Connellsville, PA - PA Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail (4/23 - 4/29/24)

Moving north next into PA, we rode another HoF Rail Trail on our bucket list. In fact, this was the first trail to be inducted into this HoF back in 2007. Joined with friends Matt McGreevy and Scott Ryser, we took the train to Pittsburgh with our bikes to stay the night at the Drury Plaza Hotel and started the the next morning for a three day ride along the 150 mile trail.

The hotel was located very close to the train station and an easy 1 mile ride along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail to the Point St. Park where the trail actually begins.

The hotel actually holds some history itself as it used to be part of the Federal Reserve system with massive bank vaults now serving as conference rooms in the basement.

The tip of Pt. State Park is where the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers join to form the Ohio River with views of the city. Not far from Pittsburgh, we all swore with 99% probability that we passed John Fetterman walking on the trail. A very big guy with his typical hooded sweatshirt and shorts, with exact same facial features! He looked exactly like the TV image we have seen before! It was him!

This trail has dozens of waterfalls flowing down the side if the trail as you ride along a river on the other side.

On day one, we rode from Pittsburgh to the Blue Canoe Resort (60 mi) where we had our RV parked (just west of Connellsville, PA). This was a very nice campground right on the river and trail and a great location to spend the night. The elevation change wasn't too bad so the ride was pretty easy. Here we gilled some steaks, drank some of Scott's custom wine, and had a campfire.

On day 2, Michelle cooked up some breakfast before heading out to ride to Meyersdale, PA. This day was much tougher with a total of 64 miles, but all of that was up hill. Although a gradual incline, it was more noticeable than the previous day. Coasting was rare, so constant peddling was required.

Like with trails we have been riding lately, the trestle bridges were frequent.

Crossing the waterways gave an opportunity to see some spectacular views.

This trail is very rural and spends about 90% of the time right along the river.

Although most of your time is riding through woods, there are several towns you ride through that can serve as a place for rest for the night or to get some lunch/dinner.

Another view of the river from one of the trestle bridges showing spring growth on the trees.

A stop on day 2, we spent some time in Ohiopyle where we took a break and had some coffee and filled up on snacks from the Falls Market General Store.

Ohiopyle State Park is known for its white water rapids which was probably still too cold to see anyone out on the water.

Here we are in a group photo.

Day 2 also showed us our first tunnel (Pinkerton Tunnel). This trail has a few and day 3 has a long one.

This bridge (Salisbury Viaduct) at 1,908 ft, provided some spectacular views and some serious headwinds while crossing. Seemed like the headwinds were working against us just as much the incline.

I neglected to take any photos, but on day 2 of the ride, we stopped in Meyersdale for the night at the Yoder's Guest House, which served a great Amish breakfast the following morning. We also enjoyed a very nice dinner at the White House that was very satisfying after a very long days ride.

Day 3 was the easiest and shortest day of the three. After about 10 more miles of uphill riding to start with temps in the low 40s, we reached the Eastern Continental Divide where the elevation changes began and our downhill ride into Cumberland.

Here at the divide, water runoff basically either flows to the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Ocean depending on what side of the line it falls.

This map shows the elevation changes we rode through. We started from the right and rode uphill until this point on the trail about 128 miles to this point at the divide.

The next feature of the trail was the Big Savage Tunnel. This 3, 291' lighted tunnel was in fairly good condition (unlike the Paw Paw on the C&O Canal).

This tunnel took a while to ride through and seemed darker than this picture in places.

Coming to the end, I wasn't sure if my eyes were deceiving me or not. There was a hazy glow that really piqued my curiosity on what is going on.

When we came out of the tunnel, it was like being in another time/place with us in the fog of clouds.

Almost as soon as we exited the tunnel and rode through the clouds, we passed the Mason Dixon line to enter into MD.

Another tunnel as we descended from the clouds.

This tunnel is shared with live trains, so being in here when a train is passing through was not recommended.

Our friend Matt took this pic while riding next to a train headed back to Cumberland.

We did it! Rode from here to Washington DC. and to here from Pittsburgh.

Now we need to find a place to put our sticker commemorating this significant event for us! Now off to Ohio to ride another great HoF Rail Trail.