Rides
The Harrisburg Bicycle Club and the Pennsylvania State Police Historical, Educational & Memorial Center are pleased to present the State Police Memorial Metric Century (Bicycle) Ride on Saturday, April 26, 2008. This distinctive bicycling event, beginning and ending at the Hershey Middle School, in Hershey, Pennsylvania, will tour the picturesque Hershey area and the Lebanon Valley of Pennsylvania and offers several routes to choose from:
This year we will again offer an easy flat 5 ½ route for Families that tours the beautiful Hershey area. Begins at 10:00 a.m. Cost is $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children under eight. <Click here for map>
The State Police Metric Century (62+ miles) Route:

Combine the Ft. Indiantown Gap Half-Metric Century Route (32.2 miles) and the Mt. Gretna Half-Metric Century Route (37.3 miles) for a full metric century.  Enjoy the scenic beauty and challenge of completing both routes, and enjoy the satisfaction of finishing a complete metric century of 100+ kilometers.

Ft. Indiantown Gap Half-Metric Century (32.2 miles) Route(marked white):
The Ft. Indiantown Gap Route Map (32.2 miles) winds its way through some of Pennsylvania's most picturesque rural scenery, including beautiful horse farms.  The terrain is rolling with a few hills.  The rewards are stunning vistas of the rich farm land.  The stops include Memorial Lake State Park, nestled at the foot of the Blue Mountains, where riders can enjoy drinks and refreshments before returning to Hershey.  <Click here for map>
Mt. Gretna Half-Metric Century (37.6 miles) Route:
The Mt. Gretna Route Map (marked yellow) winds its way through some of Pennsylvania's most bucolic rural scenery, including Annville, home Lebanon Valley College founded in 1866 and ranked as one of the top 10 regional four-year, private liberal arts colleges in the North; quiet residential settings; the Lebanon Country Club areas; and Mt Gretna, a quaint little town nestled among the tree shaded Victorian Cottages and set in woods that will transport you back in time. The terrain is flat to moderately rolling. You will also pass through Cornwall, home of the Cornwall Iron Furnace, a completely preserved mid-19th century ironmaking complex, which was in blast from 1742 to 1883.  Primarily a producer of pig iron and domestic products, Cornwall Furnace cast cannon barrels for the American Revolution and Civil War.  Nearby, you will explore countryside dotted with picturesque workers' villages.  Other stops include the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail head in Colebrook, where riders can enjoy drinks and refreshments before returning to Hershey.  The Lebanon Valley Rail-Trail was created from the former Cornwall-Lebanon Railroad built by Robert H. Coleman in the 1880's and follows a route rich with social and economic history. <Click here for map>
Quarter-Metric (14.8 miles) Route (marked lime green):
Enjoy a scenic ride thru the neighborhoods of Hershey, see the Hershey factory and Mansion up close. You will pass by the historic Derry Presbyterian Church, which was built in 1742. Afterwards the route will pass through the Hershey Cemetery overlooking the valley. This is where Milton S. Hershey was buried. Enjoy a great downhill respite as you make your way into Union Deposit. A rest stop awaits you along side the Swatara Creek for some cool drinks and snacks. See HersheyPark in the distance while pedaling behind the Giant Center and the old Park View Golf course. More Hershey neighborhoods await you plus don't forget to look for the majestic Founders Hall to the east as you make you way back to the Hershey Middle School.
Family Friendly (6.6 miles) Ride (marked orange):
At 10:00 a.m. a truly enjoyable ride begins for those folks who want to get out with their kids and do some leisurely Springtime bicycle riding. We have created a fun 6.6 mile route that will welcome riders through the neighborhoods of Derry Township. Spring flowers will be in bloom while the smell of chocolate will be coming from the Hershey factory in town. The route will be well marked while utilizing lightly traveled roads along with existing bike paths. Enjoy a ride along the outskirts of the Milton Hershey Home complex and don't forget to look for the majestic Founders Hall to the east as you make you way back to the Hershey Middle School. <Click here for map>

 

Rest Stops
Stops are open at the following times only:

Ft. Indiantown Gap Half-Metric Route:

  • Sherks Meeting House Independent Church– 9.5 and 20.5 miles - 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
  • Memorial Lake State Park – 14 miles - 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
  • Bindangles Road - 24.0 miles - 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Mt. Gretna Half-Metric Route:

  • Zion Evangelical Congregational Church – 11.0 miles - 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
  • Cornwall Elementary School - 19.5 miles - 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m
  • Lebanon Valley Rail Trail Head – 26 miles - 11:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Quarter-Metric Route:

  • Swatara Creek Park located at mile marker 7.9 - 8:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m.
Optional Rides:

Riders will also have the option of riding up the back hill to the Pennsylvania State Police Academy and site of future State Police Historical, Educational, and Memorial Center(3 miles). Cue sheets of this route will be available at the start/finish area.

Rain or Shine.  Helmets are Required.

 

The Pennsylvania State Police was created by an Act of the legislature which was signed into law by Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker on May 2, 1905. It was the first uniformed police organization of its kind in the United States. This experiment in law enforcement set a new standard in policing and served as a model for other state police agencies throughout the nation. The founding principles are evident today, even as the PSP sets new standards for tomorrow. The commitment to excellence will long remain a driving force in law enforcement.  Throughout its rich history, the Pennsylvania State Police has provided police services to vast regions of Pennsylvania.  Today, the authorized complement of the Pennsylvania State Police is 4,545 sworn members. In addition, over 1,600 civilians serve in a variety of roles throughout the Department.

 
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