Sunday, June 26, 2011 - The Panhandle Trail

This Sunday June 26, 2011 beginning at 1 PM we will be riding the Panhandle Trail. Both Scott, Charlene and I got to check it out last Saturday, although at different times, and it looks to be lots of good bicycling there.

 

The Panhandle trail is more open than Butler – Freeport so be prepared if it is sunny. We will meet at the Walkers Mill Road parking area and begin riding around 1 PM. To get there from Pittsburgh take I-376 south, take the exit to I-79 toward Washington, PA then take the first Carnegie exit. At the bottom of the exit turn right and head down the road approximately 1.5 miles until you will see a small sign for the Panhandle trail parking at Walkers Mill Rd. Turn left and go approximately .1 miles until you see the parking areas on the left and right hand side of the road.From the Fort Pitt tunnel it should take you about 15 minutes. From RCC in Oakmont allow about 40 minutes.

 

This trail has some areas with picnic tables and portable toilets along the way but as always bring plenty of water and any snacks you may want. Around the 14 mile mark the trail is reported to be rough so we will turn around before that area (Charlene and I rode to the 12 mile mark and the trail was still fine). You can get more details on what there is along the trail by following this link (will open a PDF trail millage chart). You can ride more or less miles just make sure the ride leader knows if you are going farther or shorter than the group

Freeport to Butler ride this Sunday, June 12 beginning at 1 PM

This weekends ride is Sunday, June 12 beginning at 1 PM. We will be riding the Freeport to Butler trail. We will meet at the larger parking area in Freeport but if the lot is full you can park at the smaller lot at the beginning of the trail.

 

Make sure you have water and any snack you might want to bring along for the ride as well as your helmet. We will be heading out toward Butler and expect the ride to last approximately 2 to 3 hours. You have the option to turn around at any time if you cannot or do not wish to ride that long - just let myself or Scott Sims know so that we will not be looking for you at the end of the ride.

 

To get there from Oakmont or the Mills area, travel north on Route 28 until the you get to the PA 356 exit (exit 17). You will circle around to your right and at the stop sign turn left (you will be heading towards Freeport) and continue approximately 1.2 miles until you come to a Y intersection. At that intersection keep to your left and continue to the stop sign. Turn sharp left at the stop sign and you will be on Old Pike Road. Soon after turning onto Old Pike Road (approximately 200 ft) you will come to a fork in the road and you will take the road to the right which becomes Main St. Head down Main Street approximately .2 miles (1000 ft) and turn right onto Old Mill Rd. Travel approximately 300 feet to the parking area on your left just past the trail crossing.

Great Allegheny Passage Ride from Confluence to Rockwood on Saturday, June 4 at 10 AM

This weekends ride is Saturday, June 4th along the Great Allegheny Passage from Confluence to Rockwood and then back. The total round trip is 38 miles and the grade is uphill to Rockwood and then downhill back to Confluence. The elevation of Confluence is 1336 feet and Rockwood is at 1800 feet. You do not have to go the entire way but if you decide to turn around before Rockwood just let one of the leaders know.

 

We will meet at the trail parking area in Confluence, PA just off River Road from PA-281 N/Mae West Rd. We will begin our ride from Confluence to Rockwood at 10 AM. One of the interesting area’s of the trail is the now closed Pinkerton tunnel.We will also be riding along the Youghiogheny and Casselman Rivers.

 

It takes approximately 2 hours to get from Pittsburgh to Confluence so plan your travel accordingly.

 

There is not much between Confluence and Rockwood so please bring plenty of water as well as some snacks or energy bars.There is a bicycle shop next to the trail in Rockwood but you have to travel a bit off the trail if you want to get anything to eat besides the limited snacks and drinks available at the bicycle shop.Much of the trail is shady but sunscreen is advisable.