Easton Area Cycling Group

5.0•4264 ratings

Easton, PA, US

1,507 members · Public group

What we’re about

Easton Area Cycling Group
Welcome to the Easton Area Cycling Meetup, also referred to as Gravel Grinders due to our passion for trail riding and coffee! We are a member-financed group of enthusiastic cyclists riding road, cyclocross, gravel, fixed gear, mountain, and most all other types of bicycles in the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania, including Northwest New Jersey. Being member-financed, donations are welcomed.
We ride for fun, fitness, and camaraderie. We ride roads, trails, bike paths, gravel roads, and tow paths. We have day and night rides. We have overnight and multi-day bike packing rides. We ride year round - we don’t stop because the weather gets cold.
We meet at the noted locations. Most of our rides are of the no-drop variety, but the more spirited rides may elect not to wait for stragglers. The ride leaders will post what type of ride and expected pace in the Meetup.
***HELMETS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL RIDES!***
***No helmet, no ride, no exceptions.***
***Note that cycling can be dangerous. You ride at your own risk.***

Featured event

Annual Pittsburgh to Washington DC (GAP to C&O)

Thu, Sep 10 · 8:00 AM EDT

Point State Park, 601 Commonwealth Pl, Pittsburgh, PA, US

Check out our 2021 GAP/C&O video on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ASPoUSFv7Y

Meet in Pittsburgh for the ride of a lifetime!

We will leave Easton at 8am on Thursday and drive to Pittsburgh, PA. Once in Pittsburgh, unload bikes and assemble the team. We will be riding 60 miles per day, riders choice- tent camping or lodging. There are plenty of small towns along the trail for food, terrific sightseeing and lodging. Each morning the team will assemble and determine the afternoon destination for that day.
Having done this ride last year, even the climb to the Eastern Continental Divide, although sounds impressive, it's only a 2 percent grade. For those not familiar with percent grades, consider it is along a re-purposed railroad track, so it's not steep.
Each morning and evening we will have daily huddle.
We will be sharing ground transportation cost. From Easton we can rent a van to serve as transportation to Pittsburgh. A one way rental car and U-Haul truck will run about ~$125 per person (for those leaving from Easton). Riders are responsible for their own food and lodging (tent camping is free).
The ride ends in Washington, DC. Once we arrive in DC, locate mile marker zero of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal (C&O).

Please post any questions- this event will be updated with more information.

https://gaptrail.org/

https://bikecando.com/

Based on experience and the handy Trail Guide book, we are able to map out daily routes. Suggested plan:

Sept 10
Day 1, Pittsburgh --> West Newton, PA (36 miles)
ROUTE: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35260918
Lodging options in West Newton, PA
https://www.brightmorningbb.com/
OR
https://www.airbnb.com
OR Camping
https://gaptrailcampground.com/
OR
Free, Hiker-Biker Camp Site (Cedar Creek Park, 2- miles south)

Sept 11,
Day 2, West Newton --> Confluence (52 miles)
ROUTE: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35260951
Lodging options in Confluence, PA
https://www.visitconfluence.info/bed-breakfasts/
OR
https://www.airbnb.com
OR Camping
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233679

Sept 12
Day 3, Confluence --> Cumberland, MD (62 miles)
ROUTE: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35261079
Cumberland is a relatively large town with loads of dining and lodging options.
This place looks pretty cool- otherwise there are the name brand hotels. (http://www.9decaturguesthouse.com/home.html)
http://bikewashington.org/canal/plan-lodging.php

Sept 13
Day 4, Cumberland --> Hancock (60 miles)
ROUTE: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35261086
https://bikecando.com/hancock-motel.aspx
Free, Hiker-Biker Camp Site White Rocks OR Little Pool

Sept 14
Day 5, Hancock --> Harpers Ferry (62 miles)
ROUTE: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35261126

Sept 15
Day 6, Harpers Ferry --> Georgetown Mile Zero (61 miles)
ROUTE: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35261140

Returning to the Lehigh Valley by train. Amtrak offer roll-on / roll-off service,