The Public Lands Ride – 2020 was the highlight of the season! For those unfamiliar, the Public Lands Ride is an annual mixed-surface event hosted by the good folks at the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. By way of background, PEC is an organization that has been shaping environmental and conservation policy in Pennsylvania for over four decades. Check ’em out and considering joining PEC’s efforts.
Background on Public Lands Ride -2020
In furtherance of its mission, PEC hosted the inaugural Public Lands ride in 2019 at Black Moshannon State Park and Moshannon State Forest. As with many events in 2020, the in-person event was tabled. That didn’t stop PEC. The pandemic spurred on the creation of new avenues for the cycling community to stay active and connected, all while maintaining public health protocols. A few examples included virtual events, challenges, and races. PEC took the virtual concept, expanded it and sprinkled in some creativity and adventure. In the words of PEC. . . . Ok, wait. . . . let’s put a face on PEC and hopefully give some rightful credit to one of the event’s visionaries. . . . Helena Kotala. She, along with her colleagues at PEC, “decided to go ‘virtual,’ taking an opportunity to showcase the breadth and variety of public lands throughout the Commonwealth by encouraging folks to get out and explore in small groups at various state parks and forests throughout the greater central Pennsylvania region.”
Details of the 2020 Event
How, you may be asking. Throughout the summer of 2020, PEC created and posted six routes of about 45-60 miles that were set in various parks and forests throughout the Commonwealth. Participants had the entire month of September to complete the rides and share their adventures on social media. Either through Facebook or Instagram posts. The first 100 people to complete at least three rides received an awesome limited edition patch designed by Stephen Haynes and made by Falls Creek Outfitters. JB completed the task. Check out his patch below.
To sweeten the pot, some really cool sponsors graciously donated prizes for PEC to dole out to riders who posted cool stories or pictures. Special shout out to those awesome companies that helped out the Public Lands Ride -2020 and that truly make riding and outdoor adventure in PA and beyond better: unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley (check out The Hub’s post on the 2019 edition, here), Stans NoTubes, and Purple Lizard Maps (along with a cool, custom bag from Nittany Mountain Works). JB was lucky enough to complete all six routes, along with his riding buddy. They both received an awesome prize pack from Purple Lizard and Nittany Mountain Works. Thanks PEC, Purple Lizard, and Nittany Mountain Works – The Hub will definitely pay it forward!
The posts will provide photos that highlight the terrain and scenery from the route. They will also include a link to the Ride with GPS route and short commentary on our impressions of the route. Helena and crew did such a great job detailing each route that we’ll provide the link to the PEC blog rather than recreate the wheel. Check out the PEC Public Lands Ride 2020 event page for additional details.
The Hub’s summaries of the Public Lands Ride -2020 series includes:
- Laurel Ridge State Park/Forbes State Forest Route
- Moshannon State Forest Routes (Parker Dam State Park and Black Moshannon State Park)
- Trough Creek State Park/Rothrock State Forest Route
- Bald Eagle State Forest Routes (R.B. Winter State Park and Reeds Gap State Park)
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