It's that time of year again! We're planning for another Winter Cross-Trail Challenge in 2021. The goal is to journey along the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail mid-winter by any (safe and legal) means possible. That means, regardless of the ground conditions or weather that day, make some tracks. It could be a walk in the park... or in a blizzard. Choose your method of locomotion -- bike, boots, skis, snowshoes... Traction aids may be advisable. As a reminder, no motorized vehicles are allowed on the trail.
Last year, it was sunny and in the 70s and a passel of us rode out and had brunch together at the Rusty Rail. Little did we realize that would be one of our last group events for the year. As a COVID-responsive non-gathering option this year, we suggest you make your way there and back on your own (one way with a ride back or round trip, up to you) on the day and time of your choosing and then tell us about it, either by emailing us at news@LewisburgNeighborhoods.org or by posting about it on social media with some #winterxtrailchallenge #walkitbikeit set of hashtags.
The "event" or activity window will be between Saturday Feb 27 and Sunday March 7. Remember that depending on the quantity and character of the snow and ice, this may well take you a long time. Conditions have a tendency to subvert your chosen mode of locomotion. If you try a fat bike, be prepared to walk, if you try to ski, be prepared to walk, if you try to snowshoe, be prepared to remove them! In good weather, it's about a 3 hour walk one way. In bad weather... Are you #upfortheXTRAILchallenge?
We've waited until now to re-up this post because it's advisable to stay loose and flexible and keep an eye on the forecast.
I'm pretty sure no one will be offering to do cartwheels the whole way there, but feel free to share your acrobatics along the way...
Did we mention that images of people in themed costumes are welcome?
This is a great way to check in with the rail trail in the off season and make sure you're getting in both some exercise and fresh air at the height of winter/pandemic cabin fever.
This activity follows in the footsteps of the Iditatrail Race that BVRA put on for a few years, but acknowledges the difficulty of planning such an event in the face of uncertain conditions.
