During the second leg of our trip, Eyna and I followed the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail between Cumberland, MD and Pittsburgh, PA. The trail follows the course of decommissioned rail beds that were converted into crushed-limestone bicycle paths by the Allegheny Trail Alliance. Since the trail was officially opened in 2007, it has provided cyclists with a convenient way of bypassing the steep, winding, and narrow roads that are characteristic of the Appalachian hills.
Unfortunately, free campsites are not as prevalent along the GAP as they are along the C&O canal. There are ample opportunities for “Stealth” camping, but Eyna and I chose to stay at a paid site called Husky Haven, near Rockwood, PA, and at a free site on the northwest side of Connellsville, PA. We highly recommend the latter, which is complete with two small wooden shelters, charcoal BBQ grills, a water source, and is located only a few steps from a 24-hour supermarket. There is also an outdoor, cold-water shower a few pedal strokes away in an adjacent park.
At the conclusion of our third and final day on the trail we reached Pittsburgh, where we wound up sleeping in the basement gym of a City of Pittsburgh firehouse. Many thanks to very hospitable folks from Engine Company 39!
Riding out of Cumberland along the Great Allegheny Passage Trail.
Entering Pennsylvania…
Yet another tunnel…although not quite as dark, dank, and creepy as the Paw Paw Tunnel along the C&O.
Crossing the Eastern Continental Divide. All water on the eastern side of the divide flows to the Atlantic; all water on the western side flows to the Gulf of Mexico.
Repurposed, over-built cycling infrastructure.
Repurposed, over-built cycling infrastructure.
Repurposed, over-built cycling infrastructure.
Note the windmills crowning the hill in the background.
Repurposed, over-built cycling infrastructure.
At the conclusion of our first day on the GAP.
At the conclusion of our first day on the GAP.
Typical GAP Scene.
River scene near Ohiopyle, PA
River scene near Ohiopyle, PA
Prepping dinner at the FREE campsite outside Connellsville, PA
Prepping dinner at the FREE campsite outside Connellsville, PA
Free campground shelter near Connellsville, PA
Free campground shelter near Connellsville, PA
Free campground shelter near Connellsville, PA
Free campground shelter near Connellsville, PA
“PINK flowers!”
GAP Scene
Mrs. Kane pedaling her custom, pink Surly Trolls along the GAP
Landscaping Gone Wild
GAP Scene
GAP Scene
Firehouse Accommodations, complete with running water and hot showers.
Firemen save the day.
Being a fireman seemed like a pretty good gig…
The stuff of every 4-year olds’ dreams…
Pittsburgh City Overlook
Pittsburgh City Overlook
Statistics:
July 25: Cumberland, MD to Husky Haven Campground, PA, 45.42 miles in 5 hours and 34 minutes
July 26: Husky Haven Campground, PA to Connelsville, PA, 49.31 miles in 4 hours and 53 minutes
July27: Connelsville, PA to Pittsburg, PA, 61.81 miles in 6 hours and 35 minutes
Total miles: 156.54 miles
Kanes On Bikes 