Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.boston blackie
08-19-09, 04:26 PM
From my home in Pittsfield to the top of mt. greylock and back is a 35 mile ride. The access road to the mountain is newly paved and it rises 2,000 feet from the valley below. At the summit, it is the highest point in the state of Massachusetts.
I've had a hankering to attempt the climb for some time. Two days ago I set out from my home on an 88 degree day riding my Mezzo I-4, a four speed internal hub geared folding bike with 16" wheels. "Today is the day.", I thought, as I pedaled off carrying a water bottle in my jersey pocket.
With a low gear inch ratio of 39.3 inches, and a high of 72.3 it was a challenge for me, as I am not a strong climber. I made it to the top. It took three hours, a lot of traversing, and three rest stops on the way up. Still, I felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment, and proudly answered the many questions from the tourists at the summit.
My big regret is that I didn't get the photo I wanted of me and my bike in front of the monument. Unfortunately, the friendly fellow who volunteered to take the photo was not familiar with the camera on my HTC Tilt phone. I, (probably suffering from minor heat exhaustion), did not notice that he had the lens pointing at him instead of me. So, I did get a great close-up of half his face, ha ha.
The decent was my sweet reward.
I am one month shy of 66 years old.
I've had a hankering to attempt the climb for some time. Two days ago I set out from my home on an 88 degree day riding my Mezzo I-4, a four speed internal hub geared folding bike with 16" wheels. "Today is the day.", I thought, as I pedaled off carrying a water bottle in my jersey pocket.
With a low gear inch ratio of 39.3 inches, and a high of 72.3 it was a challenge for me, as I am not a strong climber. I made it to the top. It took three hours, a lot of traversing, and three rest stops on the way up. Still, I felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment, and proudly answered the many questions from the tourists at the summit.
My big regret is that I didn't get the photo I wanted of me and my bike in front of the monument. Unfortunately, the friendly fellow who volunteered to take the photo was not familiar with the camera on my HTC Tilt phone. I, (probably suffering from minor heat exhaustion), did not notice that he had the lens pointing at him instead of me. So, I did get a great close-up of half his face, ha ha.
The decent was my sweet reward.
I am one month shy of 66 years old.