By Dennis Hickethier
The goal of the 9/11 National Memorial Trail is “to link the three national 9/11 memorials to other sites and experiences that connect us to American history.” When the 9/11 National Memorial Trail Alliance was planning the route for the trail between New York City and Shanksville, PA, they realized it would pass close to Gettysburg, where thousands of Americans lost their lives in another significant, historical event. The decision was made to create a loop on the trail that would take it from Harrisburg to Carlisle to Chambersburg to Gettysburg and then to Columbia, PA, before going on to New York City. According to the trail website, www.911trail.org, “The trail creates an unbroken, 1,300-mile system of roads, trails, and greenways that is more than 50% off-road today.” This trail system is designed to accommodate bicycle riders, but many motorcycle clubs use the on-road portions to conduct commemorative rides to honor the victims of the 9/11 events.
The 9/11 trail website describes efforts to erect wayfinding signs across Pennsylvania. The first paragraph of one press release states, “The first wayfinding signs installed under Governor Josh Shapiro’s statewide initiative for the September 11th National Memorial Trail were installed in Allentown, marking the beginning of a statewide effort to establish a clearly signed memorial route across the Commonwealth ahead of the 25th anniversary of September 11.” The website also states that “When complete, the project will include nearly 1,000 signs along state roadways and 1,290 along local roads, creating approximately 900 miles of signed 9/11 National Memorial Trail through 23 counties.” Approximately 22 trail signs were planned for Adams County and all 9/11 trail signs should now be in place.
On the website for Healthy Adams Bicycle/Pedestrian, Inc. (HABPI), readers can find cue sheets going east and west from Gettysburg to locations near the borders of Adams County. A map of the route through Adams County is also on our website. Go to “habpi.com” and search under Bicycling, then Local Routes, then 21+ Miles. You can also email a request for these documents to: HABPI2012@Gmail.com. Each of these rides would be around 40 miles as a round trip. Going east is a fairly normal ride. As you know, going west from Gettysburg there are a lot of significant hills, so check elevation on an app. An ebike would certainly help going west, or you could have a good friend drive you to a spot or pick you up to just go one way.
A group bicycle ride of the 9/11 National Memorial Trail through Adams County will take place October 23-25, according to the 9/11 trail website. A description of this event can be found by going to https://www.911trail.org/events and scrolling down to “The Gettysburg Loop Tour.” The riders will spend two days in Gettysburg.
As supporters of the 9/11 trail, the HABPI Board of Directors will organize a group of local cyclists to meet those who are participating in “The Gettysburg Loop Tour” and join them for part of their ride in Adams County. The group will also be riding from Gettysburg to the Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, MD and riding out to the World War II museum on a different day. Check our website (habpi.com) in early October for details.
On September 30, the Adams County Commissioners are scheduled to issue a proclamation proclaiming their support of the 9/11trail and the riders using the roads that are marked for the trail.
There’s still time to sign up for, or donate to, HABPI’s “Ride for Trails” bicycle ride. This is HABPI’s major fundraiser for the year. The event takes place on Saturday, September 26 beginning at 8 a.m. from the Gettysburg Rec Park. We offer three different routes to accommodate riders of all experience levels. All rides will travel through the Gettysburg National Military Park and over the picturesque Sachs Covered Bridge. The longer rides will also wind their way through the quiet roads of southern Adams County. To make this event complete, lunch is provided after the rides. Before riders have lunch, they can participate in a special, optional session at 11:30 conducted by a licensed Yoga instructor. She will do a short session targeted for cyclists and will teach light stretches for stiff and sore muscles. Go to HABPI.com to find the link to more ride information and registration.
Dennis Hickethier has been riding bicycles on PA rail trails and in Adams County for 34 years. The last five years he has used a recumbent bicycle equipped with electric assist to tame the hills around Gettysburg and put a smile on his face. He is a member of the HABPI board.