Tell me about the Great Allegheny Passage (Pittsburgh, Connellsville: hotel, house)

[ak_47_00]

I've read much about it on a few sites & blogs. I plan on doing the part from the city to Cumberland in 2011, more than likely in July.

I plan on going alone, as it seems more gets done when I'm solo.

I do pedal hard and consistantly, so it wouldn't surprise me to finish quickly.

Rail trails are my favourite place to ride a bike. When there isn't snow on the ground I enjoy our local trail which goes from town to town.

[Craziaskowboi]

It's long.

[gg]

I have heard it is great, but have not done it yet. I plan on going sometime. Of course alone, since most people only talk of such things.

[mjost7]

Pack lightly. We stayed at the Meyersdale Hostel the first night and camped the rest. Wear gloves and padded shorts.

[ex-burgher]

Rivers Edge Cafe and B&B is a great place to stop in Confluence. Either for a meal and/or to spend the night.

[ki0eh]

Riding eastbound is usually favored, for reasons you'll certainly see on the profile you've probably seen online.

There have been rumors that the Amtrak Capitol Limited will allow roll-on bikes soon from non-checked-baggage stations (i.e. Cumberland and Connellsville), "soon" and "Amtrak" probably means "don't count on it for next summer".

[kgavala]

I did the entire Pittsburgh to DC trip back in August.

Pittsburgh to Connellsville is flat and easy. After that, you're going slightly uphill until 20 miles before Cumberland. It's a very slight grade (1%, I believe) but after miles and miles of it, you really notice. You cross the Eastern Continental Divide 20 miles before Cumberland and after that you can fly.

We did 90 miles the first day, starting in Boston, PA and camping in Rockwood. We hit Cumberland about 3.5 riding hours into the next day (about 45 miles)--once we crossed the divide, we got to Cumberland in about an hour. You could get there and back in three days easily, if you are in good shape and log long hours in the saddle.

This chart will be your friend.

[ak_47_00]

Thanks for the good advice, all.

I have seen the ATA site and it's all very valuable information.

I would like to ride from Pittsburgh to DC, but I'm going to start out doing Pittsburgh to Cumberland. I am sure I'll return again for the trip to DC, but for now I'll start out moderate.

[kgavala]

Originally Posted by ak_47_00

I would like to ride from Pittsburgh to DC, but I'm going to start out doing Pittsburgh to Cumberland. I am sure I'll return again for the trip to DC, but for now I'll start out moderate.

It's fun. We did it unassisted (save for a couple stops at Sheetz along the way) in three and a half days. If you can swing it, the Donovan House on 14th and Vermont is a great place to stay--it's a very cool luxury hotel with absolutely no qualms about people bringing a dirty bike (and body!) inside. Between the two of us, we spent under $300 for the entire trip: hotel was $100 on kayak.com, train tickets and bike boxes were around $100 total, and the remainder was spent on food and drink both beforehand and along the way.

Next time I'd either like to do it in two days to test my limits, or in 5-6 days to enjoy the views along the way.

[ak_47_00]

How is parking? Is it secured or free? I was hoping there would be a large lot, like many park areas have.

I would like to leave my car up near Pittsburgh the entire time, so I don't have to rely on a ride when I returned.

I think I would stay in a hotel so I don't have to carry a tent and sleeping bag. That way I could focus on a light load.