Nicholson: Tour de Farm
27.2 miles | 2,391’ | 53% unpaved
Ride the rolling countryside surrounding Nicholson on this scenic gravel loop, a one-of-a-kind ride through a working farm, and spectacular views of the Tunkhannock Viaduct.
Ready to roll, quite literally, through a farm! Explore the hilly countryside northwest of Nicholson on this short Tour de Farm. After a short paved climb away from town, riders are greeted by a steep, chunky descent and creek crossing before riding straight through a farm. The remaining miles are mostly on gravel, providing spectacular valley views and up-close looks at farms and their animals. Enjoy a wicked, paved descent back into town, where riders are greeted with a stunning view of the Tunkhannock Viaduct.
For riders looking for a bite mid-ride, look no further than Jackie’s Lunchbox. Visiting will add a two-mile out-and-back, but the hot dogs and ice cream are well worth the extra effort on a hot day. Jackie has somewhat limited hours, only open from 10a-5p, Tues-Friday. If you’re riding outside of these hours, we suggest skipping the dog leg.
Nicholson officially formed in 1875 at a former crossroads of Native American trails. The Iroquois sold this land to Connecticut settlers around the time of the French and Indian War, who first named the area Thornbottom, likely after the thorny bushes growing nearby.
Today, Nicholson is best known for the towering Tunkhannock Viaduct, a 2,375-foot-long concrete railroad bridge that rises 240 feet above the valley. Completed in 1915, it remains one of the largest reinforced concrete railroad bridges ever built and dominates the skyline above town, making it the community's defining landmark. Nicholson also attracted national attention during the final week of July 1986, when an escaped Bengal tiger was hunted in the surrounding countryside for several days. Despite extensive air and ground searches by state police and zoo officials, the animal was never found.
