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Little Flat to Big Flat by Bike
Little Flat to Big Flat by Bike Another winter has passed and the spring thaw is bringing people outdoors again. My neighborhood bike path has become an endless parade of kids and parents walking, skating, strolling, running, laughing and enjoying the first real warm weather in Centre County. The garage doors are open, and people are taking inventory of the summer toys. I see bicycles getting tires pumped up, tents being aired out in back yards and boats dragged out of deep storage. Most of us are a little disappointed with our spring physique and we think back to another New Year's resolution forgotten; the one we all chanted Jan. 2 that went like this: "I will get in shape this year. I will drop 10 pounds. I will hike the Mid-State Trail. I will pedal a 50-miler. ..." Pass the ice cream, please. I've always relied on bicycling to jump-start my spring fitness goals. Last week, I made my spring pilgrimage climb up state Route 26 to the Jo Hays Vista above Pine Grove Mills. It's not a particularly long or steep climb but it almost killed me. Like the Little Engine that Could, I kept chanting "I think I can, I think I can. ..." and sure enough, after about 25 minutes, I was at the top. I think I felt pretty good, but it's hard to tell with all the wheezing, coughing and general state of pain that clouded my immediate thoughts. Since then I've gone on a bike ride almost every day, usually following a State College bike path or exploring the back roads of Penns and Nittany valleys. I expect the dirt roads to be free of snow soon which opens up a whole new world of bicycle rides in Rothrock State Forest. My favorite ride in Rothrock will take me about two hours the first time. By summer, I'll be able to ride it in under 60 minutes and the previously mentioned extra 10 pounds will be gone. It begins and ends at the Tussey Mountain Ski Area and follows smooth dirt roads. I recommend this ride to anyone -- I've seen it enjoyed equally by 13-year-olds and 80-year-olds. The ride is about 16 miles long, and half of that is spent coasting downhill. The problem with long downhills is you have to earn them. This ride begins with a three-and-a-half mile climb following Laurel Run Road. The climb will take between 45 minutes and an hour for us non-athletes. This road is gentle and beautiful as we follow one of the oldest roads in the forest. The lookout at Little Flat provides one of the best views of Mount Nittany. From Little Flat, we retrace our route back to Laurel Run Road and continue downhill, coasting freely for more than two miles until Bear Gap Road suddenly appears. The first part of Bear Gap Road is what cyclists call "hitting a wall." We quickly find the absolute easiest gears our bicycles offer and begin to suffer up this very steep two mile climb. The good news is it's the last big hill to climb; the bad news is it may seem endless. I tell myself that two miles is not very far to ride a bike. However, two miles on a steep uphill is a lot of work. I think of my generous waistline and that motivates me towards the top. Sure enough, between 20 and 30 minutes later, everyone gathers at the stunning overlook near Keith Spring. The valleys unfold for miles and several rocks provide comfortable seating for a rest. At this point, any rock-like object will be more comfortable than a bike seat. Keith Spring provides fresh water for weary cyclists and soon we are pedaling across Gettis Ridge Road among pine trees and mountain laurel. Everyone's spirits lift at this point because the challenge is over, the hills have been climbed and now we simply roll downhill along North Bear Meadows Road back to Tussey Mountain ski area. This descent is almost six miles of zero effort cycling pleasure. The wind in your face, the scent of spring overwhelms the senses and everyone feels really, really good. Remember this part, the feeling really, really healthy part, because in about three hours we'll all be sore and tired on the couch. But the point is we did leave the couch for an extended stay, and we did burn an awful lot of calories, which means we can justify our truly favorite pastimes like "pass the ice cream, please."
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