The Glide

Beginning a 40 mile downhill glide.  Note the large smile.

September 30 Rockwood to Connellsville.  Our B&B hostess provided us a breakfast of local fare – eggs, sausage and maple syrup all produced in the area. Everything was good but we do miss West Coast coffee.   And then we pushed off for a 46+ mile day.  Thanks to Rob’s rain avoidance strategy, we had a dry run, except for a few misty miles mid-morning.  (Shortly after we had arrived in Rockwood the night before it began to rain and continued well into the night – sometimes coming down in  torrents.  So riding that short day yesterday to stage ourselves in for a fast run to Connellsville really paid off.) 

 

Zippy-dodah, zippy-day.  Mister Bluebird singing on my...........

The ride today was super.   We were concerned that all the rain would leave the trail sluggish, but it was reasonably fast. The storm from last night had littered the trail with broken branches, but they were simple enough to dodge.   

The river was swollen and powerful, and we followed it downstream throughout the ride.  On the other side of the trail were stone ledges and wonderful rock formations,  waterfalls, coal bearing rock strata, and beautiful foliage.  Occasional deer, chipmunks and one rabbit graced us with their presence.  And along the way we were regaled by bird songs.   As we flowed down hill, we met several  cyclists going the other direction - all wore happy smiles and offered friendly greetings. (Yeah we know this sounds like a Disney family flick… but it is all true.) 

As we took a quick stand down along the trail a couple rolled up going our direction - Jim and Mary, who had driven from their home in Grand Rapids, MI to Cumberland, to ride the GAP.  They have never done an overnight bike ride, and they were tickled their first ride was so proving so easy. They are staying at the same B&B tonight and we are currently sharing a washer and dryer.

The Trail crosses the river in a number places via wooden viaducts

Tomorrow’s weather looks good. Our plan is to roll into a town just south of Pittsburg some time before sunset.  

This way Pittsburg..........