Guest Blogger: Chris Does the Entire Great Allegheny Passage Trail

I previously blogged about a two day cycling adventure (here) that Carole & I and June & Chris did on the Great Allegheny Passage Trail. We did about 125 of the total 150 GAP Trail miles and Chris became intrigued with doing a solo ride of the entire 150 miles from Cumberland to Pittsburgh, with a return to Cumberland via Amtrak.

So, a few weeks later he drove up from Lusby, stayed with us for the night and then headed to Cumberland. He made periodic photo op stops and emailed them back, but since he is not a blogger or Facebooker, I'm putting his travelogue up here:

Chris Moody Minds the GAP

Day 1 - Cumberland to Meyersdale

This is the view from the top after the 25 mile climb out from Cumberland. Didn't get any rain falling on me to speak of. Started to clear some approaching the top here. Managed about 10 mph average in the uphill grind. 

The handsome Mason Dixon marker entering PA.

This is on the inside of the eastern entrance to the underpass marking the Eastern Continental Divide. I missed this last time when the four of us did the ride. Puts it in perspective. All downhill from here.

 

Day 2: Meyersdale to Confluence PA

Not much of a vista this morning as I get back on the trail after staying the night in Meyersdale after a 38 mile day.

 

The Pinkerton Bridge and tunnel, over the Cassellman River between Rockwood and Confluence. Amtrak now goes thru the blasted cut to the left

View from the bridge over the Casselman River in Confluence PA after 31 mile ride from Meyersdale. Fog stubborn to lift but trail visibility was OK.

Only thing available in Connelsville was in a "motor lodge" right out of the 60s. I liked this warning sticker on the bathroom mirror. Surprised I'm allowed at a motor lodge.

Lots of traffic on the trail today. More than we saw on a Saturday last time. Lots with panniers too. Most seem to be southbound. Most in groups. I'm an outlier. Finally, clouds cleared about 1130.

 

Day 3: Connelsville to Pittsburgh

Between West Newton and Pittsburgh, 21 miles to go.

View from the famous Hot Metal Bridge over the Monongahela River, almost to Pittsburgh.

 

Day 4: Amtrak back to Cumberland MD

Amtrak ride worked out OK - pretty much on schedule. No one even looked at my ticket.  The conductor would wake you up to make sure you didn't miss your stop which seemed nice. The picture shows the bike in its rack which was pretty easy to load.  Bikers got to board first. I think there were 8 total slots and I think 2 were vacant on our ride. The Amtrak bike racks were vertical, against the bulkhead leaving the aisle clear. My seat mate's bike is the other one with some sort of fancy reflecting sidewalls I guess.

 

It took me a total of 14 hours in the saddle to do the 150 miles, a blazing 11 mph overall average. Plus, 4 hours on the train pretty much repeating the route back.  Train speed varied a lot for no apparent reason I could see but I guess it was track condition or curves or something. I thought that after we topped out we would pick up speed on the downhill into Cumberland but we actually slowed down.  I wonder if the locomotive was braking. I was watching our altitude on the GPS in my phone.  It showed we topped out about 2200' - if that can be believed.  If so that's almost 200' less then the old route the bike trail is on.

 

Conductor said our train left Chicago about 7pm central and made about 6 stops before Pittsburgh.  He said they accept bikes anywhere along the way.

 

When we arrived in Cumberland I thought It would be at the old station near where I parked.  But that would be wrong.  Amtrak station is 3 or 4 blocks away from that tourist center area.  Got home about 2pm