Safe Parking
- + My plan is to park in that trail lot at the Oakland side of Pittsburgh, just off the intersection of 2nd Ave and Swinburne St for my P'burgh to DC ride. Is that a safe place to park for a wk plus? A...
Discussion started 03/14/2014 01:59 PM by Dr Skeep - 19 replies (last reply by Greg K at 03/28/2014 10:43 AM)Dr Skeep from Tucson, AZ on 03/14/2014 01:59 PM
My plan is to park in that trail lot at the Oakland side of Pittsburgh, just off the intersection of 2nd Ave and Swinburne St for my P'burgh to DC ride. Is that a safe place to park for a wk plus? Anyone have experience with this? Thnx.
Paul from Pittsburgh on 03/14/2014 04:55 PM
That lot is not safe at all. There have been several smash and grab car break-ins at that lot over the last year or so. And that was during the day while people were out on the trail for just a couple hours. There are also signs that say no parking after dusk. Here's an article about the break-in at that lot.
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2013/02/25/smash-and-grab-thefts-increasing/
The hardest part of the trip just might be finding a safe place to leave your car for a week in downtown Pittsburgh. If you are willing to pay, you could leave your car at the Grant St garage across from the Greyhound station. For free, you could look for some street parking. When I biked to DC in Oct, my friend drove and he parked his truck down at the Cork Factory in the Strip. There are some non-residential spots available on the north side of that building, if you can find any open spots. His truck was fine parked there for 5 days. Another option is some street parking around Heinz lofts. And finally, the Pump House along the trail near the Waterfront allows overnight parking. Not sure how safe it is though.
Good luck!
Dr Skeep from Tucson, AZ on 03/14/2014 08:24 PM
I knew you were the right guy to ask, Paul. Thnx. I like the idea of street parking, having previously had a car broken into in a parking structure.
Scott from Powhatan, Va on 03/14/2014 08:30 PM
It sounds like you know a lot about this area. Can you give me the name and address or contact Info for a hotel that is close to the start of the trail. I would like to spend the night in a hotel and then get started the very next morning, I will be driving in from Va in a rental vehicle. I will turn the vehicle in and crash at the hotel, I'm hoping they will allow our gear inside. Do you know of anyplace there that does what I am looking for? Not sure if the local Marriott will acommodate my plans. Any help is greatly appreciated.
lenny on 03/15/2014 04:30 AM
The Hilton. Literally at the head of the trail, across the street from point state park. There are a lot of new hotels on the north side near the stadiums.
Paul from Pittsburgh on 03/15/2014 07:54 AM
That Hilton at the point is now called the Wyndham Grand. It's quite pricey, but it is a great location overlooking Point State Park. The perfect starting point. If you need less expensive options, there is a Hyatt on the North Shore and Doubletree Hilton deeper into downtown. You could also try the Sheraton at Station Square which would be a nice starting point right on the trail too.
Scott from Powhatan, Va on 03/15/2014 06:59 PM
With some of the cheaper options, how far are they from the beginning of the trail at Point State Park? I've never been to the area and I'm just trying to get a plan together so I'm not winging it on the start of the trip.
lenny on 03/16/2014 04:04 AM
Go to booking.com and put in your info. do the search and bring up the map. Many to choose from.
Scott from Powhatan, Va on 03/16/2014 11:57 AM
That's part of the problem, I don't know where I am going. Does the beginning of the trail have an address? I have never been to Pittsburgh but just because you are downtown doesn't mean you are close to the trail. I will only have my bike at the hotel so the closer to the trail the better.
Paul from Pittsburgh on 03/16/2014 01:23 PM
If you are downtown, you ARE close to the trail. Pittsburgh's downtown area is very compact. The downtown hotels, north shore hotels, and Station Square hotel will all be less than 2 miles from the trail. Pittsburgh has river trails on both sides of both rivers. You are always near a trail and they all connect to the GAP.
If it helps, the address listed for Point State Park is 101 Commonwealth Place #1
Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
If you google "pittsburgh hotels" and click on the map, then click the "bicycling" tab, it will light up the bike trails in green so you can see where they are in relation to the hotels. Zoom in and look for "Three Rivers Heritage Trail"
Here's another resource to find the trails.
http://friendsoftheriverfront.org/interactive-map/
However the map is not totally up to date. The trail south of the Mon River shows a gap before Homestead, but that portion is now complete and will take you all the way to DC. :)
Stillriding from Pgh. on 03/16/2014 03:17 PM
Scott, here is my opinion. Go to Google Map. Zoom out and then zoom in Pgh. Right click on any street. Press on "directions from here" once you do that an "A" will appear on that street, then over to your left you will see 4 icons for which type of directions do you want: car, bus, walking or bicycle. Press the bicycle icon, then all the bicycle trails become dark green (or little green dotes for street trail). You will see the trail starts right at the point of the two rivers. You can follow the trial all the way to DC if you want. Depending on your start time I would ride 8 miles out to the homestead waterfront. The Pittsburgh Courtyard Hotel is right on the trail and is bike friendly. Should be less $$$$ then staying right in downtown PGH. Hope this helps.
Scott from Powhatan, Va on 03/16/2014 04:58 PM
Thank you so much for the assistance. If I am understanding you correctly, we can start at the beginning where the two rivers meet, ride about 8 miles to the Homestead Waterfront where the Pittsburg Courtyard Hotel is located and it is right on the trail. Sorry for the...what seems like repetitive questions but I am making the plans for the three of us and I don't want to screw it up. I really appreciate the time you are taking to help me out.
Stillriding from Pittsburgh on 03/16/2014 09:53 PM
Scott that is correct. The GAP at that section is actually a sidewalk and the hotel will be on your left. You can't miss it. Just google your start at the point state park and your finish in DC and bicycle icon it so it will show you the entire trip. The first 8 miles will be all smooth surface to. You should watch some videos of the GAP from Pgh. to boston trail head so you see what the trail looks like. Just make sure the videos are from May 2013 or newer because they will have the new section that was completed.
Scott from Powhatan, Va on 03/16/2014 10:22 PM
Thanks a bunch. Your reply's have helped me out a bunch. Thanks again.
Stillriding from Pgh. on 03/17/2014 10:48 AM
Scott, this should help you. Go to youtube and search for GOPR1070 David Tucker. watch his videos from 1070 t0 1074. He starts out on the GAP about 1/2 mile from the Golden Triangle Bike rental location (600 First Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 which is on the GAP)and ends up in the hotel parking lot that I was telling you about.
jonathan from southside pa on 03/19/2014 02:52 PM
That parking lot at the end of the "jail trail" probably isn't the best. On street parking can be found in the southside neighborhood. Across the hot metal bridge from your original idea. I like the area on 26th street...past Jane street, alongside a larger commercial building. Check the small signs for some direction pay attention to when the street cleaner comes thru but I think it is ok for extended parking at your own risk.
jonathan from pittsburgh pa on 03/19/2014 02:58 PM
there is a holiday inn just off the 10th street bridge, zip code is 15203 there are 2 newer ones at the hot metal bridge ...a few miles from the point but right on the trail, you can ride into town (3-5 miles??) and then double back to head towards homestead and out of town
Greg K from Chicago on 03/19/2014 04:25 PM
I wouldn't leave a car in a street spot for fear of it getting towed or vandalized/stolen. Hotels would have secure lots that would be okay if you can agree on a price for the time, and is there still secure parking on Mon Wharf or is my local Pittsburgh knowledge 20 years out of date for once? Nothing I saw in the city last year looks like it's changed since PPG Place was built.
jonathan from pittsburgh on 03/22/2014 02:36 PM
I guess to each his own, pittsburgh is a small city, nothing like chicago…I can't say I have ever seen a car on blocks vandalized within my neighborhood. It still is a city and if you are dumb and leave items out then someone could decide to make it their own. Was only a suggestion.
Greg K from Chicago on 03/28/2014 10:43 AM
I grew up in Knoxville with four generations scattered across both sides of Mount Washington. When I rode the trail last year I stayed just off Carson St. I guess there's no problem if you park in Mt. Lebanon for a week, but near the city or downtown I'd really consider something secured.
amtrak??
- + Has amtrak made any decisions concerning the trail run,roll on service,experimentented last fall??
Discussion started 01/08/2014 05:23 AM by lenny - 1 reply (last reply by Bluebearee at 03/26/2014 05:49 AM)lenny on 01/08/2014 05:23 AM
Has amtrak made any decisions concerning the trail run,roll on service,experimentented last fall??
Bluebearee from Maine on 03/26/2014 05:49 AM
We just called and spoke w baggage @ Union Station last night and as of this date, no, bikes must still be boxed. That is our current plan for our ride in April on her train to PIT.
Car rentals
- + We'll need to rent a vehicle to return to DC, and I'm having a hard time finding a rental company somewhere near Confluence. We may not have enough time to get to Pittsburg, but was hoping to get furt...
Discussion started 02/22/2014 01:28 PM by Ned - 1 reply (last reply by Naismith at 03/24/2014 10:02 AM)Ned from West Chester, PA on 02/22/2014 01:28 PM
We'll need to rent a vehicle to return to DC, and I'm having a hard time finding a rental company somewhere near Confluence. We may not have enough time to get to Pittsburg, but was hoping to get further than Cumberland before time ran out.
Naismith from Florida on 03/24/2014 10:02 AM
You might check with Enterprise to see if they can bring a car and meet you somewhere along there.
I know that our B & B in Connellsville offered to make those arrangements, if we wanted to do a daytrip by car.
Also, the bike shop in Cumberland offers shuttle service, that might bring you back there to pick up a car.
Panniers vs trailer
- + Taking the trip in June with my 15 y.o. son and need a lot of equipment. I have enough for me, but this will be his first, (maybe last, depending), and I don't want to get more than I may never use ag...
Discussion started 02/22/2014 12:25 PM by Ned - 7 replies (last reply by anon at 03/23/2014 03:34 PM)Ned from West Chester on 02/22/2014 12:25 PM
Taking the trip in June with my 15 y.o. son and need a lot of equipment. I have enough for me, but this will be his first, (maybe last, depending), and I don't want to get more than I may never use again, plus the cost involved. I have two sets of rear panniers but no front ones. The two trailers I've seen look interesting. Any Thoughts?
anonymous on 02/22/2014 03:43 PM
Minimize. Aim for 20-25 pounds, tops. Alternately, if more weight is a "must" cut way back on mileage per day...depending on pre-trip conditioning: or that discouragement you want to avoid might set in quicker than you think.
Dr Skeep from Tucson, AZ on 03/14/2014 12:11 PM
I agree with the 20 - 25-lb limit if one is doing a lot of climbing. My son and I did the Durango to Moab hut2hut ride in 2010 -- 26,000 ft of climbing in 7 days, 1st hut at 11,400 ft -- and limited our daily onboard, incl. almost 9 lbs of liquid, to c. 25 lbs. But on the flat, wt. doesn't make much difference, except for acceleration which isn't at issue here. And, of course, the more wt. the better on descents, assuming you have good brakes. Having said that, I always try to take just a bit less than I think I might need and I still end up taking too much. (I'm opposed to trailers, for aesthetic and other reasons. They seem to contradict the basic point of a bike.)
JJB from Fairmont, WV on 03/16/2014 12:57 PM
My wife and I have done DC to Pitt twice now and have only used rear paniers on each bike. We also have a bag that sits on the rear rack. From our own personal experience I can say that you can do without more than you think. We have watched people struggle with trailers. We met one family who had two trailers. We kind of leap-frogged with them on the trail. By the third day they told us that they had started to unload, (read - leave), items at campsites. They had simply brought to much stuff because they had the room for it.
Paul from Pittsburgh on 03/16/2014 01:50 PM
Like Ned said, you need less than you think. I did my first full ride last Oct and had 2 rear panniers, a trunk bag and handlebar bag. I had a whole large plastic bag full of clothes in one pannier that I never even opened. My friend loaded down his bike with 2 rear panniers, trunk bag and 2 front panniers and he certainly felt it. Popped 2 spokes too. It was just too much stuff.
The GAP/C&O is mostly flat, so I didn't think you have to limit yourself to 20-25lbs of gear, that really isn't much. I had 45lbs of stuff on my bike and I really never noticed it, and we averaged about 70 miles a day. Well, except for when I had to LIFT the whole bike up the spiral staircase to Harpers Ferry. Now THAT sucked.... lol
Paul A on 03/16/2014 09:32 PM
Are you planning to camp along the way or will you make other plans? If you're not camping, you really don't need much. If you will be camping you may be able to rent what you need. If there's an REI near you check about renting equipment.
rick from grafton, va on 03/21/2014 12:32 PM
I understand that you want your son to the enjoy the ride and have a comfortable trip. I typically carry 20 lbs or less on multi day rides where I'm camping. If staying indoors my load consists of extra set of bike clothing and one st of "town clothing" snacks, toiletries, andthat's about it. You and he might have a better time not being burdened by a lot of extra gear. Some ways to cut weight is to use an alcohol stove and FBC cooking. Freezer Bag Cooking. That way you only need one pot to heat water and eat out of the bag. Use trail bars for light weight quick energy. Bring a Kindle to read or play a game. Or just talk years from now the trip will be a great memory. If you choose to pack heavy the Passage won't really be a factor the trail is well graded, smooth, and not too steep. The C&O is a bike more of a challenge with extra gear. You can resupply almost daily if need out want and it's fun to meet various people interested the trail towns.
anon from Ohio on 03/23/2014 03:34 PM
In true respect to Dr Skeep I read that he's in top shape and probably has been for some time. For the commoner, weight does matter: F=MA is true regardless of flat trail or climbing mountains. Over a long trip Mass will add to much more force required: fatigue, heat, mud, rain, puddles, roots, mosquitos etc.etc.etc can make anyone miserable in short order. 25lbs on a bike adds up quick...aim for less!
Taylors Landing Boat Ramp in Sharpsburg
- + boat ramp
Discussion started 03/23/2014 03:52 AM by nate - 0 repliesnate from ranson on 03/23/2014 03:52 AM
boat ramp
supported thru trips
- + Are there any organizations doing trips from Pittsburgh to DC this summer?
Discussion started 01/26/2014 08:07 PM by Tim - 4 replies (last reply by JJB at 03/16/2014 12:30 PM)Tim from Manheim, PA on 01/26/2014 08:07 PM
Are there any organizations doing trips from Pittsburgh to DC this summer?
Bob Palonder from Perryopolis ,Pa. on 01/29/2014 05:56 AM
GAP-outfitters.com bike-the-gap.com Wilderness-voyageurs.com
Scott from Powhatan, va on 01/29/2014 06:11 AM
I know that there is, I just can't remember where I saw it. Do a google search and you will find what you are looking for, they are out there. Good luck.
Roy from Middletown, OH on 01/29/2014 07:54 PM
Check out the GAP website under "Plan a Visit" link. Should find supported rides there.
JJB from Fairmont, WV on 03/16/2014 12:30 PM
I'm a little late to the party but I can tell you of another outfitter - Mountainsidebiketour.com
We have not used them for the outfitter side of their business but have used, multiple times, the B&B that Gail owns. She is a great gal to work with. Give her a try.
Brandt Trust v. U.S., Supreme Court Opinion
- + Anyone know anything about the impact of this decision on GAP? I'm going to ride it at the beginning of May and I'd like it to be open when I get there. Thnx.
Discussion started 03/12/2014 07:28 PM by Dr Skeep - 6 replies (last reply by Dr Skeep at 03/13/2014 05:18 PM)Dr Skeep from Tucson, AZ on 03/12/2014 07:28 PM
Anyone know anything about the impact of this decision on GAP? I'm going to ride it at the beginning of May and I'd like it to be open when I get there. Thnx.
Scott from Powhatan VA on 03/12/2014 08:30 PM
Can you be a little more specific? I leave on May 3 starting in Pittsburg and riding the GAP/C&O back to Georgetown. Would like to know what is going on, did I miss something?
Stillriding from Pgh. on 03/13/2014 11:27 AM
Good post. I looked this up on Google and it is very interesting and concerning. While this happened in Wyoming it could happen here. Only time will tell. I would think an email to a GAP board member on the GAP site http://www.atatrail.org would get an answer to your question.
Dr Skeep on 03/13/2014 12:16 PM
I'm thinking that the GAP folks may do a bulletin on this matter, but they may want to stay in the weeds and hope that no affected landowner picks up on this and files suit. If I read the opinion correctly, this is not likely, I fear. Too much anti-bicycle sentiment around yet. Fortunately, I did the Big Mick with my son last year, as it is apparently now in the cross-hairs.
Dr Skeep on 03/13/2014 12:34 PM
OK, I just sent an email to the generic ATA address asking for an update on the website so we can all see what their lawyers think about this. Since only Sotomayor sided with us -- and the US, on what seems to me to be a pretty good reversionary-interest argument -- I think affected landowners would be able to make a good pitch for a temporary injunction. Yikes.
Paul from Pittsburgh on 03/13/2014 01:59 PM
What the heck is this now? I did my first GAP/C&O ride last Oct and had to ride during the government shutdown. I plan on doing it again the week of Memorial Day. Is this something I need to be worried about, once again? I just googled this while at work and don't really understand, I will research further later. Anyone with more info, feel free to post. Thanks.
Dr Skeep from Tucson, AZ on 03/13/2014 05:18 PM
Eight Supremes agreed with a burdened Wyoming landowner that the rail line, now a rail-trail, across its property was a regular easement only and thus the rights against the landowner ended when the RR abandoned it. Only Sonia S. agreed that the U.S. had a reversionary interest and could thus re-purpose the line as a trail. Not sure how many other rail-trails this will impact, but the subject law is federal and thus applies in other states. We need some GAP lawyers to tell us if and how this affects our plans.
Track Quality at the end of May
- + Hi, I'm looking at riding the GAP and C&O towpath in the week starting 17th May, what are the track conditions like at this time of year? I understand the GAP is better than the C&O, but does the C&O ...
Discussion started 03/13/2014 01:10 PM by AussieAbroad - 1 reply (last reply by Stillriding at 03/13/2014 01:51 PM)AussieAbroad from Plymouth, MI on 03/13/2014 01:10 PM
Hi, I'm looking at riding the GAP and C&O towpath in the week starting 17th May, what are the track conditions like at this time of year? I understand the GAP is better than the C&O, but does the C&O get very muddy or boggy?
Thanks!
Stillriding from Pgh. on 03/13/2014 01:51 PM
May is a hit and miss month for large rain storms. The GAP drains well. The C&O not so much (depending on where you are at). It could not rain for a few days and still have mud puddles you need to go around. If it's a hard rain when you are on it, the mud puddles could be two feet to one hundred feet long. Some are deeper the others. You should go on youtube and watch a few of the videos. Good luck. I will be doing it May also.