Fall Foliage Ride Oct. 13, 2012 starting at 10 AM

Saturday, October 13 is our annual Fall Foliage Ride along the Great Allegheny Passage beginning at the trail parking area at the train depot in Meyersdale, PA. We will begin riding at 10 AM at Meyersdale, PA heading up to the Continental Divide and then down to Frostburg, MD and back for a total distance of 32 miles. This is an area of the GAP with a large change in elevation – approximately 400 feet upward then approximately 400 feet downward. While that may seem like a lot don’t forget that this is along former railroad track beds so if they can do it you should be able too as well. You can do shorter distances if you like. Don’t forget a light as we will be traversing the 3000 foot long Big Savage tunnel.

Be sure to bring plenty of water and/or sports drink as there are no facilities between Meyersdale and Frostburg. If you don’t feel like packing a lunch, both Meyersdale, PA and Frostburg, MD are nice towns with plenty of choices for food. Just be aware that in Frostburg you have to do some hill climbing if you want to head into town to eat. There is a small café near the Western Maryland Railroad turntable very close to the trail in Frostburg, MD.

It will take approximately 2 hours to get to Meyersdale from Pittsburgh so allow plenty of time so you will be in Meyersdale and ready to go by 10 AM.

Basic directions from the PA Turnpike

1. Take Somerset Exit #110.
2. Proceed through 3 traffic lights and at the 4th, turn LEFT onto E Main Street.
3. At the next light, bear RIGHT onto Berlin Plank Road (becomes Rt 219 S).
4. Go 3 miles then turn RIGHT onto Garrett Shortcut Road.
5. Continue 8 miles to a stop sign and turn LEFT onto Rt 653.
6. Proceed slowly through Garrett and turn RIGHT onto Rt 219 S.
7. Go on Rt 219S about 2 miles, then turn RIGHT onto Business Rt 219.
8. Once in town, turn LEFT onto Main Street by the fire station.
9. Proceed 4 blocks up the hill, and across the tracks you will see the train station on your left.

Please consult your map or GPS before heading out.

WIth cooler temperatures remember to wear layers. You will be surprised how fast you will heat up during the ride. Don’t forget to bring your camera (or camera phone)!

Freeport to Butler Ride, Saturday, September 15, 2012

We will meet at the larger parking area in Freeport and start riding at 10:00 AM. If the main lot is full you can park at the smaller lot and ride along the trail the short distance to the main parking area.

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 4 hours. You have the option to turn around at any time if you cannot or do not wish to ride that long - just let someone 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.

CANCELLED - Panhandle Trail, Saturday September 8, 2012

Due to the poor weather this ride has been cancelled. We will try to reschedule it later.

This Saturday September 8, 2012 beginning at 10 AM we will be riding the Panhandle Trail. The weather looks good with a high temperature around 69 F. There is a chance of rain but so far it is forecasted to be scattered so we should be fine. If the weather looks bad we will send out a cancellation email no later than Friday night and the blog.

We will meet at the Walkers Mill Road parking area and begin riding around 10 AM. To get there from Pittsburgh take I-376 south then take the exit to I-79 toward Washington, PA then 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. You can get more details on what there is along the trail by following this link (will open a PDF trail millage chart). 

Bike and Dine, Wednesday, September 5, 2012

This is first ride of the Fall semester so come on out and enjoy it.

We will be starting from the Millvale Riverfront Park Pavilion. The Millvale Riverfront Park Pavilion is at 70 Riverfront Drive and getting there can be a bit tricky so please consult your GPS or favorite mapping site or a good map before heading out. The 31st Street bridge is now closed so plan accordingly. The Millvale Riverfront Park pavilion is near the Three Rivers Rowing Association’s Millvale Boathouse.

Meet at the pavilion and be ready to start bicycling at 6 PM. We will be riding down to PNC park and Heinz field. Depending on the weather and the group’s input we may cross over to The Point instead of heading down to the old penitentiary. Expect to ride for approximately 1 to 2 hours. On the way back to Millvale we can stop at Redfin Blues on Washington’s Landing for dinner or we can go somewhere else if anyone has any suggestions. Don’t forget to bring your bicycle lock so you can secure your bicycle during our stop for dinner. If you don’t have a lock don’t worry - you can share with others and there will be some spare locks.

The weather is forecasted to be only around 83 and there is a chance of rain so be prepared and as always bring plenty of water and your helmet.