Touring - Bike Forum Great Allegheny Passage Tour 2010?

OK maybe I am a gluten for punishment but I am willing to take the lead on a Bike Forum Great Allegheny Passage Tour in 2010.

We had (if you will excuse the pun) had a few rough spots, to be expected with a larger group, but overall, I think that most people had a great time, including myself. We had a great group of guys.


We could use my place as a launching point again. Lodging will also be made available at Ostello Spinnaker for out of town riders.


Anyone interested?


Depending on the amount of interest, I think we could have 3 groups that make up the main group.

1. Ride from Pittsburgh and terminate in Cumberland. Return via shuttle, train, rental car etc.

2. Round trip Pittsburgh / Cumberland / Pittsburgh.

3. Ride from Pittsburgh to DC.

Other topics of discussion:

Dates (maybe make it a fall trip for the trees?)

How to get from my house to the start of the GAP. Some options are: ride the Montour Trail again, ride to Mckeesport, ride to Pittsburgh then take water taxi all or part of the way to Mckeesport.

What we can do better next year. One thought I had was to have a list of expectations like the one I posted expect maybe fix them up a bit? Do we need an actual tour leader that would "shepherd" everyone? My vote is no, but if people think it would be easier to have a tour mom / dad that made sure everyone had someone to ride with, eat with, get up on time, blow their nose :) etc. etc. then I could be flexible.


Riders from this year are willing to weigh in, even if not interest in 2010.


Lets use this thread to flesh out the idea. Once we have a plan, I can create a new thread with all the details and have it make a sticky like last year. We could use that thread for fine tuning.

As much as I enjoyed meetin' y'all, I can't hang with you guys. Also three trips on the Passage and C & O and two on the Montour have 'trailed' me out for the time being.

That said, my suggestion for future tours is to skip May and June and choose August or September for Pittsburgh to DC. The C & O seems to be drier later in the summer. It's quite rideable, if a little boring in spots, when it's dry.

Also, skip the Detour, err, Montour Trail. Start in Boston, PA, instead.

Boston, PA to DC sounds great with a shuttle back. Are there places to leave vehicles at Boston?
Drier is better!

I might be up for another go if it started after June 19... wait, what am I saying! 8^0

Of course it would be added encouragement if Andrian brings his new banana guard! xD

All the usual suspects?

Well I got back from doing part of the trail with a neighbor last week and had a great time. Connelsville to Confluence to Cumberland to Little Orleans and back to Confluence where the van was parked. I had a great time, and barring another family issue, would be interested in riding it again with you'all.

Boston, PA to DC sounds great with a shuttle back. Are there places to leave vehicles at Boston?
Drier is better!

The Yough Shore Inn will let you stash your car/van for a week. Contact the owner for the rates.

I'm in for a fall ride on the GAP. I think seeing the fall colors would be great, though not sure when the leaves change down there, they are changing up here already!

As far as the C&O, I'd love to see the C&O again, since I missed most of it either because of the rain or the road day, but I'm not sure I'll have enough time off to cover a weeks riding.

Spinnaker, you did a great job organizing last time. I think the main point to make to participants is that they need to be prepared to be on their own (ie. fix a flat, chain break, spokes). Not that they necessarily will be, just don't count on someone coming along as a sweep rider.

The Yough Shore Inn will let you stash your car/van for a week. Contact the owner for the rates.

Thanks Historian, that would work out nicely. A 5-6 day trip eliminating the Detour trail, ha. My better-half would would probably want to come along the next time, unfortunate for me because if you thought I rode a decent tempo, my wife will tear my legs off on the flats. :(

Thanks Historian, that would work out nicely. A 5-6 day trip eliminating the Detour trail, ha. My better-half would would probably want to come along the next time, unfortunate for me because if you thought I rode a decent tempo, my wife will tear my legs off on the flats. :(

So I guess I'll have to say my "hello's" and "good bye's" at the Yough Shore Inn since I'll never see you two again :) Perhaps I can sneak some of my gear onto your or your BH bikes, but that still wouldn't allow me the pleasure of riding with ya.

If I am in the country I will definitely come along. I had so much fun on the ride from Connellsville to Rockwood, met a lot of great people. Sadly if things go as planned I will be overseas.

As much as I enjoyed meetin' y'all, I can't hang with you guys. Also three trips on the Passage and C & O and two on the Montour have 'trailed' me out for the time being.

That said, my suggestion for future tours is to skip May and June and choose August or September for Pittsburgh to DC. The C & O seems to be drier later in the summer. It's quite rideable, if a little boring in spots, when it's dry.

Also, skip the Detour, err, Montour Trail. Start in Boston, PA, instead.

We will miss you.

Your experience is highly valuable. Please monitor and comment on this and any future thread.


As always you are welcome here anytime, should you decide to do the ride on you own or maybe some other destination.

Boston, PA to DC sounds great with a shuttle back. Are there places to leave vehicles at Boston?
Drier is better!

I thought we could start from my place again. Free parking and free lodging. :) Plus it was a lot of fun at the kick off GTG.


We could ride through the city or combine that with a water taxi ride. It really is not that bad of a ride on weekends. Only about 25 miles to Mckeesport through the city.

Of course nothing says we can't have groups that start from different places. The Robinson riders would just need to start a day early or it would be a short day for the Boston riders the first day, to allow Robinson riders to catch up.

I might be up for another go if it started after June 19... wait, what am I saying! 8^0

Of course it would be added encouragement if Andrian brings his new banana guard! xD

WOW You ARE a gluten for punishment! That is a real man's test for you to get here! Maybe you can get better connections next time! :)

All the usual suspects?

"Newbies" of course are welcome.


As far as time of year, I will probably be doing something (hopefully Italy) in September or August(Icefields maybe if the dollar does not heal) so those would be out for me for the GAP. But late October would be OK

WOW You ARE a gluten for punishment! That is a real man's test for you to get here! Maybe you can get better connections next time! :)

The word is "glutton", as in, "The Historian is a glutton. Look at him put away those crabcakes!" Gluten is a protein found in some grains.

We will miss you.

Your experience is highly valuable. Please monitor and comment on this and any future thread.


As always you are welcome here anytime, should you decide to do the ride on you own or maybe some other destination.

Thank you. And yes, I'm happy to help as I can.

OK maybe I am a gluten for punishment but I am willing to take the lead on a Bike Forum Great Allegheny Passage Tour in 2010.



I thought you were going to lead a group up the Icefield Parkway in 2010.

I'll volunteer for "Mother Hen" again... :)

Judy

I'll volunteer for "Mother Hen" again... :)

Judy

Goodness, you are a "gluten" for punishment! :)

I might be up for another go if it started after June 19... wait, what am I saying! 8^0

Of course it would be added encouragement if Andrian brings his new banana guard! xD

IS THAT WHAT IS IN THE BOX? I have been traveling so much I have a pile of stuff!

Out with my old banana guard... in with the new and improved (bigger) guard... I wonder if it glows in the dark...

I get home Friday so I will be checking this package first and pics/posts shall follow. One cant do the GAP/C&O without protection to one's banana.

tdp~ bring that sweet beetlejuice bar tape again :lol:

Don't be thinking too late in the year though, I can't exactly tell work and grad school that I have to leave for a week cause I need to cycle a trail I have done before.

I'm in for a fall ride on the GAP. I think seeing the fall colors would be great, though not sure when the leaves change down there, they are changing up here already!

As far as the C&O, I'd love to see the C&O again, since I missed most of it either because of the rain or the road day, but I'm not sure I'll have enough time off to cover a weeks riding.

Spinnaker, you did a great job organizing last time. I think the main point to make to participants is that they need to be prepared to be on their own (ie. fix a flat, chain break, spokes). Not that they necessarily will be, just don't count on someone coming along as a sweep rider.

That reminds me... Spinnaker, I have your fiber spoke replacement at the house. As I said in another post, I have been on some extensive travel. I will mail it to you soon though, promise.

Sorry "Al" :p but I didn't see any glow-in-the-dark ones on this summer's Vancouver Island tour but it was cheap and sleazy and so it reminded me of you :bike: I carried it with me the whole time but don't worry, I didn't use it as I had my glow-in-the-dark one with me as well. :deadhorse:

if i ever do it again i think it would have to include the fall colors. no we do not need a baby sitter, just a great organizer like we had. mother hen was great also!

The word is "glutton", as in, "The Historian is a glutton. Look at him put away those crabcakes!" Gluten is a protein found in some grains.

Yeah I typed it twice like that too! After just reading it, I realized it was wrong! Well I guess you could be a glutton of gluten. :)

I'll volunteer for "Mother Hen" again... :)

Judy

Will you be willing to wipe people's runny nose? :)


Seriously, you should just consider riding along.

Will you be willing to wipe people's runny nose? :)


Seriously, you should just consider riding along.

wait wait... I have an electric air pump.. can you carry that for me? :roflmao2:

Seriously it was great to have a sag but I agree with ol' Spinnaker here, you should think about riding with us

This seems as good a place as any to make this announcement. Maynard Sembower, the manager of the visitor's center in Rockwood, died today. He was 100. As a child in Rockwood, he recalled the Western Maryland Rail Road come through the town in 1912, building the track base that eight decades later would become the Great Allegheny Passage.

I met Maynard twice, in August 2008 and this June. He seemed a little more frail than in 2008 - back in August he stubbornly refused to accept a personal check from me because my penmanship wasn't very good. (I re-signed it for him and bought my t-shirt.) I didn't get his photo last year, but he posed for me this time:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3339/3670062101_f9784c11ae_b.jpg

After the photo, Maynard was pleased to tell me "you can see my picture in town." He's the train conductor in the mural that's visible when you cross the bridge from the trail.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3637/3670065937_92c41fac98_b.jpg

Some tributes:

http://uncommonpassage.blogspot.com/2009/09/maynard-sembower-1908-2009.html

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_600879.html

Will you be willing to wipe people's runny nose? :)

Ummm.... maybe - just don't ask me to wipe your arse :p


Seriously, you should just consider riding along.

I have given it thought, and will seriously consider exercising that option. (I'm working on my diplomacy skills - is this ambiguous enough?)

As it stands, I'm not a very strong rider. At GOBA with the trike I was one of the last riders in on a daily basis. I had fun, but setting up camp after a very long day was not. I've seen you guys in action - and you'd probably have to pick me up off of the ground and carry me in a BoB after the first day. ...But a lot could change in a year's time ;)

Judy

This seems as good a place as any to make this announcement. Maynard Sembower, the manager of the visitor's center in Rockwood, died today. He was 100. As a child in Rockwood, he recalled the Western Maryland Rail Road come through the town in 1912, building the track base that eight decades later would become the Great Allegheny Passage.


I had the pleasure of chatting with Maynard on more than one occasion. A lovely gentleman -- he will be missed. Here's his obit from the News American:

Maynard R. Sembower, 100, of Rockwood, passed on Sept.16. Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday with a Masonic service to be held at 7 p.m. at the Miller Funeral Home, Rockwood. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Rockwood Church of the Brethren with one hour of visitation prior to the service.

Judy

I figured I would give this a bump.

Any idea when? Looks like I have plans for September but other than that I am open.

I am planning on riding the GAP/C&O this year. Come up with a date that doesn't include May 8/9 (TOSRV ride) and I'll ride with you

After riding thru those "spring rains", I was thinking I'd rather see the trail in their fall colors.

Besides, then we could ride in cold rain ;-)

How's early Oct for color down there?

I live in Sewickley and did the DC to Pgh ride about a month after you did yours last year. We took AmTrak to Union station in DC and road back here. AmTrak for my son and I was $55 1-way for BOTH of us, and checking a bike was $5. They have nice big bike boxes for $10, and will give you used ones free. It makes the trip a lot easier for logistics.

After riding thru those "spring rains", I was thinking I'd rather see the trail in their fall colors.

Besides, then we could ride in cold rain ;-)

How's early Oct for color down there?

Cumberland to Hancock rain day wasn't cold enough for you?

Cumberland to Hancock rain day wasn't cold enough for you?

Cumberland to Hancock, I'm still in therapy trying to erase that memory ;-)

Cold rain is when there are some snow flakes mixed in. Nothing like fall colors with some lite snow on them.

This morning was 35F, first time above freezing in a month, spring must be coming :-)

OK I am going to set some dates to see if that sparks any interest. I gave it a lot of thought and the only time that really works for me is late June. I have a trip planned to Italy in September. Later in the fall while beautiful has it's problems too. First there is the competition with the leaf peepers but more important, no telling what the weather will bring. For all we know, we will have snow in October.

So the date is set. We will start on June 23rd and arrive in Cumberland June 25 and head back to Pittsburgh via some kind of motorized transport June 26.

The reason for the Saturday arrival date is so we can do the tourist thing and perhaps take a historic train ride.

You are welcome to continue on to DC but someone else will have to plan that segment. I will handle Pittsburgh to Cumberland.

I can use help on getting folks back to Pittsburgh. If someone wants to help with that, please speak up.

Hey Spinnaker,

Looks like I'll just be missing you on the trail. My son & I have a trail ride planned from Cumberland to West Newton, from June 19 to 23. We'll be going slow, taking train rides, hiking, whitewater rafting, and some river tubing. If we see you pushing uphill, we'll wave as we float down the river :-)

Cumberland to Hancock rain day wasn't cold enough for you?

No, it wasn't. I love riding in the rain.

Hey Spinnaker,

Looks like I'll just be missing you on the trail. My son & I have a trail ride planned from Cumberland to West Newton, from June 19 to 23. We'll be going slow, taking train rides, hiking, whitewater rafting, and some river tubing. If we see you pushing uphill, we'll wave as we float down the river :-)

Be sure to see some of the covered bridges in Somerset county.

Be sure to see some of the covered bridges in Somerset county.

Will make it a point to see them, but of course "Real" covered bridges are only located in Vermont ;-)

but of course "Real" covered bridges are only located in Vermont ;-)



Darn, I didn't realize I lived in Vermont??? Watch out, this could turn into Cyco's, "Show me your covered bridge" thread :lol:

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm320/robow7/IMG_2022.jpg?t=1267723437

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm320/robow7/IMG_2019.jpg?t=1267723608

Hey Spinnaker,

Looks like I'll just be missing you on the trail. My son & I have a trail ride planned from Cumberland to West Newton, from June 19 to 23. We'll be going slow, taking train rides, hiking, whitewater rafting, and some river tubing. If we see you pushing uphill, we'll wave as we float down the river :-)

Let me know if I can be of any help at this end. Not sure what I can do with you starting in Cumberland but if you get stuck speak up.

Just a thought but you might want to look into AMTRAK for shuttling from either end of your trip. Last summer my son and I took AMTRAK from downtown Pittsburgh to Union Station in DC to start our ride back to Pittsburgh. It was smooth, relaxing, extremely convenient, right on schedule and cheap! We checked in our bikes and equipment the day before departure to make the early AM departure easier, and the rest was a breeze. It cost us as follows:

Aduld 1-way $44
Child 1-way $22
Check 1 Tandem Bike $5
TOTAL $71

Fares are a little higher if you do not book in advance, and I think AMTRAK has a station in Cumberland and maybe Harper's Ferry. They sell bike boxes for $10, if you want a new one, but we got used boxes free at the station. These are the big boxes that you only have to remove the pedals and turn teh handlebars to fit in. The only small issue we had was taking a loaded tandem down the escalator to get out of the station; that was a new expreience! Just be sure what ever station you use had baggage service so you can check your bike, as I do not think they will normally let you just wheel it onto the train.

Just a thought but you might want to look into AMTRAK for shuttling from either end of your trip. Last summer my son and I took AMTRAK from downtown Pittsburgh to Union Station in DC to start our ride back to Pittsburgh. It was smooth, relaxing, extremely convenient, right on schedule and cheap! We checked in our bikes and equipment the day before departure to make the early AM departure easier, and the rest was a breeze. It cost us as follows:

Aduld 1-way $44
Child 1-way $22
Check 1 Tandem Bike $5
TOTAL $71

Fares are a little higher if you do not book in advance, and I think AMTRAK has a station in Cumberland and maybe Harper's Ferry. They sell bike boxes for $10, if you want a new one, but we got used boxes free at the station. These are the big boxes that you only have to remove the pedals and turn teh handlebars to fit in. The only small issue we had was taking a loaded tandem down the escalator to get out of the station; that was a new expreience! Just be sure what ever station you use had baggage service so you can check your bike, as I do not think they will normally let you just wheel it onto the train.

Amtrak has stops at Harpers Ferry and Cumberland. They have no checked baggage at those stations, so you cannot get the bike on or off there. Ditto for Connelsville.

Amtrak has stops at Harpers Ferry and Cumberland. They have no checked baggage at those stations, so you cannot get the bike on or off there. Ditto for Connelsville.

Yes sadly it's true. Why there is not a roll on service like in other parts of the civilized world I will never know.

June might be doable for me. I will probaly want a few more days in the saddle so I might park in Williamsport ( convenient to I-81)and ride up to meet you all around Mckeesport .

We will be happy to have you along velonmad. Hopefully we can talk you into joing us from Pittsburgh. You could always ride on from Erie if you want to stretch your legs. :)

I am bumping this thread. Anyone else interested? Yhere is no reason you need to terminate in Cumberland. There are lots of options. You can continue on to DC or turn around and ride back to Pittsburgh.

Speaking of which, I am open for ideas of getting us back to Pittsburgh. One idea I had was for Robow to leave his van in Cumberland then get a ride to Pittsburgh. But we would need to get both him and his bike here.


I might also be able to get someone here in Pittsburgh to drive his car down to Cumberland on Saturday night or Sunday morning.

This is just a general offer for anybody who ends in DC. I'd be willing to haul somebody 150-200 miles back home in my Honda Element. I have room for 2 or 3 bikes. This depends on my schedule etc. Bonus if there's some place for me to ride my road bike wherever you live. PM me if you're interested.