"Montour" Trail Group - Monthly Rides Summaries

 Back in October of 2023, a group of folks who either still are or have been associated with the Montour Trail Council got together for a ride on the trail. Since it was a lot of fun and good to catch up with each others' lives, we decided to make it a monthly event. We've been faithfully gathering and riding since that time. Participants vary, from month-to-month and some have invited their friends and riding acquaintances  to join us. Because of that, we now use quotation marks around Montour, when referring to our group.

What follows are some photos from these monthly rides, beginning with the ride on July 11, 2024. Prior to that ride, I had been sending photos attached to an email that went out to anyone who had ridden with us in the past. For various reasons, I stopped doing that but am now making up for the past few months and may continue posting monthly photos in this blog.

On July 11, 2024 we rode from Cecil Park to the end of the Westland Branch of the trail and then to the Panhandle Trail connector at milepost 16.5 on the Montour Trail, in McDonald, PA



Getting ready to start from the parking lot at Cecil Township Park.


At the Galati Road Trailhead.


With a couple of long distance cyclists we met at the turn off for the Panhandle Trail connecting path.


On the McDonald Viaduct.


Mike Trueblood pauses at an informational sign on the Montour Trail.


Brief pause at the Westland Branch Trailhead alongside Hornhead Road, in Westland.


The next ride was done on Monday, August 13, 2024. We began from Mile Zero, in Groveton which is an area lying within Moon Township. From there, we rode the trail to the Airport Connecting Branch that begins at the Five Points intersection, of which Cliff Mine Road is a major artery. The ACB takes you all the way to an entrance into the airport terminal of Greater Pitt. Scott Smith and Tim Green made it all the way to the gate. Then we rode to where we left off in July, milepost 16.5 and the Panhandle connector. After a break, it was back to Mile Zero. Some participants bailed at various points during the ride. For anyone who did the whole thing, it was a 46 mile day.


                                A portion of the Airport Connector Trail, on Moon-Clinton Road.

Due to my busy schedule, the next ride did not happen until September 26, 2024. On this 35-mile ride, myself and the Johnsons, Paul and Patti, rode on the river trails in the city of Pittsburgh and adjacent communities. It was overcast and perhaps one of the last very humid days of the season. We had a very pleasant ride from the point, on the Jail Trail, over to the South Side, and on down to Mckeesport and back. I didn't get any photos but did take a nice video of some ducks splashing around in the fountain at the point. The Youtube video link is below:

https://youtu.be/Pc0EVhlUF6s

October has been a busy month of riding for our group. On the 3rd, Tim Green, the Johnsons, and I rode for 21.5 miles on the North Shore Trail, to Western Penitentiary, over to Herrs Island, out to Millvale, and then to the South Side. Tim got some nice photos.


Prison Cat Sanctuary area


Pause along the Route 28 Trail





At the far end of Herrs Island with the Allegheny River and the 40th Street Bridge in the background.


Another view of the Allegheny River and the 40th Street Bridge.


The Pittsburgh skyline, as seen from Herrs Island. The last 3 photos were taken by Tim Green.


October 17th marked a dedication and ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of a new section of trail in South Park Township. I rode there, myself from my house and met Phillip Torrez. After the ceremony, Phillip rode back with me, as far as Al's Cafe. It was a 21-mile day.

(from the left) Dave Wright, yours truly, and Julian Wolfe at the Montour Trail Dedication ceremony.

On October 20th, a fellow rider from Austintown, Ohio, Russell Koneval, drove down to the Mile Zero (see entry for 8/13/24)  area to ride on the Montour Trail. Along the way, we met up with the Johnsons and Yale Cohen. We all rode out to milepost 18, on the far side of the McDonald Viaduct. After a short break there, we all returned to Mile Zero. The mileage total was 36.


Group photo #1, at the Enlow Road Trailhead.


Group photo #2, at the Enlow Road Trailhead.


At MP 16.5 and the Panhandle Connector.


At ~MP 18, east of the McDonald Viaduct.


The Montour Trail in Autumn.


Yale Cohen, shortly after coming over the McDonald Viaduct.


Giant mushroom lying adjacent to the trail.


Russell and Yale, near the Brothers Grimm area of the trail, ~mp 4.

On November 4, 2024, I rode from my house to the Marina in McKeesport to meet the group. Riding from there were Paul McKeown, Tim Green, Mike Grimaldi, and I. We rode to Little Boston, where we met up with Paul and Patti Johnson. From there, we all rode to the West Newton Trailhead and the parking lot for the Trailside Bike Shop. After a break, we returned to Boston and McKeesport by the same route. The Johnsons rode approximately 28  miles. Paul, Tim, and Mike recorded 36 miles. With my ride to meet the group, I ended up with 57 miles. Thankfully, Paul gave me a ride home. 



Mike took this photo of our group in West Newton.







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