The Covered Bridge Classic, celebrating its 47th year as a premier cycling event in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, invites riders to explore some of the most picturesque landscapes this region has to offer. Spanning distances from 17 miles to 100 miles, each route weaves through historic covered bridges and Amish farmlands, offering a unique blend of scenic beauty and challenging terrain. This year introduces an escorted start option from Catalyst Christian School, adding a new dimension to the traditional ride. The event is brought to you by the Lancaster Bicycle Club, ensuring both experienced cyclists and newcomers find routes suited to their abilities. The Covered Bridge Classic takes place on Sunday, August 16, 2026, with rolling starts between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM. Riders are encouraged to begin no later than 9:00 AM and must finish by 4:00 PM. There are seven starting locations available, ranging from West to East across the route. Start your adventure at Donegal High School for the longer distances of 100 miles and 66 miles or head over to Manheim Central Middle School if you prefer a shorter ride. For those looking for multiple options within one day, Listrak offers routes up to 31 miles. The event also features convenient starting points at Lancaster County Career & Technology Center-Brownstown (100, 66, 54, and 31 miles), Stevens Fire Company (100 and 54 miles), or Shady Maple Smorgasbord (100, 66, 54, and 31 miles). Note that the south parking lot at Shady Maple Smorgasbord is not open on Sundays. Participants can choose to cycle, drive, or carpool to their start location. Limited parking capacity means early registration for preferred spots is highly recommended. Helmets are mandatory, and all riders must adhere to local traffic rules. Nutritional support and hydration points will be available at the start of each ride and at designated rest stops along the way. A rolling start system ensures a smooth transition from one route to another without congestion. SAG services are reserved for emergencies only and cease operation by 4:00 PM, emphasizing the importance of pacing yourself throughout the day. Young riders aged 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult cyclist. High-quality technical material T-shirts can be pre-ordered for $25 each, with patches available for an additional $7.50. Orders need to be placed by July 15th to ensure availability at check-in. Alternatively, the 2026 Covered Bridge jersey is also available through the Pactimo online store. Proceeds from this event support bicycling-related activities and historic covered-bridge repair and restoration projects via Lancaster Bicycle Club’s grant program. Since its inception, over $600,000 has been donated for various bike initiatives. For more information or to register, visit the Lancaster Bicycle Club website at lancasterbikeclub.net. Don’t forget to share your registration on social media using #CoveredBridgeClassic2026.
Races Offered
Brownstown LCCTC (100, 66, 54, or 31 miles)
Aug 16, 2026
straighten
Distance —
49.9K
terrain
Type —
Cycling
timer
42 days remaining
sell
$50.00
Catalyst Christian School (LAMS) (100, 66, 54, 31 and 17 miles)
Aug 16, 2026
straighten
Distance —
27.4K
terrain
Type —
Cycling
timer
42 days remaining
sell
$50.00
Donegal High School-Koser Rd, Mt Joy, PA (100 or 66 mile routes)
Aug 16, 2026
straighten
Distance —
106.2K
terrain
Type —
Cycling
timer
42 days remaining
sell
$50.00
Listrak (100, 66, 31, or 17 miles)
Aug 16, 2026
straighten
Distance —
27.4K
terrain
Type —
Cycling
timer
42 days remaining
sell
$50.00
Manheim Central Middle School (100 or 66 mile route)
Aug 16, 2026
straighten
Distance —
106.2K
terrain
Type —
Cycling
timer
42 days remaining
sell
$50.00
Shady Maple Smorgasbord, (100 or 54 miles)
Aug 16, 2026
straighten
Distance —
86.9K
terrain
Type —
Cycling
timer
42 days remaining
sell
$50.00
Stevens Fire Company (100 or 54 miles)
Aug 16, 2026
straighten
Distance —
86.9K
terrain
Type —
Cycling
timer
42 days remaining
sell
$50.00
Weather History
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for August in Donegal.
thermostatTemperature
15.8° / 24.8°
wb_sunnyFeels like
15.5° / 24.9°
light_mode
Avg sunshine hours
11h 9m
water_drop
Avg rainfall
3.5 mm
ac_unit
Avg snowfall
—
air
Avg wind speed
8.8 km/h (Light breeze)
opacity
Sweat loss rate
High
terrain
Course conditions
Hard and dry surface
sunny
Max UV Index
High (7.0)
humidity_mid
Humidity
76.7%
wb_twilight
Sunrise
06:30
nightlight
Sunset
20:11
About Donegal
Learn more about the host city, Donegal.
Donegal is a borough in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania.
