The Great Allegheny Passage

Before I get in to this quick write up of my time on the GAP and C&O, I rode this popular route in October 2022. I’ve had a notebook from the ride sitting on my desk ever since I got home from the tour… I’m not really sure why I didn’t take the time to update this website in the weeks following the trip. Regardless, it doesn’t matter because this website has no agenda at the end of the day.

This is a much, much shorter ride than the East Coast Greenway that I had completed the year before. The GAP and C&O could possibly be one of the most documented routes in the country as it’s a highly accessible (much more on that in a few minutes) route via plane, train, or automobile and the trails are both well maintained and chock full of all the services you would want.

Day 1 49.48 miles

It was…. quite the trial getting to Pittsburgh. Many changed plans in the last few weeks but I finally found one:

Train from NYC -> Syracuse, NY
Car from SYR -> Watertown, NY
Drive from Watertown -> Cleveland, OH
Train from Cleveland -> Pittsburgh, PA

Why would I go through all that when I live in the city with the busiest train terminal in the country that can take me anywhere I want? Well it’s quite simple. I wanted to see family for a few days and family always comes first.

The only train from Cleveland to Pittsburgh was cancelled, like some twisted comedy bit I would have thought up a decade ago. With the help of Kenzie I was able to find a bus that would take me to Pittsburgh, albeit an overnight ticket. That was fine though, as the train was supposed to be overnight so I had prepared to do a very short first day on the GAP. My aunt that lives sort of between Cleveland and Pittsburgh caught wind of my woes and offered to come pick me up, stay at her place, then she would drive me to the start of the GAP.

I agreed to let her help me out, and we were in Pittsburgh earlier than any of my other options. The city looked very cool, I wish I had more time to spend there but I needed to get on the bike… it was a long few days just to get there. My aunt ended up riding the first 10 miles with me, which was a nice way to start the trail. It’s so rare that I ride with other people that I really enjoyed that time taking in the first few miles with a family member.

What an easy start to the GAP. All trails were well marked and well taken care of, which were complimented with a beautiful bluebird day. I made it to Round Bottom Camp and was the only one at the site until a couple rode in at sunset. It is so rad that you can just ride this trail, and pass several free camping options along the way.

Boy oh boy am I in terrible shape. Definetely feeling it after today. I’m sure it’s a mix of the long few days of travel along with the fact that I simply didn’t ride as much as I wanted to before heading out here. But it’s all good. The best way to adapt to the long miles is… to ride long miles! Still, it feels so good to be out here on my bike.

Day 2 38.88 miles