GETTYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA
One can not ride here without being overwhelmed by the amount of history in this tiny town. Especially so as we get ready to celebrate the 250th anniversary of this country. Had the events that unfolded in 1863 here ended differently, there may not be an America 250 celebration. Or it would be vastly different.
I’ve ridden to Gettysburg around ten times. The first few times were with the Civil War Century, and since then, I’ve done private rides, usually starting in Thurmont, Maryland. As we prepare for more miles before RAGBRAI, one of our riders, Lou, suggested we do a Gettysburg club ride. He posted a route from Thurmont, ironically, a route that I created to include three covered bridges, one at Loy’s Station and one at Roddy Road, both near Thurmont, and at Sach’s Bridge in Gettysburg. I encouraged Lou to post it in our charter group for RAGBRAI to see if we could shake out any riders to join us.
There is a beautiful stone arch bridge that spans the Monocacy River in Frederick County. The LeGore bridge was built in 1898-1900 and is a beautiful structure. I wanted to incorporate that into my ride, but didn’t want to disrupt the group’s route by adding my own diversion. Or by asking everyone to join me. So I went alone.
I arrived at 8:20 and was ready to roll out at 8:30 when Bob showed up for our 9:00 a.m. ride. Another guy got out of his car who was part of our RAGBRAI group that Lou invited. Introductions were quick, so fast that I forgot his name, but told Bob we had invited other RAGBRAI riders so others may join. Then I announced I would see them at Loy’s Station because I was putting in some extra miles.
I headed out to LeGore Bridge, stopping briefly for a photo op. Five cyclists came flying by because the bridge is at the bottom of a steep descent. I departed and ramped up my speed for the climb at the other end. When I started, I wasn’t hopeful at all because I was going into a stiff headwind. But I easily set a PR – by nine seconds on a one-minute climb.
When I came to New Cut Road, I got down in the “drops” for an attempt at a PR on New Cut Mile. This was a segment I created; the meticulous measuring of an exact mile gave it away. It is neither a climb nor a sprint segment, but more a time-trial segment since I can’t sprint for one mile. The road is straight as an arrow but rolling. I started pedaling and knew I was going into a headwind. I thought at first not to even try, but I saw that I was one, then two, then three seconds up. I stayed in the drops the entire way, which was my goal, well, that and a PR. As I neared the finish, I sat up, not wanting to set a time I could never match again. I left myself some wiggle room for another PR. I was two for two in PRs and planned to shut it down once I met the group.
I arrived at Loy’s Station fully confident that I was well ahead of the group. Rest or ride? I decided to ride back on the road that the group should be coming. After one mile and not seeing them, I started wondering if I missed them. And how far should I ride? But before making it back to Creagerstown, I saw the first four riders go past. And then a couple more. And a few at the end. I turned and followed them to Loy’s Park.
Frederick County is beautiful. It is my favorite county to ride. Excellent roads, and still, I have never encountered any road rage. As we reached Gettysburg National Park, one of our riders had a flat tire. And an upside-down chain. He got the tire fixed, and we rolled into Gettysburg, stopping at Cottage Creperie while Oscar went to a bike shop.
After a short refueling stop, Stewart discovered that he had a flat. We sent half the group ahead to Sach’s Bridge. Stewart replaced two tubes as his spare failed him too.
On the way to Emmittsburg, I had dropped back to the end of the group when we came to a Strava Segment. I was alone, between groups, got in the drops, and set a PR away from the group. One of the riders was duly impressed that I bridged up to their lead group. I didn’t tell him I was chasing a PR.
We passed a Qiddish game about to start near the Roddy Bridge and did one last meet up to ensure we were all together. I was at 96 km when I got back and did not feel the need to make it 100. A 60-mile ride today was great. My Whoop band disagreed. Said it was a big effort: 20.4. I guess it was.
