11/04/2026
The things I do in the name of journalism 😀
I’ve climbed volcanoes, flown across zip lines, and shot a clay disc with a sh***un, successfully, might I add.
This 40-mile bike ride I recently did through Pennsylvania and West Virginia initially sounded quite daunting.
I’m Austin fit, but not Pittsburgh fit. Ha ha. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to handle the hills or the distance, but the route was less hilly than I’d expected, with plenty of places to stop and explore.
I got a taste of the Great American Rail-Trail and discovered what happens when a trail comes through town.
A ride through western Pennsylvania showed me historic landmarks, local food, and welcoming communities along the Great American Rail-Trail and its connecting routes.
With the help of trail advocates, volunteers, local businesses, and fellow cyclists, I was able to write this article for Food, W**e, Travel Magazine about my experience, what I learned, and the bigger goal of connection: making it easier for people to discover communities and experience the region in a different way, from another view.
I hope this inspires you to explore a section of the trail yourself, or maybe even take on the whole thing!
Read the story: 👇🏻
FWT Magazine | Food W**e Travel
Thanks Rails to Trails Conservancy Great Allegheny Passage / C&O Canal Enthusiasts