Northeast - Abandoned Turnpike - Central PA

http://www.abandonedturnpike.com/

I went to this place about one week ago, and I must say it is incredible. Bring a mountain bike or a hybrid at the very lease as the riding is not very gentle - the roads are in pretty horrible disrepair.

Basically, this was one of the first turnpike expressways in the US. Traffic outgrew the one lane tunnels, and so the turnpike commission had to close off a pretty significant portion of the turnpike. Whats left is a four lane highway which runs about 13 miles end to end. This includes two tunnels, one stretching 0.7mi, and another stretching 1.6 mi (according to my cyclocomputer). The tunnels were NUTS. The first one you can see end to end so it isn't that bad. The second, well, its pitch black inside. We stopped midway through and all you could see was darkness, and all you could hear was wind and the dripping of water. Bring flashlights!

Its a rather smoothe ride except for the rough terrain, and the land was purchased to be used exclusively for cycling. We met a ton of cool people.

Its great if you like exploring because some of the tunnel maintainance rooms and stuff can be accessed. Definately worth the trip!

If any of you have been there, what were your experiences?

That looks interesting. Although if the group did what they said they would and relit the tunnels and repaved part of the roads it looks like an incredible resource.

It seems to say that the entrance to both sides is accessible, then says that the bridge to one side has been removed (the one at the Ramada Inn).

Then it seems to say that you can be cited for tresspassing if you are caught going through the Turnpike Commission's maintenance area to get to it...

Sounds like a fun place to ride. Did you take any pictures?

You can access both sides, albiet indirectly. The locals were a big help. Right off the breezewood exit there's a travelers lodge you can stop at and the people were super friendly and helpful. About 3 doors down? A Cannondale shop who were able to show us maps of the local trails.

The bridges that connected the old turnpike were removed in 2005 for safety reasons, but you can still access both ends of the trail in between. Its basically disconnected from the turnpike commission's property unless you climb up a steep rock bank where the bridge used to be. If you end up visiting you'll see what I mean. Just look for the PIKE2BIKE signs.

I have some pictures, I'll see what I can upload.

how far is that from NJ ?

From Bethlehem it was about a 3.5 hour drive down the PA turnpike. If you're near Phillipsburg NJ it'd probably similar times if you take 78 to the turnpike.

I read they filmed "The Road" there. Supposed to be really cool stretch of trail.

http://picasaweb.google.com/floor9/AbandonedPennsylvaniaTurnpike

There are some pictures I found. Sadly my friend hasn't put her photos up on picasa.