Grasschopper

Ok really that is for Beth...I assume you do this ride? How is it? Will you ride with me if I come down?

https://harrisburgbicycleclub.org/ind...id=35&Itemid=1

StupidlyBrave 

This is a fine ride, divided into three loops. Each loop starts/ends at the park.

The first loop is a fairly flat 50 mile loop. The second is a more hilly 25 mile loop and the third is a flatter 25 mile loop. It's generally suggested that the loops are done in order to make sure the rest stops are manned.

The last two years, it has been chilly in the morning (mid to low 60's), warming into perfect riding weather by mid-morning.

I'll probably use the weather as a guide and go if it will be nice. I'm not sure if I'll do 50, 75 or 100 miles at this point.

RoadToNowhere

Yes, I'll be doing this one . . . it's a great ride, and I'll be happy to ride with you again!

Last year we changed the order around a little, doing the hilly 25 first, the 50 second, and finished with the flat 25. Calling the hilly 25 "hilly" is relative. . . a lot less overall climbing than the covered bridge ride. The route also goes right by the entrance to King's Gap, which is a beautiful climb with a freshly paved road; always an option if you want to add to the fun.

The food's pretty darn good, too . . . homemade baked goods, chicken corn soup, and burgers/dogs on the grill. Plus you can bring friends of different ambitions. . . they can hang out at the pavilions eating up the goodies while you continue on your merry way

Keep in touch . . .

Beth

Grasschopper

I think if I can get my sister to watch Sebastian I will do it. What do you think the drive time is to Selinsgrove?

papedaler

I'm already registered for this years ride, so even if the weather sucks I'll at least drive over to get my T-shirt. (What can I say, I'm a cheap so and so.) Last year I did the full century, but I'm not sure what I'll do this year.
Beth had mentioned in an earlier post that there was a side route that took you to a nice overlook, I would like to try that this year. (Beth, is that route marked on the cue sheets?) The nice thing is that the area is so flat that you don't have to do a lot of climbing to get to an overlook.

Another advantage of having all the loops come back to the starting point is that if you are a tad anal, not that I am of course, you can bring a couple of different jerseys and dress down if the temperatures go up.

RoadToNowhere

Papedaler, the extra climb would be up King's Gap. Last year's route took us past the entrance (there's a great little old general store on the right), but doesn't do the climb. It's about 4 miles up, but it's a beautiful, well-paved and reasonably graded climb. Worth the effort, IMO!

It is nice having the loops all return to the start, but it does make it tough to start out again each time; way too easy to bail . . . the food starts smelling pretty good.

Perhaps we'll meet up this year, Papedaler -

Beth

Grasschopper

Beth - What time do you want to roll out? Also where is the start of this thing? I will be coming from my sister's house in Selinsgrove so I will becoming down 11/15...unless it will halp me to cross the river up there.

RoadToNowhere

Hey John -

I can leave whenever - it's a lot less complicated for me. Since it's probably not going to be a hot day, if it's more convenient for you to start a little later rather than early, that's ok. Name your time.

As for directions from Selinsgrove, I really can't help you out on that one . . . anyone?

Beth

edit: just noticed the 100 mile option wants a rollout by 8 am - will that work for you? I think there's some flexibility there tho . . .

Grasschopper

Yea I should be able to get there for an 8am rollout....looks like it is 1:20 from Selinsgrove...so really less than that...probably around an hour. I will leave my sister's house by 6:30, get there by 7:30 and roll out by 8:00...sound good?

StupidlyBrave 

Yeah, 11/15 south to 81 south would be the best bet to Carlisle.

RoadToNowhere

Sounds perfect I'll be sure to check in with you a couple of days before; still have your cell #, too.

SB, you gonna join us again?

Beth

edit: Hey! SB! I'm in your avatar

StupidlyBrave 

Depends on the weather and a few other variables. I'm trying to talk a buddy of mine into doing this ride too.

Grasschopper

Beth - well I may be out...we got the soccer schedule over the weekend and Sebastian has his 2nd practice at 1pm on the 16th. If I can't figure out a way to get him there without me there I am going to have to bail. Sorry.

I will let you know.

RoadToNowhere

I'll be there regardless - hope you can make it!

Stay in touch,

Beth

RoadToNowhere

:::bump:::

The weather forecast is looking beautiful for the ride this Sunday; anyone interested, please chime in! A beautiful, fairly flat ride thru the Cumberland Valley, it will be a day well-spent.

Oh, and the soup and homemade baked goods are pretty great at the start/finish

Beth

https://www.harrisburgbicycleclub.org/

Magellan 66

Beth,

Planning on doing the ride as well. Coming off a 24 so - barring any early morning flights - will be there for the 0800 start. Looked for you at Briarcrest the past two Mondays - still would like to get out and try a "B" ride.

Clay

papedaler

I'll be there. The only thing that bothers me is that all the local television weather guessers are saying it's going to be a beautiful day, which means we can probably expect rain.

RoadToNowhere

Hi, Clay -

I had to miss this Monday - family commitments won the day. Last Monday (Labor Day) I rode out of Mechanicsburg to Shippensburg - nice day and a nice ride.

Our Briarcrest evening rides are getting shorter and shorter - last Thursday it was quite dark til we got back. Sad how quickly we're losing the evening light!

I may roll out at 7 on Sunday - but we'll catch up somewhere

Beth

papedaler

It's now 5:30 Sunday morning and I'm downing my traditional pre-ride breakfast, a bagel with peanut butter washed down with Gatorade. According to my trusty thermometer it's forty-five degrees outside, FORTY-FIVE DEGREES!!!!!! Am I the only one who asks himself at times like this "why do we do this?"
Part of me wants to climb back into bed and pull the covers up over my head, but my bike is already in the car and I guess my bed will still be waiting for me when I get home, so it's off to LeTort Park.

RoadToNowhere

. . . and it's now 5:46 a.m. and I've just finished MY pre-ride breakfast of oatmeal with a little brown sugar and Crazy Richard's chunky p'nut butter mixed in. . . and one large cup of hot, strong coffee mmmmmmmmm. . . and it's still 46 degrees! Better pack my leg warmers . . .

Papedaler, hope to catch up with you out there . . . I'll be in my 53x11 jersey on a red/gold/black cannondale

Beth

papedaler

Beth,
I see that Crazy Richards is part of both of our pre-ride breakfasts, it must be the cyclists gene that we all carry.
It was nice meeting you out there, now I can put a face to the name. I hope you finished the last 25 mile ride without any trouble. You came very close to convincing me to join you, but I managed to talk myself out of it. See you next time.

Scott

RoadToNowhere

Crazy Richard's - it's the best!

It was great to meet you, too - and pretty funny the way it worked. I'm glad you spoke up!

The last 25 was dandy - a little windy, but I still felt good. There were just 6 of us for the last loop - several had to get home for various commitments. I had a feeling you were on the fence about finishing with us - guess I should've given you another little tug to our side

Hope you didn't mind our guys playing chase with you a little . . . just a wee bit of testosterone in that group. I just shake my head and watch 'em burn up their matches. I knew they'd go after you . . . when I saw you go past looking so strong and steady, I just knew they'd jump. They can't seem to help themselves. You gave the group a nice long pull, though!

Again, it was good to meet you - hope to see you out there again someday. I'll keep you in the loop a bit with Hershey rides if you'd like . . .

Take care,

Beth

Grasschopper

Well I am sorry I missed it sounds like you guys had a good ride...abit chilly in the start I am guessing? I am starting to worry about Austin...lack of riding and I just got word they changed the route to include a bunch of climbing...hmm.

RoadToNowhere

Sorry you couldn't make it, John. It would have been great to have you out there with us (and nice to tuck in on your wheel when the wind picked up )

It was verrrrrry chilly at the start, and I was a little underdressed. I had the full-finger gloves in my hand when I was packing up Sat. night and thought, "nahhh, I won't need those". Hhmmmmph. Within about a mile my fingertips and toes were numb (nope, the toe covers and booties were both at home), and the sun wasn't above the horizon yet. Miserable. But then I scored a pair of gloves from one of our guys who had borrowed them from another of our guys and they didn't fit him - yesss! Bliss.

For those who couldn't make it, you really might want to put this one on next year's calendar. Seriously. It's a great ride - well-organized and supported, a beautiful route - and not crowded. Perfect!

John, you'll be fine in Austin - you're strong, and still have a few weeks to get those legs - right?

Beth

Grasschopper

Yea ride is on Oct 14th...so a few weeks yet...but with Ana in Mexico I wont get much if any riding in this week.

Eh the fixed gear cures all under trained legs I guess...and there is always the trainer or rollers...I suppose I could bust them out this week.