Cheapskate date: Heritage Rail Trail • October 10, 2002

Cheapskate date
Heritage Rail Trail
Enjoying Central Pennsylvania on a Budget >> by Christopher Seivard

Got a mountain bike? When is the last time it saw any actual dirt? Not a crazy hard trail off the cover of a bicycle magazine, just a little ride on dirt? It is a mountain bike; it’s got those big tires. Be brave! Get off the sidewalk! Find someone to spend a little quality time with, who also has a bike. Head for York, and ride in some dirt.

Actually, in the case of the Heritage Rail Trail Park, the ride is on gravel. It is a real trail though—there are no cars and you are out in the country. Pedal through the woods and get a little exercise. Do what you pictured yourself doing when you bought the bike in the first place. This is a great cheap date. You can push the history and fitness aspects of the plan to demonstrate how well rounded you are.

The trail starts downtown in the center of York city and follows the Northern Central Railroad line south for 21 miles, all the way to the Maryland border. The rail line is technically still functioning so don’t ride on the tracks. Just stay on the path.

The rail trail is a beautiful, easy ride through the country. As you leave the industrial revolution grandeur that is Historic York, you quickly find yourself in the midst of rolling hills, farm fields, and woods. Chipmunks dart from the brush and songbirds flutter through the trees. Too often, this kind of serious natural beauty is something you glimpse from the car, while stuck in traffic on Interstate 83. See it from the bike. It’s better. As the leaves begin to change color, the opportunity to see some postcard-quality scenery lies around every bend in the trail.

I would recommend a water bottle and maybe a granola bar for the ride. It might also be a good idea to confirm that your bike functions before setting out. But this is "nature-lite," and the park includes restored stations spaced a few miles apart along the whole route. Restrooms and drinking water are available at safe intervals.

Trains hate hills more than any cyclist. Steel wheels on steel rails are a very efficient way to move things, but it doesn’t provide too much traction. The nice railroad people pounded out a flat path. I rode my single-speed bike with a downhill gear the whole way and never saw anything like a challenge. Yes, I realize the fact I own a single-speed mountain bike with a downhill gear exposes my Bike Geek tendencies, but I’m not in shape right now. This is an easy ride. It’s easier than the stationary bike at the gym. If you start to get tired, let the fact that grandparents on K-Mart bikes are passing you to get motivated.

About six miles from York, the trail passes through Howard Tunnel. The tunnel is the oldest operational railroad tunnel in the nation. It was completed in 1838. It is just a little over 100 yards long, but once you’re in the middle and it gets kind of dark, you suddenly understand that whole "light at the end of the tunnel" thing.

Distances are clearly marked on maps that are available at the start of the trail. There are also mile markers, which count up from the Maryland border. So if you start from York you begin at mile 21, but that’s math even I can do. Just remember, you have to ride back.

Back in York, check out the Colonial Courthouse or the Industrial Museum. The City of York is clearly trying to create a worthy destination in the historical part of the city. I think they are succeeding. The trail is remarkable for how clean, well-groomed and well-marked it is.

Free weekend parking is available at the trail start. Park there and hit the path. Do it now while it’s cool and the foliage is putting on a show. At least get past the tunnel before you turn back to York for lunch at any of the nice bars and restaurants that are near the start of the trail.

Go for a late morning ride on a Sunday; then find a place to eat nachos, drink beer, and watch football without feeling too guilty. Just make certain the person you take along thinks that the aforementioned plan is their idea of the perfect Sunday too.

Directions: From I-83, use new Exit #22 (North George St.). Follow N. George St. south for approx. 3 miles to W. Philadelphia St. Turn right on W. Philadelphia St. Follow 2 blocks to Pershing Ave. Follow the signs to the Parking Area. For information on city parking go to yorkonline.com. Free parking is available on weekends and after 6 p.m. Low-cost parking is available at all other times. For information on other York County trails, go to yorkcountytrails.org.