Hi, everyone!

Tuesday the 4th of July is looking like a nice day, and as the women’s ride can’t take place in our usual locations because of fireworks, we’re going to change things around and do a MORNING ride, starting at 9 a.m., open to everyone. As this ride is open to children as well as adults, we are keeping it short – about three miles out, and three back – flat and almost entirely off road.

We’ll meet starting at 8:30 am., with a ride start time of 9 a.m.. Come before 9 if you need air in your tires, a quick seat adjustment, or any other minor mechanical fixes. We’ll meet near the pagoda on the greenway on the Southside of Bethlehem, which you’ll find between Webster and Taylor Streets. For those of you driving to our starting point, you should be able to find ample parking in one of the lots on Mechanic Street, or on the surrounding streets.

From the pagoda, we’ll head to the eastern end of the greenway and meander into Saucon Park. There, depending on riders’ available time and inclinations, we can cool off by dipping our toes in the very chilly Saucon Creek, before we turn around and head back to our meeting spot. Highlights of this ride include the skatepark, the eagles’ nest, and having the chance to enjoy Saucon Park, another lovely Bethlehem park full of WPA-era stone masonry, including a footbridge across the creek.

The surfaces we’ll be on include paved trail, rough stone trail, fine stone trail, and a very brief section of isolated paved roads. Skinny-tired road bikes are not appropriate for this ride, though we will stop at transition points and give anyone who wants it the chance to walk over sections of trail they find iffy for their equipment or riding skills.

If you have friends/family who are hesitant to come on a group ride because they think they are not strong or skilled enough, this ride is a great place to start. We will take a very mild pace, set by the slowest among us, and have frequent breaks. As this is a CAT ride, wearing a helmet is required for all participants, and for your own comfort, you might want to bring some water. (Ride leaders will have room to carry such necessaries, if you don’t.)

We plan to have you home in plenty of time for your afternoon picnics. Please spread the word to anyone who might be interested. We hope you can make it!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at annef@lvcat.org, bill@lvcat.org, or tim.phillips@lvcat.org.

This bike ride is organized by CAT-Coalition for Appropriate Transportation. CAT envisions a world where bicycling, walking/ADA accessibility, and public transportation prevail. Learn more at LVCAT.org

This project is being completed in partnership with the Lehigh Valley Greenways Conservation Landscape.  Funding is provided in part by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, Environmental Stewardship Fund, administered by Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Inc.