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Commuting to Monongahela, PA

Has anyone done this on the regular basis? Google estimates 3.5 - 4 hours from PGH depending on the route, so I am guessing I could comfortably do it in 2.5 and potentially eventually in 2 hours. As for the route - there is the GAP (longer time- and distance wise but flatter), Rt 51 (suicidal in my opinion) and Brownsville Rd (not too familiar with it but anything has to be better than 51). The good thing is - I would be commuting against the traffic. I was planning to investigate the routes once the days get longer but would appreciate any pointers. Another way to go about it that I considered was bike - T - bike which added up to about the same time. Thanks
rainbow-dog
2015-12-28 16:40:28
I'm fond of GAP to McKeesport->148/Lyle Blvd across the Yough river->stay on this road (Monongahela Ave, Lincoln Blvd, Bunola River Rd, and probably half-a-dozen other names) through Elizabeth (where you'll find the only climb on the route) to a right on 136 to cross the river to Monongahela. 32-ish miles, one minor hill, and traffic concerns primarily only in McKeesport and Monongahela.
reddan
2015-12-28 17:25:32
Also, if you'd like to trade shorter distance for more climbing and traffic, I've used this route in the past. GAP to Baldwin Rd->Streets Run Rd->Brownsville ->McChaim/Patterson->88->New Eagle/Monongahela. 25 miles, but more traffickey, and more climbing than the 32-miler I described previously.
reddan
2015-12-28 18:39:39
Thank you reddan, I will try both. My main concern is not the distance or hills but time - considering I have to begin work at 7:30, plus time to shower - I'd have to leave the house by 4:30 - 5 am. I might try parking somewhere half way and biking from there initially and take it from there.
rainbow-dog
2015-12-28 18:55:08
You can use T BLue Line Library to by pass almost all hills and good chunk of roads. Library, stay on Brownsville towards South Park around 1/2-3/4 of a mile, turn left on Stewart and enter Montour Trail for another 1/2-3/4 of a mile, exit Trail At Brownsville Rd Ext just past CoGo's (and avoiding hill) and continue with Dan's route for 10 miles. Or instead of entering Montour trail make a right on Seabolt -- this is a resedential road I use for biking with some climb. You will end up again on Brownsville Rd Ext. a little bit closer to the end point.
mikhail
2015-12-29 12:59:52
Nice, thank you.
rainbow-dog
2015-12-29 15:33:27
If you are willing to consider a pedal and transit combination, I'd suggest you check out the park and ride map on the Port Authority website (http://www.portauthority.org/paac/RiderServices/ParkandRideLots.aspx) The locations that appear in red (fill up early) have the best transit service, and likely more in the way of express service. Looking at the extreme edges (Library, Large, Elizabeth, McKeesport) it looks like you'd have to catch a bus shortly after 6 to make your 7:30 start in the City. You can bring your bike with you from any of these locations. I assume you have safe parking options in town?
swalfoort
2015-12-30 14:08:15
Thanks Swalfoort. I am definitely considering that combination. I work in Monongahela though and live in Pittsburgh, so it would be biking downtown from the Northside, catching a bus to Elizabeth or Library (or the T like Mikhail suggested) and biking the rest of the way. I think I can do that if I leave by 5 - 5:30. I love my new job, I don't want to move and I am would like to go back to commuting by bike. Decisions, decisions... The other way to go about it would be to drive to one of the Park and Ride lots with my bike and then bike from there.
rainbow-dog
2015-12-30 15:18:37
If you are on the Northside, you can catch the T in 1-of-2 spots (Allegheny and North Side stations) and as Mikhail said, ride it all the way out to Library. From there, as has been stated, you have trail and road options, and, you will have bypassed all of the congested areas encountered when passing from the city to the South Hills. There is also a Washington County charter bus that I see traveling Route 88 on a regular basis. However, I have no experience with that option. A suggested route from the T is below - http://ridewithgps.com/routes/11669183
fultonco
2016-01-02 11:07:53
@fultonco -- Ride to the T, T, and another 20 miles would be too much for 2.5 hour. I think T itself would be close to 50 minutes. So it would require around 17 mph average.
mikhail
2016-01-03 02:54:44
@Mikhail - True. That is going to be one long commute, no matter the mode. Getting there by 7:30 am will be tough by any of the methods recommended above, unless driving via the automobile becomes a big part of the commute. I don't believe the T starts running 'til 5 am, most days. One other option, if driving is going to be part of the commute, is to park under the bridge in Elizabeth and ride from there. I have done that many times in the past to ride all or part of the Mon Valley Century Route, the first part of which includes the Bunola River Road.
fultonco
2016-01-03 07:23:55
Thanks for the input guys. I think I will start by driving to either Elizabeth or Library, parking there, and biking the rest of the way to work. Once I know my way around and the time it would take me to reach Monongahela from either of those locations, I will try to incorporate T and bus rides, depending on their respective early morning schedules.
rainbow-dog
2016-01-04 09:09:46
Not sure about the parts in-between, but if you drove say on 51 to West Elizabeth (on the same side of the river as Monongahela) you could then take 837 to Monongahela for about an under ten mile ride. I've only done it once, but recall it being pleasant, especially compared to other parts of 837 that really suck
sgtjonson
2016-01-04 11:58:23
That section of 837 is lovely - I take it every day driving to work. It's one of those relatively high speed (the speed limit is 45) but low traffic roads with a decent shoulder and good visibility in both directions.
rainbow-dog
2016-01-04 13:52:57