Join CAT for a 3-day bicycle adventure that will take us from Bethlehem to Jim Thorpe and beyond!
This will be a mixed group of the CAT community, with options to bike a little or a lot.
The routes will be largely along the D&L Trail, but will also have on-road sections at both ends with a few hills. There will also be an option to ride the slightly rustic and rockier Switchback Trail for the last 3 miles to the campground.
Registration will open for all CAT members on 9/1, with an early registration open to active CAT volunteers on 8/27. Signup link will be sent by email. Trip will be limited to 18 participants.
Riders are welcome to ride at your own pace generally between 8-14mph, with 2-3 regrouping spots along the way. CAT ride leaders will be interspersed to support you. Note that there will not be a SAG vehicle during the rides.
The trip offers options for riders to carry your own camping gear or have it trucked up in a vehicle. Additionally for anyone not biking up, you are welcome to sign up and meet us at the campsites.
The Campsite
We have booked three lakefront campsites at Mauch Chunk Lake Park. These three sites will accommodate 18 people in tents. More campsite info. Campg
Schedule
Friday, 9/29, 9am, Ride from Bethlehem (40 miles) – For those riding up, we’ll meet at CAT, 1935 W Broad St, Bethlehem, PA 18018 on the front sidewalk. We will try to be there by 8:45am to have the door open for anyone who needs bathroom/water, etc.
The first 7 miles of our ride up will be on local roads that will take us to the Nor-Bath rail trail at Bicentennial Park, then connecting to the D&L trail in Northampton, all the way to Jim Thorpe. Miles 36-40 take us on the final climb along road (or Switchback Railroad trail if you wish) to Mauch Chunk Lake Park. Bathrooms and snacks available at Northampton, Slatington, Bowmanstown, JT.
Those driving car up to Jim Thorpe can arrive at the campsite no earlier than 2pm. The address for the campground is Mauch Chunk Lake Park, 625 Lentz Trail, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229.
We have the option to stop at the Jim Thorpe Market for groceries at mile 36 upon arrival to Jim Thorpe (before riding to the campground). This will avoid the need to carry groceries on our bikes for the first 36 miles. (Just leave some room in your packs to carry it.)
Saturday, 9/30, 9am, Day Ride from Campsite w/ option to meet 10am at Glen Onoko (0-40 miles) – Those biking from the campground can roll out about 9am for the mostly downhill ride to town and then further north along the D&L trail. If you’re meeting us at Glen Onoko, we’ll on the bridge closest to the restrooms (GPS: https://goo.gl/maps/
Note that for Saturday’s ride, we can travel light without our tents, etc, since we’ll be coming back to the campground for another night.
Bike Choice
Traffic and Trail Etiquette
Camping Gear
Cost
Ready to Sign Up?
Signups are limited to the first 18 people to register. Link will be emailed to active CAT volunteers first, followed by all active CAT members on 9/1.
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.
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