The Spectacular Six Bridge Ride

Each month I will post a beautiful ride. These are my favorites. Warning: these will be longer posts because I will be giving some directions. They will range from beginner rides to intermediae. This month's ride is intermediate.

Whenever I want to feel fantastic and have a lasting high created by a surge of endorphins I take a ride I call the “Six Bridge Ride.” It’s a loop so you can begin anywhere. Today I start in East Vincent at the corner of Hollow Road and Pughtown Road. There is a pocket park here where you can park you car. I remember this used to be the Arena Slaughter House. Now it’s a park, thanks to the efforts of Chris Devol, Cathy Sloan, John Hoekstra, and Chris McNeil. Mighty bad JuJu here transformed into this beautiful park - a hot spot for fly-fishing in the spring. I will write about this next week.

This is a road bike ride and best to have a camera along. Certainly you will have a chance to take a winning photo. Hop on your bike and head west on Pughtown for a quarter mile. Turn left and pass the Sheeder Mill Horse farm on the left and admire the fine Kentucky walkers you see in the meadow. Come back for a family horseback ride. Continue and you will see the first bridge - the Iron Bridge over the French Creek. It’s called the Sheeder Hall bridge and it’s my personal favorite. Great fly-fishing here, a trail for hikers and your first chance to see a blue heron.

Up the hill and feel the pain, feel the burn riding to the top of Birchrunville. This is an amazing uphill ride. The good news is that there is never any wind. You are protected by the highlands. Take Flowing Springs Road downhill and make a left at the Birchrunville Store Cafe. Take a picture of the porch, sit in one of the rocking chairs and remember to make a reservation for a future dinner. It’s one of the five best restaurants in our region.

Continue North on Hollow Road and 3 miles brings you to the Sheeder Mill Covered Bridge. This bridge marks the end of the fly-fishing area. Off to the right is French Creek Road - a great place to take a stress walk, but not today, we are off seeing bridges.

Though the bridge, pass your car at the pocket park, and this time make a right onto Pughtown Road. A short ride brings you to the Olszanowski farm, the jewel of East Vincent Township. Remember to come back and take a hay ride, and buy your pumpkins here. There’s a challenging corn maze, not for the faint of heart. Over our third bridge now, the French Creek Bridge.

Take a sharp left on French Creek Road. This is a particularly beautiful setting. Look for Camphill, Kimberton Village on your right. If it’s Saturday it might be market day at Sankanac CSA. Local organic fare straight from the farm. Here is another good picture taking opportunity.

Now over Bridge 191, a cast iron beauty. Ride to the right and stay on the bike path, the grating is too tough on you skinny road bike tires. Ride the curves to Lucas Road and make the right. Up the big hill and on to Seven Stars Road. Make a right turn. This is a nice downhill and brings you to the incredible Kennedy Bridge, the second covered bride on this ride. Once again your are crossing French Creek.

Up the hill and make a left on Hare’s Hill Road. You can make a detour with a right turn that will take you into Kimberton Village. In town is Kimberton Whole Foods, a great place to have lunch, pick up a snack, or enjoy and ice cream.

Without the detour you come to the Iron Bridge,  just repaired. Uphill and on to Miller Road - A left on Miller Road takes you past Frog Hollow Farm, the Kimberton Golf Course, and out to Hickory Grove Road. Make a left. Look for the Hickory Grove School - a one roomer on the right. Here is another great picture taking stop.

A right on Seven Stars road and a bit of backtracking takes you to Beaver Run Farm and Lucas Road. Take a left on Lucas and continue to Hoffecker Road. Beautiful view of the valley and the French Creek at the top. Scream down the road and follow to Hoffecker. A quick left and a quick right take you to Hallman Mill Road. Continue on an easy uphill to Hollow Road. Make the left and the sharp downhill takes you back to your car.

There you have it, six bridges and unforgettable views. If this ride doesn’t help you appreciate where you live, I can’t help you.