In celebrating the selection of the Youghiogheny as River of the Year, our 2008 Sojourn is focused on boating, but we certainly recognize the Great Allegheny Passage as a phenomenal resource, not only on the 70 miles parallel to the Yough River but downstream toward Pittsburgh and upstream beyond Meyersdale to Cumberland, Md.
In all, the Passage offers 132 miles of off-road, nearly level peddling (as opposed to paddling), linking Pittsburgh with Washington, DC, via the C&O Canal Towpath beyond Cumberland.
The "official" sojourn schedule offers a bicycling alternative to the whitewater excursion on Friday, July 18, but people interested in bicycling along the river can register for the sojourn and join us for camping and meals.
NOTE: BICYCLE RENTALS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN ANY SOJOURN PRICING. If you wish to rent bicycles, that will be an extra cost, but bikes are readily available at these area outfitters listed on the Great Allegheny Passage web site. You may, of course, bring your own bike.
The suggested itenerary for strong and regular bikers follows.
Bike from Ohiopyle State Park up to Confluence and back (22 miles); stronger bicyclists may wish to peddle further upstream along the Casselman River before turning around.
Bike from Ohiopyle down to Bruner Run and back (14 miles) or to Connellsville and back (34 miles); stronger bicyclists may wish to peddle to Dawson and back (44 miles).
Bike from Dawson to Credar Creek (one-way, 16 miles, with shuttle back to your car); stronger bicyclists may bike from Connellsville to Cedar Creek and back (44 miles).
Bike from Cedar Creek to Buena Vista and back (20 miles); stronger peddlers may bike from Cedar Creek to the mouth of the Yough at McKeesport and back (40 miles).