This takes you from Station Square, west via 22 to Raccoon Creek State Park (rt. 30 west side of the Wildflower Reserve), and back via 151/51.
This route is taken from from Oscar Swan's "Bike Rides Out of Pittsburgh".
I'm pretty sure this is the route described by Swan, any notes or corrections are appreciated.
The intermediate destinations were used to make it easier to amend google's original bicycle route:
http://goo.gl/t0xB
The google route uses Cliff Mine Rd, marked as bicycle friendly (I've never ridden it), which could also be incorporated into the Swan route.
Steevo is the ultimate authority on this sort of thing. But that section of 22 from Campbell's Run to Old Stubenville is, I think, pretty dicey. And I can't ever recall doing that way but taking that route, which also makes me wonder.
I think typically we go up to the Mall, come out at Park Manor to Montour Run to Clif Mine, which is a great road. Boggs is also quite good.
I've done that section between Campbells Run and Old Stu-ville. It was OK. A little dicey, sure. Not as traumatic as I thought it might be, and -by far- not the worst part of Swan's Potato Run Ride.
There is a wide shoulder on 22. I'm guessing right now it's covered with wintry debris, but it was OK last May.
Mick
What? What is the worst part of the Potato Garden Run ride? (also qualify that with what day and what time of day you rode it)
I would literally never ride this way.
Montour run is THE road you take to avoid the
parkway inbound when traffic is backed up. Cab
drivers are instructed to use it to avoid traffic.
MY personal way of getting to raccoon:
Out noblestown from the west end.
Oout of oakdale turn right on Finks Run
Cross north branch onto Kelso
Over 22 and left on old steubenvile pike
right on santiago
under train trestle,
left on boggs
right on potato garden
left on 30 for a minute.
30 is awful and should not be ridden on for
longer than needed.
FYI: Kelso from N Branch is currently kaput. Some evil sod took the bridge out, at least as of Saturday.
Easy-peasy detour: from Fink, make right on N Branch, left on Donaldson, left at T on Partridge, which will take you back to Kelso after the construction.
Fair enough. My riding is colored by going out at 8a on Sunday morning.
Although I am confused. I am almost positive you were the one who showed me Cliff Mine. (typically to Enlow and then to Mcaslin). What have I misunderstood?
@Mayhew What? What is the worst part of the Potato Garden Run ride? (also qualify that with what day and what time of day you rode it)
The part on 22 didn't last that long - it was only quarter mile IIRC.
It was a good ride, but long enough that there is plenty to nominate as the "worst".
Some not inherent to the ride - I had built up to to 45 or 50 miles and the 70 I went that day was a bit much for me. More of an investment, for a DC trip a week later, than a pleasure.
Somewhere, I was misdirected down a dead end. I do mean down. Climbing back up - to a point where I was still lost - wasn't fun.
But traffic on 151 got a little heavy even on a Sunday afternoon, with a vibe of ex-urb hostility. It got dark and rainy on 51 before I finished.
I had to laugh, because when I got to the West End interchange that had recently been referred to here as something like "our little patch of hell," my thought was "Thank god! I'm HOME now!"
Best parts?
Getting kissed on lawn in Settler Cabin Park. Having some roofers hoot and holler at me in a freindly way, then offer me gatorade -which I took even though I had plenty of fluids. Potato Garden Run Road itself - no traffic for miles. Wonderful feeling to have pedaled out to the country.
Microwave burritos at a convenience store. Apple for salad. Donut for dessert. Yum.
Mick
Fair enough. If it makes you feel better I got lost with Oscar that route one time! At one point someone asked "What page is this on?" which might be the funniest thing I have ever heard on a bicycle.
Potato Garden run itself is an incredible road.
Potato Garden run itself is an incredible road.
It's my heron road...I've had a blue heron fly out from the creek and pace me down the road at least four or five times in the last couple of years. Love that road.
I've stopped counting my heron sightings on Saxonburg Blvd. Probably in the dozens now. Still a thrill every time.
@Chris Mayhew ... got lost with Oscar that route
Thank you! That does makes me feel much better.
