Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - A change of Thun

After a bad first ride on my new road bike, I took Roark out to the Thun (pronounced "tune") Trail. From Pottstown's Riverfront Park I headed north, out of the borough and towards Birdsboro. I stopped at the first Schuylkill River crossing to toy with the saddle height and take photos:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs085.snc3/15309_1352705030154_1607271639_824083_7699915_n.jpg

After riding through fields and trees, I turned around at the first crossing of 724. Years before the trail was planned, the old Reading Railroad bridge was torn down, leaving this awkward grade crossing:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs105.snc3/15309_1352705150157_1607271639_824086_7895901_n.jpg

I found two changes on the way back to the car. First of all, a scenic overlook and campsite has been established. It's an odd site for a camp, especially a rustic one. It's so close to the trail that I don't see how you could spend the night camped there and dig a cathole without being observed. Also, it's all of five miles from downtown Pottstown, and two miles from Birdsboro.

http://hphotos-sjc1.fbcdn.net/hs105.snc3/15309_1352705190158_1607271639_824087_5001847_n.jpg

That said, the overlook was very nice:

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs085.snc3/15309_1352705230159_1607271639_824088_4193618_n.jpg

Second surprise was a spur connection to Morlatton Village. A short path brought me to the oldest building in Berks County, constructed 15 years after William Penn gave the Swedes 10000 acres here in exchange for giving up claims against land in Philadelphia. In 1701 the Swedes moved up the Schuylkill, and began building homes like this one:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs085.snc3/15309_1352840233534_1607271639_824442_7231688_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs085.snc3/15309_1352838313486_1607271639_824435_5475822_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs105.snc3/15309_1352840313536_1607271639_824444_7529711_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs105.snc3/15309_1352840393538_1607271639_824446_532441_n.jpg

But daylight was fading. So I headed towards Riverfront Park and the car. I stopped to get one last photo, at the Rt. 100 bridge into Pottstown. The light faded as the traffic signals reflected on the Schuylkill. 15 miles of riding, and as usual, I was a better person for it.

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs105.snc3/15309_1352840713546_1607271639_824453_4918248_n.jpg

nice pics, looks like a lovely place to ride:) thanks for clearing up the pronunciation - title makes a little more sense now;)

nice pics, looks like a lovely place to ride:) thanks for clearing up the pronunciation - title makes a little more sense now;)

It's pretty, but the trail in this area is boring as a whole. It's an old Reading Railroad right of way, and straight as an arrow for miles. It's not just that there's nothing around the next corner, there is no next corner.

Boring? Pretty much the story of the entire SRT after you ride it a few dozen times. I've been jumping off trail at Squirrel Hollow road crossing and taking Old Reading Pike to Morlatton Village. Use the new spur or the old driveway to get back on trail. Just come to prefer paved road as opposed to gravel. I was thinking of riding the trail tonight, your story at least got me out of the house and on the trail. Trail still has a gnat problem. That overlook/camping area has been there for years. It was easy to ride by and not notice when all the growth is at it's max. They repaired the one table last year, and of course as you discovered they put up a sign to mark the place. I stopped using that 724 crossing. Walk down the old trail link to Monocacy Road, cross road and ride School Lane to the old Monocacy School. Enter 724 and ride short distance to jump back on SRT at the Ugly Mug. Return same way. That section of trail on south side of 724 was a waste of money.

I'm glad to hear you are riding. I thought that knee problem was gonna lay you up for a few months.

Thanks for the travelogue, Historian. I haven't made it that far west on the SRT yet -- you're giving me things to look forward to. Morlatton Village looks worth an expedition.

And in the first picture: is that poison ivy growing on the bridge railing? I'm starting to see it here in Philly.

Thanks for the travelogue, Historian. I haven't made it that far west on the SRT yet -- you're giving me things to look forward to. Morlatton Village looks worth an expedition.

And in the first picture: is that poison ivy growing on the bridge railing? I'm starting to see it here in Philly.

I don't know if it's poison ivy or not, but I don't care to find out. :-)

Be prepared to drive up here, or ride on local roads - the 12 miles between Phoenixville and Pottstown hasn't been constructed. There's 20 miles of trail from Pottstown to Reading.

And in the first picture: is that poison ivy growing on the bridge railing? I'm starting to see it here in Philly.

I looked at it tonight. Don't know what it is, seen leaf type many times before. I do know it is NOT poison ivy. Poison ivy and I do not get along. I know the plant well.

Theres a saying, Leaves of three, leave it be. Leaves of Five stay alive. Im allergic to Poison Ivy so I stay way clear of it. Just a quick fact about poison Ivy, you can get it with out touching it. It is still dangerous if the poisons become airborne.