October 6, 2021
West Newton to Pittsburgh
Day 8
The final push. I plan to ride into Pittsburgh with Jon and Lisa.
| Heart | 0 | Comment | 0 | Link |
Her tire goes flat and Jon replaces the tube in record time. A mile or two down the road it goes flat again. As they head back to the bike shop in West Newton, I go solo toward the ‘burgh. The ride quickly becomes a lot less rural after passing Boston PA. The trail becomes paved and less obvious. The surroundings get more industrial and urban. The other bikers are less quick with a hearty good morning. I get a little turned around in McKeesport. Don’t go over the bridge under construction.
I download someone's RideWithGPS route and get back on track by following it. The signage could use improvement through McKeesport in the northern direction.
I have a good lunch in some diner-style chain called Eat N Play right on the trail. In Pittsburgh, I pedal up what someone has spray painted “Last Hill” on the asphalt. This leads to the Hot Metal Bridge.
When I stop to take a photo, a bicyclist asks me about my travels.
I ride with Dan and he shows me the new ramp down to the waterfront that avoids the streets. A few minutes later I am at the Point and my destination has been reached. Dan says it’s a tradition to jump in the river after an epic ride. I tell him that isn’t happening. Then Dan admits that he made up the tradition. Pittsburgh humor, good stuff.
Today's ride: 36 miles (58 km)
Total: 276 miles (444 km)
| Rate this entry's writing | Heart | 2 |
| Comment on this entry | Comment | 1 |