Aug 15, 2015 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – When Lori Willert and nearly 300 other bicyclists from Iowa traveled through Greene County two decades ago on their cross-country tour, “Marcellus” was known as a character in the movie “Pulp Fiction” and not yet associated with the drilling industry.

Her group noticed quite a difference in traffic last week as nearly 40 bikers and support staff rode along Route 21 through Waynesburg to commemorate its historic 1995 ride.

“We have the fracking stuff that we’re dealing with; we didn’t have that 20 years ago,” Willert said, adding that the numerous water tankers have been courteous and given the caravan plenty of room to ride. “But it’s still beautiful country. The camaraderie and the friendships are important.”

The group stayed overnight Monday in Greene County in the middle of its 24-day trip from Iowa City to Washington, D.C. The trip began July 27. The bicyclists are marking the 20th anniversary of its cross-country trip from Long Beach, Calif., to the nation’s capital it made in 1995 that recognized Iowa’s sesquicentennial celebration.

They’re expected to arrive in Washington, D.C., Wednesday. Twenty-three of the 300 bicyclists who traveled in that previous trip are once again making the journey. They’re flanked by three recreation vehicles and two cars as they average 67 miles a day.

Despite truck traffic that has given the group a “couple of friendly toots” along the way, the trip has been less hectic that the last one. Willert, a high school algebra teacher who resides in Kensett, Iowa, said a few bikers spent part of Tuesday visiting Fallingwater in Fayette County, and they’ve hit many other popular tourist attractions along the way.

“So far, so good,” she said. “We’re getting a little drizzle and rain, but it’s been tailwinds and sunshine most of the way. We’ve been very fortunate.”

When they arrive in Washington, D.C., there will be a small celebration to commemorate their trip before the group breaks apart to find its way home. Then they’ll be back on their way home with some of the bikers flying, while Willert plans to toss her truck in the back of a pickup truck and join a caravan of cars heading back as she prepares to teach the first day of school Aug. 22.

Even with all of the differences this time around, Willert said some things about Pennsylvania roads have not changed in the past 20 years.

“You see all of this traffic and road construction, so we’ve had to dodge that a little bit,” she said. “Just stay slow and go forward and stay positive.”