LFT Preserved Farmland Ride, New Holland (19 miles)

This ride starts at New Holland Community Memorial Park in New Holland, PA. Almost immediately after leaving town, you will find yourself surrounded by farmland and quiet country roads. For those riders who have participated in the Pedal to Preserve event in the past, you’ll no doubt recognize some of the roads and farms along the way! About 7 miles into the trip (at the intersection of Stumptown Rd and Newport Rd) you can see Mascot Roller Mills and Ressler Family Home, a beautiful historic grist mill complex (note: the route does not take you immediately past the complex, if you want to visit you’ll need to cross over Newport Rd to do so). As you continue riding southward, you will turn east onto Old Philadelphia Pike which will take you through downtown Intercourse in the heart of Amish Country.

The route features history, culture, and most importantly, the fertile farmland of eastern Lancaster County. There are a number of opportunities along the way to stop at roadside stands, shops, and more. With miles of quaint country roads and bustling main streets, you’ll certainly appreciate the work of Lancaster Farmland Trust in maintaining and preserving the open spaces and farming heritage of our beautiful region. There are some decent hills on this route, most notably on Mentzer Rd. after passing your last ice cream opportunity…so eat at your own risk!