Route Description 
Are you curious to know where you will be riding? What communities mark the route? Will you be rewarded with interesting or scenic locations? And, of course, how difficult are the climbs? Except for driving the route to verify cues and mileages, Eric’s mapping is essentially complete. As you read, remember changes are possible.
Day one begins in the flatlands, the narrow shoreline collar around Lake Erie. The route of 100 miles plus includes a loop on Presque Isle, a figurative ride into the lake. New York is next as the route leads us to some miles along Chautauqua Lake, home of the renowned Chautauqua Institution. Turning south the roller coaster terrain resumes, especially after crossing into Pennsylvania on the last leg of the day’s ride. At 1200 feet, Warren was once an oil and timber center.
Early on the second day you will see and feel the rugged features of the Allegheny Plateau as you pedal through the vast Allegheny National Forest toward the southern arm of the Allegheny Reservoir. But east of the reservoir, a valley ride stretches for about 10 miles. Until crossing US 219, the route will be passing through the most remote area of the entire ride. One of the east coast’s best amateur astronomy sites is located here. The last half of today’s route provides more valley riding, but climbs remain before descending to Coudersport’s 1660 feet. In the past, tanneries were a big business in this small town.
Wednesday, day 3, requires early ascents, later relieved by tracing the West Branch of Pine Creek. Paved roads permitting, you'll see Pine Creek’s Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania after a curving, demanding climb to Colton Point. Veteran riders will recognize the gaslights of Wellsboro, but today the route continues east through a rising and falling landscape to Mansfield. In a valley at about 1150 feet, this town’s university (then a seminary) hosted the first college football game under lights.
Yes, we’re headed west (southwest actually) this fourth morning. Yes, you will follow cues that lead up and down toward Pine Creek again. There, pedaling and cruising take you downstream for miles through the valley’s steep scenic bluffs. The route turns south before a brief trip up Little Pine Creek. Roller coaster riding continues south, sadly missing Salladasburg’s ice cream and happily avoiding Turkey Path Road. More turns help to accumulate mileage, but not elevation (530 feet), going east into Williamsport. Millionaires’ Row and Little League baseball barely need mention here.
Day 5 dawns. You’re in Pennsylvania’s ridge and valley region, but you won’t be there long and will return before day’s end. That means climbing back onto and into the Allegheny Plateau, riding east and north to World’s End State Park. South of Laporte, a secondary road promises dramatic views to the heights of remote state game lands. The route soon exits the plateau. Across a rolling valley looms the first of Pennsylvania’s signature parallel ridges, blocking the path to Berwick. Huntington Mountain requires a long steady ascent and offers a short descent between two ridges; a brief climb immediately leads to a gap in Lee Mountain. Resting along the Susquehanna at 570 feet, Berwick is near. Wise Potato Chips, anyone?
It’s another day - and another mountain, Nescopeck Mountain, is the last major climb. Piles of waste coal will mark your progress eastward across the anthracite region, in plateau country again. The Lehigh River crossing suggests Palmerton can’t be far. Though today’s ride is the shortest, miles remain before you ease off the plateau. Ahead is Blue Mountain, a ridge you will not cross. After more than 500 miles, the roller coaster ride is over. The route began in the flatlands, and it ends on a level mile or so on Palmerton’s main street.
How difficult are the climbs? What climbs? It’s been all downhill from Erie’s 571 feet to Palmerton’s 410!
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