Touring - Bike Route from Pittsburgh to McKeesport PA

I'm planning a bike tour from Pittsburgh to DC using the GAP & C&0 trails.

After doing some research (GAP website, Pittsburgh Transit, & staring at lots of google maps), I'd like more advice on how to get from downtown Pittsburgh to McKeesport with my bike.

The GAP website doesn't recommend biking; all the roads I've looked at via Google look like high speed, four lane highways with no shoulder. I'm used to road riding (I live in NYC), but I tend to avoid roads like this if I can. There appears to be a trail that follows 837 until it stops short in the middle of a construction sight just short of the Glenwood Bridge. It looks like I'd have to bushwack a short distance through private property to Baldwin Road, where I might catch PA885/Mifflin Rd after a bit; but I don't know if that route is possible, bike friendly, or if the Google satellite images are dated, and conditions have changed.

Then there's the PAT 56C bus. Looks like a good option, but my bike will have a low rider rack over the wheel, and upon reviewing the PAT bike web pages, I'm wondering if the racks on the PAT bus is compatible with my bike setup.

If anyone has a good cue sheet from downtown Pittsburgh to McKeesport, or experience using the PAT 56C bus with front & rear racks mounted on the bike, please enlighten me.

Thanks,
Rich

Just did this with "Spinnaker" who lives spitting distance from the start of the Montour (http://www.montourtrail.org/maps/maps.html). It's not too difficult to get there from Pit and he should be able to give you the scoop. The day before heading off on our trip he and I road around the city and it wasn't too difficult at all. As for the Montour, it's a bit of a mix between trail and detours on the way to Boston, PA where the GAP picks up.
Have a great trip!

Just did this with "Spinnaker" who lives spitting distance from the start of the Montour (http://www.montourtrail.org/maps/maps.html). It's not too difficult to get there from Pit and he should be able to give you the scoop. The day before heading off on our trip he and I road around the city and it wasn't too difficult at all. As for the Montour, it's a bit of a mix between trail and detours on the way to Boston, PA where the GAP picks up.
Have a great trip!

To get to the Montour you will have to go in the opposite direction of Mckeesport, it will add a lot of distance to your ride. I have rode a fair amount in the city and have been out to the Boston Trailhead. I would say you best bet is to get a friend to give you a ride out there. If you are used to riding in traffic you might be able to figure a way but the bridges are what I would worry about. You might wanna check the Bike Pittsburgh Website http://bike-pgh.org/ and post to their forums.

Actually here is a thread about just what you are talking about:

http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/how-to-bridge-the-gap-from-mckeesport-to-pgh

critical mass of one? take the lane, cars be dammned?

my GF did it (rode from the end of the GAP to polish hill), but shes pretty tough, and said she wouldnt again without more planning.

If I remember, taking the Montour to the GAP added about 60 miles to the trip to DC.

I am with twodeadpoets here. PM Spin, He will be able to help you out. There was a ton of debate on this. it is possible to ride through McKeesport but it is shady at best and there are some rough hills thrown in there also. If you are coming in on the train or such then the Montour isn't adding all that much. given the length of the trip.

Also for your health get some good recon on the current condition of the C&O

The GAP website doesn't recommend biking; all the roads I've looked at via Google look like high speed, four lane highways with no shoulder. I'm used to road riding (I live in NYC), but I tend to avoid roads like this if I can.
I've done the road. The road is somewhat worse going to McKeesport (I think). In places, there is not only no shoulder, there's a guard rail too! For some peculiar reason, dump trucks traveling at high speed come out of nowhere when the road gets really narrow! The really hairy parts are fairly short. Note that you can ride out of Pittsburgh on the trail for a bit but you come to a part where you have to cross a live railroad and lift your bike over the guard rail into the roadway (with a very narrow shoulder) and then cross the road.

Richbiker, need to run to a dentist appointment. I can give you details later on your routes.

Or if you want PM me and I can either act act tour guide through the city or down the Montour Trail.

Just let me know what day you will be making the trip. If it is my day off, I will be gla to do it if I am in town.

also need to know where you will be leaving from. If you need a place to stay in the Burgh PM me.

I can give you details later on your routes.

Or if you want PM me and I can either act act tour guide through the city or down the Montour Trail.

Just let me know what day you will be making the trip. If it is my day off, I will be gla to do it if I am in town.

also need to know where you will be leaving from. If you need a place to stay in the Burgh PM me.

Now that is what I call a Saint !

I've done the road. The road is somewhat worse going to McKeesport (I think). In places, there is not only no shoulder, there's a guard rail too! For some peculiar reason, dump trucks traveling at high speed come out of nowhere when the road gets really narrow! The really hairy parts are fairly short. Note that you can ride out of Pittsburgh on the trail for a bit but you come to a part where you have to cross a live railroad and lift your bike over the guard rail into the roadway (with a very narrow shoulder) and then cross the road.

Don't do 837. I've ridden highways all across the country; I've braved RV's on 101 in Big Sur, I've braved logging trucks on 101 in Oregon (actually, they aren't too bad), but 837 is nasty. No shoulder, very close guard rail, and NO WAY OFF for a couple miles.

Don't believe anyone about 837. It is not that bad. I live here and have ridden the section to Mckeesport several times. I ride the section from Mckees Rocks to Pittsburgh all the time. You just probably want to ride it on the weekend.

I have a route that gets you around most of 837 but it is fairly circuitous.

I would not recommend Mifflin road. It is very steep and the traffic fast. The upper part of the road can be very narrow with very poor shoulders.

If you can give me your intended starting location then I can give you a route.

I'm planning a bike tour from Pittsburgh to DC using the GAP & C&0 trails.
...
There appears to be a trail that follows 837 until it stops short in the middle of a construction sight just short of the Glenwood Bridge. It looks like I'd have to bushwack a short distance through private property to Baldwin Road, where I might catch PA885/Mifflin Rd after a bit; but I don't know if that route is possible, bike friendly, or if the Google satellite images are dated, and conditions have changed.
...
Thanks,
Rich

That is exactly what I did about a week ago. Right now I'm in Harpers Ferry at the hostel.

I got to the end of the trail (Three Rivers?) and hiked about fifty yards along the rail road gravel to the road. I checked my map and saw the two options of the long, flat 837 or the shorter but steep 885/Mifflin Road. Both looked ugly and I went for the shorter route.

It was a long, steep climb with poor shoulders in places, but I didn't find the traffic bad.

I wouldn't exactly recommend it, though, especially if spinnaker can give you a more benign route.

Hey Spin,

I'm arriving in Pittsburgh late Thursday night (many thanks for your generous offer of a place to stay, but I'm covered with that already). I plan to head down to McKeesport Friday. I might try the 56c bus. If it works with my lowrider rack, then I'll probably use that bus. But if it doesn't fit the bus rack too well, then I'll be biking down. I'd probably be leaving from the south side of the 10th St. Bridge.

I did find a cue sheet (several, actually--some of which seemed a little crazy) on www.bikely.com.

One cue sheet from someone named neilfein has a route follows the south side trail to the end, follows 837 (or side roads through a waterpark & amusement park adjacent to 837), then crosses the Rankin Bridge. It follows Braddock & E.Pittsburgh/McKeesport Blvd into McKeesport. What do you think of that route?

A little hard to tell how it compares to just following 837. I could do 837, but with a 4 lane, high volume, high speed road, I'd prefer something that has a shoulder.

Don't believe anyone about 837. It is not that bad.

It's not that great either. When I did it, there weren't all those small cars; it was dump trucks.

This section is very short.

If you can continue beyond the turn around to the left of this perspective, then it's even shorter.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=pittsburgh,pa&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.685051,114.521484&ie=UTF8&ll=40.394518,-79.939156&spn=0.000986,0.001747&t=h&z=20&layer=c&cbll=40.394537,-79.939234&panoid=UTZT69k-Vw1GeuIJFctcOg&cbp=12,79.83,,0,1.06


A little hard to tell how it compares to just following 837. I could do 837, but with a 4 lane, high volume, high speed road, I'd prefer something that has a shoulder.
It gets better when it becomes a 4 lane road.

Hey Spin,

I'm arriving in Pittsburgh late Thursday night (many thanks for your generous offer of a place to stay, but I'm covered with that already). I plan to head down to McKeesport Friday. I might try the 56c bus. If it works with my lowrider rack, then I'll probably use that bus. But if it doesn't fit the bus rack too well, then I'll be biking down. I'd probably be leaving from the south side of the 10th St. Bridge.

I did find a cue sheet (several, actually--some of which seemed a little crazy) on www.bikely.com.

One cue sheet from someone named neilfein has a route follows the south side trail to the end, follows 837 (or side roads through a waterpark & amusement park adjacent to 837), then crosses the Rankin Bridge. It follows Braddock & E.Pittsburgh/McKeesport Blvd into McKeesport. What do you think of that route?

A little hard to tell how it compares to just following 837. I could do 837, but with a 4 lane, high volume, high speed road, I'd prefer something that has a shoulder.

neilfein gave you a good route but there is really no need to pass through the water park, that part of 837 is actually not too bad and the park might have the road closed anyway. They were going to give right of way to bikes through the park but I am not sure how that stands.

You are arriving at night? Will you be staying at someone's place or a hotel Thursday? If so what part of the city.


If after dark DO NOT bike to Mckeesport, you will be passing through one of the higher crime areas of the city. You will be fine during the day as long as you stay on the main streets but I would not do it at night. You will be an easy target on a loaded bike.

If you decide to ride then let be know. I will clue you in on a route that while a bit circuitous, avoids all but 2-3 miles of the busy part of 837.

Sorry but since you will be arriving Thursday, I will not be able to escort you.

If you take the bus, you will be probably be dropped off at the main depot in Mckeesport. While I have not noticed any criminal activity here at night, you will want to get moving as fast as possible. You might ask the bus driver to wait a couple of minutes while you load the bags. You will want to get out of Mckeesport ASAP. I would not get right on the GAP but proceed west on Route 148 and cross the 5th Ave Bridge. The GAP path in Mckeesport is worthless anyway as it is full of glass, you would need to take the streets. After crossing the bridge make a sharp right and go down to River Rd. Make a right on River Road and follow it to the GAP trail head outside of Boston.

Just be careful when entering River Rd at night. You will need to pass under the 5th Ave bridge. It seems like this would be poorly lite place at night and you might not know what you will find there. :)

P.S. You will want to take River Road regardless of how you arrive in McKeesport.

If you plan is to arrive Thursday night and camp in Darvo then I could probably pick you up and you could leave the next day. You will probably be OK at night on the bus though I would not want to make a habit of riding that bus at night. I might be a little concerned about someone grabbing the bike off the rack at night. You should see if you can lock it to the rack. But PLEASE do not ride into Mckeesport at night!