Thanks for registering for your trip as part of our Bike & Boat Program! You’re about to take part in a wonderful, educational yet fun and exciting tour of our beautiful Lehigh River and river corridor. You’ll see what thousands of participants have seen over the last 11 years – a unique perspective of the River as it flows through our valley, the diverse ecosystem that depends on it, and the fascinating history that surrounds it. Our team of naturalists and guides will help you each step of the way to ensure a fun, safe, and meaningful experience. The following information should make preparing for your trip a little easier.
Please read and sign the enclosed form entitled: “Acknowledgement of Risks, Acceptance of Responsibility, and Release of Liability”. We must have a completed form for each participant. Anyone under 18 years of age must have this form signed by a parent or legal guardian.
Anyone without this form will not be allowed on the trip.
Generally, Bike & Boat trips are rain-or-shine events. A little on-and-off rain activity should not be a problem (this is nature, after all). If weather events threaten to make your trip unsafe due to high water, heavy rain, or severe thunderstorms your trip may need to be postponed. We’ll be watching the weather closely prior to your trip, and we’ll contact you in advance if postponing your trip may be necessary. Dress in clothing and shoes in which you are willing to step into the river up to your knees, if necessary. Old tennis shoes are great; bare feet are definitely not allowed. You will not always get your feet wet, but it’s good to assume you might.
Remember that there is always a possibility that you will get wet, no matter how experienced you are in a canoe. It may be cool, so dry clothing could become very important. If it’s a cooler day, you may want to bring a change of clothes with you just in case. Be prepared – dress so you will be comfortable.
We will provide canoes, paddles, personal flotation devices (PFD’s), naturalist instructors and safety officers, as well as bikes and helmets if your trip includes a biking part. Anything else you will need is your responsibility. Do not count on someone else to provide you with things you have forgotten. Be prepared, so you’ll be able to relax and have fun!
Things to bring: Signed waiver form Appropriate clothing (wool, man-made fabrics and multiple layers work well, cotton doesn’t), including secured footwear that can get wet and gloves for cooler weather Light rain gear, if necessary Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen (if you burn readily, light reflects off the water) A change of clothing and shoes, double-bagged in plastic for waterproofing if desired Lunch or snacks in a waterproof bag Drinking water in a plastic, re-closable bottle (No glass containers) A backpack can be useful to carry your things while biking
Things not to bring: Anything in a glass container MP3 players, CD players, or other personal electronic devices Phones (unless in a waterproof container) Anything that can’t get wet
You’ll be biking along the canal towpath (the D&L Trail) from Sand Island in Bethlehem 4.5 miles to Canal Park in Allentown, and then canoeing the 4.5 mile stretch of the Lehigh River back to Sand Island. The river is easy to navigate, with sections of slow moving water to some gentle riffles that provide the excitement of canoeing on a river. We’ll be in 2-person canoes – remember teamwork is essential! The bike trail is flat, wide, and well surfaced for bike riding. It’s not unusual to encounter an abundance of wildlife such as heron, hawks, osprey, deer or turkey in a setting of great natural beauty.
There are bathroom facilities at Canal Park where we’ll switch from bikes to canoes. We’ll stop once while canoeing on a river island for a brief break. We do not provide lunch, please plan accordingly to bring lunch with you if desired. We can be flexible for lunch stops depending on when and where your trip begins. Trip timeframe is dependent on group size but you can generally count on a 4.5-5 hour trip from start to finish.
Thanks, and I sincerely hope you all enjoy your trip! Should you have any questions between now and the date of your trip, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kevin Fister Outdoor Recreation Manager 610-965-4397 ext. 135
Warning,[email protected] Acknowledgement of Risks, Acceptance of Responsibility and
Release of Liability
Group: Trip Date:
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
WARNING: There are significant elements of risk in any adventure sport or activity associated with watercraft, including but not limited to canoes, kayaks, rafts, rowboats, tubes and motorized crafts, and/or associated with bicycles (referred to herein as activity), and the use of any equipment therewith.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RISKS: I realize that changing water flow or currents, submerged or semi-submerged objects, trail or path obstructions, imperfections, depressions or ridges, varying wind and weather conditions, the presence of other watercraft, cyclists, hikers or walkers, the speed at which I travel, the stability characteristics of a watercraft, and certain foreseen or unforeseen events or hazards can contribute to the unpredictability of the activity; that certain risks associated with this activity including but not limited to collision, upset, overturn and sinking can result in getting wet, injured, exposed to the elements, drowned, and personal property damage or loss; that wearing a U. S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) is a basic safety precaution; that I may suffer accidents or illness in remote places where there are no medical facilities; and that I should ask about other potential hazards and recommended precautions and procedures. I also realize that participation in an activity can result in personal injury, paralysis, dismemberment or death.
EXPRESS ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND RESPONSIBILITY: In recognition of the inherent risks of the activity which I and/ or any minor children for which I am responsible, will engage in, I confirm that I am (we are) physically and mentally capable of participating in the activity and using the equipment. I/ we participate willingly and voluntarily, and I/ we assume full responsibility for personal injury, accidents, illness, including death. I/ we assume all responsibility for damage to or loss of personal property as the result of any accident that may occur.
RELEASE: In consideration of services or property provided, I, for myself and any minor children for which I am parent, legal guardian or otherwise responsible, any heirs, personal representatives or assigns, do hereby release Wildlands Conservancy, Inc., the City of Allentown, the City of Bethlehem, the Township of Salisbury, their principals, directors, officers, agents, employees and volunteers from all liability and waive any claim for damage arising from any cause whatsoever.
PHOTO WAIVER: I hereby give permission for my photograph to be taken during the Bike & Boat activities and for the organizers of the Bike & Boat Program, Wildlands Conservancy specifically, to use my photograph image in commercial or non-commercial publicity for the event, for Wildlands Conservancy, and for the Lehigh River.
I HAVE READ THE FOREGOING WARNING, ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RISKS, EXPRESS ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND RESPONSIBILITY, AND RELEASE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND UNDERSTAND THAT BY SIGNING THIS DOCUMENT I MAY BE WAIVING VALUABLE LEGAL RIGHTS.
PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE PARTICIPANT:
Name:______Address:______
City, State, Zip:______Email: ______
Signature: ______Date: ______
PARENT/ LEGAL GUARDIAN SIGN BELOW I affirm that I am the parent or legal guardian of the individuals signing this Release immediately above and that I have read and understand the Release and accept same, consent to the above individual’s use of the equipment and to have Wildlands Conservancy transport the above individual if required, agree on my own behalf, on behalf of such individual’s other parent or legal guardian, and on behalf of said individual to be bound by the contractual undertakings set forth in this Release.
Signature: ____Date: ______