I love the new section of the GAP from Duquesne to McKeesport. Unfortunately, 837 lies between my home and Duquesne. The ride there isn't so bad, but the ride back means taking that portion of 837 where there's no shoulder, and the drivers are all doing 70pmh in the 40 zone, and are working for that "kill 10 bikers, get a free cheeseburger" bonus.
Riding back on Sunday, I realized that this return trip really harshed my buzz from a great ride. I was thinking that I might just break down and drive the bike to Duquesne, and bike the trail from there, but since I never drive there, I have no idea where I can park. The one time I rode around that RIDC development on Grant Street, it was full of "private property, no tresspassing" signs, which didn't seem encouraging.
So, is there anywhere in the area that I can park? I'd be looking to leave the vehicle there all day, or maybe even overnight.
Alternatively, anyone have any suggestions for a route between the East End and Duquesne that doesn't involve taking a bus or getting pancaked by an impatient driver?
You can park in the Port Authority's Park and Ride lot, on the west side of 837 in the block south of Grant. There are supposed to be signs up soon, telling cyclists to park there and not in RIDC lots, per a recent thread on the Three Rivers Heritage Trail Yahoo group.
This is partly based on directions from Erok, so if it works, thank me. If it doesn't, blame Erok.
From the end of the trail in Dusquesne, you can take Grant Ave up to 2nd Street, right on 2nd to the VFW. The stretch of 837 you skip by doing this isn't long, but it's some of the worst of 837.
From there I ride the sidewalks, shoulders where there are some, and sometimes the path on the river side of the road. Between K-wood and Homestead,s ometimes I wait on teh side for boluses of cars to pass, then "sprint" (my sprints being a similar speed to the randoneur's "slow steady pace.")
Alternative route:
If you have a mountain or other big-tired bike, about 200 yards up from the Rankin Bridge up there is a ridable ghost road down to the tracks and a rail-ballast road you can take to Duquesne. Not sure of the link up in Duquesne.
There is a pic of the "Whitaker Metal Products " sign at the head of the ghost road. It was mentioned in the "Only in Pgh" thread. It took me a long time to find. Was done by a regular poster here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ntfrnzn/3557713692/
Thanks Steven and Mick!
