Inaugural Bike and Hike - Lancaster Coun ty, Pa.

“For some time I've been trying to figure a way to combine the two things I enjoy doing most - riding motorcycles and hiking. This weekend I had the opportunity to do just that. I rode my Buell Cyclone up to Adamstown Pennsylvania to my cousin Russells Friday night. Russell has an awesome v-twin Suzuki 650.
I met up at his place, dropped off my stuff and in no time we were saddled up and headed over to my Aunts house to see some of my cousins old and new. We then headed to Reinhold Pa for a great dinner and beers at The Station Inn. After a few more beers and a couple games of pool we crashed out and got ready for a long day of riding.
Saturday morning was about as nice a day as you could ask for so we hit the road early and after Gassing up we Hit route 897 Just off the Turnpike and route 222 near the Denver exit.

Now, most of you may know Pa. has hundreds of miles of trails and is nicknamed "Rocks"l- vania cuz of the condition of the trails. Russell , a trail runner, showed me a little gem tucked away in the heart of the county. I'll have more on that later.

What you may not know is it is also has hundreds of long, windy, sweeping high speedlimit roads throughout the state. IMHO 897 rates up there as one of the best.
The road runs through the heart of Lancasters Amish country and for most of the trip you are treated to expansive views of the countryside.
One of the highlights was seeing a man plowing a field with a four horse team while zipping through a long sweeper at speed.

About half way through the ride, Russ said we were near a trail he runs regularly and we stopped to check it out. Money Rocks was the trail and about a half mile in there was an outstanding view of Lancaster valley. We hopped back on the bikes and continued our tour heading down state Rt 30 through Intercourse, Paradise and Bird and hand Pa. A truly awesome tour.

When we got back I was treated to the Hospitality of Russells Neighbor Jim. His sons Graduation party. Great eats and great Peeps! Later I said my goodbyes and I headed out to York Pa. for a Gathering and was home by 1AM Sunday morning.


Admittedly this trip was heavy on riding and light on hiking, but it was every bit as cool a combo as I thought it would be.


I would love to do this again and am open to any suggestions as to wheres,whens and hows.

Pics:

http://rides.webshots.com/album/559493239QFQBat”

“you were in York, PA? You son of gun... no way??

great trip report and cool pics.”

“Lancaster County is one slice of Americana that everyone should experience.”

“Nice pics, beautiful countryside down there.”

“York PA, I've been there before!

Duuuude, I didn't realize you'd biked AND hiked that day. Coolness!”

“neat-O, JS!”

“Dang Jackstraw, I wanna get that two-wheeler back on the road!!!!

Two cylinders is all ya need!”

“We went to a place name of York
Where upon we met up with some Dorks
The Guinness flowed free
Man, I sure had to pee
And some champagne bottles lost their corks”

“ “We went to a place name of York
Where upon we met up with some Dorks
The Guinness flowed free
Man, I sure had to pee
And some champagne bottles lost their corks”
MarkO
10:11:40 AM
6/18/07


Brings a tear to me eye Laddie.”

“Yessur!!

And a flush to me cheeks...............as well as me commode.”

“It is a sweet area. I grew up near there.”

““It is a sweet area. I grew up near there.”
mapleleaf
12:40:03 PM
6/18/07




My family is from the area as well. Renninger - Hello.”

“Mapleleaf grew up (well, better her than me).”

“Where you from Nimblefoot, Hell.............Michigan?”

“nice! The man and I rode out that way on Saturday also...
We left our place in Bucks County Saturday AM and did a 230 mile RT loop. We rode out past Harrisburg, through New Cumberland(my neice had her graduation party) and then back through Hershey, Lancaster, Reading, etc. It was gorgeous out(other than about 45 minutes of torrentials...oops) and the rolling farmland and Amish buggies made for an idyllic cruise.

We really didn't get any hiking in, but we are planning a riding/camping trip to South Dakota late July/early Aug.

Let me know when you guys go again! We are practically neighbors. ;)”