Bike 25 Pennsylvania Trails with Geologist Fred Zelt

22 in ’22 & Pennsylvania wilds

Did you know that the Pittsburgh region boasts 25 car-free scenic bike paths?! As a bike enthusiast, I have explored a handful of these bike trails and have heard of a few more, but I had no idea that there are so many!  

This is such an incredible resource and Venture Outdoors has the pleasure of hosting 25 trips to explore each and every one of these bike trails. This series, dubbed “22 in ‘22” plus a bonus “Pennsylvania Wilds Weekend” of three more trips have been carefully planned and curated by Volunteer Trip Leader extraordinaire, Fred Zelt.  

Meet Fred Zelt

Fred Zelt is a retired geologist, a Certified League Cycling Instructor through the League of American Bicyclists and Founder of the Social Distance Cycling Club, who will bring his knowledge and passion to these exciting trips. Starting in late April and going into mid-October, each weekend excursion will be 10-24 miles long. The group will cycle at a moderate pace and stop often to take photos and discuss topics related to the landscape and the fascinating history of the region, much of which has national or global significance.  

Learn the History & Science of our Region 

Some important historical landmarks that participants will visit and discuss include the Johnstown Flood, iron furnaces, the interurban trolley network that used to connect Pittsburgh with Chicago, the path of the Pennsylvania Canal, an operating wind farm, and the place where Mail Pouch Tobacco is made! Participants will visit and learn about acid coal mine drainage, a large peninsula shaped from glacial deposits, and a section of the Allegheny River that is part of the National Wild and Scenic River System with diverse wildlife including almost 50 species of freshwater mussels!  

Each ride is made for YOU! 

The bike paths have gentle grades with surfaces of fine crushed stone, asphalt, or concrete. Many cyclists use road, fitness, or hybrid bikes on these paths, but mountain bikes, fat bikes and more will work too! The trails have occasional road crossings but otherwise are kid friendly (with the exception of the historic Path of the Flood Trail), so if they can pedal the distance or fit in a carrier, then they are welcome to join! Pets in carriers are welcome too, but please let us know in advance. 

Bike helmets are required and if you’d like to rent a bike, we may be able to recommend a bike rental and help transport up to three bikes. The week before each trip, registered participants will receive more information about the bike path, what to bring and exactly where to meet at the start. 

Get Your Passport: SOLD OUT!!

Join a couple trips OR challenge yourself to explore all these routes by signing up for the whole series. Receive a Passport as a keepsake and reminder of our region’s great bike paths! We will provide a cool printed passport which we will stamp at the start of each excursion.  

Plus, save $100 on all the trips by getting a passport – good for all 22 in ‘22 and PA Wilds Weekend!  

Purchase your passport when you sign up for one of the first five rides. Alyssa will follow up with you to register for the following rides.

Have any more questions about the 22 in ‘22 & Wilds Weekend Bike Series? Feel free to send me an email at alyssa@ventureoutdoors.org or give me a call at 412.255.0564 x 229 and I’m happy to talk. I hope you’re as thrilled about checking out these bike trails as I am and I encourage you to join us on these exciting rides!  

See full activities calendar

#	Date	Trail	City	Miles	Sign Up
1	04/30/22	Three Rivers Heritage Trail – North Shore	Pittsburgh, PA	<10 miles	Sign Up
2	05/01/22	Panhandle Trail	Oakdale, PA	<22 miles	Sign Up
3	05/07/22	Montour Trail	McMurray, PA	<10 miles	Sign Up
4	05/14/22	Path of the Flood Trail	South Fork, PA	12 miles	Sign Up
5	05/15/22	Great Allegheny Passage – Peak of the Passage	Meyersdale, PA	20 miles	Sign Up
6	05/21/22	Armstrong Trail	Ford City, PA	20 miles	Sign Up
7	05/22/22	Redbank Valley Trail	Redbank Furnace, PA	20 miles	Sign Up
8	05/28/22	Karl Boyes Multi	Presque Isle State Park, PA	17 miles	Sign Up
9	05/29/22	Rail 66 Country Trail	Shippenville, PA	20 miles	Sign Up
10	07/02/22	Butler-Freeport Community Trail	Laneville, PA	<22 miles	Sign Up
11	07/09/22	Allegheny River Trail	Emlenton, PA	17 miles	Sign Up
12	07/10/22	Samuel Justus Recreation Trail	Franklin, PA	20 miles	Sign Up
13	07/16/22	Ghost Town Trail	Dilltown, PA	24 miles	Sign Up
14	07/17/22	Westmoreland Heritage Trail	Trafford, PA	20 miles	Sign Up
15	08/06/22	West Penn Trail	Saltsburg, PA	13 miles	Sign Up
16	08/07/22	Hoodlebug Trail	Black Lick, PA	<22 miles	Sign Up
17	08/13/22	Indian Creek Valley Bike Trail	Indian Creek Reservoir, PA	10 miles	Sign Up
18	08/14/22	Sheepskin & Mon River Rail-Trails	Point Marion, PA	20 miles	Sign Up
19	09/03/22	Sandy Creek Trail	Belmar, PA	24 miles	Sign Up
20	09/04/22	Wheeling Heritage, Brooke Pioneer & Wellsburg Yankee Trails	Wheeling, WV	22 miles	Sign Up
21	09/10/22	Oil Creek State Park Trail	Oil Creek State Park, PA	20 miles	Sign Up
22	09/11/22	Stavich Bike Trail	New Castle, PA	20 miles	Sign Up
W1	10/15/22	Wild One! Mahoning Shadow Trail	Punxsutawney, PA	12 miles	Coming soon
W2	10/15/22	Wild Too! Clarion-Little Toby Trail	Brockway, PA	12 miles	Coming soon
W3	10/16/22	Wild Tree! West Creek Rail Trail	Emporium, PA	24 miles	Coming soon