Day 1, West Newton





Old US Steel factory still in operation 

Industrial section

Small towns along the way


 Old mills along the way



One of the many Steel Bruges I crossed 
This one built in Newton 



When the trail got nice




Downtown West Newton 

Downtown West Newton 

 I rode about 35 miles today to West Newton, a smallish town on the river. The first 10 miles we pretty industrial, by US Steel mills that belched smoke and look like they were built at the turn of the century.  Not so pleasant, but so different from anywhere I have been. A train, maybe a mile long laden with coal was just pulling in as I went by. Then the trail turned to nicer and nicer natural path with trees and falls all along the way, but in some ways was really just the same. Finally the last 10 miles were a combination of small towns and nice sections of nature. 

West Newton is pretty small and looks to be somewhat poor with a decaying downtown and one restaurant that wasn’t very good and a bar. However the B&B I’m staying in right on the trail is very cute and run by a great couple. I’m pretty tired after the first day and butt is a bit sore. I’m not used to riding for hours at time and had to remind myself to take a few breaks to down some water. On to Ohiopyle tomorrow which is 42 miles and slightly uphill. Ahh.. more to come!

Dave


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