Buffalo to Pittsburgh

[David W Pratt]

Any advice on a good route from B to P?
Then I could link the Erie Canal to the GAP and the C&O
Like camping
Thanks in advance

[John Nettles]

Welcome to the forums David.  Check out the UGRR Pittsburg Spur along with the section that covers Erie, PA to Buffalo. 

You can find maps for sale in the Store by going to Adventurecycling.org (not the forums).  Be sure to join ACA as you get a discount on the maps that will pay a significant portion of your membership fee.

Hope this helps, John

[BikeliciousBabe]

Pennsylvania Bike Route A goes from Erie and passes close to Pittsburgh.

http://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/bikes/state_mapA.pdf

[David W Pratt]

Thanks-
I ordered the Underground Railroad, PGH Spur map.
It looks like route 5 or route 20 from Buffalo to Erie is possible ~100 mi.
Does anyone know anything about either one?  Especially, traffic, services, camping possibilities, etc.

[BikeliciousBabe]

NY 5 is likely to have less traffic. I believe the Norther Tier route uses that road.

You can find look for campgrounds by searching Google Maps: "Campground near [name of town]". Stayed a bit east of Dunkirk at Sheridan Bay Park many years ago. There is Presque Islse S.P. in Erie. Very popular so a reservation might be a good idea. There are several other campgrounds along the lake just west of there.

Don't know how the UGRR route goes, but there is a really nice trail along the river from Oil City to Emlenton, PA, with free riverside camping in Franklin.

[John Nettles]

David, ACA's map of the Northern Tier, Section 9 covers 95% of the route between Buffalo & Erie.  As you will see when you get your maps, they are made specifically for the cyclist, i.e. showing services that the cyclist typically needs.  I can't comment on that specific section since I rode a slightly more inland route back in 87 when I rode it.  However, I agree with Bikelicious that they most likely take PA-5 most of the way.

Have a great tour!  John

[canalligators]

NY 5 is likely to have less traffic. I believe the Norther Tier route uses that road...

I've ridden most of both; I think the traffic is comparable on either road.  Maybe 20 has a little more.  But both have wide paved shoulders.  5 is a little flatter, but 20 isn't really hilly - they're both down on the lake plain.  If you have to go through Erie, use 5/ACA, it's more amenable to cycling, especially on the east side.