We went to Allegany State Park yesterday for a bicycle ride. It was our first time riding bicycles in the park, as well as the first time transporting our new folding bicycles to a ride destination. Both bicycles fit nicely in our back seat.
Allegany State Park is divided into two areas: the Red House Area and the Quaker Run Area. We entered the park via the Quaker Run Area entrance and made our way to the Red House Area. Our ride destination was the Red House Area, where there are 5 miles of paved hike/bike paths.
We rode our bicycles around Red House Lake, a loop trail of 3 miles. Our starting point was at the Red House Boat Rental parking lot. We rode clockwise around the lake. The bicycle trail was very nice, paved throughout. We rode level with the lake, below the lake (at creek level) and high above the lake. I both rode and walked my bicycle on the trail. Eventually I hope that I am able to ride all the way around the lake.
Across the lake is a bridge. This is the Red House Lake Dam bridge. We won’t cross over that bridge. Instead the bicycle trail takes you below the Red House Lake Dam, across a wooden bridge and back up the other side. On our way to the Red House Lake Dam we passed by the Red House Administration building.
located in a picnic area near the Red House Administration building.
As I mentioned earlier, the bicycle trail takes you below the Red House Lake dam and across a wooden bridge. The descent below the Red House Lake dam is steep. It is recommended that you walk your bicycle down the trail. We rode our bicycles. I used the brake often!
Across from this bridge is the new Red House Nature Boardwalk, which we visited for a short while.
at the end of the long boardwalk shown in the preceding photograph.
The marshland is beginning to get its Spring colors!
Leaving the Red House Nature Boardwalk we began our ascent to the other side of the Red House Lake dam.
I had to walk my bicycle on this part of the trail.
Again, I had to walk my bicycle on a portion of this part of the bicycle trail.
A short distance from this point the bicycle trail went through a forested area and down a steep slope. There was a sign that suggested walking bicycles down the hill. It didn’t look that steep, though, so we rode our bicycles down the hill. At the bottom of the hill the bicycle trail crosses over ASP 2. It isn’t easy to stop at the end of the hill. I should have respected the “walk your bicycle” sign in this instance. Thankfully, I was able to stop (barely), and there wasn’t any traffic on ASP 2!
After crossing over ASP 2 we quickly arrived at the Thomas L. Kelly Covered Bridge.
From the covered bridge, we returned to our starting point. We found a lovely site for a picnic.
After lunch we left Allegany State Park. Rather than go straight home, we decided to go to Marilla Reservoir (Bradford, PA) — the subject of my next blog post.
Bicycling the beauty around us 