Delaware and Lehigh
JIM THORPE, PENNSYLVANIA
What a beautiful place this Jim Thorpe is. It was not the start I wanted but it was a beautiful ride and a great day on the bike.
I parked in Lehigh Gorge State Park to meet a shuttle, although the shuttle was a no-show. There are companies, including the train, that will take a cyclist and their bike 30-35 miles into the gorge so they can ride back to Jim Thorpe. The trail, alongside the Lehigh River, trends downhill, as much as 3-4%.
I wanted to ride the entire distance but didn’t have time for 70 miles out-and-back, so the shuttle would have been a great option. It just didn’t materialize.
From the park I took the road, not the trail, into Jim Thorpe. I knew that I would be returning via the trail.
I took the main road back into Jim Thorpe and admired the architecture. I would call it Victorian although former resident Hans Egli identified Federalist, Greek Revival, Second Empire, Romanesque Revival, Queen Anne, and Richardsonian Romanesque. It is beautiful for sure.
Riding into Jim Thorpe the train station immedialty captured my attention. I stopped and admired the building and saw a bike rental across the street.
I decided to explore the town a little bit although I really wanted to ride on the trail. I only went two blocks and it looked like the road seriously turned up to escape the valley. I didn’t want serious climbing to be on my plate and turned around.
Back at the train station I decided I would take the trail to the next town, Lehighton, if it wasn’t too far away. The bridge over the Lehigh River is beautiful in its own right and I stopped and watched a man doing some fly fishing in the river.
The trail was paved for a few hundred meters and I hoped for good luck in that it would be paved for miles but my luck ran out. It is a stone crushed limestone surface easily ridable on my road bike.
I track my biometrics using my Whoop band and when I woke up this morning I saw that my body’s recovery was in the red. Badly. That was my warning to go easy today and maybe even take a day of rest. Tomorrow is the Hincapie Gran Fondo so light riding was all I should do. That was the reason I decided not to ride into the gorge and back.
It was a day of exploring. Going slow. Enjoy nature. The trail hugs the river on one side and the old canal on the other.
Driving in this morning I passed a caboose in Lehighton and wanted to explore the trail near there. It was four miles (6 km) from Jim Thorpe to Union Hill, a small town across the river from Lehighton.
Once on the other side of the river in Lehighton I looked to see if a trail continued ob this side of the river to Jim Thorpe. It does not although the road does. I had drive it this morning and remembered it was two lanes without a shoulder. I thought of just taking the pavement back to Jim Thorpe but then decided to head back on the trail the same way I came. I think that was wise.
Just easy pedaling although now I was going against the river and terrain. I was going back every so slightly uphill.
Back at the train station I was intrigued with the Bike Train option. That would not be an option for today but perhaps for a second trip.
TripAdvisor is your friend. Mostly. I did not use it and found a shuttle online. They were a no-show and later I would read about 1/5th of his reviews were one-star, often because “I couldn’t give it zero.” When the owner agreed to refund my booking less a 10% booking fee, I was satisfied. When he hadn’t done it within a week and I informed him it would be simpler for me to dispute it, he went off on me. “May the best man win.” LOL
My charges were 100% reversed.
The train still looks like a great option except all bikes seem to be stacked without padding in one of two gondolas. Note to self: take the Checkpoint.
The train – bike option is available one weekend a month. I may still try this option.
The New Western Maryland Rail Trail
HANCOCK, MARYLAND
Twenty-five years ago, this was a premier paved rail trail. Created in two sections, the older one ran 10 miles from Big Pool to Hancock, Md. Eventually, the western portion expanded and the difference in the pavement between the two was striking. The eastern portion was rooted, while the western portion was smooth asphalt.
But Mother Nature slowly overtook the western portion, and by 2024 there were long sections that were almost unridable, the pavement was so bad. Not potholes or decaying pavement. But rather, tree roots working their way up to the surface of the trail.
I would ride the trail often as Hancock was a convenient place to ride when I drove to Pennsylvania to visit family. But I rode it less frequently in recent time because of the many roots. When I did ride I worried about damaging my bike. If I didn’t see a root it would hurt my hands as well. It’s a beautiful trail, but it had becomeunridable in 2024.
In late Fall 2024, the entire trail was repaved. I discovered this last month and began planning a road trip for myself. I opened it up to the Prince William Cycling Club and had four people join me on a beautiful sunny day.
We met at the Park and Ride lot on Main Street, which is at Mile 9. We could have parked at Big Pool, Mile 0, but I wanted a bailout option for riders who may not want to do a 27-mile out-and-back from Big Pool. By starting riding west, it would be 18 miles or 36 total for those who wanted a shorter day.
Parking at Mile 9 gave us another benefit. On our way back through, we all stopped at our cars. For some, it was to grab another gel or more water for their bottles. For me, it was also to offload clothes, arm warmers and a t-shirt.
The weather started out nice, although a bit cool. It was in the mid-50s. We started west and stopped at Mile 20 for a natural break. There was a port-a-john in pristine condition. After a short break, we continued on the trail to the diversion point.
The trail continues to Mile 27 at Little Orleans, Maryland. However, if one wants to get there, they have to ride two miles on the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal tow path. To continue straight would be to go through the Indigo Tunnel which is not open and doubtful will ever be opened. It is home to eight different species of bats including the Maryland state endangered small-footed myotis and the federally endangered Indiana bat. The Indigo Tunnel has been identified by Maryland Department of Natural Resources as one of the largest bat hibernacula in the state. (Source: www.canaltrust.org)
At Mile 24 there is a ramp that takes the WMRT users over the C&O Canal to the tow path. The tow path in this section that it shares with the WMRT has a packed crushed limstone surface. For those with a fear of gravel or dirt there’s no need to fear. It’s actually an enjoyable ride.
The distance of the trail detour is a little more than two miles. Another ramp leads to the last finished section of the trail at Little Orleans.
We went to the end of the trail. I looked at that beautiful trestle and imagined how nice it would be to put a deck on it. It would become a destination trail just for that trestle. Hopefully some day.
We turned around and discussed taking the High Germany Road back instead of the C&O. Stewart joined me although I couldn’t hold his wheel up the hill. Too much winter eating for sure.
We regrouped at the parking lost at Mile 22 and rode back to the parking lot at Mile 9. Everyone was able to grab something for the next 18 miles – an out and back to the trail start at Big Pool.
Passing over the Tonolay Creek at MP 8, we noticed the decking appears rotted in some sections. It is the only place on the trail one needs to exercise caution.
It was a nice ride down to the eastern end of the WMRT. On the way back I was able to organize our group of five into a chain gain, or a rotating pace line. You can’t do this on open roads because of traffic but the trail was so lightly traveled that we could take up most of the trail. Only when someone appraapproached did we go into single file.
It was a beautiful day on the bike.
Just six days later I went back. My plan this time was to take Old US 40 over Sideling Hill Mountain, climb to Town Hill. From there it was mostly downhill to Little Orleans.
I stopped at Bills and noticed it was closed and for sale. But the closure seemed to be just limited days or hours and had nothing to do with the sale.
I got on the trail looking forward to completing a metric century (100 km or 62.14 miles). I went the first mile to the Indigo Tunnel then took the ramp to the C&O Towpath. There were no indications of why lie ahead.
Shortly after getting back on the WMRT at Mile 24 I noted a tree had fallen and broke a fence. But it had been removed. I kept going.
Within the next half mile I notice branches and twigs on the trail although half seemed to have been cleaned. I soon came up a crew blowing off the debris. There was a tractor with a blower followed by two guys in a work cart. Then they came to a stop. There was a tree blocking the enrtie path.
I carefully passed them then dismounted and carefully ducked under the fallen tree. I started to ride but 100 meters ahead were two more fallen trees. And so it went.
I had no choice. The old railroad bed was the only direct path between Little Orelans and Hancock whish is where my car was parked. Maybe the C&O Tow path was a more viable option but it, too, may have had fallen trees. In all I counted more than 50 trees that were fallen. I dismounted and went over, under, and in one case, around the trees.
When I got back to my car I decided to ride to Big Pool and finish my metric. I had only gone one mile when I came to another downed tree. In Hancock I stopped at the bike shop and was told all the trees were on the western portion. But that information was wrong.
I was tired from going through all the trees. A cyclist was walking past the downed tree and I asked him if that was the first downed tree. He told me there were many ahead. I decided that it wasn’t worth it to continue to Big Pool.
He was Mike from Williamsburg. Recently retired he just took up cycling and was riding the TransAmerica Trail to Oregon. We rode into Hancock and I took him another two miles on the road past the trail. Then turned around and wished him luck as he continued to his campground. I’m not sure how his body will hold up riding 60-70 miles every day but hope he rides into shape.
The trail had been hit with a small tornado. Or wind sheers. It is beautiful and has a great surface. Go visit if you can.
One Last Time – France is Calling
Sixteen years ago I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. When I was diagnosed I did two things: (1) I started visiting doctors and studying my options – I had five “second opinions” and (2) I booked a cycling trip to France the next year as my recovery goal.
In 2010 I made it to France. I was on a TrekTravel trip and we spent most of the week riding in the Pyrenees while following the Tour de France before going to Paris for the last day of the Tour. I never thought I would return.
Last year I traveled to the French Alps to do a fundraiser for the MS International Federation (MSIF). I thought my time of climbing mountains was over but I am going back for one last time and hanging up the climbing and fundraising events. And this time I do mean it. Those riders next to me keep getting younger. And it’s more with dread or angst this time instead of excitement.
So one last time I come back and ask for donations. I am thankful for each person last year and every person over the years since 2009 who has donated to my many cancer and MS rides. I will give you the first opportunity should you want to help. I appreciate the past donations and I appreciate you.
https://www.cycleforms.org/fundraisers/barrysherry/cycleforms-us-2025
June 10-15, 2025
Tilghman Island
EASTON, MARYLAND
I have ridden out to St. Michaels and Tilghman Island 5-6 times from Easton but always by land. I elect to come back via the ferry. And that was my plan for today.
When I parked at Idlewild Park in Easton, a small neighborhood park, I made a decision to try something new. I would go out to the ferry as well as come back that way. Or at least give me the option of returning via ferry.
I was chasing miles. I am way behind on my mileage goal for the year so my goal today was a metric century (100 km or 62 miles). The roads here are nice. Flat. Most of the roads are two-lane with wide shoulders that often are marked as a bike lane but safe to travel in them when they’re not.
From Easton to Oxford it is 10 miles on a shoulder to the Oxford-Bellevue Ferry. After disembarking in Bellevue it is 4.5 miles on a narrow two-lane country road out to the main road to St. Michaels. Once on the main road, it is 15 miles farther to Tilghman’s Island. There is a wide shoulder the entire way except in St. Michaels.
One can stay on the main street through St. Michaels and share it with cars. It is signed for 25 mph so a bike traveling 20 mph is not much of a problem. One can cut through a beautiful neighborhood or even find a bike trail (slow) to avoid the downtown. If one stays on the street it is about two miles of “city” streets before exiting town and getting back on the shoulder.
At Tilghman Island the shoulder ends and if you follow the road to the end it’s another three miles on a sparsely traveled country road. The distance from Easton, via the ferry, to Tilghman Island is 32.5 miles (51 km) of which 22.5 miles has a wide shoulder. Beautiful riding.
The ride out to Oxford was nice. On board the ferry a young man came by to collect the fare – $7 (for bikes, one way). He asked me if I wanted a round trip and I asked how much that was, knowing the car ferry was not double the one-way fare. He told me $14. I declined. That left the option of returning by the land road should I want to.
The winds were windy. Out here next to the Chesapeake Bay, it seems always to be windy. But the route I chose was an “S” loop and was out and back. Unless the winds shifted during my ride I figure equal parts headwind, tailwind, and crosswinds.
On the ferry was one car. The driver came over to me and asked me about my riding. Where I was going (Tilghman Island) and how far (60 miles).
My goal was a metric century and when I reached 50 km at Tilghman Island it was a perfect turnaround point. But so too would be riding to the end of the island. I rode to the end.
I seemed to be okay on my fluids and did not stop in St. Michaels for more water on the way back. I continued on to the ferry. My “oasis” awaited – the Scottish Highlands Creamery in Oxford.
There was a different fare-taker on board this time. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the same person twice collecting fares. There were two cars on the ferry. The driver of one came over to me to see how far I rode. It was the same guy I talked to going over. I rode 45 miles and he and his wife ate lunch.
Besides collecting miles, another goal of today’s ride was to gauge my riding speed. I would need that for the timing of my Delaware Bay ride. I finished with an average of 17.0 mph (27.4 kph) which was only 0.8 less than the last time I rode and we rode in a double pace-line the entire time. This was good and set me up for tomorrow.
DISTANCE: 65 miles
SPEED: 17.0 MPH
Cykelnerven
BRIANÇON, FRANCE
I will be joining other passionate cyclists and riding Cykelnerven in June. It is one of Europe’s most challenging events and raises money for the MS International Federation (MSIF). Over four days in June we will tackle some of the toughest mountains that will be used in this year’s Tour de France.
There will be more added to this post but I will direct readers to my official page at Cykelnerven.
MS is very personal to me as it directly affects my family. I would like nothing more than to see a cure in my lifetime.
It is my hope that my participation in this event and by raising funds will be a beacon of hope for anyone affected by MS.
Olivia’s Light
CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE, VIRGINIA
In 2019 this ride was Ride Home Roads, a local ride sponsored by Ben King. In 2020 the Covid monster took it so it was virtual. I won something for a post about riding my home roads but did not collect a prize.
The ride did not exist in 2021 or 2022 but came back this year. And it was also billed as Ben King’s retirement ride. Ben was retiring from being a pro cyclist, most recently with Human Powered Health.
But when it came out this year, it had a new name. It was now benefiting Olivia’s Light. Ben and Jenna started Olivia’s Light to raise awareness of rare genetic disorder and to assist parents who find themselves in a similar situation. Olivia, this ride is for you.
Olivia King was Ben and Jenna King’s second child, their first daughter. Jenna had a normal pregnancy but there was a problem when she was born. This blog cannot properly describe Olivia’s short life and you are encouraged to read Olivia’s Story.
I had parked at a lumber yard about 1/4 mile away. I rode to registration. I picked up my bib number and a swag bag (nice bag) and took it back to the car and attached my number.
I rode back to the start and waited for the mass start at 9:15 am. Before “wheels down” (the start of the ride) Ben was presented with a signed jersey for his 2015 UCI Championships. Teammates, Brent Bookwalter, and two other teammates had signed the jersey. Probably two of these three, Tyler Farrar, Alex Howes, Taylor Phinney, but I couldn’t hear the names.
My plan today was to ride the Metric distance (100 km or 62.1 miles). But there would be 4-5 miles shaved off because yesterday the department of public works in Caroline Co. (or maybe VDOT) put down fresh chip and seal on one of the roads. No one wanted to ride on fresh tar. No one.
Ben and his friends, including Jeremiah Bishop and USA Women’s Road Race Champion, Emma Langley, were at the front and eventually would want to hammer it. Maybe not by there standards but certainly by mine. But first there was a police escort for two miles in a neutral rollout (no racing).
I didn’t want to try and stay with the big group. My goal was to finish safely. I am leaving for Europe tomorrow and I didn’t want to take fresh road rash or a broken collarbone. Or a broken bike. And besides, there was no way I could ride at 23-24 mph at that distance even sitting in the group.
I decided that I wanted to be near the rear of the 100 km group. There was also a 70 km group. In a race this would be the grupetto or autobus. We would all ride and finish together and make the time cut for the day (even though this ride did not have a time cut).
Even in the neutral rollout there were riders anxious to pass me and others trying to get to the front. And if your goal was to ride with the front group you would miss that being with me in the back.
Eventually I could see a split up ahead. And then two. And I was perfectly positioned. I was behind two riders, a man and a woman, perhaps husband and wife, and he was doing all the pulling. If he ever moved over and let her go to the front I would have followed and did my turn in the wind. But he never moved and after a couple joined us we probably had 5-6 riders in our small grupetto.
Eventually on a small climb they pulled over to check a mechanical, I think. I kept going and joined up with some others. We all pulled into Rest 1 which was probably at 20 miles.
I did not stay long, grabbed one strawberry pop tart (not one package but one) and took off down the road. I should have waited and jumped in with a group but I would ride the next 20 miles solo. No one passed me (where were the groups?) and I passed one rider.
At the second rest I timed it to leave when 8-10 others did. Actually I had to chase to catch them and then joined in. Whereas the second portion was a solo ride, the third portion was in a group. It probably wasn’t the grupetto, in fact I was way ahead of the stragglers, but was something in between Ben’s group and the last riders.
The only thing frustrating for this rider is with one exception, I’ve never been on a group ride where people really know how to ride a pace line. This was more of the same. We may have had 10 riders and at no time were we rotating pulls. One or two people stayed at the front and the rest followed. We simply rode in a line all wheel suckers. I shouldn’t feel bad that I rarely contributed. Learn to ride a pace line.
I didn’t feel like I went deep at any point in the ride. That part was good. At the end I averaged 18.0 mph which may be my high for 2023. It was a very good ride.
Lunch was too-heavy burritos. An auction followed. Four items were auctioned off – a signed USA team jersey, a private bike ride with Ben (and lunch), a private fishing trip at Smith Mountain Lake with Ben and his dad, and Ben’s 2015 MTB.
My estimate was it brought in $600, $600, $2500, and $3300. In addition Alliance presented Olivia’s Light with a $10,000 check. The second part of the auction was the solicitation of donations. It started with $1000 and one or two people raised their hands. Then $500. I was able to put my hand up for $100. In all the event raised $40,000.
Ben and Jenna are two wonderful people. I had met Ben before but this was the first time meeting Jenna. Very pregnant I asked her how scars she was and she said not at all because she knows God is in control. Wonderful people.
It will soon be 40 years since we lost Lindsay. The pain is always there at her birthday and death anniversary. It is there because we loved and we love. Ben and Jenna loved and it will always be there for them as well.
But for a day they could celebrate the difference in people’s lives because of Olivia. Sometimes the smallest among us make the biggest impact.
EPILOGUE – Ben and Jenna had a healthy baby in October.
Meet the Domane
RESTON, VIRGINIA
It’s new bike day. To be honest, I wish it hadn’t come to this but Trek would warranty my 2014 Trek Domane due to bottom bracket issues.
So, let’s make the best of it. The new bike arrived. The setup is pretty much the same as the bike I gave up.
New Bike
Domane SL 7 is a high-performance endurance road bike with an electronic Ultegra Di2 drivetrain for precision shifting in any conditions. A lightweight OCLV Carbon frame with Front and Rear IsoSpeed, carbon wheels, and hydraulic disc brakes keep it smooth and fast on long rides. Plus, it has an easy-access storage compartment for stowing ride essentials.
| Frame | 500 Series OCLV Carbon, front & rear IsoSpeed, internal storage, tapered head tube, internal cable routing, 3S chain keeper, DuoTrap S compatible, fender mounts, flat mount disc, 142x12mm thru axle |
|---|---|
| *Fork | Size: 56 Domane SL carbon, tapered carbon steerer, internal brake routing, fender mounts, flat mount disc, 12x100mm thru axle |
| Frame fit | Endurance |
| Wheel front | Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V, OCLV Carbon, Tubeless Ready, 25mm rim width, 100x12mm thru axle |
|---|---|
| Wheel rear | Bontrager Aeolus Pro 3V, OCLV Carbon, Tubeless Ready, 25mm rim width, Shimano 11-speed freehub, 142x12mm thru axle |
| Skewer front | Bontrager Switch thru axle, removable lever |
| Skewer rear | Bontrager Switch thru axle, removable lever |
| Tire | Bontrager R2 Hard-Case Lite, aramid bead, 60 tpi, 700x32c |
| Max tire size | 38c |
| Shifter | Shimano Ultegra Di2, R8070, 11-speed |
|---|---|
| Front derailleur | Shimano Ultegra R8050 Di2, braze-on |
| Rear derailleur | Shimano Ultegra R8050 Di2, mid cage 34T max cog |
| *Crank | Size: 56 Shimano Ultegra R8000, 50/34 (compact), 175mm length |
| Bottom bracket | Praxis, T47 threaded, internal bearing |
| Cassette | Shimano Ultegra HG800-11, 11-34, 11 speed |
| Chain | Shimano Ultegra HG701, 11-speed |
| Saddle | Bontrager Arvada Comp, steel rails, 138mm width |
|---|---|
| *Seatpost | Size: 44, 47, 50, 52, 54, 56 Bontrager carbon internal seatmast cap, integrated light mount, 20mm offset, short length |
| *Handlebar | Size: 56 Bontrager Elite IsoZone VR-CF, alloy, 31.8mm, internal Di2 routing, 93mm reach, 123mm drop, 42cm width |
| Handlebar tape | Bontrager Supertack Perf tape |
| *Stem | Size: 56 Bontrager Pro, 31.8mm, Blendr compatible, 7 degree, 100mm length |
| Brake | Shimano Ultegra hydraulic disc, flat mount |
| Brake rotor | Shimano RT800, centerlock, 160mm |
| Weight | 56 – 8.84 kg / 19.49 lbs |
|---|---|
| Weight limit | This bike has a maximum total weight limit (combined weight of bicycle, rider, and cargo) of 275 pounds (125 kg). |
Goodbye Domane
RESTON, VIRGINIA
I loved my bike. I thought my 2006 Trek Pilot was feeling its age back in 2013, although it was only seven years old. I would buy it again but Trek had retired the model and made the Domane its endurance bike.
I had crashed and broke my collarbone on July 3, 2013. I was on pain killers when just a few days later I was at The Bike Lane in Reston, Va., ordering a Trek Domane. Although they had paint samples at the front of the store, I never saw those. We sat in a dark office looking at a computer screen. I ordered a red and white bike to match my Pilot.
When it arrived it looked nothing like I thought I ordered. I was sick. It was an expensive bike and I just felt like I could not accept it. I declined the purchase but promised to buy another when the time was right.
In the middle of the year, 2014, I sat down and we built a Project One Trek Domane 6. I wasn’t happy with the color schemes offered so I paid more for a custom paint job. It would be gloss/metallic black with gloss/metallic “tour yellow.” It may have been the only one they ever made.
The color scheme was me. Period. The Black and Tour Yellow represented three things in my life:
- Livestrong
- The Tour de France
- The Steelers and Penguins
Above all, this would be my cancer bike. Black and Yellow representing Livestrong. When I rode, my mind was never far away from someone battling. I put stickers on it to remember Alex Shepherd, 13, and Jacob Grecco, 8, both of whom lost their battles to brain cancer.
I love the Tour (de France). I’ve seen numerous stages and this bike could be a TdF bike. Or a Pittsburgh bike. But it was definitely me.
The bike rode well. It was very comfortable. But it had its problems.
Just one year old, on October 27, 2015, I shifted gears and the rear derailleur broke off. That wouldn’t be too bad but it got caught in the wheel. It went one revolution and then smashed into the frame. The frame was cracked and the repair would cost me $1800.
I was disappointed. Furious, actually. I was “JRA” (just riding along) when the derailleur came loose. Trek offered a new frame at 50% off, or about $2000.
I got it fixed at Calfee in California.
After only three years the rear wheel began to fail. I had three spokes break (metal fatigue) in the rear wheel. The Bike Lane rebuilt the wheel and built me a new one that kept failing.
In 2016 we tried repeatedly to set the bike up with tubeless. But it would never set. At Ride the Rockies the air pressure would be as low as 20 psi n the morning. Basically I rode flat until getting to rest stop one where I could get a tire pump.
But in 2018, just four years’ of riding, the bike started to creak, especially when under duress. It was at The Bike Lane in Springfield four or five times before taking it to Reston. We got it to quiet down for a few weeks but it was back for all of 2019.
In September 2019, it was sent back to the “Trek Hospital” in Wisconsin where they resurfaced the bottom bracket (BB90). I got the bike back in October and it ran quiet and smooth. I thought I was out of the woods. But a couple of months later, and maybe sooner, it was creaking again.
Earlier last month Tom asked me how the bike was running. I told him honestly and he said “I was afraid of that.”
Tom began the process of having the bike frame warrantied. Trek said they would replace the frame and paint it to match. But the problem with this bike lies in the bottom bracket – the BB90. And a new frame would still have the BB90.
The rim brakes on the two frames are different and I would have to purchase two new brakes at $275 ea. With a Trek discount of 25% for the brakes, it would cost me $413. The labor for the teardown and rebuild would be $400+. So for the same bike I currently own, but with a new frame, I would pay around $900.
Trek also offered me a credit towards a new bike. After considering my options, I decided to get a new bike. It would be a Domane but not the top-of-the-line Domane Project One. That would mean a custom paint job would be off the table.
The black and yellow Domane was me. But it’s time for a new chapter. I want to say it was a good bike that lasted 5 1/2 years but actually, I had problems with it all along. I told Bill Hellwig at The Bike Lane in July that I was riding the Pilot because the Domane was the worst purchase I ever made. And I meant it. So it was time to retire it.
I’ve done a number of cancer events with it including the Livestrong Challenges. I’ve ridden in eight countries. The bike popped (got your attention), especially with yellow bar tape. But it was time for retirement. And I’m looking forward to a new chapter.
We did a lot together. One might expect that riding more than 30,000 miles we would have plenty of memories. We traveled to Europe a couple of times including a solo trip across the Swiss Alps and with Rooster Racing in Luxembourg. In all the Domane had miles in Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, and Switzerland. And, of course, the U.S. where we had trips to California, Texas, Colorado, and Florida. And even to the top of the highest paved road in North America – Mount Evans, Colorado.
Age: Five years, six months
Miles: 30,880
Truly Horrible
CLERMONT, FLORIDA
The Horrible Hundred occurs over two days if you include the Saturday orientation rides. Those are delightful and, like group rides, occur under adult supervision. Not so the Sunday ride.
I stayed at the Fairfield Inn and Suites in Clermont, a four-mile ride from the hotel to start. With chilly temperatures (low 50s) I was unsure what to wear. I was also checking out of the hotel so I was a few minutes later leaving than I had planned to meet John Dockins at the start.
This would also be a test of the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt, a new bike computer I bought in Jacksonville on Friday. I decided to mount both computers as a test.
I downloaded directions to the start on my Garmin and followed those yesterday. I didn’t load the route today thinking I would retrace yesterday’s route by memory. I was wrong. Normally with a keen sense of direction, the fully gray skies gave me no directional bearing. I had gone three miles and was literally, just feet from the hotel where I started and never noticed that until viewing my route hours later.
I wasn’t getting closer to Waterfront Park. A message appeared on the Bolt. “Where are you?” It was from John Dockins. Messages on my bike computer, pretty cool.
I called him and told him I messed up. I was two miles away and would be there in eight minutes but he was raring to go. I realized I was on course and told him I’d ride back to meet him.
There was one problem with my plan. Although I was two miles from the start, the route would circumvent the lake first before climbing up the hill to our meeting location. I rode back. I waited. And waited. And waited some more.
Eventually, I was convinced John had ridden by and we missed one another. John had suggested meeting at Rest Stop One. At this point, I figured I had missed him so I rode ahead to Rest Stop One.
As I approached the rest stop I thought back to the map I had looked at before the ride. Only then was I pretty sure they went around the lake. I had cut off eight miles. But it’s a ride, not a race, and I was adding four to and from the hotel to get the same mileage.
At the rest stop, I called John. He was five miles behind me. I told him I’d ride back for sure this time. And I did.
The first segment to Rest One was not fun. This is a big event and mob mentality takes over. At two red lights, I was the only cyclist to stop. Even with cross-traffic tens of cyclists went by me, sometimes flew by me, through the intersections. I thought I might be hit by someone flying by.
Another time I was on the shoulder – to the right of the lane line and a cyclist flew up the gutter passing me. This was unsafe and not fun. And another group came by so fast and so close I jumped on the parallel bike path to avoid them. I hadn’t remembered such aggression before but will now consider this my last Horrible Hundred.
John and I stopped at Rest One. The stops were well stocked with food and big lines. Not a complaint, just an observation. And great volunteers.
John and I stayed together mostly. I let him go ahead on Sugarloaf Road but caught him on the climb. I set a PR on Sugarloaf on a day I was determined not to try. And sometimes when we try we go into the red and blow up. Slow and steady set my PR. (And now am in 5200th place.) This was ironic because I was thinking this was my last hill climb of 2019 and to enjoy it, not go out to set a PR.
As we came back into town we were on the last hill. It had probably a 12% grade. A few feet in front of me I thought a rider was doing a track stand (balancing the bike while stopped). I wondered, briefly, why he was showing off this skill. Then he stopped and fell over very hard. And yelled. Very loudly.
He had cramped badly and could not pedal nor could he unclip from his pedals. I stopped along with a woman. We tried to get him help and a SAG ride for the final two miles but he said: “I must finish this.” It’s a man thing. I understand. After five minutes I helped him to his feet then rolled on. The Bolt had a message from John: “Are you OK?” If it can respond I don’t know how to do that so I ignored it. (Note: It can’t.)
It was a chilly day. We had some very light rain in the beginning but mostly it was cold (low 50s) and windy. The phone was in a jersey pocket under my vest. Using it meant stopping and unzipping the vest. Maybe removing a glove too. So I didn’t take pictures on the road or try to call or text John (using Siri).
We went to lunch then said goodbye. I had to find my way back to the hotel. I noticed the mileage was different between the two computers: 73.0 and 72.9. I thought they would be perfectly equal. I have more testing to do.
