Day 12: Meyersdale, PA

Date:                      July 20, 2019
 

Distance:                32 miles

Average Speed:      9 mph

Maximum Speed:    26 mph

Feet Climbed:        1881 ft

Day Trip:                Cumberland to Meyersdale

We woke early to ensure a timely departure this morning.  The forecast was hot and humid reaching well into to the 90s in Cumberland.  We were headed West to Meyersdale, which is a town at the highest elevation for this tour (~2000ft). With that, we saw a drop in temperature by about 8 degrees given the elevation difference. This along with an early start put Steve is a more favorable situation with his riding today.  The only looming challenge was the unexpected, steady climb of 24 miles that lies ahead. Steve left Cumberland at about 8:30a right after I left by shuttle.  It was about 85 degrees when Steve set out to Meyersdale.

I left on the shuttle and arrived in Meyersdale at 9:00a. It was 77 degrees when I arrived.  The temperature would climb later in the day to about 85 at its peak around 3:00p. I was feeling pretty good and the weather was cooler (in relative terms), so when Steve called me at the 19 mile mark, I waited a bit, then set out to meet him on the trail. I met Steve on the trail after riding just 5 miles, so it was a 10 mile round trip for me.  Steve rode a total of 32 miles.

Steve and I rolled off the trail at about 12:30p; it was 82 degrees. I had already checked into the B&B, which is literally 200 ft from the trail head. Also, 200 ft from the trail head are working train tracks.  It seems every 30 minutes a train passes through.  We are hoping tonight it's a 'My Cousin Vinny' deja vu moment all over again.  Time will tell!

Breakfast at the Marriott

Staying goodbye to Steve

I am in the van taking this shot of Steve.  If didn't feel good leaving Steve behind this morning.  This is the first time we didn't leave together and ride together. 

 

Steve polishing off his chocolate milk before he leaves Cumberland and watching me depart.

One last look at Cumberland. 

The next few pictures are shots Steve took along his ride to Meyersdale.

Steve rode on the wrong side of the tracks :)

You can't really see it, but Steve pedaled up a steady incline for 24 miles

GAP surface - hard packed limestone

At the 16 mile mark

There were two noteworthy landmarks that Steve photographed today.  The crossing over the Mason-Dixon line and the passing through the Big Savage Tunnel. This picture below is a random tunnel, not the Big Savage Tunnel.

Random Tunnel

History M-D Line

PA and MD boundary line

Mason-Dixon Letter Stones

PA and MD separation stone

A close up

Reverse side

The elevation is high as you can see in the next picture.

Steve takes a break

Unlike the Paw Paw tunnel, the Big Savage Tunnel you can ride your bike through ~3,295 ft.

Man in red - not sure

Tunnel barn doors wide open

Same surface as the GAP

FYI:  Apparently there are no Bats in any of these tunnels.  We were told by Ed the guy we met at Dan's place in Paw Paw.

Random trail shot

Random cross road on trail

This is where I met Steve on the trail

We encountered this long bridge on the GAP as we headed toward Meyersdale.

I'm feeling good!

This is the first sign you see as you leave the GAP going into Meyersdale.  

We visited an old historic train station museum and souvenir shop.

Meyersdale Train Station Museum

Train Model

A sampling of the town ahead ...  about 2000 population.

We walked to the town to grab lunch

We went to a pizza place.  Really not much to choose from.

We both ordered salads and a turkey hero.  The hero was so big that we had 1/2 for lunch and the other half for dinner.

It was such a beautiful night - temperature high 70s.  We relaxed a bit before we set out to get dessert!

Well, I indulged in a swirl of coffee and cream and black raspberry, but Steve opted to taste mine instead of getting his own.  I'm still on an electrolyte diet after all!

 

The only kremery in town

Yum Yum

Coffee and Black Raspberry Swirl

This is the porch of the B&B and the next two shots after are random shots of the B&B.  We are the only ones here tonight.  No in-keepers or other guests.  We gained access into the B&B with a pass code (number access code).   This is an unmanned B&B.  We are on our own tonight!

Enjoying the beautiful night !

A few random shots of the B&B ...

Common living space

Common kitchen

Laundry night

Meyersdale Landmark

We are headed to Confluence tomorrow.  The plan is to leave Meyersdale by 8:00a (breakfast at Donges at 7:00a) and arrive in Confluence by 12:00p.  We have already scouted Donges to make sure it will be open at 7:00a. It is a 30 mile ride tomorrow all downhill.  The final segments of the GAP are basically a slow descent from this point all the way to Pittsburgh.  The weather forecast for tomorrow is cooler in the morning (76 degrees - 8:00a); if all goes to plan we will arrive in Confluence with a temp of about 85.   We will be descending about 1100 ft tomorrow.  Wooo Hoooo!

After tomorrow, the weather will be much cooler - forecast in the 70s through the weekend. It should be some easy riding the next few days.  Short segments, downhill and a lot cooler!