August 16, 2015FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
On Saturday, September 5, 2015, a small group of bicyclists from York County will leave from York on a unique bike trip. They will be following a route which will, someday if they have anything to say about it, form a “Grand History Trail.” The riders will depart September 5th at 9:30 a.m. from the Colonial Court House, 205 W. Market Street, the start of the original York County Heritage Rail Trail, and head toward historic Gettysburg. The Grand History Trail is a multiuse trail concept that would link the rich historical regions of southern Pennsylvania, Maryland and Washington D.C. with a trail suitable for biking, walking and running.
As they pass through the towns and cities along the way, they hope to meet with local elected officials and municipal planners to draw attention to the recreational and economic benefits of supporting the Grand History Trail concept. Portions of the circular route exist now as converted rails-to trails or purpose-built multiuse trails, such as the C&O Canal Towpath, the Baltimore-Annapolis Trail, the Torrey C. Brown Trail (formerly the NCR trail), and the York County Heritage Rail Trail. Other portions of the route are conceptual only. Much work has to be done to develop the missing links in the Trail route to make safe, practical routes for cyclists and others who would use the Trail.
In an effort to help make this Trail a reality, the cyclists are visiting the towns and cities through which the Trail would pass by riding a different segment of the Trail each day for a week. The route will take them through Hanover, Gettysburg, Emmitsburg, Frederick, Washington, D.C., Annapolis, and Baltimore. The ride schedule, with departure points, is as follows:
Saturday, September 5:
Colonial Courthouse in York, PA to Hanover and Gettysburg, PA
Sunday, September 6:
Gettysburg, PA (Cyclorama Drive) to Frederick, MD
Monday, September 7:
Frederick, MD (City Hall) to Washington, D.C. (via the C&O Canal Towpath)
Tuesday, September 8:
Alexandria, VA to Annapolis, MD
Wednesday, September 9:
Annapolis, MD (Maryland State House) to Baltimore, MD (via Baltimore- Annapolis Trail)
Thursday, September 10:
Baltimore, MD (City Hall) to York, PA (via Hunt Valley, Torrey C. Brown Trail, and York County Heritage Rail Trail)
Unless otherwise noted, departure times will be 9:30 A.M. A ief question and answer session with local political leaders and media representatives will be held at 9:30 A.M. at the departure locations. Our goal is to alert the media and regional decision makers about the Trail and the advantages of developing a safe recreational route linking these historically significant areas. Please join us for an informative session about the Grand History Trail. Together…….. “LET'S FINISH IT!”
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Angela at 717-515-7527
Don Gogniat at 717-891-7472, or
Carl Knoch at 410-303-6069
