Unlike the Monongahela, the Youghiogheny (or Yough, sounding like ‘Yawk,’), is not a river of industry. It is a river of pleasure. Boating, fishing, swimming and nature watching are a stark contrast to the upstream rivers of the open hearth.
On the old beds of the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie (PL&E) Railroad, this part of our ride is as different as is the river we are following. Our bike ride is an example of how this river is used for recreation rather than industrial commerce.
One thing that impresses me is how smooth and well maintained it is including strategically placed port-a-potties, full-service bathrooms and water supplies. I quipped to Ted that now we were well beyond the crowds because of the relative remoteness of the trail. And I was dead wrong speaking too soon.
There were more people on this part of the trail than there were in the more populated downstream part. And they were more varied in age and type of bike they rode. Kids on training wheels as well as seniors 20 years plus our age cruising by on upright and recumbent bicycles. One woman was riding a bicycle designed to be cranked with her arms. People of all ages and abilities were taking advantage of this great resource.
Unlike our earlier ride, it is quiet and we are able to speak to each other and listen to the sound of crushed gravel coming off our tires. Occasionally the sound of water coming out of cuts made in the stone walls to create the railroad bed interrupts the silence of the ride.
We turn off the trail in West Newton for lunch and decide on Gary’s Chuck Wagon Restaurant. It is a classic small town diner that serves a nice selection of good food. Ted had a salad; I had chili and a Monte Cristo. For all of its simplicity, it had an abundance when it came to desserts. I wanted a cream puff; Ted a moon pie. Both were good, but too rich and large to finish. But now fueled up, we were ready for the final leg of today.
We stop often to drink water, take pictures and just enjoy our good fortune. We are having little problem (so far) in riding the trail and have been up to the task of riding the GAP. Hawks fly overhead, groundhogs scurry between covers and a solitary rattlesnake tries to cross the trail. 
By the end of the day, we have biked over 50 miles and it is time to turn off and rest. We find the parking lots that signifies our exit and head to our B&B in Perryopolis where we are greeted with cookies, grapes, nuts and ice tea. We lean our bikes against the rail and with a weary sigh, take a hard earned rest. It is a while before we get up to shower and enjoy a nice meal but we are happy after riding 51 miles and ready for tomorrow’s ride.
Biking the Yough
