I heard from the guys yesterday around 12:30 pm-- they were on the PA Turnpike near Harrisburg and asked me to make the reservations for Monday's Fallingwater visit. They seemed to be in good spirits. I believe that they are in Pittsburgh sightseeing today...

Not exactly the best of days, weather-wise. There was a tornado warning until 11am, and heavy thunderstorms expected this morning, turning to scattered thunderstorms throughout the day and a smattering of showers and rain this evening. Welcome to Pittsburgh. After midnight, however, things improve... mostly sunny tomorrow, high in the upper 60's and low '70s (relative humidity dropping from 83% at midnight to 41% by 3pm). It should be nice cycling weather tomorrow and into Monday for our trip to Fallingwater.

Yeah, I got this footage yesterday evening....we were under a tornado warning as well. I'm just glad it passed to the north, as well as glad I wasn't in a tent!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR2GX_35x2A

Not to hijack the boys thread, but nice video Tom. Former storm chaser and meteorology student here, and that looked pretty suspicious.

for you guys use

Here's for Lancaster


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27° C | 16° C
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79° F | 52° F
26° C | 11° C
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79° F | 58° F
26° C | 14° C
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77° F | 58° F
25° C | 14° C
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79° F | 59° F
26° C | 15° C
T-storms 80% chance of precipitation
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Chance of T-storms 40% chance of precipitation
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Today is forecast to be nearly the same temperature as yesterday.

Beckley, WV

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74° F | 54° F
23° C | 12° C
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74° F | 54° F
23° C | 12° C
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74° F | 56° F
23° C | 13° C
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77° F | 59° F
25° C | 15° C
Chance of T-storms 50% chance of precipitation
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Today is forecast to be Much Cooler than yesterday.

DC


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83° F | 61° F
28° C | 16° C
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81° F | 61° F
27° C | 16° C
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81° F | 61° F
27° C | 16° C
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81° F | 63° F
27° C | 17° C
T-storms 80% chance of precipitation
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Hourly (http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=20001&hourly=1&yday=155&weekday=Wednesday)
Today is forecast to be nearly the same temperature as yesterday.

Bump

Seems over due for a report, just saying.

Neil's wife is posting reports on his blog http://www.neilfein.com/blog.html

Bump

Seems over due for a report, just saying.

Just spent yesterday and this morning with the guys... but gotta go to work now. Will post by am tomorrow. Promise:thumb:

Judy

After some epic fun, they arrived in Frostburg last night. The ride to Frostburg was somewhat eventful include a significant delay just before Frostburg due to pump/tube problems. They were cold and tired but in good spirits. If have the tally right so far Niel F. has gone through three tubes and split the side wall of his tire, and problems with the both of his racks as well. But at the same time they are having a good time and getting along well. I'll have lunch with them later today.

After some epic fun, they arrived in Frostburg last night. The ride to Frostburg was somewhat eventful include a significant delay just before Frostburg due to pump/tube problems. They were cold and tired but in good spirits. If have the tally right so far Niel F. has gone through three tubes and split the side wall of his tire, and problems with the both of his racks as well. But at the same time they are having a good time and getting along well. I'll have lunch with them later today.

Ouch! Sounds like a good reason/excuse to stop for a new set of tires :)

After some epic fun, they arrived in Frostburg last night. The ride to Frostburg was somewhat eventful include a significant delay just before Frostburg due to pump/tube problems. They were cold and tired but in good spirits. If have the tally right so far Niel F. has gone through three tubes and split the side wall of his tire, and problems with the both of his racks as well. But at the same time they are having a good time and getting along well. I'll have lunch with them later today.

Can you remind them to stop off at a bike shop (perhaps Cumberland)? Neil B has been having trouble detaching and attaching the trailer to the skewer. It should be checked out.

Judy

Two Neils, an "O'Neill" and a "no-Neil"


[This is taken from my journal of the day's events - it's not "Neil-centric"... more focused on my day and not to be taken as a trip report... photos to be added later]

Monday June 2nd - (Day 4 of Shake, Rattle &Roll), our guys arrived a little late for our 11:30 tour at Fallingwater. They were delayed in Connellsville (mailing excess gear/clothing home and Neil F’s guitar). Lib and I saw a loaded bicyclist at the Ohiopyle Visitor Center and when he approached us, he muttered "Fallingwater?" I replied "Neil?" and he muttered something again. Now with the river rushing by I naturally assumed that it was one of our Neils on Wheels and mentioned that he could unload his gear by my Suburban. He looked at me quizzically and then his face brightened. He said (as we could now hear each other better -- we started walking away from the river) that I had mistaken him for one of THE Neils, and that his name was Dennis O'Neill. Oh Neil. He was asking for directions to Fallingwater so that he could ride there -- he had an 11:30 reservation, too. He also said that he had camped with the two Neils at Adelaide River‘s Edge Campground), and expected that they would have already arrived. I suggested that we call Fallingwater and tell them he'd be late and offered to SAG him as well. Dennis took me up on my offer and we became two Neils and an O’Neill.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj95/starvingmusician_in_pa/Ohiopyle6-3002.jpg
I snapped this photo just before Neil B. realized who I was...


I had Neil B in the front seat snapping photos of the road conditions to Fallingwater. I had hoped to have some to let people decide whether they should attempt the ride on bikes. It is not impossible, but I think it could be a harrowing experience if not prepared. [have to review the photos yet]. Sightings - four empty coal trucks, two logging trucks and an RV pulling a motorboat… speed limit 45 mph (add 10 mph for the coal trucks trying to make quota), hilly, twisty country road with limited sight distances and guardrails less than a foot from the white line in places. BTW - I think our guys were happy for the shuttle.

Fallingwater was gorgeous -- and in my opinion, a must-see. I should have seen it years ago, but this tour provided good opportunity [excuse]. The tour guide appeared knowledgeable -- not an architecture student, but was a journalism student with an interest in architecture. No photos during any part of the tour allowed (I guess the site needs to sell books), and a strictly-worded prohibition about photography put off the Neils, but they were able to get a couple of nice outside shots after the tour. Stupid me left the camera in the truck, so no shots of the guys of my own.

It was going on 4 pm when we finished the tour and returned to Ohiopyle -- the guys were hungry. Dennis went on his merry way, hoping to make it to Husky Haven CG in Rockwood by nightfall. The Firefly Grill was recommended because they had some vegetarian offerings, but I'm afraid they guys were a bit disappointed - they had every right to be. Service was poor, the cashier fumbled with the order (self-service), ran the guys tab onto the previous order -- everything needed to be sorted out, and they said the food was mediocre. Lib only ate half her meal, and I had the worst iced tea -- the best that could be said is that it was wet, and I was thirsty. Did I mention that the cashier's assistant/trainee spoke only French?

I offered to share our camping spot in Ohiopyle, keeping their gear and sending them off to Confluence where Libby and I would meet them to ferry them back to camp. After some confusion in Confluence, (what I remembered to be a trailhead wasn't), we met up at the Lucky Dog Cafe where we loaded up the truck and moved to... Ohiopyle again.

The road from Confluence to Ohiopyle runs up a mountain, along a ridgeline and back down. Lib had noticed an unusual last name on a headstone at a local roadside cemetery. It’s been a kinda game for us ever since I noticed a mausoleum with the name “Tissue” on it and commented, “Look - a box of tissues”. We stopped to get a picture of “Outlet” (outlet box). I sent her running with the camera while we climbed out of the truck… I stopped at the rear passenger door and saw that the name wasn’t “Outlet”, but was instead “Butler”. I hate when that kid doesn’t wear her glasses! We had a nice stroll, though.

Back at the Kentuck Campground, we started unloading equipment and bikes. I’ve got two knee replacements and couldn’t crawl into the back of the Suburban to retrieve a pannier. I asked Neil F to get it for me because I can’t kneel. Today became the day of two Neils, an “O’Neill” and a “no Neil” .

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj95/starvingmusician_in_pa/Ohiopyle6-3035.jpg
The two Neils pose for a photo at the (almost) end of a long day...

They guys were exhausted, set up camp and showered before dinner. They had settled on a frozen pizza at Falls Market (the pizza shop was closed on Monday), which I scorched over some hot coals. Oh, and Libby found some frozen corn on the cob which was probably left over from last season. It’s early here in Westylvania, and the resorts are still working out the kinks, training employees, ordering new inventory. Give it about two weeks and things will be running smoother (can't be much worse). But in the meantime…

Feeling more than a little guilty about letting the pizza burn, I set about boiling some dried cheese tortellini I stuck in my pannier (as an afterthought - for emergency use), and added an envelope of Knorr’s Creamy Pesto sauce, some whole milk powder and half a stick of butter and offered it to the guys. I didn’t have any leftover - so I think that indicates my attempt at cooking was successful. The Historian (Neil B-) retired to his tent around 9:30, Neil Fein and I chatted until 11.

Morning came. I got up and brewed something that resembled coffee and had it at the ready for Neil F’s emergence from the tent. I had heard that Neil F. wasn’t really a morning person. Ha -- they’ve never tried to roust a teenaged girl out of a warm sleeping bag before noon. Surprise - she was pretty cooperative and woke up after only mild protest. Things went well breaking camp and we were loaded ahead of schedule. A 20 minute ride over the ridge back to Confluence led us to Sister’s Café where we had a good breakfast. Neil B. was happy to see a group of riders (20 perhaps?) there. We exchanged pleasantries and I discovered they were a group mostly from North Carolina, with a few from Maryland and Virginia headed down the Passage. They exited and we ordered breakfast. Still ahead of schedule… great. We had time for a leisurely meal, then made our way to the trailhead. We got their gear unloaded and arranged on the bikes -- Neil B has been having trouble getting the trailer attached to and detached from the skewer and this was no exception. I brought a floor pump, made sure everyone had checked their tires… then we were off.

Lib and I could only ride with the guys a couple of miles. I had to get home and ready for an afternoon shift. We parted at Harnedsville, a quick two miles down the trail. We had a great time, so happy to be part of their trip. Lib and I got back to the truck at Confluence and reluctantly headed for home.

What the Neils didn't see:
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj95/starvingmusician_in_pa/Ohiopyle6-3037.jpg - The view from Sugarloaf Road into the Valley below. The Yough and Passage are to the right at the base of the mountain.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj95/starvingmusician_in_pa/Ohiopyle6-3038.jpg - Zoom of the Yough/Passage

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj95/starvingmusician_in_pa/Ohiopyle6-3041.jpg - Libby at Meadow Run natural waterslide. Water was too swift and cold (55 degrees) today.

Judy ("no-Neil")

Thanks for the update no-Neil! Sounds like you all were having a blast.

Can you remind them to stop off at a bike shop (perhaps Cumberland)? Neil B has been having trouble detaching and attaching the trailer to the skewer. It should be checked out.

Judy

They are supposed to stop at a shop right at where we're having lunch for the tires so I'll remind Niel about his trailer problem. They are scheduled to arrive for lunch at ~1 PM. They got stuck in Frostburg due to a bad thunderstorm.

Just left the Neils after lunch at the Creamery. Neil F. had "the best shake so far" and wondered if it would be "wrong to get another one." More misadventures for them as Neil B. decided to test the impact resistance of his helmet while crossing wet train rails. The resulting spill gave his knee a good bit of road rash. Hutch over at the Trailhead Bike shop fixed up Neil B's knee, adjusted his brakes, put a new tire on Niel F.'s bike and generally took good care of them.

So it looks like they're staying on here in Cumberland today to get some rest and avoid the thunderstorms (we have a tornado watch until 8 PM). Tomorrow's is another day and there is plenty of time to make up the distance left in today's scheduled ride.

Thanks for the reports. Looks like it is supposed to rain Thursday as well and then shoot up into the 90s on Friday and Saturday. Hope its cooler along the trail.

I'm in the library in Cumberland, so here's an update. Sorry it's brief. I'm keeping a notebook so I'll have more when we gat back, althought his thread covers the highlights pretty well.

The Historian is resting in the Bruce House, a local B&B. He seems okay so far, but the we'll know a lot more in the AM. Much contingency planning is occuring, this puts us 30 miles behind.

Everyone we've met has been great! It's great to finally put faces to the names.

The trailer was checked out; apparently the quick-release retaining pins were bent, and forcing the hitch onto the skewer was making it worse.

I did indeed get a new tire in Cumberland, and rode it around town a little bit while under the full load and it seems fine. I have three spare tubes. I may tour with a spare tire next time. Martha is correct (http://www.neilfein.com/2008/06/day-4-falling-water.html) that I could be traveling lighter, I've learned a lot from this tour.

By the way, Judy, the pizza was very good.

We'e having a great time, despite the setbacks. (More mechanical issues... sigh.) It's amazing to see everyone keeping this thread going; I feel pretty pumped from seeing y'all following our progress.

Rock on, Neil! Glad to hear you guys are still in high spirits even with the setbacks. I was reading a account of a 200 mile psycho gravel endurance race, and the author had no less than 8 (!!!) flats during it, and had to repair his sidewall with duct tape. 4 other riders who were traveling with him had Schwalbe Marathon Cross tires, and none had a flat .. I think I may invest in some of those :).

Tell Neil B to pass on that I hope he's healed, and to definitely not injure himself worse!

Rock on, Neil! Glad to hear you guys are still in high spirits even with the setbacks. I was reading a account of a 200 mile psycho gravel endurance race, and the author had no less than 8 (!!!) flats during it, and had to repair his sidewall with duct tape. 4 other riders who were traveling with him had Schwalbe Marathon Cross tires, and none had a flat .. I think I may invest in some of those :).

Tell Neil B to pass on that I hope he's healed, and to definitely not injure himself worse!

I'll let Neil know. I actually repaired my tire with that old standby, a power bar wrapper. It was starting to bulge out a few miles from the bike shop, after holding for 40 miles.

The malted milkshakes here are truly epic.

I spoke to Neil B (The Historian) on the phone last night. He reassured me that he was OK, he scraped his knee, banged his head - slightly… it only cracked his helmet a little… it needed to be replaced anyway -- the helmet, not the head. The pitch of my voice must have started to get higher -- that freaked-out mother voice where the kid comes home, arm-dangling from elbow saying it’s just a bruise, and the mother’s gone off the deep end. Yeah, I may have over-reacted. Neil’s going to be fine (no, not Fein) he says.

He’s gone over the itinerary and made adjustments and was headed out to town when I called. He said he wanted to take a walk to prevent stiffness. He was in good spirits and optimistic about their finishing the journey when we spoke.

At 8 pm this evening I got a text message from Neil Fein saying that they had made about 42 miles -- which should put them around Little Orleans --- and they were looking for a campsite. Cell phone reception is almost non-existent, but I did text him back letting him know where to try. I don’t expect to hear more until tomorrow.

Judy

I talked to Neil F. just a while ago via cell....

I am meeting them at 8am at the WMRT trailhead in Pearre, MD where we'll ride then 10 miles in to Hancock for some "brunch"....and then another 10 miles to Big Pool, where we'll cross over to the C&O Canal and on to Williamsport, MD.

Hot weather in store for tomorrow.....bringing plenty of water!

...just got back from riding with Neils on Wheels.

We met at the WMRT trailhead in Pearre, rode the 10 miles into Hancock, where we had a nice breakfast at the Park 'N Dine (yee-haww!)....service was slow, but the food was mighty fine! From there we rode the rest of the WMRT to Big Pool, where we picked up RT.56 into Fort Frederick State Park and onto the C&O Canal and on into Williamsport....we covered a total of 50-ish miles.....

Lots of detail in between, but I'll let the Neils fill in the gaps with pics later on.....

It was great riding with these guys today! I hope Neil B. will be able to continue on and finish the ride into D.C. as the physical issues mount up.....Great going fellas! Keep it up .... just another 100 miles to go!!

Whoa, only 100 miles away? Keep rollin, Neils on Wheels! We're all pulling for you!!

planning to meet them tomorrow morning and ride them in. Bringing my cell with me tonight to line up exactly where.

If Neil B is starting to have physical issues, he might profit from a rest day, just a suggestion, if they have the time cushion.planning to meet them tomorrow morning and ride them in. Bringing my cell with me tonight to line up exactly where.

Does anyone one know where are tonight? I couldn't ride with them this week because of work, but I told them I might be able to drive to them and hook up for a short ride on Saturday. I called Neil B's cell but not sure if they have cell coverage.

They are staying at the Red Roof Inn in Williamsport, Maryland tonight.

I did get ahold of the guys tonight and I'm planning to meet with Neil F. in Williamsport at the trailhead at 6:45am and I'm going to do a short 10-15 mile ride with him and turn around. I have the Tour de Cure on Sunday, so I don't want to overextend myself too much on Saturday.

Well, I got to the trailhead about 5 minutes late and met Neil B. but Neil F. had already left. Since I was there I went on down the trail 6 miles and turned around. I found out that if you set the alarm, but don't turn it on, then it won't wake you up.

I made it! Neil couldn't ride, Neil and Judy acted as SAG for me to make it to DC in one day, 107 miles covered. Jusy is the most generous person I know.

Martha is calling me for dinner. A full report later.

Congrats, Neil! Quite an accomplishment, this tour was! .... and congrats on that first century! :)

Sorry the Historian wasn't able to do the final leg....but a great accomplishment, none-the-less!

It was a pleasure spending some road time with you guys......Y'all hit the C&O Canal at a bad time, weather-wise, making it much rougher than it should've been. But you did great and deserve kudos for bringing attention to Epilepsy.....

Great job Neil F. Neil B heal up for the next one.

Congrats to both of you- NB, even though you didn't finish, it sounds like you had a great time and will be ready for the next one in no time. Heal up! Kudos to everyone here who supported these intrepid souls- Judy, Barndoor, everyone!

COngrats to both of you! I've been watching this thread to see your progress. Looking forward to your ride reports and how NF's Randonee held up!

Congrats guys!!! And Niel F. a special Congrats!! Wow, 100 plus miles in this heat. I struggled with just 6 miles today. Niel B. I'm sure will be back.

Awesome!!! Can't wait for the full report and pics!!

The full report will be a few days on my end. I have a lot of notes to go through (I have a notoriously bad memory for names and places and dates, NB is my distributed memory while on tour) and photos to upload to the computer. Neil B will doubtless have a report before that, but his camera may have eaten all his tour pictures. :(

Broken rib. Off the bike for up to 8 weeks. More when I get home.

OOOOUCH! I can sympathize.....

OUCH! SOrry to hear that man. Rest and recover.

Oh crap :( :(

Take it easy and heal up quick

OUCH! Heal fast, Neil, hope that it didn't ruin what sounds like a great tour!

Broken rib. Off the bike for up to 8 weeks. More when I get home.

I spent this morning in the emergency ward at Sibley Hospital in Washington, DC, getting x-rayed. It was indeed a broken rib, and I've been advised to avoid lifting, strenuous exercise, and cycling for the next 8 weeks. Riding 90 miles with a broken rib wasn't the wisest thing I've ever done. I should have gone to the emergency room at the hospital near Cumberland, MD, when I fell, and ended the tour there. However, the tour meant a lot to me, and I wanted to attempt to finish it. Also, Neil F. and I are a team, and I wanted to finish with him.

The other injuries were minor - extensive road rash on my left elbow and knee, swollen palms, large bruise on my right thigh where I hit Roark's top tube, cuts and scrapes, and torn jacket, bibs, and gloves. Oh, and the helmet cracked when I hit the ground, so I had to replace it.

Saturday I was SAGed to DC, and helped as part of Neil F.'s support team for his century ride. "JAGraham" and I saw that Neil F.was supplied with water, apple juice, a breakfast that was filling, and at one point, a milkshake, as we raced from trailhead to trailhead making sure he was OK. Aside from the small fact I was in pain much of the day, and wasn't riding, I was thrilled with my friend's accomplishment. And I was touched that when he reached a couple hundred feet from Milepost 0 in DC Neil asked that I ride with him so we could finish together.

Broken rib. Off the bike for up to 8 weeks. More when I get home.


Yikes, I hope everything heals well.

Just got home myself, am working on a "behind the scenes" expose. The only thing that comes to mind right now is "If you can't be an athlete, be an athletic supporter". Gee, I'm tired.

Thought you might like to share an event which occured while we were at Pont of Rocks. I swear Neil B and I didn't do it:

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?storyID=76020

We quickly high-tailed it outta Dodge as the fire trucks were arriving...

Neil, I probably won't know until tomorrow what went down at Great Falls with the NPS helicopter searching the river. I think Neil F was focused on his ride, he was probably oblivious to what was going on [literally] right beside him.

Judy "no-Neil"

OUCH! Heal fast, Neil, hope that it didn't ruin what sounds like a great tour!

It didn't, although I'm annoyed I didn't finish a tour I spent months arranging. Also, I landed on my camera, which ate the 500 images I'd taken. :-(

The full report will be a few days on my end. I have a lot of notes to go through (I have a notoriously bad memory for names and places and dates, NB is my distributed memory while on tour) and photos to upload to the computer. Neil B will doubtless have a report before that, but his camera may have eaten all his tour pictures. :(

Almost all of them. Sigh.

Get well soon Neil!