Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - The Truant Schoolboy - The Further Adventures of Roark and The Historian

Brief report from the road. I'm in the Ironmaster's Mansion at Pine Grove Furnace State Park, 20 miles north of Gettysburg. The Mansion is now a hostel, and they have a public use computer, which I am putting to work.

Friday I rode a short night ride with Bautieri across the river from Harrisburg. Saturday I rode half of a 44 mile ride. I wasn't prepared for 50 degree weather and rain, so I SAGged back. I spent a rainy night in a tent. Sunday I rode with NUTNDUN and Mrs. NUTNDUN, and spent the night here in Pine Grove. Today it's on to Gettysburg - not sure if I'll ride at the battlefield or not - and then through York to home. I feel like a truant schoolboy, since I blew off all the library research I planned. It's too much fun to be outdoors!

Report and photos to follow in a few days.

I'm looking forward to the ride reports Neil! I had a great time riding with you Friday and Saturday, it's good to see you didn't get washed away Saturday night. I heard it rained all night and into the afternoon.

Enjoy your day in Gettysburg!

I'm looking forward to the ride reports Neil! I had a great time riding with you Friday and Saturday, it's good to see you didn't get washed away Saturday night. I heard it rained all night and into the afternoon.

Enjoy your day in Gettysburg!

Yes, Harrisburg enjoyed a LOT of rain. And I learned there's no such thing as a waterproof tent! :)

Hey, Pine Grove Furnace has a bike trail! First that, then Gettysburg. Signing off before they throw me out of the hostel. :-)

I'm sure you've been to Gettysburg before, but if not, it is a cool town and a fascinating battlefield. Great riding (I rode through it on the Civil War Century two weeks ago)

You could spend the whole day touring and learning about the battlefield and war strategy.

Otherwise, there are some beautiful country farm roads that would make a nice day of touring

Ironmaster sounds like a neat place. It's been a rest stop for 2 century rides that my husband has done in the Emmitsburg, MD/Gettysburg, PA area. I've only seen pictures of the building.

I'm sure you've been to Gettysburg before, but if not, it is a cool town and a fascinating battlefield. Great riding (I rode through it on the Civil War Century two weeks ago)

You could spend the whole day touring and learning about the battlefield and war strategy.

Otherwise, there are some beautiful country farm roads that would make a nice day of touring

It rained for most of the afternoon, so I didn't ride the battlefield. I rode ten miles in the morning at Pine Grove Furnace, hiked a little there, and hiked a LOT at Gettysburg.

It's taking a while to have the photos uploaded, but here are Bautieri and NUTNDUN with their new bikes. Yes, Bau has been holding out on us.... he has a lovely new steed.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2611/3965488495_fc291cf1d7_b.jpg

I caught NUTNDUN in an odd moment. I did most of the talking. :)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2543/3966261870_b5e8bab8e4_b.jpg

Sunday night I shared the Ironmaster Mansion hostel with "MetaComet", a southbound AT hiker. I shared some information on the C & O Canal with him, since the AT uses it for a stretch before Harper's Ferry. We also watched a movie in the common room, "Hang 'm High" with Clint Eastwood.

MetaComet just before he heads out:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2586/3965511713_9d79915e78_b.jpg

And on the AT as it runs by the hostel:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2541/3966292800_5cbc0a2bce_b.jpg

Day One - Friday, September 25

My plans for this trip were to arrive early on Friday, spend the morning or early afternoon at the State Library doing newspaper research for a book, and then ride in the evening with Bautieri. I got off to a late start, and then spent part of the trip running a couple of errands. I reached Harrisburg at 3:00 PM, and pushed my planned research till another day. I spent a couple of hours hiking around City Island and across the river on Harrisburg's Greenbelt. And taking photos, of course. There were many more pedestrians in Pennsylvania's capitol than cyclists, but my camera found a few:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3965595583_5f0fc8b666_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2670/3965590179_83905e1d3d_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2460/3965573467_e975aa5124_b.jpg

Once I reached Bau's place he helped me replace my worn-out cyclecross tires with my normal hardcase commuters. We rode a ride of a bit less than nine miles to a scenic overlook for a few night photos of Harrisburg. Bau and his shiny new cross bike led me up and down some tough hills. After I climbed one of them a fellow in the truck behind me shouted "Congratulations! I saw you ride up that hill." Fortunately I had breath enough to thank him.

After the ride, dinner and a movie. And then thoughts of the next day's "Running of the Goats" ride as I drifted to sleep.

Bau and his new bike:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2608/3965710461_af83f3d861_b.jpg

Harrisburg at night:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3475/3966490762_f958d2d9df_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2469/3966478870_91deafeaf3_b.jpg

Day One -
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2670/3965590179_83905e1d3d_b.jpg

If you don't have any major objections I'm going to go ahead and set this picture as my desktop background.

Very nice pictures Neil! Have you considered making post cards out of some of your shots? I would definatly buy some.

Beautiful!! One day I'll take a trip such as yours. I'm envious of the history and scenery of your area. Congrats on getting out and enjoying it.

Day two: Getting Neil's Goat

I left Bau's house at 8:45 AM on Saturday, expecting weather like the lovely 70 some degree day Harrisburg had experienced Friday. Instead it was cold, overcast, and windy. I wore shorts and a short-sleeve jersey, and hoped to warm up later. My only sign of good sense was wearing wool socks.

The first leg of the ride was two miles of rollers, including one steep climb, to get to Karn's Market, where we waited for the leader of the "Running of the Goats." She was to be there at 9:30. By 9:45 we and another cyclist went on to the next stopping point, City Island, and waited there for the leader, wondering if the ride had been scrubbed because of the weather.

Bau and Jeff at Karn's.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2457/3965877013_5f231a4a15_b.jpg

The group on City Island.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2527/3966657510_9bc7aa7f56_b.jpg

The ride leader was running late, but she arrived, and soon enough we were under way. I borrowed a jacket from another rider; it was too small, and I couldn't close it, but it did provide some added warmth.

Our course led us on Harrisburg's Greenbelt, past the PENDOT building, through a couple of small river towns, and onto Rt. 441. My usual problems with club rides came up - I needed to stop more often than the group. And when I did stop, I was rushed and couldn't take photographs. Bau, even though I repeatedly told him he could ride ahead, stuck with me much of the ride.

I missed taking photos. Sunday morning I went back to shoot some objects along the route I didn't have time for on Saturday. That included Three Mile Island...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2628/3966723892_edbff3048e_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2555/3966725450_783bd5ab9c_b.jpg

The cooling towers were more impressive-looking on Saturday, when there was no rain.

Here's proof the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission doesn't sleep.... they'll put up a marker about anything.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3523/3966728364_b5a57da9f1_b.jpg

Past Middletown and the cooling towers the climbs became tougher. I managed them all except the last one, where I cramped halfway up. Fortunately I was almost there at the goat races.

I have almost no experience with goats, so I'll probably miss many fine points of goat-racing lore as I describe the event. Forgive me, goat-fans.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2458/3965938787_96aee7858c_b.jpg

There were three goats in each heat. The goats and their owners run from one end of the track to the other. Presumably losing goats get made into stew or something.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3470/3966666500_e0d5bf5ddd_b.jpg

In addition to the goat races, there was a dog ball-chasing competition, a kiddie tractor pull, and a midway with live country music, ice cream, hot foods, t-shirts and other goat-themed merchandise. I downed two burgers to stay warm, and had some ice cream because it was ice cream and made fresh. Bau got a gnat in his bowl, but he considered it a protein bonus and ate it.

I was already feeling ill, and watching Bau eat a bug didn't help. The temperature was dropping, and the guy I borrowed the jacket from wanted it back. Since there was a bike club member there with a van, I asked for a ride.

As I settled into the front seat, the temperature gauge on the dashboard showed 64 degrees. As it started to rain ten minutes later, just as we passed Bau on the road, the gauge read 59. The rain picked up into a steady drizzle by the time I reached my car and Bau's house. I called him, offering to pick him up, but he said he was only 20 minutes behind me. His average riding speed must have been near 20 MPH on the way back.

Once I was inside, I changed and dried off. It took about an hour or so to warm up. I said goodbye to Bau and Mrs. Bau and headed to my campground. I stopped off at a Target to buy some warmer clothes, getting a track jacket and pants. (Note to self - on car camping/riding trips ALWAYS bring cold weather gear.)

Harrisburg East Campground and Storage was nice for what it was, a speck of pine trees five miles outside the capital. However, it was very damp. Once I had the tent set up under a nice pine, I drove out to find warm food and drink. They made me a little less cold. I went to sleep in my damp tent, listening to the rain on the fly and feeling the occasional drop of water inside.

Beautiful!! One day I'll take a trip such as yours. I'm envious of the history and scenery of your area. Congrats on getting out and enjoying it.

Let me know when you want to come up. I'll save a couch for you. :)

If you don't have any major objections I'm going to go ahead and set this picture as my desktop background.

Very nice pictures Neil! Have you considered making post cards out of some of your shots? I would definatly buy some.

Thank you. Please do so.

Awesome Neil!

Obvioulsy I'm not going to make it up this fall to ride. I have had to move that to next year's "to do list". Maybe we can make it a N.Texas Clyde invasion.

Indeed the weather on Saturday was miserable, what was supposed to a sunny morning/afternoon with a chance of scattered evening showers turned into a cold overcast day with rain that would start at 1:15 and run well into Sunday afternoon. This further reinforces my suspicion that meteorologist is derived from the Latin word for liar.

The first two miles were short and steep rollers, a condition which is hard to avoid in this particular part of Pennsyltucky. We arrived at Karns with plenty of time to spare figuring that the bicycle club would roll through well ahead of schedule because you darn well know if you showed up on time they would have been by fifteen minutes before and already left. Regardless, it was nine am and cold. Neil wandered into Karns (grocery store) to purchase a poweraide and a tasty cake brownie. I stood watch over the bicycles in the corner of the parking lot and took a few moments to admire his new Brooks B-17. Not too closly mind you, I know where it's been :lol:. Anyways, Neil returned from the store and made the comment that people in the greater Harrisburg area must be very tolerant as he didn't turn a single head in the store, lycra, blaze orange jersey, helmet with head lamp and all. I told him that it was still early and the rabble rousers are likely still asleep.

It was about this time that the self proclaimed "Captain Slow" (Jeff) arrived on his new Salsa Fargo. He made conversation with us for awhile about his nifty bicycle (really cool) and his adventures riding BRAG and a similar ride through Virginia with his grandchildren for the 6th year in a row. I really do hope that by time I retire I am still able bodied enough to take on the bicycling adventures that I dream about. I want to ride from Alaska to the northern tier then across the country as well as a rout from Main to the Florida Keys. I figure this whole "job" thing won't permit me to do this for now.

Anyways, we waited around until 9:45 at which point we opted to ride to the next meeting point. We met with a group of cyclists and waited for the ride leader. They eventually showed up stating that there had been a mechanical failure hence the delay. We took a quick head count, signed in, then set off for Bainbridge PA and the 30th annual "Running of the Goats"!! We were assured in the parking lot that this would be a no drop ride. This would not be the case for the most part which ended up annoying me. We weren't racing, we didn't have a strict arrival and departure time so what the fudge is the problem with stopping a bit or slowing the heck down? I was greatly disappointed in the group which more than once made casual remarks to Neil and I asking if we had ever rode a distance this far before, do you think you can make it, did you train at all for this ride? etc etc, so on and so forth. Neil didn’t make any remarks about this so maybe I was the only one who got asked. You know, I'd be willing to bet both Neil and I had in more miles this year than they did. Still, Neil made the trip from Philadelphia to ride with me and I refused to motor on ahead without him. Much to his protest as he outlined above. I’d be mighty sore with whomever I was riding with if they dropped me in a place where I had no idea where I was or where I was going. The ride leader eventually dropped back with us around Middletown where I asked her for the directions to the festival and stated that we would meet them there, go on without us. She refused but eventually let it slip that we were heading down 441 and a sign would indicate where we had to turn. She eventually rode with the pack leaving the two of us for the majority of the trip. Neil and I enjoyed conversation, the scenery, and the olfactory qualities of marijuana as we rode by a section of train tracks. We climbed some pretty good hills along the way and Neil did excellent. Don't let him fool you, I'm pretty certain he has been practicing for the "Assault on Mt. Penn" in Reading Pa. The last hill was long and very steep. Cresting the hill we could hear the music of the festivities! We rolled in and scoped out the tiny fair for awhile before a trip to the midway would have us satisfying our hunger with hamburgers and ice cream that was being made on the spot. My raspberry icecream was amazing! Then a little fly landed in it, not a gnat, and wanted a little bite of my ice cream too. I know he only wanted a small bite but I wasn't in the mood to share. I tried to flick him out with my grubby cycling gloved hands which only pushed him into the ice cream, then Neil jokingly made the comment "I can't believe you're going to pass up a chance for a free protein snack". "Oh yeah, good thinking" I said as I scooped him up with a dab of ice cream. I ate the bite of ice cream but realized the bug was still in my mouth. So I chewed the fellow up and down the hatch he went. To my surprise it was completely tasteless. The look on Neil's face was priceless. "That is defiantly going into the ride report". I would expect no less Neil.

Neil has outlined what happened next. I found myself rolling with the club on our way back to Harrisburg in a vain attempt to beat the rain. Still POed by the conduct I decided I had enough and would try and race the SAG wagon back to my house. As the roadie forum would say, I dropped the hammer in all my clydesdale glory (32's, rack, fenders, fully loaded trunk bag and all) and cranked it well over 20 mph through the wind, pelting ice cold rain, traffic, and oily streets all 22 miles back to my house. Total time was 1 hr and 13 minutes to cover 22 miles including time spent at red lights, stop signs, traffic patterns, some big hills and a good 5 minutes waiting for a train to cross. So yeah, I was hauling butt if I do say so myself. I did this for a couple reasons: first to stay warm, second to jokingly try and beat a car covering the same distance, and third because I was POed. Yes I understand that the club has to take into consideration that there are other riders, but really I was more upset that I had indirectly made an ass of myself by telling Neil how great the club was with it's conduct. Thus I was forced to serve up a whole damn humble pie with extra cool whip. I didn't beat the SAG wagon home but it was pretty close, I missed it by 20 minutes.

Sunday - Driving all over

Sunday morning it was still raining. I had planned on meeting NUTNDUN at the Harrisburg Greenbelt for a ride but we decided to scrub it because of the rain. After breakfast I headed out for photographs, driving down to Middletown for Three Mile Island, back up to Harrisburg and across the river, and on to Carlisle. I rode the Tour de Cure through Carlisle in May, and was impressed with how nice the town was. If it were in Europe, tourists would visit it for a few hours and be glad they came. But since it's in the US, no one comes.

One highlight I missed last time was the gravesite of Molly Pitcher, located in the old cemetery. I found it, and paid my respects to probably the first American woman to serve in combat. The legend is that at the Battle of Monmouth her husband was wounded when manning the canon, and she stepped in for him so the canon could continue to fire.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2446/3967475625_5a26310698_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2621/3967479115_cd0b386ba2_b.jpg

Another call to NUTNDUN as the rain ended brought about a meeting. He and Mrs. NUTNDUN joined me for a nine mile ride through Boiling Springs.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2541/3968268510_b8cb0a6968_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2431/3967499749_ff787e2fec_b.jpg

NUTNDUN was proud of his new roadie, and his enthusiasm for cycling seemed to brighten the overcast day. The guy was always smiling. I had a great time riding with him and the Mrs., and I hope he comes out here for a cheesesteak ride in a few weeks.

After the ride, I headed out for .... hmm, where did I want to go? Straight to Gettysburg? To Pine Grove Furnace State Park? I had no destination in mind, nor did I have a place to stay. After a long drive through the rolling countryside of Central PA, I took the long way over Piney Mountain to Pine Grove. The park is the site of a former iron furnace, and the stack is the focal point of the park.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2585/3968329172_8d1d186997_b.jpg

My plans for the night were to stay at the Ironmaster's Mansion, run by American Youth Hostels, and located only a hundred yards from the furnace stack.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2546/3968331108_7bcc16aa86_b.jpg

However, the hostel doesn't open until 5, so I had a couple of hours to kill. I didn't want to ride again, since that meant changing back into dirty clothing, and I didn't have a map of the hiking trails. So I drove off to find nearby King's Gap State Park, which I recalled as having a scenic view. I was right. The park's highlights are a restored mansion and dramatic overlooks of Cumberland County.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3423/3967579917_f7fbb7c7f7_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2431/3967586579_1a005577ee_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3511/3968360950_20891213f5_b.jpg

I headed back to the hostel at Pine Grove, picking up dinner on the way, and settled in. I was joined by "MetaComet", a through-hiker on the AT, and we discussed the merits of bike touring versus hiking. I kept my questions brief to avoid tiring the fellow, as he'd been on the road for three weeks. After a Clint Eastwood western we retired. Since Metacomet had been warned about my snoring and we were the only guests at the hostel, he went into another room. :-)

Indeed the weather on Saturday was miserable, what was supposed to a sunny morning/afternoon with a chance of scattered evening showers turned into a cold overcast day with rain that would start at 1:15 and run well into Sunday afternoon. This further reinforces my suspicion that meteorologist is derived from the Latin word for liar.

The first two miles were short and steep rollers, a condition which is hard to avoid in this particular part of Pennsyltucky. We arrived at Karns with plenty of time to spare figuring that the bicycle club would roll through well ahead of schedule because you darn well know if you showed up on time they would have been by fifteen minutes before and already left. Regardless, it was nine am and cold. Neil wandered into Karns (grocery store) to purchase a poweraide and a tasty cake brownie. I stood watch over the bicycles in the corner of the parking lot and took a few moments to admire his new Brooks B-17. Not too closly mind you, I know where it's been :lol:. Anyways, Neil returned from the store and made the comment that people in the greater Harrisburg area must be very tolerant as he didn't turn a single head in the store, lycra, blaze orange jersey, helmet with head lamp and all. I told him that it was still early and the rabble rousers are likely still asleep.

It was about this time that the self proclaimed "Captain Slow" (Jeff) arrived on his new Salsa Fargo. He made conversation with us for awhile about his nifty bicycle (really cool) and his adventures riding BRAG and a similar ride through Virginia with his grandchildren for the 6th year in a row. I really do hope that by time I retire I am still able bodied enough to take on the bicycling adventures that I dream about. I want to ride from Alaska to the northern tier then across the country as well as a rout from Main to the Florida Keys. I figure this whole "job" thing won't permit me to do this for now.

Anyways, we waited around until 9:45 at which point we opted to ride to the next meeting point. We met with a group of cyclists and waited for the ride leader. They eventually showed up stating that there had been a mechanical failure hence the delay. We took a quick head count, signed in, then set off for Bainbridge PA and the 30th annual "Running of the Goats"!! We were assured in the parking lot that this would be a no drop ride. This would not be the case for the most part which ended up annoying me. We weren't racing, we didn't have a strict arrival and departure time so what the fudge is the problem with stopping a bit or slowing the heck down? I was greatly disappointed in the group which more than once made casual remarks to Neil and I asking if we had ever rode a distance this far before, do you think you can make it, did you train at all for this ride? etc etc, so on and so forth. Neil didn’t make any remarks about this so maybe I was the only one who got asked. You know, I'd be willing to bet both Neil and I had in more miles this year than they did. Still, Neil made the trip from Philadelphia to ride with me and I refused to motor on ahead without him. Much to his protest as he outlined above. I’d be mighty sore with whomever I was riding with if they dropped me in a place where I had no idea where I was or where I was going. The ride leader eventually dropped back with us around Middletown where I asked her for the directions to the festival and stated that we would meet them there, go on without us. She refused but eventually let it slip that we were heading down 441 and a sign would indicate where we had to turn. She eventually rode with the pack leaving the two of us for the majority of the trip. Neil and I enjoyed conversation, the scenery, and the olfactory qualities of marijuana as we rode by a section of train tracks. We climbed some pretty good hills along the way and Neil did excellent. Don't let him fool you, I'm pretty certain he has been practicing for the "Assault on Mt. Penn" in Reading Pa. The last hill was long and very steep. Cresting the hill we could hear the music of the festivities! We rolled in and scoped out the tiny fair for awhile before a trip to the midway would have us satisfying our hunger with hamburgers and ice cream that was being made on the spot. My raspberry icecream was amazing! Then a little fly landed in it, not a gnat, and wanted a little bite of my ice cream too. I know he only wanted a small bite but I wasn't in the mood to share. I tried to flick him out with my grubby cycling gloved hands which only pushed him into the ice cream, then Neil jokingly made the comment "I can't believe you're going to pass up a chance for a free protein snack". "Oh yeah, good thinking" I said as I scooped him up with a dab of ice cream. I ate the bite of ice cream but realized the bug was still in my mouth. So I chewed the fellow up and down the hatch he went. To my surprise it was completely tasteless. The look on Neil's face was priceless. "That is defiantly going into the ride report". I would expect no less Neil.

Neil has outlined what happened next. I found myself rolling with the club on our way back to Harrisburg in a vain attempt to beat the rain. Still POed by the conduct I decided I had enough and would try and race the SAG wagon back to my house. As the roadie forum would say, I dropped the hammer in all my clydesdale glory (32's, rack, fenders, fully loaded trunk bag and all) and cranked it well over 20 mph through the wind, pelting ice cold rain, traffic, and oily streets all 22 miles back to my house. Total time was 1 hr and 13 minutes to cover 22 miles including time spent at red lights, stop signs, traffic patterns, some big hills and a good 5 minutes waiting for a train to cross. So yeah, I was hauling butt if I do say so myself. I did this for a couple reasons: first to stay warm, second to jokingly try and beat a car covering the same distance, and third because I was POed. Yes I understand that the club has to take into consideration that there are other riders, but really I was more upset that I had indirectly made an ass of myself by telling Neil how great the club was with it's conduct. Thus I was forced to serve up a whole damn humble pie with extra cool whip. I didn't beat the SAG wagon home but it was pretty close, I missed it by 20 minutes.

Ben, I don't hold anything against you or the club. I knew precisely what was going to happen as soon as I agreed to the ride. I've always enjoyed riding with you, except when you eat bugs, crow, or humble pie.

No one in the club said anything to me about training, my experience, etc. Either they could tell there was a cyclist somewhere in me and chose not to patronize me, or they were being polite and not saying anything that might offend the 'crip.' I'll choose to believe the former, since taking the latter to heart will only make me bitter.

You are like the Rick Steves of Pennsylvania. Your ride reports and pix are always a must read and very entertaining for thiks forum. Thanks.

Day four - Pine Grove

After packing up, seeing Metacomet off, and vacating the hostel, I decided to explore the bike path at Pine Grove. The trail is two miles of gravel, but connects to a three mile flat service road. Add in Pine Grove Road and you have a nine mile loop with only one big roller and two smaller ones. Add in other, hillier roads in the park and surrounding state forest and you have a nice day of riding. Opposite the park is a mountain bike trail maintained by Cumberland County.

There are also some hiking trails. The smallest and easiest is the Swamp Trail, flat and about a third of a mile. The longest in the park is the Pole Steeple, which climbs 600 feet in about a mile and a half to a scenic overlook on Piney Mountain. Both of these are accessible from the bike trail, but I chose to walk the short Swamp Trail instead of the steep Pole. There's also the AT, which passes through the park, and some hiking trails in the surrounding state forest.

Flicker is acting up, so no photos for now.

After riding, I drove south to Gettysburg to see the battlefield. I spent hours driving the Auto Tour and seeing the markers, climbing observation towers, seeing the Cyclorama, etc. I could write acres of words on Gettysburg, but I'll restrict myself to comments about riding through the park. It's bikable, but the Auto Tour route is very hilly in spots - Little Round Top, anyone? - and bike racks are few and far between. Traffic is slow but I saw a number of distracted drivers, including someone behind the wheel of a large truck driving while yaking on his cell-phone.

Goat races? No kidding.

Goat races? No kidding.

No kidding :D : http://www.falmouthgoatrace.org/

Day four - Pine Grove

After packing up, seeing Metacomet off, and vacating the hostel, I decided to explore the bike path at Pine Grove. The trail is two miles of gravel, but connects to a three mile flat service road. Add in Pine Grove Road and you have a nine mile loop with only one big roller and two smaller ones. Add in other, hillier roads in the park and surrounding state forest and you have a nice day of riding. Opposite the park is a mountain bike trail maintained by Cumberland County.

There are also some hiking trails. The smallest and easiest is the Swamp Trail, flat and about a third of a mile. The longest in the park is the Pole Steeple, which climbs 600 feet in about a mile and a half to a scenic overlook on Piney Mountain. Both of these are accessible from the bike trail, but I chose to walk the short Swamp Trail instead of the steep Pole. There's also the AT, which passes through the park, and some hiking trails in the surrounding state forest.

Flicker is acting up, so no photos for now.

After riding, I drove south to Gettysburg to see the battlefield. I spent hours driving the Auto Tour and seeing the markers, climbing observation towers, seeing the Cyclorama, etc. I could write acres of words on Gettysburg, but I'll restrict myself to comments about riding through the park. It's bikable, but the Auto Tour route is very hilly in spots - Little Round Top, anyone? - and bike racks are few and far between. Traffic is slow but I saw a number of distracted drivers, including someone behind the wheel of a large truck driving while yaking on his cell-phone.

Photos.

The bike path, taken from the Swamp Trail.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2642/3967711419_078532c103_b.jpg

At Fuller Lake.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2503/3967713635_430307105d_b.jpg

Entrance to the Pine Steeple Trail.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2649/3968453446_55952db6e5_b.jpg

Along Marsh Creek.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2452/3967651735_4ec1d4009a_b.jpg

Comment left by a hiker - possibly MetaComet? - in the AT register book at the Pine Grove General Store, located next to the hostel. I agree with the writer.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2480/3967647817_5c77a7e6a6_b.jpg

Goat races? No kidding.

BTW, folks, I blame this woman for making me an outdoorsman. She's the reason I camped out in the rain. :)

I miss Pine Grove Furnace. I miss it so much I'm already planning on going back out and riding in the area. Here's a near-50 mile route I came up with.

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Again-Around-the-Mountain355032

Day two: Getting Neil's Goat

I was already feeling ill, and watching Bau eat a bug didn't help.

I very much enjoyed reading your account of the trip. The comment above caused me to laugh out loud for a good 15 seconds. Thank you.

That is a great trip report. You definitely have a gift for ride reports and pics. You are quick with the camera and I don't even think you look through it or at the screen because I wasn't even sure you took pics LOL.

It was wonderful meeting you and I am sorry the weather didn't cooperate. If I would have been home on saturday earlier in the day and gotten things ready I would have had you stay at our place. Let us know when you are going to do the pine grove furnace ride next year. I have found in the last week that I am definitely a warmer weather rider because the commutes this week have been chilly in the morning. Maybe we can do the cheese steak ride in the spring? I am definitely up for it and it would be nice to see the scenery over that way from a different perspective instead of driving by.

Again great trip report and great pics, other then the ones of me LOL. That first one is a little bazaar LOL.

That is a great trip report. You definitely have a gift for ride reports and pics. You are quick with the camera and I don't even think you look through it or at the screen because I wasn't even sure you took pics LOL.

It was wonderful meeting you and I am sorry the weather didn't cooperate. If I would have been home on saturday earlier in the day and gotten things ready I would have had you stay at our place. Let us know when you are going to do the pine grove furnace ride next year. I have found in the last week that I am definitely a warmer weather rider because the commutes this week have been chilly in the morning. Maybe we can do the cheese steak ride in the spring? I am definitely up for it and it would be nice to see the scenery over that way from a different perspective instead of driving by.

Again great trip report and great pics, other then the ones of me LOL. That first one is a little bazaar LOL.

BTW, George, could you post the photo you took of me? The forum hasn't seen the blaze-orange jersey yet. :-)

That is a great trip report. You definitely have a gift for ride reports and pics. You are quick with the camera and I don't even think you look through it or at the screen because I wasn't even sure you took pics LOL.

It was wonderful meeting you and I am sorry the weather didn't cooperate. If I would have been home on saturday earlier in the day and gotten things ready I would have had you stay at our place. Let us know when you are going to do the pine grove furnace ride next year. I have found in the last week that I am definitely a warmer weather rider because the commutes this week have been chilly in the morning. Maybe we can do the cheese steak ride in the spring? I am definitely up for it and it would be nice to see the scenery over that way from a different perspective instead of driving by.

Again great trip report and great pics, other then the ones of me LOL. That first one is a little bazaar LOL.

I'll probably do the "Pine Grove Furnace 50' in early November. Any takers? 3100 feet of climbing in 49 miles.

BTW, George, could you post the photo you took of me? The forum hasn't seen the blaze-orange jersey yet. :-)

I will post it tonight when I get home. I just came across your trip report thread and was waiting to post it.

Day two: Getting Neil's Goat

(Note to self - on car camping/riding trips ALWAYS bring cold weather gear.)
...
(Note to self - on car camping/riding trips ALWAYS bring cold weather gear.)
...



Two small points if I may??? I LOVE your writing style Sir, and feel compelled once again to point it out! Even though I need to get going to work, and writing this will most likely make me late, the 7 minutes you made me wate put a smile on my face, and helped my day start off nicely! Thank you!

When car camping:

take everything that fits inside the car
that doesn't impair your driving
that wqon't rot while on your trip
that won't get you arrested
that you might possibly in your wildest dreams need
that you have every wanted or needed once in your life
duct tape OF COURSE!
Spares of EVERYTHING of course!

In my mind, this is the whole point of taking the car - so you can take anything with you that you just *might* possibly need?! And let me tell you! I do it! I like to start with a freshly washed and filled Ice chest loaded up with your favorite snacks and sodas...just in case you get hungry or thirsty on that long trip! Plus, think of all the savings! I have the perfect sized cooler, it takes up exactly half the rear seat-space of my Tucson, and is perfectly flat on top for easy stacking on top :D

Anyhow - when car-camping, the gear you bring, even if not used at all, increases the degree in which you enjoy the trip, and the level of sucess you have over-all on the trip. Just my $0.02

FYI - Am planning to SPEC out the bike Saturday morning at 11AM, please pray for me (I need wisdom) - Peter

BTW, George, could you post the photo you took of me? The forum hasn't seen the blaze-orange jersey yet. :-)

At your request here is a very brightly colored "The Historian".

Neil,

Thanks so much for the ride reports and the pics. You're writing is great and the pictures are always fantastic. For all of us that don't have the time to tour as much as we like, your reports are very welcome. Makes me feel like I'm right there with you.

Thanks again,

Mike

Photos.

The bike path, taken from the Swamp Trail.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2642/3967711419_078532c103_b.jpg

At Fuller Lake.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2503/3967713635_430307105d_b.jpg

Entrance to the Pine Steeple Trail.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2649/3968453446_55952db6e5_b.jpg

Along Marsh Creek.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2452/3967651735_4ec1d4009a_b.jpg

Comment left by a hiker - possibly MetaComet? - in the AT register book at the Pine Grove General Store, located next to the hostel. I agree with the writer.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2480/3967647817_5c77a7e6a6_b.jpg

One last note on Pine Grove Furnace State Park.....

Bill Bryson's 1999 book A Walk In The Woods, recounting his misadventures along the AT, includes a few pages on Pine Grove Furnace. In 1996 he hiked part of the trail through the park and up Piney Mountain. Bryson turned around, however, having been spooked by a deer and by having recently read an account of a murder that took place nearby in 1988. Two young women were shot in their hiking campsite by a self-described "mountain man" (allegedly the fellow lived in a cave in the surrounding state forest); one woman managed to hike four miles with a bullet in her neck until she reached the road and could flag down someone. The murder took place on Rocky Knob Trail, just off the AT and south of the park. The crime is described in the books The Whole Truth: Murder on the Appalachian Trail, and Eight Bullets.

Great stuff!

Thanks for the wonderful report, Neil! This brings back lots of memories- my wife and I used to camp at PGF back in the late 70s, but stopped when they started letting RVs in. I really miss the lake- I remember the water being very, very cold and gorgeously green. And the hiking is of course phenomenal. I recall the "mountain man" story very well, thinking that oh well- this is what happens when you bring in RVs to a formerly tents-only campground! (Just joking... it was actually a horrible crime.)

Thanks for the wonderful report, Neil! This brings back lots of memories- my wife and I used to camp at PGF back in the late 70s, but stopped when they started letting RVs in. I really miss the lake- I remember the water being very, very cold and gorgeously green. And the hiking is of course phenomenal. I recall the "mountain man" story very well, thinking that oh well- this is what happens when you bring in RVs to a formerly tents-only campground! (Just joking... it was actually a horrible crime.)

Agreed.

It's amazing how forested, and at times remote, "Penn's Woodlands" remains to this day. This spring there was a story about a college student missing for a week. He'd been camping illegally in French Creek State Park. And he was only discovered because he wasn't attempting to hide - a ranger saw him near one of the lakes in the morning. So one just had to go 40 miles outside of Philadelphia to go "off grid" for a while.

I wonder how many other "mountain men"/survivalists/off-grid types there are roaming in PA's state forests and parks? Bautieri, any comment? :)

I wonder how many other "mountain men"/survivalists/off-grid types there are roaming in PA's state forests and parks? Bautieri, any comment? :)

My guess is many. As you found out when you went to ride the Pine Creek rail trail you can literally drive for over an hour at 55mph and not see so much as another house. It gets worse the further you head in the North Western direction. North Eastern PA get's quite remote too. If I had to pick a place to go off the grid in PA it would probably be in Cameron County, it is surrounded by a huge state park and besides the rinky dink town of Emporium there is nothing. Very pretty, abundant flora and wild life, lots of streams. Everything the budding survivalist would need.

Well worth the trip out but I don't think the cycling is worth it. The roads are narrow and very hilly.

My guess is many. As you found out when you went to ride the Pine Creek rail trail you can literally drive for over an hour at 55mph and not see so much as another house. It gets worse the further you head in the North Western direction. North Eastern PA get's quite remote too. If I had to pick a place to go off the grid in PA it would probably be in Cameron County, it is surrounded by a huge state park and besides the rinky dink town of Emporium there is nothing. Very pretty, abundant flora and wild life, lots of streams. Everything the budding survivalist would need.

Well worth the trip out but I don't think the cycling is worth it. The roads are narrow and very hilly.

I found this in a Google search for the terms "mountain men Pennsylvania". I won't reproduce the whole item or link to it since it contains a racial slur:

***********
White men from the North Central Mountains of Pennsylvania. Typically have no job, car, money or other worldly possessions. Can be picked out of a crowd by their dirty camouflage coats and the cheap beer strapped to their pedal bikes (consisting of two or three wheels). These men are also likely to target large women and/or women of questionable background for extreme drunken intercourse.
A sub group of these men have recently been spotted in the flat lands of Ohio

...it was actually a horrible crime.)

Link to a string of news stories about the murder. Please note it was a hate crime; Stephen Carr admitted he shot the hikers because they were lesbian. He's spending the rest of his life as a neighbor of mine - in Graterford prison.

http://www.performative.com/hosts/hateCrimes/brennerWight/articles.html

Just remember, PA's wilds are generally safe. Don't be afraid to visit! :)

This hallowed ground..... Gettysburg:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_l92fsIHYK-s/SuPtAcMNSQI/AAAAAAAABCo/cMsgSyrsCH0/s800/100_6063.jpg

This is the scene of what is often referred to as "Pickett's Charge."

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_l92fsIHYK-s/SuPsG8xK6fI/AAAAAAAABBA/o-lHLtjKzDc/s800/100_6038.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_l92fsIHYK-s/SuPr6k7TrAI/AAAAAAAABA0/dfxtC6Y7ec0/s800/100_6035.jpg

Looking down on Devil's Den from Little Round Top.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_l92fsIHYK-s/SuPtmeUbFuI/AAAAAAAABDw/azpDjsFo6Js/s800/100_6080.jpg

At your request here is a very brightly colored "The Historian".

Folks, I'm trying to get a copy of this photo downloaded to my harddrive. Help! It's in post 33 of this thread.

Folks, I'm trying to get a copy of this photo downloaded to my harddrive. Help! It's in post 33 of this thread.

Click on the thumbnail in the post, right click on the picture once it pops up and select "Save picture as" from the menu that appears. If you have problems, you can PM me your email and I'll email the picture to you.

Click on the thumbnail in the post, right click on the picture once it pops up and select "Save picture as" from the menu that appears. If you have problems, you can PM me your email and I'll email the picture to you.

I tried, and it wasn't working. I found another way to get the photo, however. Thanks.