The Highlands Trail Foundation will host their annual guided bike tour in the scenic Blackwater Canyon on Saturday, September 27, 2014.
The ride will begin at noon in front of the Purple Fiddle Coffee House in Thomas and end at Mill Race Park in Parsons where snacks and refreshments will be provided by the City of Parsons. A drawing for the Bicycle Raffle will be held at that time.
Participants will not only enjoy the beauty of the canyon and the Allegheny Highlands Trail section that parallels the Blackwater River, but will also learn about railroad history such as the construction of the Big Run culvert built by a team of skilled stonemasons from Italy and future plans for AHT development. All downhill, the 12.5-mile ride will take approximately two hours
The ride is appropriate for all skill levels, but generally not recommended for children under 10. A parent or guardian must accompany children under 18. Helmets are required for all participants, who should carry plenty of water and dress for the weather. Mountain bikes or other fat tire bicycles are recommended for the packed dirt and gravel trail surface, but hybrid or cross bikes are also suitable.
There is no admission charge for this ride, but participants must register at the starting location in front of the Purple Fiddle in Thomas. Highlands Trail Foundation membership applications will be available at the registration site for interested parties.
For more information on the ride, go to www.highlandstrail.org, or contact HTF by email at info@highlandstrail.org or by phone at 304-637-7505.
The ride is sponsored by the City of Parsons, Good Energy Foods in Elkins, Mary Boyd, MD, and Joey’s Bike Shop in Elkins.
The annual Blackwater Canyon Ride is produced with the assistance of the Randolph County and Tucker County Convention and Visitors Bureaus and is one of the many outdoors events during the Leaf Peepers Festival, visit www.canaanvalley.org or call 800-782 2775 toll-free.
