BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

Hmm. That's kind of compelling.

Go on... I don't do so well with really hot temps, but I could be into this. It would be a favorable direction. Damn you, Eric!

Hmmm. I may not have time in July (riding for a few days in AZ the week of the 4th), but I'm definitely interested regardless.

420 miles? Do you have a direction in mind? Group start in Times Square with a scattered finish in Pgh, or group start in Pgh with staggering finish in Times Square?

Depending on route, yes 420 miles. West to East, (thus Escape TO New York)

I won't know until the last minute (I never do)... but I'm definitely interested. I was already considering taking a few days to play around north of i-80 and maybe try route Y out.

Wrong thread.

Ok, so here is my first very quick attempt at a route. Needs lots of work (in Pgh area too no doubt, as I am not too familiar): http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4620525 despite not using many rail trails and the like, it's really not that bad in terms of climbing. The key is finding a reasonably safe and pleasurable route that doesn't force you up and down every single possible hill (which is often the case when avoiding main roads in lumpy environs...)

Will the eventual bike share system in Pgh be the same provider as Citi Bike in NYC? Because this would be legendary to do on a bike-share bike. Would be a cool publicity stunt for the opening of the Pgh bike share, ride one from NYC to Pgh. "Bike share comes to Pgh!" Someone should do this. Someone would need to make sure a rack slot was left open in Pgh. That would be inconvenient.

@tomh, I an personally vouch for the entire route from Blairsville to State College as written. The only change I'd make is to ride down past the Horseshoe Curve instead of riding down Sugar Run into Altoona... both routes pass a Sheetz, take the same amount of time, but only one passes a PA landmark. Of course, H.S.Curve would be a bigger climb heading westbound. If I was heading westbound, I'd rather climb up old 22 out of Altoona and just ride that all the way to Ebensburg to the G.T.T. I don't personally like Sugar Run because of fast cars and blind turns but I have seen cyclists use it on occasion. H.S. Curve is the scenic way to go. :) http://localhost/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/pan_altoona.jpg I also like that this route passes by the former Charles M. Schwab Estate (now a Franciscan Friary). http://localhost/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_0154.JPG Something alongs the line of this https://www.google.com/maps/dir/40.4883165,-78.5648256/40.482484,-78.5441398/40.5014135,-78.5403632/40.4870824,-78.420563/40.4943934,-78.4173013/40.490118,-78.413439/40.5185069,-78.3905222/40.5143309,-78.3825828/40.5204317,-78.3770897/40.5155218,-78.3642794/@40.5169817,-78.3744289,16z/data=!4m12!4m11!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!1m0!3e0

Thanks for that suggestion, drewbacca. I concur. Change made.

looks like getting into NYC by bike is no small feat. http://www.bikeforums.net/touring/634893-new-jersey-bike-routes.html The GW Bridge being the best (only?) way to avoid ferries and trains.

Looks good, I didn't suggest 37th street and Burgoon because there is a Sheetz at 3315 Beale Ave. On reflection, there is also another Sheetz at 7th and 17th which is only a block off of the route, so it works. I usually ride down Burgoon, anyways, as it takes you right past the Knickerbocker, the best (imho) bar/restaurant in Altoona. Definitely want to eat/stock up before leaving Altoona as the section between Altoona and State College is a bit dry. Family Pizza and Sub is another good stop on the far end of Altoona where Kettle Rd crosses 220.

Yes, a fluid replenishment stop at the Knick would be a good idea. Also, I got some good advice from an experienced N. Jersey / SE NY routemeister, that if I want to live, I should approach the GW bridge from the north, along NY 9W, and to get onto 9W no further south than Orangeburg. This up and over and around approach should be survivable, I have been told. A manageable way (in a ultraracing / randonneuring context) to do this thing is to have two overnights. One long 212 mile day to Lewisburg PA. one somewhat shorter (182 mile) day to the general vicinity of Ramapo NY. early morning wake up and ride into the city (42 miles). if you start in Pgh at dawn (or before) on a friday, then you are riding into the city on Sunday morning. gotta be the most tranquil time of the week. __________________

Entering NYC is definitely the tricky part, thanks for researching it. If I do this trip, I think I'm going to spend a couple of nights camping at Ricketts Glen (on the way back... it might be a good time to ride up to the PA Grand Canyon too... oh, the joys of being unemployed with a bike and nowhere I have to be).

Logistically, isn't an "escape FROM New York" somewhat simpler - just in terms of the difficulty of NYC? so instead of individuals arriving in NY at different times and facing housing / navigation / NYPD issues seperately -- if the ride went westbound you could share transpo into NYC, have a group photo in Times Square, avoid the expense of NYC lodging, and even have a neutral ride to the GWB if desired? Just wondering (as a New York expat, fwiw).

Headwinds

Been getting some good feedback on the route from various NJ area randos. The route is improving, although getting longer and hillier. Since this is a free route concept, I have nobody to please but me. I design routes for maximum scenery and safety. This usually does not minimize the riding effort, however.

Riding back from NYC would be less hassle. But I don't care for easy And I have selfish reasons to go this direction. Nothing is stopping anyone from running a similar ride in the opposite direction.

George Washington Bridge is closed to bikes midnight to 6am adds an interesting aspect to scheduling : http://www.panynj.gov/bridges-tunnels/gwb-pedestian-bicycle-info.html