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Safe Parking

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Dr Skeep from Tucson, AZ on 3/14/2014 1:59:27 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 3/14/2014 4:55:13 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 3/14/2014 8:24:29 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 3/14/2014 8:30:52 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 3/15/2014 4:30:51 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 3/15/2014 7:54:58 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 3/15/2014 6:59:42 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 3/16/2014 4:04:28 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 3/16/2014 11:57:43 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 3/16/2014 1:23:56 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 3/16/2014 3:17:11 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 3/16/2014 4:58:27 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 3/16/2014 9:53:42 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 3/16/2014 10:22:23 PM:

Thanks a bunch. Your reply's have helped me out a bunch. Thanks again.

Stillriding from Pgh. on 3/17/2014 10:48:00 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 3/19/2014 2:52:27 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 3/19/2014 2:58:29 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 3/19/2014 4:25:40 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 3/22/2014 2:36:34 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 3/28/2014 10:43:22 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.

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