The ultimate guide to pedaling through scenic country roads and beautiful farmland. Lancaster and Chester counties of Pennsylvania contain some of the most pleasant and interesting countryside in America. There are innumerable country roads, picturesque stream crossings, and some of the richest farmland anywhere in the country—and it’s a perfect area for biking. All the rides covered here are near other rides, too, so you can extend your exploration with an overnight stay—or pedal for a week! This book also includes a map of every ride so you can easily find your way to fascinating historical sites, 250-year-old farms transformed into immense equestrian estates, covered bridges to rival New England’s, and numerous nature preserves. The area is accessible from Washington and Baltimore, and where else can a cyclist see an Amish family harvesting tobacco with a six-mule team?

From Philadelphia to the Amish country, this all-new guide to cycling eastern Pennsylvania's scenic roads includes tours for both road and mountain bikes, for cyclists of all abilities. Longtime Pennsylvania resident Patricia Vance has explored hundreds of miles of roads in the region to find the most scenic, uncrowded, and enjoyable cycling on country roads, mountain trails, bicycle paths, and city streets. The rides range in length from a 10-mile spin through the rowhouses of Old City Philadelphia, to a 55-mile ramble in the rolling hills of the Poconos. Each chapter includes a detailed map, mile-by-mile tour directions, and information on mileage, terrain, and difficulty, as well as places to eat and nearby bicycle rental and repair shops. An overview chart provides information at a glance to help you choose a ride. And throughout, Vance provides fascinating commentary on the history and culture of this picturesque region. Book jacket.