Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Shake, Rattle and Roll - The Neils on Wheels Pittsburgh/DC Tour Thread

Less than 48 hours until the adventure begins. Neil F. and I are in final preparations for our 330 some mile trip. I pick him up on Thursday night at 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, and we depart from my home Friday morning, arriving in Pittsburgh Friday afternoon and staying with a Bike Forums poster. Saturday we head off, stopping at the Point in Pittsburgh, and then heading to our first overnight in McKeesport/Boston. We should arrive in DC on Saturday, June 7, after spending overnights in Connelsville, Confluence, Frostburg, Paw-Paw, Williamsport, and Harper's Ferry.

We are meeting several Bike Forums posters along the way, and I'm going to ask them to post about our progress, and our joint riding, here in this thread. (Neither Neil nor I will have Internet access during the ride.) Any Bike Forums posters who want to ride with us, or who will be riding in the area, look for us, please. We'd like to meet you.

Neil F. is "psyched", as he put it, for this ride. He has reason to be. He's raised over 1000 dollars for epilepsy research by fundraising for this tour, and by living an active life, he's showing the world that while he may have epilepsy, epilepsy doesn't have him. I lack the words to describe how inspirational I find Neil's transformation "from sedentary to cycling", losing 50 pounds and his old couch-bound lifestyle.

We are calling the ride the "Shake, Rattle and Roll" tour as both an epilepsy reference and because Neil F. is bringing a guitar with him. Anyone lucky enough to camp with us or host us will probably get a concert - Neil F. needs his six-string like a baby needs a bottle. :thumb:

Best of luck to you guys, I'm really looking forward to this ride report.

Also you might want to head to a sporting goods store and pick up an emergency packet of freeze dried ice cream :)

Best of luck to you guys, I'm really looking forward to this ride report.

Also you might want to head to a sporting goods store and pick up an emergency packet of freeze dried ice cream :)

Do you anticipate our arguing? Hmm, perhaps we should argue. I understand make-up ice cream is the best.

Good luck and have a good time. I am jealous as I have been wanting to make the same journey ever since reading an article in National Geographic Adventure last summer but haven't been able to put it together.

Enjoy the ride!

Ride safe! Enjoy the trip and if you don't bring back pics, I'll be upset............

Ride safe! Enjoy the trip and if you don't bring back pics, I'll be upset............

Both Neils will have cameras, and in addition I'm asking folks we are meeting to bring cameras as well.

May your tour have good weather and be mechanical-free. Sounds like a blast.

May your tour have good weather and be mechanical-free. Sounds like a blast.

It's actually pretty likely I'll have at the least adjustment issues. I'm reasonably sure my new chain is too loose. I'm bringing along printouts from Sheldon Brown's site and a few tools that are better than just a multitool. I can't count on a host just happening to have a garage outfitted as a bike shoo (as happened to me last year).


Best of luck to you guys, I'm really looking forward to this ride report.

I've actually already started it, since the weeks before the tour have been so eventful.


Ride safe! Enjoy the trip and if you don't bring back pics, I'll be upset............

My camera is already packed, as is my voice recorder.

Neil and Neil-
All the best for a safe, wonderful journey! I'm so jealous- I'd love to have the time to do a tour like this, but one of these days for sure. I'll be watching this thread along with many others, no doubt. Keep us posted!

May your tour have good weather and be mechanical-free. Sounds like a blast.

Both Neils want a mechanical-free ride; one had his bike totaled, and the other destroyed his rear wheel, both within three weeks of each other. :crash:

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.

Neil B has been doing a tremendous amount of work to coordinate this ride, for whish I'm very grateful.


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.

Here's my packing list so far:

Bike stuff:
Randonee
2 water bottles and cages
4 panniers
2 LED lights - bring both helmet mounts and head mounts (double as tent lights)


To-do:
Install (2) water bottle cages - done
Front and rear racks - install LOCC - done
Clickstand - It arrived in the mail with a day to spare. Done.
Install PowerGrips - Not gonna happen in time.

Clothes:
on-bike:

2 pair bike shorts
3 pair socks
Unpadded tights
1 pair arm warmers (?) or 1 Long-sleeve bike shirt
Clear glasses (for bugs)
Prescription glasses with sunglass clip-on
1 pair open finger cycling gloves
1 pair thin glove liners
Rain jacket
Helmet
Hiking boots (for both on- and off-bike)
2 synthetic t-shirts
Beanie/ sweat band

off-bike:

2 pair underwear
1 cotton T-shirt
Black linen pants
Shorts
Hat
Belt
Bathing suit

To-do:
Do laundry Wednesday night
Rig up a clothesline w/ clothespins
Hat for off-bike

Tools:

Multitool/ tire levers
3 spare tubes
Patch kit
Pump
Rubber gloves
Citrus hand cleaner
Rag
Zip ties, duct tape, velcro ties
Lube
Set of allen keys
Needlenose pliers

To-do:
Pick up heavy duty disposable rubber gloves - No time, just use normal rubber gloves

Misc:
First aid kit - Bandages, neosporin, ibuprofen, etc.
Guitar
Lead sheets
Pen and paper
Voice recorder
Camera
GPS
Maps, guidebooks, ets (NB will have most of this)
Cable lock and U-lock
Cell phone and charger
Clock radio
Spare batteries - AA and AAA
Clothesline
Ziploc bags
Contact list, ininerary

To-do:
Buy cell phone minutes
Buy spare batteries

Camping:

Tent, poles, stakes, etc.
Tent repair kit
Sleeping bag
Sleeping mat
Camp pillow
Ground tarp
Nesting camp pot set
Plate or bowl
Spork
Camp knife
A few bags to carry out garbage
Paper towels, Scrubby thing and soap for cleaning dishes

To-do:
Waterproof the tent - Won't have time for this. Bring along a can of waterproofing stuff and do it in Pittsburgh or Boston

Hygiene:

Soap
Tissues and toilet paper
Washcloth/ camp towel
Deoderant
Medications
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Bug spray
Suntan lotion

To-do:
Pick up prescriptions, Aveeno at CVS

Food:
Luna bars
Dried fruit
Dehydrated camp food (just-in-case rations)

To-do:
Pick up Luna bars, some more dehydrated camp food - Will we have time to stop at the REI in Pittsburgh?

Both Neils will have cameras, and in addition I'm asking folks we are meeting to bring cameras as well.


Be sure to put yours in a zip lock bag, we discovered your panniers are somewhat less than waterproof last time we rode.

chamois cream?

chamois cream?

Never use it.

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.

OK, here are some random notes:

We tried to keep the trip both interesting and cheap. We could have done the B and B approach, and spent a hundred dollars a night, or raced through the ride in three or four days, but instead we are taking 8 days to do the 330 some miles, and camping out some nights. The shorter distances are in the first half of the ride, to allow us to get our legs in shape, and to take it easy on the climbing part of the tour. Shortest days are the first and third (28 or so miles), and the longest (6o miles) is the last day. Even that we can split up if need be by taking an extra day.

Two BF posters are hosting us, another is meeting us for lunch, a third is taking us on a tour of Fallingwater - 5 miles off the trail, and others will meet us to ride. We have a minimum of three nights camping (Connelsville, Confluence, Paw-Paw) with possibly more if needed. We plan on spending one night at the Harper's Ferry Hostel, and another in a dorm at Frostburg University. Our only B and B night is at the start, at the Yough Shore Inn in Boston, PA. total estimated cost is 350 dollars. Naturally, if would be a bit more if we werent' being hosted for two nights. The biggest expense is the one-way rental of an SUV and gas and tolls from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh - 200 bucks or so.

My (partial) gear list:

Bike clothes:
2 pair bib shorts
2 bike jerseys
2 compression shirts - loose skin :(
4 pairs socks
1 helmet
1 pair gloves
1 pair bike shoes
1 rain jacket

Off bike clothes
i pair swim trunks
1 cotton t-shirt
1 synthetic t shirt
1 pair shorts
1 or two pairs boxer shorts
1 pair Crocs
1 camp towel
laundry bag

Camping gear:
2 person tent
sleeping pad
sleeping bag
travel pillow
camp stove
fuel for stove
camp pot
plastic cup
spork

Personal items:
Ipod
book
maps
toiletries
earplugs

food:
there are places to eat at most trail towns, including grocery stores, but still, I'm bringing oatmeal, tea, and foil-packaged tuna and salmon - food for one day, basically.

Neil B has been doing a tremendous amount of work to coordinate this ride, for whish I'm very grateful.

To-do:
Pick up Luna bars, some more dehydrated camp food - Will we have time to stop at the REI in Pittsburgh?

Yes.

chamois cream?

After riding a century 'dry' last year, I became a convert for long rides. :thumb:

Be sure to put yours in a zip lock bag, we discovered your panniers are somewhat less than waterproof last time we rode.

After Monday, those panniers may never appear on my bike again. I can't keep replacing rear wheels.

Good luck guys. If I didn't have some home issues in the way, I would offer to give you a lift to save you the SUV rental... and/or meet you for a section of the ride.

Will there be any interim ride reports or must we all hold our collective breath until you get back for the whole enchilada to be revealed?

Good luck guys. If I didn't have some home issues in the way, I would offer to give you a lift to save you the SUV rental... and/or meet you for a section of the ride.

Will there be any interim ride reports or must we all hold our collective breath until you get back for the whole enchilada to be revealed?

Martha (my wife) will be updating my blog (http://www.neilfein.com/blog.html) while we're on the road.

Sounds like a fantastic trip.

I grew up in Cumberland (where the GAP meets the C&O) and went to college at Frostburg State. I rented a bike and rode the canal path from Cumberland to Spring Gap when I was in town visitng family last month, and I've been yearning for a Pittsburgh to DC trip since then.

If you're passing through Cumberland near lunch time, stop off at Curtis' for Coney Island hot dogs -- just a couple of blocks off the trail.

Good Luck Guys!

I grew up in the DC area and I have ridden parts of the trail there and to the west aorund Ohiopyle (sp?) Park. I am sure it will be a beautiful ride, and probably not very humid yet in May/June. I look forward to ride reports, and I will be taking notes in hopes of doing that tour in the future.

I also commend you for creating a tour to help others :thumb:

Hey guys,

Just wanted to let you know, I'll be there Saturday for the start of the adventure. Your Friday night host just called me to make arrangements.

See you in a couple days,

Denny

Good luck, watch those loose straps!

Live long and prosper, Neils on Wheels!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/st/gallery/images/340/tosspock3.jpg

Good luck, watch those loose straps!

Care to meet for a ride?

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.

Additional notes:

The Neils just got into their first argument of the tour. (The second argument will be over making the first argument public.)

Last minute items Neil B. needs to take care of:
- new battery for cell phone
- purchase rain pants? Perhaps, perhaps not.
- get blood test done he's been putting off
- check tent to make sure it's OK.
- get earplugs - some campgrounds are near a rail line.
- establish contact list, get phone numbers, etc.
- verify with Hertz reservation for SUV
- final check on bike and trailer

29 hours and counting.......

Eat some ice cream!

You might want some rain pants. If it rains and gets cold, you'll be happy. They also can double as windproofs and don't weigh much.


Additional notes:

The Neils just got into their first argument of the tour. (The second argument will be over making the first argument public.)

Last minute items Neil B. needs to take care of:
- new battery for cell phone
- purchase rain pants? Perhaps, perhaps not.
- get blood test done he's been putting off
- check tent to make sure it's OK.
- get earplugs - some campgrounds are near a rail line.
- establish contact list, get phone numbers, etc.
- verify with Hertz reservation for SUV
- final check on bike and trailer

29 hours and counting.......

Eat some ice cream!

You might want some rain pants. If it rains and gets cold, you'll be happy. They also can double as windproofs and don't weigh much.

Marmot Precip Rain Pants - I love these; you can get them on sale right at Campmor:

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___53408

Eat some ice cream!

You might want some rain pants. If it rains and gets cold, you'll be happy. They also can double as windproofs and don't weigh much.

I packed my Foxwear rain pants. They're too heavy for this time of year, but there's a 90% chance of thunderstorms in Pittsburgh on Saturday.

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.

Our travel plans. Note all the ice cream. :thumb:

Fri, May 30 - arrive in a suburb of Pittsburgh, stay with a host from Bike Forums.
Sat, May 31 - ride to Pittsburgh, visit "the Point", then on to Boston/McKeesport, stay at the Yough Shore
Inn
Sun, June 1 - ride to Connellsville, camp - 39 miles
Monday June 2 - ride to Confluence, camp - 30 miles. Stop in Ohiopyle and meet a Bike Forums poster who offered to take us to see Fallingwater. Ice cream in Confluence.

JUNE 2 IS THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF NEILS ON WHEELS!

Tues, June 3 - ride to Frostburg, stay at the college dorms - 47 miles. This day we cross the Eastern Continental Divide and pass through Big Savage Tunnel. Rest of the trip is downhill, and to Cumberland, MD, a steep downhill. Ice cream in Frostburg.
Wednesday, June 4, ride to Paw-paw, camp - 44 miles. Lunch and ice cream in Cumberland with a poster to Bike Forums.
Thursday, June 5 - ride to Williamsport with a poster from Bike Forums and crash in his basement, 57 miles. Stop at Weaver's in Hancock for lunch and ice cream. Ride the paved Western Maryland Rail Trail to get a break from the dirt and gravel.
Friday, June 6 - ride to Harper's Ferry with a Bike Forums poster, stay in Harper's Ferry Hostel or camp -
39 miles. Take an alternate route through Antietam Battlefield. Stop in Sharpsburg for ice cream.
Saturday, June 7 - ride to DC, 61 miles. If this is too much for the final day, ride halfway, camp, and then arrive on the 8th. Stay with Neil F's in-laws, and head north with Mrs. Neil F on the 8th.

Our travel plans. Note all the ice cream. :thumb:

Fri, May 30 - arrive in a suburb of Pittsburgh, stay with a host from Bike Forums.
Sat, May 31 - ride to Pittsburgh, visit "the Point", then on to Boston/McKeesport, stay at the Yough Shore
Inn
Sun, June 1 - ride to Connellsville, camp - 39 miles
Monday June 2 - ride to Confluence, camp - 30 miles. Stop in Ohiopyle and meet a Bike Forums poster who offered to take us to see Fallingwater. Ice cream in Confluence.

JUNE 2 IS THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF NEILS ON WHEELS!

Tues, June 3 - ride to Frostburg, stay at the college dorms - 47 miles. This day we cross the Eastern Continental Divide and pass through Big Savage Tunnel. Rest of the trip is downhill, and to Cumberland, MD, a steep downhill. Ice cream in Frostburg.
Wednesday, June 4, ride to Paw-paw, camp - 44 miles. Lunch and ice cream in Cumberland with a poster to Bike Forums.
Thursday, June 5 - ride to Williamsport with a poster from Bike Forums and crash in his basement, 57 miles. Stop at Weaver's in Hancock for lunch and ice cream. Ride the paved Western Maryland Rail Trail to get a break from the dirt and gravel.
Friday, June 6 - ride to Harper's Ferry with a Bike Forums poster, stay in Harper's Ferry Hostel or camp -
39 miles. Take an alternate route through Antietam Battlefield. Stop in Sharpsburg for ice cream.
Saturday, June 7 - ride to DC, 61 miles. If this is too much for the final day, ride halfway, camp, and then arrive on the 8th. Stay with Neil F's in-laws, and head north with Mrs. Neil F on the 8th.

Forgot two other BF posters we may ride with - one near Paw Paw, one on Saturday the 7th.

I packed my Foxwear rain pants. They're too heavy for this time of year, but there's a 90% chance of thunderstorms in Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Please don't bring this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2043/2523451844_ce4ae19d5c_b.jpg

LOL! ^


It sounds like a blast, have fun and make some memories. I look forward to the photo journal upon your safe return.

Please don't bring this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2043/2523451844_ce4ae19d5c_b.jpg

If you don't bring the grating bell and the annoying whistle, then it's a deal. :p

Here's the placard we'll hang in back of our bikes:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3161/2533998048_75cd2cbd3c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/2533998048/)

If you don't bring the grating bell and the annoying whistle, then it's a deal. :p

So is Jake ever going to post the photo of me on the recumbent? That should be good for a laugh.

Here's the placard we'll hang in back of our bikes:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3161/2533998048_75cd2cbd3c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/2533998048/)

Less than 12 hours till I pick up Neil F, folks. We depart tomorrow morning, between 8 and 9 AM.

So is Jake ever going to post the photo of me on the recumbent? That should be good for a laugh.

Dunno. He mentioned that he's having trouble uploading them.

Neil B -
I've had huge interest in trailers lately. Can you tell me what yours is, and where you picked it up?

Also, hugely jealous :). I'd love to do a tour, but alas, a newborn prohibits such things. Little butthead!

Hey guys, Have a truly great time and problem free trip. I'll have some ice cream in your name during the week.

If either of you two Neils want to give him my email, he can send them to me, and I'll host them for him.


Dunno. He mentioned that he's having trouble uploading them.

If either of you two Neils want to give him my email, he can send them to me, and I'll host them for him.

Thanks for the offer, but Jake's already got a solution in mind. As I understand it, he's up against the limit in a free Flickr account.

Anyway, back to the thread...

Sounds like big fun.
Looking forward to the pics.

Neil B -
I've had huge interest in trailers lately. Can you tell me what yours is, and where you picked it up?

Also, hugely jealous :). I'd love to do a tour, but alas, a newborn prohibits such things. Little butthead!

It's a Yakima, which is no longer made. I got it second-hand from a Bike Forums poster. The closest model to the one I have is a BOB.

re: Icecream in Sharpsburg - there is a great shop at the intersection of E/W Main St (Rt 34) and Harpers Ferry Rd - Nutter's. Boy Scout recommended (especially after an all-day hike or bike of the battlefield, even in December). Bit of a climb to get to it, but a nice mostly downhill return via 34 or Harpers Ferry Rd (one big hill, then downhill all the way - comes out near the Antietam Creek H&B site). You can get packaged ice cream at the convenience store at White's Ferry, and I'm sure there's something in Hancock.

Did you post info about this on the C&O Towpath group on Yahoo?

re: Icecream in Sharpsburg - there is a great shop at the intersection of E/W Main St (Rt 34) and Harpers Ferry Rd - Nutter's. Boy Scout recommended (especially after an all-day hike or bike of the battlefield, even in December). Bit of a climb to get to it, but a nice mostly downhill return via 34 or Harpers Ferry Rd (one big hill, then downhill all the way - comes out near the Antietam Creek H&B site). You can get packaged ice cream at the convenience store at White's Ferry, and I'm sure there's something in Hancock.

Did you post info about this on the C&O Towpath group on Yahoo?

Just did, thanks. And thanks for the ice cream information.

Now to wake Neil F. up, and get the rental SUV. We leave in an hour, folks. Neils on Wheels rocks!

Safe travels!

Had the first mechanical problem last night, a recalcitrant eyelet in my fork. Neil's roommate Josh saved the day with power tools (http://www.neilfein.com/2008/05/threads.html). There were sparks flying from the Dremel!