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Barns, Buggies & Bridges Amish Tour (II)

September 12th to September 20th

Ride Director: Greg Corwin
Report by: Greg Corwin

Tripper Report – by All Participants

FOREWORD,

This year presented many challenges to the world, with travel and tourism being particularly affected.  Except for a couple rides held in January and February, all other BAC rides for 2020 were cancelled en masse. The other exception was the Barns, Bridges and Buggies ride in the Amish country of Lancaster, Manheim, and Lebanon, Pennsylvania.  With great precaution, and a fantastic group effort by all participants, this tour went forward and by all measurements was a spectacular success.  We following the guidelines put forth by the government of PA, and with the guidelines that I put in place, everyone was kept safe from the novel coronavirus, and we were able to participate in the first BAC ride held during the pandemic.

Because of the unusual nature of this year, and this ride, I decided to give all the participants a voice in this Tripper report rather than relying on one person to convey the experience.  I had a fantastic time leading this ride, and I am deeply appreciative of the help my participants had with my requests to “follow the rules and guidelines” so that we could make this ride happen.  It was a real treat to be able to lead a ride this year and to lead and cycle with this great group of people. I hope to see each of them on future rides with me. – Greg Corwin

Our Barns, Buggies and Bridges Ride began September 12, 2020, with a group familiarization/ meet-and-greet (hereafter referred to as  “Happy Hour”) at the Country Inn in Lancaster, PA. Greg Corwin, our ride leader, hosted the meeting and outlined ground rules, general highlights of the upcoming ride, daily format regarding individual start times and allowed each of us to introduce ourselves. The ground rules portion of this meeting were particularly important as this was the first and only ride in BAC conducted under COVID restrictions. Greg emphasized social distancing, hygiene, food & beverage safeguards as well as general emergency and mechanical-issue procedures.

We could not have been blessed with better weather for the week-long ride. Temperatures ranged from the low 40s to the mid-80s with hazy to bright sunshine each day. Not one day was impacted by rain or other inclement weather. Of interest was the hazy conditions the first three days of the ride caused by smoke drifting east across the continent from the West-Coast fires. As far as I know, the smoke did not impact the ride or riders other than giving us a high-haze condition.

Each day’s ride was under 50 miles which was perfect; allowing times for frequent stops for pictures, picnics, ice cream, lunch, and other sight-seeing. The routes allowed us to view beautiful farm scenery, covered bridges, and a glimpse of the Amish lifestyle. Particularly noteworthy was watching the Amish gather crops with horse-drawn equipment and a group dinner with an Amish family. Greg did a great job keeping the routes off busy roads and hazardous conditions. As an added bonus, none of the hills encountered were overly steep and at no point did I feel concerned about safety during the ride.

The routes were varied to keep interest high. The first day’s ride was on a Sunday with the Amish in open buggies dressed for church. The second day focused on covered bridges around Lancaster. Another day had us up in a wildlife management area with natural beauty. Still another ride put us on a rail trail for miles and miles in a green tunnel of trees. All rides were filled with episodes of discovery at a relaxed pace. You could tell these routes were well-researched, and polished by excellent scouting.

The last couple days of lodging, in Lebanon, was beyond expectations. Greg had us in the Brasenhill Mansion. Built in the 1920s by a steel magnate, this “American palace” had enough bedrooms and bathrooms to house our entire group with reading rooms, game rooms, and patios to spare. Our meals were by an excellent caterer and, at least one of the group decided to stay in and enjoy the mansion while others rode the last two routes. It was a fine way to end the ride.

Overall, this was one of the top rides in which I’ve participated. What impressed me the most was the detailed planning and research that went into it. This was my first ride with BAC and, if the rest are as well put together and this one, I’m a returning customer. Thanks for a great time. – Dean Newman

As the only tandem team on the ride we thoroughly enjoyed the Barns, Buggies and Bridges Amish Tour.  We especially enjoyed the third riding day that included a rail-to-trail and the quaint town of Lititz where we had lunch at the famous Tomato Pie Café and purchased our birth weight in chocolate from the Wilbur Chocolate company store.  Over the course of the tour we bonded quickly with our small but diverse group of riders.  For the final three nights the group was sole occupant of the classic Brasenhill Mansion; having the run of the house made us feel like we were masters and mistresses of the manor. 
– Boyd and Elaine Peart

I gave BBB ride high ratings. Below are 4 favorite eateries for the trip report and restaurant list for future tour. Mount Gretna:  Porch & Panty and Jigger Shop Ice Cream Parlor; Manheim:  City Star Diner and Divine Swine BBQ – Steve Brown

After being socially isolated for so long it was great to be back in the saddle with our first BAC adventure.  Despite the nasty COVID cloud that does not seem to want to go away, we were able to maintain a healthy distance from each while still being able to enjoy the company of great and adventurous people.  It was good to catch up with old friends and make new acquaintances.  BBB was an action-packed week of beautiful bicycle rides, charming company, and a renewed hope for brighter days to come.  Thanks to BAC and Greg Corwin for making it happen.
– Barb and John Delaney

Memories of Lancaster

Mountains in the distance
Wind at our back
Sun in our faces
"Buggy Up"
Smiling children running barefoot around the schoolhouse
Working farms
Harvesting grapes
Overripe corn
Seersucker dresses, straw hats, 
Weathervanes
Silos that reminded me of Harrison Ford in "WITNESS"
– Noreen Drucker

One of my favorite routes took us through the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area. We discovered a short paved trail that wound through fields of wild flowers and down to Willow Point and an intimate view of the lake.  After leaving the park the route took us into the small town of Lititz with its over-the-top charm and charisma.  One cannot pass through town without stopping at the quaint Tomato Pie Café for a cup of gourmet coffee and a slice of its namesake pie. Nor should one leave town without stopping at the Wilbur Chocolate Store!
– Chuck Feerick

The first thing to note about a tour in Amish country – when your tour starts on a Sunday - is that everything associated with the Amish community is closed on Sunday – except the churches.  Thank goodness for WaWa and Sheetz – where you can get a really good sandwich to get you through the day.  And that sandwich in your saddlebag will take a bit of the sting out of finding the creamery closed  - when you were so hopeful that an Amish creamery would, of course, be open on a perfect, warm, sunny September day.  But don’t despair, when Amish businesses are open, the ice cream, produce and baked goods are abundant, fresh, and delicious.  Really, don’t miss the honey crisp apples, the pumpkin whoopie pies, the 10,000 flavors of ice cream. Besides the food, there are so many wonderful things to love about a  bicycle tour in Amish country; barns, covered bridges, stone farmhouses, corn fields, corn fields, corn fields.  And, most memorable for this rider; “drafting” off a horse drawn buggy. 
– Joan Feerick

Since COVID-19 put the kibosh on my European bike tours for the fall, I was thrilled to join the Barns, Buggies & Bridges tour. I didn't have a specific day that was best; they were all good. But I did so enjoy the farm vistas, which were so beautiful. I think the notion that the Amish/Mennonites have such a sense of stability and continuity was really calming in these uncertain days.  I know the life is hard, but it felt like these folks would just keep at it, with certainty that there was a plan behind it all. It was soothing somehow. Great trip!
– Cynthia Bertozzi

I loved every minute and every cycling mile of this ride.  It came at a time when an escape from the restrictions of Covid were much needed.  This turned out to be the perfect ride for such an escape.

We were in the heart of the idylic Amish country which has, in my mind, the best cycling.  The roads are quiet, rolling country roads with farms that are picture postcard worthy.  Coupled with this gorgeous landscape was weather that was ideal for cycling.

Greg had us stay in a charming, comfortable and clean little motel to start our ride.  We mainly had the motel to ourselves which was conducive for meeting your fellow riders and having a spacious happy hour out of doors.  We then stayed a few days at a more contemporary hotel which was good for resting and relaxing after the first few days of cycling.  Then, the last few days were spent in the lap of luxury.  We stayed in the Brasenhill Mansion in Lebanon which was a treat and a unique experience in itself, where we dined like kings and queens in the Mansion’s main dining room for the group’s final dinner.  It was a lovely end to a truly loving cycling experience.

I cannot say enough about how organized and prepared Greg was for this tour.  He was mindful of the Covid climate and took all necessary precautions, while still managing to have the group united.  I felt confident Greg had everything we riders needed under control and that all I had to concern myself with was getting up and on my bike and enjoying the day’s ride.  Greg’s cue sheets and GPS files were accurate and Greg was always available to help with any questions or concerns riders may have had about any routes. 

I look forward to doing another ride with Greg.  He leads a terrific ride and clearly wants everyone to enjoy the ride! – Vicki LaBella