I think it was a fatigue or weld issue. Columbus tubing. Apparently it is a common place for breakage: driveside dropout-chainstay interface.

I would love to ride sometime with any of you folks (although I will be sort-of bikeless for a little while except for my 44x16 grocery getter!).

My 4th of July Report:

I packed the rear panniers, and a rack trunk that I stuck on the front rack instead, so I could reach it. Total baggage weight was about 20 pounds. Drove across the Bay Bridge, and across Kent Island, to the Wye Mills Park & Ride, at the intersection of 404 and 50. (I didn't want to deal with the Bay Bridge crossing hassle, and I wasn't in the mood, on this, my first semi-loaded outing on the bike, to deal with what looked to be some oddball crossing of/riding on Route 50, so I skipped the Kent Island part, too.)

When I got to the P&R, I loaded the bike up, to include attaching my patented Cyclist-Hating-Redneck-Deterrent-Device (a/k/a an American flag. :D)

I didn't use the Bike Washington route. The more I looked at it, the more I didn't really like it -- it seemed like it meandered too much, and in spots went too far north given my start and end points. Instead, I used Google maps and asked for "walking" directions from the P&R to my motel at 18th & Baltimore. I was a little uneasy, because I've never even driven this route, but I printed out about 40 pages of maps (I am not making that up) from Streets & Trips and brought them along. I know, I know. :o But they proved quite valuable on both legs of the trips, when I found myself, um, a tad bewildered a few times. Only one actual wrong turn, though (on the inbound trip) which was my fault, and I quickly realized my mistake. I ended up with 80 miles -- I believe the route listed 77.

My goal was to do the ride with as close to zero physical effort as possible :), at whatever speed that happened to be. I had pessimistically estimated that I would be rolling along at no more than 10 mph. My on-bike average inbound was actually 14.5 mph. I had a light tailwind for a little over the first half of the ride.

I stopped for a solid food lunch at "Jeff's Tap Room" in Bridgeville, DE, whose Web site proclaims it to be a "sports bar" featuring "American food and live music." The pictures looked nice. What I walked into, however, was a small-ish biker bar (as in Harley, not Cervelo) with two TVs, 2 or 3 small pool tables, and couple of retirement-age regulars pounding beers at 11:30 a.m. and complaining about the fact that one of the TVs was tuned to the Wimbledon Gentlemen's Doubles. :D Fortunately, due to my aforementioned pool-playing obsession :lol: I'm quite at ease in such establishments, and lunch was pleasant. Bridgeville is the site of the World Punkin Chunkin Championships (the hurling of gourds via homemade catapults), recently named by Sports Illustrated as #18 on a list of the "21 Most Ridiculous Competitions in Sports." Just in case you're ever on "Jeopardy."

I hit Coastal Highway just south of Fenwick Island, so it was about 6 miles to my motel. Dodging the Ocean City Drunk Bus was fun times. I tried timing it to stay behind it, but not too close to the fumes, but that got aggravating, even by my turtle-ish standards -- I kept having to hit the brakes. Then it stopped to pick up a particularly large group of folks, I had a tiny window of opportunity in the traffic to my left, so I signaled the car behind me and bolted in front of the bus. Then, of course, I felt obligated to haul butt down the road so I wouldn't force the bus to go around me. I held it well off for about 20 blocks, but then got trapped behind a second bus.

Called NoRacer later, but he was up near 60th Street, and neither of us felt like negotiating Coastal Highway in the dark on the 4th of July. I walked up to the Boardwalk, got some dinner, watched the fireworks, went to bed.

As NR mentions in his blog, we met up for breakfast, at which NR consumed one of everything on the menu. :D It was a gray day, 70-ish degrees, not much of a beach day, so I suggested, after hanging out at the Inlet a bit, a ride out to Assateague Island. NR very nicely sloooooowed himself down. I know it must have been tough! ;) And, for the record, he did NOT talk too much. :lol: An enjoyable ride in good company -- that's what it's all about in my book! I believe I had 25 miles on my computer, which included the tooling around in the alleys of south OC. Riding across the Route 50 bridge with all the departing holiday traffic reminded me of shooting the rapids on the whitewater trip I did last year -- just hunker down, go like hell, and hope for the best.

We called it an early day, in light of our return trips early the next morning.

My return trip, in contrast to the inbound leg, was like a solo, two-wheeled Bataan Death March. Headwinds pretty much the whole way. The last 15 miles or so were especially bad. I could feel my skin roasting -- my "sweatproof" sunblock, which normally holds up pretty well, was no match. My soaked shorts were starting to chafe. I was chugging down water, which was almost as quickly flowing right out of my pores, when it wasn't sloshing around in my stomach. :mad: I alternated between wanting to throw up, wanting to cry, and screaming obscenities at the top of my lungs. :lol: My on-bike average for the return trip was just 12.7 mph. I don't think I've ever been so happy to see my car.

All in all, a fun trip. I would do it again, but I would probably want to do it with a day or two more in OC.

I took some pics, I'll post them later.

NR-

What gps do you use / software for that blog... That seems to be a ridiculously useful tool.

And, I'm not sorry about that. ;)

+100000000000

Yes, crossing the drawbridge has always been a source of some kind of twisted anaerobic oxygen deficit fun for me. I sprinted across the bridge leaving Maxine to fend for herself. As I waited on the other side, I felt kind of guilty for not riding across right with her, but she made it with flying colors, no problem. :thumb:

The motor vehicle traffic has always, always been gracious to me when I've crossed that bridge.

The application is called BiM (Bim = Bone In Motion). It works with the "assisted" GPS in my cell phone.

Once a ride is done and I save it, the data is sent via the cell phone to the BiM server for "massaging" and blogging.

There's also a "realtime" tracking feature that can be used for safety purposes to ensure that your family member/friend is ok on the road and to see where they are on the road.

Nice report Maxine. I'll have to remember that flag trick. I'm no flag waiver but that could come in handy in some parts.

I'm off to teh shore now for a few days with two of my boys. Thansk Max and NR for teh hotel reviews, I will keep them for future reference, we'll camp at Henlopen this time-save some dough-more fun-no TV! Except I'll miss a couple stages of the Le Tour. Lance will probably be in yellow by Friday, though not sure he's my favorite but boy he is impressive.

thanks NR, yeah im actually semi in the market for a gps computer, and half of my interest is being able to keep logs like you do. Seems to be extremely helpful and pretty cool haha.

HC-- yeah im not much of a lance fan either, but he is a monster.

Technically I towed one at a time as the cyclists was really hurting and I did not want to impose on him to accommodate his bike at the same time, I have done both at the same time but not in this case [also note I was trying to keep the story short and readable without adding too many details.]

Has anyone heard from GB since the weekend? Should I be worried?

Max NR enjoyed your trip reports

GB, where he be?

GB responded to an email from Nate about the Moonlight Madness ride so he is around, I just wondering how his weekend went, for that mater how did every one spend their weekend? The time with the bike does not have to be epic, just fun, please share.

Thanks!

There's a clue about GB in my last installment of the July 4th ride report here:

http://bimactive.com/ba/journal/post/10783/24575

well i spent my holiday weekend working at lowes :twitchy:

and sunday after work i rode out to sandy point state park and back, was a solid end to a stressful weekend


anyone else?

I missed that. Sorry to hear it.

I can't believe you didn't take any clothes with you. Just buy it when you get there.

You live in Ellicott City and rode out to Sandy Point? Way cool!

My prayers go out to Bob and his Mom.

Yeah, I about fell off the bike laughing when NoRacer told me that. Now, *that's* some hard-core, ultra-lightweight "credit card" touring, LOL!!

yeah i snuck my way over to bwi thru back roads and what not, then tore down the B&A trail. was a good ride :thumb:

Yes, crossing the drawbridge has always been a source of some kind of twisted anaerobic oxygen deficit fun for me. I sprinted across the bridge leaving Maxine to fend for herself. As I waited on the other side, I felt kind of guilty for not riding across right with her, but she made it with flying colors, no problem. :thumb:

The motor vehicle traffic has always, always been gracious to me when I've crossed that bridge.[/QUOTE]

We were camping in Assateague last week and biked into OC one day. Crossing that route 50 bridge into OC was miserable! We, of course, took the "bike lane". There is more room to manuever in prison cells I suspect. And there are trash cans along the "lane" and fisherpeople (being politically correct) we had to dodge. It was nuts. I felt bed taking the road on the way back but my 7 year old (on the tandem with my husband) had no intention of getting back in that designated lane. We just took a lane and hauled ass.

Hey folks: I am going (weather permitting) on a self supported tour of the northern section of the Monongahela National Forest. I will be leaving midday next Friday and return Tuesday night. If anyone is interested in coming please PM me to discuss in further details. Here's a short descrip of the ride and a biley map(incomplete but close to final version)
Day 1: Work 1/2 day, drive to Petersburg W. VA ranger station, bike up to Dolly Sods(15-20 miles but last 4 are really steep) and make camp up on the Sods.
Day 2: ride down through Laneville, up to Canaan Valley, Blackwater falls, down Blackwater Canyon , through Parsons and down the Shavers Fork for camp(approx:50 miles)
Day 3: ride Shavers Fork to Alpena, to Glady then onto the West Fork Trail to camp (approx40+ miles)
Day 4: West Fork Trail to Durbin, Back Mountain Rd. to Cass then circle up Cass Rd(Rt 28 I think) up towards Green Bank, Thornwood and up another steep climb to Spruce Knob for camp. (50+miles).
Final day: Down from Spruce knob over to Rt33 to get into the Germany Valley back roads up to Seneca Rocks and back to the Ranger Station

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Monongahela-tour

The map I posted doesn't show Spruce knob side trip nor starting at the Petersburg Ranger Station. This will add another 20 miles I think. I tried to keep this ride in river valleys with minimum climbing BUT this West Virginia. I also want to do a few short hikes(leg dependent) to see Dolly Sods, Blackwater Falls, Canaan Valley, Shavers Fork with the impressive High Falls, Spruce Knob High point of West Virginia with a really cool assortment of bizarre looking rocks and great star gazing. You will need camping supplies, regular biking stuff and some food as we can stock up in towns(as well as eat out where possible). I can share my stove(jetboil) small and lightweight but really only good for boiling water(dehydrated food like meals), water filter(plenty of great streams). I also have a tiny tent that 2 can fit albeit tight. If interested drop me a line. Charlie

blah i would love to do that ride but im going out of town for my great uncles 90th bday.. that should be a bangin party lol.



side note, anyone racing in the hagerstown crit tomorrow? Im making my racing debut and need to make some alliances before the race lol

Hey Charlie I would love to do that ride but we have a family week in WILDwood Crest NJ on the 18th.
Is your ride on or off road, or both? I was checking out the bikepacking site, pretty wild how those guys can get their loads down. Hope you have a great trip with good weather.

I am toying with the idea of riding to our rental on the Jersey shore. Seems the only real choice to get across the Delaware is the ferry at Henlopen (Where I just spent a few days).
NR-If you have any advice on routes out that way I would be interested. Looks like it would be a 150 mile day to the ferry.

Just read NR's post. GB-thoughts with you.

I'd do the crossing at Lewes to Cape May on the ferry. I've been planning to try that sometime--just haven't had the right trip to do it on.

Charlie, that looks like a beautiful ride. I even have that Friday off ;) but I have a feeling I'd be pushing my bike most of the way -- even if it *weren't* loaded with all my camping stuff! :o

NR, Max, wonderful ride reports. Thanks, I needed that.
Charlie, that looks like a great trip- right through where my family reunion was in 2007.
Thanks all, for the well wishes. Me, my mom, and my siblings are staying strong.

Beware, my storage-hogging belated ride report from my July 4th ride coming up.

The short news is that I didn't ride out to OC last weekend as planned. Unfortunate family health issues showed up and I needed to stay close. I realized quickly that it's times like this that require a clear mind and what better way to clear a mind than a long ride on a beautiful day. I just had to find one that ended back in Baltimore, not OC.

I scanned the BBC calendar and figured on Janet's 48 miler- a no brainer. Then I glanced down to the casual ride for the day. "The Backroads Beater Tour" lead by Andy Hanson a 40 miler out of Glen Rock PA. Wha? a 40 mile casual ride. Intriguing. Riding town to town on a "combination of dirt roads, rail trail and paved". That's it. I'm in. Of course, since I've got all day for a ride, I'll just ride the 40 miles up to Glen Rock and back after the ride for an easy 100+ day.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2533/...2e9184.jpg?v=0
Falls rd near Gunpowder on the way up to Glen Rock

I blew out of Hampden at 7AM straight up Falls rd. on the Kogswell (32mm tires) As I had hoped, Falls was pretty calm early on Sat. morning, but I had forgotten what a roller fest that road is. Beautiful view of BC cornfields. After 23 miles I made a right on Gunpowder- more steep descents to small streams and hard climbs back up. No big deal, I'm feeling strong. However, the Kogswell is heavy and can be a pig climbing the steep stuff. So, I start pushing harder to make sure I get into Glen Rock on time. I get a little bit lost, then back on track, finally swinging into the library parking lot just in time. Whew.

Andy introduces himself and his wife. There are about 10-12 riders on a nice variety of hybrid, mountain and cross bikes. We get the pre-flight blather, I stuff the cue into the bottom of my bar bag and we're off. Two quick realizations were that I didn't have a chance to eat anything in Glen Rock and that my legs appreciated the flatness of the trail. First stop was 7 Valleys along the trail. One group went for good food (that should have been me) and one group went to the tavern (that was me). I downed two 12oz Coors lites while thinking I should be eating something more carbohydrate intensive. I didn’t. 20 minutes later the group was back on the bikes headed southwest on the trail in the beautiful sunlight.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2439/...be4a10.jpg?v=0
A very friendly group of 10-12

The ride rolls on pavement for only short sections, quickly dropping onto packed gravel- often in the shade of a canopy of trees. Stunning views of PA countryside when the trees part. Andy's posted pace- "casual" basically means "no drop". We're probably riding about 13mph with liberal rest stops. I like it. It makes for easy chatting while riding. Andy changed the ride slightly from what was posted. Instead of a 40 miler, the ride is a 50 miler with a 25 mile option. An informal show of hands at the start showed that almost all of the group was going to attempt the 50. I was trying to be modest about my likely mileage for the day, but I was clearly a curiosity to many of these riders. I hope that after talking to me, many of them will consider longer distance riding.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2555/...cf2850.jpg?v=0
Typical of the road surface.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2607/...5fd123.jpg?v=0
Dappled sunlight

As we approached Glenville the route got hillier, rougher and more fun. There were a few quick descents on crushed rock paving that had me very happy that I was riding 32mm tires. Many of the ascents were so loose that I needed to remain seated to get enough traction up the hill. I flatted. The group flooded past me and it struck me how fantastically human-free the environment was. Really peaceful. I knew that no one was waiting on me, so I did a speedy tube replacement, dug the cue out of my bar bag and tore after them. It wasn't far ahead that I caught the train of riders and not too much further that we got to the 25 mile option cut off.

It was at this point that I saw in many of the riders faces that this hilly ride was a challenge for them. All except 5 riders decided to take the short route. I took the long route realizing that it headed south from here and I could continue south from Middletown rd. Off we went, soon pulling up in Glenville for lunch. Finally, some food for refueling. Well, not quite. The lunch stop was another bar and the kitchen was closed. They were offering free hotdogs which I don't eat, so I tried a true "not dog"- a bun with ketchup and mustard on it. And, of course, more beer. (can you see where this is headed?)

Out of Glenville, we began to near the MD/PA line continuing with similar climbing. I am constantly distracted by the fantastic views, the much more technical riding on these rough roads and the nice conversation. Andy stopped at some point and offered a shortcut that dipped into the woods on single track. I was at first hesitant, then decided that it would be just the medicine to clear my sad-sack brain. We all dive into the weeds. I guess I did fairly well with drop bars, and smooth tires, but I did put a foot down on a couple occasions. Eventually we came out on to paved surface. I spent the next mile reaching down to pick the weeds out of my front derailer. Good stuff.

We cross a lovely little stream on Shalk rd and I peer over the edge. Andy informs me that I'm looking into the head waters of the Gun Powder River. I love the water ways. :-) For a while the route parallels the state border heading east. Some great road names- York rd Number 1, Crossroad Schoolhouse rd, Baker Schoolhouse rd, Slab Bridge. It was just before Flintstone rd that there was a nice steep ascent. I didn't downshift quickly enough and had to press hard into the pedals to keep up speed. Nothing came out. I stopped and for the first time in a long while I had the notion to walk. So, I walked up the hill a bit. Andy came up from behind me and said, "got a little bonk going?" What?!! Bonk?? How dare you. So I clipped back in to prove him wrong and barely managed to make it up the hill. During the next descent, I took notice of my eating habits so far and realized it was not "textbook" nutrition for a hilly 200k. Luckily, a food stop was just down the road. Oh no, not another bar!!

I thought I'd never say that. Luckily, this bar had pizza and I ate one along with a bag of Utz chips. Oh yeah, and another couple beers. Was that 6 for the day? Somehow I lost count ;-) We had some more good chilling and chatting. The route was at it's southernmost point here and the return for them was all on the NCR/Freedom bike path. So, I finished up my pizza, filled the bottles, thanked my new riding buddies and headed south on Middletown rd.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2634/...8bdda8.jpg?v=0
Northern Balt. County hills for the ride home.

My legs were still not kicking. I probably needed more quick carbs. The pizza wouldn't give me energy for a while. I stopped briefly to see if there was a flatter way home. Who am I kidding? I counted off the hills as I slooowwly conquered them. Pretty Boy, Cuba, Jerome Jay and finally Bellona.

Mom was happy to see her sweaty biking son.
115 miles total, abt. 7,000 ft of climbing, speed- N/A
more pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/2797683...en/2009/07/04/

GB, you were definitely missed in OC :( but I'm glad you were able to get such a pretty ride in closer to home! I had noticed that ride on the BBC calendar and thought it sounded intriguing. Great pictures!

In my guilt-driven :o effort to do more with the BBC, I'm riding over to Patapsco State Park tomorrow morning for the picnic. That gave me incentive to finally clean my poor filthy Airborne today -- she's all shiny again.

Robert, it's good to hear from you. +1, on the being missed on the 4th.

Thanks for sharing your ride.

----
BiM is getting "on my last nerve". Apparently, I have entered into the realm of mileage and time where it can't process elevation. Grrrrr! :notamused: So, add that problem to the list that already has on it the inability to process out stops.

For today (can't process out stops on this map by design):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...r2Delaware.png

My butt still hasn't healed from the July 4th weekend, so what do I do? Another 11+ hours in the saddle.

This ride started and ended at my front porch. I rode to Eastern Ave and headed for Rt 43;

Rt 43
Rt 40 (Pulaski Hwy)
Rt 152 Mountain Rd
Rt 1 crossing the Conowingo Dam
Rt 222 to Port Deposit/Bainbridge Rd/Rt 222 - ran into a "multisport" race in progress. I found myself in the middle of their bike leg. Ummm, tri-weenies are slow! LOL! :lol: The course marshals thought I was in the race, but I had lights a-blazing and my MP3 player in my phone blasting. LOL! Did I mention tri-weenies are slow?! ;) [Harry, I'm just kidding!]

[A search of Google shows that it was the Diamond in the Rough Triathlon - http://www.piranha-sports.com/Race44.aspx ]

Rt 40 at Perryville -> North East -> Elkton
Rt 213 to Chesapeake City - crossing the C&D canal using this bridge got a few angry horn blasts. Ef'em! It's not prohibited for bikes.
Rt 286 (becomes Bethel Church Rd in Delaware)
Rt 15 Choptank Rd
Churchtown Rd
Rt 71 Summit Bridge Rd
Rt 299 in Middletown, DE to Odessa, DE
Rt 9 (heading back now) to Port Penn, then Delaware City
Rt 72 Wrangler Hill Rd
Rt 40 to Glasgow, DE -> Elkton -> North East -> Perryville
Rt 222 in Perryville -> Bainbridge Rd in Port Deposit -> Rt 222
Rt 1 crossing the Conowingo Dam -> Bel Air Bypass -> Belair Rd
Rt 152
Rt 40
... home -> pass out in front of the TV after a quick shower and a couple of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

It was windy today. Between the saddle sores and the wind, it really started to wear on me. :notamused:

Batteries are charged and clothes are washed. I'm ready for tomorrow. :) It'll be a very short one and slow.

Hey folks:
Bob: Nice trip and pix report. Shouldn't have had the coors light. A maltier brew would have packed a lot more carbs:) I'll need to look at the cue sheet, really pretty ride.
Max: There are only 2 hills of significance. They are however very significant. Think about it.
Harry: The ride is on all surfaces. I decided to up my tires to 35s cross tires, Ritchey speed max(or something like that) Apparently they are fast CX tires with some tread.
dspaff: 90th B-day, impressive
NR: You're an EverReady Bunny

I only got in about 20 locals miles late yesterday (6pm) due to a birthday party in PA (shrewsberry), I wanted to take the bike and ride home, however the boss did not like that idea :(

I did ride into Fort Howard and that place looks like a ghost town, broken windows, boarded up buildings, over grown grass. Out of 30 buildings only 1 was in good shape and being used. It was cool hanging by the water for a little bit though.

I hit 33 in a sprint up northpoint, fastest so far.

I saw a moonlight ride end of the month, everyone going?

I also looked into some of the TDF stages, they are some stages that are 100miles/30K feet of climbing!!!
http://bicycling.trimbleoutdoors.com...?tripId=429338

Bob, unless I missed something, I think its the energizer bunny.

Yeah Josh you missed something, it's Charlie not Bob. But you're right it's the Energizer bunny. :)

Copyright by Doug Retzler 2009 Tour dem Parks Pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenci...7621275358584/

Who is this cute family? ;)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2546/...6c30bd91_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3458/...003ee7da_o.jpg
Love that jersey!