Originally Posted by
indyfabz
In 2013 I did Route S from Bedford, PA to Philly, with some deviations, including pike2bike, which is the 8 mile stretch of abandoned PA Turnpike that is an official unofficial bike trail. There are a couple of decent state parks along the way (Caledonia and Cowans Gap). There are also other camping opportunities, including in Bedford.
My trip started in PGH. Rode the GAP to Cumberland, MD then took U.S. 220 to Bedford. Route S leave the GAP at Rockwood and goes through Somerset to get to Bedford. I have ridden much of all three W-E PA bike routes. S was probably my least favorite in terms of traffic, thanks in large part to having to pass through York and Lancaster. With that said, it wasn't horrible, especially since I knew alternatives to some of the bad stretches.
Forgot that I had made these for someone who is riding to Philly from OH:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29937460?beta=false
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29935285?beta=false
The first map shows how I got from Cumberland up to Bedford to pick up Route S. It also contains the deviation from Route S at Breezewood for pike2bike, which I highly recommend if you have sturdy tires and a good light. (The two tunnels are unlit.) Not only is it neat in a post-apocalyptic way (a portion of the "The Road," starring Viggo Mortensen was filmed there) it bypasses a big climb out of Breezewood. When the rideable section of the old turnpike ends you make a left onto Pump Station Rd then the first right onto N. Hess Rd. That puts you back on Route S.
The second map shows how I deviated from Route S after Lancaster. Route S uses too much of PA 23 for my liking. My route spends time in the Conestoga Valley north of PA 23. Gorgeous stretch with some Amish farms, a covered bridge and very little traffic. My route also goes through French Creek State Park, where there is camping. (Weekend reservations strongly recommended. I did an overnighter there last weekend.) It rejoins Route S at the intersection of PA 100 and Daisy Point Rd. My route continues on to the Schuykill River Train that takes you into Philly.
Thanks for the information. Since Wilmington and Washington DC are south of PA, I'll start with Route S - the others may be more scenic, but they'd be a bit further out of my way. The bike2pike sounds interesting, I've heard about it for a while. For your other detour, there are a few events in Lancaster so ideally I'll see if I can go to Lancaster County Park for the events and just camp there for a night.
French Creek is scenic but would add another two or three days to a C&O/Pittsburgh trip for me.. Their website indicates a 2 day minimum for Saturday arrivals. They have so many vacancies a 6/1 trip to Elverson I may see if they still insist on minimum stays and reservation fees for walk ins, with the option of returning in a single (long) day. It seems crazy that they need more notice and higher fees to park a bicycle and a tent for a night than to rent a car.