Hellertown, PA

Single Track Sunday

Place: Hellertown, PA

Happened: November 2014

Click on video to play

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             This version of Single Track Sunday takes us away from the single track for a bit.  Due to a flu-like illness in the Nankman household (or maybe too much Zombie Zin consumed the night before?) the originally planned video-making ride was cut short with not enough footage to make a cycling video.  To make sure Cliff still enjoyed his day and got some good quality sprints in, we brought out Cliff's second favorite toy the "Zoom Car" (Cliff's first favorite toy is mountain bikes).

The "Zoom Car" (as we call it so that Cliff recognizes the name) is a remote control car. It can reach speeds of 70 miles and hour and can tear around the yard in circles and figure-eights. Cliff LOVES to chase this thing. When Cliff hears the motor running his ears perk up and he comes to attention, knowing the car is about to zoom around the yard. Cliff chases it at full speed, and when the car stops he pushes it and bites on the wheel in an attempt to get it going again.  Maybe not quite as fun as mountain biking but still a good workout and fun toy for Cliff.

So sorry there is no ride footage this week.  After some recovery time another ride location should be up next week. However, we hope you enjoy the footage of Cliff chasing the car.  It is quite entertaining to watch.

- word by Jess

- video by Joël

Blue Marsh Lake, Bernville, PA

Single Track Sunday

Place: Blue Marsh Lake, Bernville, PA

Ridden: November 2014

Click on video to play

Blue Marsh Lake is a man-made lake long the Tupelhocken Creek northwest of Reading, PA that features numerous outdoor activities.  With over 36 miles of trail, 5,000 acres of land, 1,147 acres of water, picnic areas, a small beach and boat launches the lake can accommodate all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts. Of course the reason we were there was to mountain bike.  The 30 mile perimeter trail that goes around the lake makes for a great few hours of riding.







The trails have a mixture of surfaces ranging from hard-packed dirt, grass, gravel, abandoned roads, and single track. The routes travel through open fields and woodlands, offering views of the lake, forested areas, and wide-open vistas.  The terrain is not especially technical, but there are some challenging climbs and super fast descents.  The trails are also heavily used by runners/hikers, equestrians, and this time of year hunters; so always be on the look-out for others.









Being that it is a man-made lake, Blue Marsh has an interesting history.  Blue Marsh was the name of the village that was located where the lake is now; it was the first settlement in the township. There were farms, homes, a church, schoolhouse, post office, and general store. Prior to flooding, some buildings were spared. Gruber Wagon Works was moved a safe distance away before the dam was created and Old Dry Run Farm had most buildings relocated out of the village.  The dam was authorized by Congress for flood control, water supply, water quality, and recreation.  The project was built and maintained by the Philadelphia District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, starting in 1974 and completed in 1979.  The dam is located on the Tulpehocken Creek and the project's water control practices benefit the downstream communities.



Blue Marsh is an outdoor activity mecca with an interesting history.  Definitely a great place to ride if you are looking for somewhere to get in a lengthy ride by doing the entire loop; but don't forget to take time to stop an enjoy the views of the lake.  Just as an FYI- bring extra water in the summer. Places to fill bottles are scarce and the open fields are hot and sunny. Also, if doing the entire loop be committed to your ride, once you are on the opposite side of the lake from where you parked there is no way back except to finish the loop.

- words by Jess
- video by Joël

D&L Trail, Freemansburg, PA

Single Track Sunday

Place: D & L Canal Trail, Freemansburg Trailhead, PA

Ridden: November 2014

Click on video to play

The race season has come to an end, thus rides are becoming more about leisurely riding and enjoying the scenery than about training.

In the spirit of taking a relaxing, fun ride this edition of Single Track Sunday we explored the D&L Canal Trail, starting at the Freemansburg Trailhead.  We often ride this in the winter and I take this when commuting to work.  During these previously mentioned rides we often have time constraints and/or just need to get the miles in, so not much time for stopping. The ride this time was different. We took time to stop and explore the historic sites and scenery along the way.  Old canal locks, a grist mill, and views of the Lehigh River were all part of this ride.

The D&L Trail follows the 165 mile route that anthracite coal took from mine to market. It winds through northern mountains and along the banks of the Lehigh and Delaware Rivers through northeast PA, the Lehigh Valley,and Bucks County.  The trail passes through towns, industrial powerhouses and along remnants of the Lehigh and Delaware canals.  This earthen path allows walkers, hikers, and cyclists to see some of PA's finest wild lands, waterfalls, wildflowers, and wildlife; while exposing users to an important part of PA history.         

        

We entered the trail at the Freemansburg Trailhead and spent most of the ride heading toward Easton. This relatively isolated section of trail connects Freemansburg and Hugh Moore Park. Located along the former canal prism, the only sounds users will hear is the flowing Lehigh River and the songs of birds. The remnants of canal infrastructure are scattered along the path, and a close-up view of the chain dam and Island Park are highlights of the trip.  A side trip into Hugh Moore Park and one can visit the mules that are there as part of the park educational exhibits. The trail is popular with runners, cyclists, and people walking their dogs.

A nice place for a walk, ride, or family outing to enjoy nature and history.

- words by Jess

- video by Joël

Settlers Cabin Park, Pittsburgh, PA

Single Track Sunday
Place: Settlers Cabin Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Ridden: November 2014

Click on video to play

Both Joël and I will admit that Single Track Sunday this week is a bit lacking in excitement and adventure. A work related conference took us to Pittsburgh, PA for the weekend. Clifford had to stay home but we did bring the bikes along intending to find some local trails to ride.  The conference encompassed more hours than expected, and thus time to ride dwindled.  After looking at maps and reading trail reviews on the internet, we would be passing Settlers Cabin Park on the way home. Trail reviews seemed decent so we decided to stop there.

The park is named Settlers Cabin due to the fact that archaeologists from Carnegie Museum of Natural History identified origins of a 1780 log cabin in the area.  The theme of the park is also the Native American heritage of the area; shelters and groves in the park have Indian names.

The area where the park is located was originally a maze of abandoned open and back-filled mines when the county secured it.  Active wells and exposed oil and gas lines were initial problems but the grading and reforestation of the land has restored it to rolling wooded slopes and meadows.  At 1589 acres, this park was intended to be the largest of the regional parks and still has a wild, rugged, and unexplored quality not found in the other parks.

The park contains opportunities for all sorts of activities, Picnic groves, playgrounds, a wavepool, tennis courts, hockey rink, and trails for walking/running, cycling, and equestrian use are spread throughout the park.

So what was our impression of the park?  It is a great place for family adventures, taking your dog for a walk, or a relaxing hike on a fall day.  The cycling trails would be great for a beginner or a easy recovery ride day, but certainly don't expect to get tons of quality miles there. We ended up just cruising around for a bit and then decided our time would be better spent getting on the road for the long drive home. Definitely a very nice park, just not what we were looking for.

- words by Jess
- video by Joël