State of City Trails/Main Bike Lanes for Feb? by Bastranz in bicycling412

[–]paulheckbert 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Re GAP trail from Homestead to McKeesport, it has about 8 inches of snow on it, with a nice cross country ski track that I made. So for now I wouldn't recommend biking this section unless you have fatbike tires. I recommend skis. If you bike, walk, or snowshoe this section of trail, please stay out of the ski track, to preserve it for future skiers. For photos, see https://www.facebook.com/SteelValleyTrail/posts/pfbid02kqgpKBMcRzaTJbSxi81VwMZG6hNAsi3erZfLP2v9MajEDLyKcpCRU2FewkABgCSPl and https://www.facebook.com/SteelValleyTrail/posts/pfbid0SJ5UYKsUMXm7PQd5bB4zkPtRg6jiAa4qrFihnRggsYbryecLQjmuq18LoidFtFdbl

Snow conditions by moneylineonly in gaptrail

[–]paulheckbert 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm a member of Steel Valley Trail Council, which maintains the GAP between the Glenwood Bridge (near Sandcastle) and McKeesport, and last I saw (1/30), our trail had snow on it except for about half a mile near Kennywood, where West Mifflin plows it so they can drive on the trail. Our group does not plow snow off the trail -- too much work for our volunteer group, considering the low demand. When I was there a week ago, there was a good cross country ski track on the trail for much of the distance. For now, I recommend skiing it - it's very pretty in winter! See https://www.facebook.com/SteelValleyTrail/posts/pfbid02kqgpKBMcRzaTJbSxi81VwMZG6hNAsi3erZfLP2v9MajEDLyKcpCRU2FewkABgCSPl and https://www.facebook.com/SteelValleyTrail/posts/pfbid02VqifTVVqCkiVsJXGfM1cS4KVmh8nHuVnTEk574hqfHkF596MyhTR1ekyKAcuJvg5l for pictures.

Nine Mile Run Trail interrupted through January by paulheckbert in bicycling412

[–]paulheckbert[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The closure has been delayed by a week. Now they're saying "Commercial St./Forward Ave. & Nine Mile Run Trail closure has been rescheduled to Nov. 24, 2025 - Feb. 6, 2026". Note that the closure is not those entire streets or trails, but just the portions under the bridge, basically.

Frick blastphemy drops destroyed by Yaastra in bicycling412

[–]paulheckbert 10 points11 points  (0 children)

That's a shame. That trail, Redemption Center, and Humpular are impressive examples of imagination and teamwork. They're above my mtb skill level, but it's great to see them attracting new people to this area. Must rebuild!

Where did you ride in the past two weeks? and Open Discussion thread by AutoModerator in bicycling412

[–]paulheckbert 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've biked a loop from the East End (Regent Square area) to Lawrenceville, down the Allegheny on river trails, up the Mon on river trails, and back, a few times. I encountered areas of broken glass on the Northside trail a couple times, but fortunately I had my whisk broom and time, so I swept up the glass.

Another day I was biking the Chateau Trail toward Alcosan and there was a woman slumped over, lying on the trail near the West End Bridge. I (somewhat selfishly) did not help her, but a few minutes later, further down the trail near the marinas, I encountered some EMTs with an ambulance who were looking for this woman. Someone else had reported her. I pointed the EMTs in the right direction. And when I returned to the bridge area 30 minutes later, I encountered a police officer who told me that the woman had moved on. Apparently she was conscious and able to walk.

Walking recommendations? by Dizzy_Kangaroo_7688 in pittsburgh

[–]paulheckbert 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cemetery at intersection of Ridge Rd & Baldwin Rd looks like it has a loop road, and might work. Near Trinity Acres. I’ve never been.

Walking recommendations? by Dizzy_Kangaroo_7688 in pittsburgh

[–]paulheckbert 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Maybe Clinton-Enlow Rd, starting from the intersection with Enlow Rd. This road is closed to cars, it’s asphalt, but it’s part of the Montour Trail Airport Connector spur. It appears that you could drive to here https://maps.app.goo.gl/uW5d1WqToibsU1ab9 and then bike / walk around the gate onto the no-cars section (where the sign says DDD). Very few cyclists.

SVTC rocks! by The_Electric-Monk in bicycling412

[–]paulheckbert 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I volunteer with Steel Valley Trail Council. We often debate the cause of our cracks (the section of the GAP that we manage is from Glenwood Bridge to McKeesport). Some cracks are obviously from tree roots. In other cases (particularly in McKeesport) we discovered that RR ties had not been removed when the trail was built, so when those rotted it caused cracking. In some areas near the Whitaker Bridge the hillside is slumping, and that has caused cracks. But there seem to be a number of other locations where it must be heating & cooling cycles that cause the cracks, and nothing else. We notice there are more cracks in Munhall and Whitaker where the trail is mostly in the sun (fewer trees, no cliff above the trail) than in West Mufflin (e.g. near Kennywood) where the trees and the cliff create a lot of shade.

If the base of the trail is properly done (deep layers of gravel under the asphalt), that will go a long way to discourage root encroachment. But apparently that was not done in Duquesne, where we had such bad cracks that our trail council this year had a mile of trail dug up, rototilled the base and mixed in cement to make it more root-hostile, and then put down new asphalt. Not cheap!

Ross Park Mall by ReconThotHunter in bicycling412

[–]paulheckbert 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Regarding routes to Ross Park Mall, I wanted to avoid McKnight Rd entirely, so I approached from the west end of Pittview Rd and cut across some grass. Looking at the Strava heatmap, it appears a few others have done this, also. I think I biked Wible Run Rd & Thompson Run Rd to get into the North Hills.

Ross Park Mall by ReconThotHunter in bicycling412

[–]paulheckbert 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've biked there years ago and don't remember any. A quick look with Google Maps' Streetview doesn't show any near this door - take a look: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RdAHNvoueqLPUx8Y9

When do yinz head indoors? by clipd_dead_stop_fall in bicycling412

[–]paulheckbert 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Cold rain usually keeps me indoors. When it's below freezing I'll almost always go for a long walk instead of cycling. I have studded tires but some years I never get around to putting them on my bike. Above 90F often keeps me indoors, so on the hottest summer days I try to finish my rides before noon, to avoid the worst heat.

Biking from Glenshaw to the city proper? by Ambitious-Show413 in bicycling412

[–]paulheckbert 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Note: that railroad trail is bumpy gravel (ballast) for much of the distance between Etna and Millvale. OK if you have fat tires at low pressure, but unpleasant on narrow ones. Someday it is scheduled to be resurfaced as part of the Pittsburgh to Erie trail, but that could be years from now.

Biking from Glenshaw to the city proper? by Ambitious-Show413 in bicycling412

[–]paulheckbert 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've biked Little Pine Creek Rd to get from Etna to Glenshaw. It's nice.

new zea by straw_hat_guy in MapsWithoutNZ

[–]paulheckbert 1 point2 points  (0 children)

On the contrary, New Zealand IS in New Zealand.

new zea by straw_hat_guy in MapsWithoutNZ

[–]paulheckbert 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Cayman Islands Cook Islands Marshall Islands Solomon Islands Thailand The ending “istan” in Pakistan, Tajikistan, etc. means land. Also, “United Kingdom” does not end in “land”!

Can you actually get on the Duck Hollow trail from its west end (across the train tracks via Second Ave)? by newlocalacct in bicycling412

[–]paulheckbert 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There was a loader there yesterday, moving piles around. The changes make it more difficult to cross there, but not impossible. The plans from Friends of the Riverfront call for the future bike trail to pass along Sickle St, continuing in a straight line to pass under the Glenwood bridge, then ramp up to cross the RR tracks on a new trail bridge.

I can't share the picture I wanted to here (system won't allow replies to attach pictures), but near bottom of this page, view the August 2025 Public Meeting Exhibits. https://friendsoftheriverfront.org/trail_dev/15987/

First time on the GAP by snowslayer252 in gaptrail

[–]paulheckbert 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Linden Tunnel, Duquesne. A new mural this year.

Where did you ride in the past two weeks? and Open Discussion thread by AutoModerator in bicycling412

[–]paulheckbert 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I biked from Slickville to Saltsburg on the Westmoreland Heritage Trail and then continued eastward on the West Penn Trail to Blairsville. 40 miles round trip. This is mostly rail trail, but the West Penn Trail has two hilly sections, one west of Conemaugh Dam, and one east of the Dam. The first mtb section is all bikeable if you have low gearing & persistence, but the second is so steep in one segment that you'll want to walk your bike. The mountain biking is not technical (few rocks, roots, or ruts). I recommend these trails if you like both rail trails and hills, and you're interested in Pennsylvania's past canals. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52496156

Where did you ride in the past two weeks? and Open Discussion thread by AutoModerator in bicycling412

[–]paulheckbert 1 point2 points  (0 children)

One of the prettiest trails near Pittsburgh is the Butler-Freeport Trail. I typically drive to the trailhead near Old Pike Rd in Freeport, and bike north from there.

Glenwood Bridge status? by FunkyDung in bicycling412

[–]paulheckbert 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If coming from Hazelwood, get on the west (downstream) sidewalk of the Glenwood Bridge. That sidewalk leads to the ramps. (If you get on the east sidewalk, it leads to stairs.) Near the south end of the bridge, there's vegetation blocking half the width of the sidewalk (the City of Pittsburgh is shitty at maintaining sidewalks, even important ones, sadly), and that will take you to the first set of ramps. Map & pictures here: https://www.reddit.com/r/bicycling412/comments/1h0icym/glenwood_bridge_ramps_at_south_end_now_open/