200K this Saturday, March 22nd 2025 - *ROUTE MODIFICATION*

[RBA Pittsburgh]

Hi, all.

We've got a couple of riders signed up...I will also be at the start, and will ride for an hour or two, but have to cut my time short so I can head out to my parents' farm for plumbing repairs.

I did a quick car scout of most of the route today. Here's the details:

• The stretch from Florence to Weirton and back to Burgettstown (miles 36-58) is still unscouted.
• At mile 59.5, there's a left onto Ostop Road. Several large patches of gravel on the climb, so use caution.
• At mile 75, we turn onto McConnell's Mill Rd. It's a poor surface in spots.
• The big news...Bunola River Rd is pretty much gone, just at the climb to Elizabeth. The nearby obvious options to skirt around are also closed, and the next nearest viable workaround adds some unpleasantly trafficky roads. So, this offering eliminates the out-and-back leg to Donora, and instead we'll climb up the ridge to cross 51, and down to Sutersville for the penultimate controle before hopping on the GAP for the remainder of the route.

The route URL is unchanged, but the route has been updated to reflect the new path. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49872555

Other notes: 

I always forget how much I like Ridge Rd (the country road between Burgettstown and Hickory). It's quite lovely.

The 2-mile stretch from Houston (mile 75) to cross 19 is quite unlovely: use the shoulder and watch for traffic.

The Sheetz in Monongahela is open for business.

--

Dan Blumenfeld

RBA, Pittsburgh Randonneurs

(412) 915-6206

https://pittsburghrandonneurs.com/