First 911 Trail Challenge near Shanksville offers special closed road access for cyclists

The inaugural 911 Trail Challenge on Sept. 7 will offer bicyclists a 24-mile course, including an eight-mile section at the Flight 93 National Memorial near Shanksville that will be open only to cyclists.

The Sept. 11 National Memorial Trail is a 1,300-mile network of bicycle and pedestrian trails linking the New York City, Pentagon and the Flight 93 National Memorial.

“This is an opportunity to experience something momentous and be a part of something larger,” said Thomas Baxter, president of the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance.

The trail challenge, which is not a competitive race, is a call to involve residents to use the trail and to raise funds to build the off-road sections. Currently, only 51 percent of the trail is off-road and the goal is to raise money to tap millions of dollars in grants to build the other sections, Baxter said.

The alliance is partnering with federal, state, county and local officials on 14 projects to connect more than 30 trails.

In fact, the challenge route traverses roads, not bike trails, as there are plans in the works to connect the Shanksville site to the Great American Passage Trail, which would require an off-road trail about 20 miles long, Baxter said.

The challenge route is a loop ride beginning at Berlin Brothersvalley School in Berlin, Somerset County, to the Flight 93 National Memorial near Shanksville, then finishing back at the school. The event will start with check-in and on-site registration from 8:30 am to 10:00 am, cyclists may begin riding the route at 10:30 am.

Baxter encourages cyclists to explore the town of Berlin. In addition to connecting the memorial sites, the 911 Trail is meant to showcase towns along the way and promote tourism.

Of course, the highlight of the trail challenge will be the portion near Shanksville.

“This will allow an opportunity for folks to reflect and learn about the importance of the site while on their bike,” Baxter said.

“We encourage riders to dismount and relax and explore,” he said.

Aid stations will be set up with refreshments and snacks.

Riders may register online at www.classy.org. Online registrations will close Thursday night. However, cyclists can register the day of the event. Registration is $25 individual/$50 per family. Sponsorships are available by contacting the alliance at info@911trail.org.

Proceeds will be stewarded by the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies in the 911 Trail Fund, which was set up for the development of the September 11th National Memorial Trail. The Community Foundation for the Alleghenies is based in Johnstown and promotes philanthropy in the Pennsylvania counties of Bedford, Cambria, Indiana and Somerset.