Connecticut connect to Northern Tier

[otomola]

I am planning a ride from southern Connecticut area to west coast and I want to connect to Northern Tier around Erie, PA. Two possible routes to take are PA Bike Route Y (http://www.bikepa.com/images/routeymap.gif) or NY Bike Route 17 (https://www.dot.ny.gov/display/programs/bicycle/maps). I am looking for feedback to help determine which route would be best to take, mostly concerned with the amount/type of traffic, type of roads/shoulders. Anybody out there ride both and be able to make a comparison? Or if you rode one, what were the positive and negative aspects?

Thanks much.

Tom

[indyfabz]

I have heard from witnesses that parts of U.S. 6, which PA Bike Route Y uses at times, has heavy truck traffic due to the explosion in gas drilling. I think the epicenter is in the Wellsboro, PA area and places west of there, but I cannot confirm. Last time I was up that way, which was several years ago, U.S. 6 had a good shoulder.

[Absurdity]

I'm also considering biking new york state route 17 to head west. I live in the hudson valley of New York. I heard from other forums that Pennsylvania is pretty hilly, but I don't know how it compares to route 17. I'd also be curious if anybody has biked it.

[indyfabz]

I heard from other forums that Pennsylvania is pretty hilly, but I don't know how it compares to route 17. I'd also be curious if anybody has biked it.

If all else fails, map it on something like Bikely.com and see the profile.

PA Route Y across the northern tier of PA is pretty hilly in places. You have to cross the Allegheny Mountains.

[RobbieRoss]

I'm super (and urgently) interested in any feedback to this.  Heading up to northern tier from NYC.  At Port Jervis NJ tonight.  Trying to decide weather to head up through NY or south through PA. Pulling my daughter in a weehoo so less hilly is helpful. 


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[RobbieRoss]

We decided on PA Y vise the online maps were really nice, made the route super clear.  We're just past Milford and the signage is great. But lots of climbing!  ;-)


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[indyfabz]

Just wait until you hit the real hills.

Take a spin around historic Wellsboro if you can. Some of the streets are still lit with gas lamps.

[RobbieRoss]

Thanks for the tip!  We will check it out.
So.... Out of curiosity....where exactly are the "real hills"?
By the way, you can follow us at
thisfamilyrolls.tumblr.com


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[indyfabz]

You'll have to cross the Allegheny Mountains as you proceed west on Route Y.

Don't worry. You'll get through them. The climbs are not as long as they are out west, and obviously not as high.

Here is part of a cross-PA route I have been working for this fall:

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6605807

IIRC, it uses Route Y between Ansonia and Smethport then get off U.S. 6 onto PA 59 and then rejoins Route Y at Warren. Note that my plan goes west to east, so you have to read everything, including the profile, backwards. Here is companion map from Erie (car rental drop off) to Union City:

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6743896

Again, it west to east, so you have to read it backwards. Erie was on the Northern Tier, at least when I did it.

I haven't ridden any of this so don't sue me if something goes wrong.

[RobbieRoss]

Just updating, we're currently in Towanda, PA.  We're taking a week off to fly out to California for a family event.  We'll take route J up to Elmira, and most likely continue west in New York when we return. But this section of PA bike route Y has been pretty great.  REALLY well signed.  Which makes the riding easy.  Some great campsites and B&Bs.   


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[indyfabz]

Good to know about the signs. Route V was generally signed well, but there were some places where it was not. At the same time, there were some places where the signage seems overkill. One place that comes to mind is east of Raymond Winter S.P. There is a relatively long stretch through forest land where there are no places to turn off the highway, yet there seemed to be a sign every two miles. A few days earlier in the trip there were some places where additional signage would have been helpful. Route S also could have used some additional signs in places. I always take the individual page maps. You can toss them or use them to start campfires as you go along.