BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

Google Maps' "by bike" feature is going to be a good resource. When I plotted Millvale to OTB just now, it didn't give me a route on the north shore trail for some reason. Select your "start point" at the trail and the end at OTB. Your instinct for the Smithfield Street bridge is correct; I would not recommend the Fort Pitt Bridge path unless it's necessary.

If you take the Hot Metal Bridge on the return trip, you'll have to make the detour around Bates Street, which is well marked and really not that much of a problem. Or you could climb up the hill and head through Oakland, in which case I think many people on the board would recommend Gold Way/Melwood Avenue as a good route.

Take the North Shore Trail towards the PNC Park. After PNC Park, but before Heinz Field, ramp up to Ft. Duquesne Bridge, touch down briefly at the Point and then right across the Ft. Pitt Bridge (both bridge crossings are sidewalks well separated from traffic), loop down onto the South Side trail at the far end of the Station Square Parking lots. Take that trail all of the way to the South Side works, wiggle though there over to Carson Street and you're there.

Getting to Ft. Duquesne Bridge from the North Shore Trail isn't so easy or obvious. After you pass PNC park, make a sharp hairpin turn onto the sidewalk that goes up the hill. It leads to a cul-de-sac; go north on that street and turn at the first left about 200 feet away. About a block down that street is the ramp that leads up to the Ft. Duquesne Bridge.

...right across the Ft. Pitt Bridge

I find the Ft Pitt Bridge unpleasent.

It's dirty, you have to dismount for traffic signs, for bus shelters, and often for pedestrians, it's work to get up and then you can't get any speed coming down, the end of the bridge sends you in the wrong direction for the south side.

Altogether, I think I'd rather just swim the Mon with my bike on my back.

The shared walkway on the Smithfield street strikes me as OK, even though ther are issues with either Smithfield St or Grant St access.

If it were me, I'd like cross at 7th street, go through town then either Smithfield St or 2nd to the 10th street bridge sidewalk.

@Mick:

I don't think there is any construction on or after the bridge right now; the bus shelter on the ramp to Carson Street was removed this summer; and taking the walk all the way down puts you right at the entrance to Station Square parking, and 50 yards from the end of the South Side trail.

It is dirty, though. But if I stayed off of every route that was dirty, I'd never leave the house.

I like it mostly because of the view down the river - a view you can't really get from a car.

My favorite places to ride are bridges. The views of the city can't be matched. I like riding on the sidewalks because I can be closer to the edge, with a free view.

The Fort Pitt Bridge is my number 1 favorite of all bridges. The view is spectacular, the railing is about seat-high - giving you full access to the rivers.

This might not be the fastest way to Southside, but it provides the most awesome views.

I would say don't skip the Fort Pitt Bridge even though it leads you backwards a bit. It is so worth it. Plus, it allows you to come back through Station Square which is also loaded with interesting things to see.

I led a ride for Bike Fest called 12 Bridges, 3 Rivers, 21 miles. If you like riding bridges too, click on the link above for my ride map. Nearly 90 people rode this route on the first Saturday of Bike Fest.

This isn't the fastest way to Southside, but the views are the best. Skip some of the bridges and use the map to find your own favorite way. Good Luck.

i think this is obvious but maybe i'm missing something... northside trail, cross ft duquesne, jail trail to hot metal bridge... i can't imagine why you would take the ft pitt bridge when you could take the hot metal both ways, the detour is actually kind of nice.

Right now I would not recommend the 40th St Bridge, not because of the bridge, but the sidewalk/goat path that takes you TO the bridge from Maryland Ave in Millvale is almost impassable. I rode it today and wiped out in some slick mud, trying to avoid a construction sign.

I live north of you, up Babcock a ways, and regularly travel through Millvale. I worked for a time at Ansaldo on Second Ave. Where you're headed is just a quick crossing of the Mon from there on Hot Metal.

How I'd do it: Millvale to river trail, use the new walk/bikeway, then after going under 31SB hook around and cross the Allegheny on it. Smallman or Railroad or Penn through the Strip (lots of schools of thought here as to which is best/worst). Straight down Grant Street. Take the lane.

Get onto the Jail Trail just past First Ave. I'm not all that familiar with the detour near Hot Metal so won't give you guidance other than use that bridge to get across the Mon.

Reverse trip, what ieverhart said about the hollow up into Oakland, wiggle over to Gold Way. That drops you down to the Herron/Liberty corner. I rather like the 40SB as a return trip, and just take the lane on the ramp back down into Millvale.

mark,

what's the best way to get to jail trail from fort duquesne bridge? only way i know is by tangling with traffic thru downtown

Yes, Fort Pitt bridge sidewalk avoids surface riding through town, and it's worth trying at least once, it's kind of cool and can definitely be useful in certain circumstances.

what's the best way to get to jail trail from fort duquesne bridge? only way i know is by tangling with traffic thru downtown

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that the only access to the Jail Trail downtown is on streets that are fairly traffic heavy. I would ordinarily get from the North Shore trail to the Jail Trail via one of the 6-7-9th Street Bridges, across Liberty Avenue, and then via one of the numbered avenues to Grant Street, and then hang a left just after the Boulevard of the Allies onto the trail by the PNC building (right by the purple bicycle friendly city sign).

I went on a ride with my parents (fine riders but traffic-averse) a few months back, and they did not enjoy the Fort Pitt Bridge experience very much. The access on the South Side was lousy, and the very narrow path on the bridge itself was stress-inducing, especially given that the railing is "seat-high" and probably right at or below your center of gravity.

We were going from Station Square to the North Shore, and I laid out the options of crossing either at Smithfield Street and streets or via the Fort Pitt Bridge onto Point State Park. Based on that description and preferring to avoid the streets, we went on the Fort Pitt Bridge but with some regrets again.

It's a fine option in the right circumstances, with a great view, but like any route has some drawbacks.

were not so keen on riding on high-traffic streets,

ft duq bridge, through the point park, past the museum, under the roadway, do something and wind up in the parking lot by the post gazette. From there, I would take cyclists over the age up 12 up the Blvd of the Allies (and have done with as young as 11 - just take the lane and ride predictably), and under 12 up the sidewalk on 1st ave (probably, haven't done that) There's a "shared sidewalk" offroad connection between the jail trail and the smithfield st bridge.

If we could convince some of the workers on the 28 project to take a couple wheelbarrow loads of gravel to dump in those mudholes along the sidewalk connecting Maryland Ave to the 40SB approach, I'd recommend crossing the Allegheny on 40SB, and learning the wiggle from the S end of the bridge over to Smallman.

Getting across 28 in the morning from that sidewalk is super-easy. Just smile and say good morning to the county policeman working the traffic light. He pushes a button and traffic stops, just for you.

Stu, why cross the Allegheny all the way back at 40th when we have a nice trail (with a neat new section that puts you out over the river) to take all the way into town? I can see hoping off the trail and crossing one of the three sisters to cut across downtown to Smithfield, but why would you purposefully ride through all the angry morons on the 28 detour?

True, 40SB might not be the best bet. I did suggest 31SB a few posts back. 16th isn't too bad, either. 9th/7th/6th aren't difficult, but leave a lot of Downtown to cross.

I haven't found Grant to be all that daunting, and I am put off by Blvd of the Allies. Last week's accident at Allies/Wood does not improve that view. If I was to come all the way down to FtDuqBr, Liberty/Stanwix/Fourth Ave is my preference if coming out of Point State Park. Using Grant cuts a good two miles off the trip, too.

Crossing the Mon, I'm not a big fan of crossing either Smithfield or Fort Pitt. The first is too crowded with pedestrians, the second too narrow in general, for my tastes. 10th would work, but it's hard to get to except by streets. Liberty and Birmingham Bridges are essentially unusable. That leaves Hot Metal.

On Smithfield, I use the road. If you find the road too frightening, and the sidewalk too crowded, there's nothing stopping you from dismounting and walking.

@ Lyle - I forgot about the "shared sidewalk" from the Smithfield Street Bridge to the Jail Trail. You still have to cross the south end of Grant Street to access the trail, though, and as I recall, the light there took forever and in the meantime, there were a lot of fast-moving cars.

I generally take the roadway on the Smithfield Street Bridge. I don't like the zigzag joints, but have actually not had many problems with them (other than psychologically freaking me out). I sometimes take the 10th Street Bridge (before or after traversing the Armstrong Tunnels) since it's substantially shorter than the alternatives if I'm going from downtown to the "teens" on East Carson Street.

I don't like the 10th st bridge - the road on the bridge is usually full of drunk drivers at the time of night I'm riding, and the sidewalk, when not full of drunk pedestrians, is so bumpy and weird, and makes me feel like I have 2 flat tires.

Wanted to say thanks to all who offered info...started in Millvale, toured Wash's landing (exchanged pleasantries with R Mendenhall) cruised past the stadiums and casino...

Back to Ft Duq bridge, crossed to the point and continued across Ft Pitt bridge...gotta say this was my fav..stopped for photos on a sunny day - awesome view...

enjoyed a spin around station square before continuing on to the so' side for a great sangwichy at OTB - try the burger w/portabella and blue cheese, will return soon for one of those bad boys!!!.....stopped at REI before crossing Hot Metal and returning via Eliza trail and Fort Duq bridge...

Six hrs total trip, lots of stops for photos and enjoyment...not a killer workout but a great day in the Burgh!!

Thanks to All....

@Tsideyw - awesome! Glad you liked Ft. Pitt Bridge - one of my favorite spots also - esp. early morning!

Well done!