I just took 10 people biking on a fabulous 25 mile ride in Lancaster County, PA on Saturday and all I could think of is what a great GTG it could be. I've done it in the spring and fall and both are great. The harvesting in September is especially nice. So if this sounds like something Philly area residents or visitors are interested in I'll watch for posts and see if we can make a plan even if it's next year

You know I'm up for it!

I'm a little out of biking shape, although I've done some bike trips in the past. How tough is the ride? I'd be interested...

Hi Kim & Terry, I was thinking about you 2 as I posted this. My group that did this was 35- "active" 60 so the pace was varied but it is so scenic it was not a problem for the slower ones to catch up while the fast bikers watched some mule drawn tobacco wagons being unloaded or followed a carriage full of waving Amish children. There were people in the group who never imagined biking 25 miles but were grinning from ear to ear at the end. We plan a sag wagon (car w/a rack) kind of leap frogging along with extra water, snacks, first aid kit etc. and I put on a great gourmet picnic about 3/4 of the way. It took about 4 1/2 hrs including the lunch break. There are some rolling hills, most of which you are rewarded with a great downhill cruise. There were a couple spots that some opted to walk the last 1/8 mile. Hopefully this sounds like a good time!

Sounds great to me!

It really does sound nice.

I don't know if this would be a problem or not, but I presently don't own a bike. Any rental possibilities?

Terry, I'm sure we could figure something out.
I think we'll have to revive this thread once in a while to get the word out!

I could potentially be interested as well, depending on when, so put me on any tentative list you create!

Karen,

I would be up for this as well! Were you thinking sometime this fall?

Happy to hear from you, Jan & Ciocciola. It may end up being spring as October is here and November will probably start to look a little barren. I think spring would allow us the time to plan a date, plus a rain date just in case.I'll start a list and check periodically that this post doesn't get lost.This will be fun. And if you are interested and some definate weekends are out, let me know.

That sounds like fun. I do have a question. Would it be OK if I came with an electric bike? I can peddle (sorta) but do know my limits. With an electric bike I'd get a boost on the hills which should keep me up with the pack. I don't want to do 24 miles in a sag wagon.

Hi Rome-addict I'm sure that would be no problem...just don't expect any re-charging opportunities at the local farms! (only kidding)I hear they are quiet and clean and perfect for rolling hills so we may all be envious by the time we're climbing those last hills. So are you planning to be in the area in the spring? Let us know so we can maybe start planning some tentative dates.

Hubby and I are stuck until after the first of the year for booking vacation travel. Both of us work at companies where seniority determines vacation dates.

Besides getting vacation dates we need to plan our trip to Rome, the Savannah trip and now possibly a trip to Amish country. Maybe we could do Savannah one weekend, drive the Blue Ridge up that week (visiting east coast friends along the way) and then end up in Amish country the following weekend then fly from NYC to Rome. How wild would that be!!!

That sounds like a great adventure. And who knows if we're not on the same plane to Rome as Philly has some nice deals. Maybe not quite as cheap as NYC but after chatting with people who had flown out of NYC area w/Continental or Alitalia we've had comparitively good luck flying out of Philly.May is usually our month to go. We're planning a trip to Chile in February so Italy might not happen this year. But I'm not sure if I could handle that.

Just wanted to revive this. I just read an AOL list of "10 most overrated tourist sites". Amish country was listed as one them. Oh well, obviously the writer has not pedaled around the back roads and watched the spring planting or the fall harvest. That's fine with me. A few less cars on the road is always appreciated by me and the horse and buggies!Hope we can still get a group together this spring.

We really need to start looking at calendars spring is filling up.

I agree. I'd like to try for Sat, April 19 or April 26 if the weather doesn't cooperate. I know it will be difficult to block out 2 weekends so the 20th could also be a raindate though Sundays are not a working day for the Amish. They are out and about in their buggies but it's more interesting to see them at work in the fields.I'm hoping to get to Italy in May so I don't know yet what weeks I'll be around, but May could possibly work as well.

These actually couldn't be any worse dates for me! The 19th is the first night of Passover and the 20th is the first day. And the 26th (a Saturday) I will be working on call at the hospital. Sorry to be such a downer. I would do better the following weekend, but I don't know how that impacts on your vacation plans. May would be much better for me.

Terry, We're probably looking at later in May for Italy so May 3 could be a possibilty. Hopefully that might work for the others.

quote:

Terry, We're probably looking at later in May for Italy so May 3 could be a possibilty. Hopefully that might work for the others.

Here we go...I don't think May 3rd works for us; we have a Bar Mitzvah. What about the 10th?

I'm looking at May 16 for Italy so May 10 could work.

I think the 10th would be good for me, too.

Well, we had to take a May 9th departure for Italy this year in order to use my points for a non-stop flight. So that means 24th would be the next possible date. I will not make any other plans for that date if there's still a chance we can do this.

That's Memorial Day weekend but it still may work - hmm...let me talk to Chris.