BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

I don't know anything about the West Virginia end of this suggestion, but it looks doable from the map. The Pennsylvania end I am familiar with and so that's what I mapped out here.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3327345

(Probably have to zoom out from the Shadyside end to see it).

From Wheeling take 88 up through Bethany to Independence and right on 844. Left on 50 to Avella and follow 50 all the way through Carnegie to Noblestown road, and into the West End. I've ridden nearly all all of this and have driven the rest. Key points:

Be sure to make the left onto Miller's Run around mile 25 1/2 just after Route 50 becomes a divided road.

Bearing left onto Presto-Sygan road (all open now) just after mile 28 to Thoms Run and then back to 50.

The short stretch on 50 from Thoms Run into Carnegie is a bit trafficky but 100% fine for a good road cyclist. It's not the speedway it is after it becomes divided. (It mighyt be hairy at rush hour perhaps).

Also, the intersection from the West End onto Carson street through the West End Circle construction is a pain. That stretch of Carson to Smithfield Street Bridge can be busy but it's as good as anything. Pick up the jail trail at the end of the bridge and follow through Junction Hollow etc.

There might be a better way coming up toward Washington but I'm less sure of the roads in PA down that way. 1st street (980) out of Canonsburg to Miller's run is fine though if someone came up that way.

A good friend of mine who grew up in in McDonald PA and knows that area well (He lurks here from time to time) added these suggestions to my route:

I rode a couple of times along route 40 from West Alexander to Claysville. Rute 40 is a nice biking road, big shoulder and good surface (at least the part that I was on). It's one of the state designated routes. You could get to West Alexander via route 40 from Wheeling, which, if you wanted one could take 40 into WashPA and then 18 to Hickory where you'd catch route 50. I've also ridden SR 3003 from West Alexander to Brush Run Rd. (really pretty). Then I drove from there in my car on 231 to Avella and came home on route 50. I think 231 is doable on a bike as well.

I had jumped on Bikely, and found a route from Wheeling to the PA state line that recommended Route 40 as well.

i'll forward these to the rider in Wheeling (I also recommended that he check this board for general information.)

If you have other ideas, comments on these suggestions, please keep them coming.

Thanks!