The destination of this ride is a mysterious and, to many, a very spiritual place. Local legend says that The Hermit's Cave in Roxborough, was the home of mystic and hermit Johanas Kelpius who came to Philadelphia with his small group of followers in the late 17th Century to escape religous persecution in Europe. Some other features of the ride are a opera company in the woods and a really great collection of lawn ornaments.

Today¹s ride begins and ends where the last one ended, The Falls Bridge in East Falls. The Falls Bridge built in 1895 is East Falls most famous landmarks and one of Philadelphia¹s most beautiful bridges. At the Falls Bridge, stay on the south side of Kelly Drive and head due west towards Roxborough. (Follow the "old school" bike trail sign.) The River is on your left and Kelly Drive on your right.

The first landmark as you head down Kelly is the Castle Ringsletten on the north side of Kelly. I am not sure what the history of this structure is except there are Undine Rowing emblems on the front porch.

Further down, the path curves to follow the Wissahickon Creek as it empties into the Schuykill River. The path dead ends at Ridge Avenue, where you should take a left. If you are in the mood for a quick detour, just after you cross over the Wissahickon Creek, and before you get to the Wissahickon Transit Center take a sharp left into a gravel parking lot and follow it all the way past a gate that reads Philadelphia Canoe Club. Back here you will find their 19th Century or early 20th Century club house with a nice view of the river. The folks are very friendly and have never had any trouble with respectful uninvited guests.

Head back up to Ridge Avenue and cross over to the entrance to the Wissahickon Valley . Be sure to notice one of Philadelphia¹s political landmarks: the "Frank Rizzo For Mayor" sign which has been up since Frank Rizzo's final run for mayor 1991. Frank Rizzo died of a heart attack during this campaign. The sign remains as a tribute to the legend.

But I digress. Turn around and head into Fairmount Park. The path winds along with the Wissahickon Creek on the right and giant over hanging rocks on the left. On a weekend it can be congested with bikers and runners and there are plenty of blind turns and rough turf, so be careful. After you pass a giant tree that has fallen over the you will see the Henry Avenue Bridge looming overhead. This architectural wonder rivals the aqueducts in Rome. Below the bridge is small stone bridge that crosses the Wissahickon and actually leads right out to Lincoln Drive. A Marble stone reads 1903, but I suspect that it was probably rebuilt by the WPA in the 1930¹s. Across the bike path from the little bridge a road heading up a steep hill. Although it is asphalt, there are many large holes . You may wish to walk your bike, which is what I did.

Don't be surprised if you hear opera music through the woods as you near the top. It is probably the Delaware Valley Opera Comapny practicing or better yet an actual performance. The Hermitage mansion has been the performance and rehearsal space of the DVOC for over 20 years. Take a couple of minutes to peek around at Paul D. Osimo Theatre, an open stage built on their slopping back lawn. The Delaware Valley Opera Comapny performs three operas in this unique setting each summer. Their 2000 season continues July 8, 13 and 15 with two opera¹s siung in English, Finko¹s At the Ocean Bottom and Puccini's "Johnny" Schicchi. August bring's Bizets Carmen in French.

When you finally reach the top of the hill you have reached Hermit Lane take a left. Although it is still in the park, there are some private residences on Hermit Lane, one of them with a very impresses collection of lawn ornaments. After you pass this house the nearly hidden path will be on your left. It is after a driveway leading down to Hermitage but before a narrow road. You are looking for a steep dirt path that looks like this . This is not navigatable by bike at all and is difficult to navigate while walking a bike. Depending on how much vegetation has grown up over around the steep path you will basicly be bushwhacking so look out.

The Hermits Cave is just a round a bend on the trail in a small clearing. Be warned, The Rosicrusians sometimes return to the Hermits Cave for various events so don¹t be surprised if you stumble across a strange ceremony in process. The Rosicrucions erected a large marble slab about 5 a half feet tall and 3 feet wide in 1961. On the stone is carved the following message:

Johanes Kelpius Ph.D. A.D. 1673-1708 The contended of the God-loving soul. Magister of the first Rosicrucia AMORC colony in America which arived in Philadelphia June 24, 1694 then known as the Monks of the Ridge. Fra. Kelpius used this cave as shelter and a sanctum for his meditations . Lovingly erected to his memory by Grand Lodge Rosicrucians A.D. 1961 in cooperation with The Supreme Grand Lodge.

The stone is a carved with Rosicrucian cross with the words ³CRO MAAT² with two Egyptian scarobs on either side. Strangely enough, the words have ³The Supreme Grand Lodge² have been carefully chipped away.

It is pretty clear that this place can be creepy in the middle of the day. I don¹t even like to think about coming here at night. Take in the vibe for a slong as you like and then turn around and head back the way you came. A second option would be to continue to take the path straight past the cave, it eventually ends up on the very steep and rough road that brought us up here.

Make you sure that you ride your bike on the way back down, you earned it. Look out for the large speed bump on the bottom. Take a right and head back to Ridge and back to the Falls Bridge or take a left and head deeper into the Wissahickon Valley. Your on your own from here, have fun.