May 22, 2023
Day 11 Clairton PA to Colliers WV
Woke up as usual at 6:30. I slept like a log- best sleep in years. Peter dropped me off at the Montour trailhead and I left around 9:30. The first part of the trail was very peaceful compared to the industrial neighborhood surrounding it. There were a lot of dog walkers out but my favorite entourage was an especially endearing foursome.
The trail at times followed a picturesque stream and sometimes was peacefully wooded.
At one point, I thought I was in Virginia.
The trail is not continuous and uses a lot of streets that are not always well marked. My gps seems to have its distances off so I spent more time than I wished checking google maps and backtracking, as well as questioning any poor soul who might be in my proximity. Eventually the trail became continuous. I encountered sweet little park established by an organization that promotes trail use by children and adults with disabilities.
There were three tunnels on today’s route. As I approached the second tunnel, I encountered a large work truck blocking the trail. Initially I saw a BIDEN sticker on the back; I thought: that’s strange for this corner of of Pennsylvania. But as I got closer, I realized it said BIDEN is not my president. I also noted a TRAIL CLOSED sign. Uh oh. I squeezed around the truck and encountered 2 men, one operating a dilapidated forklift and the other trying to attach a large vat of concrete to the forks. Let’s say it wasn’t a graceful endeavor. The men confirmed that the tunnel was closed to trail traffic. I asked if there was a detour. The forklift operator, who was from the area, replied “There ain’t no detour “. When I asked how I could get around the tunnel, he mumbled “All them roads are dirt and I can’t tell you how to get around it. Just go on through. You’ll have to lift your bike and climb over the barrier. You’ll see the boss on the other side. Just tell him I said you could go.” He then proceeded to deliver the vat of concrete to the men on scaffolding in the tunnel. While I waited for him to finish the task, the other fellow who was from East Palestine, showed me photos taken from his house of the fires following the derailment and the ensuing (controlled?) explosion. Very horrifying.
| Heart | 3 | Comment | 1 | Link |
11 months ago
| Heart | 2 | Comment | 0 | Link |
The Montour trail connected to the Panhandle Trail and the surface changed from crushed limestone to perfectly paved.
I didn’t find the Panhandle as scenic but it was much faster. It passed several towns. I crossed into West Virginia but missed the marker. Peter picked me up in Colliers WV and we drove to the closest campground we could find in New Cumberland WV on the Ohio River, a very restful place and we were the only campers.
| Heart | 5 | Comment | 2 | Link |
10 months ago
Today's ride: 48 miles (77 km)
Total: 377 miles (607 km)
| Rate this entry's writing | Heart | 8 |
| Comment on this entry | Comment | 7 |
11 months ago
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