About The Tour: https://bit.ly/42J6ZEK
If you have never done the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP), said to be the "The Best Bike Tour" on the east coast, and you would like to enjoy 5 "Fantastic" days of touring from Pittsburgh, PA to Cumberland, MD. A "Great Opportunity" Awaits You! (OHBTC member guest(s) are allowed). See Notes #1, 2, & 3.
Travel Day: August 23rd, we will meet in Hancock Maryland, https://townofhancock.org/ and ride the Western Maryland Rail Trail https://rebrand.ly/dlsohqu and have lunch in Hancock before continuing to Cumberland. See Note #4. Meetup time & place, to be determined.
Tour Day 1: August 24th, meetup with shuttle service who will ferry us to Point State Park in Pittsburgh where the tour starts and ride to West Newton.
Tour Day 2: August 25th, ride from West Newton To Ohiopyle.
Tour Day 3: August 26th, ride from Ohiopyle to Meyersdale.
Tour Day 4: August 27th, the final day of touring, we will ride from Meyersdale to Cumberland.
The GAP follows former right-of-way of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad, Union Railroad, and Western Maryland Railway.
The first section of the GAP—9 mi (14 km) near Ohiopyle—opened in 1986.[3] The 9-mile (14 km) section between Woodcock Hollow and Cumberland opened on December 13, 2006.[4] The GAP was completed in 2013 when the section between West Homestead and Point State Park in Pittsburgh opened.[5] The completion project was named The Point Made, reflecting the fact that it was now possible to reach Point State Park from Washington, D.C. Celebrations took place on June 15, 2013. With its opening, Pennsylvania became the state with the most rail trails—900 mi (1,400 km), with 1,100 mi (1,800 km) more under development.[6]
The overall construction cost for the GAP was $80 million.[7]
The Allegheny Trail Alliance (ATA) was founded in 1995 as an umbrella organization for the GAP's seven trail organizations, which include Friends of the Riverfront, Steel Valley Trail, Regional Trail Corporation, Ohiopyle State Park, and Mountain Maryland Trails. Each organization maintains a particular section of the GAP. The ATA was later renamed The Great Allegheny Passage Conservancy.
The original name for the GAP was Cumberland and Pittsburgh Trail. Great Allegheny Passage was selected in 2001 by the ATA after six years and more than 100 proposals as a name evocative of the geography and historical heritage of the trail. It was suggested by Bill Metzger, editor of the ATA newsletter. The runner-up was Allegheny Frontier Trail.[6]
Ride Leaders: Sherwood Byers, Sr. & Steve Palincsar
Ride Sweep: Ron Altemus
Email: sherwoodbyers@yahoo.com
RWGPS Route(s):
Lodging Suggestions: Below, See Note #5
Day 1: Sunday, Aug. 24th, West Newtown, PA, (1.) Bright Mornings B&B, https://bit.ly/4hnHXiS, (724) 872-0792, (2.) Adele's B&B, Smithton, PA, https://bit.ly/3EQiGiX, (724) 872-6279, See Note #7
Day 2: Monday Aug. 25th, Ohiopyle Inn & Suites, Ohiopyle, PA, https://youghplazamotel.com/, Sherman Street, Ohiopyle State Park, Ohiopyle, PA 15470, 724 329 8850
Day 3: Tuesday, Aug. 26th, Meyersdale, PA, (1.) Yoder's B&B, https://bit.ly/4hIJorY, (814) 634-8791, Contact, Denise. (2.) Inn On Main, https://www.innonmainpa.com/, (814) 634-7947
Shuttle & Luggage: Has been secured. See Note #6
Directions to Ride Start: https://bit.ly/3WTn4Ul
NOTES:
(1.) Guests are allowed along with an OHBTC member and must be within the club rules/by-laws allowing just one ride. Trial memberships are available. https://ohbike1.wildapricot.org/Select-Membership-Level
(2.) Monitor this posting regularly for "UPDATES".
(3.) Ride open to members and member guest only. All riders must agree to the Release and Waiver of Liability. Advance registration is required.
(4.) If you are participating in the Travel Day Ride & Lunch, you will need to secure lodging in Cumberland. If you plan to go to Cumberland early Sunday morning you must be there in time to board the shuttle. It is planned to be loaded and on our way to Pittsburgh by 8:30 AM and arrive at Point State Park in Pittsburgh so that the tour can begin no later than noon heading to our destination in West Newton. Travel Day (Hancock & Cumberland): Saturday, Aug. 23rd, Cumberland, Ramada Inn, https://bit.ly/411BR0q, Fairfield Inn & Suites, https://bit.ly/3QfGOOv.
(5.) These places of lodging are only suggestions, you the participant have the final say as to where you stay. Book your places of stay ASAP. Thy are filling up fast.
(6.) Shuttle service from Cumberland to Pittsburgh has been arranged and is approximately $70.00 per person. You pay the driver directly, they will accept Cash, Credit Card, or Venmo. Luggage ferrying has been arranged and will cost approximately $40.00 per person. If you choose this service, Please contact Linda Bankerd directly by email, lbankerd@verizon.net. These costs will change depending on the number of people accepting the services.
(7.) Bright Mornings in West Newton is my preference of place to stay on day1. If by chance you cannot get a room, because no rooms are available, another option is Adele's B&B in Smithton, approximately 6 miles further about 1/4 mile off the trail, 138 First Street.
