By
MasonDi
in
9/11/2010 11:17:50 AM
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We love rails-to-trails and have done many in our local area of NJ/PA. This September my husband and I made the 34 mile Virginia Creeper Trail our vacation destination, and, wow, I was so glad we did.
We parked our cars at the trail head in Abington (the low end) and had the nearby bike shop shuttle us and our own bikes to the top of the trail at White Top (the high end). It was approximately an hour shuttle ride, and the drive to the top was on beautiful twisty mountain roads.
About the first quarter of the trail is down hill (you barely peddle but you'll wear out your brakes), through lovely mountain scenery and along a tumbling river. The next quarter of the trail starts to level out a bit as you peddle towards the small town of Damascas, which is the half-way point, crossing the AT along the way. Damascas is a great place to take a lunch break (we bought huge icre cream cones) and see some civilization. Many riders stop in Damascas, call it a day, and will have had a terrific ride. If you have the time and strong legs, plan to continue on.
The second half of the trail is different from the first. The second half is mostly through privately owned farmland with the river now slow and rather still continuing to follow beside you. You probably will peddle past some cows enjoying the river. It is also mostly a gentle uphill grade, and you'll feel it. Then just about when you think you have had enough, the last little bit is downhill, and you zoom back into Abington on a strong finish ending where the day began at the parking lot at the trail head. If you brought your own bikes, there is no need to return to the bike shop.
You would think the ride would only take a couple of hours at the most, but plan on stopping, and stopping, and stopping some more to take pictures and enjoy the surroundings. I do not have the words to describe how beautiful this trail is. Be sure to set aside the entire day to enjoy it.
By
MasonDi
in
8/10/2010 4:38:12 PM
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This is one of my favorite bike rides because it gives you both a chance to "people watch" and a time for solitude. I like to start behind the Art Museum in Philadelphia (get there very early for available free parking spaces and fewer walkers/runner/roller bladers) and peddle to Valley Forge and return. Begin by peddling through Fairmont Park and enjoy the statuary and the rowers on the river (Note: If you have only seen Boat House Row lit up from the Schuylkill Expressway, it is kind of neat to see the back of the buildings up close). Stop in Manyunk at the Manyunk Diner for breakfast and continue on the canal towpath. You may even see a freight train passing you along the way. Once you get to Valley Forge, take a walk through the visitor's center, which has interesting exhibits, nice cool air conditioning, and clean restrooms. On the return trip walk your bike through the center of Manyunk and enjoy the little shops and restaurants, and buy some water ice. Once back in Fairmont Park be careful of the people along the way because many of them will not share the path (People from Philly are rather proud of their rudeness so I learned to not take it personally).
Most of this trail is smooth, but because there are rough sections including cobblestones, I consider this a "Fat tire ride".
By
MasonDi
in
8/10/2010 4:00:04 PM
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The Perkiomen Trail is a pleasant peddle through changing scenery and surfaces...woods, towns, bridges, and fishermen (and women) in the creek, sunlight and shade, paved and cinder. There are no "Oh wow, look at that!" vistas, but it is an enjoyable ride. If you have read about the steep hill, not to fear, there is a nice bench at the top where you can catch your breath and laugh along with everyone else who gives in and walks their bike up the hill.
If you want to spend a leisurely afternoon on your bike and not go long distance, start in the Central Perkiomen Valley Park in Schwenksville and peddle south for as long as you desire and return to a picnic lunch in the park where there are restrooms and bar-b-q grills. Or, stop for lunch along the way at the Collegeville Diner; the trail passes by their front door, and enjoy the air conditioning and the food, both of which are good.