ON a tour? Speed? I generally don't worry about speed if I don't have to be somewhere by any specific time or if I'm on a long ride. On shorter rides (<30 miles) I like to kick it up a notch to get my exercise in, but on longer rides, eh. Then again, everyone is different and I have no idea what your concepts of "slow" are in comparison to mine.

I was averaging between 8.5 and 9 MPH before the crash. I finished with 8.35 MPH. I normally roll faster, but the trailer and the gravel surface slowed me. Also, I often walked through trail crossings, because I feared the trailer might hit one and throw my balance off. And of course I was very slow the last two days because of the pain I was in.

The best reason to me to keep up a good pace is to get to the campsite early enough that we can set up the tents before sunset, and just plain have time to unwind. When staying in a B&B, having time for laundry and a two-hour bath is always nice.


We had problems leaving on time most days, for reasons ranging from our meeting someone for breakfast to my needing to get medical supplies in Cumberland. Some of the tour days were as short as 26 miles. I don't buy your reasoning.

Good luck guys!! If you could post some of your planning notes and tips learned along the way that would be great - that route will probably be my first multi day tour at some point in the future.

Two videos that show the Passage and Towpath:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH5ierJJHb4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fJhViGRUNg&NR=1

I'm 3 days into the tour journal - 7 to go.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/shaken

Not an easy tour to write about. I'll get the rest up as quickly as I can.

I'm 3 days into the tour journal - 7 to go.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/shaken

Not an easy tour to write about. I'll get the rest up as quickly as I can.

Don't keep us in suspense. I want to find out what happens next!

I'm 3 days into the tour journal - 7 to go.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/shaken

Not an easy tour to write about. I'll get the rest up as quickly as I can.

Here's a quote for the journal:

"...let's face it, adapting to .... personalities and timing demands that fall outside your control is not easy. If you think your co-worker Neil.... is annoying, imagine living with him for ten days, eating all your meals with him, and having to think up a daily excuse as to why you'd prefer not to rub SPF 45 on his back. It's a possibility (and better than you think, too.)"
- Jerry Soverinsky, "What To Look For in a Guided Tour", Adventure Cycling, March 2008.

For the record, Neil F. favors SPF 50. :)

I just finished writing up the ride to Cumberland, including Neil's fall. Sorta.

1800+ hits so far. Thanks for reading, everybody!

Since there's been no accurate and detailed account of the tour published yet, I've started one here:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/3649

I'll update it as I get time. I didn't want to write this, but perhaps it's best to get it out and move past it.

I really have no problem with both sides being told as long as the forums don't get pulled into it. Neither side is taking shots and let's keep it that way. Just covering bases here, so please, nobody take offense, since none is intended to either party, no one is being singled out here.

Since there's been no accurate and detailed account of the tour published yet, I've started one here:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/3649

I'll update it as I get time. I didn't want to write this, but perhaps it's best to get it out and move past it.

Bump. Now online, the first day of the tour, from Pittsburgh to Boston, 25 miles, and the first day after the fall, Cumberland to Indigo Creek Hiker/Biker site, 47 miles or so.

Bump. Now online, the first day of the tour, from Pittsburgh to Boston, 25 miles, and the first day after the fall, Cumberland to Indigo Creek Hiker/Biker site, 47 miles or so.

Updated for the day of my crash, Frostburg to Cumberland. Neil B. crashes and gets his leg shaved, Neil F. has a malted, and "natbla" makes an appearance too.

Since there's been no accurate and detailed account of the tour published yet, I've started one here:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/3649

I'll update it as I get time. I didn't want to write this, but perhaps it's best to get it out and move past it.

Updated to include a couple more days, including our overnight tour to Green Lane Park.

I've been getting out for some rides on the Schuylkill River Trail with Neil B., and can attest that he is recovering quite well from the wounds sustained on his tour. In fact, he is already chattering about his upcoming solo tour; way to go, Neil B.! I'm looking forward to seeing how the next tour works out for you.

Bump again. I finished the day we rode from Cumberland to Paw-Paw and Indigo Creek (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=9EmsG&page_id=78677&v=8D), the day after Neil's fall. I really need to finish writing this up before Neil and Judy finish their tours.

Two more days to go...

New page: "Watching the Wheels": On to Williamsport. (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=3Tzut&page_id=78678&v=8M)

Still to go: The last day, when I ride 100 miles to finish the tour and Neil and Judy SAG me. to the finish line. Also, I have doodles from the tour I want to scan in, although my scanner's busted. I may have to go to Kinkos.

New page: "Watching the Wheels": On to Williamsport. (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=3Tzut&page_id=78678&v=8M)

Still to go: The last day, when I ride 100 miles to finish the tour and Neil and Judy SAG me. to the finish line. Also, I have doodles from the tour I want to scan in, although my scanner's busted. I may have to go to Kinkos.

I deleted my journal of this ride, so the field is all yours, Neil, for better or worse.

I am looking forward to seeing the sketches. One reason I complained about the voice recorder is that if you were forced to take written notes instead, you would wind up drawing as well. Folks, Neil F. trained as an artist, and his sketches from the tour are very much worth seeing.

Bump again. I finished the day we rode from Cumberland to Paw-Paw and Indigo Creek (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=9EmsG&page_id=78677&v=8D), the day after Neil's fall. I really need to finish writing this up before Neil and Judy finish their tours.

Two more days to go...

My tour ended prematurely, drug toxicity being suspected. Out of a proposed 700+ mile trip, I completed 400. Not too shabby. In retrospect I should have realized the fatigue and hand problems could have been related to the Topamax, and not just an arthritis flare. After that, the nausea and vomiting was the coup de grace.

I met some wonderful people on this trip, and got to see some things I hadn't had [made] time to explore before. I still find it amazing how once-populated towns of 50-100 years ago just vanish over time, leaving mere traces. I saw tufa, found the Darr mine, explored the Banning No. 1 coal complex (but didn't see the "No Trespassing" sign until after I left), and that was just on Day 2.

I'm hoping to get started on a trip report to be posted on my blog.

Judy

My tour ended prematurely, drug toxicity being suspected. Out of a proposed 700+ mile trip, I completed 400. Not too shabby. In retrospect I should have realized the fatigue and hand problems could have been related to the Topamax, and not just an arthritis flare. After that, the nausea and vomiting was the coup de grace.

I met some wonderful people on this trip, and got to see some things I hadn't had [made] time to explore before. I still find it amazing how once-populated towns of 50-100 years ago just vanish over time, leaving mere traces. I saw tufa, found the Darr mine, explored the Banning No. 1 coal complex (but didn't see the "No Trespassing" sign until after I left), and that was just on Day 2.

I'm hoping to get started on a trip report to be posted on my blog.

Judy


I didn't realize you had ridden for that many miles. Looking forward to your report! I assume there are pictures?

Here's the last day (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=9EmsG&page_id=78679&v=8S), 107 miles solo with a little help from my friends.

Still to come: Sketchs I made on tour. My scanner's busted; anyone here with a working scanner willing to scan them in for me?

Here's the last day (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=9EmsG&page_id=78679&v=8S), 107 miles solo with a little help from my friends.


As seen from the chase car:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2035/2562168613_679b54f87e_b.jpg

This is the last update: Packing list (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=3Tzut&page_id=73644&v=8w), final thoughts (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=3Tzut&page_id=85025&v=y), and my tour sketchbook (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=3Tzut&page_id=90365&v=b). (It took me a while to get the scanner working.)

This is the last update....final thoughts (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=3Tzut&page_id=85025&v=y)...

"Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun set on your anger, and do not leave room for the devil."

Ephesians 4, 25-27.