Reply to Pittsburgh to DC

I am planning to ride (50-60 miles/day) from Pittsburgh to DC in October. I am flexible on the dates. I will be staying in hotel or B&B. I am in late 40s and looking to join a team or group or an individual to ride together mainly for safety reason. I am from DC area. Please let me know if any one interested

My wife and I are planning a Passage ride for Oct. 2-5. Departing Cumberland via Amtrak on that Mon evening and starting our ride on Tue. Don't have a lot of time this year so looking at overnights in Connellesville, Meyersdale, and back to Cumberland. 62, 56, and 32 miles. My wife is 67 and rides a moderate 10mph. I'm 62 and ride a bit faster. We have both completed 7 thru rides on the Passage. Wanted to do the C&O again but don't have time. Contact me if interested. We are planning to stay indoors each night.

Hi Rick,
Thank you for your message. I would have love to tag along with you guys but unfortunately I can't take off work the first week of the month. I am planning ride second week of October.

Good deal. If you need any info like favorite places to stay/eat, etc give me a shout via email. As I mentioned we've done the route multiple times.

Thank you!
I will do that, enjoy your ride.

Rick, I am interested in cycling the Passage and a few days ride as a "trail newbie" would be perfect. Do you have any other suggestions other than the brief trip outline in your post?

We were also newbies in June. We did it in 3 days but would like to have spent more time but did the C&O too. We rode tandem and often did less than 10 mph. We are in our mid 50’s and in decent shape and not out to set any speed records. For logistical reasons we started in Mckeesport so the first day to Connellsville was a reasonable 40 miles. I think we just missed the ugliest industrial part of the trail, and we were fine with that. There are plenty of places to stop for water and bathroom breaks along the way, especially the Trailside Café in West Newton, and Cedar Creek State Park. Perryopolis is a very steep ride away and has a hard-to-find turnoff that wasn’t obvious on the maps. We would like to have spent more time in Ohiopyle. Confluence was also a very pretty little town with places to eat and stay. We went all the way to Rockwood the 2nd day. Rockwood and Meyersdale are both lovely little towns with B&Bs and places to eat. We also would have liked to visit Frostburg but didn’t due to rain and cold (and the C&O still to go). Best trip ever and we hope to at least do just the GAP again and spend more time along the way. The new Connellsville Inn and the Gingerbread House in Rockwood were both great.

Hi Sergio, I would have to disagree with only one point. There is so must to see from Pittsburgh to McKeesport. I have made two videos of what you can see along the way and you can find them on YouTube at Pat Stillriding. Granted, there are industrial areas but I see them as working or past history of the area. And yes, I am from Pittsburgh and proud of it as I am sure you are of your town. I know you mean no disrespect and I am not taking it that way because all you comments have been very positive and helpful to people on this site. Have a great day. :)

Didn't meanto disparage! We'll do it next time. It didn't work for us for several reasons. Pittsburgh is a great city! There's plenty to see and places to stay so you don't have to ride all the way from Pittsburgh to Connellsville the first day.

I plan to ride from Cumberland to Paw Paw and back the weekend of October 28-29 to finish of a DC to Cumberland trip from August. Perhaps i'll see you and ride along.