My understanding from other similar topics on this message board is that there are no good, direct options. They are all scary.
2018-03-04 15:25:03
8
Beaver to Pittsburgh routing
Hello, This Memorial Day my wife and I are riding from Cleveland to Pittsburgh. I am looking for a safe route between Beaver and downtown Pittsburgh. In 2014 I rode up 65 between Sewickley and East Rochester and found the last part between maybe Baden and East Rochester to be a bit hairy on high spped road with little to no shoulder. In 2015 I rode on 51 between Coraopolis and Monaca and found it no better.
Have any improvements been made to either of those routes since then? Does anyone have any alternative suggestions?
Google maps shows that you can get on the Ohio River Trail/Woodlawn Road about 3/4 mile south of Monaca. Is this possible and can that trail then be taken all the way down to South Heights?
Thanks in advance,
Nolan
2018-03-04 14:12:41
51 is the better option (it's the way we randonneurs go), but it's not safe, as you say.
You can enter the Ohio River Trail at Bridge St from 51. The trail extends up farther but the connection to 51 is fenced off. Unfortunately, this means you still have to ride on the worst part of 51 (no shoulder).
The trail rejoins 51 at South Heights. At that point, 51 is still bad, but not as terrifying as it is further north.
Sorry; we don't have a decent bikeable connection west from Pittsburgh. People are trying to extend the Ohio River Trail, but it's not done.
2018-03-04 19:34:33
Jonawebb, thanks. That's about what I figured. When I rode those routes before I was solo and it didn't bother me so much, but I'll have my wife with me this time and looking for the safest way.
I looked at coming east out of Rochester, into East Rochester, and joining 65 at St Clair. After about a mile or so coming off of 65 around Conway, followed by 1/2 mile more on 65 then getting off 65 at Baden. Then it looks like Duss to Beaver Street all the way to Sewickley before crossing at Sewickley bridge. Keeps me on 65 for under 2 miles. It doesn't seem to have much of a shoulder either.
Does that seem doable or wishful thinking on my part?
Either way, 51 or 65, I'll be coming down that way Sunday before Memorial Day and should be there mid- to late morning, coming from Canfield, OH. I may leave earlier if traffic will be lighter Sunday morning.
Thanks!
2018-03-04 22:05:40
I can't in any way speak to it, but this year's PMTCC 3-State Century 100-mile option is (thankfully) not taking 51 from Monaca to Ambridge this year. Instead, it's taking a hilly, more inland track, which may or may not be of use for your purposes.
Here's their published route.
2018-03-04 22:42:16
Sometimes @nolan some bikepghers will volunteer to ride with you through the bad stretch. Probably the more cyclists the better in terms of visibility and slowing down cars.
2018-03-05 07:59:09
@jonW, isn't there a Cleveland rando route that brings you through Cranberry? Maybe that's a better option.
2018-03-05 09:42:49
Hmm there's a Pittsburgh-Erie-Pittsburgh rando that starts and ends in Cranberry.
The only Cleveland rando I know of is my own, the Rusbelt Crown, which uses 51 and roads parallel to get you as safely to Neville Island as I could manage, while keeping the route to 200K. That uses 51, unfortunately.
2018-03-05 15:26:15