Bethel Park (PA) to Wheeling (WV)

May 25, 2024

Long Ride Back to the Mountaineer State

In order to get back to West Virginia, I rode from my house as I did when this venture began in 2022. It was a nice day. The miles seemed to fly by. I ran into a couple of the Fort Couch Potatoes' (a local and informal cycling group) members, Greg-C and Ken-M, where the Montour Trail connects to the Panhandle Trail. We chatted for a bit, then they headed back to Pittsburgh while I continued west.

A section of the Panhandle Trail, in West Virginia. I believe those purple flowers are Dame Rockets.

After a break in Burgettstown, I rode on and into West Virginia. For me, the trail ended in the little village of Colliers and the hill climbing began. At the bottom of Mechling Hill Road, I chatted with a woman from the Fire Department who was collecting donations from passing motorists in a big fireman's boot. I contributed $5.00 (US) before moving on.

Sanders Hill Road seemed a lot steeper in its ascent, from the Cross Creek Valley, than it did when I last tackled it at the beginning of 2023. Once over the top, I cruised aong the ridge top and down into Wellsburg, where it would be trail riding the rest of the way.

The historic St. John's Episcopal Church, on top of the ridge between Colliers and Wellsburg, West Virginia.

Rabbit Hill Road, between Colliers and Wellsburg, West Virginia. They're not kidding with the warning to trucks. During the descent, there is so tight a turn that a tractor-trailer won't be able to make the bend.

At the local Kroger grocery store (in Wellsburg) and then again on the Southern edge of town, a violent rain storm went off causing me to take shelter under a couple of conveniently placed awnings. I ended up getting wet for a third time by a finer grade of rain shower on the Brooke Pioneer Trail before reaching the city of Wheeling.

A section of the Brooke Pioneer Trail, between Wellsburg and Wheeling, West Virginia. The surface was still wet from the recent rain storm.

Once in the city, I made my way over to the 17th Street and the resumption of the Wheeling Heritage Trail. I followed it to Elm Grove, where streets were needed to get to the hotel room I had reserved for the weekend. This was a good ride and would turn out to be my longest for the year (2024), although I didn't yet know it. After getting something to eat, I rested up for the night and for the Wheeling Heritage Ride that was scheduled for the following day.

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Today's ride: 75 miles (121 km)
Total: 494 miles (795 km)

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