From Allentown · Pocono Cruise to Jim Thorpe

This full-day version starts in Allentown. The first 16 miles go out on back roads through small towns to Easton, where the good part begins. The core stretch, Pocono Cruise to Jim Thorpe, runs 74 miles to Jim Thorpe.

The ride home is the quick way: 33 miles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, US-209 and US-22 back to Allentown. All in, it's about 124 miles and 4 hours in the saddle, before any stops for gas, food or photos. There's time to take it easy.

Full-day version that starts in Allentown: it adds the ride there and back to Pocono Cruise to Jim Thorpe. Here is what you'll find on the core stretch:

A Poconos crossing that starts in Easton, runs up PA-611 along the river to the Water Gap, goes through Stroudsburg and takes PA-715, the fun part, before following US-209 to Jim Thorpe. The payoff is the town itself: mountain streets and Victorian buildings that feel like another continent. It's one-way and long for a half day, so plan the ride home. In October Jim Thorpe fills up with leaf-peepers and parking is tough; the Tannersville stretch is commercial and slow.