BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

Anyone travel this route to Donegal or Somerset?

I have thought of taking the trail to West Newton, then on Rte. 31 to Somerset.

PA Bike Route S goes through Somerset. Between WEst Newton and Rockwood, it's on the Great Allegheny Passage.

ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/bikes/state_mapS.pdf

From Rockwood, Rt S goes on a road called "water level Rd". I've never been on it, but I LIKE the name.

sweet fancy moses! you're taking my 65 mile afternoon trip and doubling the miles.

I know there's a decent shoulder on 31 from the bottom of the hill at 982 to Donegal, then from jones mill to somerset. However, there are a few narrow spots in between. I was hoping another crazy person was out there who may have taken this route.

From Rockwood, Rt S goes on a road called "water level Rd". I've never been on it, but I LIKE the name.

Water Level Rd isn't. Trust me on this.

This may or may not be helpful, but the cue sheets look interesting, at least.

The Southern Alleghenies have been promoting cycling in recent years, and prepared an interesting website.

Check it out. This is the Somerset area, although you'll see that they use approaches that are south of 31.

http://www.thealleghenies.com/bike_onroad.aspx?d=4

BTW, Who's Oscar Swann ?

Oscar wrote a book "400 bike rides in and around Pittsburgh" (or something similar) and has been very involved with biking around Pittsburgh for some decades.

His book is geared towards Sunday rides, but with 400+ rides - a lot of them in the 60-110 mile range - he covers a lot of useful territory.

Mick

Oscar's book

Worth every penny.

I have ridden Route 31 all the way to Somerset (and beyond!) It's very pleasant.