Cyclists Raise Money to Close Gap in GAP

June bike tour participants raise $500 to close the gap in the Great Allegheny Passage

(Pittsburgh, PA) On June 13-20, 2009, Venture Outdoors (VO), a local non-profit organization, led a group of 15 cyclists on a 318-mile trip from Washington, DC to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Participants on the 8-day bike tour helped raise $500 to close the gap between McKeesport and Pittsburgh along the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP).

The bike tour began in Washington, DC on the C & O Canal Towpath, connected to the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage in Cumberland, Maryland and ended in McKeesport, PA. Cyclists finished their journey with a shuttle ride from McKeesport to Pittsburgh.

In the future, cyclists will be able to bike all the way from Cumberland to Pittsburgh without interruption thanks to the efforts of the Allegheny Trail Association (ATA), a coalition of seven trail associations in Pennsylvania and Maryland responsible for completing and maintaining the motor-free trail from Cumberland to Pittsburgh.

Bike tour highlights included traveling to various natural and historical sites along the trails. Just outside of Washington, DC cyclists gazed upon the majestic rapids of Great Falls on the Potomac River. Later they visited historic Harpers Ferry and took a guided tour of the Antietam Battlefield. The in-depth tour prepared them for camping in the shadow of Fort Frederick, a stone structure built in 1756 to protect the colonies from attack.

As the C & O Canal became the Great Allegheny Passage, the riders were joined by a group of cyclists freshly arrived from Pittsburgh. These new riders opted for the 4-day Great Allegheny Passage option of the tour instead of the 8-day trip, and joined the cyclists from DC for the gentle uphill ride to Frostburg, MD. After Frostburg, the cyclists encountered a number of scenic spots, including breath-taking vistas, the Eastern Continental Divide and the Big Savage Tunnel.

At the conclusion of the trip, the riders and Venture Outdoors staff rallied together to raise $500 to supports the ATA’s efforts to close the aforementioned gap between McKeesport and Pittsburgh.

Linda Boxx, President of the ATA, was thrilled to receive the donation and said, “What a great show of support. We are actively raising funds to finish the last few miles and every dollar counts. How gratifying to receive gifts from those who are using the trail, having a great time, and thanking the trail groups with a donation.” Use of the trail is free and open to the public. The ATA relies on public and private support to fund its initiatives.

Venture Outdoors is sponsoring another three night/ four day tour of the Great Allegheny Passage on August 20 – 23. Eric Mann, President and CEO of the Greater Pittsburgh YMCA, is joining the tour to raise funds for the YMCA. Trip participants can join him and help raise money for either the YMCA or to support the ATA. Participants are not required to give a donation. Venture Outdoors provides transportation, food, camping, shuttles to indoor lodging, and offers on and off trail support. The cost for the trip is $550.

For more information or to make reservations, please visit www.ventureoutdoors.org, email biketour@ventureoutdoors.org or call Seth Gernot, VO Bike Tour Coordinator, at 412.255.0564 x 35.