Enjoyed a lovely ride on the Ironton Rail Trail in PA. Started at the North Whitehall Township trail head off Levans Rd and cycled along beautiful asphalt paved trails around Copley and Hokendauqua. And looped back to Levans rd. Interesting to see remnants of the iron & cement industries along the trail. Lots of signage describing what I was seeing.
Well the BIG news is that I’ve exceeded my 250 miles challenge riding goal by 22 miles today and exceeded the $2,500 donation goal by $14.
So now about today’s ride…Last Sunday when I was driving to Pittsburgh I noticed signs along Rt 22 for the Ghost Town Trail. I’d read several posts on FB about how nice this trail was to ride. So today, on my way home from Pittsburgh after riding 150 miles on the GAP trail, I decided to check out this trail while it was still a sunny day. After driving about an hour out of Pittsburgh I found my way to the trailhead in Dilltown and Enjoyed a lovely 25.6 mile out & back from Dilltown to Black Lick. Definitely a trail I’d like to explore further in the future.
Sad the tour is finished, but I feel such a sense of accomplishment today, on my last day of the Senior Cycling GAP tour (Pittsburgh PA to Cumberland MD) with a total 150 miles beneath the tires this week. Today I rode through several tunnels today including the Big Savage Tunnel (3,294’ long), crossed the Eastern Continental Divide and the Mason Dixon Line and had a steam train pass right along beside the trail so close I could have touched it. There are only 4 miles remaining for me to complete my 250 mile target for September’s Great Cycle Challenge and, even better, my financial target of $2,500 was surpassed today!
Next to last day of my bike tour on the Great Allegheny Passage trail with Senior Cycling. 31 miles added today riding from Confluence to Meyersdale bringing my total to 208 for September. Went through the Pinkerton tunnel, over the Salisbury Viaduct and explored the Flight 93 Memorial.
Go to Greatcyclechallenge.com/riders/pameladulaff to help sponsor my commitment to raise money for Children’s Cancer Research Fund.
Today’s adventure added 27.9 miles along a super shaded trail beside the Youghiogheny River. After 17 miles we stopped in Ohiopyle for lunch and a tour of Falling Waters. The last 10 miles into Confluence were easy. Today was a gradual “elevation gain” the whole way.
Day 2 of my ride on the Great Allegheny Trail from West Newton to Connellsville Pa was 24 miles which just bumped me up to 153 miles riden so far this month. Absolutely the best weather today too! Still need $363 to achieve my donation target for this Great Cycle Challenge children’s cancer research fund raising event.
Completed 35 miles on the Great Allegheny Trail today. Pittsburgh PA to West Newton which takes me a little over 50% towards my 250 mile goal for September challenge for the Great Cycle Challenge. Excellent riding surface the entire way with maybe 15 miles actually paved. I was fully decked out in my rain gear and the rain never materialized, but I was comfortable since temp was only 60F. There are 14 in the group + two leaders.
Only 8.6 miles today, would have been longer but the trail was barricaded again. Although I spoke to a couple riders who said they rode through that section and nothing was going on. Oh well. Today’s mileage brings my total so far up to 96 for September. Stopped by Lake Susquehanna, which is by the Blairstown airport, for this great picture.
11.4 miles on the Paulinskil Trail today. Brugler Rd to Lambert Rd and back brings me to 87 miles total this month. 167 to go to reach my challenge target of 250 in September. The bicycle tour next week on the GAP trail from Pittsburgh PA to Cumberland MD will add 150 miles. Yeah I’m sure I will get all the miles needed this month.
Today is 80F and sunny. Evidence of More tree work and trail clearing between Vail & Lambert. Trail closed Lambert to Foot Bridge park again. :( The portion in Knowlton twp between Vail Rd & Brugler still overgrown single track. This is a picture of the Brugler bridge.
A seriously slow & muddy 9.8 miles on the Paulinskill trail today starting from Foot Bridge Park in Blairstown and heading north. Almost made it to the Stillwater rd crossing, but turned back because there was a huge muddy section which I did not want to deal with. Which is saying something considering some of the mud I’d already ridden through! There was even a section with a stream crossing back & forth across it , which was fine ‘cause it was very shallow. There were substantial stretches of the trail that were lovely. Temp was 86F and fairly humid. Met some very nice dogs walking with their humans, but no other cyclists. The bike & I both needed a good wash when we got home!
