Articles, activities for boomers & seniors
PA Route 6 and The Grand Canyon
PA Route 6 is more of a journey than a ride, but if you complete the entire trip, you will hit absolutely every example of the best that Northern PA has to offer. Start your trip in Milford, right on the New York border to the east.
The highlight of this trip is the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, also known as the Pine Creek Gorge. Although not as grand as the Grand Canyon in the Southwest, it’s still one of the best natural features PA has to offer.
Working your way west takes you through some mountainous county better known to Pennsylvanians as hunting camps than vacation destinations, so keep your eyes open for deer on your ride up there.
Route 655 Through Big Valley
No valley in PA is as beautiful as Kishacoquillas Valley, better known to its residents as simply “The Big Valley.” Home to the second-largest Amish population in Pennsylvania, PA Route 655 runs right through one of the most peaceful places left on this earth.
Belleville is the quintessential rural American town with shops and houses. The view of the countryside and the mountains in the distance in either direction are the easiest way for you to forget about your modern life, even if it’s only for an hour or so. There may be more to do on the other rides on this list, but there won’t be more to look at.
Route 340 from Lancaster to Downingtown
Route 30 east of Lancaster can be a frustrating march of traffic lights, Dutch Wonderland, outlet traffic and confused tourists wondering where all the Amish are. The Amish are in Intercourse and Bird-in-Hand, and the route through those two towns is PA Route 340. Hop off the expressway onto Old Philadelphia Pike (340) and ride east. In between towns, you are treated to a countryside that rivals anything the South of France could offer. It’s no wonder the people of the land settled in Lancaster County.
Skip the touristy stuff (in fact, riding through here on a weekend in the summer is not advised) and enjoy the view on this nice, easy ride. Of course, if it’s not tourist season, check out the impressive Amish furniture and take your pick of Amish restaurants, or get a meal at one of the markets that will feed you a meal so hearty it will literally stick to your ribs. Just stay alert and mind the buggies riding down the road.
What Are The Advantages Of A Trike?
If you used to ride a motorcycle but want a better alternative you might consider a trike.
Trikes have many advantages over regular motorcycles:
You don’t have to put your feet down when you stop.
You can take a passenger without fear that you will tip over the bike and spill the passenger into the road. Most significant others like this feature. Some wives, in fact, have refused to ride pillion with their husbands until they converted their bike to a trike.
You can ride over metal grated bridges with no fear.
You can take the trike down a dirt or gravel road with ease.
You won’t get fatigued in stop and go traffic.
Trikes definitely seem more stable than regular motorcycles.
Trikes do have some disadvantages over motorcycles:
They get poorer gas mileage.
You won’t be able to drag your knee on the twisties.
You have to make sure you get it in gear when stopped or it may roll away to parts unknown.
You have to resist the temptation to put your foot down when you stop, otherwise, the rear wheel may run over your foot.
You have to remember that the rear end is wider than the front or you may run into the island at your favorite gas station or toll booth.
And most important, you steer a trike like a car -- countersteering doesn’t work.