LeRaysville: Candy Walls, Stone Walls
39 miles | 5,000’ | 73% unpaved
Explore the scenic countryside around LeRaysville, where quiet gravel roads, picturesque farms, historic stone walls, Hearthstone Antiques, and the Le Raysville Market await.
This hilly loop rewards cyclists for all their climbing with stunning views of farms, forests, and distant valleys. Gas drilling is a major industry here, meaning that the gravel roads are wide and well maintained. This route does find some rougher roads, too, marked with “No Winter Maintenance” signs. Regardless of the quality of gravel, most of the roads are marked with a uniting feature: beautiful, dry stone walls line the shoulders, marking property lines that go back decades, sometimes centuries!
LeRaysville was settled in the early 1800s and grew as an agricultural community serving the fertile hills of northern Bradford County. In the center of town is the Le Raysville Market, a classic general store that has a little bit of “everything you need and nothing you don’t.” In the back is a deli, where fresh hot and cold sandwiches and subs are made. The candy wall is full of more choices than you can imagine, so make sure to stock up on goodies before your ride.
The farms surrounding the town have shaped the landscape for generations, leaving behind the beautiful dry stone walls that still line many of the area's gravel roads. Not even 5 miles into the ride, cyclists will find Hearthstone, a small gift and antique shop run by Donna. Numerous signs in the miles surrounding Hearthstone guide you there and explain that it’s open “By Chance or Appointment Only.” With no set hours, it's a treat to happen upon it when open and check out the numerous antiques for sale, although you may want to come back with a car if you intend to go shopping.
