As someone who commutes on a bicycle, I can tell you there is something special about rolling through the countryside on two wheels. The fields feel larger, the evening skies are more vibrant, and occasionally the sweet smell of blooming flowers crosses your path, all of which helps to explain why Lancaster County is regarded as one of the best places in the country to go bike riding.
If that sounds like something you’d like to experience, Intercourse Bikeworks can get you on the road.
Intercourse Bikeworks is a labor of love for owners Mark and Rebecca Branle, who left their jobs in the corporate world to pursue their dream of operating their own business that mixes work with pleasure. Mark is a former state champion-turned-master’s racer with a lifetime of cycling knowledge to share, while Rebecca (a former runner) is a “straight-up enthusiast” who loves the sights, sounds and joys of the ride. Their different perspectives on the sport complement each other nicely, creating a very welcoming atmosphere at the shop for anyone, whether they’re a beginner or a pro. Being a family-owned-and-operated business, they also have the parental wisdom to share with families interested in riding together. Their three children are no strangers to the roads and even come along for group rides from time to time.
The Intercourse Bikeworks Shop, which is located in the Cross Keys Shopping Center in Intercourse, offers a wide selection of bicycles – from high-end racing bikes to stylish commuter bikes –
as well as many accessories. They also have a very nice selection of rental bikes, including child trailers and electric-assist bikes. Of course, recognizing that cycling is a lifestyle for many, they also offer unique apparel, glassware and cycling-themed art.
If you’re looking for local rides, their wall of routes offers helpful information about local rides ranging from 10-30 miles. They continue to offer their classic countryside tours, including the Intercourse Amish Dinner Tour, Amish Farm Tour and Picnic, Rumspringa Wine and Beer Tasting Tour, and the Oktoberfest Beer Tour.
With just over two years under their belts, the couple also seized the opportunity to open a second location on Rock Lititz Boulevard in Lititz.
Lititz Bikeworks is home to the new “Rock Garden” Cyclocross Course. The location also offers easy access to the Warwick-to-Ephrata Rail-Trail (a favorite with families and older riders) and historic downtown Lititz. The Lititz-based tours include the Lititz Rail Trail Experience, A Taste of Lititz Tour, and the Lititz Beer Tasting Tour.
All tour packages include bike rental, helmet, water and excellent memories. Each tour also includes a stop for a break and refreshments at a selected location with a genuine Lancaster County connection.
If a tour isn’t what you’re looking for, you can just as easily rent your bike and explore for yourself. However, you lose the added backstories and local perspective the Bikeworks’ staff brings to the tours.
For more information on available tours, rentals and more, visit intercoursebikeworks.com. Announcements regarding group fun rides and other cycling news can be found on their Facebook page. For those interested in going faster, check out the Facebook group for their ride club, the Welsh Mountain Wheelmen.
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