Venture Outdoors 250 Bike Tour Met the Challenge

Robert Zoppetti made history during the 250 Bike Tour from Washington, D.C. to Pittsburgh for the city’s birthday celebration. Not only was he part of the first large group to ride over the new Riverton Bridge in McKeesport, but he was the oldest in the Venture Outdoors Bike 250 group to do so. At 76 years old, Zoppetti biked the 335 mile-long journey in 8 days, meeting up with the PNC Legacy Relay Riders in McKeesport.

He was one of 87 riders who share his story of determination along the trail. The Venture Outdoors 250 Bike Tour, in conjunction with the PNC Legacy Trail Ride, the PNC Legacy Relay, and the Trail Town Celebrations along the Great Allegheny Passage, made for a hugely successful commemoration of Pittsburgh’s 250th birthday. The totals are in and: the average age of the participants was 53, and they journeyed from 13 states, including Colorado, Texas, Florida and Massachusetts, to complete this challenge. A group of 500 cyclists joined the riders on their way to Point State Park to kick off the Pittsburgh 250 celebration.

Venture Outdoors made history itself by holding its first week-long bike ride along the newly restored Great Allegheny Passage and helping to coordinate the PNC Legacy Trail Ride and the PNC Legacy Relay. Because of the great success and positive response for the bike tour, Venture Outdoors will be hosting week-long trips from DC to Pittsburgh and shorter trips covering the 150 mile distance from Cumberland to Pittsburgh for the 2009 season.

The Bike 250 group met its 335-mile challenge, but it was not easy. A few written testimonials from participants shows the endurance needed to complete the journey while covering an average of 45 miles per day and for many participants, camping all along the way.

Chuck writes:
“I’ve been wet, cold, muddy, eaten great food, had good showers, ridden more miles this week than in my lifetime, and have slept in a tent every night…I’m having the time of my life.”

Christ Steffy writes:
“Mud spray from the back tires. Splashing through the puddles. Fast miles of grit and determination. I could feel it in my eyes, and taste it. Riding hard through it, on and on, and not looking back….We were tired but not done.”

And Zoppetti, from California PA, writes:
“…this Venture Outdoors sponsored DC to Pittsburgh trip… will always be a wonderful and joyful accomplishment.”

Venture Outdoors, by increasing participation in outdoor recreational activity, seeks to create a sense of community among participants and a better understanding of and a deeper appreciation for the environment and wilderness among the residents of and visitors to Western Pennsylvania. Venture Outdoors is a non-profit organization.

For more information about future bike tours, email biketour@ventureoutdoors.org. For more information on Venture Outdoors, visit www.ventureoutdoors.org or call 412.255.0564.