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On Saturday, June 30, 2018 – Tuesday, July 3, 2018 The Bicycle Escape will be leading a touring adventure on the Great Allegheny Passage.

This 4 day 3 night bicycling / camping adventure is the perfect way to explore all 150 miles of the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP). The scenic trail offers amazing views along a mostly wooded path with nearly level riding. The surface is smooth and well maintained so it’s perfect for almost any bike. Here, you’ll ride through old railroad tunnels, enjoy epic overlooks, explore parks, trail towns, and historic sites as fast or as slow as you want.

Like all The Bicycle Escape Adventures, the GAP trip is designed for riders who want to enjoy bicycling without worrying about food, lodging, transportation, flat tires or even the possibility of missing the must-see highlights along the way.

Just meet us in Cumberland and we’ll comfortably transport you and everything you need, to the ride start in Pittsburgh. We’ve done all the planning so you can enjoy the ride. Water, food, and cue sheets are provided. If your bike breaks down, we’ll give you a hand. If you feel overwhelmed, we’ll pick you up. If you want some encouragement, see us at the rest stop. When you get to the campsite, we’ll be there to make sure you’re fed, happy, and your tent gets set up for a good night’s sleep.

Our camp food is homemade, fresh, delicious, and made to order when appropriate. Bikes and passengers are transported with kindness and respect. Our staff is guaranteed friendly and a seasoned mechanic from The Bicycle Escape is along to help. Each day of this bike Adventure offers so many new things to explore that we’ll share our thoughts with you every day at the morning meeting. If there is something else you need, just ask, we’re happy to help. It doesn’t get any better than this!

The cost of this trip is $385.
Refunds of $285 will be issued up until May 31st, meaning you will be out $100. No refunds issued after May 31st. Sorry, but the upfront costs of preparing, reserving and renting require strict adherence to this policy.

Non-riders are welcome too! If there is a non-cyclist in your life they can come along for the fun. The non-rider package is just $100 with the purchase of a rider ticket. Non-riders are responsible for their own transportation.

For more information or to BOOK your tickets call 301.663.0007 or email us at info@TheBicycleEscape.com

What you get in addition to a great ride

  • All trip planning and logistics
  • Transportation from Cumberland to Pittsburgh
  • Daily briefings and informative cue sheets
  • Nutritious take along bike snacks and cold drinking water
  • Sag support
  • 3 homemade breakfasts with pour over coffee, tea, juice.
  • 1 made to order box lunch
  • 2 delicious camp side dinners
  • Evening campfires with plenty of comfortable chairs
  • On site bike mechanic
  • Rest stops with food, water, free trail side tune ups
  • 3 nights of camping
  • All the laughs and comfort of riding at your own pace without the worries of planning the details.
  • The joy of saying “I road the entire GAP trail!”

Itinerary

The adventure begins at the Cumberland Visitor Center located at: Western MD Railway Station 13 Canal Street, Cumberland, MD 21502 at 8:00am on Saturday, June 30th. You will see our vehicles in front of the visitor center. After you unload your gear we will direct you to your free parking spot. You should be at the visitor center on time, dressed and ready to ride.

Day 1: 40 Miles– Point State Park, Pittsburgh (GAP mile 150) to Cedar Creek Park near West Newton (GAP mile 110)

Leave your car in Cumberland and we’ll transport riders and gear to Point State Park in Pittsburgh where the trail begins. After enjoying a specially prepared box lunch we’ll ride together (22 miles) to the first rest stop just to make sure everyone is ready to go. This day you’ll see the Monongahela River and cycle past former steel towns on your way to Cedar Creek Park. We’ll cross the Hot Metal Bridge, the Youghiogheny River Bridge, and others as we cruise on our way. You can linger in any number of places before grabbing a cold beverage at a cool rest stop in West Newton. Before you know it, you’re riding into camp at beautiful Cedar Creek Park where you’ll be treated to homemade hors d’oeuvres and a relaxing meal around the campfire.

DAY 2: 50.3 Miles- Cedar Creek Park (GAP mile 110) to Confluence PA (GAP mile 61)

Rise and shine and get ready for a yummy made-to-order breakfast. Take down your tent, choose your trail side snacks, listen to the briefing and off you go! Today you’ll pass by some typical coal patch company towns, perhaps visit a restored train station, and discover the remains of old coke furnaces.  This area was once the king of coal mining and coke production and it boasted as having more millionaires than anywhere else in the country! You will enjoy the scenic beauty of the Yough River Gorge today and have a spectacular view as you cross the Ohiopyle High Bridge. Take a moment to read the informative signs about the history of this area. Base camp tonight is the Outflow Camping Area in Confluence where you’ll get a tasty snack, a shower, and head to the great food and drink in town. Be back in time to relax by the fire, then it’s off to sleep.

DAY 3: 18.6 Miles– Confluence (GAP mile 61) to Rockwood (GAP mile 43)

Wake up and smell the coffee because today, right after your made to order breakfast, you will get to plan your day. Spend extra time at camp, explore the offerings at Confluence or, our favorite, visit the Frank Lloyd Wright House($). Today is an easy day of riding so relax and take your time on the way to Rockwood. When you arrive at the Husky Haven Campground we will have a delicious dinner ready to be served.  Set up your tent, take a shower, enjoy the campfire, and have a few cold drinks at the Rock City Café.

DAY 4: 44.6 Miles– Rockwood (GAP mile 43) to Cumberland (GAP mile 0)

Breakfast is always homemade and always a treat, so enjoy every delicious bite. Take down your tent, get your cue sheet briefing, and head down the trail for the final day of scenic bicycle touring. Today you will cross the Salisbury Viaduct, a long, very high steel trestle bridge that will take your breath away. You will also cross the Keystone Viaduct, pass through the Big Savage Tunnel and two other tunnels. Once you get to the Eastern Continental Divide you will be treated to 23 miles of down hill riding. You will end your GAP Adventure in Cumberland, Maryland around 3 o’clock. You can enjoy the town, check out the Visitor Center exhibits, get a bite to eat, celebrate with friends and pick up your gear.  Congratulations, you just experienced the satisfaction of riding 150 miles in 4 days on the Great Allegheny Passage!

6 comments

  • Valinda L Hile
    Posted March 16, 2018 at 11:29 am

    This sounds amazing and since my son lives in Pittsburgh and I’m in Frederick, this will give us a great opportunity to ride together! Be sure to visit the Pittsburgh Bicycle Museum which is right off the riding trail or easily found by driving. It’s free admission and you can easily spend hours there. It’s nothing short of amazing and a must see. Likewise is your store – beautiful and anything you could want and need to ride. Keep up the great work of getting Frederick riders out there!

  • Debra Fry
    Posted June 29, 2018 at 11:05 pm

    is this ride offered any more times this year?

  • Jamie
    Posted July 5, 2018 at 9:09 am

    I wanted to drop a quick note and express how absolutely phenomenal this trip was. The support from Greg, Rhona, Roger, and staff was out of this world. For my first multi-day bike trip and my first time on the GAP, i don’t think things could have gone any better. 2 Wheel Escapes planned out the logistics and catering perfectly and bent over backwards to accommodate all of us. The Bicycle Escape providing an awesome bike mechanic like Roger is way above and beyond what I have seen other trips like this offer. I heard there are plans to possibly offer this trip multiple times a year going forward which I think should be done. A huge thanks to everyone that supported us on this event!!!!

    • Post Author
      thebicycleescape
      Posted July 5, 2018 at 9:18 am

      Thank you for the kind words Jamie! We are all so very glad that you enjoyed the trip, spread the word and maybe we can ride together again, CHEERS!

  • Gila
    Posted June 12, 2019 at 2:58 pm

    How challenging the heat and humidity in July?

    • Post Author
      thebicycleescape
      Posted June 12, 2019 at 3:10 pm

      It can certainly get hot and humid but it depends on the year. We always have fun though!

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G.A.P Cycling Adventure June 2018 - The Bicycle Escape