Anyone have any thoughts about making this ride? The distance isn't too bad, but I don't know about the safety of the route. Google maps bike routing shows most of the ride on Steubenville Pike. Is is reasonable to bike on that road?
Personally, I'd prefer one of the following:
1) Ride to Coraopolis, pick up the Montour Trail, and take the trail to the base of the hill at Robinson.
2) Ride to Carnegie, go up the hill to Collier St/Ewing Rd/Ridge Rd. That'll take you up to the Bayer campus on the other side of the parkway.
I'll take that as a "no" on Steubenville Pike, since those 2 routes are both quite a bit longer. My destination would be the Trek store out there, so the Carnegie route probably wouldn't work. Maybe I'll try the Coraopolis version. Thanks for the input.
I am glad Dan wrote that so I dont have to. That is spot on.
Edmonds will probably comment on ths before too long. He lives in the Robinson area, so should have some good ideas.
I worked at the Robinson Trek store for a bit and would ride Steubenville Pike there from town. Not the greatest, not the worst.
OOh, yeah, been out all day and just saw this. On a weekend a.m., just go straight out Steubenville Pike. It sucks in some places, but it's do-able. I don't go near it on weekdays outbound on the way home, I take one of the routes that's 3 or 4 miles longer just for sanity's sake, but on a weekend is fine. Parts are comparable to, say, riding Blvd of the Allies/Panther Hollow road going from Oakland to Squirrel Hill, if you're comfortable with that.
Okay, that's really good to know, since I would be doing this on the weekend. I don't mind a little traffic, I just don't want to get buzzed by cars doing 45. Thanks everyone for the advice.
I used to ride Steuben to just past the 79 interchange. Cars do go fast but there's mostly a decent shoulder and the "extra" lane for cars to pass so I didn't think it was too dangerous. I took a couple rides out towards the Trek store - it wasn't too bad aside from maybe around the BP.
Well, I've done this exact route once, and never touched Steubenville.
I was starting from north, but assuming you are Downtown, this is how I'd do it:
* North shore trail, to just short of the old jail
* Doerr, L Preble, R Eckert, L McClure
* L Antrim, R Fleming (moderate climb, but brief)
* L Termon, continue across to McKees Rocks Bridge
* Cross bridge, bending right onto Island Ave
* L Tunnel Way, continue through tunnel and down to traffic light
* R Broadway (in Stowe Twp), continue to end of street
* R Pine Hollow Road (long light climb)
* L Fairhaven (Wendy's, Pizza Hut). Be taking the lane at the couple of traffic lights approaching this corner, and expect horns. You're in suburbia here, but it isn't all that bad. Fairly low speed.
* Fairhaven is a tough climb, but only 1/4 mile.
* R Clever, and continue a good long ways.
* Just after Beaver Grade Road peels in from the left, peel R onto Old Beaver Grade Rd
* Continue to end, then L onto Montour Trail
* Ride trail for most of a mile, until you have to cross a road to stay on the trail. To the right is FedEx Drive, to the left is the climb into Robinson Town Center and Mall at Robinson.
* Go up that hill toward the Mall. At the "T" intersection, it doesn't much matter which way you go; they rejoin in about a mile. Meanwhile, you're climbing a hill with hundreds of cars passing you at full throttle. It sucks, but it's only a mile.
* When you get to Applebees/Eat&Park, turn left. Trek is in this plaza.
I have ridden Steubenville Pike a number of times - even across the interchange to the Montour Church Exit. My outbound trips are often in heavy traffic, the return trip calmer. What I could aprpeciate is that the center turn lane on the 'Pike allows cars to get aroudn you without trying to force you further onto the shoulder. The shoulder itself is not bad, but I do avoid it when coming back downhill in order not to lose control. Bright lights help, front and rear. It is always a concern when crossing the path of the interchange ramps at 79 and again at 376. People just aren't looking for bikes, so I think my night time trips are safer because they can see me lit up (not drunk).
I have also ridden Neville Island to the Montour Trail and climbed up the back. It was not bad at all. Incredibly peaceful on the return trip and even stopped for a slice at Doughboys on Island Avenue. With a tailwind the return trip is very fast also.
From Carnegie there is the Ewing Road route. It is so-so. Still need to cross over 376 or under it onto Campbells Run Road - or ride out Campbells Run itself straight from Carnegie.
I have been on all of those. Stay lit up at night to be safe.
The Ridge Road interchange across 376 toward the Settlers Ridge development is a hoot. It is too mega for me and I just want to avoid it.
I've used Campbell's Run from Carnegie to Trek store a few times on the weekends. It was actually much less busy than I expected.
If they could just extend the southside trail, at the end of station square, a few miles up to the start of Neville Island,you could easily get to Robinson Township via the Montour Trail.This would be wonderful!!As of right now there's really not a safe way to get there from the city.I've already tried and nearly got killed going on East Carson Street.
@Lenny: safest way I know of from town is Ohio River Trail to the penitentiary, then up McClure to Brighton Heights. Take the McKees Rocks Bridge, then right on 51/Island Ave to Neville Island. Over to Coraopolis, and you're there.
I live off West Carson in Esplen and ride it every day. I live next to the Brunot Island RR bridge. You can do it, my friend.
Past my street there is only another mile or so until the road narrows back down to 2 lanes. And there are more and more bikes on it each year - so people are used to seeing us. Yes, there are some fast drivers but so far, so good.
I'll try not to be a troll so that you know I am still alive!
