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Hawthron Highway CA167 today
I have not been riding lately, 25 mile out and back today. Jim Merz
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...db393b8853.jpg |
I didn't ride much yesterday -- just five or six miles along National Highway, which was enough to convince me that I need more time off the bike -- but then I drove in to Canal Place in Cumberland, where the C&O Canal Towpath and the Great Allegheny Passage meet, to greet [MENTION=45088]nlerner[/MENTION] as he finished day three of his trip.
I think my hometown shows its best side here. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ad69ea87a1.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0d072a5dca.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...82b0953951.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6985125683.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d45add4a4c.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...62c257c464.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...59fd462272.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...82fc7e496b.jpg |
Got fired up this morning by the finish of today's TDF stage. Went out for a ride right after and wound up staying out for 50 miles. Even did my first climb since the surgery, about 8 miles up one of the local mountains. I'm still not ready to do any serious climbing but it was nice that the quads held up. Didn't even feel that tired at the end. Maybe because I rode so slow and stopped to take pictures.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...492d67d613.jpg This David Kirk Terraplane is one great ride! https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b2b4167a9a.jpg Corral https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...97ca386415.jpg This river borders the road for most of the route up the mountain. You have to be able to ride a no shoulder road with cars going by at 50 mph. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c717c139f5.jpg Rest break in the shade up in the mountains. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f2f8a3d764.jpg Back down in the valley https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...aa79da0447.jpg Another red barn https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...46789fd213.jpg Yep, red barn https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9e19371f3f.jpg The reservoir is so full this year. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...02cc02edd7.jpg This bridge was taken out by the spring flooding https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d38b987c1e.jpg No beach this year, the water is all the way up to the bike path. |
Originally Posted by Portlandjim
(Post 22945656)
I have not been riding lately, 25 mile out and back today. Jim Merz
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...db393b8853.jpg |
Day 4 of my trip was from mile 0 to mile 62 on the Great Allegheny Passage. As [MENTION=111144]Andy_K[/MENTION] warned me, the first 22 miles were uphill, a steady 1.5% or so grade that didn’t call for a particularly low gear, but just constant effort. A couple of noteworthy milestones mark that post-climb transition:
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6c62809d9.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8f81d1dfc.jpeg The surface for pretty much the whole day looked like what you see in the second photo: crushed gravel, fairly wide, a wonderful lack of mud. It even rained briefly in the early afternoon (during which I waited nice and dry in one of the many wooden shelters along the way), but it didn’t affect trail conditions much. Overall, I felt low energy today, likely the result of yesterday’s challenges, but I’ll muster the effort to make my way (downhill) to Pittsburgh tomorrow. |
Rode my '65 Schwinn Racer 3-speed this evening on the weekly Trample ride, which is hosted by Redemptive Cycles (a LBS here in Birmingham). Threatening storms and rain/lightning all around but the ride was dry except for a few sprinkles.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0d4fd55734.jpg Pickleball courts at City Walk Park https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e75b61068a.jpg The lights under the interstate change colors every few seconds. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8544de591c.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0ffb813c7c.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...48ba5db9f2.jpg Mural in the alleyway behind Redemptive Cycles |
I really do like the Mason-Dixon line display. That part of the GAP is much more fun in the other direction though. Did you happen to spot this on your tide? I think it's just past the continental divide. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...665944d9b4.jpg |
Originally Posted by jamesdak
(Post 22944951)
This morning was only the second time out on the Gianni Motta and I have a bit of an issue with a slipping seatpost to deal with. Otherwise it was a spectacular morning out. Did a little over 22 miles but somehow all the pics I took were of the pink beauty, not the landscape. I would have stayed out longer but I had an "appt" with a guy in town to pick up some old HED wheels for the Softride.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...47f6469afb.jpg |
Originally Posted by jamesdak
(Post 22944951)
This morning was only the second time out on the Gianni Motta and I have a bit of an issue with a slipping seatpost to deal with. Otherwise it was a spectacular morning out. Did a little over 22 miles but somehow all the pics I took were of the pink beauty, not the landscape. I would have stayed out longer but I had an "appt" with a guy in town to pick up some old HED wheels for the Softride.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...fd352e69ac.jpg |
Took a quick 12-mile spin around the greenway yesterday after work. It was about 85º and humid, but it's mostly shaded and I built up enough speed to keep cool.
The restomodded '97 Bianchi continues to be an absolute joy to ride. Looking forward to a lot more summer evenings doing the exact same thing. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...11fe035c5.jpeg Crossing the Cumberland https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...70ef702e4.jpeg Excellent views from the highest point of the ride https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9b27358b0.jpeg Hadn't ventured by bike across the river yet, so this mural was new to me. |
Drove up to the mountains today to beat the heat. Temps mostly in the 70’s up here vs 90 and humid down in the valley. Lots of folks out and about on the Parkway today. A guy about my age solo touring on his way up to Connecticut and I also passed this aero recumbent bike. I tried to chat the guy up as I rode by. He was friendly enough but didn’t appear to speak English well and also maybe struggling a bit on the climb. Not the ideal machine for those roads and I did not envy him one bit. He said he was going to Ashland. Which is over 100 very hot miles away. I hope he meant Afton which is much closer. There was a German (.de) website on the side of the machine and kicking myself for not getting a photo to look it up.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3ec75543c.jpeg Near Wintergreen. The AT emerges here and you’ll often see hikers taking a break on this rock. Looking northeast. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d4284f10b.jpeg Fork Mountain overlook on BRP. My southern most incursion on my local segment of Parkway this year. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f27d40182.jpeg Rare triple inflection point of miles, climbing and elevation https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4150c4b4b.jpeg Aero recumbent . He had the cockpit fairing up, I can only imagine how hot that thing gets. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e417c5bb1.jpeg I’m leaving him behind with a couple of miles of 5% grade ahead of him. Vaya con Dios amigo! |
Yesterday it was Scapoose to Vernonia and back on the CZ trail with [MENTION=528204]VRJAKE[/MENTION] and friend Ben.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bac885e0c.jpeg We took a wrong turn and ended up riding on the dreaded fresh, loose gravel for awhile. Uphills were hard, downhills treacherous. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9cfaffb4b.jpeg John humping the hill. He was at the front most of the day. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...78b166724.jpeg Ben carefully pedaling up an 8% gravel grade. 52 miles going up or down all day. Although it was a hot day, Oregon’s abundance of trees kept us in the shade most of the ride. |
52.76M on the Grubb today in 80F and full sun, but lots of shade because I left at 8:45. Headed out to Popham Beach and had fish and chips when I got there. Seals were playing around off the beach. A few people were in the water. I didn't ask anyone about our newly-installed shark monitor. I hope it's not picking up anything. Took the long way home through N. Bath. My (lithium) batteries were stone-cold dead when I got to the Beach, so these photos of Grubb and Popham Beach are from earlier rides. I have to find a way to prevent my camera from turning on in a small, full saddle-bag. Maybe I'll have to keep it in my jersey.
https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/vie...ite/2176975594 https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c9d162b7e2.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...63545c60fa.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a49935beab.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e12c0d2795.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8297162867.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...29de660b22.jpg |
Today was day 5, the last segment of my tour, 90 miles from Confluence, PA, to Pittsburgh. On tours, [MENTION=381793]gugie[/MENTION] often refers to the “day 3 miracle,” in which his energy suddenly kicks in and the pains of the first two days are forgotten. Well, for me, it’s often been a Day 5 Miracle: today I felt stronger and in overall less discomfort than any of the previous four days, even though the mileage was longer (I was very tired over the last 10 miles, however). Maybe my fitness improves, maybe I drop a couple of pounds, whatever the reason, I was very glad to experience it today.
My attempt at a selfie. I was trying to show the cleared area on the hillside across the river, but, oh well. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...077c9389b.jpeg The GAP has a large number of these great bridge crossings spanning rivers, railroad tracks, and highways: https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a282d8dcc.jpeg Here’s a reason to come back to Connellsville, PA, next year. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...33da8d728.jpeg These granite mile markers elicit both yay and nay reactions: Yay, I made it to mile 100! Dang, I’m only at mile 100? [MENTION=111144]Andy_K[/MENTION] claims that some of these are actually placed farther the a mile apart. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...689fa2d84.jpeg Lunch stop was in West Newton, PA, and I though this old building was cool: https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6904a130e.jpeg What?! That’s not where I started from, is it? https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...766ee6748.jpeg About 20 miles from the endpoint In Pittsburgh’s Point State Park, the trail became paved and then followed a somewhat winding path through “the steel corridor.” I figured I’d see evidence of dilapidated heavy industry, and was not disappointed. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9e5eb41bc.jpeg The endpoint (for me, at least) at the confluence of three rivers: https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...06276744f.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f5c073e4d.jpeg Overall, I’m really glad to cross this ride off the bucket list and was glad to have Andy’s company for the first two days. The GAP portion was definitely easier riding than the C&O Canal towpath, mostly a better and wider surface that’s really well maintained. The C&O part has more charm and historical info and artifacts, and the GAP part has more water sources, commerce along the way, and bike repair stations. I suppose next time I’ll have to do it in the opposite direction to compare. |
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...82fc7e496b.jpg I really wish I had been able to do this whole ride with you. I'm afraid I've just reawakened an itch that still needs scratching. Next year at Trippy Hippie Brewing! |
To the luckiest store in town (buut not the cleanest..), then the brawl field...
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c93dac46a6.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b2c8b13375.jpg |
Originally Posted by mattk42
(Post 22946526)
That is a gorgeous bike. Your bag makes me a little nervous for rubbing the paint around the seatpost binder bolt. I had a bag wear down some paint there. Or maybe it was chipped already and wore easily.
https://www.amazon.com/VViViD-Clear-.../dp/B071K6TDHN |
Always thankful to post this thread
Chilly start, warm finish.
…..just ridin local. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5b13c4d9a.jpeg I did go visit a spot where I lived for a short bit. Still idyllic little lane, but behind me what used to look like this as well, now = high density housing. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f69956996.jpeg I know high density reduces sub-urbania, but I like to be housed amongst the less dense. For now. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...eb5cebbb8.jpeg Local, not Greece. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a15f893cd.jpeg Nearly home - the road bends left, the hiking trail a right into the forest. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...86529b1fe.jpeg When I got home my son was visiting, brought me a beer, took a pic. This is my 2004 lugged Columbus steel endurance bike. Should last me until I can no longer swing a leg. Jon Tallerico, central CA. |
A twofer today. First ride was on my '87 High Sierra with Le Tour De Ham on our weekly Saturday Stroll. Fun, easy pace ride. We cut the ride short because of a looming thunderstorm, but got caught by it before we got back to the endpoint.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...72ac555270.jpg Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark site, Commissary doors. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d81fd5fe32.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...fd7e591c1b.jpg I was the only C&V rider today. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...53efc10d5a.jpg The turn-around point. The storm was looming just off camera to the right. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...85e2306ddb.jpg Yeah. Definitely a wet ending! lol |
Second ride of the day was on my '75 Continental, first ride out on it. I went to Oak Mountain State Park, since I had met some friends for lunch nearby. While at lunch the sun actually came out and it looked to be a pleasant rest of the afternoon. Well, sort of. I got rained on again at the park, just not as much as earlier. Still a fun day out on vintage steel!
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0d83e94875.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...55033c8039.jpg Almost a perfect match to the color of my Jeep! https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a1e8035a31.jpg I've ridden that road before, but not today. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...fbb4a74863.jpg Restroom mural. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2168d657f3.jpg One of the 3 lakes in the park. |
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This morning I took out the Olmo Team bike after fixing the tube that blew yesterday as I was pumping it up for a ride. First full ride on this one and it felt pretty good. First impression was a twitchier front end than the Coppi I was on yesterday but that feeling quickly went away. Bike was pretty comfortable although on a couple really rough sections it showed how stiff it was. Both yesterday and today I went out pretty slow on the first half of the ride and then put the hammer down for the return leg. The Coppi was absolutely flying yesterday and this Forma did quite well also. My avg speed was about 1 mph higher today but the faster parts were not as fast as the Coppi did yesterday. Started getting some ghost shifting late in the ride too. I need to look into that. Anyway, seems like I took more pics of the bike than the scenery today. The more I research this one the more I feel it truly may have been Oscar Freire's training bike. Spoke with some of Tony Tom's co-workers and they all said he wouldn't B.S. about something like this and had gotten his hands on quite a few provenance bikes.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...07566d78a2.jpg Added these Racing 0 wheels recently https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9fc170657d.jpg The reservoir is full! https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b31755c422.jpg Still snow waiting to come down on Snowbasin https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ebf060dda6.jpg This really is a small bike for me. My back felt it each time I got into the drops, LOL! https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f3ec2740ff.jpg Caught the flash! https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...130773f18d.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...824848db33.jpg Local art gallery https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e6ac2386f0.jpg Those mounds of dirt mean more homes and yet more of the views up here ruined by too much stinkin' growth! :-( https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e872964116.jpg Bike has a lot of paint wear and touch up but still photographs well https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ca0d9bfce1.jpg Hopefully this stays running all summer. |
And now for something entirely different. I took a nice ride on the C'dale early this morning but just "around the block" which is about 13 miles in and out of the various neighborhoods and cut-de-sacs in the area. Just good cardio. Then the rain moved in. By about 3:00p I was trapped out in my shop by torrential downpours, absolute drought busters. Maybe as much as 3" per hour. And the radar showed much orange still ahead of us.
So, being done with all the day's projects and stuck in the shop, I dug out the shallow ramp I'd built a few years ago for indoor cycling. I'd decided, back then, that there was no reason a 60 yr old man could not learn to track stand. Yup, just a parlor trick but it sure did improve my low speed balance. So I got it out, set it up next to the vice, like the good old days, and practiced. A fun way to "ride out the storm". https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...64f5e8218.jpeg I can swing out an elbow to the vice to catch me if I fall left and reach out to grab that board if I fall to the right. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1d8a2bf48.jpeg View from behind the bars. Balancing, rocking forward and backward and shifting weight right and left. No, I'm not good enough to ignore the wheel and watch ahead. Maybe someday. Ok then. Back to great scenic photos from the real cyclists..... |
Warm weather today but poor air quality and a tone of traffic. So I did some working servicing on the Specialized MTB and took it for a ride around town only 5 miles or so,
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...15fefe9ed3.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5a7016cb12.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ed086a614f.jpg Always a great view from the Fairplay cemetery. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1fd27640c5.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f3c687458e.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3df5f7b945.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0c114eedec.jpg |
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Originally Posted by curbtender
(Post 22948528)
I liked the part about the laundry service panning the wash water for gold from the miners clothes...
https://youtu.be/Wuv5qKCvzKw |
Another "first time out" ride today, this time on my recently acquired Technium Tri-Lite. New tires/tubes/rim strips, a little shifting adjustment and on the road we go. A 21 mile jaunt around Birmingham, including the weekly Sunday Lifetime Fitness ride that leaves from Avondale Park. The Technium felt rather stiff at first, but I soon got used to the feel. A nice riding bike.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9eafde2cfa.jpg Murals on the side of the Good Dog Bar and Dog Park. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e230c69a1b.jpg LBS delivery truck. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2e44ddcd3c.jpg Mural on the side of Tropicaleo restaurant (now permanently closed). https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...93e3bac481.jpg Tropicaleo mural. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0a47e5781e.jpg Tropicaleo mural. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...80cdf7c95d.jpg Storms moving back in while getting an ice cream at Jenni's. Thankfully I did not get soaked this time around. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...95cbe76afa.jpg Mural on 18th St N. |
Prowler, wouldn’t that skill be called a ‘Trek stand’ in your case?
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Originally Posted by botty kayer
(Post 22943051)
The summit, phew, that was really hard work. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...10332de348.jpg My vintage carbon lugged Look 585 I built up for the trip has not missed a beat, no mechanicals or punctures the whole holiday. That said the bike has helped haul my 90kg over some of the highest roads in Europe and has been confidence inspiring on the fast twisty descents. Most cyclists I've seen have much newer bikes than me, I've not seen a single vintage steel bike on this whole trip which is a surprise considering Italy's cycling heritage. Nearly every bike I've seen has disc brakes, but even with my rim brakes I've not been held back. I've been overtaken by plenty of lighter climber types on the ascents, but I've not been overtaken by a single cyclist on a descent for 2 weeks, and I've flown past most of the motor vehicles going down too, It's been an absolute dream holiday, everything I dreamed of and more, and if you ever get the chance to come and ride a bike here do it, its amazing.:thumb: |
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