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Mid Atlantic Touring events!  

@midatlantictouring 

Next Bicycle Tour:  September 8-12, 2024

Event Description

Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) bike ride ~ 150 miles of riding in 4 days (plus travel to and from the start and end locations).  

Details:

• This is an Advanced Level event for experienced riders due to the riding distances each day, trail conditions, and transporting of all your belongings on your bike.

• THIS IS NOT A "SUPPORTED" EVENT, meaning you'll need to carry all your belongings, snacks, and water with you while you ride.

• Bring your own bike and carry all your own gear during the ride.  

  • If you need to rent a bike or any gear, you are responsible for this yourself, though the organizers may provide recommendations.

  • E-Bikes are welcome.  You will need backup batteries since the first day will cover ~60 miles, with an uphill incline.   Remember, Battery usage is higher on gravel, inclines, and with the extra weight of carrying all the gear.

• Stay in hotels each night.

  • Participants must book your own hotels per the locations provided in the Event Details below.  

• The group may choose to get together for meals, or you can make your own meal plans.  We'll decide each day and post locations on the event's WhatsApp group (see link below).

• Lodging, transportation, food and drinks are NOT provided by the organizers (except the shuttle from Cumberland to Pittsburgh, for a fee, as described below).

• Total cost for this event is estimated to be approximately $900 - 1200+ for hotels, shuttle, food and drink.  

  • Mid Atlantic Touring is not charging a service fee for organizing this event, but you're welcome to donate to help with planning and group management costs!  

• The GAP trail is all gravel, so a you'll need a bike that handles well on gravel and has appropriate racks to carry all your gear.  There is an uphill grade from Pittsburgh during the first 2-3 days of riding, then a downhill grade on the last day of riding.  See the elevation diagram below. 

• Group size will be limited due to limitations with overnight accommodations and shuttle service.  

• We'll visit several towns, shops and restaurants, and historic and scenic sites along the way (including ice cream stops!), whatever the group's interests.

• A conference call meeting (or two?) will be held prior to the event to discuss details and make sure everyone is prepared.  If you're unable to participate in the online meetings, please make arrangements with the organizer to talk on the phone to cover all the necessary details prior to the event.

For more trail and route info, visit:  https://gaptrail.org

For the daily itinerary and trip details, see below.

Itinerary:   

Arrival Day - Sunday, Sept 8, 2024 - Meet in Cumberland, MD to take a shuttle to Pittsburgh. Overnight hotel in Pittsburgh.

• 1. You are responsible for your own travel to Cumberland, MD!  

     • Travel to Cumberland, MD with your own car, find a buddy to carpool with, or by Amtrak train with your bike to Cumberland, MD or Pittsburgh, PA 

     • Make sure to arrive in Cumberland before shuttle loading time 10:30-11:00am, or you'll miss the shuttle from Cumberland to Pittsburgh!   

     • Parking during our event is located across from Wheelzup bike shop, 14 Howard St.  It is free, and you can leave your car there overnight throughout our trip.  Try to arrive as early as possible since the lot may be full and you may need to circle a bit to wait for someone to leave.

     • If you choose, you can make your own travel arrangements to the starting point in Pittsburgh (Western Terminus of GAP trail at Point State Park), and back home from Cumberland.

• 2. Travel via shuttle to Pittsburgh from Wheelzup bike shop, Canal Place- 14 Howard St (near the river, directly next to the C&O canal trail), Cumberland, MD - Shuttle Loading at  10:30-11:00am!

     • Shuttle fee must be received at least 3 weeks before departure,  by August 20, 2024 to reserve your shuttle seat.   The shuttle fee is non-refundable after this date.

     • Shuttle Fee:  $65.   Payments can be submitted via Venmo or Zelle to the organizer.  Payment information will be sent via email, Meetup messages, or WhatsApp once your RSVP and registration form are received and the shuttle fee is determined (based on number of participants).  The shuttle includes your belongings, yourself, and your bike.  You'll need to remove your bags from your bike for loading on the trailer, but you can leave your racks and baskets on the bike.  So please make sure your bags are not permanently affixed to your bike (ie, zip ties, etc).  

     • Meet at Wheelzup bike shop at 14 Howard St, Cumberland, MD, for shuttle loading no later than 10:45am.  Shuttle trailer and van must be loaded and ready to leave by 11:00am.  

• 3. Arrive in Pittsburgh around 2:00-2:30pm.  (another group on the shuttle will be dropped off near Pittsburgh before us.)   

     • Dinner with the group or on your own

     • Stay at Hampton Inn in downtown Pittsburgh  

     •  or Homewood Suites in downtown Pittsburgh

     • You must book your own hotel!

Day 1 - Monday, Sept 9, 2024 - Ride from Pittsburgh to Connellsville, PA, 

Ride on GAP trail Pittsburgh to Connellsville, PA ~ 59 miles.  We'll have a lunch break at a sit-down restaurant about half way.   This will be our longest day of riding.

• 3. • The starting location is the Western Terminus of GAP trail at Point State Park in downtown Pittsburgh at 8:30am.

     • Lunch will be at The Trailside Pub & Restaurant directly next to the trail in West Newton, PA.

     • Hotel:  Stay at Comfort Inn - Connellsville   or  Connellsville Bed & Breakfast

     • You must book your own hotel!

Day 2 - Tuesday, Sept 10, 2024 - Ride from Connellsville to Ohiopyle, PA. 

This will be a short ride day to allow us to explore Ohiopyle - hike, kayak?  Or just explore this cute little town.

• Ride on GAP trail Connellsville to Ohiopyle, PA.  ~20 miles.

• Stay at a Bed & Breakfast.  There are several in town.  

• Recommended lodging:  Falls Market Inn

• You must book your own hotel!

Day 3 - Wednesday, Sept 11, 2024 - Ride from Ohiopyle to Meyersdale, PA. Stop for a lunch break at a restaurant along the way. Total ride distance around 40 miles.

• Ride on GAP trail Ohiopyle to  Meyersdale, PA - ~40 miles 

• Stay at Morguen Toole Company Hotel   or   Levi Deal Mansion Bed and Breakfast  or other lodging in Meyersdale.  We enjoyed the "haunted hotel" last year with a pizza party in the big suite!

• Lunch location TBD.  It will be posted on the WhatsApp group the night before.

• 3. • You must book your own hotel!

Day 4 - Thursday, Sept 12, 2024 - Ride from Meyersdale, PA to Cumberland, MD.  Have lunch at the finish line.

• Ride on GAP trail Meyersdale, PA back to Cumberland, MD - 33 miles 

• Lunch:  The Crabby Pig - right next to the trail just past the finish line, next to Wheelzup and across the street from the parking lot.  

• From here, you can either head home or stay over in Cumberland and meet the E-Bike Lovers group the next day to ride the C&O Canal to Washington DC!   See the note below.

• Stay at Fairfield Inn   or Ramada  

• 3. • You must book your own hotel and/or your own transportation back home!

Note:  Riding the C&O Canal trail is NOT part of this organized event, so you must make your own plans if you choose to continue on this trail.   You may choose to join THIS E-Bike Lovers EVENT (Click Here), which is not managed by Mid Atlantic Touring, but takes place just after the completion of the GAP ride event.

Summary of Participant Responsibilities:

1. RSVP on Meetup or WhatsApp.

2. Arrange your transportation to Cumberland to ride the shuttle from Cumberland to Pittsburgh, and your transportation back home from Cumberland after the ride.

3. Book all hotels as described in the event information above.

4. Submit registration form to provide details of your plans.

5. Pay shuttle fee ($65) via Venmo or Zelle when instructions are received, but prior to deadline:  Aug 20, 2024.

6. Participate in an online event meeting or have a phone call with Mary P or a group organizer prior to the deadline given via Meetup messages  (email notifications must be turned on in Meetup group).

7. Arrive at the shuttle location (Wheelzup bike shop at Canal Place) at NO LATER than 10:45am on Sunday, Sept 8, 2024.

8. Make sure you are physically prepared to ride up to 60 miles, on gravel, with your bike fully loaded with all your belongings that you will take on the trip (with 2 batteries for e-bikes?).   Contact the organizer with any questions.

9. Make sure you have all the biking gear needed to support your bike's mechanical maintenance & repair, and your physical needs while riding.  

   • List of recommendations shown on the Training and Prep page!  

   • Use appropriate bicycle storage gear to carry everything on your bike while riding.    

   • Contact the organizer with any questions.

10. Review and ensure you agree with the Mid Atlantic Touring LLC Disclaimer.  Your registration for this event signifies your agreement with this disclaimer.

11. Stay in touch with the organizer when contacted through Meetup, email, WhatsApp, or phone/text, and via video meetings.  Respond to messages when requested.  Good communication is the foundation of a successful and fully enjoyable event!