By Dwight "Rob" and Pam Robison

In the Robison family, bicycling is an activity for the entire family. While my sons and I enjoy the gear- the bike accessories by which we convert our bikes into statements of our personalities- my wife, Pam, takes a totally different approach. Subscribing to the old saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” she cannot understand our constant tinkering.

But something has seriously hooked her on bicycling, and I sometimes ask myself, “What really got her interested?” My sons and I occasionally joke with her and say it was to avoid being left at home. But after considering how reluctant she was at first to join us on cycling trips, I have come to the conclusion that her interest in cycling has grown because of the people.

First, it is the people within our own family. Cycling brings us together. Second, it is the camaraderie of other cyclists that we have met as members of our local cycling club, Hanover Cyclists. And third, it is the people we meet along the Heritage Rail Trail County Park.

There is so much more to the Heritage Rail Trail than just exercise. Quite often our family sees the “putt-putts” running back and forth on the rails. Other times we ride through the Howard Tunnel, visit the restored train stations at Hanover Junction and New Freedom or the cabooses at New Freedom, or picnic at the pavilion in Seven Valleys with the three oversized, ornamental bicycles. We also love to stop for ice cream or snowballs along the way. Wherever we go on the Heritage Rail Trail, we meet some of the friendliest people in York County.

For the Robison family, bicycling on the Heritage Rail Trail continues to be a favorite family activity, and we look forward to the rail trail being developed in Hanover.

As grandparents of 3-year and 7-month old boys, and owners of enough bike gear to cart them up and down the Heritage Rail Trail, we invite you to gather the family, pack your bikes and gear, and head for the Heritage Rail Trail today. And for those little ones in your family, begin now to support the effort to develop other rail trails in York County.

Rob and Pam are proud of their two sons and two grandsons. Rob, a retired Penn Township police officer, was appointed to the Rail Trail Authority in January 2002 Look for them on single bikes, pulling child carts, and on their tandem bike.