CAT Bike Rides in the Lehigh Valley

Register Here!!!

This ride will be a great adventure for us! Building off the women's overnights the last two years, this one will push us a little more to strengthen our skills as we take trails and roads on a 25 +\- mile ride (each way) to Worthington State Forest in the Delaware Water Gap.
We’re looking forward to the challenge and pushing each other to reach this goal. This ride will be supported so that means packing your bike with some (and maybe all!) your necessities, gear and food like a little turtle on wheels. But don’t feel overwhelmed because if it doesn’t all fit, the SAG wagon, aka Support and Gear vehicle, can carry the odds and ends for you. Hammock space is nearly non-existent at these sites so a tent is highly recommended.
We expect to go rain or shine, barring extreme weather conditions. We’ve secured a couple campsites at Worthington State Park in NJ; the camping facilities include showers and restrooms, as well as provision for a campfire.
We will ride as a group, with a number of ride leaders, for the entirety of the trip and we will also provide the route ahead of time through Ridewgps. Our ride leaders can assist with most mechanical challenges on road.
In the weeks before the ride, we’ll provide equipment suggestions (including some extremely thrifty options for those who prefer that way), packing lists, nutrition ideas, safety and riding skills tips, via both in person and electronic sessions. We’ll do our best to answer your questions throughout our weeks of preparation with a goal of allowing you to ride with comfort and confidence. To the extent you need mechanical assistance, and as time permits, we can work with you and your bike at the CAT bike co-op to assure that your bicycle mechanics are in good shape.
At a minimum, you will need to have a bicycle that is capable of operating on well-maintained trails and paved roads, while carrying you and your overnight gear. All riders are required to wear a helmet.
We will provide breakfast before taking off on Saturday morning and we’ll have a planned stop for lunch midday on Saturday and Sunday. We’ll provide some dogs (and veggie dogs) or something of the like for dinner but recommend that you bring stuff to round out the meal and snacks for the ride. Once we are at the campground, there aren’t any close food options and cell service is limited. Please also plan to handle your own breakfast on Sunday morning. As we get closer to the date we will have a meeting to discuss shared cooking/camping equipment.
We are capping the number of riders on this trip at twenty-five. CAT members get first priority in signing up over non-CAT members. As with all CAT rides, we don’t particularly care about speed, and we will focus on safety and comfort for the long haul. We are excited to hit the road and we look forward to riding beside you.
*We welcome ALL women on this event. Transgender and nonbinary folks are welcome at all CAT bike rides, classes and events.

Dates: September 20 – 21
Locations: Start at Plainfield Township Trail - Belfast Junction, 5646 Sullivan Trail, Easton, PA 18040 to camp at Worthington State Park
Cost: $50 suggested gift to help cover costs, $100 is appreciated!

Our first session will be this Sunday, September 21, starting at 10 a.m. at CAT, at 1935 W. Broad Street in Bethlehem.

To make this as easy as possible, our first ride will start inside the CAT bike co-op. Though usually abuzz with activity, at 10 a.m. on a Sunday morning, the co-op will be deserted and peaceful and all ours. We can pump up your flat tires, lube your chain, adjust your seat, do whatever we have to so that you and your bike are road worthy. Your bike being out of shape doesn't need to be a reason to stay off your bike.

Our first ride is right outside the door of the co-op and goes for a TOTAL of 2 miles. You can find details of the route here. If you want to go more, we will, but you can expect that we will go no more than that. The route is as flat as can be. At the halfway, we'll have a stop for coffee and a snack, if you want it.

Even if you're generally not comfortable riding on the roads with cars, be assured that as part of a group, you will be very visible, and ride leaders will be at the front and rear of the ride, showing the safest road position and helping however we can. No matter how slowly you ride, you will not be left behind. Our route, like most CAT bike rides, is on mostly small and quiet back roads. Plus, on Sunday morning, traffic is usually minimal.

Wearing a helmet is mandatory on this and all CAT bike rides. We can show you how to fit yours properly, and if you don't have one, we can get one for you.

If you are at all inclined to get back on your bike, we hope you'll come and join us. In our experience, you don't have to go far or fast on a bike to go somewhere.

Any last minute changes due to weather will be made through Meetup.
If you have any questions prior to the ride, please feel free to contact ride leaders Sissy (Sissy@lvcat.org), Jean (Jean@lvcat.org) or Anne (annef@lvcat.org). We look forward to riding with you!

Some kind reminders:

1. If you are new to CAT bike rides, please complete your annual signup at LVCAT.org.
2. All riders are required to wear a helmet.
3. Bring a spare tube that fits your tire size.
4. Bring water and a snack.

This bike ride is organized by CAT-Coalition for Appropriate Transportation, serving the Lehigh Valley. CAT envisions a world where bicycling, walking/ADA accessibility, and public transit prevail. All are welcome at all CAT bike rides, classes, and events.

This project is being completed in partnership with the Lehigh Valley Greenways Conservation Landscape. Funding is provided in part by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, Environmental Stewardship Fund, administered by Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Inc.

We'll meet here in the parking lot adjacent to the Charlie Brown Icehouse on Sand Island in Bethlehem.

Come a little early if you need to air up your tires, adjust your seat, lube your chain, or do any other minor adjustments. If your bike needs more serious attention, you can get help ahead of time at the CAT bike co-op.

Feel free to pass this invite on to your friends. All cis women, trans women, and nonbinary folks are welcomed.

This is a mild-paced, flat ride on the D&L Trail, headed by CAT's ride leaders, about 4-5 miles out and back. All kinds of bikes are appropriate. Riders of all skill levels are welcome, and no one gets dropped. Seriously. It’s ok if you haven’t been on a bike in a long time, we’re patient and we’re nice. We want to support women in cycling, and that includes you!

As with all CAT rides, riders must wear a helmet. In addition, you may want to bring some water and a spare tube that matches your wheel.

Any last minute changes due to weather will be made through Meetup. If you have any other questions we can help with, feel free to contact Anne (annef@lvcat.org) or Sarah (saraha@lvcat.org). We look forward to riding with you!

This bike ride is organized by CAT-Coalition for Appropriate Transportation, serving Lehigh and Northampton Counties. Transgender and nonbinary folks are welcome at all CAT bike rides, classes and events. CAT envisions a world where bicycling, walking, ADA accessibility and public transit prevail. CAT- Coalition for Appropriate Transportation, 1935 West Broad treet, Bethlehem, PA 18018. mobile 845-430-6552