Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Planning a bike trip

Hi, I'm planning my first long (term is relative) bike trip as an adult. I've been browsing the net trying to figure out the best way to calculate a route that is low on traffic. Trails.com seems like a good place, but I am quite frugal and have better things to spend money on (bike etc) besides an online membership. If anyone on here has any suggestions please post them. The trip I'm planning is from Kutztown Pa (Berks county) to Mt Gretna Pa (Lebanon county) approx 60 miles one way. The trail could be either totally road, completely rail trails or a combo (I have a few bikes that I could ride). Thanks for any input

Just do it...

1) Get a road map from your local Tourist Information Centre, or gas station.

2) One evening after work, get on your bicycle and start riding in the direction of Mt Gretna Pa using the map. Go about 10 or 20 miles in that direction, and return home. If you discovered you don't like some aspect of that route, look at the map again, and pick a different route the next evening, and the next, until you've determined a good way to cover that first 20 miles.

3) Based on your experience and being familiar with the map and how to read the map, ride the rest of the way.

I like Bikely.com for planning trips like that.

Are there bike clubs near where you live? If you don't know, try a web-search.
Are there any randonneurs near where you live? There are certain to be.
Are there any other cyclists on the road that you see while cycling?
If you start your ride(s) from a park or mall or grocery store, do other cyclists start there rides from there?

All of the above can be useful resources if you look for them and reach out. (And are not a jerk.)

Thanks for the suggestions guys. There is a huge cycling community in my area (i'm near the lehigh valley velodrome) but most people I see are into racing and have nice shiny bikes (I ride "vintage" stuff) and I get a few sideways glances from them as I pass by w/ a happy wave. I'm not too much of a jerk ;-) I will def. check out the ideas that were presented. So far Bikely seems pretty good. Thanks again--ROB

PA state have an online map with bicycle route: http://www.dot.state.pa.us/BIKE/WEB/tour_routes.htm

There's a pretty active bicycle club (http://www.lancasterbikeclub.org/)in Lancaster, PA, and Mt. Gretna is part of their stomping grounds. If they don't have anything on the web site, contact them.

PA state have an online map with bicycle route: http://www.dot.state.pa.us/BIKE/WEB/tour_routes.htm

I have used a similar tool on the Wisconsin DOT website to plan all of my bicycle tours. They are very helpful for finding trails and the cycling suitability of major roads. I always print the various county maps (at highest quality so you can read the small print for road names), and they are invaluable guides in the field.