A September Bike Ride Along the D&L Trail

It's been a great summer, but it's slowly coming to an end, as all things do. I have no idea how many summers I have left before I come to my own expiration date, so I've been a cycling fool this summer. In August alone, I pedaled over 700 miles. Sometimes I am joined by a friend or my grandson. But most of the time, I like to ride alone. I could give you all sorts of reasons for cycling, but the truth is that I do it because I love it. I thought I'd take you along on this weekend's ride along the D&L Trail from Cementon to the Glen Onoko and back. That trail extends from Bristol, near Philly, to Black Diamond, near Wilkes Barre. 

My starting point this weekend was the Cementon Trailhead (mile 83), located along Route 329. After riding about 7 miles, I always stop at the Kindness Garden. 

I usually bring a painted rock with me and drop it off and pick one up. Some of them are truly works of art. There's also a little library at this garden for people who would like to borrow a book. I'm told this garden is located in front of what once was a birthing hut used by the Leni Lenape. 

About 9 miles into the ride, you hit the Slatington Trailhead. It has a very nice pavilion to take a break, with a great little luncheonette trailer. I usually stop there on my way back to guzzle what remaining water I have left. 

Going north from Slatington, you can see that summer is ending. While the foliage is still green, the leaves are beginning to change color and the smell of Fall is in the air. 

Further north, you can see the Blue Mountain in the east. It has yet to recover from all the strip mining done by greedy coal barons. They paid a pittance to the men (and children) who worked for King Coal and hung Molly Maguires who wanted better lives for their families. 

One I hit Lehighton, I crossed a bridge over the Lehigh River into Weissport, where the trail continues along the part of the trail I like least. Some people enjoy cobblestones. My arthritic bones hate them.  

I was unaware that my ride coincided with both a half-marathon and full marathon being run that day. I stopped at the water tables, mostly unmanned, and helped myself. I hit this race after most of the runners had gone through, but there were still a few stragglers. I made a point of telling them they were going the wrong way.

Nort everything is beautiful. As I got closer to Jim Thorpe, I first smelled and then saw the sewage treatment plant located right by the trail. I stopped for a swim. 

My friend, Attorney Nathan Thurm, plans to build a hotel right next to it and wants a tax break like the government gives everyone else.  When I reminded him that it's next to a sewer treatment plant, he said, "I know that! Don't you think I know that? I find it so funny that you would think I don't know that."

Not far past the sewer treatment plant, you hit Jim Thorpe. As you can see, it is definitely a cycling town. 

You can rent a bike from the shop in front of the courthouse. The shop will take you and the bike you pick 25 miles north to White Haven, and you can ride the 25 miles back down (slightly downhill) into Jum Thorpe. You can rent an e-bike, too. They have become quite popular, and I like to see them. The area north of Jim Thorpe has spotty cell service, and a person on an e-bike can get help if someone experiences a medical emergency on the trail. 

You can also take a train ride from Jim Thorpe up through the Glen Onoko Gorge. Here a locomotive billows its black smoke and clangs its bells as it is prepared for a trip. 

I turned around a little bit past Glen Onoko. I love to watch the river as it snakes its way through the gorge. There is a waterfall there, too, but I did not visit. 

On the return trip, I always stop at Hug in a Mug Cafe in Weissport for the best coffee I've ever had, along with a blueberry bagel. The proprietors always fill my water bottles and even put ice in them. They also sell odd things like rocks and minerals, which I collect. 

There you have it. A trip like that washes the soul.