Promoting long distance unsupported cycling in the Pittsburgh region
To shake off the wintry cobwebs, and in honor of the 6th year of the International Women's Day Together We Ride , we'll enjoy a tour of the trail system near Pittsburgh. Only one climb of note, and a simple, pleasant way to explore the city environs without needing to duel with traffic. There's some...Read more
Another classic early-season ride, starting in Homestead PA and striking east to Weirton West Virginia before returning via the south along the Mon River. Of some note is that the last 40-ish miles of this route are nearly flat (by southwestern PA standards, anyway), providing a welcome respite from our otherwise unrelenting hills. Registration closes:...Read more
Taking the pleasant Ohio-based portions of our classic Kittens and Puppies route, but skipping the ever-worsening segment on Rt 51, this is a pleasant jaunt into eastern Ohio and back. The ride starts and ends in Monaca, PA, at Pump House Park. (Note that there is parking at several locations scattered around the park, all...Read more
New for 2025: an homage to our long-departed flat riverside K&P route, this route starts in Beaver Falls and heads west into Ohio. Although the first 4 miles are almost entirely uphill, it's a gradual climb, with a strategically placed Sheetz just around the corner from the trailhead. Registration closes: Thursday April 17th 2024 Inspection...Read more
A big thank-you to Bill Huber for letting us know about a road closure that affects the route. Per Bill: On the Greenville 200k, at mile 99.5, the bridge over Slippery Rock Creek is out and totally closed for the rest of the summer. I've been getting around it by leaving Slippery Rock south on...Read more
Registration closes: Thursday May 15th 2025 Inspection opens: Saturday May 17th 04:30 AM Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver Ride start: Saturday May 17th 7:00 AM (21:00 time limit) Route:
Notable for the elevation profile, this route leads off with 20 miles of riverside riding, then an overland climb across the ridge, followed by a flat and easy return on the GAP. Registration closes: Thursday May 22nd 2025 Inspection opens: Saturday May 24th 06:30 AM Requirements: current RUSA membership, signed waiver Ride start: Saturday May...Read more
Running in conjunction with the AMCUP 200K, both events leave Ohiopyle at 7 AM and share the same initial route over Sugarloaf into Confluence After Confluence, we'll make our way north through Kingwood and New Lexington before heading towards Normalville via the dreaded Jim Mtn Rd climb. Finally, after crestijng Laurel Ridge, we'll enjoy a...Read more
Running in conjunction with the new AMCUP 100K route, both events leave Ohiopyle at 7 AM and share the same initial route over Sugarloaf into Confluence. After Confluence, we'll climb Mt Davis (the highest point in PA, in theory) before dropping back down through Salisbury to Frostburg and the turnaround in Cumberland. From there, it's...Read more
Ah, the AMCUP (Allegheny Mountains Cruel and Unusual Punishment) 400. It starts and finishes in Washington, PA, and includes some of the more exciting climbs in the Laurel Highlands. It also includes a mind-boggling FIVE Sheetz controles, although we do reuse them on occasion. Caveat Let me start by being very clear: this is the...Read more
A somewhat hilly route out of the Aquatorium in Monogahela. We'll head west, skirting Washington PA, until turning southbound at the West Virginia border through the Castleman's Run Nature Preserve, heading towards a controle stop at the bustling TA Travel Plaza near Valley Grove. From there, more country roads to the next controle at the...Read more
This (relatively) gentle populaire lets us explore in the south a bit...starting with familiar roads through New Eagle and Monongahela (with the opportunity to visit the freshly rebuilt and reopened Sheetz), then up the Mon River through Charleroi and Belle Vernon to the tiny town of Roscoe and the first significant climb of the day....Read more