Originally Posted by
Steamer
Altoid resident here.
There aren't a lot of nearby riding options for relatively flat and smooth trails (i.e. rails to trails). The Lower trail that goes from near Canoe Creek to Alexandria is the main option. There is also the 6 to 10 trail out near Duncansville /Foot of Ten, although it's a bit short and the part of that which is west of Valley Forge Rd. is pretty rough (or at least it used to be). There is also a trail up near Bellwood that goes up the mountain there but I haven't ever been on it.
Rothrock and Bald Eagle State Forests up near State College have all of the gravel roads you'd ever want to ride. But that's also pretty rough (very very rideable with tires 38mm or fatter, though). And that's very much not flat. You are either going up or down a mountain there.
Consider connecting with the Blair Bicycle Club.
https://www.blairbicycleclub.org/
HEY!!! That's awesome! Thanks for the trail recommendations. I'll have to look into some of those gravel roads in Rothrock and Bald Eagle. My plan was to just do the Lower Trail for the time being. I wanted to take time on an easy trail to get used to drop bars and to get accustomed to spending some miles in the saddle. I was thinking a cheap bike could handle that to even see if this is something I would like. I may just have to wait and keep saving for spring. Thanks for the info! Really appreciate it!! I'll have to check out the BBC too.