Originally Posted by
irwin7638
I had ridden with a group from Cumberland to Ohiopyle before taking the Pittsburgh/DC trip this spring. I must say, the climb from Cumberland to the Divide is a bit, but it's over in less than a day. The climb from Pittsburgh to the Divide is 2 days of hard work or 2 1/2 of lighter work. I don't think the wind would be much of a factor going down to Pittsburgh from the Divide. Either has it's advantages.
Last summer I rode from Cumberland to Connellsville on Day 1 and back on Day 2. Aside from my legs being a bit more tired, the gradual uphill climb on Day 2 was more draining because it never lets up. You don't really feel like you are climbing, more like a constant headwind. To give you an idea, I was able to maintain about 18 mph on the downhill to Connellsville, and 14 mph on the uphill on the way back. On the steeper portion between Cumberland and the Divide, it was more like 12 uphill and 20 downhill.