PedalUma
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Petaluma, CA
Pedaling East
Days 75 - 78 along the Great American Wheel Route
August 17 - August 20. Pittsburgh PA to Ohiopyle and places in between
Patrice McDonald
Aug 21, 2026
I rode out from the Pittsburgh Airbnb with my GAWR friend, John Schumacher. John is legendary for his navigational and route building skills. John would map the best route from the house, through Pittsburgh, to the “Point”.
There are three rivers that define Pittsburgh (hence SO MANY bridges). The Allegheny River flows in from the north. The Monongahela comes up from the south. The Ohio river is formed at the confluence point of the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers. The confluence point is called the Point of Pittsburgh or, “The Point”. The Point is also the beginning (or end) of the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP). Here I would leave John and start my ride south, and John would meet up with Paul for coffee before heading home to Cedar Rapids.
John told me his route would prioritize: hills with less than 20% grade; low traffic; and a reasonable ride time. As I had a difficult time finding Pittsburgh two days before, I hitched my wagon to John’s train. Not only did he find a route for us that was rideable, and delivered without profanity from the cyclists or the passing drivers, it was scenic.
The gray strip running horizontal across the front of the yellow bridge is the Three Rivers Trail. It’s a dedicated path for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the river. It’s fun to ride, but narrow. You have to pay attention and not take videos while you ride.
Crossing another bridge in Pittsburgh.
Because who doesn’t like ketchup.
Next to the yellow bridge is an alternate way to get up one of Pittsburgh’s steep hills, the Duquesne Incline.
I said good bye to John at The Point. Thanks John for creating the GAWR riders group and keeping the communications network going throughout the ride, for riding with me and guiding me through Pittsburgh.
https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch...87-6909-490a-bbb1-a176ae453bab_5712x4284.jpeg
My ride of the GAP began along this brick trail along the river front
https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch...63-941e-4443-b795-76a09f65896f_4281x5076.jpeg
Across more bridges
I rode about 10 miles until a point on the trail that was closed for trail improvement. The county, or city, or GAP.org, or somebody, offers a shuttle around the closure. Otherwise you ride a 5 mile stretch along “one of Pennsylvania’s 10 most dangerous roads” according to the GAP.org folks. The shuttle is not free. You pay $20 cash to this guy.
About 15 minutes later, I was back on the trail.
John texted to say he found coffee and Paul at The Point. He said Paul was now about 30 minutes behind me. I knew that it would take Paul more than 30 minutes to catch me, as Paul was not going to pay any shuttle driver $20 to drive him 5 miles, even if it was one of Pennsylvania’s 10 most dangerous roads. So I rode on a few miles and took a long break. Just about the time I finished my peanut butter and jelly sandwich behind a police station, Paul came riding up. We rode the next two days together which was nice after mostly solo riding 2500 miles. We met up with another GAWR rider, Gary Nelson and his pal, Kevin. Then, Paul rode off with them towards DC on a faster track than I planned for myself. Bye, Paul. It was great riding with you. Safe travels back to Tasmania and happy trails thereafter.
John, Paul, Gary and me just trying to bike across America
Camping at GAP Campground, West Newton
Primitive camping and pre-dawn view from my tent. Ohiopyle.
https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch...5d-f45a-4bcd-baa0-119da7ea5031_3024x4032.jpeg
https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch...48-a0a4-47a3-baf4-16a730ef6a5b_4032x3024.jpeg
Days 75 - 78 along the Great American Wheel Route
August 17 - August 20. Pittsburgh PA to Ohiopyle and places in between
Patrice McDonald
Aug 21, 2026
I rode out from the Pittsburgh Airbnb with my GAWR friend, John Schumacher. John is legendary for his navigational and route building skills. John would map the best route from the house, through Pittsburgh, to the “Point”.
There are three rivers that define Pittsburgh (hence SO MANY bridges). The Allegheny River flows in from the north. The Monongahela comes up from the south. The Ohio river is formed at the confluence point of the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers. The confluence point is called the Point of Pittsburgh or, “The Point”. The Point is also the beginning (or end) of the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP). Here I would leave John and start my ride south, and John would meet up with Paul for coffee before heading home to Cedar Rapids.
John told me his route would prioritize: hills with less than 20% grade; low traffic; and a reasonable ride time. As I had a difficult time finding Pittsburgh two days before, I hitched my wagon to John’s train. Not only did he find a route for us that was rideable, and delivered without profanity from the cyclists or the passing drivers, it was scenic.
The gray strip running horizontal across the front of the yellow bridge is the Three Rivers Trail. It’s a dedicated path for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the river. It’s fun to ride, but narrow. You have to pay attention and not take videos while you ride.
Crossing another bridge in Pittsburgh.
Because who doesn’t like ketchup.
Next to the yellow bridge is an alternate way to get up one of Pittsburgh’s steep hills, the Duquesne Incline.
I said good bye to John at The Point. Thanks John for creating the GAWR riders group and keeping the communications network going throughout the ride, for riding with me and guiding me through Pittsburgh.
https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch...87-6909-490a-bbb1-a176ae453bab_5712x4284.jpeg
My ride of the GAP began along this brick trail along the river front
https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch...63-941e-4443-b795-76a09f65896f_4281x5076.jpeg
Across more bridges
I rode about 10 miles until a point on the trail that was closed for trail improvement. The county, or city, or GAP.org, or somebody, offers a shuttle around the closure. Otherwise you ride a 5 mile stretch along “one of Pennsylvania’s 10 most dangerous roads” according to the GAP.org folks. The shuttle is not free. You pay $20 cash to this guy.
About 15 minutes later, I was back on the trail.
John texted to say he found coffee and Paul at The Point. He said Paul was now about 30 minutes behind me. I knew that it would take Paul more than 30 minutes to catch me, as Paul was not going to pay any shuttle driver $20 to drive him 5 miles, even if it was one of Pennsylvania’s 10 most dangerous roads. So I rode on a few miles and took a long break. Just about the time I finished my peanut butter and jelly sandwich behind a police station, Paul came riding up. We rode the next two days together which was nice after mostly solo riding 2500 miles. We met up with another GAWR rider, Gary Nelson and his pal, Kevin. Then, Paul rode off with them towards DC on a faster track than I planned for myself. Bye, Paul. It was great riding with you. Safe travels back to Tasmania and happy trails thereafter.
John, Paul, Gary and me just trying to bike across America
Camping at GAP Campground, West Newton
Primitive camping and pre-dawn view from my tent. Ohiopyle.
https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch...5d-f45a-4bcd-baa0-119da7ea5031_3024x4032.jpeg
https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch...48-a0a4-47a3-baf4-16a730ef6a5b_4032x3024.jpeg
