum will make this a tedious ride, so I do advise you to pick times and days when the trail is less crowded.  In general if you avoid rides during afternoons and early evenings during the week, and mid-mornings to evenings on the weekends, you’ll be riding this trail at its best.  I’m also fond of riding in the colder weather, which does tend to keep the trail clear at most times.  On quieter days, you’ll likely see deer in the fields along the southern portion of the loop.  Take caution as they do sometimes venture onto the trail, but also enjoy getting an up-close view of them as you ride by.

Overall, the Ironton loop one of the best local trails for both biking and Trikking as it is flat, scenic and has minimal road crossings.  If you have ridden this trail, I’d love to hear your impressions of it as well.