Seeing Pittsburgh by Bicycle and Boat

We were in a good mood for the first day of riding.  Here we are leaving home.Our bikes were delivered at Washington’s Landing on the Allegheny river.We biked along the Allegheny river. Downtown Pittsburgh is in the distance as we start the ride.This is a view of downtown Pittsburgh from the North Shore trail along the Allegheny river.We took a short detour to ride past the front of the baseball stadium where the Pittsburgh Pirates play.This picture shows the confluence of the three rivers at Point State Park.  Our trail continued along the Ohio river.This is a view of downtown Pittsburgh from the banks of the Ohio river as we continue to ride the North Shore trail.The trail continued past Heinz field, the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers football (American football, that is!) team.This submarine on the Ohio river is a museum that can be visited.Time for some fun beside the Ohio.The end of the North Shore trail provided a break and some time for texting.  The trail ran past an older industrialized neighborhood that has seen better days.The Duquesne Incline and the water fountain at Point State Park are captured in this picture.  We were still on the North Shore trail at this point.We crossed the Allegheny river to get to Point State Park and the water fountain.Here we are at the confluence of the three rivers.  This is the start of the Great Allegheny Passage, otherwise known as the GAP.Heinz stadium is now across the river from us.  One of the Gateway Clipper boats that provides tours of Pittsburgh sails on the river.We walked the last section through the city on our way to lunch.  We went to a Turkish restaurant.After lunch, we rode back to the start of the GAP, and rode the trail up to the Hot Metal Bridge.  It rained a little while we were biking along the Monongahela river.  It was a very light rain that did not bother us.  This is the middle of summer and the time for thunderstorms.  We could be getting more rain during the rest of this ride.

We left our bikes locked at Ram’s place of work, and Kalpana gave us a ride back home.  It was short day of riding, only about 15 miles.

We went for a cruise on the rivers in the evening as the sun was beginning to set. It was a delightful experience.  We enjoyed it thoroughly.Here are some pictures of the city taken from the boat.This picture is of downtown Pittsburgh.  At this point we were on the Ohio river.  To the left is the Allegheny river, and to the right, the Monongahela.The Carnegie Science Center and the Heinz stadium seen from the boat.And then it was time to head back home and chill. The serious riding starts tomorrow.