Neil_B

For folks with time to kill, here's a set of 1000 photos from my ride on these trails in August 2008:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/thehist...7607302637009/

twodeadpoets

I'll bring the rope to get a tow from you

Neil_B

I'm frightened. Many folks on the Touring Forum would find a different use for the rope in my case.

twodeadpoets

A self proclamation?

VT_Speed_TR

Well, I was feeling bad about not getting on the bike for the past week due to the rainy weather and family life, now I feel just awful. I don't have the miles this year that I had hoped, but can't catch up now.

I have been having some knee pain the past 2 days while riding. No sure if I'm pushing to hard uphill and not spinning enough. It has made me realize that I need to buy a knee brace to bring along just in case this gets worse. Other then that, I'm making my list of items to bring and starting to pile gear in the corner of my room.

Oh, I have also guaranteed good weather by waterproofing the seams of my tent this past weekend!

Brian

Neil_B

I did this same ride last year recovering from a fractured rib. That meant nine weeks of no to little mileage. You can spin to your heart's content on the trails. Nothing more than a two per cent grade uphill, and most of it is less than that. Bring the knee brace if you must, but be prepared to mail it back.

I field-tested my gear at French Creek State Park last weekend:

olan

i'm sorry but i did not read it maybe too long for me. haha! but i'm still writing a comment, i don't nkow why, i think it's because i always want to leave a message.

Neil_B

Waterproofing isn't a bad idea. Accuweather is predicting some rain the first few days of the tour. While long-range forecasts are often inaccurate, it's good to be prepared.

spinnaker

I'm glad you posted the bad news. Looks like lots of rain. Hopefully if we get anything, it will either be brief or overnight. I have been watching it for a few days now and it seems to change daily and you are right long term is often inaccurate. I have also found weather.com to be more accurate than accuweather even for near term forecasts.

The good news is that it does not look like it will be ghastly hot.

Frankly I don't understand it. The Pittsburgh Arts Festival is next week and everyone knows that is when it rains in June. The festival is shortened this year so maybe Mother Nature did not get the memo. When she does, I'm sure she will want to move some of that rain during our week into next week and we should have all sunny days.

Neil_B

The GAP and the Montour should drain relatively quickly. The C & O is going to be more of a problem.

Anyway, bring rain gear, folks!

adanthang

Have a great ride guys!

I've been following this thread for about the last 6 weeks or so. I am just getting interested in touring. I would have loved to have joined you, but it just isn't in the cards this year. Maybe this can become an annual event... (Hint Hint spinnaker).

spinnaker

I think we might want to consider Plan B if it keeps raining. I really don't like the idea of slogging through mud for a couple of hundred miles.

How long does it need to be dry for the C&O to be half way decent. Anyone know?

spinnaker

Both Accuweather and weather.com are predicting rain for the days before we arrive on the C&O.

This is not looking good. At this rate, it looks like it is going to rain the whole month of June. This is unbelievable.

VT_Speed_TR

I just mounted up the knobbie tires I brought for this trip, and it looks as though I'll be thankful I have them. I've taken a couple rides (40 miles) and I notice that they kick up any small sand/gravel that is on the road. So now, given that and the weather I need to mount up some kind of splashguard on the downtube to keep the mud somewhat off me.

Well, if the weather is cool, as least the beer won't get warm!

Brian

twodeadpoets

Your my kind of guy Brian, I appreciate the optimism.

Neil_B

Accuweather is predicting a mostly dry week when we are on the C & O. There are paved alternates to the C & O in many places, and parts of the C & O are drier than you think. Spin, with all due respect, go relax and ride your bike.

Neil_B

A few day riders will probably be joining us. Leaving aside names for some of them:

June 13 and 14 - I expect Spinnaker has some folks joining us on the first two days while we are close to Pittsburgh. Also, JAGraham will be around with her van to both ride with us and possibly assist with SAG.
June 15 - we have someone riding with us from Connellsville to Rockwood, or at least part way.
June 18 - Village Idiot will meet us on the trail south of Williamsport and ride with us to Shepardstown.
June 19 - Scrap Metal will meet us somewhere south of Harper's Ferry and ride with us. Also, a couple of other folks have expressed an interest.

Anyone else? Please contact me via PM.

twodeadpoets

I've got a LOT going on and am screaming crazy busy trying to get all my ducks in a row that said I'm almost ready to roll!

VT_Speed_TR

After all this talk of rain for days, I was looking over the lodging. Seems the campgrounds will be fine to camp since that most likely have some kind of shelter to gather in, but the YMCA in Cumberland ( a field) may be a little much in heavy rain. Just did some checking and there is a Red Roof & Motel 8 in La Vale, about 2 miles before Cumberland.

I don't think I'm going to make any reservation yet, but if after a couple of days in the rain, I'd be willing to pay the YMCA, but stay in a dry room. I'll have my GPS with me, so we'll have ready access to this info. I was very surprise at the lack of lodgin in Cumberland, it appeared to be a good size city, yet not much there.

Well, I'm off now on a 50 mile shake down ride,

Brian

jagraham

Will be with you guys at least to Cumberland. Can't pass up the opportunity to do the Glide. Oh, and I'll have the Escort wagon - Jeff needs the Suburban for a couple of gun shows.

Judy

dewaday

I just got off the C&O on Thursday, and thinking you guys were leaving today PM'd spinnaker my concerns about current conditions. I just now realized you're not leaving until next week, and it looks like things should clear up by the time you reach Cumberland. I'm sure I added to spinnaker's planning anxiety, so apologize for any extra stress. Go ride your bike is the best advice, especially figuring out those Montour detours. Be real glad you've got a native guide through those, I spent much time navigating (lost) through those suckers.

The best part of the ride was the people I met on the way, the smaller the city, the simpler the establishment, the better the experience. I came to dread having to deal with "organization" people when small places weren't available. It's a fabulous trip, enjoy the whole thing.

Neil_B

If you are doing the Glide, how are you getting back to the car? I guess you are doing the Climb as well? The WMSR doesn't run on Tuesdays.

The Glide and the Climb are the 2 per cent grade between Frostburg and Cumberland. From Frostburg it's 16 miles straight downhill to the outskirts of Cumberland. I maintained 18 MPH for most of it in August without needing to pedal.

Neil_B

? There's a Holiday Inn across from the trailhead. Also lots of B & Bs, some of which offer shuttle service. Spinnaker might like The Bruce House.

In August I stayed at a Great Western that shuttled me to and from town. Also, the first hiker/biker site is five miles down the towpath, and it has tree cover.

I really think all this talk about heavy rain is excessive. Shame on me for bringing it up.

Neil_B

I just got cross tires myself - 34s - and I'm testing them out tomorrow.

jagraham

Well, this is the way it's playing out for me right now...

I've got to take Libby to Racoon Creek State Park on Friday (mid-day) for a weekend gathering. I'll probably get a campsite there for the evening instead of running all the way home to Ligonier -- unless there's a wild party at Spinnaker's. (How far away are you from the park?). I'll be available if anyone needs help getting to their destination. Perhaps we should exchange cell phone numbers?

What time will you be starting Saturday? Which trailhead? Most important - what brand beer to bring?

Judy