Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - I think I've found my challenge - The Assault on Mount Penn

Each year I set a challenge.

In 2006 my challenge was to learn to ride a bike. Since I started late in the year that carried into 2007. But I did it.

My 2007 challenge was to ride a century. Did that.

My 2008 challenge was to ride from Pittsburgh to DC. Did that after crashing on the first attempt.

My 2009 challenge was.... I dunno. Spending two weeks on tour wasn't a challenge, merely continuing what I'd done the previous year. And I'd finished rides of 30. 40. 50, and 60 miles, so distance in itself wasn't to be overcome. My cycling became predictable and boring. I allowed myself to become distant from my bike, and I let my weight go up. I tipped the scales at 286 this afternoon, 44 pounds over my low of July 2007. My clothes don't fit properly, and I feel sluggish.

As I wrote yesterday, I felt like I was down, so I went up. I visited Mount Penn in Reading, PA, and visited the mountainside attractions. I saw the grades and thought, "I'd be insane to attempt to ride that." But the more I thought, the more I liked the idea. And so, ladies and gentlemen, here's my 2009 challenge - The Assault on Mount Penn:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Assault-on-Mount-Penn

The route is 48 miles long. Nearly 40 of them are on the flat Thun Trail, which runs on old Reading Railroad lines from Pottstown to Reading. 8 of them are in the City of Reading, climbing Penn Street to the series of switchbacks leading up to Skyline Drive at the top of Mount Penn. Bikely underestimates climbing, in my opinion, so I estimate 2000 feet of climbing over the 48 miles, with at least 1700 of them in a 9 mile stretch on Mount Penn. The Pagoda on Skyline Drive is 886 feet above the city, and the highest point on the mountain is 1200 feet above sea level. During my drive up the mountain I didn't notice any grade steeper than 12 per cent, and most are a bit less.

I'm planning this ride for October, since the weather will be cooler, I'll have three months to train and get my weight down, and the leaves will be spectacular.

Any advice or recommendations are welcome. I'm excited and nervous about this ride, which is a pretty good sign I'll do it. :) Also, if there's anyone who wants to share the pain, PM me. It would be fun to do this with someone.

Excelsior!

As one who rode and probably mostly walked up Skyline Drive in my youth on a balloon tire RollFast; pushed a bathtub up the Drive in College; raced up the Drive about 5 times in my old Volvo, and more recently, in 2007, rode up half the Drive, following the route of the Reading Classic Road Race, I can say I'd be happy to ride the Thun Trail with you; but I draw the line at 8th and Penn Streets. Actually the grade thru City Park is steeper then the Drive. I had to walk that.

Spin, Spin, Spin. Any hill can be conquered.

This is my kind of challenge.

Spin, Spin, Spin. Any hill can be conquered.

This is my kind of challenge.

Then you can advise me on how to train.

I'm in!

As one who rode and probably mostly walked up Skyline Drive in my youth on a balloon tire RollFast; pushed a bathtub up the Drive in College; raced up the Drive about 5 times in my old Volvo, and more recently, in 2007, rode up half the Drive, following the route of the Reading Classic Road Race, I can say I'd be happy to ride the Thun Trail with you; but I draw the line at 8th and Penn Streets. Actually the grade thru City Park is steeper then the Drive. I had to walk that.

Understood.

I wonder if there's a better way to get up the mountain than Penn Street. I chose it because it leads to the switchbacks, but it's also the main business street in town and can have heavy traffic. Some of the grades to the west of Penn Street are awful. Hmm. I should consult a map and see if there's an easier way.

I'm in!

I've lengthened the ride a little since I PM'd you. I've expanded it to include the entire Thun Trail. I can contract it again if you like.

Excelsior!

Indeed!

When in October are you planning this? If it doesn't conflict with the Seagull, or the City to Shore, I might be interested in joining you.

Indeed!

When in October are you planning this? If it doesn't conflict with the Seagull, or the City to Shore, I might be interested in joining you.

Late October. I need time to train. I was planning on a Saturday or Sunday.

Spin, Spin, Spin. Any hill can be conquered.

This is my kind of challenge.

Photo of Reading from the entrance of the Pagoda, 886 feet above the river.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2559/3732947257_e8f25a9926_b.jpg

Then you can advise me on how to train.

I'll put something together in the next day or so. I'm kind of slammed for the rest of the day, but by in the morning at the latest.

Do you have any climbs in your normal riding area or a consistant headwind? If you have hills, how do they compare to the opponent? Grade? Length?

I'll put something together in the next day or so. I'm kind of slammed for the rest of the day, but by in the morning at the latest.

Do you have any climbs in your normal riding area or a consistant headwind? If you have hills, how do they compare to the opponent? Grade? Length?

I have what Stormcrowe once called "nice rollers", but nothing like Mount Penn. I'll probably need to go to the mountain to train for the mountain.

I have what Stormcrowe once called "nice rollers", but nothing like Mount Penn. I'll probably need to go to the mountain to train for the mountain.

Not necessarily. A nice long gradual up hill that is not steep will work too. Granted, it is easier, but one does not a mountain to learn to climb a mountain.

Well, I'm off in my ongoing education in home air conditioning repair. No AC in Texas in August is Teh Suck.

I am not sure if I can give you any real advise, but here is a couple of things that I have noticed about hill climbing. First, cardio conditioning is very important. My heart rate will often get into the 180-190 bpm range on a good hill. Your heart and lungs supply oxygen to you leg muscles during a sustained climb, so you need good stamina during a long incline. Second, you really need good leg strength on bigger hills. So increase that where you can. Lastly, I may take some heat for this, but learn how to stand while you peddle uphill. I am not saying you need to stand the whole way up the hill, but it is a good skill to have just in case you can not spin a whole hill. Often times I will both spin and stand on the same hill. I will stand up to gain enough momentum to spin again.

Now for training I like to add some off the bike cardio machines. I find that stair climbers, elliptical and arc machines can be used to build muscles and cardio stamina at the same time if used properly. The key for me is turning up the resistance level of the machine to where I have to work my legs hard. This also raises my heart rate at the same time, which adds to my stamina . Many of the machines have a hill program, use it. Spin your RPM's at high as you can during the lower part of the resistance and push through the high resistance portions concentrating on leg strength. Increase the level and time that you do and hills will be easier to you. As for on the bike training, I noticed you said that you have some rollers around to use. What you can do is stop at the base of each one and peddle your way to the top. That way you are not using momentum from the last hill, but instead you legs to climb. This is not gospel of course, but just some of the things that I have found that help me. I hope it helps:)

Squats for leg strength

Hill repeats for endurance. (climb big hill at your best speed, recover coming back down, climb same hill at best speed....(wash rinse repeat)
The first few (hundred) times you'll want to puke...then you'll notice it getting easier. (once a week to start)

Of course I need to start doing this again myself...If I can just stay healthy long enough.

Oh! And I like you're Idea of a big challenge each year...I think that's one thing I'm missing this year for my own motivation.

Oh! And I like you're Idea of a big challenge each year...I think that's one thing I'm missing this year for my own motivation.

Mikey, our challenge this year is not killing or maiming ourselves:o

YEEEEEES!!!!:thumb:....I told you CLYDES, CLIMB, CLIMB LIKE THE WIND!:D...SO many people think I'm an arrogant butthead cause I always suggest climbing. After the ride, after the training, after you conquer that hill, you will know I've been talking about all along!;)

Climbing adds a different dimension to riding, An enjoyable satifying one!

Only advice I can give is be patient on the climb. First two miles will make your liver shoot out of your spine, your lungs drop to your toes but keep going. It gets better after the body warms up and the lungs expand. Enjoy it, it's fun!:p

Just do it! Nobody says you have to be fast or the fastest. I never will be! Neither will anybody here, Clyde or roadie forum. Or we'd be in the TDF, just do it SOLDIER!

Too bad we weren't closer, I'd do the ride with ya! I'd be your domestique. Carry your extra waterbottles, Jelly Bellies and Fig Newtons! All you gotta do is ride like Lance!:thumb:

Wow, that's definitely a challenge! I live in Wyomissing and I would say that I'd try it with you, but know I won't be in good enough shape in October.

As for the route, instead of Penn Ave, you might want to take Franklin through the city as it's one way with much less traffic and 2 lanes going in your direction. It's 2 blocks south of Penn, running parallel and it starts right where the Thun Trail crosses the river into Reading. On the return, take Washington as it's the same, but 2 blocks north of Penn in the opposite direction.

A serious climb. I've been a flatlander for way too long to even think about attempting a climb up Mount Penn. I got my butt handed to me 2 years ago on the Lancaster Bike Club Covered Bridge Metric.

Wind sprints on short climbs done many, many times will train you for mountain rides.

Wow, that's definitely a challenge! I live in Wyomissing and I would say that I'd try it with you, but know I won't be in good enough shape in October.

As for the route, instead of Penn Ave, you might want to take Franklin through the city as it's one way with much less traffic and 2 lanes going in your direction. It's 2 blocks south of Penn, running parallel and it starts right where the Thun Trail crosses the river into Reading. On the return, take Washington as it's the same, but 2 blocks north of Penn in the opposite direction.

Thanks for the advice. I'll work it into the route. Care to ride with me next time I'm in Reading?

Here is the bulk of the climbing - Duryea and Skyline.

http://www.pahillclimb.org/graphics/Readin2.jpg

This is from an auto racing website, which explains why the turns are noted. This is a 2.3 mile climb of 800 feet, which works out to a 6.6 per cent grade overall. The first mile is 8.6 per cent. The road is low-traffic, since it's a city park, and has a 25 MPH speed limit, but there's little or no shoulder. Incidentally when Reading had a professional cycling race they used part of this route.

There may be alternate routes up Mount Penn that spread out the grade a little more, but they involve a lot more urban riding. Going around the back way spreads the pain out more.

I am not sure if I can give you any real advise, but here is a couple of things that I have noticed about hill climbing. First, cardio conditioning is very important. My heart rate will often get into the 180-190 bpm range on a good hill. Your heart and lungs supply oxygen to you leg muscles during a sustained climb, so you need good stamina during a long incline. Second, you really need good leg strength on bigger hills. So increase that where you can. Lastly, I may take some heat for this, but learn how to stand while you peddle uphill. I am not saying you need to stand the whole way up the hill, but it is a good skill to have just in case you can not spin a whole hill. Often times I will both spin and stand on the same hill. I will stand up to gain enough momentum to spin again.

Now for training I like to add some off the bike cardio machines. I find that stair climbers, elliptical and arc machines can be used to build muscles and cardio stamina at the same time if used properly. The key for me is turning up the resistance level of the machine to where I have to work my legs hard. This also raises my heart rate at the same time, which adds to my stamina . Many of the machines have a hill program, use it. Spin your RPM's at high as you can during the lower part of the resistance and push through the high resistance portions concentrating on leg strength. Increase the level and time that you do and hills will be easier to you. As for on the bike training, I noticed you said that you have some rollers around to use. What you can do is stop at the base of each one and peddle your way to the top. That way you are not using momentum from the last hill, but instead you legs to climb. This is not gospel of course, but just some of the things that I have found that help me. I hope it helps:)

Thanks. Keep the advice coming, folks.

I've found hills nearby that will challenge me, but only one sustained climb - a two-three mile climb about a dozen miles from my home. In the other direction, again a dozen miles out, is a 10 per cent grade that runs about a third of a mile.

Also of interest:

http://explorepahistory.com/hmarker.php?markerId=1174

The bike race only climbed to turn 6. Had to check my old records, 152.7 seconds to finish with the Volvo 544 back in 1972. It was a great ride.

Have to do some auto exploration. Appears you can short cut at Lancaster Ave. (Rt 222) and take Bingaman street to 9th, one block north to Franklin. Traffic shouldn't be that bad on a weekend. Unless there is something going on at Sovereign Center, the city is shut down. My old map actually shows 9th street runing into city from the SRT, but believe it's been closed by the Rt 422 bypass...may be there is a way for a bike to get thru. Could also leave SRT at Gibralter, and take Gibralter Road to Painted Sky Road, to Neversink Road, which brings you out at edge of Mount Penn borough on Bus Rt 422. O', none of these alternate routes are flat.

I'll join you provided my work schedule co-operates.

V

The bike race only climbed to turn 6. Had to check my old records, 152.7 seconds to finish with the Volvo 544 back in 1972. It was a great ride.

Have to do some auto exploration. Appears you can short cut at Lancaster Ave. (Rt 222) and take Bingaman street to 9th, one block north to Franklin. Traffic shouldn't be that bad on a weekend. Unless there is something going on at Sovereign Center, the city is shut down. My old map actually shows 9th street runing into city from the SRT, but believe it's been closed by the Rt 422 bypass...may be there is a way for a bike to get thru. Could also leave SRT at Gibralter, and take Gibralter Road to Painted Sky Road, to Neversink Road, which brings you out at edge of Mount Penn borough on Bus Rt 422. O', none of these alternate routes are flat.

Hmm, interesting. Is Business 422 a decent road for bikes? According to Bikely the grading is a lot easier. Yes, you are still climbing the mountain, but you are climbing over six miles instead of two. And it adds variety to the route. Hmm.

The bike race only climbed to turn 6. Had to check my old records, 152.7 seconds to finish with the Volvo 544 back in 1972. It was a great ride.

Have to do some auto exploration. Appears you can short cut at Lancaster Ave. (Rt 222) and take Bingaman street to 9th, one block north to Franklin. Traffic shouldn't be that bad on a weekend. Unless there is something going on at Sovereign Center, the city is shut down. My old map actually shows 9th street runing into city from the SRT, but believe it's been closed by the Rt 422 bypass...may be there is a way for a bike to get thru. Could also leave SRT at Gibralter, and take Gibralter Road to Painted Sky Road, to Neversink Road, which brings you out at edge of Mount Penn borough on Bus Rt 422. O', none of these alternate routes are flat.

Here's a Bikely map of Guy's suggested route from Gibraltar to Business 422 to the mountain:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Alternate-approach-to-Mount-Penn

SO many people think I'm an arrogant butthead cause I always suggest climbing.

Among many other reasons, yes. :)

YEEEEEES!!!!:thumb:....I told you CLYDES, CLIMB, CLIMB LIKE THE WIND!:D...SO many people think I'm an arrogant butthead cause I always suggest climbing. After the ride, after the training, after you conquer that hill, you will know I've been talking about all along!;)

Climbing adds a different dimension to riding, An enjoyable satifying one!

Only advice I can give is be patient on the climb. First two miles will make your liver shoot out of your spine, your lungs drop to your toes but keep going. It gets better after the body warms up and the lungs expand. Enjoy it, it's fun!:p

Just do it! Nobody says you have to be fast or the fastest. I never will be! Neither will anybody here, Clyde or roadie forum. Or we'd be in the TDF, just do it SOLDIER!

I'm doing this ride for a number of reasons:

1. I can learn a lot about cycling by completing this hill climb.
2. The training will get me riding more and fitter. Both this point and the one before it can only make me a better cyclist. It should also make me faster on flat ground, and better able to hold my own with people I ride with regularly - Bautieri, vXhanz, Guybeirhaus, etc. As it is I feel like an anchor when riding with them.
3. Some dufus recently told me I should get an electric bicycle to tour because I had trouble with hills. :(
3.

Thanks for the advice. I'll work it into the route. Care to ride with me next time I'm in Reading?

Possibly, PM me when you're coming around. I'm still a complete newb...I bought my bike under a month ago (Trek 7.3FX) and I'm really just using it to commute to work ~2miles each way everyday. I hear about these 20mile+ rides and think about the hills around Reading and it makes me want to puke.

While we're taking about the Thun trail and the SRT, how far have you ridden on the SRT? My ultimate goal would be to ride from Reading down to Philly and back (or maybe even just one way). I have no idea if that's practical or even possible for me, but it'd be nice to know if others have done it. This is probably years away for me though.

Possibly, PM me when you're coming around. I'm still a complete newb...I bought my bike under a month ago (Trek 7.3FX) and I'm really just using it to commute to work ~2miles each way everyday. I hear about these 20mile+ rides and think about the hills around Reading and it makes me want to puke.

While we're taking about the Thun trail and the SRT, how far have you ridden on the SRT? My ultimate goal would be to ride from Reading down to Philly and back (or maybe even just one way). I have no idea if that's practical or even possible for me, but it'd be nice to know if others have done it. This is probably years away for me though.

My place or yours? I can come to Reading almost any weekend. I'm in East Vincent, outside of Pottstown. A ride on the Thun trail sounds great. Reading to Angstedt Trailhead is a nice little ride. Or if you can venture further, Oley Township has a lot of nice roads. Are you up for this weekend? Think about it and then say yes. :thumb: As anyone can tell you, I love to ride with other Bike Forums members.

You are seriously underestimating your abilities. I went from balancing to riding a century in ten months. You can do whatever you want to do. BTW, I ride the 7.5 fx - same bike with a carbon fork.

It's currently impossible to ride from Reading to Philly on the trail, since there's a dozen miles missing from Phoenixville to Pottstown. If you don't mind riding on rolling roads, it can be done. Hmm, now there's a ride..... :) Personally, I've ridden from East Vincent to Philadelphia and Pottstown to Reading.

This weekend will probably not be good, but I'll let you know if things change. Yeah, I saw some info about a gap in the trail around Pottstown, but wasn't sure if that was very current info. Even East Vincent to Philly would be cool one day.

Is Business 422 a decent road for bikes?

One section has very wide shoulders. From McD's in Mt. Penn to Bank at the split, it get's narrow. I'd consider using sidewalk there. No real walkers to speak of.

Is Business 422 a decent road for bikes?

One section has very wide shoulders. From McD's in Mt. Penn to Bank at the split, it get's narrow. I'd consider using sidewalk there. No real walkers to speak of.

Between Guy Bierhaus and my friend Josh I've come up with what I think is the final route:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Another-approach-to-Mt-Penn

I've started the ride from Birdsboro to show some 'flat' on the graph. We follow Guy's suggestions to Glen Road and then begin the final ascent to the top. Once at the Fire Tower we pose for photos, and then glide down the mountain. We drop 800 feet in about three miles. Once there we can take the Thun Trail back to 724 and ride on roads from there.

There are few other good alternatives. There's an alternate route taking us through the Borough of Mount Penn, but that's extra miles. Starting in Oley defeats the purpose. Climbing Duryea is something I can't see myself doing in three months.

This weekend will probably not be good, but I'll let you know if things change. Yeah, I saw some info about a gap in the trail around Pottstown, but wasn't sure if that was very current info. Even East Vincent to Philly would be cool one day.

OK, PM me when you want to ride. I'll probably be in Reading regardless. If not on the Thun, then on the mountain checking out hill climbs. Listen for the cursing. :)

Here's the bottom of the downhill portion, as photographed in a bike race in Reading in 2006. The Pagoda on Mount Penn is about 800 feet above the bikes, and only a mile or so away. :

http://readingclassic.com/8.jpg

OK, PM me when you want to ride. I'll probably be in Reading regardless. If not on the Thun, then on the mountain checking out hill climbs. Listen for the cursing. :)

Just to bump this..... I'll be up in the Reading area attempting parts of the climb in a couple of weeks.

Here's the bottom of the downhill portion, as photographed in a bike race in Reading in 2006. The Pagoda on Mount Penn is about 800 feet above the bikes, and only a mile or so away. :

http://readingclassic.com/8.jpg

BUMP!

Saturday, October 24.

So far Bautieri and Steve610 have signed up for this hill-climb. We are climbing Mount Penn from the backside and dropping down the face of the mountain into the city of Reading. Bring locks, and, yes, helmets. Lunch will be at the Queen Diner outside of Reading with ice cream at Scoop De Ville in Gibraltar.

Anyone else in? I'm uncertain of the mileage yet, since I'm still looking for a parking spot. However, it will be less than 40 miles.

I'm a fair weather biker, so very reluctant to commit to Oct 24th. The way this Fall is starting out it may well be 45 degrees with gusts to 40 mph by 24th!! However I'm currently free that day, so may be. I'd recommend you ride down Penn Street thru Reading. Traffic in Reading is directed onto one way streets Franklin or Washington. Streets are tight, cars are moving. Penn street, the main street, is generally avoided by cars, and street is wider.

I've been parking at Grosstown Road trail head for my rides on SRT. Since I would use road bike for this, I'd probably jump off trail and use Rt 724 to just prior to Birdsboro. Get back on trail at Ugly Mug bar.

Hey Neil,
I sent you a pm and I believe I will make an attempt at the climb but would have to bump the cheese steak ride to november some time. With having three kids it is a little hard to get away and I like to keep Mrs Nut happy LOL.

Hey Neil,
I sent you a pm and I believe I will make an attempt at the climb but would have to bump the cheese steak ride to november some time. With having three kids it is a little hard to get away and I like to keep Mrs Nut happy LOL.

OK. You may want to arrange a carpool with Bautieri, since you two are coming from the same area.

I'll post the starting location later this weekend.

It is really too bad you live so far away from me. I would jump at the chance to do some of the things you do and have a partner to do them with.

Maybe instead of doing Mt Penn, I can just ride my bike over Sean Penn.

Maybe instead of doing Mt Penn, I can just ride my bike over Sean Penn.

I hope you have fenders.

Bump!

I rode to Neversink Road this afternoon. If you recall posting about a "mystery" trail last year, the Exeter Schuylkill Trail, well the trail is much improved. Looks like a hard packed dirt road, 8 foot wide, with just a hint of fine stone rolled in. Only bad spot was a creek crossing near end. They dumped #5 rocks in the creek, not something I wanted to ride on, so walked about 40 feet. Anyway suggest using trail instead of Painted Sky Road. Also suggest at end of trail you go straight, under the train overpass and stay on East Neversink Road out to Business Rt 422. Hills much milder. O' and by much improved, I mean if you can ride the crushed stone SRT you can ride the "Mystery" trail. Actually I found it smoother. Trail currently lined with "spooky" displays. Apparently being used as some Halloween spook walk at night. Not so scary during the day.

That route doesn't sound bad at all and it might be fun seeing the displays while we are on the ride.

We were going to try and have the wife's mom watch the kids so her and I both could do the mt penn ride but from what she was telling me her mom was going away that weekend. They live right near reading and it would have been perfect. I will be there no matter what unless it is raining LOL.

Bump!

I rode to Neversink Road this afternoon. If you recall posting about a "mystery" trail last year, the Exeter Schuylkill Trail, well the trail is much improved. Looks like a hard packed dirt road, 8 foot wide, with just a hint of fine stone rolled in. Only bad spot was a creek crossing near end. They dumped #5 rocks in the creek, not something I wanted to ride on, so walked about 40 feet. Anyway suggest using trail instead of Painted Sky Road. Also suggest at end of trail you go straight, under the train overpass and stay on East Neversink Road out to Business Rt 422. Hills much milder. O' and by much improved, I mean if you can ride the crushed stone SRT you can ride the "Mystery" trail. Actually I found it smoother. Trail currently lined with "spooky" displays. Apparently being used as some Halloween spook walk at night. Not so scary during the day.

Where does this "mystery" trail start? Is it the one in Gibraltar I rode in July? That ends in a horrible mountain bike climb, unsuited to a road bike.