PRESS PHOTOS BY DONNA GEWERTZ Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy some time on the Ironton Rail Trail during the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Bike and Hike event Oct. 8. Participants started in the area of the Saylor Kilns and made their way along the IRT, taking in fresh air and friendly conversation.

Whitehall Township Mayor Michael Harakal Jr. waves as he passes through the Coplay Parkway section of the Ironton Rail Trail while participating in Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce's Bike and Hike event Oct. 8.

GLVCC bicyclists complete the 5.2-mile loop section of the IRT against the backdrop of the Saylor Kilns during the event.

Staffing the registration tent are, from left, Kylie Adams and Ashley Lorah, with GLVCC, as they check in walkers Mike Gibbons, with Dunn and Bradstreet, and Ed Schuch, with Mass Mutual. Twenty bicycle riders and walkers preregistered for the Chamber networking, exercising and socializing event.

From left, members of the GLVCC community Jackie Jones, John Hayes, Jeff Berdahl and Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong get some exercise along the IRT.

Bicycle riders and walkers congregate at the starting line of the Bike and Hike, held along a very fall-looking path. The event for bicycle riders and walkers began in the Coplay Parkway section of the trail.

Joe Bundra, president of Ironton Rail Trail Oversight Commission, pedals his way through the event.

At right, Ray Bieak, secretary of the IRT board, addresses walkers participating by providing some history in front of a caboose backdrop at the Chestnut and Ruch streets trailhead.