REI Winter Cycling Class

December 19, 2008 by Venture Outdoors · Leave a Comment

Tuesday, December 30
7:00 PM – REI Southside Works
As the weather gets colder, and the days get shorter, commuting to work by bicycle or just hitting the road for a relaxing ride becomes more and more challenging. Join us for an informative clinic on cold weather bike riding. We’ll cover all aspects of this rewarding activity: Bike set-up and maintenance, clothing for warmth and safety, lights, and motivation. Don’t lose your summer fitness this winter; continue riding through the cold weather!

To see a listing of all the Outdoor Happenings CLICK HERE.

Filed Under: Outdoor Happenings
Tagged: bikes, biking, Education, Outdoor Happenings, REI, winter

Western Pennsylvania Wheelman’s Icycle Bicycle Ride

December 19, 2008 by Venture Outdoors · 2 Comments

Thursday, January 1,
11:00 AM – REI Southside Works
WPW’s annual first day of the year ride; ride goes no matter what the weather. Hot Chocolate and coffee provided courtesy of REI. The starts at REI in the Southside Works and will wind its way around Pittsburgh mainly on trails. It will be as long or as short as riders want but if the weather is like last year, several hours. If the road is snow covered it will be a lot shorter but it will go whether there is sun, rain, or snow. This is definitely not a fast or hard ride. It accommodates all bikes - road, hybrid, mountain, and recumbent and all levels of riders from kids to hard core. HELMETS REQUIRED.
Ride Leader: Marc Yergin - 412.559.0054

To see a listing of all our Outdoor Happenings CLICK HERE.

Filed Under: Outdoor Happenings
Tagged: biking, Outdoor Happenings, REI, winter

8 Day GAPCANDO Bike Tour Itinerary

December 18, 2008 by Venture Outdoors · Leave a Comment

Here is a gerneral overview of what to expect on the 8 day adventure.

Day 1
Pittsburgh to Washington DC
Miles Rode: 12.3
Exit Trail at Mile Post: 12.3 ? Rockwood Manor

7:00 AM ? 8:30 PM - Registration
We will meet in the east parking lot of Station Square
79 E Station Square Dr
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

There is a hotel near our meeting location, the Sheraton Hotel at Station Square
300 W Station Square Dr
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412.261.2000

Last Bus Leaves at 9:00 AM SHARP
If you are running late, call Seth at 412.606. 9318

Boxed lunch and safety presentation on the bus.

1:30 ? 2:00 PM - Arrive in Washington DC
34th and Water St.
Washington DC, 20007

Unload and start the trip.

2:00 ? 2:30 PM ? Ride departure
Here we go!
Optional side trip to mile zero. Note: There is a mile marker 0, but it is not easy to find or too scenic of a spot.

Great Falls is a great place to visit on Day 1 or 2, simply awesome.

Lodging: This is the only night of indoor lodging, and they are dorm style rooms. You might want to bring some ear plugs??..ZZZZZZ

Motel option: Hotel style rooms at Rockwood Manor.
11001 MacArthur Blvd.
Potomac MD, 20854
301.229.5026

6:00 PM ? Dinner
We?ll be eating in Brooke Hall, a separate area from our sleeping quarters

Day 2
Rockwood Manor to Brunswick
Miles Rode: 43
Exit Trail at Mile Post: 55

7:00 AM ? Breakfast

Rest stop at White?s Ferry: Mile Post 36.8
Campsite: Brunswick Family Campground
Brunswick, MD 21716

6:00 PM ? Dinner
Sign up tonight for the Antietam Battlefield ride on Monday

Day 3
Brunswick to Fort Fredrick
Miles Rode: 57
Exit Trail at Mile Post: 112

7:00 AM ? Breakfast

Rest stop at Mile Post 72.6
Optional Antietam Battlefield tour
If you do not go on the battlefield tour, you will encounter the Canal Detour at mile post 84.5 Dam 4 ? follow NHP Road routing markings.

Campsite: Fort Fredrick State Park
11100 Fort Fredrick Rd
Big Pool, MD 21711
Note: Fort Frederick is a gorgeous spot to camp, but there are no shower facilities. Personal washing stations will be set up at Fort Frederick. We?ll also provide a van shuttle for riders to the town of Hancock for showers at the community pool. The shuttle is 12 miles one way. The shower shuttle is available between 4-6 pm. No showers are a small price to pay to be one of the few riders that have camped in the shadow of a fort built in 1756.

Motel Option:
Super 8
116 Limestone Rd
Hancock, MD 21759
301.678.6101

6:00 PM ? Dinner

7:00 PM ? Group Meeting and Program

Day 4
Fort Frederick to Little Orleans
Miles Rode: 28
Exit Trail at Mile Post: 140.9

7:00 AM ? Breakfast

This is a shorter day to rest our legs. Enjoy the scenery, take pictures & take your time.
The The Western Maryland Rail Trail is a 22 mile long paved trail that parallels the C & O. It starts at mile 114.8. (
In Hancock, stop by Weavers on Main Street for Pie, it?s a big hit.

?Unofficial? rest stop can be taken at C & O Bicycle Shop in Hancock, approx. MP 123, Located at 9 S Pennsylvania Ave 301-678-6665.
Venture Outdoors will not be there.

Campsite:
The Little Orleans Campground
31661 Green Forest Dr.
SW Little Orleans, MD 21766
301.478.2325

Bed and Breakfast Otptions:
Town Hill Bed and Breakfast
301.478.2101

6:00 PM ? Dinner

Day 5
Little Orleans to Frostburg
Miles Rode: 62
Exit Trail at Mile Post: 14 of the GAP

7:00 AM ? Breakfast

10:00 AM - Tours of Paw Paw Tunnel
with Ranger Rita of NPS Mile Post 153, (east side of the tunnel)

Rest Stop at Oldtown Mile Post 164

4 day GAP riders will leave Pittsburgh at 9am and arrive in Cumberland, Maryland at the beginning of the Great Allegheny Passage.

5 day C & O Canal riders will ride to Cumberland, Maryland to catch a bus back to Pittsburgh.

Campsite and Hotel Option:
Trail Inn & Caf?
20 Dept St.
Frostburg, MD 21532
301.689.6466

6:00 PM ? Dinner

Day 6
Frostburg to Confluence
Miles Rode: 48
Exit Trail at Mile Post: 62 of the GAP

7:00 AM ? Breakfast

Rest stop at mile post 43 in Rockwood

Campsite:
Outflow Camping
1579 Mae West Road
Confluence, PA 15424
814.395.3242

6:00 PM ? Dinner

Day 7
Confluence to West Newton
Miles Rode: 51
Exit Trail at Mile Post: 113 of GAP

7:00 AM ? Breakfast

Rest stop at mile post 74 at Ohio Pyle Visitor center - shuttle to Fallingwater

Fallingwater Optional Tour ? the cost is to be paid by the rider, riders must make their own reservations and alert the Venture Outdoors staff
Fallingwater ? 724.329.8501

6:00 PM ? Dinner

Campsite:
Community Pool on Peach Alley
190 Windsor St.
West Newton, PA 15089

Bed and Breakfast Option:
Bright Morning Bed and Breakfast
724.872.2185

7:00 PM ? Group Meeting and trip review by leadership team

Day 8
West Newton to Pittsburgh
Miles Rode:
End at Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh

7:00 AM ? Breakfast

Gear will be available to pick up at Station Square until 4:00 PM