Bike Pittsburgh

s-side to homestead?

I would like to go to Homestead (waterfront shops) and I noticed on the bike map that the trail heading that way stops. Is there a way to get to Homestead starting from the southside or do I need to head into Oakland/Shadyside etc. and then get over to Homestead? Thanks and great site!

RE: s-side to homestead?

The trail does end, but you can easly walk past it along the railroad tracks to get back to easily ridable roads. The walking section itsn't too bad, maybe 150-200 yards max on railroad rocks. After that you can walk up a short set of steps to get back on the road into homestead. This section of the road is a little fast, but there is a lot of room on the side to ride. In the summer the sandcastle parking lot rear entrance is open and you can go through their parking lot to get to the waterfront.

RE: s-side to homestead?

the s side trail and wf are supposed to connect someday
I was down there last spring buit IO couldn't figure out how to get to the waterfront

? where those steps are

RE: s-side to homestead?

the sandcaslte parking lot is preferable, as there is no traffic on there. the steps: after walking next to the tracks, you come to a road right by the scrap recyclers. make that right and youll come to an overpass. to the left you should see the steps.

can't wait for that trail to be done

RE: s-side to homestead?

If you are coming in the opposite direction, to get onto the trail (from Homestead or Glass Run or Streets Run), you will go over and along the tracks, bumpa bumpa bumpa, eventually to a sign which makes me laugh everytime.

"Not A Trail Entrance" it says.

And yet, there and then, you enter the trail.

RE: s-side to homestead?

Have to watch if you ride through the sandcastle parking lot now though, even if the gates are open.

The one security guard stopped me the other day, saying that they had "things" broken and/or stolen recently. Just told him sorry, was just on my way home from work, won't happen again.

I can't wait for the trail to be finished either.

RE: s-side to homestead?

So I just got back, thanks for the help. There is an easier set of steps that you can take. Instead of taking the steps to the right, keep going and go under the road (highway?) and there is a set of long straight steps. This will put you on a "path" that leads to a sidewalk. Much safer than crossing the 4 lanes of traffic just to get to the same road. On a side note, what can I do to not have my chain pop even when I am not riding my bike? It came off twice when I was walking along the tracks. Is this normal?

RE: s-side to homestead?

just a warning, the sandcastle gate is closed sometimes.

to get your chain not to pop you can put it on the biggest gear in the front (hardest) and the smallest gear in the back (easiest) that will make it the most tight and usually it won't pop off like that. however you shouldn't ride like that since you can avoid it by riding in the harder gears on the smaller chainrings in the front.

RE: s-side to homestead?

I think this is one of the problems Sandcastle is having with the trail going through/near the park. They say that there's no way to secure the park to prevent stuff like this from happening. However, they (and the railroad) are actively working to come up with some sort of solution to the problem. Everyone involved wants to see the trail completed. :)
The one security guard stopped me the other day, saying that they had "things" broken and/or stolen recently.

RE: s-side to homestead?

not sure how much someone could steal while riding a bike
I can see the picture in my head of someone riding next to those RR tracks with an inflatable tube around their neck- give me a break
they could charge a $.50 toll and that would take care of the real issue

RE: s-side to homestead?

Heh, true, theft would be amusing, but I can still see vandalism and people jumping the fence to get into the park being a problem. A spray paint can, a hammer and a pair of bolt cutters aren't too difficult to transport with a bike.
Also, what is "the real issue" you're referring to? I don't believe Kennywood is financially distraught or would benefit much from a $.50 toll per biker...

RE: s-side to homestead?

I think the REAL issue has to do with compensation for easement across sandcastle property- not "BIKE VANDALS".
as I used to live not far from that parking lot - I dont believe for one minute thats its the recreational bike riders that are doing any of the vandalism and I resent the implication.
? if the French co that bought Kennywood bought this property also ?

RE: s-side to homestead?

It's a Spanish company, and yes, they bought everything the Kennywood corporation owns including its sister parks (i.e. Idewild and Sandcastle), catering company, and other assets.
Apparently, this is a good thing because it will enable the park to obtain funding for further expansion. I'm still not happy about the sale, but hopefully, some of that money will go into the bike trail. :)

? if the French co that bought Kennywood bought this property also ?

RE: s-side to homestead?

To: mikelep: can you please provide slightly more detailed directions on how to get from the end of the SouthSide Trail and up/onto 837 heading W to Waterfront? I know you have to walk your bike under the bridge on the RR ballast and then you come to a road - I know you turn R here, cross the tracks. Can you take it from here and tell me where the better stairs are located and where to go? TY!

RE: s-side to homestead?

Has anyone ever tried crossing the Hot Metal Bridge from Carson and taking 885/2nd Ave. to the Glenwood Bridge to 837 in Homestead?

RE: s-side to homestead?

Yup, the only problem with taking 2nd ave to homestead, is that you have to either take a weird u turn if you stay on the road, or jump a jersey barrier and wait for traffic to be clear.

Coming from the south side on the trail, walk along tracks to road and cross the tracks. The road will bend left, then right, and you will be under 837. Make a left on the road, and follow it to just before a usually open gate. You will see a wall and more rail tracks in front of you. The steps will be on your left. These steps will put you right on 837, albeit on a sidewalk going towards traffic.

RE: s-side to homestead?

The crazy part about all this is the gate only keeps out the cars.

If you keep walking down the tracks after you cross over the paved road, the fence around the parking lot ends after about 100 yards or so, and you can walk right in.

RE: s-side to homestead?

Kennywood and Sandcastle suck balls. All of the Kennywood owned amusement parks are the worst I've ever been to in my life. I have been to several in my day, even though I really don't get a kick out of it now that I'm all growed up LOL.

However the people who work at the Kennywood parks are the biggest assholes I've ever seen at an amusement park... EVER, and consistently.

That issue with the security guard doesn't surprise me in the least but you know what I say... FUCKEM...

Live to Ride and Ride to Live LOL.

The only kennywood park I'll still go to is Sandcastle because its fun to get soaking wet on a hot day and watch girls in bikinis and thongs all day, along with drinking and chilling in the hot tub.

My $.02

RE: s-side to homestead?

Adam,
I and my family have worked at Kennywood and Sandcastle for years and I can definitely say none of them are assholes. This includes normal workers and management. Granted, I don't agree with some of the decisions that Kennywood upper management has made over the past few years, but I can definitely say the people who work there are not assholes. Have you had bad experiences at the park in the past? Also, if you're comparing Kennywood to other amusement parks, be sure that you're comparing it to amusement parks and not theme parks (Six Flags, Disneyworld...).
I don't want this discussion to turn into a flame war about Kennywood, but I would like to say that your comment seems immature, biased, offensive and totally counter-productive toward what we're trying to accomplish in completing the bike trail.