raybo

I am starting to plan a ride across Pennsylvania to Lambertville, NJ (just across the Delaware River from southeast PA). What little research I've done suggests that riding in the northern part of the state is both pretty and less hilly than the southern route. The route I am considering (State Bike Route Y) essentially follows SR 6.

In looking for a place I can fly into and ride from, it appears that Cleveland is the easiest (and cheapest) place to fly to that provides access to this part of Pennsylvania.

Questions:

1) Has anyone ridden east of Cleveland and into Pennsylvania? Did you ride over Pymatuning Reservoir or around it?

2) Instead of riding due east of Cleveland, another option is to ride north along Lake Erie and then head east. Is this a better idea? If so, where would you suggest I start heading east?

3) My time frame is a bit limited (2 weeks?) so I've discounted using NY Bike Route 17 as it seems to add distance for no reason and misses the National and State parks in Pennsylvania. Would NY Bike Route 17 be a better option? Would it take longer? Would Cleveland still be the best place to fly into if I was to take that route?

4) Are there other things I need to consider as I plan this ride?

bikenh

I didn't start in Cleveland but I've ridden a couple of times in the general area now.

Last year on the my way back to NH from NW Ohio I went over Pymatuning Reservoir. Saw a nice storm off in the distance over towards Meadville. If you want a nice campsite and happen to be near Meadville in the evening, head on out and sleep on the covered bridge on the bike path. I used it and it made for a real nice campsite. Yeah, I get out early in the AM.

Here is my stretch I rode from Meadville, PA to Olean, NY. The ride through the national forest is a real nice ride. The climb is one of the smoothest climbs I've seen anywhere. A solid consistent climb, no wavering around of the feet per mile throughout the climb, just a real nice steady climb. 07/24/13 - A bike ride in Crawford County, PA

Not sure what you are thinking toward the eastern side of the state but a rather nice scenic area I would suggest work you way toward East Strodsburg and head south on PA611. The first several miles are real nice. You could then easily follow 32 on down to the crossing over to Lambertville. I was just down 611 yesterday. It's far more scenic than up north through Delaware Water Gap NRA.

Taking US6 most of the way across PA probably wouldn't be bad. The only stretches of it I have ridden is on the link above. I would probably take US6 to US209 and then hop on into East Strodsburg and drop on down PA611 to PA32 to the bridge just west of Lambertville. In the past couple of days I've ridden all of US209 from Kingston, NY to East Strodsburg, PA. The traffic through DWG NRA is not that bad and the pavement is in good condition the whole way through. I was riding down through DWG yesterday(Friday) morning 10-11:30AM timeframe. I've also ridden it northbound on a Saturday in mid September and found the same scenario, traffic not that bad. A few semis yesterday but you'll have that anywhere you go.

raybo

Thanks for the useful information.

In considering other options, someone suggested starting in Rochester, NY, riding the Erie Canal path toward the Finger Lakes and then heading south from there. Frankly, it looks like a better option.

Any thoughts?

Sean M

I dont have any suggestions. But, did I see a cross post on bogleheads? The internet is a small world.

raybo

For what it is worth, I have the same name on both. Care to share yours?

Rob_E

Grew up in northeast Ohio. From Chardon east there are some quieter roads that parallel 6 that might be nice for a change. Chardon-Windsor, New Hudson, Windsor Rd. all go that direction, are mostly paved if I remember correctly (except maybe the easternmost stretch of Windsor), and are more peaceful than the main roads. Of course they also have nothing in the way of facilities. But the Erie Canal sounds like a good idea as well.