BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

I've used the Coraopolis #21 (from downtown) to reach the trailhead (get off in town, then go up the main road towards the interstate). It beats riding there from town. I haven't done this: but maybe get off the bus on Neville Island. If you go to Ikea you'll just need to head downhill (getting off at the 1st stop from the Parkway makes it obvious). Or, heck, just 28X out to the airport. It's on a spur that'll get you to the main trail. Once at the Mon end, it's easy enough to get to McKeesport and on to the GAP. Or just hop on the 61c back into town. This is actually a great time of year to do it: the trees should be in full color.

I can go from Robinson to Library and then get the T back.

I used to work at FedEx, directly across the valley from Ikea. No problem at all biking from Ikea down to the trail. Especially if you like eye-watering 35 mph descents. I biked once from Robinson to Library. It was early March; still some ice on the trail that time of the year. This time of year, I’d more watch out for soggy spots if it’s rained some.

Another way is to follow the GAP to McKeesport, then follow the signs to the Montour trail. They take you through Glassport and across the river. On the Montour there are lots of places you can take public transit back to town as it arcs around the suburbs. It's a nice, flat ride, but watch out for the leaves.

The bus stop at Ikea includes a bike rack, pump, and bike tools, according to this article. The route from the 28X down the hill to the Montour Trail is fine (assuming good brakes), but going back up to the 28X stop, there's a long climb and no sidewalk. Another option just a mile or two west on the trail is the 29 bus, which has a stop (Cliff Mine Rd Opp Enlow Rd) that's across the street from a Montour Trail parking lot. The 29 doesn't run on weekends or evenings, but if the times work for you, I think that's the easiest way right now to reach that part of the trail via transit. Taking the 28X to the Montour's airport connector is an option, but I wouldn't call it an easy way to reach the Montour Trail mainline. The airport connector is interesting to ride in itself, but it's six miles long, not nearly as flat as the mainline, and has one short segment on a two-lane road with no shoulders in spots and moderate car traffic. I think any of the other transit options in the area (21, 28X at Ikea, 29) are quicker and easier.

I've seen the bike racks at Ikea.  They do exist and you don't have to put them together yourself. I've never taken the bus to RTC but if you get that far, riding to the trail is all downhill.  There is a lot of traffic there, so be careful. You can ride all the way to library and take the T home, as well.  It is probably in the neighborhood of 30 miles.  Now that the Library Trestle and Pleasant Street approach are finished, you have trail nearly all the way.  Just a short jaunt on Pleasant Street itself to reach the PAT Parking Lot.  We rode the entire Montour Trail, a couple of weeks ago.  It all seemed to be in good shape.  Enjoy.

Uphill from Trail to Ikea, take the right lane, left tire track, without apology. Easy climb but it’ll take you 15-20 minutes.

@Fultonco, What do you mean by, "They do exist and you don’t have to put them together yourself."?

Ever bought anything at IKEA??

If I did, it's been awhile. Was @fultonco talking about bike racks for parking your bike or putting a bike on a car? Also, are any of the camp sites between Robinson and Library?

@ zzwergel   It was just a joke.  The bike racks are there and easy to use. Good luck.

@Fultonco, I am planning in getting up early tomorrow and taking the 75 bus to Oakland and the 28X to Ikea.

@zz check out the Montour trail site for campsites, the Cecil Henderson (Kurnick) sites look like they are between robinson and library. http://montourtrail.org/plan-a-visit/camping/

Today, I actually went eastbound from Library to Clairton and biked back to East Liberty via GAP trail to get the 75 back home. When the weather permits, I can go from Library to Coraopolis ant catch the 21 back to Downtown. Today's trip totaled at just over 33 Miles.

@zzwergel Sounds like you had a good ride and a beautiful day for it!  I rode into work early this morning bur got to see the steam coming off the river. You can actually ride to Coraopolis and the Montour Trailhead, instead of taking the bus and it is mostly a safe ride because you do not have to use West Carson Street between the West End Bridge and McKeesRocks.

You will know you are near the campsites when you see the large silver Quonset Hut that is the Trail Council's maintenance building.  The sites are across the trail from the building and parking lot. Boggs is also between Robinson and Library but much closer to Robinson. Dowling is pretty cool.  You may have passed it today.  It is located between Library and Clairton, along a paved portion of the trail that is parallel to the road.  It lies off the trail a bit, for some added privacy.  A group of scouts built the whole thing, a couple of years back.  They did a really nice job.

@fultonco, Do you commute via Montour trail? Tomorrow, I am going to get my Winter tires put on my bike since I notice my rear tire starting to leak. I believe that for a while, my rear fender was scraping against the the side of the tire so it has already been weakened. On Saturday, if he weather permits, I am going to give the Ikea superstop a visit and bike to Library from there. What would be a good time to catch the 28X in Oakland on a Saturday or Weekday in order to avoid a crowded bus?

Gill Hall is the only camp site listed between Library and Clairton. It is located near milepost 40.

@zzwergel I do not routinely commute via the Montour Trail.  But I live in Bethel Park, close to the trail and am fairly familiar with it.  As far as the bus and timing, I do not know for sure but would guess that during weekday rush times, the bus would be more crowded.  On weekends, unless there is an event somewhere along its route, the bus should be good.  You are aware, I'm sure, that your bike can go on the rack in front of the bus while you ride inside.  That way, no matter how crowded it is, there will be room to at least stand. The official name of the campsite near Gill Hall is Dowling.  It is named after the family that donated the land.  I am told that the scouts are going to build two more campsites on the property.  This will make an already nice camping area even better.

I checked out the super stop today. It is really nice. here are some photographs. Why are there picnic tables at a bus stop? These aren't the only suburban sharrows I've seen. Are these bike racks ever full?

Take the T to Library...You're there...and/or...Take the T back from Library...you're back in the 'Burgh

@The Iguana, I did that already. I rode to McKeesport and back to East Liberty via GAP trail.

When I worked at FedEx, across the valley from Ikea, those did not exist. Boy it would have been nice if it had! It takes a half hour to walk from the front door of FedEx to the Ikea bus stop. I would have gladly biked, but in 2010 buses did not have racks, and there was nowhere to lock up a bike.

@Stu, I have found information about making the western suburbs more bike and pedestrian friendly. Also, look at what happened to Pittsburgh Mills after killing off the 5 Natrona bus route. https://actapgh.org/publications-and-resources/acta-bike-map/ https://actapgh.org/wp-content/uploads/Final-Report_March-2008.pdf

https://imgur.com/DAwhdgm Here is a photo of the bike racks at Ikea.  This is from early 2016.

I thin a ride on Industrial Hwy. will have to take place once this work is done. https://actapgh.org/route-3067-industrial-highway-improvements-begin-tuesday-pittsburgh/

I took the 28X to Ikea. After turning left off of the driveway into the parking lot, there is a dangerous grate that could have eaten my wheel. I just had my 38s re-installed from last winter so anyone with narrower tires could be in for a surprise upon making that turn. Also, there is a public art display by the Pro Bike+Run store. I am also very happy that many people in this area are choosing public transportation over driving a personal car. There is plenty of evidence of people trying to turn this sprawling mess into a multi-modal "edge city". Just look at all of the paths worn in the grass where sidewalks should be. I would be more than happy to help in this transformation. Here is a video of me going from Ikea to the trail. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYAlFAqgrTM

Props to you for trying. As to the well worn footpaths, they’ve been there since the 1990s because I walked them then.

@Stu, Thank you. Today, I actually rode from Target to Carnegie Station and got the G2 back to Downtown than transferred to the 91 to Aspinwall. Here is my route From the western Parking lot entrance:

• R. Chauvet Dr.
• R. Summit Park Dr.
• R. Park Manor Blvd.
• R. Robinson Centre Dr.
• L. Steubenville Pike
• R. Campbells Run Rd.
• R. W. Main St.
• R. Carnegie Station entrance walkway opposite Jefferson St.

Total distance:  7.3 miles I will post a link to video after it is done uploading.

I finally got the video to upload after a power brownout and my computer falling asleep. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRg0mZEuWY0

Why are there so many places in this area without bike racks? It would be nice to have them in Bethel Park and Library due to proximity to the Montour trail. Where can I lock my bike near the Lytle Rd. Arby's?

I live in Bethel Park and you are correct, there are not a tremendous number of bike racks.  The closest one to where you mention is the relatively recent addition at the Starbucks, near 88 and Brightwood.  Unfortunately, one has to improvise when patronizing businesses in the area by bicycle.  When I ask business owners, they usually blame the council or the property owner, from whom they rent space. While there may be some new racks, of which I am not aware, the ones I know about are at some of the schools, the Port Authority Stations, the Giant Eagle on Oxford Drive (the store on 88 does not have a rack), The Best Buy near the "Iggle" (which are not positioned optimally), and I believe South Hills Village may have recently installed a rack. It is an automobile-centered community and I am not aware of anything, other than a small extension of the Montour Trail, that is being considered to make the municipality more friendly to bicycles or pedestrians.

In this video from March, 2015, It looks like there is a bike locked to the fence surrounding the Mesta T stop. Today, I exited the tram at Lytle and biked to Arby's. I circled the building to see if there was a proper rack to lock it too, but there asn't. I thought about locking it to a sign in the parking lot, but I settled on locking it to the gas pipe going from the meter into the building. https://youtu.be/FXl8iVFcuiI?t=2209 Bike visible from 36:53 to 36:58 I was pleasantly surprised to see two "Three rivers " racks at the Market District Express in Peters Township a whopping 15 miles from Downtown.