stevel610 

I wanted to give myself something to train for. Begins at the Schuykill River trail Near Trophy Bikes on Walnut Street. Head north for 31.5 miles to above Scwenksville, turn around and come back. Easy pace, 12.5 mph average. About 10 miles each way is on crushed gravel. 1 water re-fill and 1 WAWA each way on the route. Anyone's welcome. Meet 0730 leave at 0800. Let me know if you're interested.

Steve

Neil_B

I'll meet you along the way if you like. Unfortunately, I don't have enough spit to visit Trophy Bikes. :-(

stevel610 

I was hoping you'd sign on!

For others, we start at the river, ride slightly up hill on the way out, and slightly down hill all the way back.

Neil_B

Some details of the route:

The Schuylkill River Trail has a 2 per cent grade or less. Steve610's route starts in Philadelphia, heads north to Oaks, PA, and then switches to the gravel Perkiomen River Trail to Schwenksville. The Perkiomen Trail also has a grade of 2 per cent or less. Water is available in Philly, Betzwood, and Oaks. Food is available at Wawa in Collegeville and a small diner in Schwenksville, both on the Perkiomen Trail.

I'll be meeting Steve 610 at Oaks around 9:30 or when he arrives. I'll join him for the trip up the Perkiomen Trail, follow him back down to Philly, and then ride back to Oaks.

stevel610 

Reason # 8 to do the PPBM:

It will give you something to train towards early in the season.

Neil_B

It's two months away and there's snow on the ground. :-(

LongT

I may be able to go to Oaks and ride up and back. If I can where might we meet? Coming from Allentown.

Bill

Neil_B

Either the parking lot on Egypt Road for Lower Providence County Park, or the Schuylkill River Trail parking lot on Pawlings Road in Audubon.

stevel610 

Either of those are good or at the Betzwood Picnic Area in Valley Forge Park where Rt 422 crosses over the river. Access it from Rt 363. We ride right past the lot.

stevel610 

Take a tour of old mills and scenic countryside of beautiful Montgomery County!

rthomse

Let me check my schedule.I'd be meeting you at the Audubon or Betzwood entrance.

bautieri

Put me down as tentative. I don't think I have anything going on that weekend, maybe I'll make the trip out to the city of brotherly love...and cheese steaks.

stevel610 

You can brag at work!

Hope you can make it Bautiri.

rthomse it would be good to meet you.

Neil_B

Steve610, keep in mind that with all the rain and snow we've had, the trail surface on the Perkiomen Trail and Manayunk Canal Towpaths might be very soft that early in the season. You might need to be prepared to reroute onto roads or paved trails at some point.

stevel610 

Show how manly you are riding through the slopped up trails! (Yes, even the women can show how manly they are!) Actually we'll see how it is closer to the time.

November

I put in for vacation for this ride, so if I get it I'll meet you on the trail!

stevel610 

It'd be great to meet you!

stevel610 

Give yourself a reason to buy that new gear you've been wanting all winter!

Neil_B

I'll settle for my old gear and being able to ride outside. This metric is a month away and I've only ridden outside once this year. Steve, you know how to administer last rites? They may be needed here......

stevel610 

Get Out There!!!!! I'll tell you this has motivated me...which was the original purpose. It's not good to invite people on a 60 mile ride if you can't do it yourself. I'm feeling pretty good though and am looking forward to it. It's going to be a great day.

One of the guys joining us is riding the Natchez Trace Trail in early May, so this is a warm up training ride for him. He also hasn't ridden a whole lot. I think he'll be meeting at the Pawlings Road Pick-up point too.

After getting 3 flats in 4 weeks I just got a set of 26x2.25 Marathon XR's which are surprisingly good but you can really feel the weight uphills. I have a set of Big Apple Lite skins which will hopefully be my Summer tires.

November

I got the day, so I'm in. I'll meet you guys at the Pawlings Rd lot. 9:30-ish?

rthomse

Was on the trail today.Alot of branches and standing water.Some snow covered spots but passable. If we don't have any more snow it should be good by ride time..

November

I've got fenders. I'm aiming for the puddles.

rthomse

Bring it on!

Neil_B

OK, Steve610, how is this working? You are starting in Philadelphia heading up the trail at 8:00 AM, correct? A bunch of guys are meeting you at Pawlings Road trailhead at 9:30. We are then headed up the Perkiomen Trail with you to Schwenksville, then back down the trail with you to Philadelphia. The folks who got on at Pawlings Road then ride back up the trail.