News

February 17

W-B the last stop of Pa. cycling tour

Up to 200 riders to leave Erie Aug. 8, go 60-70 miles daily, and reach W-B on Aug. 14.

BILL O ’ BOYLE boboyle@timesleader.com

WILKES-BARRE – City officials on Tuesday met with representatives of Pedal Pennsylvania about the all-new Northern Crossing bicycle tour that will cross the state and end in the downtown.

Bill McCoach, director of the organization, and Patrick Joyce, senior staff member, met with city Assistant Police Chief Donald Crane and members of Mayor Tom Leighton’s staff to review the event scheduled for Aug. 7 through 14 – starting and ending in Wilkes-Barre.

McCoach said the Northern Crossing is the number one-requested tour and he expects between 100 and 200 participants in the non-competitive touring event.

“We chose Wilkes-Barre to be part of the event to showcase Northeast Pennsylvania,” McCoach said. “We want to show people from throughout the U.S. that this is a distinctive region with a lot going on.”

Joyce said the participants will arrive in Wilkes-Barre and leave for Erie on Aug. 7. The group will load up a bus and truck to get to Erie, according to the group’s Web site. The tour will begin there on Aug. 8 and each daily leg will consist of 60 to 70 miles of biking.

“The participants like to tour various states and see what the scenery looks like from the seat of a bicycle,” Joyce said.

The cyclists will arrive back in Wilkes-Barre on Aug. 14, McCoach said.

The route will go from Erie to Beemus Point to Bradford to Coudersport to Wellsboro to Williamsport to Buckhorn, near Bloomsburg, and then to Wilkes-Barre.

“We have crossed this wonderful state through the north, central and the south and each route is unique in its own way,” McCoach said. “The northern tier of our state is rich in history and stands still in time.”

McCoach said riders will “experience the charm of a picturesque town as you stroll through the quiet streets lined with historic homes and family-run businesses meeting the warm-hearted residents of communities like Warren, Bradford, Smethport, Wellsboro, Williamsport, Bloomsburg and Wilkes Barre.”

Joyce said all roads are paved and the route is mostly flat to rolling with a few hills – a strategy utilized to keep the riders’ legs from falling asleep.

McCoach said interested bikers can contact him at 215-520-5758 for registration information. He said the cost to participate could range from $800 if camping sites are used to more than $1,100 for lodging with meals included.

Bill O’Boyle, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7218.

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