Great Allegheny Passage

Did this 135 mile rail trail with a group of 4 this past week. It's a great trail. The surface is wide and smooth crushed stone. Average grade 1.5%, though you get the fun of a steeper downhill the last 20 miles from the Eastern Continental Divide into Cumberland if you go eastward. The trail parallels the Youghiogheny River the first 70 miles, and then the Castleman (River, Creek?). Some small old industrial towns and farms, but much of the scenery is just woods and rivers, including Ohiopyle State Park. The trail gets quite a bit of use, mostly from locals, but also some long-distance users. Most towns had a bike shop on the trail and various eateries on or near the trail. We bought one meal and some snacks every day, but also carried some food and cooked sometimes. One highlight of the trail was the Big Savage Tunnel (lighted, 3294 feet long), followed by the Borden (957 ft) and Brush (914) unlit tunnels. Kind of freaky riding through those. Also crossed the Eastern Continental Divide and the Mason-Dixon Line. Here's our itinerary, with a 1:30 start from McKeesport the first day.

May 25 McKeesport, PA to Round Bottom Campsite, 36 miles

May 26 Round Bottom Campsite to Huskey Haven Campground, 56 miles

May 27 Huskey Haven Campground to Cumberland, 44 mies

After Cumberland, we continued down the C&O to Hancock, MD, spending one night at Purslane Run Hiker/Biker campsite.

A few pictures.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebW

Most towns had a bike shop on the trail and various eateries on or near the trail. We bought one meal and some snacks every day, but also carried some food and cooked sometimes.

So your guys finally found some forks?

When you got to the Eastern Continental Divide was it obvious that you had climbed, were on the peak, and that it was downhill from there?

I want more pictures! And more pie!

Quote:

Originally Posted by zencentury

So your guys finally found some forks?

When you got to the Eastern Continental Divide was it obvious that you had climbed, were on the peak, and that it was downhill from there?

I want more pictures! And more pie!

It was sandwiches from Sheetz or a meatball hoagie at the only open restaurant, a hot dog stand, in Rockwoods. We did get a real meal at the Crabby Pig in Cumberland, but did not steal the forks.

Approaching the Eastern Continental Divide from the east, it wasn't obvious that you were climbing - it was that gradual. But the downhill to Cumberland was obvious. I was doing 11 mph on the flats/gradual up, and hit a whopping 15 mph going down. Here's the view from the top, just after the Savage tunnel, looking toward Cumberland, which is just beyond the "gap".

One more picture. But you are supposed to supply the pie.

Deb, I enjoyed your ride report and pics. Love to see folks enjoying tour bikes and great scenery.

What kind of bike are you riding?

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosc

Deb, I enjoyed your ride report and pics. Love to see folks enjoying tour bikes and great scenery.

What kind of bike are you riding?

It's a custom frame by Peter Mooney, designed for commuting and light touring and some faster rides (if I swap to 650c wheels). It's only shortcoming was caliper brakes on the muddy C&O that clogged up a couple times.

Great trip report, Deb. Thank you for taking the time to post photos and your itinerary!

Love the photo journal. Glad your new custom bike is getting some exercise. Sounds like a fun time. And very pretty.

More questions from me

I was thinking about when you showed me your bike and realized it was in two pieces - how does it fit together?

It was a bit chilly at night, wasn't it?

Your front bags look larger than the rear bags.

If so, why and does it affect steering?

Where's that photo of me? Is it that awful?