nicest places in nepa to cycle (Allentown, Scranton: home, neighborhood, camping)

[mathjak107]

being new to nepa and avid cyclists im looking to put a little list together of some nice places to ride. should be relatively safe with light traffic(my wifes a big baby) and moderate hilly. that leaves our immeadite area in tafton out. you can pop a vein trying to get off our block its so hilly.

[Toonamatic]

I'm also an avid cyclist (ex-racer). I live farther east in Milford and haven't found any bike friendly roads here (yet). In the meantime, I do all my cycling in Sussex County, but that's probably too far from Tafton.

Toon

[ScranBarre]

Unfortunately NEPA is not a very bicycle-friendly area. Motorists seem to always be in a bloody rush to get home to see American Idol or Sex and the City, so they don't abide by the state law that requires vehicular traffic to share the roadways with bicyclists and pedestrians. Collisions between vehicles and bikes or pedestrians are a common occurrence here. I can tell you as an avid distance runner here in the suburbs that I was hit (albeit gently) last year when an elderly man in a Buick attempted to make a right-hand turn on red without first yielding to me in the crosswalk as I ran. I've also had some VERY close calls with sideview mirrors of vehicles and cough from all of the diesel exhaust fumes from the heavy truck traffic. I hate to admit this, but even being a "green" person I gladly hop into my car and waste our precious gas to drive ten miles each way to Lake Scranton so I can run SAFELY!

Urban planners in NEPA ought to be shot on sight for not planning for bike paths, sidewalks, or even SHOULDERS on many local roadways before planning for residential and commercial development. I hate to admit that I don't know how to ride a bike because I don't live in an area where there's anywhere that I CAN bike! It was especially embarrassing when we visited Martha's Vineyard and I kept falling over in front of my friends. Whenever Dan belittles Scranton, I should remind him that at least his neighborhood isn't alongside a four-lane commuter belt so you can't safely run or ride a bike.

[greentown]

Have you ever checked out Promised Land State Park? I believe there are bike trails there.

We live on Route 507, so I know what you mean about the hills, and I would never send my kids out to ride with all the traffic, especially in the summer. The most they ever get to ride their bikes is when we go camping.

[MermanMike]

There are a lot of opportunities for mountain biking in the area--Promised Land comes to mind. If you are up for a day trip, do the lehigh river valley gorge trail...some say one of the best trails in the US as far as beginner mountain biking goes. Lot's of other biking around Jim Thorpe too. You've got Prompton state park near Honesdale with trails. If you want to stay on the road, lot's of people bicycle up 191 north of Honesdale. It is pretty rigorous but with some great vistas, if you've got the legs for it.

[weluvpa]

Are we talking about about mountain biking or road cycling? Mountain biking is not a issue, find a power line road or train tracks and you'll find trails. There hundreds of miles of quad paths in this area and there is no shortage of mountain bike riding areas. If your talking about road cycling well its NEPA and its the "mountains" so you'll have to deal with hills.

Most guys that I know that road cycle do it out near Elk Mt. and in those areas to avoid any traffic.

If your looking for flat country riding then you'll have to day trip to the Allentown area around Mertzville and Bear Creek Ski area. Thats also the area that is home to the vellodrome.

[mathjak107]

we were kind of looking at road biking as i dont mountain bike that much anymore since my broken collerbone. we do have our mountain bikes too though so parks are no problem but as i get older i much prefer our nice light road bikes