By
flyhot
in
9/15/2011 2:33:05 PM
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On Sept 12,2011 my wife and I rode the ART from Emlenton. We wanted to ride up through the 2nd tunnel but my wife got a migraine and we had to turn around short of the 2nd tunnel. This is a really nice trail! During the 22 mile RT, we saw more deer than people. We didn't really have enough light for the tunnel. You really want a strong light to ride comfortably through. The trail is flat and paved for all the distance we traveled.
By
flyhot
in
9/12/2011 7:29:54 AM
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The wife and I rode the trail on Sept 11 2011. We started from the State Park and rode to the end of trail and beginning of "share the road". It was a gentle uphill ride to the road. Very isolated and quiet. We passed 4 walkers and 4 bicyclists total in the round trip. Also saw tons of chipmunks, 1 large owl and 2 deer. The surface is paved and in excellent condition. Round trip, we rode 22 miles and rate this trail very high.
By
flyhot
in
9/11/2011 6:29:10 PM
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My wife and I rode most of this trail Sept 9 2011. We parked just across the river from Franklin and rode 5 miles down to Sandy Creek. Yes, we did have to push the bikes up the stairs at the Belmar bridge but it was well worth it! I loved the Sandy Creek trail as soon as we started. Very isolated, no other traffic and no road crossings. It is slightly uphill heading away from the river but not a big deal. I enjoyed and my wife hated going through our first tunnel on bicycles. You ride high above Sandy Creek and cross on bridges often with great views. I found nothing negative to this trip. Round trip from Franklin was 21 miles.
By
flyhot
in
9/11/2011 6:21:48 PM
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My wife and I parked at the Old Mill parking area. Plenty of room and felt safe enough. The trail is mostly crushed stone with some old pavement. It seems very isolated and I liked that. As you should expect, it is uphill from Freeport. We managed to get to Sarver and discovered the construction work. The trail has been repaired but after a week of tropical storm Lee, it was very soft and since it was still raining, we turned around. The trip back was easy and fun. We did have to swerve around 1 nice black snake sunning itself.
Hopefully the next time we try this trail it will be sunny and dry.
By
flyhot
in
9/11/2011 6:15:05 PM
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My wife and I selected a rainy 70 degree day to explore the Armstrong Trail. We parked in Rosston and then rode north to MM 49. From the parking lot to the trail is 1/2 mile on a nice uncongested local road. We were pretty happy once we were able to get off the road and onto the paved trail. Passing through Ford City, the trail is just perfect! At the north end of Ford City and through Manorville, you are forced onto local roads. we chose Water St? along the river and did not pass a single car. At the power plant we regained the trail that is now crushed stone. Crushed stone is not that good when wet and no fenders. I did enjoy this part of the ride to Kittanning. Through Kittanning, the trail is either paved or on local roads. Again, no traffic issues on the roads. To the north of Kittanning, the trail becomes crushed stone and I immediately had a flat tire. We walked back to Paul's Auto Parts/ Bike shop ( 2 miles) and as my tube was replaced, my wife's tire went flat. Those are the first flats we ever had. Off again heading north. Enjoyed the ride till MM 49 where the trail surface got worse and it appeared the trail led through fishing camps. The trip back was uneventful till we got home and discovered flat # 3. Aside from the flats, I really liked the trip. I had been looking forward to it for a long time and was not really disappointed. Round trip, including the backtracking for flats, was 23 miles.