Jerseysbest

Well I finally got around to planning a route for myself, after going through a post by ch0mb0, who based his route off this guy.

Here's what I have going for myself, courtesy of Google Maps. If anyone has any suggestions, feel free to tell me cause I dont know philly too much, or any part of delaware.


As of now, the plan is to hit the road the 24th and the 25th, or the 25th and 26th, and take an Amtrak train back the third day ($58 + depending on the time)

As for why I'm going to Baltimore, I dunno. I wanted at least somewhat of a challenge this summer, so I plan on going hard down there and push myself to my mental and physical limits. It'll fun, hard, grueling, and judging by ch0mb0's post, I'll probably be getting pissed off at the 1/2 mile climbs.


I'll be going by myself, traveling extremely light, with only what I'll be wearing (bike shorts, jersey, socks, mtn bike shoes, and sun glasses), shorts to wear when I stop, and a t shirt and some boxer briefs to sleep in. Tools and spare tubes will be in the saddle bag. Where I'm putting the cloths and the spare tire, I haven't decided. booyah i'm psyched.

pat dasein

bring extra socks, tools, and opiates

wearyourtruth

lemme know when you get here

Blue Jays

Tools, tires, and tubes can go in the underseat bag held in place with velcro straps. If you're going to be traveling as light as you predict, you could use a CamelBak M.U.L.E. to hold some tightly-rolled garments. If staying in a hotel/motel overnight, you could wash garments in the sink and hang to dry. Good luck with the trip, should be fun.

CF4L

You live on Earl Navy Base? Either way, if you do live near there, its only a few miles from my parents house/where I lived for the first 18+ years of my life. They live right off Kings Highway in Middletown.

As far as your trip, I say youre good to go. You might hate parts and be very sore when you are done, but you won't die, so you have nothing to worry about.

Good Luck.

peabodypride

Does Amtrak allow bikes on board?

skinnyland

yes. do.

Jerseysbest

I've been eying one of those camelbaks for a while, maybe its about time I buy one, and it'll solve the problem of extra water and storage.

How comfortable are they on long trips?

Jerseysbest

haha no man, I'm from Middletown too, but live up in north Jersey now. I'll be starting from my parents house, they don't live too far from North. I figured I'd just give a rough approximation to avoid having people on the internet knowing where my family lives.

Every year I try to do something somewhat physically hard, last two years its been hiking up on the divide in the Rockies, guess this year it biking down to Baltimore. Only thing I'm worried about is getting hit by car in the backwoods of MD

Jerseysbest

Although I've taken Amtrak from balitmore a dozen or so times, I've never taken a bike or seen one, but the website says they're allowed.

1fluffhead

I have never had an issue with them when I used them MTB. Granted, MTBing is only short period of time compared to the distance you will be putting in. On the road, I have always took out the bladder and just stuck it in my mess bag and threaded the water tube over the strap. Works pretty well. I like the way a mess bag lays on my back better than a camelback when road riding because you are in a more aero position compared to when MTBing. The camelback kinda felt like a hump.

What's your plans when you are here in Bmore?

skinnyland

Yeah, what are you gonna do there? I go back to Charm City most weekends, and there are plenty of places to ride/people to ride with, if you want to come along.

bward1028

no freight service or bike racks on the eastern seaboard, as far as i know. for sure, not from baltimore to NYC, which goes thru NJ.

Jerseysbest

I was worried about that. Unfortunately, I might have to take two large light weight bags with me and stuff my bike and wheels in there. Only takes me a minute or two to have the handle bars, peddles taken apart, and I'll collect some newspapers or foam down there to help pad everything. I've traveled with huge bags aboard this train before, so I don't think it'll be a problem. Once, I even stowed away in the bathroom for 3 hours back to NJ cause I didn't have enough money (in college at the time).

And the last time I rode it, I had a whole car to myself.

ch0mb0

1. What's your gear ratio for this trip?

2. DEFINITELY get a camelbak, and at least get the lobo model. it carries more water and it also has two external pockets to jam things in. trust me, you will need this. there's some long, empty sections out there in delaware and northern maryland...

3. Cecil and Harford County. that's where the hills start. hit it as early as you can. when you hit R1, the climbing will taper off slightly, but you will still encounter rolling hills. I don't know much about 147, but you can probably guess that it will be somewhat the same deal. so save some energy for day two.

4. I marked my route with trackstar stickers as I went, so you may still see one or two along the way. check the maryland border sign as you pass.

5. good luck! I look forward to hearing how you do on this ride.



p.s. F middletown!!! monmouth county suxxxxxxxx

riderx

I recommend this pack for hydration. Just enough room to stash a small load and it has a suspension system that keeps is off of your back to keep you cool.

Make sure to stop in the downstairs bar here for some Resurrection beer, it's a few blocks from Penn Station.

Jerseysbest

I really don't know. If nothing goes wrong, I should be there by the end of the second day (i guess i plan on leaving saturday, and getting there sunday -all based on train schedule and prices), and I'm sure I'll be beat. I used to go to school in Baltimore and know some people there but I'm really in no rush to see them. this trips more about the ride than anything, although it'll be nice to stroll down gay street again, and maybe ride on the board walk on the inner harbor and get ticketed by cops on bikes, again. the train i'm lookin to take back leaves at 1:47pm on monday, so i dunno how much stuff i'll be doing.

skinnyland

You mean Baltimore Street? The block ends at Gay. Otherwise, there's nothing much on it, from Ensor down to Pratt.

Go to the Mt. Royal Tavern. Cheap, dimly lit, and smoky. My favorite bar, throughout my quarter-century in Baltimore.

CF4L

WOAHH! Whats with the m-town hate? Is it because we were ranked the 50th best town in the nation in 2006? Is it because of scenic HWY 36? Is it because of our countless strip malls and chain retail stores? Is it because Bon Jovi, Maury Povich, Connie Chung and my parents live there?

I mean its gotta be something, so what is it?

ch0mb0

ocean county / monmouth county rivalry

...been goin on since before the hatfields and mccoys, yep.

1fluffhead

Still out in full force doing that. As a matter of fact, they have increase foot patrols in the Harbor since the beginning of the summer. You will definitely notice the increase presence down there. I chatted up one of the cops one night when I was working and asked about it, they said per Mayor Dixon all sections of the city are detailing officers to patrol the Harbor to cut down on the nonsense that has been known to occur. I work part time as a bartender in the Harbor and all I do when I am bored is people watch. A lot of laughs especially on the weekends. It is a good place to go if bored with no $ for free laughs.

Jerseysbest

its kinda like the springfield / shelbyville rivalry

monmouth is the culture epicenter while ocean is the redneck epicenter

LLGlcNAc

Seconded

ch0mb0

too true

you guys are McMaynerberry to our Arlen