A favorite activity among Northeast Pennsylvania residents is biking or hiking. For decades, the Rail-Trail Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania has been helping to expand the region’s trails.
The Trail Town Bike Festival is one of the nonprofit organization’s events that highlights the natural scenery and beauty of the D&H Rail-Trail. The event will be held Saturday, Aug. 1, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Forest City Trailhead.
“We are excited for our event on Aug. 1 because it is in conjunction with the Forest City Trail Town Days,” said Lynn Conrad, executive director of the Rail-Trail Council of NEPA.
“We anticipate visitors who will be coming from all over to participate in the festivities. This year we are excited to have our bike ride event on Saturday morning,” Conrad added.
Conrad said the event will include vendors from various bike shops, including Sawmill Cycles and Chenango Point Cycles, that will have bikes available to rent for the day.
“People can also walk the trail and spectate if they do not wish to ride,” Conrad said.
The Trail Town Bike Festival, which starts at the Forest City Trailhead, highlights the natural scenery and beauty of the D&H Rail-Trail. (Courtesy of the Rail-Trail Council of NEPA)
The Trail Town Bike Festival will feature three different rides, each tailored to cyclists’ level of experience. There is a gravel and trail ride for more experienced riders, a moderate trail ride and the easy and informative Discover the D&H ride, which will spotlight the trail’s history.
“For those excited to ride, they are expected to meet at the Forest City Trailhead for registration,” Conrad said.
“We will have three choices of rides available: 9 a.m. begins the long ride, 25 miles of gravel and trail. 9:30 a.m. is a ride on the trail with volunteers riding north to Union Dale, turning around and riding back. (At) 10 a.m. (is the) historical bike ride, which is a slower-paced ride that is through the trail to look at the history of coal mining. There will be information stations along the trail. This ride is estimated to be 6 or 7 miles long,” Conrad said.
When discussing the D&H Trail, Conrad elaborated that the Rail-Trail Council of NEPA, since its formation in 1991, owns 38 miles, reaching from the end of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail to the border of New York. They have 32 miles of improved trail land thanks to years of hard work and its volunteers and supporters, along with the help of grants.
By the end of next year, they will only need one mile to have the whole trail improved.
“It is most certainly a large accomplishment,” Conrad said. She has been with the council since its formation, where she started as a volunteer.
Conrad is excited for residents to enjoy the beautiful scenery and learn more about the history of the region. She said it’s really a special area, and the historical signs along the trail show walkers and riders what the historical and natural preservation means for the area.
After the ride, participants are encouraged to spend the day in Forest City, have lunch, shop and celebrate in the Trail Town Days festivities.
To participate in the Trail Town Bike Festival, there is a $20 suggested donation. For more information about the event, email cindy.nepatrails@gmail.com or ann.nepatrails@gmail.com.
For those who cannot make the event, visit the Rail-Trail Council of NEPA’s website, neparailtrails.org, to learn more about the organization. To become a member, those interested can download an application online.
To keep track of upcoming events and campaigns, check out the council’s Facebook page.
If you go
What: Trail Town Bike Festival, hosted by the Rail-Trail Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania in partnership with Forest City Trail Town Days
When: Saturday, Aug. 1, 9 a.m. to noon
Where: Forest City Trailhead. Riders can register here.
Info: $20 suggested donation. For more information, email cindy.nepatrails@gmail.com or ann.nepatrails@gmail.com. For more details, visit neparailtrails.org or visit the Rail-Trail Council of NEPA’s Facebook page.