Day 16: Pittsburgh, PA

Date:                     July 24, 2019  
Distance:               41 miles  
Average Speed:     9.3 mph
Maximum Speed:   42.5 mph  
Feet Climbed:       573 feet
Day Trip:               West Newton to Pittsburgh

Today was our last day riding the GAP.  We had about 35 miles to ride into Pittsburgh from West Newton.  The weather forecast was set to be another beautiful day with temperatures in the 70s, and for the most part with a slow descent.  Riding the rail-trails C&O and GAP was such a great experience.  There is an entire industry built around trail riding - B&Bs, shuttles, restaurants, bike shops, etc.  Over the past 2 decades, the small towns and cities along the trail have come alive and are now thriving economically.  We met so many people - B&B owners, restaurant owners, shuttle owners who all say the same thing.  If it wasn't for the trails, C&O and the GAP, there just wouldn't be enough demand to sustain their business.  Over 1,000,000 people visit the trails annually - where cyclists can ride safely off-road from Washington DC to Pittsburgh.  The total mileage is 184.5 (C&O) and 150 miles (GAP).

On the trail today, we encountered a red waterfall (iron-rich), white waterfall (calcium-rich) and many bridges as we traveled northwest toward Pittsburgh. Including today, we are spending 3 days in the city. Michelle and Brian arrive tomorrow morning.  We are excited for their arrival!   We plan to spend a couple days exploring Pittsburgh before we start our two day drive back to RI, with an overnight planned in Allentown.

Breakfast was served this morning at the Bright Morning B&B between 7:30a and 8:30a.  We made it downstairs by 8:00a.  Mary Lou the owner and in keeper made a us wonderful breakfast. 

 Eggs, homemade sausage patty and biscuit, and fresh fruit.

Cooked to perfection

 Oh, and the coffee was very good too!

More where that came from

The Bright Morning B&B is the only lodging option in West Newton.  It offers 14 rooms that are spread between 4 houses.  Rob and Mary Lou started 18 years ago with 1 house and two rooms.  Their business steadily expanded over the years as the GAP became more and more popular over time.

Out front of the B&B

 We were on the trail by 10:30a.

A little guy

Red waterfall

White waterfall

Our first stop was in the town of Boston.  It was at the 14 mile mark.  This is where I ordered a sandwich.  I've been very careful since the incident (yeah, you know - the incident on riding day 3) to carry enough food during the ride. 

A relaxing porch sit as we waiting for my sandwich to arrive

Relaxing is great, but it took forever to get my sandwich.  I eventually lost patience.  Usually it is Steve, but this time it was me.  I went looking for my sandwich inside after waiting almost 30 minutes.  Steve didn't seem to mind, but I did.

Chicken, spinach, red onion and cheese

Finally, and look at it; I didn't know it would come as an open faced sandwich.  I decided to eat 1/2 and take the other 1/2 with me.  It was messy and hard to pack, but it was truly delicious!

First bridge encounter

Second bright encounter

Banana break

View from one of the bridges

Pittsburgh skyline in background

As we got closer to Pittsburgh, the surroundings about the trail went from rural to urban.  At about the 10 miles from Pittsburgh, we stopped off at a town called Homestead.  It was a 'Garden City' like rest stop.  It is here I ate the second 1/2 of my sandwich while Steve enjoyed his large iced-coffee.

Coffee break

Getting ready for the final 10

As we rode into Pittsburgh, it became difficult to navigate to the end of the GAP.  Mainly because there were few signs, and the ones that did exist, well frankly, we missed them.  After riding in the wrong direction and some unnecessary loops, we found our way to the terminus.  It was well worth the extra few miles!

A race to the finish line

As you can see, the last mile parallels the river.   Almost there!

It is here that signifies the end of the GAP

Yes - we made it!

I asked Steve to take of picture of the Heinz's stadium below, the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  We rode by the Pittsburgh Pirates stadium too, but missed taking a picture.

Stadium across the river

The Doubletree Hotel was literally 1.2 miles from the GAP terminus.  We checked in and took a short rest, then showered and set out to have dinner.  We decided on Mexican food.

Our version of a selfie

Only a 7 minute walk

We ordered chips and guacamole, and then tacos.  I ordered a Margarita of course; Steve a fresh brewed iced-tea.

Best tacos in town

Steve loved his too!

We plan to pick up Michelle and Brian at the airport around 10:30a.  We pick up our rental SUV at around 10:00a, then head to the Pittsburgh airport.

Can wait to finally see our friends!