View the 2003 Ride Map
Send Off: Palmerton, PA
Day #1: Oswego,
NY to Ithaca, NY
Five o’clock came bright and early as the YMCA we were staying
in started to be used by the locals of Oswego, NY. The riders enjoyed
a buffet breakfast on the lawn of the YMCA. The first riders pushing
off by six o’clock on barely traveled back roads with beautiful
countryside lead to the start of a great 102 mile ride. The rolling hills
of New York proved to be cyclist paradise. Lunch on Lake Cayuga catered by Ithaca College was a respite for the
weary riders. The final forty miles was a challenge to the difficult
head winds and high temperatures. Everyone arrived in Ithaca at a church
overlooking the valley which provided a bountiful dinner. Riders are looking
forward to Tuesday’s ninety mile ride into
Wellsboro, PA, home of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.
Day #2: Ithaca,
NY to Wellsboro, PA
Day two was off
to a good start. Everyone got a little more sleep compared to the previous
night. Breakfast was served at 7:00 am with most riders
on the road by 7:30 am. Within the first
ten miles the riders encountered a three mile hill followed by seven
more, equally steep and long. The lunch stop was not
until 70 miles into the 93 mile ride which meant it would be a long
morning for the riders. At about 1:30
we experienced a serious thunderstorm. Some riders decided to ride
through the storm and some decided to wait it out. Garbage bags
were a popular replacement for rain jackets. Eventually, the rain slowed
down for the final stretch into Wellsboro. Today has been
recorded as one of our toughest day in our 20 year Pennsylvania Perimeter
history.
Day #3:
Wellsboro, PA to Williamsport, PA
Today’s
ride started in Wellsboro, PA and ended 83 miles later in Williamsport,
PA. The
weather this morning was very hazy and humid.
We visited the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania and some of the hilliest
and challenging cycling in the country. A cyclists dream as we screamed
down a 2.5 mile mountain into English Center, and then entered Little
Pine State Park where we had a delicious lunch catered by Bucknell University. After lunch the haze burned
off and the sun reappeared making the afternoon a very warm ride. The
riders treated themselves to homemade ice cream
at Cohick’s General Store, a favorite of past rides and other celebrities
such as James Cagney, and Katherine Hepburn.
Day #4: Williamsport,
PA to State College, PA
Most riders did not need an alarm clock to wake up this morning. The
wonderful smell of eggs, bacon and sausage woke up many. Everyone was
very excited to eat their first home cooked breakfast of the ride. Climbing out of Williamsport was tough especially in the heavy fog.
The South Mountain Cycles support team of two came to the rescue when a riders back
tire blow out while she was flying down a mountain at 30 mph. Papo and
George have been at the right places at the right time and their hard
work is greatly appreciated. Riding through Amish Country was a great experience. The valley was
filled with amazing view and was voted our most scenic day yet. Lunch
was located on the lake of Bald Eagle State Park which was also beautiful.
The ride into State College led us right through Penn State University
campus.
Day #5: State
College, PA to Millersburg, PA
Breakfast
consisted of leftovers from previous breakfasts. Many riders stopped
at Perkins for a quick breakfast before the ride. Breathtaking valleys,
monstrous hills and beautiful farmlands was how this days ride was
described. Lunch was at Charles Park in Middleburg where a local carnival was
in progress. After lunch, hill climbing is not highly recommended. Unfortunately
there were some hills to climb. It’s not
all fun and games for the volunteers either. In order to get to the
church
we were staying at we needed to cross the Millersburg
Ferry. The vans, bikes, support staff and riders piled onto the ferry
for a fun filled ride.
Day #6: Millersburg,
PA to Palmerton, PA
The last day started in Millersburg, PA and ended 87 miles later in
Palmerton, PA. The morning began with thick fog and long stretch into
Hegins, PA where we had a major climb over the Hegins Broad Mountain.
Emotions were soaring and energy high as riders stopped for lunch in
Schuykill Haven sponsored by Pottsville Hospital. The riders had only 36 miles after lunch to finish the journey. A strong
head wind into Palmerton made the last miles seem longer. The riders
were welcomed by Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, family and friends. See ya in 2005!!!
Welcome Home: Palmerton, PA
Website maintained by Jodi Lichtenwalner
