I do take a slightly round about way. From North Lebanon I head east to Jackson, then south into the valley and eventually work my way back west and get on Rexmont which I take up to the Iron Works and from there on to Gretna. I just have to make sure I don't start out too early in the morning because one time I got up there and found out that Jiggers wouldn't be open for another hour and a half--I didn't wait.

Hey, Velo -

Not sure if I'm riding with the renegades out of Mech. Saturday or out of Hershey. If you spot a gal pulling up in a red Mom-van hauling a red/gold Cannondale out of the back, give me a shout.

Beth

USA, it's been a while - If I'm out in Mech. Saturday, I'll look for you

B

Will do, Todd - I love riding out there! You doing the State Police ride? Since the Jigger Shop isn't open yet, you can perhaps serve refreshments from your porch

Beth

I'll be looking for you and that gorgeous bike of yours - bringing the Trek, aren't you?

It's been a long winter - it'll be great to see some familiar faces out there again!

B

Sounds like a pretty nice loop

I'm tryn to ride my dh bike all weekend, cause race season is right around the corner, so I can't make it to the ride.

Get your Gretna riding in soon, because the Govenor Dick Board is tryn to make the trails foot travel only starting in May

So hit me up when you are gonna make it out there.

Todd

You mean the rail-trail??? That's ridiculous . . .

Beth

Yea - haven't seen you since the Vineyard ride. I be on the Trek. I figure if you can't go fast go slow in style.

Actually I really like the ride my Trek gives me. I'm starting as early as possible and doing the Mt Gretna loop first.

Actually I mean all the trails around the tower! They want to make them all foot travel only The one plus side is that they approved a new trail that would take you from the trail that goes past Rt 72 to the other side of the Mt. coming out at the bottom of the old DH course. Basically at the bottom of Pinch road, on the otherside of Gretna. It will be like 3.5 miles of single track through some previously never used woods. So there is a plus side, but....

Beautiful weather today and even DismalForcast.com believes Saturday and sunday will be equally nice. I think around 70F is about perfect cycling (or any outdoor activity) temperature.

I escaped work early to ride, and found that I had a flat. I was hoping to put my new wheelset on next month anyway, so it's on now. I decided to take a camera, enjoy!

New wheels and tires The building in the background is the "Star Barn"


TMI



Fine Dining...



BBQ Duck!



Susquehanna River



TMI Gate (Where's the guard ) (I'm sure there was an armed guard on the other side of the bridge)



Chicken is delicious! These guys were right by the side of the road.

Nice, Jim! Beautiful shots. I love that stretch up 441 - nice and open, little traffic. Wish I coulda been there.

I'm heading out tomorrow at 9, and hope to get out again Sunday for a bit as well as Monday evening's group ride. Banner weather we've finally gotten, I intend to take full advantage of it.

Beth

PS the bike looks beautiful!

I am thinking about showing up on sunday for the mechanicsburg ride. I have been riding when its warm enough and getting more comfortable with the bike. I am just worried that when I show up I am going to be too slow. It says its a C ride which doesnt sound too bad tho.

My main problem right now is that I dont have any cycling shorts...I am waiting for my next pay check to come.

In the beginning of the riding season most ride leaders keep the ride at the low end of the range. So if the ride is listed as a C (10 - 13 mph) the ride leader will keep it down around 10 mph and stops will be plentiful. Ann Brooks is the leader on Sunday. If you talk to her before the ride she will be sure to take it easy.

I know the area and the common routes out of Mechanicsburg. There are few cyclists who could not keep up a 10 - 11 mph pace in that terrain. You will do fine.

I wish I could be there with you but I am doing a much larger ride up my way to get in shape for the PSP metric century ride on the 28th.

Looks like its Jim Brandon on sunday but i'll guess i'll show up and see how it goes. I like like 2 miles from the Mech High school so the least I could do is stop by and take a look. I just haven't ridden in a group yet, and the no bike shorts...long ride might suck heh..

Thanks for the help.

We had a super 53.5 mile ride. Beautiful sunshine, perfect temperatures, lots of friendly, smiling people with friendly waves and even the drivers went out of their way to be nice to the 23 people who were out. This was my longest ride of the year so far, by about 18 miles, but surprisingly, the legs didn't fail me. I didn't notice you in the group - hope you got in a good ride over on the East shore. I won't be able to do Saturday rides the next two weeks, but I'm looking forward to more days like today.

Sorry for giving you the wrong name. Glad you got the right one. The bike shorts is not a problem for anyone but maybe you. I know that I wouldn't want to do 20 miles without shorts.

What a weekend here in PA!!! Sounds like everyone is getting out and enjoying the perfect weather! Too bad I'm working all weekend. Not entirely bad... I get a lot of weekdays off and hopefully this nice weather will stick around for a while!

Great pictures, StupidlyBrave. Thanks for posting them.

Hi, Zorro -

Sorry I missed the Renegades yesterday - but never fear, there was no way I was missing riding in that spectacular weather. I went out with a group (about a dozen of us) in Hershey; a whole lot less travel time from home to the start! We did 40 miles out through Mt Gretna, Cornwall Furnace, etc. It was fantastic - some good climbing, cruising flats - and a 17.2 average. I'll head over to Mechanicsburg when I can; I love riding out there as well, but yesterday it was awfully nice to be done and back home by noon in time to get some outside work done!

Beth

Thanks for the advice.

I ended up going and meeting them at the high school. You were right I didnt need to worry and the starting pace was pretty slow. A little bit after the start a group of 4 or 5 took off for a faster pace and i joined them. That second group seemed like a good pace and they said they were going on a C+ or so. At the end a few of the guys really took off and I was left behind but no worries. It was over 30 miles which was more then I have ridden before. Felt good..maybe i'll see you there some time..

thanks again

Another fantastic day for a ride! Stupidlybrave and I got out for a loop around Hershey/Palmyra . . . said hello to some cows, saw a bunch of guys fishing (bet a few are sporting a nice pink sunburn tonight), and brought a little aid to a gal who wiped out on gravel.

Seems spring just might actually be here!

The Quittapahilla (sp?)


Nice . . .


Great jersey . . .


Where's the beach? A little village named "Sand Beach"


And then my camera batteries died. Oh well. Great ride!

B

A great ride indeed! I got a little sunburn myself, so I am no longer "2 shades lighter than chalk".

I don't think changing the NCR rail trail to pedestrians only will get approved by the trail authority, especially since the owners of The Whistlestop Bike Shop (New Freedom) are on the board.

I didn't read through this whole thread (yet).

I'm from Northeast Philly. I'm down to hang out and ride with anyone.

Lancaster area checking in! Looks like the state is well represented.