We woke up to a forecast of 80% chance of rain. Luckily it was an easy day, with few miles to ride. We prepared for the worst and expected to get wet. Weather was holding up early in the morning and because it was not raining, we decided to leave.
At Confluence, we left the Youghiogheny river and started following the Casselman river. This is another beautiful clean river that we crossed multiple times using the railroad viaducts.
At Confluence, we left the Youghiogheny river and started following the Casselman river. This is another beautiful clean river that we crossed multiple times using the railroad viaducts.
Today we encountered a lot of cyclists who, like us, had started biking last weekend but were going in the opposite direction. They were going downhill, however, while we were still going up. Today the incline was very noticeable and we moved slower than the previous days; in fact, we had the greatest elevation gain. Meyersdale is the highest town of the GAP. We rode by waterfalls again today.
We rode for about 10 mi before we stopped. Despite seeing some long distance riders, the trail was quiet and shaded.
Our first stop was the Pinkerton tunnel. It is serious disrepair now and unusable. However, efforts are underway to rehabilitate it and re-open it, perhaps as soon as next year. Donations are accepted here: http://www.atatrail.org/store/index.cfm?CategoryID=7. The tunnel can be bypassed by a 1.5 mi detour along a river meander. The detour is not included in the overall mileage of the trail guide; however it is scenic and worth taking. And it was flat, so it was a nice break from the constant hill.
Our first stop was the Pinkerton tunnel. It is serious disrepair now and unusable. However, efforts are underway to rehabilitate it and re-open it, perhaps as soon as next year. Donations are accepted here: http://www.atatrail.org/store/index.cfm?CategoryID=7. The tunnel can be bypassed by a 1.5 mi detour along a river meander. The detour is not included in the overall mileage of the trail guide; however it is scenic and worth taking. And it was flat, so it was a nice break from the constant hill.
We stopped at Rockwood near the Visitor Center, the only place in this segment of the trail where there is a phone signal. We met the trail maintenance coordinator for this section, who is doing a great job maintaining the trail and building overlooks, picnic areas, covered tables, etc. The trail is remarkably well maintained in this area.
After a brief stop, we skipped town and kept going to reach one of the most famous features of the trail: The Salisbury Viaduct, a 1,908-feet long and 101-feet high bridge over the highway, river and railroad tracks. In the distance, you can see the wind turbines on one side and Mt. Davis, the highest peak in PA, on the other. The viaduct is very windy. The sections over the road are protected with high fences but if you want to jump you can do it to the river, the railroad tracks or adjacent fields; just do not mess up traffic.
Two miles later we arrived at Meyersdale, PA, our destination for the day. While we were getting ready to go into the Visitor Center, a nice lady from Cleveland requested our help to fix her bike. We could not help much because they did not have her tire size at the local bike shop/bike parts/B&B establishment. We then rode the steep Main St. down and headed to lunch to G.I. Dayroom, a mom-and-pop old fashioned breakfast and sandwich place.
We had been lucky with the weather so far but it was starting to change. While we were waiting to check in at our place for the night, we did laundry at the local Laundromat.
We were staying at the Morguen Toole hotel. This is a peculiar place that was the result of the fusion of a tool shop and a morgue (hence the name of the business). They have a bar and a restaurant on the premises, and a labyrinth of corridors that take you to different rooms. Everything has been decorated using refurbished items that were left behind in both establishments, what adds uniqueness to the place.
Accommodations are Spartan, but unlike any other. Rain came hard after we checked in but did not spare other cyclists that arrived a little after us, soaked to the skin. We ventured for a walk and had dinner at the restaurant. The waitress was very friendly and we learned a lot about the place. We have to give Meyersdale an A+ for hospitality.
Beer of the day: Packsaddle Pale Ale, Whitehorse Brewing Co. (from Berlin, PA; cannot get more local than this)
Dinner: Morguen Toole Restaurant
Bird of the day: Cliff swallow under the Confluence bridges
Dinner: Morguen Toole Restaurant
Bird of the day: Cliff swallow under the Confluence bridges