Pittsburgh, PA to West Newton, PA
The fellowship of the four riders has begun. Siri and me on our tandem, brother-in-law David from Connecticut, and my friend Mike from California both on singles. Today we see how well we all travel together on our five-day 150-mile bike trip on the Great Alleghany Passage or as the cool people say “the GAP trail.” It is a rail to trail ride that is a slight rise most of the way with a great downhill planned on the last day as we crest the Eastern Continental divide. It is forecast to be sunny and clear, no flood warnings at all, so no wading required. We have packed our bike bags and sent forward one carryon that will arrive each night at our bed and breakfast accommodations. Not exactly roughing it.
We bike to the start at the Three Rivers Point Park in downtown Pittsburgh on a sunny morning with a good headwind to make it more of a challenge. It is a well used paved trail and we meet several runners, walkers and bikers that have joined us early on this weekend morning. We pass by old steel plants, pump houses, across a couple ‘hot metal’ bridges and soon the city fades away into suburbs into a winding river and forests.
We get a surprise as our friend meets on the trail and provides an enthusiastic last send off as we leave the City.
It is a scenic ride and I can see why it is named one of the top 10 rides to do in the US. At the beginning, we stop at each historical marker and trail info map. As we meander through small towns, we skip a few signs and talk to other adventurers who are out for the day, the evening, or a few who are doing the same trip as we are.
We venture into small and smaller towns, wondering what brought people here, seemingly so far away from the city. Was it the railroad we are now biking on? Was it the coal mines that fed the steel production? We stop at one well maintained campsite and there is an old cemetery reminding us that we far from the first to venture this way. We take pictures by the river and the few waterfalls we find.
Lunch is in ‘little’ Boston PA provided by the local tavern that already has a few customers at the bar before noon. More bikes start to join us on the ride out of the city.
We arrive in West Newton, a town of about 2600, and find our cute two story bed and breakfast old houses right on the trail. I almost fall over as we bike across the thick grass, but only an injury to the ego as David and Mike look on at us. Note to self – being less stuff on the bike tomorrow.
After a much needed shower we explore the town and catch some live country music at the nano-brewery (smaller than a micro brewery?) across the river. We enjoy a surprisingly tasty smash burger from a food truck vendor that is supporting local youth. Then it is time for a few card games and conversation before we call it a night.
We are slowly finding the rhythm of this adventure and this fellowship.
Siri and David Adventures 