Pittsburgh to Washington, DC

[jon]

Howdy folks,

Kathleen and I are planning to do this thing. The dates as things look right now involve a roll-out early in the morning on Saturday, May 10. I'm going to post what I know so far, and we can have a discussion to work out the remaining details.

We plan to leave early in the morning on Saturday, May 10, and complete the ride in 4 days. I mean early in the morning. If cars are involved, their engines must be stopped before sunrise.

We also plan to leave a buffer day because unanticipated setbacks can and will happen. The Allegheny Trail Alliance contains most of the necessary logistical information regarding what trails to take. http://www.atatrail.org/

The main challenges will be:

• Getting from our respective houses to the real start of the trail in McKeesport.
• Figuring out where to camp / stay each night.
• Getting from the end of the trail in VA to Kathleen’s parents’ place.
• Getting from Kathleen’s parents’ place back to Pittsburgh.

[jon]

'Sup!

It occurred to me that no where did I say, "you guys and gals are invited to come too." You guys and gals are invited to come too!!! That being said, the trip is approximately 317 miles of gravel rail trail, plus some number of paved miles at both ends and around stopping points. We'll probably target 60~75 miles per day depending on whether we're going up towards Cumberland, or down towards DC. A great simplification is that red is uphill, and blue is downhill:


I expect day 2 to be the slowest, when we all wake up feeling day 1 and facing the most climbing of the trip. While the pace should be quite casual, we'll probably spend the better part of the daylight hours sitting on a bike. I consider the main risks of this trip to be:

• "Spring" knee (and Achilles tendon)
• Saddle sores
• Sunburn

"Spring" symptoms are tendon problems associated with long hours of repetitive movements (i.e., pedaling) without proper training (i.e., in the spring, right after winter). If you ride twice a week, you're probably okay. What you don't want to do is make this your first real riding of the year.

[jon]

Hi again,

I rode my bike from Pittsburgh to Philly back in 2005. The entire first day from that trip is identical to what we will do to get to DC. Here are some disorganized notes from that trip:
http://jonmccune.wordpress.com/2005/06/29/pittsburgh-to-philly/.

That page also points to these pictures: http://mccune.ece.cmu.edu/gallery2/v/biking/pittsburgh2philly2005/ Reading the summary and picture captions probably conveys the most information about the trip.

[Phaedrus]

As fate would have it, I have a business trip falling into the the week of the 12th. That means I won't be able to make the full ride, but I should be able to do the first 2-3 days. I'm fairly confident that I can get someone to retrieve me from where ever that puts me. Depending how things time out, it could serve as a good "emergency" supply drop too.

[raff]

Word up everyone,

So I am in the same situation that Jim is in, as I need to be in Atlanta on Monday, May 12. So, if Jim gets picked up in Breezewood or somewhere around there on Sunday (or even Monday, before a certain time) then I can join along for the weekend. As I told Jon over e-mail, I can supply a car going with the following scenario in mind:

1. I drive down to Leesburg, and hop on a bus/train with my bike to Pittsburgh.
2. We ride.
3. Sunday/Monday - Jim and I get picked up, go to Pittsburgh. I fly to Atlanta.
4. Jon and Kathleen and whoever else finish the ride, and eventually get back to Pittsburgh in my car.
5. I fly back to Pittsburgh (specifically on Thursday, May 15), pick up my car, and head back home. If y'all aren't there by then, that's cool, but I need to be in State College by May 17.

Anyway - 'tis all. I know this is probably still in early stages but I have to book my flight somewhere in the near future.

[paul]

[raff]

Hey all,

So after thinking things out - I really won't have time to fit it in, even for just the weekend. However, I would still like to leave open the offer of leaving my car with the Dingi (Dinguses?) for y'all to get back home. I rarely use my car over here, my dad lives in the area so I can go see him, plus Audria and I will need to go to Pittsburgh sometime around then, so we can fly over and drive back.

[HuckebeinTheRaven]

Hey This is Logan from the ride at Frick 4/26/08... i was suposed to do this ride through our school in april but couldent get the time but if this ride is sill up i would love to join yall, i just need to know what to bring never rode longer than 6 hrs ect. any who i had an awsome ride and hope to join ya soon

[Phaedrus]

Jon,

What's your vision on camping/accommodations for the first two nights? I need to get my butt in gear and think about what all to take along. I also need to make an estimate of where we will be when, so I can try and find a kind soul to pick me up since I'll probably need to bail out earlier (to make it to Minneapolis).

Also, do you plan to go rain or shine? One year a few friends and I were planning a similar trip this time of year and wound up canceling when the majority of the east coast showed up "green" on the weather channel. lol

[HuckebeinTheRaven]

i say screw rain but eh turns out i cant go now graduation interviews at school that week lol third time this trip has been canceld on me this year i get down there some other time ok ttyl

[Phaedrus]

Hey Logan!

Sorry to hear that man... but graduation has to be right up there too. But don't worry, with Jon around, I have a feeling this kind of ride will pop up again!