20110709

300 km -Washington, PA - Monongahela - Ohiopyle - Mt Davis - Meyersdale - Connellsville - Mongahela - Washington, PA
Saturday July 9, 2011

Ride Description
We ride across the Laurel Mountains (southwestern Pennsylvania's Appalachian mountains) and back. Many of the towns are waypoints on the classic water route across these mountains first surveyed by George Washington (and now followed by the Great Allegheny Passage Trail), but we go over the ridges, not around them. Outbound, around mile 40 or 45 you see the first major ridge in the distance. Passing Connellsville, our first 2000 ft climb follows "creek roads" for a while, then starts hitting steeps (10 - 20%), just like the Dirty Dozen, but in the beautiful Laurel Mountains. Then we descend into Ohiopyle, which should be abuzz with rafters and kayakers. We ride the trail along the Youghiogheny for 10 miles to Confluence, then we take the classic club route across Mt Davis, the highest point in Pennsylvania at 3213 ft. On the return trip we take the Great Allegheny Passage Trail another 12 miles from Meyersdale to Rockwood for a wee rest, and then follow Rt 653 across the Laurel Ridge and Chestnut Ridge, another club classic route - Here the climbs are not quite so long, but feel more frequent and punishing. Yet, just when you think it will never end, you roll off the Chestnut Ridge in a long descent into Connellsville. Then we return via Monongahela to Washington.

Note that this ride has extended climbs at 15% grade, sections over 20% grade, and you should be able to ride 10% grade exhausted. [For me, that means I ride a 30 tooth front granny and a rear 34 tooth large sprocket]

NEW Start Location
Hampton Inn Washington
119 Murtland Avenue, Washington, PA
(724) 228-4100

Start Location
4:30 AM Sign-in and Bike Inspection Opens
4:50 AM Rider Meeting
5:00 AM Riders depart (20:00 hr time limit)