Pennsylvania Rides | Meetups | Pennsylvania Riders
- Thread starter J.R.
- Start date
6zfshdb
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Northeast Pennsylvania
I've never heard of the Marietta Gorge Trail in Lancaster County, PA.
You may be referring to the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail, which runs through Marietta.
If so, it's a great ride and worth the trip! There are also many other good trails in the area such as the Enola Low Grade Trail and the Heritage Trail.
You can use the Rails to Trails website to find many others as well:
www.traillink.com
You may be referring to the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail, which runs through Marietta.
If so, it's a great ride and worth the trip! There are also many other good trails in the area such as the Enola Low Grade Trail and the Heritage Trail.
You can use the Rails to Trails website to find many others as well:
Find The Best Trails in the United States | TrailLink
Looking for the best trails in the United States? TrailLink has more than 40,000 miles of trails so you're bound to find a perfect trail near you! View detailed trail descriptions, trail maps, reviews, photos, trail itineraries, directions on TrailLink.
www.traillink.com
6zfshdb
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Northeast Pennsylvania
Anyone planning on riding the GAP (Great Allegheny Passage) in Pennsylvania, be aware the trail is closed due to a landslide between Rockwood and Markleton.
I'm a member of the GAP Conservancy and just received this alert:
Closure Between Rockwood and Markleton
GAP Mile 48 | Reported on June 23, 2025 | Last Updated: July 1, 2025
Somerset County has closed a segment of the Great Allegheny Passage between Rockwood (mile marker 43.8) and the parking lot at Markleton (mile marker 50.0) due to an active landslide triggered by recent heavy rain and high winds. The earth continues to move and rocks and trees are falling each day. Do not bypass the barricades. Conditions are unstable. There is no detour.
The Great Allegheny Passage Conservancy arranged and underwrote a free shuttle for bicyclists and hikers between the Rockwood and Markleton trail access points from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Tuesday, June 24, Wednesday, June 25, and Thursday, June 26. Many thanks to Allegheny Trail House and 2 Wheel Escapes for providing those shuttles.
Since Friday, June 27, fee-based continuous daily shuttle service has been running between Rockwood and Markleton from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, seven days a week, until July 15. In Rockwood, look for the shuttle in the parking lot next to the welcome center. In Markleton, look for the the shuttle in the adjacent parking lot, which has shade and restrooms. The shuttle fee per person/bike combo is $20. This fee can be paid via cash (preferred) or credit card directly to the shuttle driver. The shuttles are first-come, first-served; please be patient as there may be waits of 30-45 minutes. Many thanks to Allegheny Trail House, Bill’s Car and Transport Service, 2 Wheel Escapes, and Wheelzup Adventures, for teaming up to provide this unprecedented service. Together with the Great Allegheny Passage Conservancy and Somerset County, all parties will review the possibility of extending this service. past July 15.
Geotechnical engineers deployed by Somerset County are investigating this landslide to provide input into potential solutions. As of this writing, a quick and inexpensive solution appears unlikely. We will update this page regularly.
I rode through there a week ago, just 2 days before it happened, and saw a lot of water running off the mountain in that section due to recent heavy rain. Apparently, there was a slope failure and part of the trail collapsed into the Cassleman River. Repairs could take some time and there is no detour. As noted above, there is a shuttle service available.
I'm a member of the GAP Conservancy and just received this alert:
Closure Between Rockwood and Markleton
GAP Mile 48 | Reported on June 23, 2025 | Last Updated: July 1, 2025
Somerset County has closed a segment of the Great Allegheny Passage between Rockwood (mile marker 43.8) and the parking lot at Markleton (mile marker 50.0) due to an active landslide triggered by recent heavy rain and high winds. The earth continues to move and rocks and trees are falling each day. Do not bypass the barricades. Conditions are unstable. There is no detour.
The Great Allegheny Passage Conservancy arranged and underwrote a free shuttle for bicyclists and hikers between the Rockwood and Markleton trail access points from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Tuesday, June 24, Wednesday, June 25, and Thursday, June 26. Many thanks to Allegheny Trail House and 2 Wheel Escapes for providing those shuttles.
Since Friday, June 27, fee-based continuous daily shuttle service has been running between Rockwood and Markleton from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, seven days a week, until July 15. In Rockwood, look for the shuttle in the parking lot next to the welcome center. In Markleton, look for the the shuttle in the adjacent parking lot, which has shade and restrooms. The shuttle fee per person/bike combo is $20. This fee can be paid via cash (preferred) or credit card directly to the shuttle driver. The shuttles are first-come, first-served; please be patient as there may be waits of 30-45 minutes. Many thanks to Allegheny Trail House, Bill’s Car and Transport Service, 2 Wheel Escapes, and Wheelzup Adventures, for teaming up to provide this unprecedented service. Together with the Great Allegheny Passage Conservancy and Somerset County, all parties will review the possibility of extending this service. past July 15.
Geotechnical engineers deployed by Somerset County are investigating this landslide to provide input into potential solutions. As of this writing, a quick and inexpensive solution appears unlikely. We will update this page regularly.
I rode through there a week ago, just 2 days before it happened, and saw a lot of water running off the mountain in that section due to recent heavy rain. Apparently, there was a slope failure and part of the trail collapsed into the Cassleman River. Repairs could take some time and there is no detour. As noted above, there is a shuttle service available.
J.R.
Erstwhile
- Region
- USA
What are the odds?
I have met a lot of ebikers in the 12 years or so I have been riding them. We even had a Pennsylvania group ride, years ago. That's why I started this thread. What are the odds of running into someone from this forum on a very remote Appalachian Mountain rail trail?
On Labor Day Monday a buddy of mine and I made plans to ride the 65 mile long trail at the base of the Pine Creek Gorge (AKA PA Grand Canyon). I visited this area many times over the years, but hadn't ridden the trail until last year on a solo ride. In order to ride the entire trail in one day we parked a vehicle at the southern terminus and took the bikes to the northern trailhead with another vehicle. This is one of the most beautiful places to ride if you get the chance.
Non copyright image from MSN
I guess we were into the ride about 45 miles and decided to stop and have a break. While there my friend says, "look at this guy's bike, he has mag wheels". I instantly turn around because I suspected I knew the bike from this forum. I look at the handlebar cockpit area to be sure, because I could never pick out the rider from a lineup if I tried, but I could pick out the bike. As the rider slowly approaches the trail gate I stepped over and reached out to shake his hand. I said hello, you are on EBR, I am JR! It was @6zfshdb
For a second, it was awkward because I didn't know what to say... let's be real, I was never going to say hi 6zfshdb! Even if I could have remembered that string of characters. For a long time, I thought I would run into 6z because we like to ride some of the same trails. Living hundreds of miles from one another and ten years passing the odds were against a chance meeting.
6z (we're on a first name basis, I don't need all those other characters), it was great to finally meet you. I hope the rest of your trip went well!
The ride couldn't have been better. The day started out cool, in the mid 50s, most of the day was in the low 70s and not a cloud in the sky. Total miles for the day were 68 (109k). If you're interested in riding this trail, the track is all gravel, very smooth and I used 70% of a 710-watt hour battery on a 250-watt mid-drive. Beautiful area to ride. I'll add a few photos to this thread when I have time to resize them.
Screenshot from Garmin Connect ride app.
I have met a lot of ebikers in the 12 years or so I have been riding them. We even had a Pennsylvania group ride, years ago. That's why I started this thread. What are the odds of running into someone from this forum on a very remote Appalachian Mountain rail trail?
On Labor Day Monday a buddy of mine and I made plans to ride the 65 mile long trail at the base of the Pine Creek Gorge (AKA PA Grand Canyon). I visited this area many times over the years, but hadn't ridden the trail until last year on a solo ride. In order to ride the entire trail in one day we parked a vehicle at the southern terminus and took the bikes to the northern trailhead with another vehicle. This is one of the most beautiful places to ride if you get the chance.
Non copyright image from MSN
Pine Creek Rail Trail. Mile by Mile Guide.
Pine Creek Rail Trail. Mile by Mile Guide.
www.pacanyon.com
I guess we were into the ride about 45 miles and decided to stop and have a break. While there my friend says, "look at this guy's bike, he has mag wheels". I instantly turn around because I suspected I knew the bike from this forum. I look at the handlebar cockpit area to be sure, because I could never pick out the rider from a lineup if I tried, but I could pick out the bike. As the rider slowly approaches the trail gate I stepped over and reached out to shake his hand. I said hello, you are on EBR, I am JR! It was @6zfshdb
For a second, it was awkward because I didn't know what to say... let's be real, I was never going to say hi 6zfshdb! Even if I could have remembered that string of characters. For a long time, I thought I would run into 6z because we like to ride some of the same trails. Living hundreds of miles from one another and ten years passing the odds were against a chance meeting.
6z (we're on a first name basis, I don't need all those other characters), it was great to finally meet you. I hope the rest of your trip went well!
The ride couldn't have been better. The day started out cool, in the mid 50s, most of the day was in the low 70s and not a cloud in the sky. Total miles for the day were 68 (109k). If you're interested in riding this trail, the track is all gravel, very smooth and I used 70% of a 710-watt hour battery on a 250-watt mid-drive. Beautiful area to ride. I'll add a few photos to this thread when I have time to resize them.
Screenshot from Garmin Connect ride app.
6zfshdb
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Northeast Pennsylvania
I just got back from Pine Creek last night and was going to post something similar, but you beat me to it @J.R. As you say, what were the odds of meeting like that in such a remote location?
I'm glad to hear your trip went well. I hope you didn't run afoul of those bad trail sections I mentioned. I was at Pine Creek for two days and rode the whole thing twice, albeit in sections. The two day total was 140 miles. I find riding both directions gives a new perspective and lets me see things I missed on the first pass. I've been riding there for almost 20 years and usually get out that way 2 or 3 times a season. As you say, it's one of the most beautiful trails in PA.
My all time favorite though is the GAP trail. I'm due for another trip down to Cumberland, MD soon. I usually stay 3 or 4 days and ride the GAP, C&O and WMRT trails from that central location. I've done the 150 mile GAP end to end twice in single 2 day stays, but lately I prefer to do individual 50 mile sections. That way I can take my time and enjoy the ride.
I was going to PM you on this, but if you're out that way, or anywhere else for that matter, let me know and perhaps we can meet up again on a planned basis. In any case, it was great to meet you in person and enjoy the rest of the riding season!
WalkinTarget
Active Member
Over 8 years of ownership now on my 2017 Haibike SDuro FullNine 6.0, and darn close to 5k miles (currently at 4875) !! Most of them spent on the York Heritage rail trail, but this summer I have been branching out to take in some trails way out of my immediate area - back in late May I rode the C&O/GAP in Cumberland, MD for 30 miles in a pouring rain, then did the Enola low grade trail for 27m. Latest ride was on Monday, Labor Day, on the Conestoga recreational trail, which is where we had the first PA meetup and ride many years ago. Got in 30 on this ride (with a stop at the Jigger shop for ice cream, which is a must have if you ride this trail).
Also sent another kid of to college out in western PA 3 weeks ago, so I will now be getting in more rides out in western PA (Ohiopyle, GAP, Altoona, Ghost trail, ANF - sooo many places to ride in western PA), and close enough to retirement that I'm planning on moving out there once that comes. Looking at buying and building a camper van based on the excellent woodwork done by this young man, Josh Oakes
Shout out to Shoestring, who I ran into on a Tuesday night months ago, who was riding with the York Sunset Scramblers group. Good to see your Haibike still putting on the miles
Edit: Been riding the Marietta Northwest passage trail now 2x a week, and the town of Marietta is just beautiful, especially at twilight once the lights come on. If you get the chance, I highly recommend exploring this town and all it has to offer. In fact, two new trail loops just opened last weekend.
Also sent another kid of to college out in western PA 3 weeks ago, so I will now be getting in more rides out in western PA (Ohiopyle, GAP, Altoona, Ghost trail, ANF - sooo many places to ride in western PA), and close enough to retirement that I'm planning on moving out there once that comes. Looking at buying and building a camper van based on the excellent woodwork done by this young man, Josh Oakes
Shout out to Shoestring, who I ran into on a Tuesday night months ago, who was riding with the York Sunset Scramblers group. Good to see your Haibike still putting on the miles
Edit: Been riding the Marietta Northwest passage trail now 2x a week, and the town of Marietta is just beautiful, especially at twilight once the lights come on. If you get the chance, I highly recommend exploring this town and all it has to offer. In fact, two new trail loops just opened last weekend.
