Me, Myself & My Bike - My First Solo Adventure - Day 1
You may remember from a post earlier this year that I turned 50. With that milestone came a lot of reflection, some intention-setting (or at least a good attempt), and—hopefully—personal growth. While I’m feeling pretty accomplished this year, I still have some work to do on “my list.”
A few weeks ago, I traveled to Frostburg, MD, to cheer on Evan at a rugby game. I used his game as a valid excuse to explore a new place—and Frostburg did not disappoint! It’s a charming little town with a cultural scene. Coffee shops, boutique hotels, live music, and even a train station—Frostburg screamed my name! AND - It’s a GAP Trail town.
Biking the GAP Trail has been on my “someday” list for years—right up there with “swim lessons” and “learning to sing” (still terrible at both of these). It’s a rail trail that connects Pittsburgh to Cumberland, MD, and ultimately to Washington, DC. I’ve spent countless hours studying this trail like it was my 12th grade physiology test, but with life getting in the way, my plans often evaporated faster than my motivation to give up Doritos.
Watching the bikers at the visitor center and the food vendors reignited my dream of biking the GAP. It’s mid-October, and I didn’t have a lot of good weather left. I dove deep into research, created itineraries, and agonized over the best plan. But everything aligned: my bike had just been serviced, the weather looked perfect, and best of all—no rugby games, homecomings, or family stuff to sidetrack me. So, I went for it and booked my lodging. There was no turning back now!
It. Was. Amazing!
On Friday morning, Justin dropped me off at Point State Park in Pittsburgh, and just like that, my solo adventure began—armed with snacks, a questionable sense of direction, a heart full of dreams and stars in my eyes. I took the obligatory pictures at Point State Park to prove I actually started my journey and wasn’t just faking it.
The first 5-7 miles were my least favorite. The trail markings in Pittsburgh were about as clear as my head the day after the Def Leppard/Journey/Steve Miller concert in July. At one point, I had to ask a passerby for directions, which is a real blow to the ego when you’re on a grand solo adventure. But hey, bikers are a friendly bunch (more on that later), and this guy kindly pointed me in the right direction.
But I was on my way! I was finally doing it—living the dream! I had 60 miles to pedal to get to my first hotel in Connellsville. And yikes, it was slightly uphill. But hey, I was on my way! Just me, my bike, and some questionable life choices behind me.
The weather and scenery were downright perfect—I couldn’t have picked a better weekend. The leaves were in their prime, the temps were just right and the sky was a beautiful, clear blue.
I paused to snap some pictures along the way and struck up a conversation in Boston with the two volunteers running the info booth. Super nice guys! They gave me a great recommendation on where to grab lunch—at about 35 miles into my ride at the trail town of West Newton.
When I arrived in West Newton, I found a great visitor center and plenty of eateries and lodging options. I treated myself to a delicious bourbon burger at the Trailside Restaurant and Pub. It was the perfect excuse to take a break from pedaling! I settled onto the deck, soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the peace and quiet—just me and my burger. Then it was back in the saddle for 25 more miles until my first hotel.
As I pedaled further away from urban Pittsburgh and into rural small-town USA, my mind started wandering, and every little thing I passed stirred up a memory.
I spotted countless little league fields—not the fancy ones with all the bells and whistles, but those charming single fields with dirt dugouts that looked like they hadn’t changed since the '80s. They took me back to my childhood days, running around as my brothers played, my dad coached and my mom cheered them on.
I mentioned how friendly and helpful bikers are, and it was at one of those little league fields that I met a trio of guys taking a break. I stopped to say hi because riding the GAP felt like a pilgrimage, and everyone on the trail felt like a fellow adventurer.
I was chatting with Paul, Matt, and Mike, when we realized we were all staying at the same hotel that night. They suggested we meet up for dinner and we exchanged numbers. I know what you’re thinking—wait, you gave your number to three randos? Are you nuts? As I rode off, I questioned whether that was my best move, but sometimes you just have to trust your gut.
One thing I quickly learned during my Day 1 60-mile trek is that 60 miles is a bit ambitious. Thirty miles is a nice warm-up, and 40 to 50 miles might just be the sweet spot. I was having a blast, but by the time I rolled through the arch into Connellsville, I was ready to be done for the day. I had a reservation at the Comfort Inn, and as a bit of a hotel snob, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It turned out to be quite nice! They even let me take my bike to my room! The place was clean, the staff were friendly, and as a solo traveler, I felt safe - and I had the space all to myself! My first day was in the books! I settled in for the night feeling accomplished and ready for whatever came next.
Check back for Day 2 of my adventure, where I’ll share some hiccups and a lodging choice that had me feeling a little skittish.