USNA 1973 Ride-2-Remember

Filling the GAP (with pleasant surprises)

Day 55, 27 September: Homestead to Connellsville, PA

Today was my sixth time starting out on the GAP (Great Allegheny Passage) – a trail that is routinely ranked among one of the top 10 trails in North America. I love this trail and consider it my cathedral. I’ve been thinking about the GAP trail since we started our trek in Astoria, Oregon. It’s long (150 miles) and connects to the C&O Canal Towpath (180 miles) making our last week of riding entirely off-road. Rather than a hyper-focus on the road in front or the cars and trucks approaching from behind, there’s opportunity to relax, enjoy the scenery, listen to music, and let the mind retreat to inner thoughts. It’s a stress reliever at any time, and when combined with a perfect Fall day sporting sunny skies, comfortable temperature, a trail in excellent condition, and foliage showing signs of change, a good day quickly becomes a great day.

Another predawn launch; a tug pushes a barge as we recross the Monongahela River
The GAP Trail utilizes abandoned trackbed alongside active rail lines; a visitor’s center and former station at the only SAG stop for the day.
A marker at the midpoint of today’s ride reminds us how close we are; another significant marker on the way

Dave wouldn’t quite agree with that assessment as he had a flat 20 miles into our ride. With the help of Tes, a temporary fix is put in place and they make good time to the motel in Connellsville, where we were in for a few pleasant surprises.

We followed the Youghiogheny River most of the day; a waterfall on the trail
A cabin along the trail; arriving in Connellsville

Starting with a Facebook post, which led to an email blast, came a call from Dan Gearing, a USNA ’77 graduate who wants the opportunity to greet us in Connellsville. About 1:30 PM while catching up on some emails I receive a call from Dan. He’s in the lobby with Pennsylvania State Senator Patrick Stefano, the senator’s assistant, and a reporter. With several of the team present, we respond to a full slate of questions posed by an experienced and attentive reporter. She and Dan then join us for Quarters and photos.

Dan Gearing ’77 (center) and PA State Sen. Patrick Stefano (right); the team with Sen. Stefano

Our next stop is the Kickstand, an eatery catering to the thousands of cyclists that pass through Connellsville each year. We continue stoking our bodies with a high calorie diet, top off the main course with ice cream, and then dip into the chocolate covered pretzels delivered to our table by the senator’s assistant. Dan picks up the tab, as has been done for us more than once over the past few days.

Dinner with Dan Gearing at the Kickstand; and they have Nightingale ice cream sandwiches for dessert!

There’s still time left in the day for more pleasant surprises, but they’ll have to await another blog. Tomorrow we ride 60 miles to Meyersdale, PA along what I consider the prettiest stretch of the GAP/C&O trail.

Doug Leland

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