Round the Valley 2012 continues the partnership  between Lebanon Valley Bicycle Coalition and Lebanon Valley Conservancy to raise funds to carry out our complementary missions.

The LVConservancy promotes the conservation and preservation of the unique cultural, historical, and natural resources of the Lebanon Valley.  Round the Valley revenues are used for farmland preservation in areas critical to migrating tundra swans.  It has been estimated that up to 25% of the eastern population of tundra swans pass through the Middle Creek area on their way to Alaska and areas of northern and northwestern Canada.  Tundra swans rely on area farms for their food.  They graze on winter wheat and waste grain in harvested cornfields.  Unfortunately, this area is under pressure from development.   When farms are lost, the area will no longer support these  migrating birds.  Bicycle your way through our beautiful countryside and see why our efforts are worth your support.  And please visit the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area while you are in the Lebanon Valley.   View  the Middlecreek Initiative, on the Conservancy's website.  Their success  will assure bicyclists of many, many miles of scenic and pleasant bicycling in the Lebanon Valley.

         Photos by George C. Gress

LVBC strives to have Lebanon County's roads accomodate bicycles with better facilities and to support the education and skills training necessary for bicyclists to drive safely on our roadways. With greater confidence, many bicyclists will be able to explore and appreciate the cultural and natural resources of the Lebanon Valley.

Participants will have a great bicycling experience on August 25th and help to fund the challenging work of LVBC and LV Conservancy.  We hope that you will join us on one of our Round the Valley rides.

Participants can choose the challenging century around the perimeter of Lebanon County, a Metric Century, or a 25 Mile Ride.

All rides start at the Lebanon Valley Exposition Center & Fairground.  The Metric Century takes bicyclists past over 30 preserved  family farms and showcases our Lebanon Valley heritage. The 25 mile ride will follow the first and last part of the Metric Century route.

For more detailed descriptions of Round the Valley’s Century and Metric Century Rides, visit the Ride Descriptions in the Main Menu.  The 25 Mile ride is a shorter version of the metric century, eliminating some of the  miles and and hills.

Why not stay the weekend and do more than one of the rides?  Cue sheets and marked roads will make it easy to do a ride on your own.  Also, LVBC and the Lebanon County Tourism Promotion Agency have published a Lebanon County Scenic Bike Map with 10 rides.  We’ll have maps available on August 25^th or get your map early by contacting www.visitlebanoncounty.com . Telephone 717 273-3670 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Detailed cue sheets, descriptions and individual ride maps are already available at www.bikelebanon.org .

Nearby are Swatara State Park which has mountain biking trails, and Stony Valley Rail Trail through Game Lands. Lebanon Valley Rail Trail is a great trail for families.

There is also plenty to do off your bike -- Hershey Park, Penn National Race Track and Hollywood Casino, canoeing or kayaking at Memorial Lake State Park, antiquing, fishing, camping, or hiking the Appalachian Trail. Take home fresh fruits and vegetables from our farms and orchards.

This is a “rain or shine” event.

These rides are “show and go” :  100 & 62 mile rides start 7-8 AM; recommend 7 AM for the Century.

25 Mile Ride starts  between 7 AM and 10 AM.

All bicyclists must be off the roads by 6 PM.

All bicyclists must wear helmets and obey PA Vehicle Traffic Laws.

Sag support with cell phone emergency numbers provided on cue sheets.

Food will be served at the Expo Center at the conclusion of the ride.