Author Topic: Pittsburgh to Buffalo route  (Read 7904 times)

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Offline Mark Manley

Pittsburgh to Buffalo route
« on: May 01, 2023, 11:47:13 am »
I am off on a ride along the C and O canal and GAP trail later this month and am undecided about what to do when I get to Pittsburgh, one option is to carry on to Buffalo then along the Erie Canal to Albany and was wondering if there is a bicycle friendly route between the two cities? I have found the Erie Pittsburgh Trail website but it seems to be several disconnected lengths of trail that are still under development, would this be a good route to follow and fill in the gaps myself? All advice gratefully received.

Offline John Nettles

  • World Traveler
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  • Posts: 1998
  • I ride for smiles, not miles.
Re: Pittsburgh to Buffalo route
« Reply #1 on: May 01, 2023, 12:06:51 pm »
I am a bit confused as to what you want.

I think you want to go from Pittsburgh to Buffalo, you can use the Underground Railroad Spur https://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/underground-railroad-ugrr/ which I believe is different from the Pittsburgh-Erie Trail (though not positive).  It should be noted that ACA has not updated this route in a while so the traffic patterns may have materially changed. Also, it is only available as a digital map.  :(
If you want to ride more rail trails, from Pittsburgh you can continue on west using the ACA's Chicago to NYC Route https://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/chicago-to-new-york-city-route/ .  At Xenia, OH, you can head north on paved (mostly) rail trails to Cleveland.

Tailwinds, John

Offline Mark Manley

Re: Pittsburgh to Buffalo route
« Reply #2 on: May 02, 2023, 01:36:58 am »
I am a bit confused as to what you want.

I think you want to go from Pittsburgh to Buffalo, you can use the Underground Railroad Spur https://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/underground-railroad-ugrr/ which I believe is different from the Pittsburgh-Erie Trail (though not positive).  It should be noted that ACA has not updated this route in a while so the traffic patterns may have materially changed. Also, it is only available as a digital map.  :(

Tailwinds, John

That is what I am after thank you, a lot depends on how I feel when I reach Pittsburgh but the option to carry on along a circular route is worth having.

Offline John Nettles

  • World Traveler
  • *****
  • Posts: 1998
  • I ride for smiles, not miles.
Re: Pittsburgh to Buffalo route
« Reply #3 on: May 02, 2023, 09:33:17 am »
Another option is to just keep heading west and then end in a place where there is an easy way to get home whether it is Amtrak, a bus, car rental, etc.   

For instance, you could take the Chicago to NYC from Pittsburgh to Chicago which, while not on rail trails the majority of the time like the C&O, is on fairly low traffic roads and then head north on vast majority of paved like lanes to Milwaukee where you can turn west and continue on bike paths (~90% of the time) to LaCrosse, WI, where you can grab an Amtrak home (or at least near your home). Now you are 1/3 of your way across the country.  On a future trip, you can start in LaCrosse and continue west (much less traffic than eastern USA) and after a couple more similar trips, you have crossed the country.

I personally enjoy seeing new places/regions and have found that unless a loop is quite large, a one-way tour tends to get me over a more diverse topography, population, cultures, etc. 

Whatever you do, whether short or long, I wish you a wonderful tour!  Tailwinds, John

Offline kizarmynot

Re: Pittsburgh to Buffalo route
« Reply #4 on: November 30, 2023, 07:56:25 pm »
I am off on a ride along the C and O canal and GAP trail later this month and am undecided about what to do when I get to Pittsburgh, one option is to carry on to Buffalo then along the Erie Canal to Albany and was wondering if there is a bicycle friendly route between the two cities? I have found the Erie Pittsburgh Trail website but it seems to be several disconnected lengths of trail that are still under development, would this be a good route to follow and fill in the gaps myself? All advice gratefully received.

I'm planning a similar (but in reverse direction) route next year. If you rode between Pittsburgh and Buffalo, did you use the UGRR Pittsburgh Spur or something else?
Thanks!

Offline rwinot25

Re: Pittsburgh to Buffalo route
« Reply #5 on: December 04, 2023, 09:14:23 pm »
 When I left Pittsburg after completing the C+O/Gap Trail in August 2021 I followed Rt 51 north and west away from Pittsburg. I continued to Rochester on 51 then headed north on Rt 18 west of New Castle to the Stavich Bike Trail. I followed that towards Youngstown Ohio. From there I made my way north and west to The Western Reserve Greenway. The Western Reserve Greenway goes to Ashtabula Ohio. From there follow the Northern Tier to Buffalo. I which I could be more specific on my actual route, I trusted Google Maps to guide me. six days for me to go from Pitt to Buffalo.

If you search Pittsburgh to Buffalo in the search box, the second thread is my previous discussion on this route. The title of the post was Pittsburg Spur dated Aug. 25 2021.


Offline kizarmynot

Re: Pittsburgh to Buffalo route
« Reply #6 on: December 05, 2023, 08:08:48 pm »
Thanks for the response and pointer to the other discussion. I'll take a look at the other route as I begin the more detailed (and enjoyable!) planning phase.
Thanks again