https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15m2RjmuGP/ Leaving Pittsburgh, I took city streets to the southeastern edge of town. The trail begins tucked beside the Monongahela River, where plaques, sculptures, and interpretive signs tell the story of Pittsburgh’s gritty industrial roots. Once known as the Steel City, Pittsburgh powered America’s rise with its steel mills and manufacturing plants. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was one of the most productive industrial cities in the world. The city’s strategic location at the confluence of three rivers helped it become a hub for coal, iron, and rail, all fueling an era of explosive growth. The trail installations honor that legacy, steelworkers, riverside mills, and the diverse communities who built it all. Before leaving the city, I swung by Thick Bikes to grab a replacement rearview mirror, my sixth of the trip so far 🤣. The folks there were super friendly and pointed me to a diner around the corner called O’Leary’s. I took their advice and fueled up with a hearty breakfast before setting out down the trail. And just like that, I was officially on the Great Allegheny Passage, or GAP trail, a 150 mile route that follows old railroad corridors from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland. Originally built on the rail beds of the Western Maryland Railway and others, the GAP is known for its exceptional flatness, smooth surface, and scenic views as it winds through river valleys, tunnels, and small Appalachian towns. It’s one of the crown jewels of America’s trail network and I’ve been looking forward to it, especially during the last car filled weeks of this trip. There’s a subtle emotional shift that’s taken hold. I’m in the final chapter now. There’s happiness and pride in how far I’ve come, a bit of sadness that this journey will eventually end, and excitement for whats next. It’s hard to describe, but I’ve felt it building all day. The trail made pedaling feel easy, and after pushing hard the past few days, I decided to keep it light. I only rode about 40 miles today, ending just south of West Newton. I found a place for dinner and devoured some Indian curry before propping my legs up and catching up on some computer work. Tomorrow I'll tackle the remaining section of the GAP trail, winding deeper into the scenic heart of the Laurel Highlands. I'm looking forward to the lush forest views, the quiet river bends, and the easy miles that make this stretch such a joy to ride. If you’d like to support Veterans Expeditions and their work helping veterans heal through the outdoors, visit www.OneMileFundraiser.com. Thanks again for following along. The end is near, but there’s still excellent cycling ahead. And as always, keep on pedaling.