I'm on my way!

I'm on my way!

Two great days

The drive down was great. Overcast the whole way. Very pleasant to drive.we made a quick stop at Angola then at lunch Arb At Arby's in Erie. We turned East before Pittsburgh and ran into some serious mountains in the Laural Highlands. We learned not to trust the GPS. as we got closer to the campsite it sent us down to dirt roads with grades of about 35 degrees. On the one, a guy had to turn the car around for us to get us back up the hill. We finally got to the campsite and set up for the night. We cooked a great porkchop dinner and went to bed early. This morning Mary Ellen drove me to the Hot Teal Bridge where I started. We saw a flock of wild turkeys on the way to Pittsburgh. The day was overcast when I started. It was great because it wasn't too hot. Met a guy named Paul who rode over the bridge with me and helped me find the way. Everything was pages until mcKeesport, then stonedust. Sometimes almost Sandy. And it goes gradually up hill the whole way! It's not bad enough to make the ride difficult. It's just annoying because it looks like the trail will never end. I stopped in Boston and West Newton today. The path is line the whole way with historical markers.it's The area has such an interesting industrial history. And the path is shaded most of the way. On the left is the river and on the right the exposed stones of the mountains the railways blasted away. Met a lot of nice people, some of whom helped me with directions to the motel, which of course on a bust road. Tomorrow I went to leave early so I don't hit too much traffic when I head back into town. Man, I should sleep well tonight. It was 60 miles today. Tomorrow I will ride the 17 miles to ohiopyle where I will meet Mary Ellen and will will visit Frank Lloyd Wright's falling water before I continue to rockwood. I will sleep well tonight.
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Everything's packed. (I think!)

So, I'm packed. It's going to be a lot of weight to drag along. I always try to pack the minimum, but still end up with too much. This would not be a ride for my bike buddy, Sandy. She's not keen on self-contained rides. But I'm looking at reasonably flat paths and no cars to contend with. The weather forecast is predicting a couple of storms during the week, but I see mostly heat and sunshine. I'm glad most of the trail is in shaded, rural areas. I've heard only good things about the trail. I want to make sure I put more air in my tires and I've got to remember to fill my water bottle. I have to be on the road at 7 to get to Mary Ellen's at 9 so we can be on the road shortly thereafter. This has been on my bucket list for awhile. I can soon cross this off and add something else. It will be a big change from the one-mile rides to work everyday. I've got to remember to find lots of photo ops and I have my trail book along to see what sightseeing adventures I can find. Harpers Ferry will be a definite stop. That might be something Mary Ellen would like to see, too. OK. I've got to get ready for bed. Cross your fingers that I don't meet a bear in one of the old RR tunnels. RIP, Lori. I will be thinking of you.

Everything's packed. (I think!)

So, I'm packed. It's going to be a lot of weight to drag along. I always try to pack the minimum, but still end up with too much. This would not be a ride for my bike buddy, Sandy. She's not keen on self-contained rides. But I'm looking at reasonably flat paths and no cars to contend with. The weather forecast is predicting a couple of storms during the week, but I see mostly heat and sunshine. I'm glad most of the trail is in shaded, rural areas. I've heard only good things about the trail. I want to make sure I put more air in my tires and I've got to remember to fill my water bottle. I have to be on the road at 7 to get to Mary Ellen's at 9 so we can be on the road shortly thereafter. This has been on my bucket list for awhile. I can soon cross this off and add something else. It will be a big change from the one-mile rides to work everyday. I've got to remember to find lots of photo ops and I have my trail book along to see what sightseeing adventures I can find. Harpers Ferry will be a definite stop. That might be something Mary Ellen would like to see, too. OK. I've got to get ready for bed. Cross your fingers that I don't meet a bear in one of the old RR tunnels. RIP, Lori. I will be thinking of you.

I'm doing the GAP!!!!!

So, it's finally going to be realized! I've been talking about riding the Great Allegheny Passage and the C&O Canal from Pittsburgh to DC for years. It's going to happen on Saturday. Mary Ellen is going to be camping in the area so I get to ride along to the Hot Metal Bridge in Pittsburgh where she's going to let me out on Sunday and I'm going to head to Connellsville for my first overnight. Monday we're going to meet up in Ohiopyle and visit Falling Water, the Frank Lloyd Wright house. There will be 6 overnights for me in 4 different states. You just know I'm going to be stopping a hundred times along the way for pictures, museums and other things I want to admire. My longest day will be about 65 miles, my shortest about 35. Since the GAP is an old railroad bed and the C&O Canal Trail uses the old towpath, it will all be off-road. I won't have to worry about the 18-wheelers on the A10 in Texas. It's car-free! I'll ride over to Mary Ellen's early Saturday and then we'll make the 5.5 hour drive. The weather is supposed to be hot with occasional thunderstorms. I'll have to remember to keep the water bottles full! Most of the time I will be posting from my phone, but I think I have it figured out now. Let's hope so!