West Chester: PA: To French Creek

West Chester: PA: To French Creek

Tracing a lush valley floor in eastern Pennyslvania, this 58-miler parallels a gently running stream on winding tarmac, u-turning after a lakeside lunch.

Author:	Bicycling Magazine
Date:	20 May 2008 5:30:17 PM
Activity:	Bicycling ActivitySearchBicycling
State:	Pennsylvania (PA)
Distance:	57.59 mi (Change units)
Elevation:	Total Gain: 3418 ft Total Loss: 3419 ft Net Change: -1 ft
Difficulty:	7 / 10
Tags:	West Chester, Pennsylvania
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

Departing from downtown West Chester, this route spins through Pennsylvania countryside on rolling roads en route to French Creek State Park and a rewarding lunch spot by the lake. Brandywine Creek parallels much of the ride as the road winds along the base of a steep valley—-several detours up the embankments along the way offer the option of tacking on extra mileage and elevation gain to the ride. The route north ascends false-flat terrain; that slight grade makes for a zippy return trip on smooth tarmac.

Not to miss: Hop off the route on North Reeds Road for a short hill-climb detour up to Marsh Creek Lake overlook.

-Mapped by Viktor Ohnjec

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Dist: 57.59 mi	Points: 727	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Distance	Instruction		Distance to next
0.00 mi	Straight	Cross through Prescott Alley towards Darlington St.	Then go 0.07 mi
0.07 mi	Turn Left	N. Darlington St.	Then go 0.51 mi
0.57 mi	Turn Left	W. Ashbridge St.	Then go 0.08 mi
0.66 mi	Turn Right	N. New St.	Then go 0.42 mi
1.07 mi	Straight	Cross US 322 (use caution)	Then go 0.11 mi
1.19 mi	Turn Right	Continue on N. New St.	Then go 1.44 mi
2.63 mi	Turn Left	Sunset Hollow Rd.	Then go 0.55 mi
3.18 mi	Turn Right	Copeland School Rd.	Then go 0.04 mi
3.22 mi	Turn Left	Sunset Hollow Rd.	Then go 0.97 mi
4.19 mi	Turn Right	Valley Creek Rd.	Then go 1.28 mi
5.47 mi	Straight	Continue on Valley Creek Rd.	Then go 0.65 mi
6.12 mi	Turn Left	Boot Rd.	Then go 1.43 mi
7.55 mi	Turn Right	Chestnut St.	Then go 0.54 mi
8.08 mi	Turn Left	Washington Ave.	Then go 0.19 mi
8.27 mi	Turn Right	Green St.	Then go 0.22 mi
8.49 mi	Turn Left	E. Pennsylvania Ave.	Then go 0.11 mi
8.60 mi	Turn Right	PA 282	Then go 11.50 mi
20.10 mi	Turn Right	PA 82/N. Manor Rd.	Then go 1.34 mi
21.44 mi	Straight	PA 345/Bulltown Rd.	Then go 2.92 mi
24.36 mi	Bear Right	Continue on PA 345/Warwick Rd.	Then go 0.32 mi
24.68 mi	Bear Left	Continue on PA 345	Then go 1.34 mi
26.01 mi	Turn Right	PA 345	Then go 0.04 mi
26.06 mi	Turn Left	PA 345	Then go 0.59 mi
26.65 mi	Turn Left	French Creek S. Entrance	Then go 0.46 mi
27.10 mi	Bear Left	Park Rd.	Then go 0.69 mi
27.79 mi	Turn Right	Park Rd.	Then go 0.39 mi
28.18 mi	Turn Right	Park Rd.	Then go 0.06 mi
28.24 mi	Turn Left	Park Rd.	Then go 0.07 mi
28.31 mi	U-Turn	Park Rd.	Then go 0.08 mi
28.39 mi	Turn Right	Park Rd.	Then go 0.05 mi
28.44 mi	Turn Left	Park Rd.	Then go 0.38 mi
28.82 mi	Straight	Park Rd.	Then go 1.17 mi
29.99 mi	Straight	Hopewell Rd.	Then go 1.33 mi
31.32 mi	Turn Left	Ammon Rd.	Then go 0.64 mi
31.96 mi	Turn Left	PA 82/Elverson Rd.	Then go 0.35 mi
32.31 mi	Bear Right	Continue on PA 82	Then go 2.33 mi
34.65 mi	Turn Right	Bollinger Rd.	Then go 1.14 mi
35.79 mi	Turn Left	Continue on Bollinger Rd.	Then go 0.93 mi
36.72 mi	Turn Left	Creek Rd.	Then go 0.69 mi
37.41 mi	Straight	Cross PA 82 and continue on PA 282	Then go 11.57 mi
48.99 mi	Turn Left	E. Pennsylvania Ave.	Then go 0.11 mi
49.10 mi	Turn Right	Green St.	Then go 0.42 mi
49.52 mi	Turn Left	Jackson Ave.	Then go 0.17 mi
49.69 mi	Turn Right	Chestnut St.	Then go 0.19 mi
49.88 mi	Turn Left	Book Rd.	Then go 1.46 mi
51.34 mi	Turn Right	Valley Creek Rd.	Then go 1.92 mi
53.25 mi	Turn Left	Sunset Hollow Rd.	Then go 0.97 mi
54.22 mi	Turn Right	Copeland School Rd.	Then go 1.02 mi
55.24 mi	Turn Left	Copeland School Rd.	Then go 0.51 mi
55.76 mi	Turn Left	US 322	Then go 0.09 mi
55.84 mi	Turn Left	US 322/W Chester Bypass	Then go 0.79 mi
56.63 mi	Turn Right	New St.

Points of Interest

Start/Finish

Location: 39.960722°, -75.608460°
The West Chester Cycling Club gathers for weekend rides at the parking lot near the corner of Gay and New Streets. The ride to French Creek is one of the club's popular routes. The club's Saturday morning rides depart at 8:30 a.m.

Alternate Start/Finish

Location: 39.970674°, -75.638809°
Alternate Start/Finish: East Bradford township building. Park at the baseball field lot or in the overflow lot behind the township building.

New Street

Location: 39.973831°, -75.622845°
One of the first hills is right outside of town on New Street. The hill is part of a ridge that can't be avoided. First thing in the morning, it can hurt a bit, but it does get the legs going.

PA 282

Location: 40.010787°, -75.703440°
This ride shoots north (and returns south) on a 11.5-mile stretch along PA 282. The traffic is moderate until just past Lyndell. The curvy 8-mile stretch between Crawford Road and PA 82 features very light traffic and uber-smooth tarmac--the return trip is a blast.

Hill Detour

Location: 40.035139°, -75.709319°
For an extra hill challenge en route to French Creek, turn left on Dowlin Forge Road, climb to Rock Raymond and turn right, and then cross over Hopewell Road and descend Crawford to rejoin the ride on PA 282.

Marsh Creek hill detour

Location: 40.050745°, -75.735283°
For a fantastic view of Marsh Creek State Park, turn right on North Reeds Road, climb up to Rice Road and roll by Marsh Creek Lake before descending back down to PA 282 on Little Washington Lyn and Lyndell Road.

Pumpkin Hill

Location: 40.107750°, -75.798411°
If you want another short-but-steep rise, take Pumpkin Hill Road to Little Conestoga and reconnect to the ride northbound. Pumpkin is one of the harder hills in the area and the traffic is a bit heavier on top. Also note that the road may be cluttered with debris after heavy rainfall. Heading back, keep to the route as shown; the countryside on Bollinger Road is a not-to-miss highlight of this ride.

PA 23 intersection

Location: 40.160837°, -75.790472°
There aren't many busy roads on this ride, but crossing PA 23 requires some vigilance: cars approach fast as they summit a rise from the west.

French Creek State Park (South Entrance)

Location: 40.192053°, -75.781288°
There are several entrances to French Creek State Park. This route enters via the South Entrance, one of the easier access points. For an extra hill in this loop, continue straight to the East entrance (the roads into the park eventually converge around the lake area to rejoin this route). <a href="http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/frenchcreek.aspx">French Creek</a> also plays host to some thirty miles of mountain bike trails in its 7,339 acres.

French Creek (alternate entrance)

Location: 40.213817°, -75.774572°
On the way to this alternate approach to Hopewell Lake, this route crests the hill that is in the center of French Creek State Park.

French Creek campsites

Location: 40.198732°, -75.792972°
There are 201 campsites at French Creek, - fifty (or so) of which have access to electricity. All have shower and toilet access. There are even three cottages and ten cabins somewhere in this park. Registration is required.

Hopewell Lake

Location: 40.199527°, -75.789270°
West Chester riders pause for a photo-op at Hopewell Lake Take a break and grab a bite at the lakeside picnic tables. There are some vending machines and washrooms about .25-mile from the lake.

Route 282 Rest Stop

Location: 40.088809°, -75.772104°
Waiting to regroup On the return trip, West Chester Cycling Club riders often stop, refuel, and/or regroup at a convenience store in Glenmore. From here back to West Chester, the ride is a rolling downhill.