okane

Looking forward to trying this in the spring. Does anyone have any info or up to date considerations. I've been to https://www.thirdwave-websites.com/bi...bike-trail.cfm but would like to get comments from anyone here who has actually done it. Thanks.

Altair 4

The following is a trip report I posted on the Yahoo Group dedicated to the Pike 2 Bike Trail:

Three of us rode the Pike 2 Bike yesterday (on May 31, 2012). The weather was perfect -
temperatures in the low 70's, low humidity, under a cloudless blue sky. We
parked at the western end of the old turnpike at the edge of Breezewood at
Tannery Road and walked our bicycles (hybrids) up to the road surface and began
our ride around 10:15 AM.

The road is in surprisingly decent shape considering its age. While there is
crumbling asphalt here and there, it is easy enough to pick a relatively smooth
line through it all. At times, downed trees forced us to cross over the old
median strip from lane to lane without issue. The tunnel interior surfaces are
in good shape, although layered in graffiti in places, especially at the mouths
of the tunnels.

The tunnel service doorways are mostly open, allowing entry to see the interior
workings of the ventilation systems. During our visit, water was everywhere -
dripping, running, splashing, covering all floors and half flooding the below
grade levels. Personally, I was uncomfortable with the exploration part for
safety reasons.

We rode to the eastern end of the roadway and followed a side path on the
southern side down to Pump Station Road and circled around to ride a path on the
northern side of the Pike 2 Bike that brought us back to the old Cove Plaza rest
stop.

Approaching the tunnel mouths from the east, you could feel the wind exhaling
the cool air from the tunnels. At Sideling Hill, I'll bet you could feel the
temperature difference at least 50 yards before entering the tunnel.

During our ride, we talked about the novel of "The Road" and how parts were
filmed here. Having never read it or seen the movie, I didn't find myself
working up any real enthusiasm to do so now after hearing the plot line.

We clearly could see the old South Pennsylvania railroad grade in the woods at
various spots. We contemplated the amount of manual labor it took to create the
rail grade and to excavate the tunnels using primarily manual labor. I wonder
how many workers died during the work?

While deep in the tunnels, I thought about how many cars must have passed over
the same spot during the time that vehicle traffic ruled the roadway. I also
thought about when was the last time that sunlight had hit the sandstone or
limestone that we approached as we entered the cuts to access the tunnels, when
the layers were laid down untold millions of years ago. Lots of things to think
about on a ride like this.

We saw no other cyclists while on the trail, but did see a fellow with his young
kids walking near the western Sideling Hill tunnel entrance as we were riding
back to our vehicles.

I was surprised at how little wildlife we saw - a squirrel, quite a few crows, a
bird we took for a Baltimore Oriole, as it flashed it's orange body in flight.
One of us thought they heard a deer crash through the underbrush, but it was
never seen. I expected to maybe see a snake or two sunning on the asphalt, but
no such luck.

All in all, we spent about 3 hours on our adventure. It was interesting, fun,
and a little unsettling. If that meets your needs, take a ride on the Pike 2
Bike! I can almost guarantee you've never seen anything like it.

Altair 4

It's a pretty easy ride with rolling terrain (not as flat as a rail-to-trail). You'll want good lights in the tunnels since they are extremely dark with no sight of the light from one end to the other due to the crowning of the road surface. I rode with a Planet Bike Blaze 2 watt light on my handlebar and it was adequate. https://ecom1.planetbike.com/3045.html

It was so quiet and remote that I felt no need to hustle along. Very much had a "Life after People" feel to it.

Papa Tom

Sounds like a fun ride, but I've got a "thing" about bats. Any of those in the tunnels?

Altair 4

Papa Tom - I've got a thing about bats, too; I like'em. But I didn't see any on my ride through the tunnels. That's not to say that they might not be roosting somewhere, but I didn't see, hear, or experience any. One might have a different experience at dusk, but I wasn't there at that time of day.

okane

Sounds like a lot of fun. Altair 4 did you have a guide? Also, how about parking? Anyplace near rail head that's safe, ie., not trespassing? Is that area you mentioned close by? I have difficulty walking and use a cane. Bats don't concern me, but ever since I just missed riding over a copperhead on the local mup, last year, such critters do. Isn't that rattlesnake country? I'd hate to meet up with one in a dark tunnel. That's why I was considering March before it got too warm.

Altair 4

Let's cover your questions one at a time:

Guide: No - we didn't have a guide. It's pretty much an out-and-back kind of ride. From what I've read about guides for this area, they seem to be more appropriate if you plan to go exploring in the tunnel service areas (ventilation and the like). A couple of our riders did some climbiing up into these areas, but I've got too much to lose if I get hurt (kid, wife, job, etc). Noting your comment about cane usage, I don't think you will be climbing into such areas - I don't particuarly see the need for a guide.

Parking: I created this map for you: https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5830813 . We parked two vehicles at the point where the two red dots are (you can see a car in the satellite view). It is a dirt parking area - there was no indication this was private property and there were obvious signs that we weren't the first to park there. It seemed fine (legal fine print here: you park at your own risk; I'm not responsible for your vehicle, you or your bike, either expressly or implied!). There was a short incline to get up to the road surface. It wasn't difficult, but I don't know your degree of mobility. Photo available here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ac...Tannery_Rd.jpg

Pennsylvania has two types of rattlesnakes and copperheads. I saw no snakes while on our ride. Bear in mind that most of the roadway here is two lanes in each direction with a rather narrow medial strip of grass and weeds (the tunnels themselves are only two lanes). That's a lot of road surface to avoid any unpleasantness on the road, be it gravel, broken surface, or snakes. I can't say whether March is a better time to ride this or not if snakes are your concern - on one hand, I could see that maybe snakes might hibernate the winter in the tunnel (uniform temperature throughout the cold season?). On the other hand, they might avoid the tunnels since they are cold, even in the summer. I just don't know. I saw no animals of any kind in the tunnels themselves.

March, to me, would make this a cold ride, very doable but cold. You would have to watch the weather and check local sources to make sure that the area was clear of snow. Also, in March, I think you might have to be concerned about ice in the tunnels, either on the road surface or icicles hanging (and possibly falling) from the ceiling. Those tunnels were pretty chilly in late May, when we rode, but the rest of the ride was unbelievably pleasant.

My map shows you how we rode around at the eastern end of the trail, on Pump Station Road, circling back to the old abandoned rest stop parking. We saw no traffic on Pump Station Road for the few minutes we were on it.

This NY Times article has a fairly representative photo of the roadway: https://travel.nytimes.com/2004/10/22...TRIP.html?_r=0

Other photos here: https://utopium-travels.blogspot.com/...-turnpike.html . Google Images is full of other photos of the trail.

As usual, when riding somewhere off the beaten path, make sure you either ride this with someone or make sure someone else knows where you are riding and when to expect you back, just in case.

indyfabz

It's my understanding that it's cool in the tunnels even in summer. Since snakes are cold blooded, I don't think you will find them hanging out in cold, dark places. You sometimes see them on paths because there is often sun and a crushed stone surface absorbs heat. I have ridden by several rattlers sunning themselves on the Lehigh Gorge Trail between Jim Thorpe and Whitehaven.

rebel1916

I love the Lehigh trail. Drop my boat at the put in, drive to the take out, and bike back. Get a full body workout for the day!

staehpj1 

We drove that route every year on vacation when I was a child up until it closed. It looks like an interesting trip. Kind of a short ride, but I'll have to check it out.

Altair 4

Staehpj1, it's only a little over two hours away for you. I wouldn't call it a "tour" per se, but it is an interesting ride. Worth a day trip, for sure. I remember driving through those tunnels as a kid as my dad took us to various state parks in Western and Central PA. These two were abandoned in 1968.

staehpj1 

Then the year these tunnels closed was probably the year of my last vacation with my Mom and Dad. I probably saw the new route that replaced them in 1969 when I hitchhiked to Minnesota to see my brother.

I will probably do the Pike 2 Bike ride as a day trip in the Spring.

On the other hand, it might be interesting to tour to the abandoned tunnels and back, following (as much as possible) the route we drove back then. It was on one of our vacations, driving west near Hancock Md that I first encountered bicycle tourists, so that would be a bit of nostalgia.

rebel1916

How close is this to Ohiopyle? I assume it is on the way if you are coming from the east. Might make a great side trip on a paddling excursion.

staehpj1 

About 85 miles, but yeah if coming from Baltimore, MD or DC on the way.

rebel1916

Well if it's near to Hancock it's near Friendsville. Maybe this is the year I strap my big girl pants on and run the upper Yough... I really love abandoned industrial stuff like that. My favorite river is the New river in WV and it was completely industrialized 100 years ago. In the woods behind some of the rapids are old coal tipples and coke ovens and what not. I can lose myself in those places.

okane

Altair 4, thanks for all this GREAT info.....

Altair 4

Okane,

No problem - I hope you have a great ride!

If you have time, post a follow-up when you get back.

Altair 4

Pukeskywalker

Appreciate this post. A friend mentioned this turnpike to me recently and I had forgotten about it. Thanks everybody

okane

Will do.....trying to convince a couple of friends to add it to their "Bucket List." Now that I have all this good info, should be an easy task. Thanks again.....I love this forum....everyone so helpful.

tom cotter

THX for posting this. For those thinking about touring this area on bike, the area is hilly and beautiful. That said Breezewood is not bike friendly. Breezewood is not even car friendly. It's kind of out of control sprawl around a major interstate intersection/interchange. Once outside of the sprawl things calm down, it's a place worth visiting.

About 45 miles away is Raystown Lake, another place worth visiting. The lake is 30 miles long. The only developement on the lake are two campgrounds. One is private but open to the public, the other is a public campground run by the Army Corps of Engineers. The lake is deep and clear. Good for swimming, water skiing, fishing, kayak/canoeing and any other water sport you can come up with. One favorite activity is cliff diving as there are many high rock walls climbing out of the water. A highly recommended destination.

Altair 4

One last word of advice -

If you are approaching Breezewood from the East on the PA Turnpike, you will find yourself on a very long descent just before the Breezewood exit. It is very easy to build up a little extra speed on that descent; the view off the right is distracting, too. That's why the Pennsylvania State Police quite frequently have at least one patrol car running radar there. I can't tell you how many times I've seen "smokey with a customer" in that section. You are forewarned!

okane

I knew about this from 2 neighbors who were truck drivers. They always called this area "hole in the wall" I think. (Don't know the significance of the name though) Driven that area quite few times and you're correct about the zealous enforcement of posted speed limits.

tom cotter

Lotta truck accidents there. More so on 70 than on the TP. Especially the ramp that dumps traffic into Breezewood. That's got a nightmare curve built into it.

indyfabz

Bump...

Was looking for a differ3ent old thread and found this.

I rode the tunnels west to east while on PA Bike Route S after doing the GAP and then U.S. 220 to Bedford.

Everything is still pretty much as Altair 4 describes it. I found myself riding east in the westbound lanes most of the time as they were, for the most part, in better condition. I did cross over the median once or twice.

The feeling of isolation was neat. I saw no other riders on a Tuesday afternoon in early September. There was one young couple walking east before the first tunnel.

It was in the upper 80s with high humidity. The coolness of the tunnels was quite welcome. After riding away from the end of the second tunnel it felt like someone had turned the blow dryer back on.

I had a small bike light and a 140 lumen headlamp. That was enough. I followed a friend's advice and simply rode down the center line. No problem. I was expecting a good amount of debris but only enoountered a stray stone or two. Loved the reverberation inside.

As noted, Breezewood is a complete nightmare. When I arrived from the west via Breezewood Rd. I waited in the blazing sun at a traffic light for over 5 min. I finally made it to the Sheetz c-store for water and snacks. When I left, I had to wait at two excrutiatingly long traffic lights to get moving again on U.S. 30 east.

To get there heading east, once you pass the interchange for I-70 you will see the Quality Inn. Maybe 500' after that you will see Tannery Rd. Make the left onto Tannery and roll your bike up a relatively small mound of dirt at the small, informal parking lot. Not long after the second tunnel you will see some Jersey barriers and an access road to your left. Take that and it will dump you on Pump Station Rd. Don't worry if you miss it. Due to the removal of the bridge over Pump Station Rd., you cannot go much farther on the old turnpike grade and will have to double back to the access road. Once at Pump Station, make a left up the short hill. This will take you to N. Hess Rd. Make a right on N. Hess and you are back on PA Bike Route S heading east.

It made a nice detour off PA Bik Route S, which appears to entail some stiff climbing. Route S leaves Breezewood using U.S. 30. It then turns left onto PA 915 and then Mountain House Rd. and ends up crossing over the abandoned turnpike grade. That's why you leave Route S by going to the left yet it comes back into you from the left at N. Hess. You can see all this, including the bandoned turnpike grade, on Goggle Maps.

rodar y rodar

That pike sounds really cool. I`ve ridden a few very short (3 miles max) sections of abandoned highway and it`s a blast. I`m not going to cross a continent to ride that one, but sure would hit it up if I were closer.