Today we start on our trip along the Greater Allegheny Passage rail trail. Lauren has worked out our itinerary and organised overnight accommodation. We are going to ride each day, Robyn and Leisa are going to drive to our destination and ride back to meet us. The trail is a compacted gravel surface and flat all the way. This is a mixed blessing, no hills to climb but also no respite from pedalling on a downhill.
Before we leave Pittsburgh however we detour to see Bike Heaven, a combined museum, repair and sales place. It is a highly decorative entrance in a parking lot. Inside it is amazing, bikes as far as the eye can see of all sorts and sizes. Seats and various components in cases, on counters, and hanging from the ceiling. Heaven indeed for bikes. Greeted warmly, we are told there are more upstairs (and no responsibility is taken for injuries as one's jaw hits the floor). It did hit the floor. An amazing number and variety. Well worth the extra few miles.
Pittsburgh is an industrial town, and on our side of the river are reminders of that among newer residential developments. On the other side they are still operating, newer buildings alongside rusty Dickensian structures.
We lunch in a shopping mall. These are not at all like malls at home. This one is made up of sprawling single storey shops stretching around the sides of a huge parking lot so you could find yourself perhaps driving from one end to another if you just wanted to go to a particular couple of shops. Lunch is good, I am starving.
Our ride today takes us past two closed amusement parks, one with a variety of water slides and the second a giant roller coaster. Are people no longer amused? Standing there giant and empty there seems no prospect of seeing them in action again. They look forlorn to say the least.
After lunch we start to leave the cities behind and travel through some very attractive green areas. A welcome relief and shady, justbwhat a rider needs on a hot and humid day. The trail is dotted with benches to sit and watch the river alongside and well maintained small camping spots with basic facilities. You could do a lot worse than take plenty of time along this ride if the rest is the same.
Our first night's stop is West Newton, a small town among smaller towns along the trail. B&Bs abound along the trail and we are off to a good start with Bob and MaryLou who have a nice small selection of cold beers with which to refresh after ruding in the sticky heat.
Before we leave Pittsburgh however we detour to see Bike Heaven, a combined museum, repair and sales place. It is a highly decorative entrance in a parking lot. Inside it is amazing, bikes as far as the eye can see of all sorts and sizes. Seats and various components in cases, on counters, and hanging from the ceiling. Heaven indeed for bikes. Greeted warmly, we are told there are more upstairs (and no responsibility is taken for injuries as one's jaw hits the floor). It did hit the floor. An amazing number and variety. Well worth the extra few miles.
Pittsburgh is an industrial town, and on our side of the river are reminders of that among newer residential developments. On the other side they are still operating, newer buildings alongside rusty Dickensian structures.
We lunch in a shopping mall. These are not at all like malls at home. This one is made up of sprawling single storey shops stretching around the sides of a huge parking lot so you could find yourself perhaps driving from one end to another if you just wanted to go to a particular couple of shops. Lunch is good, I am starving.
Our ride today takes us past two closed amusement parks, one with a variety of water slides and the second a giant roller coaster. Are people no longer amused? Standing there giant and empty there seems no prospect of seeing them in action again. They look forlorn to say the least.
After lunch we start to leave the cities behind and travel through some very attractive green areas. A welcome relief and shady, justbwhat a rider needs on a hot and humid day. The trail is dotted with benches to sit and watch the river alongside and well maintained small camping spots with basic facilities. You could do a lot worse than take plenty of time along this ride if the rest is the same.
Our first night's stop is West Newton, a small town among smaller towns along the trail. B&Bs abound along the trail and we are off to a good start with Bob and MaryLou who have a nice small selection of cold beers with which to refresh after ruding in the sticky heat.
As we ride, and through the night we hear the whistle and rattle of long long freight trains passing through. Must count the cars sometime.
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