Whether it's leaving the keys at home for a day and strapping on a helmet for the morning commute or enjoying a longer bike ride this weekend, before the weather really gets COLD, think about going for a bike ride! The State College area is lucky to have some great trails and road routes nearby, but I personally would like to see the town and university take more initiative to make State College and Penn State a bide friendly community. As compared to innovative bike-friendly university communities like Fort Collins, Colorado, we have a long way to go here!
That aside, jump on the bike before it gets to cold and snowy. This weekend might bring some sun and not so cold temperatures. If you are looking for options, check out this page that has lots of bike ride options for State College.
A few words of wisdom about road riding in the Centre County area:
- While most of the roads in the area are well paved, some lack an adequate shoulder. Please exercise caution on these stretches!
- Be advised that some of the stretches in the rides described herein are signed at 45 or even 55 mph and that automobile traffic often travels faster than the posted speed limit. In the ride maps, particularly tricky sections have been marked. Note, however, that your tolerance, or lack thereof, of traffic may differ from the author's.
- This is rural Pennsylvania. You will run into the occasional and most likely unleashed dog which will invariably give pursuit. Generally, a stern (and loud!) 'NO' or 'STOP' will do the trick. If not, a squirt of water between the eyes (the dog's, not yours) is an excellent plan B. Those of you with poor aim and requiring a plan C should work on your sprinting.
- Many of the rides described below take you far, far away from civilization. Mechanical trouble at the apogee of your ride would be a serious drag. Please consider carrying, at the bare minimum, a patch kit, tire lever, spare tube, and pump. You may also wish to carry an adjustable wrench, a few allen keys, and a chain tool. While on the topic of what to carry, be sure to carry adequate water and food. Food stops have been noted on the maps and in the cue sheets, but an extra banana or bagel never hurt anyone.
- Note that State College has a short, but very definite 'rush hour' in the evening. Roads that see, on average, light traffic may be heavily used from 4-6pm. These include, but are not limited to, Whitehall Road, Fox Hollow Road, etc.
- Wave and say hello to the folks that you pass in the countryside. They are the ones who drive (and therefore pass cyclists) on the backroads. A little courtesy will hopefully be returned in kind.
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