LSM Ride - D&L Trail, Easton, PA

The scenic 165 mile long D&L Trail (http://www.delawareandlehigh.org/index.php/trail/) is one of Pennsylvania’s most popular trails with bicyclists, but most of it is gravel and therefore inaccessible to Trikkes. However, there is a 5-mile stretch through Easton that is paved and runs alongside the beautiful Lehigh River and D&L Canal. For June’s LSM ride, we’ll ride this rare stretch of D&L asphalt.

The ride will start at Riverview Park in Palmer Township at 10:00 am, and will be broken into 2 segments:

Ride 1: We will head west along the trail to the Boat Launch off of Hope Road and return, for a total of 5 miles. This section of trail is wide, smoothly paved, and nearly flat except for one small hill near the start. It is an ideal ride for all skill levels, and offers several nice views of the Lehigh River including a large chain dam.

Ride 2: Upon returning to Riverview Park, riders can decide if they want to continue on for the second part of the ride. This segment will be more challenging, so consider carefully if you’re up to it. The D&L now extends east of Riverview Park, and zigzags down several hairpin turns to Hill Street Bridge which crosses the Lehigh River. The trail continues between river and the canal. Although it’s mostly flat, there are a few substantial hills and it is narrower than the trail for the first part of the ride. It also sometimes comes nearly to the edge of the canal, so consider if you are comfortable riding that close to the water. We will continue east to the small bridge that crosses the canal, then will turn around and head back to Riverview Park. (Beyond this point, the trail gets very rough and slippery, and not a lot of fun on a Trikke.) The total length of this part of the ride is about 4 ¼ miles.

As an alternative, we could re-ride the first segment if no one feels up to the second part I’ve described. We will see who shows up, and how we’re all feeling on the day of the ride before making the decision.

With all of our rides we don't drop anyone and we take breaks. We may get a little spread out, but you will never be left behind. Riverview Park has ample parking, and real toilets. (Although as of my visit on 7/4 they were blocked off with portajohns in their place. I’m not sure the timeframe for reopening the restrooms. For now I’d recommend stopping at the Wawa on 25th Street on your way to the park if you need to.) Riverview Park is located at S 25th St & Lehigh Dr, Easton, PA 18042. As you come down Lehigh Drive, consider taking the second entrance to the park at the bottom of the hill. This entrance is paved, whereas the first one you come to is gravel and very rough if you don’t have a rugged vehicle.

Click here for a map of Riverview Park (https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Riverview+Park,+Palmer,+PA&aq=0&oq=riverview+park&sll=40.669425,-75.23761&sspn=0.003882,0.007972&vpsrc=0&ie=UTF8&hq=Riverview+Park,+Palmer,+PA&ll=40.663436,-75.243366&spn=0.014616,0.031886&t=m&z=16&lci=bike&cid=18161330955971646557&iwloc=A).

We usually have an extra Trikke or two available for first time riders, but please let us know in advance if you need a loaner. I'll email my cell phone number Friday night to those that sign up.

Helmets are recommended.