October 2012

Great Allegheny Passage

Two of National Geographic Traveller's ten "Best Trips for Fall of 2012" (worldwide) are in Pennsylvania.  Additionally, one of their picks for "Best In the World" overall 2012 travel destinations is Pittsburgh.  Eager to visit all three of these in successive weekends, I announced a trip on the Great Allegheny Passage [on the explorers-biking mailing list].  The GAP is a trail from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, MD where it connects with the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath which will take you all the way to DC.  The plan was a 160 mile bike camping trip "out & back" to Ohiopyle's Kentuck Knob campground.  Lots of folks expressed interest, but then later backed out or cancelled at the last minute.  The two troopers who remained got up on a Saturday morning, geared up, and set off.  It was a nice day riding along the rivers (Mon and Yough) through colorful fall foliage.  The trip was shortened from a two day 160-miler to a one day 80-miler due to an impending storm and lack of desire to bike through high winds and cold rain :-).  We kept an average pace pretty well above what we'd predicted, and managed to hold that the whole way (until that final hill coming up out of The Waterfront), getting back just around dark and enjoying a delicious dinner.  It was a fun trip!  A photo is attached.

-B. Towne