Cycling enthusiasts are gearing up for a unique event that promises both adventure and scenic beauty. This two-day ride stretches over 85 miles, taking cyclists from Ararat to Berwick through the picturesque long-distance trails of Northeast Pennsylvania.
Rachael Stark, program manager for the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC), emphasized the dual nature of the trail network, highlighting its significance not only for transportation but also as a recreational and tourism asset. “So really showcasing how connected this trail network is, not only as a transportation hub, but also recreation and a tourism opportunity,” she said.
The event, known as the NEPA Ecotour, is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7. The ride spans 85 miles but will be divided over two days, not requiring an overnight stay. Proceeds from the event will support PEC’s initiatives.
The Route
The journey begins on the first day with a gathering at 9 a.m. at the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority (LHVA) office in Scranton. Cyclists and their bicycles will be transported to the D&H Rail Trail in Ararat Township, Susquehanna County. The day’s ride covers 40 miles, including a lunch break in Carbondale, before concluding in Scranton by 5 p.m.
KEY LOGISTICAL NOTES
Per the NEPA Ecotour site:
● Riders must get themselves to the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority Office by 9 a.m. on Saturday and to Test Track Park in Berwick by 8 a.m. on Sunday.
● Riders will be shuttled to the start of the route each day and will end at their cars.
Bicycles will be securely stored overnight, and participants are invited to a social gathering at Groove Brewing in Scranton post-ride. The second day begins at 8 a.m. at Test Track Park in Berwick, where cyclists will be transported back to Scranton. The day’s ride spans 45 miles through the Heritage Trail, Pittston, and onto the Luzerne County Levee Trail System, concluding on the Susquehanna Warrior Trail.
Owen Worozbyt, Director of Operations at LHVA, and a passionate cyclist, shared, “We felt the course was a great way to tie in all of the different connected trail routes and an opportunity for people to experience what it’s like to bike the entire valley.” The route was initially inspired by Worozbyt’s personal endeavor to link the Lackawanna Heritage Valley with the Wyoming Valley.
While there are trail gaps and on-road segments, including a major one from Taylor to Duryea, Worozbyt sees this as a learning experience. “It definitely has the opportunity to show people how you can navigate the entire valley on a bike, whether you are going from Scranton to Wilkes-Barre, or you’re going from Carbondale to Scranton,” he said. This initiative also aims to highlight the need for solutions to bridge existing trail gaps.
Slow and Steady
The ride, described as predominantly downhill by Stark, is not about speed but about enjoying the landscapes and learning about the trail system. “We’re not trying to zip through here. We’re trying to just showcase everything and tour the Lackawanna and Wyoming valleys,” Stark explained.
The Ecotour welcomes both seasoned cyclists and newcomers. Stark expressed her hopes for growth and wider participation: “It’s going to be pretty, pretty medium pace. And then, of course, you know, people who have a stake in this kind of stuff, if we get some, like local municipalities or legislators that want to join in, that would be awesome, because then we could show you some of the areas where we’re still lacking those connections.”
The inaugural NEPA Ecotour is open to 40 cyclists, and participants need to bring their own bikes. Registration closes on Tuesday, May 26, and the event aims to deepen community connections to local trail systems and promote their stewardship. “We have all of these amazing trails, and a lot of people who live here don’t know what they have in their own backyard. So this was just kind of our opportunity to open it up and really start to showcase it to people,” Stark added.
