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Washout MP 55
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Shicks from Pittsburgh on 7/24/2018 1:04:18 PM:
Can I push my bike through or around the washout and if so how far of a push is it?
 
J-Rider from VA/DC on 7/24/2018 3:22:12 PM:
We rode Pitt to DC a few weeks ago. Washout was significant. Some people say walk along tracks, but it's very steep to bring a bike and 5 min after we arrived a train came thru. There is a way across though, if you walk down slight hill from washout to stream, you can walk your bike across, jumping from rock to rock and make it with dry shoes (I did), then push bike up muddy hill. Total time- < 10 min. Stream only 25 ft across and rocks are close together to pull it off.
 
Jeff from Ranson WV on 7/24/2018 7:00:12 PM:
We were there this past weekend. J-Rider described it well. The washout is passable on foot, but it may be dicey with a bicycle, especially if the water is a little higher like it might be after the recent rains. Regular shoes and a light bike would be easier than cleats and a fully-packed bike. We'll be doing the ride on a tandem and there's no good way to get that across the water. There are train tracks nearby that cross the washout, but if a train comes there's no good way to get off the tracks, and the tracks are up a short gravel slope - not recommended.

There isn't an official marked road detour, but if you do go on the roads around the washout it's about a 7 mile or so ride (to get you around maybe 4.5 miles of trail), hilly, with some sections curvy and 55mph with no shoulder.

Check with the bike shop in Brunswick MD to see about shuttles, I did see one operating when we were there.
 
SDL from Pgh on 7/31/2018 10:58:43 AM:
My 14 yr. old son and I simply pushed our bikes around via the railroad tracks. Was not dangerous at all. Not a big deal.
 
JK on 7/31/2018 1:01:55 PM:
Walked on tracks?? Dangerous. Bad Idea!!!!
 
tl from robinson twp (pgh) on 8/1/2018 7:54:12 AM:
It appears on google-earth that the rail line closest to the canal is only a local siding track and doesn't carry main line, high speed trains. This should be a lot safer than taking the road which I hear is super dangerous. Also, taking the shuttle might be a good alternative for some, but it somewhat destroys the "I did the whole trip" mentality that's stuck in my head.
 
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