Promoting outdoor recreation and trailside communities brings joy and well-being — for proof, look no further than the Public Lands Ride.
As more than 150 cyclists lined up for the 2024 Public Lands Ride at Black Moshannon State Park, selfies were taken among old friends, introductions exchanged among new friends, and everyone looked forward to the miles ahead.
“This is what rural activation looks like,” Brett Hollern, PEC Vice President for Western Pennsylvania, shouted from the bed of a pickup: it’s riding the trails, supporting local businesses, and having a great time doing it.
The annual gravel ride, which began in 2019, has two primary goals: to promote the wealth of public lands that Pennsylvania has to offer under the belief that the more people enjoy nature, the more likely they are to protect it; and to support rural economies through outdoor recreation.
On the evening before the race, PEC convened a gathering at Dead Canary Brewing in nearby Phillipsburg where riders enjoyed dinner and drinks.
“We were able to bring a lot of people into the area, and then hopefully some people come back to this area throughout the year to ride now that they see how beautiful it is,” said Helena Kotala, PEC Program Manager and organizer of the ride.
The spirit of the Public Lands Ride reflects the fact that it is not a race. People go at their own pace, stop to take photos, and eat plenty of snacks.
“This is about taking everything in and not necessarily getting to the end the fastest,” Kotala said.
To that end, this year, PEC implemented Public Lands Ride Bingo, which challenged riders to do things like spot a herptile (a reptile or amphibian), make a new friend, or help someone. Winners received prizes like an event poster or t-shirt.
The feedback from riders has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are grateful for everyone’s support. Owing to the success of the ride is a dedicated team of volunteers and the involvement of local businesses, including Alabaster Coffee Roaster and Tea Company, out of Williamsport, and Boal City Brewing, based in Boalsburg.
We look forward to seeing people again in 2025. For those can’t attend the event in person, PEC also offers a list of featured routes in other parts of the state.
Episode Links
- Public Lands Ride information, including featured routes
- PEC Mountain Bike Resources
Josh Raulerson (00:01):
It is Friday, October 4th, 2024. This is Pennsylvania Legacies, the podcast for the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. I’m Josh Raulerson. The 2024 Public Lands Ride was held at Black Moshannon State Park last weekend, September 28th. It’s an annual gravel ride to celebrate Pennsylvania’s public lands and foster a sense of community in the outdoors. For the first time since the ride began back in 2019, registration for this year’s event was sold out with more than 150 people attending. It’s more evidence for the growing popularity of gravel riding and appreciation of the great routes that state parks and forests have to offer. Riders can choose from routes of 22, 42 or 65 miles. Most of those miles follow gravel roads in Black Moshannon State Park and nearby Moshannon State Forest. But the longer routes offer optional descents down more rugged rocky trails, what’s known as the chunky section. And of course, the cuisine at Public Lands Ride is almost celebrated as the ride itself.
An aid station near Mile 30 offered pierogi hot dogs fruit and more, and burgers and pasta salad awaited riders at the finish line. And for the first time this year, PEC staff contributed to a cookie table, a Western Pennsylvania tradition, baking more than 300 cookies and bringing the day to a sweet conclusion. My colleague, Communications Coordinator Derek Maiolo, attended the ride and spoke with some of the participants. In this episode, we’ll hear first from PEC program manager, Helena Kotala, who designed the Public Lands Ride routes and organizes the event each year. We’ll then take you out onto the course to meet some of the riders and hear about their experience.
Helena Kotala (01:51):
This is our fifth year. We started in 2019 and then took a year off due to Covid, and then we’ve been on every year since. So I ride out here all the time. We’ve changed the course up a little bit over the years but we’ve stuck with the same course for the past three years, I think. I just found that this one flows the best, just trying to sort of get a taste of all the different experiences out here. So there’s a little bit, there’s a lot of just like maintained really nice smooth gravel. But there’s also a little bit of sections that are more chunky as well as some snowmobile trail, which is grassy and sometimes has some rocks. So there’s a mix of everything on the courses.
There are a lot of gravel races out there where people are timed and people are trying to be the first one to the finish. And for this ride we really wanted to encourage people to take their time and enjoy the scenery and spend a lot of time at eight stations, meet new friends and not worry about how fast they’re going. This is really about taking everything in and not necessarily trying to get to the end the fastest. And so I think that breeds a little bit more of a relaxed culture than some of the other more race oriented events out there. So this year we implemented public lands Ride Bingo. So we had a bingo card on the back of the map and each of the squares was a different type of experience or a thing that people could see. So there were things like various animals such as bird of prey or an aquatic mammal. Also stuff like state flower and you had to know what the state flower is to be able to cross off that bingo square.
But we also had things like made a new friend or helped someone or other experiences or things that people could experience along the way. So this brings together a number of things that PEC is involved or interested in. So one is promoting stewardship of public lands and the outdoors and the environment in general. We believe that people who are out here enjoying nature doing something like riding through this scenery and these places that encourages them to care more about those places and about the environment. And then also we care a lot about outdoor recreation as a tool for economic development, particularly in rural areas. So last night we were in downtown Phillipsburg, which is a really small town in Centre County kind of on the outskirts of State College, but we all went to a brewery there and you know, patronize this, this place that, that normally doesn’t get as much business. But we were able to bring a lot of people into the area. And then hopefully some of those people will come back to this area throughout the year to ride now that they see how beautiful it is. So it’s, it’s sort of twofold there.
Derek Maiolo (04:59):
What’s your name and where are you coming from?
Cyclists (5:02)
My name’s Sydney. I’m from Pittsburgh, PA.
My name’s Anthony. I’m also from Pittsburgh,
Pam from Cleveland, Ohio.
My name is Emil. I’m from Huntington, PA.
Hi, I am Shelby and I’m coming from Boalsberg, Pennsylvania.
Dustin Underkoffler, Lancaster.
Yeah, I’m from Mount Joy.
Selene Yeager and I’m from Emmaus, Pennsylvania.
My name is Danny Ley and I’m coming from Huntington, Pennsylvania.
Derek Maiolo (5:25)
And have you done the public lands right before?
Cyclists (05:27):
This is my first time.
It’s also my first time.
Derek Maiolo (05:28):
What brings you out? How did you hear about it?
Cyclist (05:31):
So I ride for a team in Pittsburgh called Unison Racing, and one of our sponsors is PEC. So we did this, we came out in collaboration with them. So yeah, I was on our calendar since the beginning of the year and we’re excited to be here.
Derek Maiolo (05:43):
Tell me about Unison Racing. I, I’ve met people who are on the team, but I don’t know much about it.
Cyclist (05:48):
Unison Racing is a local Pittsburgh club. Brian Heller and some other people started it up and it’s just mostly a really great collection of a lot of mixed disciplines of cycling. We have people who do crit racing, we have people who do gravel. We have people who do ultra endurance. So it’s a real nice gambit of different disciplines kind of coming together and just looking for a really nice community to be a part of.
Derek Maiolo (06:13):
What have you heard about the ride? Are you looking forward to anything in particular?
Cyclist (06:17):
Great terrain. I hear the descents are gonna be pretty spicy. We’re looking forward to that. I just heard the, these guys know how to put together a really good course, so I’m excited to ride it.
Derek Maiolo (06:33):
What do you enjoy about the ride?
Cyclist (06:35):
The scenery. I think it’s just beautiful to ride through the, the woods and it’s just gorgeous, you know, quiet roads. Can’t beat that.
Derek Maiolo (06:42):
What kind of trails do you ride back home?
Cyclist (06:45):
Mostly road <laugh>. So we do have some gravel at home, but we’re, you know, we’re, we tend to ride more road where we are. We don’t have as much gravel as there is out here in in this part of Pennsylvania. It just seems like in Ohio there, there aren’t that many opportunities. So we like to come out here because there’s, there’s so many great places that we can run. Every day that we ride out here is just a treat for us. And I think, you know, hanging out with our friends and coming out here, doing this ride together, going back to camp, you know, downloading all that fun stuff that we did. I think it’s just a lot of fun.
Derek Maiolo (07:15):
Thank you so much. Enjoy the ride.
What are your names?
Cheer squad (07:30):
Ella.
Olivia.
Derek Maiolo (07:33):
And how old are you?
(07:34):
Four.
Seven.
Derek Maiolo (07:37):
And what are you doing today?
(07:39):
I don’t know.
Watching my dad.
Derek Maiolo (07:43):
What is he doing today?
(07:44):
Bike racing.
Derek Maiolo (07:45):
Do you bike?
(7:46)
Yes.
Derek Maiolo (7:47)
Do you think you’ll ever want to do the Public Lands Ride?
(07:51):
I don’t know.
Derek Maiolo (07:52):
What about you? Do you like to bike?
(7:53)
Yeah.
Derek Maiolo (7:54)
Well thank you. Enjoy.
We’re here at everybody’s favorite aid station where there are pierogis, pickles, fried potatoes, apples, anything you could want as a on a bike ride. We got Evan slinging pierogi. How are the, how are the pierogi today?
Evan Gross (08:17):
I’m smelling a lot of smiles out there. I’m tasting a lot of positive feelings.
Derek Maiolo (08:23):
Can you set the scene for us? What are we, what are, what’s the smell like in the tent today?
Evan Gross (08:26):
So I’m smelling some sort of maritime vibes. I’ve got two Marylanders here, but we also have some old base season and cheddar cheese. So it might be either we’ve got a lot of pierogis going out the door. I’m standing here in front of a crew of probably at least a hundred and they’re all smiling, riding bikes, maybe a little bit wet and muddy.
Derek Maiolo (08:46):
Alright, thank you.
Evan Gross (08:47):
Absolutely.
Derek Maiolo (08:49):
And have you done the Public Lands Ride before?
Cyclist (8:51):
No, this is my first time.
Derek Maiolo (8:52)
What do you think so far?
Cyclist (8:54)
It was great. I love it. It’s beautiful.
Derek Maiolo (08:55):
How often do you get out and ride?
Cyclist (08:58):
Once a week. So I own a shop in Huntington, so we have weekly rides there, so at least once a week, I should say.
Derek MMaiolo (09:03):
What’s your shop called?
Cyclist (09:04):
Rothrock Outfitters. Yeah, there’s great, great crowd. Lots of people here. Weather’s great. There’s not too much dust on the ground, so it’s a little moist, but, you know, can’t beat that.
Derek Maiolo (09:14):
What brought you out today? Why did you want to come riding?
Cyclist (09:18):
I’ve, I’ve been fortunate to meet a lot of badass ladies who like to ride and they told me about it and so we’re out here doing it together.
Derek Maiolo (09:24):
How many of you are riding together?
Cyclist (09:26):
There’s four of us here as a group.
Derek Maiolo (09:28):
And we’re at, arguably, the most popular aid station? What did you think of the snack situation?
Cyclist (09:36):
I feel like I just had a full on lunch. The pierogis were amazing and salty and just what I needed and we had to do a dance party for pickles and that was also good. <Laugh>.
Derek Maiolo (09:45):
Thank you. What’s your name and where are you run from?
Cyclist (09:47):
My name’s Jazz and I’m coming from State College, Pennsylvania.
Derek Maiolo (09:51):
And have you done the ride before?
Cyclist (09:53):
Yes, this is my second time.
Derek Maiolo (09:54):
How is it compared to last year?
Cyclist (09:56):
I’m feeling a lot better this year.
Derek Maiolo (09:59):
Did you say last year you were kind of newer to gravel biking? Am I remembering that right?
Cyclist (10:03):
Last year I had this gravel bike for one month and I hadn’t biked over 25 miles and I did the 40 fours <laugh>. So here I am properly trained for the ride this year <laugh>.
Derek Maiolo (10:15):
Are you all part of like an official club or do you just ride as friends?
Cyclist (10:19):
No, we’re just like bike queens, <laugh>. We just made our own group <laugh>.
Derek Maiolo (10:24):
How is that to have a group of women all riding together?
Cyclist (10:29):
It’s actually really good and motivating. We all ride a similar pace and we push each other at different points. So it works really well.
Derek Maiolo (10:37):
Anything you’re most looking forward to today or maybe like a highlight of, of the day so far?
Cyclistt (10:42):
This age station <laugh> with the Pierogis. I told myself I’m just going to at least make it to mile thirty. <Laugh> and I did.
Derek Maiolo (10:58):
We’re on scene at the cookie table at the Pennsylvania public Lands ride with unbiased reviews. What was your favorite cookie of the cookie table?
Cyclist (11:10)
Oh, obviously the espresso dust shortbread cookie made by
Alexandra Long (11:12):
Alexandra Long.
Derek Maiolo (11:13):
Another stranger with unbiased information. What was your favorite cookie of the cookie table?
Cyclist (11:17):
I haven’t had a cookie yet.
Alexandra Long (11:20):
I think you misspoke. You meant to say Alexandra Long’s espresso, chocolate chip shortbread.
Derek Maiolo (11:23)
Was there a particular highlight or memory of the ride today?
Cyclist (11:31):
The ferns really like the ferns were starting to turn and it was pretty magical. And also because it was so misty, it looked very enchanted out there today.
Derek Maiolo (11:38):
I stayed a long time taking photos of those ferns. The color, the colors were, they were really beautiful.
Cyclist (11:43):
Right before the, the second station, second eight station. I love it up on top there with the ferns and the blueberries and it’s just all open. It’s beautiful.
Cyclist (11:53):
So I’ve never seen ferns change colors like that before. And you have to pay so much attention to the terrain that you’re going through because It’s switched from like a gravel to like a more of like a open limestone and you’re just like looking around and the mist is going on and it’s just like, wow, this is awesome. I’m here, I’m in it. And you’re like, oh no, I have to really focus on what’s going on.
Derek Maiolo (12:14):
What do you like about the Public Lands Ride?
Cyclist (12:15):
It’s just really nice up here. Not a lot of people. It’s quiet, so yeah, it’s just, I mean this time of year it’s pretty, with the leaves changing and stuff. I did the chunky side, which was the first time in a couple years I’ve done it. And it was good. Like it’s pretty back in there. You just gotta keep focused. But yeah, I’m kind of glad I did it.
Derek Maiolo (12:33):
I’m curious, can you describe the chunky side?
Cyclist (12:35):
It’s just a lot of rocks and they’re covered in grass, so it’s hard to see them until you’re up on, so it’s like you need to think a lot more and pay a lot more attention when you’re riding there.
Derek Maiolo (12:44):
Have you done the Public Lands Ride before?
Cyclist (12:47):
I have done a lot of Helena’s rides before, just on her own. Like I did a 65 last time and it was, they’re just so beautiful. She does great rides. They’re always going to be very adventurous and interesting, you know, she picks really fun, chunky roads and you’re all just quiet. You’re guaranteed to just have a really scenic ride.
Derek Maiolo (13:06):
Did you play Public Lands Ride Bingo?
Cyclist (13:08):
My bingo card turned to mush in my bag, my pierogi bag, so I, I had no chance to play bingo.
Derek Maiolo (13:16):
I’m curious, like is the Public Lands Ride an opportunity to meet people?
Cyclist (13:19):
Yeah, I mean a lot of, you know, the pa tribe travel, so like I know a lot of the people here and it’s nice to see because I’m on more of the eastern side of the state, so it’s nice to see my Pittsburgh friends. I don’t get to see them that much, so yeah. That’s cool.
Derek Maiolo (13:33):
Would you say that, is it gravel riding been one of the things that’s really opened your eyes to the outdoor recreation opportunities that Pennsylvania offers?
Cyclist (13:41):
I mean, I’ve always had a connection to the outdoors and growing through cycling to include those two things of camping and being outdoors and cycling and putting those all together have been a really great, so we’ve been able to discover some state parks. We’ve been able to discover small camping cottages and little RV parks and things like that. So it would take you to places that you’ve never been before and all of a sudden you’re here with new friends.
Derek Maiolo (14:10):
What ride did you do today?
Cyclist (14:12):
I did the 44 miler.
Derek Maiolo (14:13):
And what did you think?
Cyclist (14:15):
I love it! It was so beautiful. I think the rain made the colors pop all the more it was just so much fun. Great community, beautiful ride.
Derek Maiolo (14:23):
Had you done the public lands ride before?
Cyclist (14:25):
This was my first time.
Derek Maiolo (14:26):
And how did you do with the Public Lands Ride Bingo?
Cyclist (14:30):
I won! Yes, I won. I didn’t think I was going to make it but I did win and it was fantastic. So much fun.
Derek Maiolo (14:36):
Was there a particular square that was like a memorable one to mark off?
Cyclist (14:41):
I definitely was looking for herps all the ride. Unfortunately my herp that I counted was, was dead. It was no longer with us. But that’s the one I was, was probably looking out for the most as well as megafauna.
Derek Maiolo (14:53):
What is a herp?
Cyclist (14:55):
Let’s see, frogs, snakes, turtles, lizards, salamanders, that sort of thing.
Derek Maiolo (15:02):
Did you have a, a highlight of the, the ride today?
Cyclist (15:04):
Definitely the colors of trees and then the aid stations were just such a great vibe. It was so cool that everyone just stopped and checked in with each other. I had several people like ask me my name and where I’m from and we’re just glad to be here. So I think all the smiles.
Derek Maiolo (15:21):
Well, thank you so much. I’m glad you had a good time.
What do you hope people come away from the Public Lands Ride with?
Helena Kotala (15:36):
So I hope that people came away with a great day for one and just a fun time. But also greater appreciation for our public lands, the environments, this place. I think that Black Moshannon is a pretty special place. More of an awareness of what PEC does and also hopefully some new friends and hopefully a desire to come back and experience this area either at another time of the year or at the next Public Lands Ride
Josh Raulerson (16:15):
Sounds from the 2024 Public Lands Ride in Black Moshannon State Park and Moshannon State Forest. Of course, PEC couldn’t pull off an event like this without the support of volunteers who help with setup, provide food and drinks at aid stations, operate radios, sweep the course and more. We also want to shout out local businesses, including Alabaster Coffee Roaster and Tea Company, out of Williamsport, and Boal City Brewing, of Boalsburg, for fueling riders and celebrating their accomplishment at the end of the day. Thanks to everyone who gave their time and energy to make this year’s ride a success.
And that’s all for this week on Pennsylvania Legacies. You can hear stories from our archive, including our recent interview with the founder of Purple Lizard Maps, our partner in mapping the public lands ride, along with stories on Pennsylvania’s growing outdoor recreation industry and what it means for Pennsylvanians. Listen on your web browser or find it in your podcast app by searching Pennsylvania legacies on our website. You can also learn about PEC’s program and policy work across Pennsylvania, touching on everything from trail development to clean energy and climate. It’s all at pecpa.org, pecpa.org.
We’ll be back in a couple of weeks with more Pennsylvania legacies conversations. Until then, for the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and Derek Maiolo, I’m Josh Raulerson and thanks for listening.