Allenstown / Bethlehem PA

[amchiker]

I am planning a bike trip from DC to New England in May.  I want to visit Gettysburg during the trip.  My question concerns routes to take me back to the ACA Atlantic Coast Route.  I will follow Pennsylvania Route S to Route L and then north.  My question is this.  I have seen quite a few journals of cyclists riding in this section of Pennsylvania, but I have seen very few that ride through the Allenstown / Bethlehem area.  The D & L Canal path seems to go most of the distance through the area.  I was wondering if anyone on this forum has experience with this area?  I don't mind riding in metro areas (we did a trip through Boston, Providence and New York City a couple of years ago), but I would like the know a little bit about this possible route before committing to it.

Thanks

[zzzz]

Hi:

I live in the Lehigh Valley (that includes Allentown & Bethlehem). Send me an email @ pwm2@lehigh.edu and include from where you want to pick up Atlantic Coast Route and where you want to get off Route L and I'll figure out a good way for you to get through.

Pete

[indyfabz]

Where are you planning to pick up Route S? I rode most of it from Bedford, PA east last year. I may have some recommended alternatives depending on your plan. For example, Route S uses more of PA 23 than it needs to. There are quieter, more scenic options.

If you have the time, one option would be to take the C&O from D.C. to Cumberland, head north to Bedford, pick up Route S, take that east, with a detour to Gettsburgh, to the Schuykill River Trail near Phoenixville. Heading east on the SRT will put you on the Atlantic Coast Route.