High Fist Shin

I think we're covered. See you there.

-Shin

rhm

I'm waffling on the question of what bike to ride. The Norman? Or... well, I've been burning the midnight oil, working on a recently acquired 1958 Raleigh Lenton Grand Prix. Not as pretty as the Norman, being rather trashed (especially the paint). But its deplorable condition is in some ways an advantage, since I can attach things like a water bottle cage, and a dynamo, without worrying about the paint. If I can get my new (home made) LED lights working in time, so I can ride the thing after dark, I may ride it on Saturday. That way, I can stay for the barbie!

As I mentioned before, I'm riding from Lawrenceville, which is near Trenton. If anyone else is considering riding from that direction (East), please let me know; perhaps we can meet up somewhere.

noglider 

Ride the bike you know is working well. A newly acquired bike hasn't had the kinks worked out yet.

rhm

Yes, that is (always) good advice. But if I'm going to be out after dark, I want really good lights.

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

As much as we all want to see the Norman up close and personal, Good Lighting is a safety first kind of thing and something you are right to want.

Also don't forget, there's usable light out til at least 8:30 now.

Just carry more tools than usual...

I'm in a similar boat as you, I've got about 40 miles to do after the BBBQ and I'm bringing two head lights with me if for no other reason than not having to hurry back after a long day of riding.

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

Hey guys, I'm looking at my route down to Soudertown and It looks like I'll be crossing the Delaware at Frenchtown (site of last summer's C&V Pizza Ride) and taking the tow path along the river on the PA side for a few miles.

Is that the bridge where you MUST walk your bike across lest angry Ranger Smith comes out and takes your bike?

EjustE

I am pretty sure the one you are talking about is just up river between Milford and Homestead

mudboy

I have an upper respiratory infection brought on by asthma and the crazy pollen...I'm afraid I won't be able to make it. Really bummed.

Citoyen du Monde

If you want, I can bring you back across the river into the Garden State if time is running short... I'll probably bring a few bikes with me...

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

I'll keep it in mind, thanks

rhm

There are bridges at Frenchtown, Lumberville, Lambertville, Stockton, and Washington Crossing; on all of these, you must walk your bike. I'm pretty sure you will see video cameras. Obviously they can't watch them all the time, but I assure you they are watching some of the time, and if they see someone riding a bike, they will call the guard, who will come out and lecture/threaten you. I know this from personal experience, riding across at Washington Crossing in the pouring rain, no one around... but when I got to the NJ side there was a very nice policeman standing there to tell me he had just got off the phone with the bridge authority and blah blah blah. He let me go when the rain picked up a bit; I guess he didn't want to get that wet.

There's a bridge at Trenton, Calhoun St, that you can ride over. Bit of a detour, though!

High Fist Shin

You are correct. You must walk your bike across the bridge in Frenchtown. Ranger Smith is watching.

-Shin

High Fist Shin

Update:

There are a couple of safety items to review tomorrow morning before we set out on the ride. A couple of steep decents and one of them has a metal grate bridge at the bottom to watch out for. Not a problem really.
I think you'll be pleased with a couple of the climbs. Middle road in particular is fantastic. And to give you an idea of the difficulty of the climbs, I rode them all yesterday with a 53/39 - 12/27 bike and managed it without walking. I'm not in the best shape either so I think everyone will do fine.
The ShinDig starts at 11:00am. See you all then.

-Shin

High Fist Shin

Sorry you can't make it. I'm sure there will be others. We'll keep you in mind for the next one.

Feel better.

-Shin

Andrew F

O' Great Prohet High Fist Shin, who are able to see future as present, tell me master where to find substitute worker so I may roll wit ya all?

Crap! Looks like I am mostly likely out for Saturday.....

let me know if this will happen again?

RobE30

Thanks for putting the climbs into perspective. I swapped out my rear cogs from an 11-21 to an 11-28 so I should be fine. Until tomorrow....

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

Not to be Pedantic, but are we shoving off on the ride at 11:00 or gathering at 11 before departing?

rhm

I was thinking the same thing!

But look at it this way: you're in the same boat as I: 40 miles to ride before you get there, including a brutal climb out of the Delaware Valley. Then a social ride of approximately similar length. Then a barbie, including beer. Then another 40 mile ride back to your campsite, including a brutal climb out of the Delaware Valley. Right? It's going to be a long day, so start early.

I suggest you get to Shin's by 10:00 at the latest so you can collapse on the lawn and eat everything in sight.

EjustE

I can drive one person for sure, maybe 2 (I am bringing 3 bikes and can probably accommodate 2 more - 1 for sure) back to NJ as well, if someone does not feel like riding any more after the ride

rhm

E, that is very good to know, thanks! We'll see how tough I am. I do, actually, enjoy riding... on the other hand, hanging out and drinking beer, well, that sounds pretty good too.

JunkYardBike

I'm driving as well, so that's another option for folks east of the Delaware. See everyone tomorrow!

High Fist Shin

Request granted.

-Shin

There will be others to be sure.

High Fist Shin

Ride starts at 11:00am. Getting there early is a plus to be sure.

-Shin

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

I'm another.

I bit off more than I could chew for this weekend. I started out this afternoon from home with the intention of doing 40 miles, camping, then heading to Shin's in the AM.

I got as far as Califon, NJ today and ran out of steam completely. I pulled off under an awning to wait out a nasty t-storm and 30 minutes later when I got up I was cramped up solid. Nothing I could do relieved it at all so I had to pack it in....call up the sag wagon and cart my ass home. I'm gonna play it by ear tomorrow, but honestly I feel like i'm gonna be a mess tomorrow when i get up.

I simply underestimated how much more energy it takes to do 40 miles with a full load of camping gear versus when its just me on the bike. Its my first try at an overnight so I'm not too disappointed. I knew by mile 30 that there was no way I was gonna be able to get up saturday, do 40 miles to Shin's, do a ride and then another 40 back to my campsite. Honestly I would have been surprised if I got up tomorrow am after camping and was able to make it back to my house.

SOrry to bail guys, but if i get up tomorrow and feel like a winner I'll head down but somehow I don't see that happening based on my present condition.

EjustE

Let me put it this way: If you get up before 8 tomorrow and you still want to do it (depending where you are in NJ, and I suspect you are not way south like cape may) I can come over there, pick you up and your bike and drive you over and we can still make it. And you have my mobile phone number