the High Spirits Beer and Wine Tour

Activity/Tour

When our friends here heard we were putting together bike tours in Amish country, they all said the same thing - “Are you going to Stoudt’s Micro-brewery festival?”

Why, yes we are! In fact, we’ve done that one, one better. Pennsylvania soil is terrific for growing grapes. Our wine industry is young, but hearty. What, we thought, could possibly be more fun than pedaling along the smooth back roads of Amish wine country on our way to a German microbrew festival?

The High Spirits Ride sloshes over the rim with fun. We couldn’t squeeze in another drop, what with all the sights to see, wines to taste, food to eat and miles of
amazingly beautiful roads to ride. Check out the Day by Day description and you’ll see what I mean. You’ll have a high time on the High Spirits Ride.

Typical Day

Day 1 – Wednesday afternoon
We really like the Netherlands Inn and Spa in Strasburg, PA. That’s we chose it as the best place to start our outrageous High Spirits Ride. We’ll gather in the afternoon, get you registered and what-not. If there’s time we may even go for an optional short spin through the area just to loosen up. We hope you’ll join us after dinner for a little “Get to know you Get together”.
Dinner on your own.
Optional miles

Day 2 - Thursday
It’s hard to imagine a prettier countryside, but easy to imagine you’ve traveled back in time as you pedal along these sweet country roads. Strasburg is famous for its railroad history. You might want to stop in the National Toy Train Museum or the Railroad Museum of PA, just to poke around. Or maybe get off your bike and stick your head inside a one-room schoolhouse to see what life was like a
hundred years ago. The people are friendly here, peaceful and unassuming, and often happy to answer questions. It’s easy to lose track of time. But you
shouldn’t dawdle too long. Twin Brook Winery is waiting for you. Tour the winery or try a few. If you find anything you like, our last SAG vehicle will be happy to
collect your purchases and bring them along. We’re heading north from here, up to Morgantown and our hotel for the next two nights, the Holiday Inn.

By the way, make sure you work up a good appetite. We’re going to Shady Maple Amish Smorgasbord for dinner. Last year Rick referred to it as “an eating
stadium”. Jane’s comment was “I should have worn my expand-o pants. Next time I come here I’m wearing a nightgown!”
Breakfast, Dinner
Multiple routes, approximately 30 – 60 miles

Day 3 – Friday
Even if you’re still full from dinner, we’ve got a terrific breakfast waiting for you. You’ll want plenty of energy. We have to climb a bit to reach Hopewell Furnace
National Historic Site, a fantastic snapshot of the early American iron industry. Once we leave there, it’s down hill for miles as we cruise into the spectacularly
beautiful Oley Valley. We’ll visit Daniel Boone’s Homestead before we stop by the Oley Dairy for homemade ice cream (straight from cow to cone). On our way back out of the valley we’ll swing by the French Creek Ridge Vineyards where you can get a taste of their award winning wines. As always, if you want to take some home our SAG vehicles will happily collect it for you.
Breakfast, Dinner on your own
Multiple routes, approximately 30 – 60 miles

Day 4 – Saturday
Oh Baby! The good times are rollin’ today! We’re waving goodbye to Morgantown and heading due west to Ephrata. Well, due west, but not as the
crow flies. We’re taking our time and taking in the scenery. Make sure you bring your camera. There are so many Currier and Ives moments you’ll want to
capture. When you get to Ephrata, be sure you stop in and tour the Ephrata Cloister, one of the earliest religious communities in America. The Historical
Society of the Cocalico Valley is another place well worth your time. In fact, there are a lot of places in Ephrata you’re going to want to snoop through. Just make sure you get back to our hotel, the Hampton Inn, in time for dinner. We’ve arranged a shuttle to take us to Stoudts Brewery, home of the Great Eastern
Invitational Microbrewery Festival, a party you don’t want to miss. Along with their “Best of the Wurst” German style buffet dinner you’ll get unlimited samples of the best efforts from 20 or so top east coast microbrewers. Add in the Daisy Jug Band, the singing, the dancing and the general hoopla and you’re in for one hell of a high time. The bus will bring us back to the hotel. Just remember you
have to ride your bike tomorrow!
Breakfast, Dinner, Micro Brewery festival
Multiple routes, 20 – 50 miles

Day 6 – Sunday
We let you sleep in this morning. Wasn’t that nice of us?! The road back to Strasburg is especially quiet today. It’s Sunday. Everything is closed. No one
works except the horses taking families to church. When you pass a farm with scores of buggies on the lawn, you’ll know an Amish congregation has gathered to worship. (They only meet every other week.) When the buggies surround a church, you know the old order Mennonites are inside. It’s likely we’ll be the only ones on the road. It’s the perfect end for our spirited adventure. Who would have thought you could stuff so much fun into so few days?
Breakfast
37 miles

Age range, type of group

Scamp 'n' Rascal Cycling Adventures welcome all fit cyclists from age 16 and above. The terrain on this ride is rolling hills and valleys. Nothing is too steep but nothing is ever flat, either.

Sleeping and meals

In keeping with our motto of "Ride hard. Rest easy.", the High Spirits Beer and Wine Tour will stay at the best accomodations available en route. The tour includes 4 nights of lodging, 4 full breakfasts and 2 dinners including an Amish Smorgasbord.

Other Information

Along with fantastic roads, we've filled the days with tons of sight seeing, two wineries and the Great Eastern Invitational Microbrewery Festival, all included. Additionally, all Scamp 'n' Rascal tours include full SAG support, marked roads, cue sheets, baggage transport and a spiffy t-shirt to remind you of the great time you had.

Discounts Offered

There is a 5% discount for people who have ridden with Scamp 'n' Rascal before.