PA · separated · paved

The Old PA Pike Trail

8.4 mi Out-and-back 1024 ft gain

The Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike is the common name of a 13-mile (21 km) stretch of the Pennsylvania Turnpike that was replaced in 1968 by a new stretch. This was done to eliminate traffic congestion caused by the two-lane Sideling Hill Tunnel and Rays Hill Tunnel. Due to this the Cove Valley travel plaza was demolished. The 1968 alignment is east of the heavily congested Breezewood interchange for Interstate 70 (I-70) eastbound at what is now I-76 exit 161. This was replaced two years after that alignment opened.

Live · updated Jul 28, 1:51 PM ET

Today's verdict

Thunderstorms in the forecast — lightning and cyclists are a bad combination.

Thunderstorms — lightning and cyclists do not mix — get off the road before they arrive.
Pavement: wet — wet during the likely ride window — reduced braking, road spray, limited visibility to drivers.
NWS alert active — check the alert before rolling out.
29 mph wind — strong — plan for slow outbound if wind is against you.
Headwind on this route — 29 mph headwind outbound — expect a 29 mph headwind on the return.

0 /100

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0 Bike commuting

0 Road

0 E-bike

0 Bike-share

Best for bike commuting today

NWSSevere Thunderstorm Watch

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 28 at 12:53PM EDT until July 28 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS State College PA

In effect through Jul 29, 12:00 AM

NWSFlood Watch

Flood Watch issued July 28 at 12:37PM EDT until July 29 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS State College PA

In effect through Jul 29, 6:00 AM

Route map

Orange marker is the start. Click the map to enable scroll-zoom — the polyline is approximate; use Ride with GPS or Komoot for turn-by-turn.

Atmosphere

Air temp

73°F

Light Rain
Wind

29 mph

SW
Rain

50%

Next 24h: 0.37"
Humidity

89%

Surface & daylight

Pavement

wet

paved surface
Sunrise

6:06 AM
Sunset

8:30 PM

401 min remaining

Best time today

8 PM looks best — 72°F · 5 mph NW wind · partly cloudy.

2 PM

74°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

7 mph SW

—

3 PM

73°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

5 mph W

—

4 PM

74°

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

5 mph W

—

5 PM

74°

Partly Sunny

5 mph NW

6 PM

74°

Mostly Cloudy

5 mph NW

7 PM

73°

Partly Cloudy

5 mph NW

8 PM Best

72°

Partly Cloudy

5 mph NW

Wind on this route

29 mph headwind outbound — expect a 29 mph headwind on the return.

Currently 29 mph from the SW (230°). Relative to this ride's overall bearing, a headwind.

Leg 1 Bearing 278° · quartering headwind 0.7 mi
Leg 2 Bearing 263° · quartering headwind 0.7 mi
Leg 3 Bearing 277° · quartering headwind 0.8 mi
Leg 4 Bearing 266° · quartering headwind 0.7 mi
Leg 5 Bearing 249° · headwind 0.8 mi
Leg 6 Bearing 242° · headwind 0.8 mi
Leg 7 Bearing 216° · headwind 0.8 mi
Leg 8 Bearing 221° · headwind 0.7 mi

Elevation profile

1499 ft gain 1214 ft loss Max 1939' Min 1106' 8.2 mi sampled

Score breakdown

73°F air Within comfort range, outside ideal

-3

−

29 mph wind Strong — plan for slow outbound if wind is against you.

-18

−

Headwind on this route 29 mph headwind outbound — expect a 29 mph headwind on the return.

-8

−

Thunderstorms Lightning and cyclists do not mix — get off the road before they arrive.

-45

−

Pavement: wet Wet during the likely ride window — reduced braking, road spray, limited visibility to drivers.

-32

−

NWS alert active Check the alert before rolling out.

-20

About this route

Distance: 8.4 mi one-way (double for round-trip)
Elevation gain: 1024 ft
Surface: paved
Shape: Out-and-back
Traffic exposure: separated
Activities: road cycling · e bike · commuting · bike share-touring
Cycle network: LCN · route TOPP
Start: 40.0478, -78.0949
OSM: relation 5688306 , relation 5688307

Description sourced from the Wikipedia summary.