On the Passage Preview Party
June 24, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Award-winning film maker John Urman has been working on a the film On the Passage for over 2 years! The 30 minute film features the Great Allegheny Passage, our local bike trail that connects Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland and eventually Washington DC.
Be one of the first to view the film! The preview party is Wednesday, July 7th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Melwood Screening Room in Oakland. This is the first opportunity to see the film, and meet John Urman afterwords. Read more
A bike tour for every skill level!
June 9, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Bicycle vacations are the newest craze for anyone seeking a unique vacation. However if you haven’t been on a bike in awhile, or you don’t own a weeks worth of padded bicycle shorts, some of the lengthy trips probably look a bit intimidating. Never fear dear bike tour beginner, Venture Outdoors has bike tours that don’t even require a bike! Read more
Best Time to Bike!
October 15, 2009 by admin · 3 Comments
Despite the soggy start, the Fall Foliage Bike Tour which traveled from Connellsville, PA to Cumberland, MD from Friday, October 9 through Monday, October 12, was a great success. From downtown Pittsburgh, a small and enthusiastic group set off for Connellsville to ride the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP). Though the weather wasn’t sunny, our dispositions were. One participant said, “Well, at least the trails won’t be crowded.”
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Footage from the G-24 Relay
October 6, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
335 miles in five minutes; well, only after some editing… Check out this video by one of the G-24 Relay Riders and see what it’s like to cycle 24 hours straight from Washington DC to Pittsburgh along the C & O Canal Towpath and Great Allegheny Passage. Check it out, it’s a lot smaller commitment than actually riding the 335 miles. Read more
335 Miles in 24 Hours: G-24 Relay Photos
In celebration of the G-20 Summit coming to Pittsburgh and to raise money for the Allegheny Trail Alliance, Venture Outdoors sponsored a G-24 Relay September 22-23. Fifteen cyclists rode 335 miles in 24 hours sustaining a speed of 15 mph for the entire trip! The riders rode through the night along the historic C & O Canal Towpath and Great Allegheny Passage, from Washington DC to Pittsburgh enjoying the wildlife and scenery the entire way!
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Be a G-24 Relay Rider!
What better way to celebrate the G-20 Summit and the green renaissance of Pittsburgh then with a bike tour! Venture Outdoors is sponsoring the our second annual 24-hour relay from Washington DC to Pittsburgh, and in honor of its timing we coined it the G-24 Relay.
We are looking for a few more cyclists to come along on the ride. You will be joining a small group of cyclists who will alternately cycle then ride in vehicles. Each cyclists will ride every 4th-5th leg of the relay, riding approximately 4 legs (80 miles) over the 24 hour period.
Relay riders will have to pay a small entry fee, just $30, and will be encouraged to raise $1 per mile for each of the 335 miles of the trail. Money generated will be donated to the Allegheny Trail Alliance.
Each rider that generates $335 will be rewarded with a custom cycling jersey made just for the event.
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Bike Tour donates $500 to help finish the Great Allegheny Passage
Venture Outdoors led another group of cyclists from Washington, DC to Pittsburgh on June 13-20. The youngest rider was an energetic 11 year old from Texas riding the trail for the first time with his grandfather. He had a blast along with the other 14 riders.
Photo by Macklin Stanley
To make a difference and help the volunteers at the ATA, stop by www.atatrail.org and make a donation.
Produce Pedal Photos
June 24, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Participants on the Venture Outdoors Produce Pedal enjoyed the lush scenery and smooth trail of the Great Allegheny Passage as they rode the 28 mile round trip from Boston to West Newton last Saturday. After arriving in West Newton they enjoyed lunch at local eateries before pedaling back to Boston.
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GAPCANDO Bike Tour Details
February 5, 2009 by admin · 8 Comments
June 13-20 or
Bike Tour
Dates
Sept. 5-12
Sept. 5-9
Sept. 9-12
Length
Miles Per Day
Trail Surface
Price
VO Member Price
Trip Capacity
Meals
Start Location
End Location
Over Night Accomodations
Transportation options to PGH
Recommended Hotel for proximity to start location
8 Day GAPCANDO Bike Tour Itinerary
December 18, 2008 by admin · 4 Comments
Here is the itinerary for our 8 day adventure.
Day 1
Pittsburgh to Washington DC
In case of emergency: DIAL 911
Then: call Seth at 412.606.9318
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. Use your Trailbook to find mile marker 0.
Daily Mileage: 12.3
Exit Trail at Mile Post: 12.3 – Rockwood Manor
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
Contact biketour@ventureoutdoors.org for reservation information.
6:00 PM – Dinner
Day 2
Rockwood Manor to Brunswick
Daily Mileage: 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
Indoor lodging option:
Green Country Inn
620 Souder Road
Brunswick, MD 21716
301-834-9151
6:00 PM – Dinner
Sign up tonight for the Antietam Battlefield ride on Monday.
Day 3
Brunswick to Fort Fredrick
Daily Mileage: 57
Exit Trail at Mile Post: 112
7:00 AM – Breakfast
Rest stop at Mile Post 72.9
Optional Antietam Battlefield tour
Rest Stop @ MP 72.9 – Antietam option – At NEW Highway bridge (this is the 2nd bridge)
THIS is a ROAD ride for about 16 miles over mildly hilly terrain. 3 Miles of the route has moderate traffic with minimal shoulders. It is about 14 miles shorter than the canal route.
Tour of Antietam planned for Noon- Please sign up with VO Before using this option.
Exit the trail at the footbridge just before the new overhead bridge for US RT 34.
0.0 Mile – Climb a short, steep hill
0.2 Mile – Bear right onto US Rt. 34 Canal Road
3.4 Left onto North Church St Md Rt. 65 (No Shoulder
4.4 Antietam Battlefield on your Right. )
MEET TOUR LEADER HERE
4.4 Exit Antietam R on Dunker Church Road
5.3 Sharp left and right onto St Rt. 65
8.9 Left on to St. Rt. 63- Spielman Rd. This is a narrow road but with little traffic
10.3 Cross RR tracks (1st Time)
12.7 Cross St Rt. 632
14.1 Left on to St Rt. 68- West and go under I-81.
16.7 Left on US 11 head down the hill to Cushwa Basin and MP 99 on the C&O
Please let the staff know if you are going to take this route.
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
Daily Mileage: 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 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 Options:
Town Hill Bed and Breakfast
301.478.2101
6:00 PM – Dinner
Day 5
Little Orleans to Frostburg
Daily Mileage: 59 *shuttle is available for less mileage
Exit Trail at Mile Post: 15+ of the GAP
7:00 AM – Breakfast
Rest Stop at Cumberland: Mile Post 184.5
Campsite:
Community Pool
19336 Water St.
Frostburg, MD 21532
Indoor Lodging Option:
Failinger’s Hotel Gunter
11 West Main St.
Frostburg, MD 21532
301.689.6511
www.failingershotelgunter.com
6:00 PM – Dinner
Day 6
Frostburg to Confluence
Daily Mileage: 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
Indoor Lodging Option:
Confluence House B & B
522 Oden St.
Confluence, PA 15424
814.352.8151
www.theconfluencehouse.com
6:00 PM – Dinner
Day 7
Confluence to West Newton
Daily Mileage: 51
Exit Trail at Mile Post: 113 of GAP
7:00 AM – Breakfast
Mile post 74 at Ohiopyle Visitor Center – Shuttle to Fallingwater.
Note: Rest stop on your own in Connellsville at mile post 88.
Fallingwater Optional Tour – the cost is to be paid by the rider, riders must make their own reservations and alert the Venture Outdoors staff. Make reservations ahead of time for a 10:00 AM tour. 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
724.872.0792
7:00 PM – Group Meeting and trip review by leadership team
Day 8
West Newton to Boston, PA
Daily Mileage: 14
End at Boston, PA mile post~127
7:00 AM – Breakfast
Note: The trail is not yet finished from Boston to Station Square. They are diligently working to finish it. We cannot safely ride to Station Square, so Venture Outdoors provides a shuttle back to Station Square. The shuttle will leave Boston, PA at approximately 10:00 AM.
Congratulations – you’ve just ridden from Washington DC on your bicycle!
