Amber Alerts:
Pennsylvania Vacation Destinations
Visit Covered Bridges & More While Traveling The Alleghenies by Bike, by Melody Schubert:
Mid-May is a beautiful time time tour the
Alleghenies. One of the highlights in May is Covered Bridges Week in Pennsylvania.
As you will see covered bridges have been part of the states history for
centuries. What a better way to enjoy the abundance of Pennsylvania covered
bridges than by bicycle, especially with May being National Bike Month.
Did you know? In 1800, the first
covered bridge in the United States was built in Pennsylvania. At
one time Pennsylvania had at least 1,500 covered bridges. Today fewer
than 300 exist. The
greatest period of covered bridge building activity in Pennsylvania
took place from the 1820s to the end of the 19th century. The
Alleghenies of Southcentral Pennsylvania is home to more than
20 covered bridges.
Many of the on-road
cycling routes in The Alleghenies feature covered bridges, including: The Apple
Barrel Tour, Covered Bridge Tour, Raging Rapids Adventure Tour, and the Rivers
and Bridges Scenic Tour. With more than 30 on- and off-road cycling options to choose from, riders
of all skill levels will find something to suit them. Whether it's
a family outing on rails-to-trails routes or an avid outdoor enthusiast
bombing down technical single-track, the mountainous scenery will provide the
perfect backdrop for a memorable trip. No wonder the region was recognized
as one of the "five top bicycle areas in the country" by Bicycling
Magazine. Journey back in time and experience the romanticism of
the covered bridge, from a time when life moved more slowly and
bridges were the backdrop for idyllic country moments set in rolling
farmlands.
The
Alleghenies website, www.thealleghenies.com,
features local events and covered bridges tours. On the
website, you'll find detailed descriptions of each tour (mileage and scenery),
along with all the information you'll need to plan you getaway.
