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SCENIC
TOURS
Prepared
for public use by the Lancaster
Bicycle Club P.O.
Box 535 Lancaster,
PA. 17608-0535 The Lancaster Bicycle
Club is pleased to offer to the public this 25 ride series, showcasing the
beautiful Lancaster County’s rolling farmlands. The tours range from 11 to 58
miles in length. These are all new rides, replacing the previously offered
Scenic Tours rides. The rides now have
starting points from popular tourist destinations. Three popular Pennsylvania State owned
museums are the starting point for 17 of these rides. The Lititz Springs Park, in Lititz, PA is the
start point for 8 rides and the Clock and Watch museum the start point for one
more. The Heritage rides are based on a ride developed for the
Pennsylvania Department of Tourism.
Since this ride originally featured the three museums it was easy to
adapt it to accommodate the quaint town of Lititz. The 4 versions of the Heritage Ride are the
same and differ only in their start locations. All rides take you through picturesque, rolling farmland,
generally on lightly traveled roads. The
terrain is varied from flat easy loops to rolling farm country to challenging
hilly rides. There are many covered
bridges in Lancaster County and where possible the rides pass through these
structures of years past. Lancaster
County is known for its Amish and plain Mennonite sects. It is not uncommon to
see horse drawn carriages and teams of mules working the fields. Each ride is rated according to its difficulty. The
"Difficulty" classification system is: A.
Difficult terrain. Very Hilly. May
include hills of 8% or steeper gradient. Some long (up to three miles) hills
may be encountered. Multi-speed bikes
with low gearing are advised for comfortable riding. B.
Moderate terrain. Hilly, usually short and less than 8%
gradient. Multi-speed bikes with moderate gearing are suitable. C.
Rolling terrain. Some rolling hills.
These are good rides for those new to cycling. D.
Flat. Some rolling hills Good for
beginning bicyclists. Each ride is on publicly traveled
roads, and where possible, routes were chosen with low traffic counts. In Pennsylvania the bicycle is a legal
vehicle and riders are expected to know and obey all traffic laws. There are certain dangers that riders should
be aware of and be prepared to meet.
Also be advised that road conditions can change. Conditions of your use of the Scenic Tours RidesExcept as stated below, the Scenic Tours Rides may not be
copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or
transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior express written
permission of the Lancaster Bicycle Club. You may download and copy for personal use only, any of the Scenic Tours Rides on this Website. The distribution other than for personal use to third parties without the prior express written permission of the Lancaster Bicycle Club is prohibited and the Lancaster Bicycle Club is clearly identified as the owner and originator. Online
information for the ride starts locations. These web sites show the ride start location and provide information for their attraction. National Association of Clock and Watch Collectors Museum Map of Lancaster CountyThe Lancaster County Planning Commission has a map available that shows the suitability of roads for bicycling in Lancaster County. A copy can be ordered here. It also may be available at some bicycle shops.
Online Resources for Visiting Lancaster County The Pennsylvania Dutch Visitors Center travel guide contains a listing of all the things to see and do and places to stay in Lancaster, Gettysburg and Hershey areas. They also list Hotels and Motels for your stay. Your free travel guide. http://www.padutchcountry.com/index.asp Pennsylvania Bicycle Drivers ManualThe PA. dept. of transportation publishes a Bicycle Drivers Manual that is available to down load on line. http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/docs/pamanual.pdf
Riding in Lancaster CountyLancaster County’s back roads may not be ideal for larger vehicles, such as tractor-trailers. These rural roads are a bicyclist's dream. The Amish farms and covered bridges that dot the county can be experienced up close. Bicycling also allows for easy discovery of the many interesting things that you might see. Amish and Mennonite cottage industries might rouse your desire for a visit. Please note these cottage businesses will be closed on Sundays. Bring your camera so that you can make brief stops to take
pictures and watch the cattle grazing. There
are many points of interest on these rides.
On some of the cue sheets I have made notations pointing out a few of them. In the area we chose for
the rides, you can expect to encounter Amish and Mennonite buggies. You might
also see farm implements drawn by mules working in the fields. Sharing the
roads with horse drawn buggies, you may want to be aware of the horse droppings
(road apples) on the roadway. Amish and Mennonite Sects
The Amish strive for a
simple life with a strong focus on community, family and their religious
beliefs. Don’t make the mistake of thinking they are relics of the past. LED
lighting is now evident on their buggies.
Many of their newer buggies use composite construction for the wheels
and bodies. A young gentlemen’s courting buggy can sport a very plush interior
with an in dash sound system. On a closer inspection you might be surprised to
see a Cateye computer to record speed and distance. Solar panels are now
being used on their farms and businesses, and they have long used wind power to
pump water for their farm needs. The Amish prefer not to
be photographed, especially close up. Their religious belief interprets being photographed
as making graven images. Please be respectful of their wishes. A question can arise as
to the best way ride when encountering a horse drawn vehicle. Horse drawn vehicles are slower than
bicycles. Just use common sense when passing and do not cut back into your lane
too close causing the horse to spook.
Oncoming horse drawn vehicles are usually no problem. You might want to
keep in mind that they could be turning into a farm lane or field rather than
at an intersection. They cannot be relied upon to use turn signals. As a bicyclist you should be able to relate,
as the situations will resemble the problems that you experience while riding.
Since you are now a little higher on the speed chain, being faster you now will
be dealing with slower moving vehicles.
Just as bicyclists can be unpredictable a horse might take control
particularly when turning into their farm lane at feed time. Young Amish youth might
decide to have their horse pick up the pace to see if you’re up to a challenge.
Young Mennonite youth on their bicycles might also want to pick up their pace
to see what you've got. Many times tourists and
locals confuse all buggies as Amish buggies. Actually the Amish buggies are
gray and black. Conservative Mennonite buggies are all black. Mennonite dress in mostly black, The Amish
will usually incorporate purple and green in women’s dresses. Their beards identify married Amish men.
Amish single men and Mennonite men are clean shaven. Lancaster County Amish do
not drive cars or ride bicycles. Instead will roller blade or use scooters,
where as Mennonites will ride bicycles and may drive cars. Online information on the Amish http://www.800padutch.com/amish.shtml Cell Phone SignalsSince some of the routes will be in very rural areas with a spotty cell phone signal
Covered BridgesLancaster County has the most covered bridges in Pennsylvania. Please use caution when entering a covered bridge, as they are only single lane. Your eyes are adjusted to bright sunlight and entering a darkened bridge with sunglasses on can cause you to misjudge the wooden bridge riding surface. Online information sites for Covered Bridges http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_covered_bridges_in_Lancaster_County,_Pennsylvania http://www.padutchcountry.com/Presentation/ConsumerPage?PageID=1118 http://www.coveredbridgesite.com/pa/pa_co_lancaster.html Cue Sheets
Every attempt has been made to insure the accuracy of these cue sheets. Bear in mind that your mileage might vary slightly. We used Google Maps to establish the distances. Road signs can be damages or vandalized so pay close attention to the cue sheet directions and symbols. Road surfaces can also vary and gravel can accumulate at intersections causing a fall. Pay attention, ride safe and enjoy your ride. If you want to report an error on the cue sheet, please send a note via the bike club web site contact page. Please refer to Ride Name and the Cue Number where the problem is.. Column #1 references the order of the cues. Column #2 “GO” is the distance between the numbered cues Column #3 “AT” refers to the total distance traveled from the ride start. Column #4: “DIR” refers to the direction to be taken at that cue. R = RIGHT BR = BEAR RIGHT L = LEFT BL = BEAR LEFT S = STRAIGHT TRO = TO REMAIN ON POI = POINT OF INTEREST Column #5 “KEY” shows a symbol that pictures the type of intersection.
Column #6 “ROAD” Gives the road name to follow Bicyclists fare best when they act like andare treated as operators of a
vehicle. Scenic Tours RidesListed by Ride Start Location
Ephrata Cloister Museum
Ephrata, PA. Ephrata Cloister (717) 733-6600. Admission Charge. The Cloister is a cluster of buildings dating from 1732 when a Protestant communal society was founded by Conrad Beissel, a German Pietist. The Cloisters date back to the time of the American Revolutionary War. Costumed guides direct visitors through the buildings, which illustrate the austere simplicity of these people's unique lifestyle. Call for schedule and hours. Location: 632 West Main Street, Ephrata, PA 17522 Ephrata Loop Ride (12.25 miles) (D) Flat DESCRIPTION: The Ephrata Loop Ride is generally flat terrain but with some moderate rolling hills. A sampling of the northern Lancaster County farmlands can be had on this short scenic ride. Food and drink are available in Ephrata. Oregon Dairy Ice Cream Ride. (26.64 miles) (D) Flat
DESCRIPTION:
The Oregon Dairy Ride is generally flat terrain but with some moderate rolling
hills. A sampling of two covered bridges and
Kitchen
Kettle Ride (42.75 miles) (C) Rolling
DESCRIPTION: The Kitchen Kettle Ride is gentle rolling terrain but with some moderate hills. A sampling of the Lancaster County Amish farmlands present themselves to be photographed and enjoyed. Kitchen Kettle Village was started in 1954 in a backyard garage, This collection of Pennsylvania Dutch Shops now includes a craft shop, tobacco shop, cafe, fudge shop, bake shop, herb and flower shop and many other food and craft shops. Open: Daily from 9 a.m. Closed Sunday. Food and drink are available in at Kitchen Kettle Village and Ephrata.
Heritage Ride
(Ephrata Cloister Start) (58.5 miles) (C) Rolling
DESCRIPTION: The Heritage Ride is mostly gentle rolling terrain but with some moderate hills. A great cross-section of the Lancaster County Amish farmlands and points of historic interest. The ride incorporates the Ephrata Cloister, Strasburg Railroad, and Landis Valley State operated museums, and includes the town of Lititz. Pennsylvania
Railroad Museum Pennsylvania Railroad Museum: (717) 687-8628. Admission Charge. Famous steam engines, plush passenger coaches and restored service cars are displayed on 1,300 feet of indoor track in the United states first building designed for rail museum purposes. Railroad memorabilia is on display and a slide show documents the evolution of the train from the earliest steam locomotives to the sleek speeding trains of today. Open: Call for schedule and hours. Location: Route 741, Strasburg, PA 17579. Strasburg Railroad: (717) 687-7522. Admission Charge. Chartered in 1832, the Strasburg Railroad is the oldest continually chartered public utility in Pennsylvania. Passengers take a 45-minute ride through beautiful countryside in wooden coaches pulled by a steam locomotive. Call for schedule and hours. Location: Route 741, Strasburg, PA 17579.
Intercourse
Quickie Ride (18.93 miles) (D) Flat DESCRIPTION: The Intercourse Quickie Ride is generally flat terrain but with some moderate rolling hills. A sampling of the southern Lancaster County farmlands can be had on this short scenic ride. Food and drink are available in Strasburg and several convenience stores on the route Back Country Ramble (25.50 miles) (B) Hilly DESCRIPTION: The
Back Country Ride is a little more challenging.
A picturesque low traffic, rural farmland rides. Note the mosaic on the former garage wall at
the 14.78 mile point. Food and drink are
available in Strasburg
Country
Side Delight (28.7 miles) (C) Rolling DESCRIPTION: The Country Side Delight Ride is typical Lancaster County rolling terrain but with some moderate climbs. It features a good sampling of the peaceful Amish Lancaster County countryside. Food and drink are available in Strasburg and several convenience stores on the route.
Lapp’s
Ice Cream Ride (28.73 miles) (C) Rolling DESCRIPTION: The Lapp’s ice Cream Ride is must for ice cream lovers. You will not only be treated to some of the best ice cream on a Mennonite farm, but you will also enjoy the rolling country side farm vistas. Note Lapp’s is closed on Sunday’s. Food and drink are available in Strasburg and several convenience stores on the route.
Witness
Ride (36.55 miles)
(C) Rolling DESCRIPTION: The Witness Ride takes you past the filmed scenes where Harrison Ford and Kelly McGillis appeared in the Oscar winning 1985 movie Witness. Food and drink are available in Strasburg.
Climbers
Delight Ride (37.21 miles) (A) Very Hilly DESCRIPTION: The
Climbers delight Ride extends the challenge of the Back Country Ramble by
venturing further into the river hills of the Susquehanna River. Food and drink
are available in Strasburg
Heritage Ride
(Pennsylvania Railroad Museum Start)
DESCRIPTION: The Heritage Ride is mostly gentle rolling terrain but with some moderate hills. A great cross section of the Lancaster County Amish farmlands and points of historic interest. The ride incorporates the Ephrata Cloister, Strasburg Railroad, and Landis Valley State run museums, and includes the town of Lititz. Landis
Valley Farm Museum Landis Valley Farm Museum: (717) 569-0401 Admission Charge. The Museum is a collection of over 30 original buildings and their contents assembled to represent small town life in the country from 1750 to 1900. Especially interesting are the spring and fall craft days when the entire museum is filled with crafts people and demonstrators. Call for schedule and hours Location: 2451 Kissel Hill Road, Lancaster, PA 17601.
Lititz
Ice Cream Ride (18.79 miles) (C) Rolling Description: The Lititz Ice Cream Ride is gentle rolling terrain with some short moderate hills. Your short jaunt to the town of Lititz is rewarded by not only one, but two ice cream shops next to each other. Food and drink are available in Lititz, or convenience stores on the route.
Lititz
Chocolate Ride (23.65)
(C) Rolling Description: The Lititz Chocolate Ride is gentle rolling terrain with some short moderate hills. Along the way a genuine thirteenth century castle overlooks the route. Wilbur Chocolate and the shops on Main St. is the destination. Food and drink are available in Lititz.
Ephrata Cloister Ride (35.2)
(C) Rolling
Heritage
Ride (Landis Valley Farm Museum Start) (58.5 miles) (C) Rolling DESCRIPTION: The Heritage Ride is mostly gentle rolling terrain but with some moderate hills. A great cross section of the Lancaster County Amish farmlands and points of historic interest. The ride incorporates the Ephrata Cloister, Strasburg Railroad, and Landis Valley State run museums, and includes the town of Lititz. Lititz
Springs Park
Millport
Conservancy Ride (10.88 miles) (D) Flat DESCRIPTION: The Millport Conservancy Ride is a delightful short ride showcasing the beauty of the Warwick Rd. as it takes you by the Conservancy. Adding to the ride is the surprise of seeing a genuine 13th century castle brought over from England and reassembled on the hillside at the 5.65 mile point. Food and drink are available in Lititz
Scenic
Overlook Ride (19.17 miles) (C) Rolling DESCRIPTION: The Scenic Overlook Ride ventures over a ridge north of Lititz, and heads westward. Along the way back to Lititz you ride by a bird sanctuary and are treated to a great view overlooking the Penn Valley Farms. Food and drink are available in Lititz
Short
Lititz Loop (21.40 miles)
(C) Rolling DESCRIPTION: The Short Lititz Loop Ride ventures over a ridge north of Lititz, and follows it down the other side. From there you sneak back into town by doing an end run that avoids the climb back into town. Food and drink are available in Lititz.
Udder
Choice Ice Cream Ride (25.13 miles) (C) Rolling DESCRIPTION: The
Udder Choice Ice Cream Ride ventures to the flat lands, at the base of the Blue
Mountains before a rewarding stop at the Udder Choice for a bite to eat and
some ice cream. Food and drink are available in Lititz Brickerville
Ramble (28.12 miles)
(C) Rolling DESCRIPTION: The Brickerville Ramble Ride ventures over the ridge north of Lititz, and parallels the PA turnpike. Note: the quaint old church on Reifsnyder Rd. and heed the stop sign warning on the Reifsnyder Rd. downhill. Food and drink are available in Lititz and convenience stores on the route.
Long
Lititz Loop (29.69 miles)
(C) Rolling DESCRIPTION: The Long Lititz Loop Ride starts the same as the Short Lititz Loop Ride and joins up with the Millport Conservancy route before returning to town. Adding to the ride is the surprise of seeing a genuine 13th century castle brought over from England and reassembled on the hillside at the 24.50 mile point. Food and drink are available in Lititz
Cornwall
Furnace Ride (45.16
miles) (A) very hilly DESCRIPTION: The Cornwall Furnace Ride is a challenging ride that takes you into southern Lebanon County.On the way the ride passes through Mt. Gretna. The town of Cornwall is the home of the Cornwall Furnace Museum. The quaint mining town houses are a picturesque reminder of earlier times in our nation’s history. Food and drink are available in Lititz, Mt. Gretna and convenience stores on the route. Mount Gretna. In the 1890's, the Pennsylvania Chautauqua Society founded Mt. Gretna, attracted by the region's natural beauty. The landscape is still just as inviting -- gently wooded mountains, a stream, and a lake. Throughout the summer, the Chautauqua's educational and cultural tradition is carried on with first-rate events in music, theater, and art. As cooler weather sets in, the area displays some of the most stunning foliage of the Northeast. When snow flies, cross country skiers enjoy expertly groomed, picturesque trails. Spring brings a green-dusted calm to the acres of protected Gamelands, crossed by miles of trails for mountain biking and hiking. Cornwall Iron Furnace 717 272-9711 Admission charge. The Cornwall Furnace has been designated a National Historical Landmark, and is an extraordinary example of the furnaces that dotted the Pennsylvania landscape. In operation from 1742 to 1883, it is one of the world's best-preserved 19th-century charcoal ironmaking facilities. The massive stone furnace, steam-powered air-blast machinery, and several related buildings survive intact. Primarily a producer of pig iron products, Cornwall Furnace cast cannon for the American Revolution. Call for schedule and hours. Location: 94 Rexmont Road Cornwall, PA 17016
Heritage
Ride (Lititz Springs Park Start) (58.5 miles) (C) Rolling
DESCRIPTION:
The Heritage Ride is mostly gentle rolling terrain but with some moderate
hills. A great cross section of
the Lancaster County Amish farmlands and points of historic interest. The ride incorporates the Ephrata Cloister, Strasburg Railroad, and
Landis Valley state operated museums, and includes the town of Lititz.
National
Association of Clock and Watch Collectors Museum: National Clock and watch Museum (717) 684-8261. Admission Charge. The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors Museum displays time keeping devices from various time periods. There are also displays of watch and clock making tools. Guided tours are available and visitors can watch a clockmaker at work. Open: Call for schedule and hours. Location: 514 Poplar Street, Columbia, PA 17512. A Timely Short Ride (19.45 miles) (B) Hilly DESCRIPTION: This ride offers gently rolling hills through farmlands, breathtaking views of the Susquehanna River, and the historic architecture of Columbia. There are some steep and long hills. Food and drink are available in Columbia. | ||||||||||||||||||||
