If you have a bicycle, take some time to get out and enjoy scenic trails.
Remember your first bicycle? I’ll bet you do. We all do. Way back when, it was our ticket to freedom, our means to venture as far as our legs and two wheels would take us, our excuse to explore.
Whether you want to work up a sweat, go on an adventure, or spend a few hours simply enjoying the outdoors, biking offers fun for the whole family. It’s great on hot days because you can create your own breeze, and it’s good on colder days, too, as you can throw on some layers and work up a sweat.
The problem right now is that if you don’t have a bike, you may be out of luck in buying one. A recent trip to Walmart revealed an entirely empty bike rack and Erie’s specialty cycling stores say they, too, are nearly out of stock. Manufacturers can’t seem to keep up with demand in these days of COVID-19, when many events are canceled and everyone is looking for something to do, preferably outdoors.
If you are in the market for a bike and can’t find one at the store, keep an eye out for used bikes for sale in the newspaper, on Facebook marketplace, and at garage sales. The Erie region has a few specialty bike shops, such as Lake Country in North East, which is happy to take a garage sale find and turn it into the bike of your dreams, usually for less than you can buy a new one. Another tip: If you’re on social media, tell your friends that you’re looking for a bike. You’d be surprised how many people may have one they’re happy to get out of their garage or basement.
Some good news: Once you find a bike, you’ll have no trouble finding lots of paved bike paths on which to ride it. There’s more to explore than the Karl Boyes Multi-PurposeTrail at Presque Isle (though, that’s a classic!).
Below are a handful of two-wheeled adventures you may want to try. P.S. Don’t forget basic safety rules: Carry a cellphone, wear bright colors and helmets, and put a flashing light on the back of your bike seat if you’re going to be riding on roads, even in the daylight.
Bayfront Connector Trail
There is a paved multipurpose trail that runs the entire length of the Bayfront Connector from the campus of Penn State Behrend in Harborcreek Township to downtown Erie where the trail meets up with the Bayfront Parkway trail, which connects to the bikeway on Sixth Street. Park in the Erie Lot at Penn State Behrend (stop at Police Services and ask for a free visitor parking pass) and get on the paved trail near the softball field. If you ride it all the way to the Bayfront Parkway, it’s 5.5 miles. If you continue to Frontier Park, it’s 8 miles and to Sara’s (mmm … ice cream!) near the entrance to Presque Isle, it’s 11 miles. Word to the wise: It’s all downhill from Behrend to the city and all up on the way back, so maybe arrange for a ride back. https://www.traillink.com/trail/bayfront-connector-trail/
Ernst Bike Trail
The 7.2-mile Ernst Trail starts in Meadville and is named for Calvin Ernst, who owned the unused right-of-way of the Meadville and Linesville Railway and donated it to French Creek Recreational Trails in 1996 for trail development. The trail is mostly shaded in summer and is a point-to-point that has several access points (visit http://ernsttrail.org/map-directions/ for trailhead directions and a map.) This ride is best done with a mountain bike or hybrid as the trail is a mixture of asphalt and gravel. It features glimpses of French Creek and a cute covered bridge, perfect for posing and posting. Take bug spray as you’ll pass through meadows and other buggy areas. https://ernsttrail.org
Goddard State Park
The Maurice K. Goddard State Park is an hour drive down Interstate 79 to the Sandy Lake exit. A 12-mile paved bike trail circles the 1,860-acre Lake Wilhelm in the center of the park. You’ll find a few more hills on this path, but nothing too strenuous for an average rider. (Note that the hills may be too much for kids younger than 8). It’s mostly shaded and offers several places to stop, have a seat and take in the view. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot one of the ospreys or eagles that call the park home. There are restrooms and picnic facilities near the trailhead. http://www.friendsofgoddard.com/trail.html
Oil Creek State Park
There is a 9.7-mile paved multipurpose trail that runs from Oil City to Titusville that offers a nice ride through the woods, over a few bridges and alongside Oil Creek. Built along a former railroad grade, it is a mostly flat ride that is completely free of vehicular traffic and well shaded by the trees that surround it. Trailheads and parking are at the park office location in Petroleum Centre in Oil City or at the Jersey Bridge next to the Drake Well Museum near Titusville. There are restrooms and picnic areas at both ends of the trail. Word to the wise: Take bug spray. http://friendsocsp.org/trails/biking/ocbiketrail.html
PA Bike Route Z (Route 5)
Pennsylvania Bike Route Z follows the Lake Erie shoreline for 45-plus miles. Mostly utilizing Route 5, it connects New York’s Seaway Trail to the Ohio border. This route is not a separate paved trail, but rather a widened berm alongside the road that offers space for cyclists. You have to watch for gravel, potholes and motorists, but parts of this route offer scenic glimpses of the lake. Some spots to park along this route include Erie Bluffs State Park in Girard Township, Shades Beach in Harborcreek and Freeport Beach in North East. If you want a destination ride, it is 10 miles from Erie Bluffs to the White Turkey Drive-In in Conneaut, Ohio, where you can refuel for the ride back.
BONUS: A ride worth traveling for
If you’re up for a longer car ride to get to a very long trail, check out the Allegheny River and Samuel Justice Trails, which offer 32 miles of smooth riding from Oil City to Emlenton, including two very cool (figuratively and literally) railroad train tunnels. The Kennerdell Tunnel, .65 miles long, is 15 miles south of Franklin and the Rockland Tunnel, .54 miles long, is 21 miles south of Franklin. The trail is paved through the tunnels and three rows of reflectors mark the trail edges and center. Both tunnels are very dark; you must bring a light (headlamps work best). For directions and more info, visit http://www.avta-trails.org/allegheny-samuel-trails.php.
Roadsharing
A note about sharing the roads: Motorists, did you know that by law you must allow four feet of distance when passing a bicycle and travel at a careful speed while doing so? Cyclists, did you know that you must follow the state’s traffic laws? You can familiarize yourself with them here: https://www.penndot.gov/TravelInPA/RideaBike/Pages/Bicycle-Safety-and-Pennsylvania-Laws.aspx. LEL
The Link LonkJuly 26, 2020 at 06:19PM
https://www.goerie.com/entertainmentlife/20200726/wheel-along-some-bike-trails
Wheel along some bike trails - Entertainment & Life - GoErie.com
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