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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Saturday, July 25, 2020

Rediscovering Our Beauty Along the D&L Trail

Many people complain, and with a great deal of justification, about how ugly things have become in northeast Pa, especially here in the Lehigh Valley. Farmland diminishes every year, while warehouses are popping up everywhere. Truck traffic is projected to double, and Routes 22 and 78 are so bottlenecked that they no longer make sense for local travel. We're very much in danger of becoming just another NYC suburb, but we do have one thing going for us. The trails. If there's one bright spot to this pandemic, it's resulted in many local people becoming familiar with our inherent beauty for the first time. They might flip you off on the roads, but they smile on the trails. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, do yourself a favor and spend some time this summer and Fall walking, running, biking or e-biking along the gorgeous Delaware and Lehigh Trail. It's 165 miles long, with 36 of those miles right here in the Lehigh Valley.

I've always loved this trail between Easton and Allentown. But I was completely blown away when, earlier this year, I rode from Cementon (Coplay) to Slatington. It is by far the most beautiful trail I've ever ridden, It's flat, well-maintained and wide. Not long after you start, the sounds of traffic on busy highways are replaced by another symphony from the rushing waters of the Lehigh River, often accompanied by laughter from people rafting their way downstream. As you continue north toward Slatington and beyond, you are transplanted to what seems like a different place and time. I've been making periodic trips from Cementon north and back, with an ultimate goal of completing a century within one day. After Friday, I'm a bit closer to achieving that goal with a 70-mile round trip. I thought I'd share some pics to help you understand why I love it so much.

I'd recommend that you check the map if you're planning a long trip. It will advise you if there are obstructions. A friend of mine is making his own map, with pointers to all amenities in each area. But his map is a work in progress and he's asked me to keep it to myself for now. He may gift it to the Trail since he is a volunteer.


If you think you need to spend several thousand for a great bike, you're wrong. Let's start with my bike for long trips. It is nothing fancy. It's just a Jamis commuter, nothing like a Trek, Cannondale, Giant or Fuji. It's heavy, too, especially compared to racing bikes like one of my friends has. You can pick those up with one finger. Over the years, I souped up my Jamis with fenders (bad weather), decals everywhere, kevlar tires, a great crankset, rack and panniers, computer and lighting. It's a frickin' tank. You'll notice two bottles. One holds water and the other holds something even more valuable - coffee. In my bag in the back, I have several other bottles of water in a bed of ice, bandaids (used all three), neosporin, cliff bars (I ate one and fed one to the geese), vaseline and bike repair tools. I have no idea how to fix a bike, but people along the trails often stop and help, so it's a good idea to have a tube and pump on hand. Believe it or not, there are numerous stations along the way with bike tools and pumps, too!


This was the scene in Lehighton (19 miles), where I finally stopped to eat a cheese and egg sandwich purchased in Slatington (9 miles) at Diggity Dogs. While in Lehighton, I was assaulted by a gaggle of geese. They forced me to feed them one of my cliff bars. They are nowhere near as tasty as my sandwich, so I didn't mind.


Speaking of Diggity Dogs, he makes the best breakfast sandwiches I've ever eaten. He also sometimes have pierogies made by the "church ladies," kielbasi and halupki soup. A drive to Slatington just to eat breakfast would be worth the trip, but a bike ride is more fun.


This sign is along the trail just north of Jim Thorpe. I don't know why. If I were a black bear, I'd be offended. In all my years, I've never seen a black bear hiking, riding or jogging on the trail.  I did see one talking a sunbath on the railroads tracks  in Upper Mount Bethel a few years ago. Mosquitoes are far more deadly, but no sign warns of them.  And as the alien overlords often tell me during abductions, we humans are probably the most disgusting of the bunch. Let me give you an example. I cycled by some old coot and must have startled him. I was going no more than 10-12 mph, and was far to his left. As I went by, he jumped and simultaneously swung a rather big and thick walking stick at me. I know I am sometimes startled by cyclists going by me, so I understand this guy's reaction. Either that or he knows me. 

Aside from the unwitting assault, what nearly defeated me between Lehighton and Jim Thorpe was two very narrow wooden bridges over spillways from the canal and into the river. I probably should dismount and walk my bike across, but am too proud and arrogant. Invariably, the bridges dismount me themselves. I lost control and banged my knee, which was already cut up from a previous injury. Hence the bandaids and neosporin.


Another spot where I'd recommend caution is around the Glen Onoko section along the railroad. The gravel is loose there and I almost wiped out a few times. That's also where the grade becomes noticeable.

Unlike many other trails, the Delaware and Lehigh Trail is clearly marked, sometimes by half mile. This was my halfway point from MM 83 in Cementon. I just noticed White Haven is at MM 130, so my century ride, if I ever do it, might be only 94 miles. I'll have to plan an additional six miles. That should be no problem because there are other trails that hook up.   


This picture was taken from a bridge crossing the Lehigh River, about 1 1/2 miles north of Jim Thorpe. You can see little hints of Jim Thorpe.


On my way back, I stopped in Jim Thorpe to load up on water (drank 192 ounces of water yesterday), coffee and eat lunch at Bear Appetit. Don't worry, there is no Ursus Americanus on the menu. The food there is always delicious and the service fast. I had a summer salad, a bed of deep-green spinach with a generous sprinkling of blueberries, strawberries, mandarin oranges and crumbled bleu cheese. I'm convinced that combination, along with the water and coffee, enabled me to complete my ride. 



This is south of Bowmanstown, and is one of very few spots where you jump on a road. It adjoins a park, has a nice berm and is quite safe. Love the mountain in the background.

This area is quite beautiful, if we take the time to notice it.

Sunday Addendum, July 26: I'm embarrassed to say I was unaware that The Delaware and Lehigh Trail offers memberships, and for as little as $25.  You can also be a volunteer.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Question, Can a bicycle turn a hater blogger into a human?

Bernie O'Hare said...

Nope. Am as mean as cat shit, but admit who I am. I can only imagine what it’s like to lurk and attack people anonymously on weekends. I am what I am and you are a sad coward, cupcake.

Anonymous said...

I have yet to try a bike, but I have taken walks in many of the sections you describe. Of course, as an amateur photographer, I'm usually carrying my camera, looking for anything interesting to photograph.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Yes, I see photographers, bird watchers, fisherman, families out for a ride, the very poor and the very rich.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your experience. Appears that "God and Guns Country" is worth the trip.

Anonymous said...

Anyone with electric bikes? Do you consider them cheaters?

Bernie O'Hare said...

I see plenty of e-bikes, and do not consider them cheaters at all. You can do pedal assist. I spoke to a fellow named R******* just last week, who rides an e-bike. He was injured badly in an accident a few years ago, and the ebike enables him to pedal or turn on the juice. He loves it. Some people like recumbents, too. Whatever works. I don't like the noise of a dirt bike.

Anonymous said...

What type of protection do you carry with you. I have heard you have to be careful on those trails for muggers. Some people carry mace others a concealed weapon. I would hate to be attacked on one of those empty parts.

Bernie O'Hare said...

What empty parts? The trail between Cementon and Jim Thorpe, is pretty busy. Some people do carry mace or a concealed weapon, and that's up to them. I carry water and coffee. My coffee can be deadly.

Anonymous said...

When you are ready for a more leisurely ride of about 8 miles each way, try the Saucon Rail Trail from Hellertown to Coopersburg. There's plenty of parking in Hellertown and Living Memorial Park the two trail ends. In the not too distant future, this trail will be expanded to connect the South Bethlehem Greenway to Quakertown.

Anonymous said...

Two years ago I almost hit a black bear while riding on the D&L. It was just south of Slatington. The bear came up from the riverside, and stopped on the trail approx. 20 yards in front of me. I was going 18 MPH and locked up my brakes, but luckily did not fall. I slowly turned the bike parallel to the trail in case I needed to ride quickly away in the opposite direction. I also got out my survival knife that I keep with me on rides (you never know when you may need it for protection or other needs). After a few seconds of staring at each other, the bear took off up the hill. Scared the heck out of me. Usually I only see deer, foxes, rabbits, birds and rodents on the D&L.

Bernie O'Hare said...

A friend of mine recently saw a black bear north of Jim Thorpe, about where that sign is. He thought it was a St Bernard at first. It scared the shit out of him, too, lol. 18 mph is a nice clip, wow!

Anonymous said...

Anon @ 7:32 The Saucon Rail Trail is nice and it is in the process of being expanded south of Coopersburg. However, I do not recommend this trail for beginners. It is a trail that Bernie could do. The reason I say this from Hellertown to after the Upper Saucon Park on Preston Lane is a steady up upgrade for about 4 miles. The trail grade around the soccer fields increases and depending which path you take is soft. There are also 7 road crossings but at least the drivers respect cyclists and walkers and stop for them.

Anonymous said...

Stop writing these Bernie or even more people will be on the trail!

Seriously, these are great articles, and congrats on the ride. The D&L is just beautiful, I've done many miles and never felt unsafe.

Anon 732 is right, the Saucon trail is nice (though alot of street crossings). deceptively uphill from Hellertown to Coopersburg, noticeably downhill on the way back. Glad it's being expanded!

The Banker