Does the trail continue after the 31st st. bridge north? Can I get to the Highland Park Bridge? I assume that I can ride the streets in Sharpsburg but didn't know if there is a way from the 31st to 62nd street bridge?
There is not an official trail between the 31st Street Bridge and the 62nd Street Bridge. There is a railroad access road that runs that span, and many folks on this board have experienced mixed results with the trail (some of us have happily passed RR workers with no problems, and others have been told they are trespassing).
Personally, I've not tried riding this stretch in about a year, so I don't know what conditions on the ground are like.
Oof. I actually tried to reach 40th St. Bridge from the trail today (usually I go up River Ave and cross at 31st, but was too lazy to deal with that River Ave incline)... first of all, shortly after 31st the trail becomes a temporary trail (they are doing some sort of work where the normal trail is) which is nothing but large gravel... then the only way to access 40th Street was to go up a busy 2-lane on-ramp, merging onto Ohio St... which was terrifying. And stupid. Then an entire bridge of broken glass as I crossed...
Trail to 40thSB: Go under 28 and over the tracks. Get in left lane at stop sign but go past the 28 off- and on-ramps. Turn left on Maryland Avenue. Fairly steep hill but brief. Dismount and carry bike to sidewalk on left side. Ride or carry bike down short but steep slope to sidewalk. Sidewalk will take you up to ped-xing light at the bridge. Long cycle, but then you can cross with relative ease. In the morning, there is a cop there to stop traffic for you. Sorry, can't help you with the glass, though.
The 40th Street Bridge area is in serious need of a ped/bike redesign...
Good advice Stu! If only I had been less zealous and gone a bit further along that road to find that shortcut... that intersection is terrible as well...
i honestly think the best advice here is trail to 31st, cross, follow this route ( http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3743780 ) and then just scoot up butler to the bridge and cross back (or if you are trying to get to that side, stay there!)
every other route involves bike carrying, nasty gravel, heavy traffic, or other unsightly things
+1 for Mark's route.
If your goal is to be on the north side of the Allegheny (Sharpsburg, Aspinwall, Fox Chapel etc.) , you could cross back on the 62nd street bridge instead of the Highland Park bridge. You need to be in the left lane on the bridge when you get to the far side. Drop down to the stop sign and right on what becomes Freeport Road. I think the traffic on the 62nd street bridge is a little better, though I use both bridges all the time. The merge from Butler onto the HP bridge can be a little edgy if you don't like riding with traffic, but on the plus side the ramps have been repaved so you can hold a nice straight line without bouncing around.
Does the trail continue after the 31st st. bridge north?
Yes, it continues "officially" as a temporary trail from the 31st Street Bridge to the Three Rivers Rowing Association building in Millvale Riverside Park. In this rather short segment, there is some loose gravel in certain areas but it is adequately packed down in most places. After heavy rains there are muddy areas but they have done a decent job filling them in rather quickly. If you have very skinny tires you probably don’t want to ride this section.
The trail continues from the Three Rivers Rowing Association to about a quarter mile north of Millvale Riverside Park. This segment of the trail is in great condition.
The trail then comes to an end and merges with the railroad access road and becomes the “unofficial” trail. This “unofficial” trail goes all the way to First Street underneath the 62nd Street Bridge. This section has varying conditions consisting of hard pack, loose gravel and some heavy gravel. You do not want to be on this section with skinny tires. This section frequently has railroad workers but the access road is more than wide enough to stay clear. I wave to them every day and have never experienced any problems.
Can I get to the Highland Park Bridge?
Yes - Once you get to the 62nd Street Bridge the "unofficial" trail ends and you can take Main Street to the Highland Park Bridge.
FYI - I ride from Sharpsburg to Gateway Center every day using the above route. My mountain bike does not have fat tires but they aren’t skinny either (more skinny than fat - not sure of the size) and I have no problems.
I flatted along the 40th-62nd section one time I tried this, but that may have been a pinch flat due to underinflation. Any recommendations on minimum tire pressure?
Depends on your tire stu, My 25mm say 100psi min.
Any recommendations on minimum tire pressure?
Depends on the load, tire size, and whether it's the front or rear tire. Check this out
