By
gwalz
in
9/18/2003 12:00:00 AM
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"This is one great trail -- complete with hills, tunnels and bridges. For the most part it's extremely well maintained limestone (the section between Quicksilver and McDonald needs some attention because of the extremely bad rains we've been having, but they're working on it).
You're crossing between at least three ""watersheds"" so there are some nice grades on it. Yes, there's some work involved going up but the downhill portions are well worth it!
Did I mention trestles? The Montour Trail just opened a 600-foot long and 70-foot high trestle near McDonald that links the Coraopolis section to a new 5-mile or so section that runs all the way to Venice -- and then (with the future addition of a bridge across PA 50) via Cecil Township and a tunnel to Chartiers Creek near Canonsburg. (You can go from the new Venice section to the Cecil one with a short ride on PA Route 50, but BE CAREFUL -- it's a busy road.)
The McDonald Trestle is simply fantastic. It has the best deck (concrete) and workmanship I've ever seen on a large trail bridge.
You can do half-century and metric century rides entirely on this trail. And if there are any problems you're always close to a community -- it's a big half-circle around the western Allegheny and Washington County communities. Two short ride-able tunnels (although they frown on riding) add to the fun. Bring a light for the National Tunnel near Cecil, but the Enlow Tunnel near Imperial actually has lights!
Highly Recommended!
Cheers!"
By
gwalz
in
9/15/2003 12:00:00 AM
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"This trail has more faces than Jeckyl and Hyde. In Freeport it starts out as rough-rolled railroad ballast (street bikes beware!), then becomes a rough asphalt access road for a water treatment plant for about a mile and a half, starting when it crosses under Rte 28's massive bridge. Then its single-track packed dirt for a couple of miles, then improved limestone for more miles. Then untrimmed single track through the weeds.
The trail presently ends at a township line at a ""Berlin Wall"" barrier erected by a golf course to prevent trail riders from crossing on the trail's right-of-way, which runs right smack through the middle of the golf course. They've also appropriated about 1/2 mile of trail for the use of their carts.
Total length: About 14 miles one-way from Freeport.
Beware - washouts abound this season. Wait until it's been dry for a couple of days before riding the length of the trail. Back in June one 30-foot washout area was so bad that it was impossible not to get ankle-deep in mud if you walked through it (and you didn't want to ride through it because of the gullies).
But all in all it's a pretty good trail when it's not too wet. It will be better when it extends into Butler, but golf courses are worse to deal with than irate trail neighbors (who usually will listen to reason).
Cheers!"
By
gwalz
in
9/15/2003 12:00:00 AM
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"Back in my college days (1969) a group of my friends and I took the B&O's Capital Limited (pre-Amtrak), with our bikes checked in the baggage car (no boxes!), from Pittsburgh to Cumberland. There we experienced for the first time ever the joys of riding on an exclusive trail. We did a round trip between Cumberland and Oldtown, including a trip over the toll bridge into West Virginia. And we had more than enough time to catch the evening train back to Pittsburgh.
Those days are gone, and new cycling trails abound (thanks to Rails to Trails, among others!), but the C&O Canal is still unique and incredible. I've never ridden all of it, but I've done most of it in sections, and despite the washouts and detours in places, and the ever-present roots and mosquitos, it still is the granddaddy of all trails - and one of the best!
I-68 makes it convenient for me in Pittsburgh as I can be in Cumberland in about 2 1/2 hours. I often ride the Oldtown-Cumberland segment (recommended) as well as the sections east and west out of Hancock. Little Orleans is another area that is a good place to start. You can stay at the Town Hill B&B (if you're not into camping), right on the top of the hill (with a great view) and only a few miles from the Little Orleans trail access point.
Don't miss it. It's like the Grand Canyon or the Statue of Liberty. A legend.
Cheers!"
By
gwalz
in
9/15/2003 12:00:00 AM
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"This trail is a real find! It starts off in Morgantown with a very urban/college town feel, then becomes wild and isolated. And beautiful. The 2% climb isn't as bad as it sounds; the surface is one of the best I've seen. You're on a shelf on the mountain following Decker's Creek in all of its whitewater/waterfall glory. When you reach Masontown it levels out, and you'd think you were in Ohio - the farmland at the top is flat and beautiful.
And the 2%? Wait til you head back! Sometimes you don't need wings to fly.
Don't miss it!"