Maryland & Penn.: A Bike Trek on the Great Allegheny Passage

Thanks to the careful planning and management by the leaders of this trip, as well as the wonderful GAP trail (and ideal weather) this was a great experience!

The Great Alleghany Passage was a fantastic experience that just fit my ability to ride. The outfitters, Greg and Rhona were experts in both biking and the trail history. I consider myself very well-traveled and this trip exceeded my expectations.

Of the three Road Scholar bike trips I have done, this is my favorite by far. The Laurelville Retreat Center is a wonderful site for this program. The program leader, Steve, is a calm and kind man who made sure our group had what we needed. The biking portion of the trip was expertly arranged and executed by Greg and his wife Rhona (with an added plus of their daughter, Nora). They made sure each day's ride was understandable, supported (both on and off the trail) and safe. Greg kept us laughing with corny jokes. Rhona offered extras like pickleball lessons and pilates. The best part was my fellow program participants. There were so many interesting, enthusiastic and experienced team members. I know I will stay in touch with several members. I cannot recommend this program more highly! If you are on the fence about whether to sign up, I hope my review helps you decide to do so.

The GAP is in an absolutely beautiful part of our country, with a fascinating history I really wasn't very familiar with. This is why I love Road Scholar: EVERY trip I've been on I've learned something new, and I'm already looking forward to my next RS program, wherever that may be!

The GAP bike ride was challenging and a wonderful experience, the staff, presenters and guides were terrific and supported us every step of the way. I highly recommend this trip.

Great biking, very scenic. 30 miles daily is broken up - 10 in the morning, 20 after lunch. Very doable!

This is a great bicycle ride! Beautiful scenery, lots of history and good food.

Bike ride and trails were fantastic! I loved the educational portion of the trip - VERY INTERESTING!!

The ride was through beautiful country and perfectly suited to my riding style – stretches of riding (at a comfortable pace) with occasional stops to view scenic highlights and discuss items of historical or cultural interest. The organization of the trip was superb. Mary did a wonderful job with the arrangements. She and the trip volunteers made it a priority that we had a good experience. They were very welcoming, attentive to needs, and responsive to requests. And they're just super-nice people. The other logistics were suitable for the purpose of the trip. Not fancy, but we had what we needed and didn't feel like corners were being cut. The room was clean and comfortable, the meals were tasty and had good variety. All in all, this was the best trip I've been on through Road Scholar. It was a great week of riding and other activities, and the attention to detail in the trip organization and communication made it a wonderful experience.

The GAP trail should be on every cyclist bucket list. The trail is in great shape and the scenery is beautiful. Mary, our trip leader is incredible. She and her team of volunteer cyclists (Dee, Jeff and Max) were the best. Greg and Rhona of 2 wheel escapes are fantastic; they took great care of our bikes, so no worries if you bring your own bike. They shuttled us to our starting point each day and met us along the way with food and water. If the 150 miles over 5 days seems intimidating, don’t worry, Mary has your back. She has designed the segments to minimize the climbing and maximize the enjoyment. The Laurelville Retreat is the perfect place to stay. The design of the accommodations helps foster socialization with the group and the grounds are beautiful. Make sure you save some energy after the ride each day for some pickleball, or you can relax in one of the many rocking chairs and relive the day with your fellow cyclists.

My first and last impression of the week…FANTASTIC. Immediately upon arrival, Road Scholar coordinator, Mary Kaufman, and her team fostered a sense of comradery amongst the group. Before, during and even after our week of adventure, Mary made sure every need was met, sometimes before we even knew we had a need. Laurelville Retreat Center is a jewel in this beautiful part of Pennsylvania. The staff is friendly and always accommodating. The guest house is set up in a way that allowed all participants to gather and grow close in our experience. The meals were wonderful, and lunches on the trail were outstanding. Chef Cindy accommodated our every need and then some. The Great Alleghany Trail is well maintained and offers beautiful and inspiring scenery. It is a trail all cyclists must do. Bike safety was always emphasized, something I greatly appreciated. There were several Road Scholar people riding along with us making sure everyone was safe and they offered interesting facts about the trail along the way. They also were a lot of fun to be with. Thank you, Mary, Kim, Jonathan, Dee and Jeff. Our SAG professional, Jeff, offered the best personal service I’ve ever had during a cycling trip.

If you love biking and want a beautiful experience - sign-up for this trip.

The Great Allegheny Passage Bike Ride (GAP) was amazing. Mary Kaufman and her staff contributed to a very interesting and relaxing ride. Mary transformed a collection of strangers to amiable companions within one day and the group became a cadre of new best friends. We were pampered every minute of our trip at the Laurelville Retreat Center. The rides each day were awesome - beautiful countryside, incredible views, and “friendly” terrain along the rails-to-trails. The guide support was great. An enjoyable and active biking vacation.

Riding the GAP trail with Road Scholar was a wonderful experience. Mary Kaufman and the rest of the team at the Laurelville Retreat Center were very friendly, kind and welcoming, making it a fun, relaxing and rewarding 5 days of biking on the GAP.

Not only is this one of the most beautiful bicycle experiences offered by Road Scholar, the daily routine provides opportunity to know and enjoy your fellow participants. Because of the location of the Allegheny Passage, you can become better informed about the history, culture, and future of this portion of America.

This is a great program. I was initially concerned I could complete the trip. However, it was absolutely no problem as the route was broken up in small segments with rest stops (and amazing food). I would not discounting your ability to participate in activity like this. The camaraderie helps to keep you going and it is such a thrill when you cross the 150 mile mark!

Information about the program was accurate. They provide all you need and take care of all the details for a successful experience. This was my second bike trip with Road Schooars and I hope to make another.

Great bike ride. Reasonable millage and best part of all is that most of it is on a slight downhill. No hills to fight with. Beautiful area of the county. Plus the trip was very well organized and we stayed in a very nice retreat center.

This is an excellent program if you are a biker. Leaders were great, distances were very doable. Felt great to complete 150 miles, but in smaller segments.

The GAP is a beautiful trail and I can think of no better way to see it than on the saddle of a bike. This was my first Road Scholar trip but it certainly won't be the last now that I know what a great experience they provide.

The Great Allegheny Passage is a beautiful Rails-to-Trails bike path that includes tunnels, iron bridges, high viaducts, waterfall, scenic visits, and opportunities to learn about the history of the coal towns and area steel industry. This outstanding program provides an excellent week of cycling the entire 150 miles from Cumberland, Maryland, to downtown Pittsburg. The Laurelville Retreat Center provides a very comfortable base, with only one night spent off site at a good hotel near the trail in Cumberland. The van drivers and volunteer guides were supportive, positive, and always helpful. Mary, the Program Director, was outstanding in every way. As with all Road Scholar programs, the participants are friendly, enthusiastic, and welcoming.

Five days of 95% easy biking along well-maintained trails in mostly quiet / wooded areas. The leader and staff were well-organized, helpful and supportive in every manner. The leader was exceptional - could not have been better. The food and accommodations were fine - what I would expect from a Mennonite church site. The participants were a friendly / companionable group.

I thought this program was one of the best spirited tours I have been on. All the staff and the Program Director, Mary, were exceptional. But it is also important to note for future participants that the biking guides, all of whom were volunteers, and van drivers, did a wonderful job providing timely, friendly and supportive service throughout. On bike rides where the bikers are spaced out along the trail, all of us felt they had our back. The cohesiveness of the team was incredible.

Outstanding trip. Great Leaders and Staff. All aspects of the trip exceeded our expectations (no rain and all down hills) Will So this again and again

This was a wonderful trip! The area is beautiful and the riding very manageable along a well maintained trail. Our guide,Gene Cline, was very knowledgeable, funny,and well organized. I highly recommend this trip. Mary

This is a fantastic trip! The scenery is beautiful and the trails are enjoyable to bike on. Our guide, Gene Cline, was very personable, encouraging, and entertained us with his many jokes!! The lodging is in a peaceful retreat center and the staff makes sure you are well cared for. Biking 30 miles each day is possible even when you're not a seasoned biker. Each participant is encouraged to ride at their own pace and to enjoy the trails. I encourage you to sign up for this trip!

Good program! Accommodations were clean and comfortable, not luxurious, but that’s what we expected for a bike trip centered at a church camp.. The mountains of western Pennsylvania are beautiful, and being a rail-trail, the climbs were not strenuous. The tunnels were fun. I would recommend this trip for anyone interested in bicycle touring.

This is a great cycling program. If you have some experience riding and are in decent shape, this may be a program for you. For much of the trail you are able to ride at your own pace. The thirty miles each day was easier to accomplish that I, and moderately experienced rider, had anticipated.

The Great Allegheny Passage bike trail ride was an amazing experience- beautiful and challenging without being impossible. We had a very diverse group ranging from avid bicyclists to casual bikers. We all made it through! I think we all had a great time. I know I certainly did. The team leader was very well organized, the place where we stayed was both beautiful and responsive to any of our needs, and the support team did a stellar job. Highly recommend it.