The Historian
05-17-08, 08:02 PM
My 16.5 mile one-way commute, in photos.
Nothing like living in the country. Hello, cows!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2119/2500002493_4117de1ddd_b.jpg
Past one of several historic churches and cemeteries along Rt. 23. Please note the narrow shoulder - my four inch bike lane.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2009/2500834348_3ef48a1c95_b.jpg
Speaking of which, here's the East Vincent Revolutionary War Soldier's Cemetery. Only God knows the names of the men who lie in clay beneath that ground. But, even nameless, they are not forgotten.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2064/2500836466_ee29f50bbd_b.jpg
Bridge Street in Phoenixville. Just over the rise, out of the photo, is the famous Colonial Theater, the center of the town's revitalization.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3147/2500007205_55d0d54fee_b.jpg
Schuylkill Canal in Monte Clare, near the Port Providence trailhead on the Schuylkill River Trail. Montgomery Country's next trail project, to begin later this year, is to restore the cinder canal towpath for bicycle use. This would allow bikes to travel all the way to Phoenixville without using local roads. Not that Longford Road and Canal Street are busy, but still, it's nice.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2090/2500840214_8c1965e657_b.jpg
Schuylkill River near Oaks. In about a mile the river meets the Perkiomen Creek, and flows to meet the Delaware River at Philadelphia, 24 miles south.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2420/2500841122_1cb402b02f_b.jpg
Entrance to the Valley Forge Pedestrian Bridge, aka the "Betzwood Boardwalk." You could call it being stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea. On one side is Rt 422, carrying traffic from Reading, Sanatoga, Pottstown, Collegeville, and Oaks/Audubon to US 202 and the major roads into Philadelphia. On the other, an 80 foot drop into the Schuylkill River. Don't worry, there's lots of wire on either side, and some nice strong wooden planks beneath you. BTW, cyclists are supposed to dismount when crossing. Let's just say I'm a bad, bad boy.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3123/2500843788_fefeb8a68b_b.jpg
And finally, nearly 17 miles later, Our Historian arrives at work:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2408/2500847932_67f5e2e336_b.jpg
Nothing like living in the country. Hello, cows!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2119/2500002493_4117de1ddd_b.jpg
Past one of several historic churches and cemeteries along Rt. 23. Please note the narrow shoulder - my four inch bike lane.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2009/2500834348_3ef48a1c95_b.jpg
Speaking of which, here's the East Vincent Revolutionary War Soldier's Cemetery. Only God knows the names of the men who lie in clay beneath that ground. But, even nameless, they are not forgotten.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2064/2500836466_ee29f50bbd_b.jpg
Bridge Street in Phoenixville. Just over the rise, out of the photo, is the famous Colonial Theater, the center of the town's revitalization.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3147/2500007205_55d0d54fee_b.jpg
Schuylkill Canal in Monte Clare, near the Port Providence trailhead on the Schuylkill River Trail. Montgomery Country's next trail project, to begin later this year, is to restore the cinder canal towpath for bicycle use. This would allow bikes to travel all the way to Phoenixville without using local roads. Not that Longford Road and Canal Street are busy, but still, it's nice.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2090/2500840214_8c1965e657_b.jpg
Schuylkill River near Oaks. In about a mile the river meets the Perkiomen Creek, and flows to meet the Delaware River at Philadelphia, 24 miles south.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2420/2500841122_1cb402b02f_b.jpg
Entrance to the Valley Forge Pedestrian Bridge, aka the "Betzwood Boardwalk." You could call it being stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea. On one side is Rt 422, carrying traffic from Reading, Sanatoga, Pottstown, Collegeville, and Oaks/Audubon to US 202 and the major roads into Philadelphia. On the other, an 80 foot drop into the Schuylkill River. Don't worry, there's lots of wire on either side, and some nice strong wooden planks beneath you. BTW, cyclists are supposed to dismount when crossing. Let's just say I'm a bad, bad boy.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3123/2500843788_fefeb8a68b_b.jpg
And finally, nearly 17 miles later, Our Historian arrives at work:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2408/2500847932_67f5e2e336_b.jpg