GREAT ALLEGHENY PASSAGE - GAP and C&O TOWPATH - BIKE & CAMP - DAY 1 ON THE GAP - BEAUTIFUL TRAIL

[@vanomadcyclist3474]

Yay!! Another adventure with Steve! Love your content and look forward to Day 2! 😊

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi again and thanks as always! I hope you are doing well. All the best, Steve

[@rivnuts7398]

I’ve made the bikepacking trip to DC several times since retiring in both directions. In making the bike trip, and especially in the remote portions of the C&O Towpath, I realize just how important good bike preparation and maintenance are. No car or plane will bail you out if you break down in the middle of nowhere with no cell service. Often your only option is the assistance offered by fellow riders. I’ll watch the videos of the continuation of your trip to see how you fared. Hope you continue to enjoy your biking adventures.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Thank you!

[@PumpkinVillage]

Glad to see another great video and your bike set up is awesome. That water fall and campground were outstanding. Thanks for the video and take care, Al

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Al! I hope your leg is getting better. It was a really nice ride. A little muddy on the C&O, but that's part of the adventure. Take care and all the best, Steve

[@johnleenane4571]

Great to see you back steve, you always brighten my day. Good on you 🇮🇪👍

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Thank you very much John! Have a great day, Steve

[@elizzievb]

Always a joy to see a video from Steve! Such a lovely guy. Met some nice Canadians and Hoosiers, a beeeautiful day, nice trail and good fun. Looking forward to following you on this ride! Keep rollin’! 🚲❤

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi there and thanks for your nice comment! It was a really fun ride. Thanks again and all the best, Steve

[@joegiunta5635]

Hi Steve , glad to see you out and riding. I'm a year out from buying my Trex dual sport electric bike for my 75th birthday. I just turned 76 yesterday and planning to ride today on the Erie Canal. I just love riding that bike, its a lion tammer for wind and hills. Looking forward to day two......Joe

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Joe and thanks for your comment! Sounds like a great bike. Keep on pedaling, Steve

[@Mike-vd2qt]

Since you asked, the sense of trepidation and planning all melts away once you start with those first pedal strokes. You give up a certain amount of control because weather, terrain, people, all influence your ride each day. That is what creates your adventure on a bike if you let it. ☮

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Well said Mike! Thanks for your comment and have a great day, Steve

[@rex758]

Steve always is a joy to see the videos, smooth and relaxing, (7 more months to retire, and I may join you on one of your trips Steve.. but first need to ride a little more.) Thank you again. Cheers

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Werner and great to hear from you again! Retirement in 7 months sounds great. Would love to ride with you some day. Take care my friend, Steve

[@melissasinclair9303]

I stayed there a couple years ago. It is TREMENDOUSLY cute! Straight into LOTR.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Yes Melissa, it was really nice! Thanks for your comment, Steve

[@dsa5394]

We love those trails. We live in Ohio and do all or parts of them every year. They are great for camping.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

It was a beautiful ride. Thank you, Steve

[@amylipkin2116]

Yay!! The Stevster is on the GAP!! Did you see the Phantom coaster running at Kennywood? The only question I have for you, why didn't you take Amtrak? I know sometimes there are no bike reservations available, I wish they would take more bikes, but I understand if there were a flux of bicycles to load/unload, it could jeopardize their tight schedule!! Anyway, it's fun to see what I will be riding starting next Saturday!! Hope the weather stays good for you, my friend...

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hey Amy, good to hear from you! Didn't see any Phantom coaster but did see a lot of turtles. Didn't take Amtrak because logistically it was easier for me to rent the vans. My experience with Amtrak is that they have a long way to go to be more bicycle friendly. Last time I used them I had to hang my bike, deflate the front tire since it was too wide to fit on the hanger AND deal with all my panniers and bags. All while the train was boarding with a crowd of people trying to squeeze by. Not a fun experience. Maybe next time it will be better. Hope you have a fantastic trip! Stay safe and all the best, Steve

[@FollowThomas]

It turned out to be a beautiful day despite the rain on the way to Pittsburgh. I knew it was going to be a beautiful ride since I was on the C&O about the same time, just finished. Good to see familiar places on the GAP trail since I rode it exactly a year ago. Looking forward to your Day 2 video.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Thomas, hope you are doing well. I hope your ride was as nice as mine. Keep on pedaling! All the best, Steve

[@FollowThomas]

@@steveretiredandcycling Hey Steve, hoping to see you after a month in Connecticut

[@TrekkingwithMikeandDeb]

We are currently riding the p'tit Traun du Nord after watching your video. Keep it up.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Mike and Deb, I hope you are enjoying the ride. Jan and I have many fond memories of the trip and are looking forward to our next trip in The Netherlands in two weeks. Have a great day and all the best, Steve

[@russellely1021]

yay!!! Steve is back in the saddle!!!

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Thanks Russell!

[@apollovizsla]

I am originally from Somerset County Pennsylvania, which the GAP trail goes through. Rockwood is the closest trailhead to my town, but I spend more time riding bikes from Ohiopyle to Confluence when I go home to visit my family and someday would like to ride the whole GAP. I've lived in Connecticut since 1984 and do some riding on the Farmington canal trail and the trails at Hammonasset beach. Enjoy your trip!

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi there and thank you for your comment. The GAP is a nice trail that I really enjoyed. Living in Connecticut the Farmington Canal Trail is my favorite. I ride it often. Thanks again and all the best, Steve

[@LarryMullins111]

GREAT video Steve. Looks like your having a wonderful trip. Stay safe 🙂

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Thanks Larry! It was a great trip.

[@54andBored]

So beautiful there..im so tired of the high desert im in..nice days are random

[@OutdoorsWithJohnUSA]

Steve, I’m excited for you and looking forward to my trip in September from DC to Pittsburgh.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi John, I hope all is well. It was a really nice trip. Just remember that DC to Pittsburgh is mostly uphill for 3/4 of the distance. Not much of an incline, however the C&O does have some challenging single track that goes on for miles. Take care, Steve

[@bikebob66]

Nice!!! A buddy and I will be doing that route in two weeks! Taking Amtrak from Chicago to Pittsburgh then bikecamping along the trail then Amtrak back to Chicago from DC! Happy miles and smiles my friend!

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Bob and thanks for your comment! You will have a great time.

[@dsa5394]

Your waterfall is usually a slow seep on the yellow mound. You're lucky it was flowing like that.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Yes, it was very nice!

[@billysbikesbrews7183]

Love the GAP 🚴‍♂️😎.. Great Video it’s always great to meet other Cyclists.. I stayed at that Campsite 🏕️ in West Newton.. it’s a fantastic spot.. hope you had a chance to eat at Gary’s Chuckwagon 😁 Look forward to seeing the Series on this trail 🍀🙂

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Thanks Billy, the campground was great! Sorry I missed Gary's Chuckwagon. Had a pizza in town. Thanks again and have a nice day, Steve

[@elizabethburgess3969]

So looking forward to seeing the videos of this trip! On the list for this fall.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Elizabeth, hope you are doing well. It was a challenging ride once I got to the C&O. Lots of mud this time of year. It will be much easier in the fall. Definitely starting in Pittsburgh was the right thing to do. Thanks and have a great day, Steve

[@elizabethburgess3969]

@@steveretiredandcycling I have heard that the C&O can be a bit challenging. Planning on Pittsburgh to DC for sure.

[@twobusyliving6641]

Enjoyed. Thanks!

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Thanks for your comment! Take care, Steve

[@mauricetranslator]

You love what you are doing. I would like to find some trails in Brazil like this. I continue riding my bike every day. I think that Ebikes are taking over and defeating the purpose of bike riding. There is a place for them for the people who really need them. What do you think about that, Steve? I am not retired, so I don't have the same freedom as you do. I thoroughly enjoy riding my bike, though. It is my chance to relax from my teaching and translation work.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Maurice, great to hear from you again! I agree that Ebikes have their place. I sold one of the test Ebikes I received to a guy that uses it every day as his only means of transportation. Some people benefit from them if they have health conditions that prevent them from riding a normal bike. For me, they can make me lazy and not give me the workout I need. Maybe when I get older an Ebike will become necessary. But not today! Thanks again and have a good week, Steve

[@theoilingchief]

Stopped there on my trip in 2021…. Loved the showers and restrooms…..

[@steveretiredandcycling]

It was a really nice place!, Thanks, Steve

[@theoldguyofwhinlatter157]

Hi Steve I think we are pretty similar enjoy speaking to people and being out on the bike. I have a ride planned for when it stops raining but I'm not as tough as you, I'm going to drive to a camp site and sleep in the back of my vehicle. As you know I ride an ebike, the ride I have planned is over 100 miles and hope to complete it in 1 day, I'll let you know if I achieve it. Really enjoyed your video 😊

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi again and thanks for your message! Sounds like you have a nice ride planned. I’m sure you can reach your goal. Whether sleeping in a car or tent it’s all good. Getting out there is most important. Let me know how it works out. Thanks and have a great day, Steve

[@andrewcorwin2275]

So glad to see you out there. This ride is on my list to do. Are you doing Ragbrai this year.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Andrew and thanks for your comment! No I will not be able to make it to Ragbrai this year. Have a great day, Steve

[@Wannaridebikes]

I live in pgh pa. I wish I knew you was there I would have say hi to you.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi there and sorry I missed you! Have a great week, Steve

[@Wannaridebikes]

I ride that trail a lot.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

It's a really nice trail! I enjoyed it.

[@russellely1021]

Steve, chances are you are going to cross paths with FOLLOW THOMAS going the opposite way. like you he loves being on the bikes, and has biked all over the place, mostly Florida. great person too!

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Russel and thanks for the comment. Thomas and I corresponded before our rides. Unfortunately our schedules didn’t work so we missed each other. He will be coming to Connecticut soon so we will finally ride together. Thanks and have a great day, Steve

[@SPMech1]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Thanks!

[@Shevock]

Looks fun. Any bears?

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Dan and thanks for your comment! No bears but I always carry spray just in case. Watched your "Time" video. Any fan of Tom Waits is a friend of mine. Tom's raw genius is the best. Thanks again and have a great weekend, Steve

[@Shevock]

@@steveretiredandcycling the lyrics and melody of Tom is genius... agreed!

[@TerryW5379]

Hi Steve, I’m so glad your back on the trail. What type of bike do you ride on the gravel or chat trails? Gravel or hybrid, (I’m guessing hybrid). I ride a road bike and thinking of getting a bike with wider tires for the Katy Trail. Thanks and enjoy your trip!

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Terry and thanks for asking. On this ride I took my Priority 600X hard tail mountain bike. Perfect bike for this trail since it has 2 1/4 inch tires. When riding with others I use my Jamis Renegade Elite. It's a very light Gravel bike with 40 mm tires. Either bike would be great for the Katy trail. Thanks again and have a great day, Steve

[@russellely1021]

are you okay? haven't seen any more posts. hoping its just a glitch in the equipment

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Must be a glitch. Published a video last week and another tomorrow

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Must be a glitch. Published a video last week and another tomorrow

[@russellely1021]

@@steveretiredandcycling glad you're ok! watched the day 1.