GAPCO - Pittsburg to Washington DC

GAPCO - Day 0

Today was the warm up day for the GAPCO bike trip.  We did a loop through the city of Pittsburg on their bike trail system. They have a pretty great set of bike trails that leads you along the three rivers that define the city.  There are 11 riders on this tour which is on the low side.  But it makes for a good set of people as we will descend upon restaurants and stops throughout the week.  

We rode thru beautiful wooded settings and along the river front.  We crossed the river several times in and out of the city proper.  Little known fact: Pittsburg has more than 400 bridges, more than any other city.

On one side of the river there is a high bluff overlooking the city.  At one time there were a good number of incline rails that took people up the sheer cliffs to the homes and buildings above.  Now there are only two in operation.

   The view looking up the incline railway. 

The railway operates in a counterbalance fashion; as one descends it pulls the other car up.

One of the highlights of the day was a stop at Bicycle Heaven.  

It is a bicycle museum of sorts.  It started with one gentleman's hobby and led to amassing over 3,000 bikes and parts.  He had more vintage (pre 1985) bikes than you could ever imagine.  He had so many unique and special bikes...

    This is a two wheel drive bike.  It has a direct drive mesh gear system on the rear wheel that translates power and drives the front wheel as well.  Not sure the practicality of it but it is ingenious.

    A bike made in 1890 that has wooden rims.

    A very unique bike (one of only 400 made).  An aerodynamic housing encapsulates the frame.

There were so many unique shift/derailleur systems that have come and gone over the years.  Some with great promise and others that were strange in concept and even more difficult in practicality.  It was a great exploration in bicycle history.  😊

Tomorrow we head southeast out of Pittsburg on the GAPCO rail trail towards Washington.  Let the adventure begin!