Heritage Explorer Bike Tour, Festival planned

The Heritage Explorer Bike Tour and Festival is set for June 15 at Mellow Park in Peckville. The Bike Tour is a family-friendly, non-competitive event that benefits the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. It offers something for everyone. The event includes a free community Festival at Mellow Park for Bike Tour riders, their families and friends and the general public. The Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It offers live music, delicious food, interesting demonstrations, vendors showcasing the best of outdoor recreation in Northeastern Pennsylvania, a variety of exhibits by local nonprofit groups and a tent packed with dozens of raffle baskets. Bike Tour riders, their families, friends and members of the community are all welcome to join the fun! The Festival will feature a free Bike Rally for riders 8 years of age and under to learn bike safety with a variety of fun, hands-on activities and prizes.

Riders have their choice of out-and-back routes of 5, 11, 22, and 44 miles from Mellow Park in Peckville, north on the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail and local streets. The longest route also uses the Ontario and Western (O&W) Rail-Trail and the Delaware and Hudson (D&H) Rail-Trail into the Endless Mountains. The trails have wide pathways, packed gravel surfaces, and gentle inclines. Station stops with water, snacks and first aid are provided along clearly marked routes. The 44-mile ride departs at 8 a.m., with the other rides leaving throughout the morning. Registered riders are entitled to a complimentary continental breakfast, water and snacks at the Station Stops, and a voucher for lunch at the Festival, courtesy of Keystone College Dining Services. Riders are strongly encouraged to use mountain bikes or hybrid bikes. Road bikes are not suitable for the trail portion of the rides & helmets are required for all riders. Visit www.HeritageExplorer.org to learn more.