I started the day with a nutritious breakfast of yesterday's leftover takeaway food. I managed to then pack what was left of the strombolli into my panniers for lunch. That's 3 meals I've gotten out of one takeaway order! I set off later today after getting some photos of the stuffed bear and deer heads all wearing sunglasses at the motel office. David, the owner who checked me in and brought me food the night before, wished me good luck on the rest of my travels and warned me of some of the other drivers on the road (using slightly more colourful language).
An easier day today, only 60 miles, and after a few short climbs out of Jennerstown it was mostly downhill all the way to Pittsburgh. After a while I passed signs to 'Ligonier beach', odd I thought as I was nowhere near the sea or a lake. Turns out there was a fairly large swimming pool in the middle of a valley that looked slightly out of place but yet a nice place to go.
The steepest part of the day came around Greensburg as I climbed up and over the town, though they didn't last long and soon I was back heading downhill again.
On the outskirts of Pittsburgh I joined the Great Allegheny bike trail where I met two cyclists, Tom and Glenn, returning from their touring ride back to the city. We chatted about our routes and took gopro snaps with our cameras. Then as we stopped to go our separate ways Glenn handed me a $20 note saying "I have a spare, go get yourself some nice food". The kindness of strangers! I think I'll count it as a donation though and put it towards my total for Macmillan.
I reached my hosts, Bob and Maggie, just before 4 and was welcomed into their house where I had a basement room with large comfy bed. They allowed me to use their washer so I can have some clean (and less smelly!) cycling gear for my next ride. Maggie is a teacher and Bob a librarian but used to teach, and have a wonderful house. Whilst they were out for an hour at meetings I played their baby grand piano and then played when Maggie returned and started preparing dinner. They then provided a lovely dinner for me and we talked a lot about bike tours and where they and their friends (from Stevenage) had been on. Bob is also part of the volunteer group who maintains the local section of the Great Allegheny trail that runs all the way down to Washington D.C.
Such wonderful and generous hosts, with many tips about my route. The large terrain map on the wall here puts into context the distance covered so far, and the distance left to go!
Miles today: 57.5
Total miles: 430.4
An easier day today, only 60 miles, and after a few short climbs out of Jennerstown it was mostly downhill all the way to Pittsburgh. After a while I passed signs to 'Ligonier beach', odd I thought as I was nowhere near the sea or a lake. Turns out there was a fairly large swimming pool in the middle of a valley that looked slightly out of place but yet a nice place to go.
The steepest part of the day came around Greensburg as I climbed up and over the town, though they didn't last long and soon I was back heading downhill again.
On the outskirts of Pittsburgh I joined the Great Allegheny bike trail where I met two cyclists, Tom and Glenn, returning from their touring ride back to the city. We chatted about our routes and took gopro snaps with our cameras. Then as we stopped to go our separate ways Glenn handed me a $20 note saying "I have a spare, go get yourself some nice food". The kindness of strangers! I think I'll count it as a donation though and put it towards my total for Macmillan.
I reached my hosts, Bob and Maggie, just before 4 and was welcomed into their house where I had a basement room with large comfy bed. They allowed me to use their washer so I can have some clean (and less smelly!) cycling gear for my next ride. Maggie is a teacher and Bob a librarian but used to teach, and have a wonderful house. Whilst they were out for an hour at meetings I played their baby grand piano and then played when Maggie returned and started preparing dinner. They then provided a lovely dinner for me and we talked a lot about bike tours and where they and their friends (from Stevenage) had been on. Bob is also part of the volunteer group who maintains the local section of the Great Allegheny trail that runs all the way down to Washington D.C.
Such wonderful and generous hosts, with many tips about my route. The large terrain map on the wall here puts into context the distance covered so far, and the distance left to go!
Miles today: 57.5
Total miles: 430.4
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