barrysherry - peaceonabike

August 28, 2015May 22, 2016

T-Town Races

TREXLERTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA

This place is cool. This place is fun.

For the third straight year I joined Spokes of Hope (their sixth straight year) in Trexlertown. The core of the group traveled to T-Town from Indianapolis. The rest of us just sort of filtered in from elsewhere.

Cindi Hart said there would be a clinic at 5:00 p.m. for the kids. I arrived at 4:30 p.m., and upon not finding anyone inside the gate, just went across the street to the Rodale Park and rode for a bit. When I returned I went to the track and everyone was already riding so I joined in. It wasn’t a clinic, at least for me, but some fun riding on the velodrome.

We cleared the track as the event riders started to filter in. Monica Johnson-Null and her boys went across the street to the park and I joined them.

As the event neared I was surprised to see many organizations were set up inside, including many cancer groups. The Lehigh Valley Pediatric Cancer group was there as was St. Baldricks.

I didn’t get to watch any of the races and was preparing to line up to ride on the track when I heard my name called. My cousins, Stacey and Gary Gravina had come over from Phillipsburg, New Jersey so we talked briefly before they got to go to the stands and see the elimination race (one of my favorites).

We were announced at taking a victory lap over cancer although we took two. We made our way to the infield where our featured survivor was a 16 year old boy with brain cancer. He had lost speech and his ability to walk but now can was riding a trike.

He took the podium as his triumph over cancer and the crowd cheered. It is a great night to celebrate.

And a final note. The final race was the 100-lap pro-men’s Madison, always a fun event. And the finale was an awesome fireworks (“pyromusical”) display – I think the best I have ever seen.

August 23, 2015February 17, 2016

Inclined Plane

JOHNSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA

This is about the shortest ride I will write about – the only one shorter would be the Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hill Climb. Why this? Because it was fun.

In shorter order I drove to Ohio and rode on Friday. I went on to Indianapolis the rode with the Spokes of Hope ride on yesterday. After the 100 miles I drove back to Somerset last night.

My parents were having a small party at noon to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary. I wanted to do a ride from Somerset but decided I didn’t have time for the 50 mile ride I was hoping for. And I thought about Johnstown.

I would not count miles riding up a mountain on an inclined plane but decided that I could go down it that way. I parked in Ferndale, just outside of Johnstown and navigated by feel to get me to the top of the mountain. Or hill.

Jtown1

It was basically a two mile climb with another mile of “slight” uphill. Once in Westmont I found my way down their beautiful streets to the Inclined Plane. The Inclined Plane takes people and vehicles from Johnstown below to Westmont above. If it were a road it would be a 70.9% grade.

Jtown2

I found out that bicycles are free. Yeah! Oh, but a passenger fare was $2.25. Well worth it. Once on board, I was the only one. Halfway down I passed the other car going up. Empty.

Jtown4

At the bottom I disembarked and rode across the bridge the cross the Stony Creek River. At the end I could have taken the ramp to the street but the sidewalk with its switchbacks were much more inviting.

Jtown5

I really didn’t have much more time to go exploring in Johnstown. It was a matter of hurry back to the car and go celebrate with my parents. A fun, but very short, day on the bike.

Jtown6

August 22, 2015August 26, 2015

Spokes of Hope Indy

ZIONSVILLE, INDIANA

It was the annual Spokes of Hope ride. Without a word or hint to the organizer and with a very late registration, I caught the organizer, Cindi Hart, off guard when I walked up to registration. Hugs ensued.

Finish Line Hug — Finish, not Start, Line Hug

I was given a special placard as “Cancer Veteran” and we veterans lined up 50 yards back from the other riders. When it was time for the opening ceremonies we rolled past the other riders as they cheered us to the start line.

A bagpiper played and we rolled out with a great police escort. Cindi was at the front and, in one mile, when she peeled off, I pulled off with her, not knowing if I would see her at all during the day and I had to leave immediately after it ended. Cindi urged me to go and catch up with the other riders, and eventually, I did.

Or at least I started to. I had to work my way through some slower riders (probably riding shorter distances) and then could finally see the lead group or some riders dropped by them. This was a very small ride and I didn’t realize it but if I didn’t catch on somewhere I would be riding 100 miles solo.

I could see the group and timed them at 2:00 up the road. It took about five miles but I got it down to 1:00. I really wasn’t closing the gap. A couple of riders dropped off the back and I caught and passed them but did not catch on before the first rest stop.

The ride was well-supported if 50 pounds of bacon is support. (It is.) We were at a Love’s Travel Plaza and I walked inside to use the rest room. There was bacon. There were smoothies which were still frozen. Cookies. I grabbed a smoothie and a spoon and was digging at it when most of the riders pulled out. I hated to throw away a smoothie and Ken and Cindi Hart were at this stop so we chatted briefly.

Again, Cindi urged me to go “ride with someone” and when I saw two cyclists pull out I went with them. I met Nathan and Julie from Fishers, Indiana. They were first year cyclists, both triathletes, attempting to complete their first century ride. I’m not sure they wanted me or welcomed me to ride with them but they were stuck with me. We were going to do this.

We rolled into Stop 2 together and I waited for them to roll out. We were now a team. A Century-completing team.

Not long after we left I saw another couple farther back. I thought I would slow the pace, let them integrate with us and give us five. That would give us a physiological and psychological advantage. Todd and his wife rolled by and I jumped on their wheel. Nathan and Julie did not follow. I let Todd go and dropped back with my friends.

At Rest Stop 3 we were told we were last on the road except for a tandem. This is when I realized this was a very small ride. And then Todd and his wife (I don’t know her name) pulled in. They had made a wrong turn.

A volunteer told me to try to keep us together (which I was trying to do) but Todd pulled out and ahead. But we eventually pulled them back and integrated once we all started talking. We had 40 miles to go.

I tried to go to the front and set the pace. The wind was often in our faces and I thought it would help my friends if I rode in it. After Rest #4 I rode at the front almost all the way back. At one point I thought Nathan and Julie were dropping back so I let Todd’s wife ride up front. It worked.

We rolled into Zionsville and, as we came to the finish, I let the four of them finish first. This was also Todd’s first century. Well done, my friends!

Overall I averaged 16.4 mph for the 100 miles. Not bad but it wasn’t the 19 mph I averaged, solo, in the first 18 miles. I had an offer at Rest #1 to ride with a group at 19-20 mph which would have been cool but they took off while I was in the rest room. And if it was speed I was after, I could have taken off at any time but this was much more rewarding. I was very happy to shepherd new riders completing their first century. And they must have averaged at or near 16 mph for their first long ride.

At the finish I was greeted by Cindi. We posed for a few photos then I had to leave. The 7.5 hours on the bike (six of them moving) would be easy compared to the 7.5 hour drive ahead of me.

EPILOGUE: One rider, a cancer veteran, posted that he rode most of the miles solo. Although he seemed upset at first, he used the time to reflect on his cancer journey. At first many people are by your side but eventually one finds oneself facing the journey alone.

I experienced sort of the opposite. I had a journey and could have ridden it alone. But I chose to ride with others instead to encourage and support them. And that was the best thing for me too.

August 21, 2015January 14, 2017

Piqua

PIQUA, OHIO

Traveling from Somerset to Indianapolis, I looked for a location where I could stop and ride. But this was more than a place to ride. Fifty years ago I lived out here and I thought it would be fun to go back and see where I used to live.

I looked for trails in the area and found the Great Miami River Trail. This is one worth exploring later. It is a paved trail more than 85 miles in length. I didn’t have time to ride far so planned my trip starting in Troy.

I planned to start at Treasure Island Park. I arrived and found it was close for construction. I parked on the street instead.

I started by riding north on the road. When I came to where the trail crossed I jumped on the trail. It is in great shape. Paved. Wooded. With the exception of crossing the river, I was surprised the trail was set back far enough that I wasn’t riding next to the river, in fact, wasn’t aware there was a river nearby.

At Piqua there is a bridge crossing. The approach going north is by 8-10 stairs with a rail in the middle that serves as a tire trough if you want to push your bike. Once I crossed the river I then followed the river through and past Piqua. The trail is next to the river which has a very high embankment so I could never tell I was actually in the city.

The trail disappears alongside the old Miami-Erie canal, a good portion which is still full of water. At the end of town the trail was under construction and I rode through about 100 yards of grass (to avoid 100 yards of the gravel trail).

I jumped on the road and took Rte 66 (not THAT Route 66) to Houston. The road was fine (meaning it had a shoulder) in Miami County. But once entering Shelby County there was no shoulder. Traffic was extremely light but when it passed me it often was extremely close. I did not like riding this road.

Although it was almost 50 years since I attended the Hardin-Houston school, I had no problem finding my way to it. On the road out of there I passed kids running and figured (correctly) that they were cross country runners. I turned around and road about 200 yards with two girls. I told them I went to the school 50 years ago and this was my first time back. They were not impressed.

I rode down to Lockington, unsure if I could take my bike across the Lockington Dam. Although I hadn’t returned to Houston in (almost) 50 years, I refereed a tournament in Sidney, Ohio in 2007 and visited Lockington then.

The road across the dam was no longer open, and my memory escapes that there was still a road across the top. There was an entrance and a parking lot in 2007 but as I rolled up I saw that the park was closed. Disappointing. I was hoping to ride across the dam.

I rode up through Lockington, with most of the houses unchanged since we moved in 1967. The parsonage where we lived was now connected to the church my dad served although it closed.

The former parsonage of the Lockington E.U.B. church

I visited the locks we used to play in, many looked to be in danger of collapse in the 1960s but are still standing. I was surprised to see someone has been rebuilding the first lock.

I rode back into Piqua really enjoying the quaint downtown of this city of 20,000. Although I thought I would roll right through town and back to Troy I did a U-turn when I saw the railroad bridge.

The east-west bridge was the old Pennsylvania Rail Road bridge which was abandoned in 1985. It is now a bike trail named Linear Park. A number of steps with a concrete trough for walking bikes leads up to the bridge. I pushed my bike up then rode across the bridge and followed the trail.

The best I can tell, I had biked here before – 50 years ago. The B&O tracks run north-south and the PRR ran east-west. I remember being with a couple of other kids (don’t know who) and this was a grade crossing of railroad lines. You don’t see those much and I didn’t see it here since it no longer exists. But I am 100% convinced it did in the 60s. In fact, I found a couple of references to it including this one:

“This station was hastily built in October 1913 when the PRR told the CH&D they would not be using their new downtown Piqua passenger station when the elevation opened. So the CH&D rapidly built a box station north of the crossing at Garbry Road.” – http://www.west2k.com/ohstations/miami.shtml

I’m not crazy. There was an at grade crossing of tracks in Piqua although there is no evidence of that now. But it was great to ride over to it.

My ride back to Troy was uneventful. Although I planned to take the road back, I enjoyed the trail so much I followed it again. I even opted to follow it when I was just a couple miles from the car and just a straight shot away.

The Great Miami River Trail is really cool. Add to that a 50-mile reminiscing of my childhood and it couldn’t get much better. And 75 degrees, no clouds, and no humidity didn’t hurt.

August 8, 2015January 14, 2017

Delaware

SOUTH BETHANY, DELAWARE

Rather than one ride, this does not lend itself so well to one post. Instead, we get one post for a week of rides.

We arrived at South Bethany, Delaware, to stay in the home of Pete and Lisa Schmidt. They had donated a week of their beautiful home to CureFest and I had been high bidder last year.

It was a beautiful home on a canal. Still, I worried if I would find good riding here. Flat. Windy. And those are the two words that describe the riding here. And it was good.

Arriving on Saturday I went for an early evening ride up the coastal highway, across the bridge at Indian River inlet, then turned and rode out to Ocean View. In the 1960s, 70s, and as late as the early 80s, we had camped at Sandy Cove and Bayshore campgrounds. I rode back there from memory.

It was a nice ride. It was flat, except for the bridge. After I got back and uploaded my data I was distressed to see there was a timed segment on RideWithGPS for the bridge portion. I went slowly up the bridge. I stopped for some pictures, and was timed at 3:21 – only 18 seconds off the worst speed ever. I was 87th out of 90. Ouch.

It really wasn’t a bad ride, save for that segment. But I wasn’t going to let that rest.

On Sunday I had a little time to plan and put together a nice Bethany – Fenwick Island loop ride.

Canal - South Bethany — Canal – South Bethany

I was wheels down at 6:38 a.m. It was a 32 mile loop mostly on country roads until it came back to Fenwick Island at which time I rode on the Coastal Highway.

The Coastal Highway has a wide shoulder marked for both bike and running/walking lanes. Despite some moderate traffic, it is a safe route and I have no hesitation suggesting it to anyone.

Monday was to be my shot at redemption with that awful segment on the Indian River Inlet bridge. Wheels down at 6:52 a.m., I rode north, paying close attention to keep my speed up over the bridge.

I rode through Dewey Beach and into Rehoboth Beach, which surely scrubbed some speed off a good ride. Up and back it was just short of a 30 mile ride.

As for the segment, I did better. I went from 87th to 67th which is still in the bottom third. Maybe I need to come back and ride with a massive tailwind.

Then I also learned there was a Bethany to Dewey segment. I will go faster if I know I am being timed. Darn. On this one I was 29th out of 64 leaving me wonder if people come just to ride the bridge and not to Dewey Beach? I did check the top speed for that segment and that guy, Brad Rittase, definitely had a tailwind when he set the top speed, although his bridge climb speed was butt slow. He was hitting speeds in the highs 20s going to Dewey and 12-13 mph coming back. It happens.

But I was happy with my ride. I don’t know if I will do it again. Just flat and always windy and you never know where the winds will be coming from.

My Tuesday ride was my go-to ride — the Bethany-Fenwick loop with an addition to Bishopville, Maryland. Once on Lighthouse Road, two cyclists pulled out about 1/4 mile ahead. I thought at speed I would catch them. I didn’t “chase,” per se, but I was marking myself each time I could see a landmark. I was pulling them back very slowly. When I finally caught them I was glad to see they had shaved legs.

I would have worked with them to have a group of three but the one guy sat on the front rider’s wheel and they never changed positions so I thought it wasn’t up to me to upset their balance. I let them go on Coastal Highway but eventually pulled them back. I passed them for good getting back to South Bethany.

Wednesday would be my longest ride. I was wheels down at 6:24 a.m. I headed out to my Fenwick Loop but headed south instead of due east to Fenwick Island. I missed a planned turn but knew the boundaries of the roads and knew the sun so I headed south. I had to ride on U.S. 113 (that part was planned) which is busy (wide shoulders), but it was only for two miles. Most of the rest of the roads were country or had wide shoulders.

I got on U.S. 50 just before riding into Ocean City. I’m not sure if the narrow sidewalk on the bridge was the bike lane or if we were welcomed in a travel lane. I took the lane. Since there was no shoulder I took the middle of the lane since it was unsafe to encourage anyone to pass me (think sharrows). Besides, I was doing 20 mph in a 30 mph zone. It was all good.

In Ocean City, I hopped on the Boardwalk, thinking I might ride it for a while. I did, about three blocks worth. Too crowded, even at 9:00 a.m. Then it was back to the streets. Ocean City has a bike/bus lane so traveling north-south really is a breeze except for all the stoplights.

In all I rode 219 miles in seven days (and slightly more if I count running around Saturday morning with the girls in the Burley Trailer before we left). I averaged 16.6 mph which is probably one mph faster than I ride at home, all things being equal. That includes fighting the wind. Yes, it sometimes benefits you but during a loop it’s one part headwind, two parts crosswind, and one part tailwind. I’d rather have no wind.

But it was great and I would love to come back here to ride some more.

July 22, 2015July 23, 2015

Three Mountains

CLAYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

Exploring. I enjoy riding new roads and sometimes just will map out a new ride and go exploring.

Starting in Sproul, Pa., which I guess is a suburb of Claysburg (this is humor, folks), I mapped out a route over Blue Knob, down to Newry, then over Locke Mountain, through Martinsburg, then back over Sproul Mountain. I knew the course over Blue Knob then down through the valley. In all, I was familiar with 24 of the 57 miles so 33 of the miles would be exploring.

I started at Sheetz. (Where else?) I requested and received permission to park my car to go for a bike ride. I was hoping for four and a half hours.

I left Sproul, went through Queen and into Blue Knob State Park. This route was new to me. There was a nifty little 1/2 mile climb at 15-17% at Mile 5. Unexpected.

This was followed by a one mile climb into the forest and Blue Knob State Park. Then there was a one mile descent to Pavia at which time I realized my brakes need changed. Oops.

In Pavia I turned right and was back in familiar territory – the climb to Blue Knob. There were long sections of 12% grade and it was buggy. In the shade, which was plentiful, there were flies and gnats around my eyes. Damn insects.

I had mapped my ride to continue to Knob Run Road but at the last moment, turned right to climb all the way to the ski area. It was very windy at the summit, in fact, even at 70 degrees, I was starting to get cold since I was in a soaking wet kit (with sweat).

Back on course I saw the sign – “Fresh Oil.” Oh boy. A fresh tar and chip road. It wasn’t bad and ended when I crossed Johnstown Road (164).

I descended Knob Run Road, the same road that Chelsea Johnson, Chey Hillsgrove, and I climbed last week, being chased by a storm. I had better weather today and I was going down – not up.

I turned on Tel-Power Road and was surprised when I passed Winsome – a gated house, which is really, a gated horse farm. Sorry, no pictures.

I came to Locke Mountain Road and looked at the ridge which I knew I would cross. I could see a tower at the top and a cut in the mountain which I knew was the road. OK.

Once the climb began in earnest, my GPS was sort of stuck on 12% for two miles. And using numbers from the road itself I calculate the climb was 10.2%.

Over the top it was a nice descent, although with squishy brakes. I turned on Pa. 866 which was a signed Pa. Bike Route. No shoulders but light traffic. It was a seven mile run-in to Martinsburg, sort of lumpy, passing corn fields most of the way.

In Martinsburg, I stopped at Subway, mainly to refill my water bottles but I also bought a Coke and a cookie and sat down to eat it. The “water” lever on the soft drink machine is shared with Lemonade. I think the line had Lemonade in it because one bottle tasted more like Lemonade than water. And I didn’t want Lemonade, but I’m not mad.

I watched my Garmin as I navigated to Sproul Mountain, swearing every time I saw a rise ahead. Sproul Mountain wasn’t long but it was steep, especially the lower slopes. I passed the KOM-9 start, assume it was there from the Central Pa. Century Challenge, run by my friend, Richard Fiore.

The climb is one mile in length. I calculate it to be 7.6% with the lower section steeper than the upper portion. Over the top I got in a tuck and hit 48 mph (47.95). I probably could have pushed it to 50 but remember the advice of Wayne Stetina who told me two years ago he never bombs a descent he doesn’t know. Speed was not an issue today.

I finished at Sheetz and my legs felt like they have been through the wringer. Either 5800 or 5900′ of gain over 57 miles. Only Grand Mesa, in Colorado, was harder this year. This ride, simply, was a good challenge.

July 18, 2015February 18, 2016

Purcellville Home

PURCELLVILLE, VIRGINIA

P01

Andrew’s car was in the shop and wanted to borrow mine to go to Purcellville. I told him I’d drive him there with a bike and he could choose to bike or drive home. He chose poorly.

P02

What a beautiful summer day. I took the W&OD, a route I am well familiar with. Peaceful. And mostly downhill in this section.

P03

I stopped at Carolina Brother BBQ in Ashburn which is my go-to pit stop when I’m on the W&OD. I never paid attention to their actual food menu but today I did. And someday I will try it.

P04

My route on the W&OD took me 25 miles to Reston at which point I picked up the bike trail next to the Fairfax County Parkway. I followed that until I completely lost any scent of the trail. I was meandering near Fair Oaks Mall.

P06

Eventually I ended up on Clifton Road and rode down to Clifton. I took Chapel Road back up to Rte 123. Once, trying to meet a Potomac Pedalers ride, the ride leader told us to meet him on “Chopper” Road. We searched and search that day, never finding them, only realizing later he was saying Chapel.

P05

At Rte 123 I followed that to Occoquan. It’s always nice crossing the pedestrian bridge at the far end of town.

P07

I took Occoquan Road over to Hylton Ave. and snaked my way through old Woodbridge. I had to ride on the Prince William Parkway but only long enough to cross I-95.

P08

Heating up I stopped at Chick-fil-A for a brief refreshment, mainly filling my water bottles. I then followed the Prince William Parkway bike trail to Hillendale Road which was three miles out of the way but worth it to avoid Minnieville Road. I took back streets the rest of the way home.

P09

It was a fun route. I hope Andrew asks me to take him to Purcellcille more often. And doesn’t want the bike.

July 14, 2015February 17, 2016

The Wall

ALTOONA, PENNSYLVANIA

It was June, 2008, when I first rode “The Wall” in Altoona. I knew it was special then and in 2009, it became my “escape from cancer” place to ride.

I have ridden it in spring, summer, and winter – but not fall. Interesting.

We had been planning for Jacob’s Hero Ride, a charity ride across Pennsylvania to benefit children’s cancer research and to honor Jacob Grecco. However, that did not materialize. But I promised two of the riders, Chey Hillsgrove and Chelsea Johnson, that we could still ride some in Pennsylvania.

Yesterday we rode in the Bedford Valley, now today it was our turn in the high mountains. I mapped out directions to Beale Ave. and Kittanning Point Road and we started riding.

It was an easy ride up to Horseshoe Curve where we stopped for a photo op. Chey and Chelsea hiked the steps up to the curve where the trains go by while I stayed behind with the bikes. They got to ride the funicular back down.

As we rolled out from the visitor center we had to wait at the tunnel for the light. A big truck pulled behind us and we motioned for him to move up. When the light turned green, he went ahead and we followed. He blocked any vision of the other end of the tunnel. Literally, we could not see the light at the end of the tunnel. For 15 seconds or so we were riding in pitch black as our eyes hadn’t adjusted and wearing sunglasses made it worse.

We did great on the climb and then – The Wall. I was worried about Chey’s bike – he was running a 39:23 setup. And Chelsea was simply worried. She stopped to start some music then made it all the way up. Bravo!!

At the top, by the old Forest Zoo, we met a kitten with no collar. It may have been a feral kitten and I couldn’t quite tell if it wanted to be friendly with us or attack us. We left.

We went down into Gallitzin and viewed the tunnels where the trains headed to or coming from the Horseshoe Curve pass through.

Then we headed through the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Site. We stopped at the stone arch bridge at “Six of Ten.” This was a bridge built for the Hollidaysburg – Blairsville Turn Pike over the Portage Railroad in the 19th Century.

The descent down Old U.S. 22 was great and we turned off onto Foot of Ten Road then onto Valley Forge Road. I had ridden Valley Forge Road two to three times prior but always in the other direction. This direction was definitely harder. There were two steep hills in succession.

It was only one mile to the top of the first “boob” (because that is what Chey thought they looked like on the profile – and they did). And it was another mile to the top of the second one with a 14% kicker near the top. And although it was about a two mile descent to Puzzletown, that didn’t seem to be enough to recover.

I probably should have read the look in Chey and Chelsea’s faces, but I did not. It would have been good to turn onto Puzzeltown Road and head back towards Altoona. Instead, I made us climb.

We turned onto Old Knob Road. We began a 4.5 mile climb to the top where it intersected with Johnstown Road, aka 164. It started as a low percentage grade climb, mostly 2-3%, but grew as we went.

I had slipped ahead of my riding partners and passed a house with two people outside. I greeted them and asked if I could get water. Karen Sell obliged and got me water. Then she saw Chey and Chelsea too. She got us all water and offered a water hose to cool down with. I cannot imagine finishing the day without this water stop.

As we went up the road, again I pulled ahead. And then I saw it – a natural spring on the side of the road. Acting like a child, I put my head under the cold water. Three times. I waited for Chey and Chelsea to enjoy it too.

As we continued I again pulled ahead. I looked at the profile on Garmin of the route I mapped and it wasn’t pretty. It kept going up and I knew near the end it really ramped up – to at least 14%.

I arrived at the top and waited. I talked to a woman across the road. I talked to drivers who had come up the road. One told me my friends were “just around the corner.” I descended almost half a mile to find that corner.

As they reached the summit we heard thunder and saw lightning. Oh oh! But we had a seven mile descent to East Freedom. We could see the mountains where it was raining but managed to avoid it. Until..

…We reached East Freedom and the skies opened up. I rode ahead hoping Chey and Chelsea would follow. I knew there was a Sheetz just ahead where we could seek shelter.

We got in and Chey and Chelsea ordered real food. I grabbed a Snickers and Chelsea chastised me about getting real food. I told her a Snickers was real food – hadn’t she seen their commercials?

It was storming and I didn’t see the need to expose three of us to lightning. I offered to ride back to start and get the car. Chelsea and Chey readily agreed.

I started out to find Reservoir Road – which was closed. It was barricaded and I didn’t see it in the rain. I went ahead to Plum Creek Road and hoped it would take me there. I checked my maps and knew I had to retrace my route. Damn. I just added three miles.

In fact, without worrying about other riders, I probably should have found Rte 36 which was the shortest way back. But I still don’t know how safe it was. Especially in the rain.

I was in and out of two more storms before reaching Altoona. But I made it back safely, retrieved the car, then retrieved Chelsea and Chey from Sheetz in East Freedom and we all headed back to Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia.

I am proud of my friends’ efforts today. It took longer than we planned but we enjoyed the Horseshoe Curve, the Gallitzin train tunnels, talking to a woman about the Portage Railroad, and having Karen rescue all of us with a water stop.

I had not ridden this direction before, and if I had thought about it more, we would not have gone in this direction. I made the decision in part because I wanted to tackle The Wall first while the weather was good.

But it comes down to paint on the road. Even in the mountains, these roads kick up, but if they have paint on them (lane markings) they rarely go beyond 12% and usually no more than 10%. Johnstown Road (164) out of East Freedom is a road with paint. We rode down it. Likewise, Old Rte 22 is a road with paint. We rode down it. (I have ridden up them before.)

The back country roads don’t have paint. They’re not graded for heavy traffic. Glenwhite Road (Horseshoe Curve), Valley Forge Road, and Knob Run Road don’t have paint. Or if they do they just have center line paint and not edge of road paint. They also have ramps of 14-19% grade. We rode up those. But now I know – it’s about the paint.

Correction: See that 14% grade? It has center yellow line paint. A major road. Yikes!

It was a tough day. But we all made it. And had fun.

July 13, 2015February 18, 2016

Covered Bridges

BEDFORD, PENNSYLVANIA

It was bittersweet day as we had been planning for Jacob’s Hero Ride across Pennsylvania for children’s cancer research and to honor Jacob Grecco. Although that didn’t work out, I was able to bring a couple riders on the team, Chey Hillsgrove and Chelsea Johnson, to Pennsylvania for some riding.

I promised them mountains then delivered bridges. Without a word (at first) about my goal, we headed up Business U.S. 220. I mapped the route, loaded it to my Garmin, and off we rode. I really only really knew the last 10 miles of the 50-mile route – the run-in back to Bedford.

I had planned to start at Old Bedford Village, where we saw our first covered bridge, but there was an admission fee of $11 per person and I wasn’t sure we could leave the car there without admission. We parked at the Fairfield Inn (with permission).

The first four miles consisted of rollers then we hit a nifty two-mile climb. I didn’t know it was here but it was very nice. I told them we weren’t riding in the mountains, and we weren’t, but I’m not sure they believed me.

We rolled through Osterburg and out into the country. Chelsea seemed to love riding among the corn then my GPS beeped for an upcoming turn. As I looked at the upcoming left turn I saw it – the first covered bridge.

We stopped and took it in. And although it was no longer in service, we rode across the Bowser Covered Bridge.

We didn’t travel much farther until we found Snook’s Covered Bridge followed by Kniseley Covered Bridge. Here we stopped for a brief water/snack break.

And so it went. We stayed mostly in the valley and visited covered bridges, the next being Ryot Covered Bridge. Chelsea said she would call it the bridge ride and eventually I told her she could call it the Coverage Bridge Ride.

We passed the Cuppet Covered Bridge just off the side of Pa. Rt. 96. It is very weathered, unpainted, and looks to be in need of repair but there were some people who looked like they were working on it.

As we entered New Paris it started raining. I stopped to put my valuables in a Ziplock bag.

After New Paris headed south on Pa. 96, we turned right and started a 2 1/2 mile climb in the forest. It wasn’t too difficult although we were climbing. And I saw painted on the back of a road sign “G Hill..” Chelsea asked “Did that say hill?”

Chey and Chelsea ready to turnaround on Gravity Hill

We got to a false flat and I saw painted on the asphalt, “GH End.” I then had to find “GH Start” which I did. Confused, Chey and Chelsea looked at me and I explained we could coast up Gravity Hill.

I didn’t get it and still don’t. This is a Bedford County Tourist attraction but there’s nothing there other than a section of asphalt. No souvenir stand selling “I survived Gravity Hill T-shirts.” Just some paint on the road. After coasting uphill, we headed back to Rte. 96.

Headed to Shellsburg, but out of the rain, we hit a climb just over one mile long. No, we weren’t in the mountains – just Pennsylvania. The view from the top was great but we were in a light rain and I couldn’t capture a good photo moment. We laughed about an orchard selling “Transparent apples.” How would you know how many you bought if you can’t see them? OK, that was dumb.

The sign for Pleasantville, was appropriately, black and white

(White Transparent – also known as Yellow Transparent in the USA – is an early-season cultivar of apple which is usually used for cooking due to its sharp taste. Source: Wikipedia)

We stopped briefly in Shellsburg and admired Vincent Van Gas, a 1930s gas pump artfully painted in 2008 to celebrate “Pennsylvania 250.” We left and headed south finding Colvin Covered Bridge. By this time, Chey and Chelsea had quit taking pictures of bridges.

Out in the country Chelsea saw some huge bales of hay which she had to climb. And why not, right?

We came to Pa. Rte 31 which is signed as Pa. Bike Route South. It has about a two-foot shoulder which, mostly, was enough. But then the rain. It opened up on us and we got soaked. But we were in it for no more than three minutes.

We slowed for a minute alongside the rode and I pointed out a gravel road to Turner’s Covered Bridge off in the distance. They told me they would wait for me if I wanted to go look at it. Anyone getting tired? Anyone? We rolled on.

We followed 31 back to US 30. I pointed out we passed the road to Herline Covered Bridge. I don’t think anyone heard me. We could have crossed it and come back and continued with a steep climb to US 30. But best to continue the shortest way back.

Just outside of Bedford we turned on Weber Lane and took it over to Business 220. There was a bit of a ramp back up to 220 and Chelsea walked the last 10 yards saying “I can’t believe I have to walk this.” I think she was caught out in the wrong gear. It happens.

We arrived back, maybe a little tired, and a lot wet. Time for refueling before tomorrow’s ride.

A day of bridges was wonderful. The rain, not so much, but mountains tomorrow!

July 12, 2015July 29, 2015

Finally a Fast Ride

LEESBURG, VIRGINIA

I don’t (normally) ride for speed but it’s nice to go fast. And it’s a nice metric to measure oneself against Father Time. I haven’t had any real fast rides this year and I’m not counting rides where I jump in a pace line. This is just me against the “clock.”

Yesterday I rode on the W&OD for almost 40 miles. Sometimes goals are simple ones and I was 40 miles short of 300 for the week so my goal today was 40 miles, go slow, no sweat.

Wheels down shortly after 7:00 a.m., it was around 60 degrees and super comfortable. I got on the trail at Reston shortly after a rider in a hi-res green jacket went by. Once the legs got warmed up I noticed I was 100 yards behind him and holding steady.

He had passed a woman on a bike with aerobars. I was about 40 yards behind her and holding steady. Near Sterling there is a personal sprint point for me in which I put the bike in the big gear and push it as hard as I could. I did and I flew by her.

I used the green jacket guy simply as a rabbit. I did not sit on his wheel – I stayed back 20-30 yards. I could have passed him but wasn’t real sure I could go faster. I think he knew I was hanging back or just lost his legs because at the Clairorne Parkway he pulled over. I didn’t see him again.

As I entered Leesburg I slotted in behind a couple and rode at their speed. We passed a massed group at Harrison Street. There wasn’t much room to pass although one rider did here so I jumped on his wheel. He quickly turned off.

I began the climb up West Leesburg and felt good. I was going for a personal record which I got. I could have done better because I thought the climb ended before it actually did. I rode over to Simpson Circle, did a little climb then turned around.

As I came to the overpass on Dry Mill Road I saw the group of riders that had been in Leesburg. They were just at the top of the climb. I was surprised how far I had gone since I last saw them but maybe they waited for the slowest rider.

I turned back on the trail and was caught off guard when I saw this group on Dry Mill. I went around a fence and jumped in about 300-400 yards behind them. I caught and passed three of them before turning off onto Catoctin Circle.

At 7:00 a.m. there were lots of runners out in force. By 9:00 there were a lot of cyclists. Families with small children were on the trail and many times I came to a near stop, waiting for a safe place to pass. I was always courteous and encouraging.

In 80 miles, 40 yesterday and 40 today, I had only been passed by the one guy in Leesburg. And to be fair, this was a slow-down area where he passed. Maybe on the open road he wouldn’t. I don’t know.

I still had to pick my way through some riders but felt good. Nearing Reston I slotted in behind two guys, almost comfortable to ride with them. But I knew I was faster and, when there was a safe opening, I went.

When I got back to my car I had already loaded the bike when those two guys came by. I’m glad I went.

At almost 18 mph, I was pleased. Then looked back and thought without the crowding on the trail, I could have gone over 18. Oh well. I set a PR on the climb and it was my fastest ride of the year (no pace lines).

What made it different? I don’t know. I took two bottles with me and only drank one for 40 miles. Maybe I started slowly enough and gained speed. I grabbed a sausage bagel sandwich at Sheetz an hour earlier. I took no food with me. I don’t think there was much wind either way. Not sure what made it good but it was a good ride today.