i'll have to do a little more research SB...i'm really more interested in staying with some state gov't type of work...seems to be a little more stable, generally a good 40-hr week, don't have to take work home, etc...

just looking at the PennDOT site...There are currently 17 Civil Engineers (Hydraulic) and 58 Senior Civil Engineers (Hydraulic). The majority of these job titles are located in the headquarters’ office of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Harrisburg, Dauphin County. so, i guess i'd like to see maybe that area or something that may be commutable to the office...

i don't care if it's not a metric...as you say, it's not any kind of training ride, but a nice social ride.

PennDOT, at least motor and driver services, is located just south of Harrisburg. This would be a lot of urban riding. Yuck.

However, if you think the relevant jobs are out if the DEP building, I am guessing that this is on Elmerton Ave. This is mostly north of the city. Actually, there is a few state business up there. State Police HQ, Fish and Game commission HQ come to mind in addition to DEP.

I'm not too familiar with this area in terms of riding. However, I have created this route just goofing around. I have ridden about 20% of the roads on this route. I believe this route goes right past the DEP building. I'm sure there are better options, so I'd like to hear what RtN and Z have to say.

Bring your warm clothes, it the forecast calls for cooler than average temps.

I ride on the East Shore only infrequently. It is much more traffic bound than where I live.

I had a friend who was a Civil Engineer for the Federal Government who worked right downtown. He's since moved, but I recall him asking me about a route that would get him there without too much scary traffic. Strangely, I think it's a safer approach from the West Shore than the East - up until you get to the Market Street bridge.

Here are a couple on the good side of the river. Both relatively new, and quiet locations. Hampton would be a little less trafficked. I can find you cheaper, but can't guarantee you'll be impressed.

Hampton Inn

Marriott

thanks 'Zorro...i now have a room at the Hampton Inn.

So we want to do this ride on the west shore now? That's fine with me. My new constraints are that I have been talked into attending an AM meeting at work. So I'll drive and bring what I need for the day.

WP, on your way out of the area, you'll be talking 81N. The DEP site is just off of Cameron Street near the Farm Show Arena. It's easy to get on and off and the building would be within a mile. I can give you directions and you can explore a bit there if you like.

I am wondering why you picked a Hampton Inn where you wouldn't wake to the freshly roasted cocoa bean aroma like this one. (I'm just teasing...)

I can run a ride that leaves from the parking lot of the Hampton. I'd just need to know the likely time (choose one WP) 12:30, 1:00, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30? ; distance (I was thinking we try 30-40 miles); and how hilly you want it (there's no avoiding some, but routes can be adjusted to add some in, or avoid some as desired).

I've stayed at that Hampton Inn.

sweet. i guess 12:30 or 1:00 would be a good time to meet/start. means i don't have to get up toooo early for my drive up there. i don't mind the hills, in fact, i love climbing - i'm just a bit slow, but i get up them; 30-40mi sounds good too.

now...we also need to think about the weather....right now, 10 day forecast has 30% chance of a few showers. if that changes to something worse by sunday or monday, then the plans will probably change....meaning if it's gonna rain, i'm not riding! and, if it's raining, i may wait till wednesday and just drive up to nyguy's place bypassing the rides. so, let's hope for good weather cause i wanna ride with you guys and see some of the area.

Fair enough. Let's plan for 1:00. It will give you a little window for possibly checking in, and will give the folks from the east shore a little time to drive over.

If it's rainy, I wouldn't want to ride either. It was so much nicer here a month ago - a shame you missed our part of the world in it's autumnal glory, but ... unless time can be turned back, we'll have to deal with it.

well, if it works in such a way i don't get to ride up there this time, i'm fairly certain that there will be other times.

1:00 it is at the Hampton Inn.

hee hee...it's snowing here!

Didn't want to mention it, but here too. Going down to 18 tonight.

There's a lot of mumbling here about firing whomever is in charge of the weather.

what? i guess when you live up there and get snow all the time you dont much care for it, huh?

i've decided to just stick withthe plans and come up there Tuesday. if it snows/rains, well, it just does and i'll figure out something when i'm there. it's only a 30% chance, meaning it's a 70% chance it won't do anything.

Cool.

For about the past eight or nine years I've been very tired of putting up with the cold, snow and ice. I'm very serious about wanting to move to someplace warmer after the nest empties in a few years.

I'm hoping your directions have you picking up I-270 after D.C. and then coming up Rte 15. That's what I do in reverse when heading to D.C. and points south. If you miss commuting hours, going straight through Richmond on I-95 is faster than the bypass. Getting through D.C. can be a huge headache though unless it's late at night - and there's not a good way around either.

PM me if you want my cell - just in case...

well, as of today, it's still a 30% chance of rain/snow showers for tomorrow. hopefully, it will be clear in the afternoon to get a ride in. if not, well, i guess i'll go to Plan B, whatever that was.

it was a few degrees warmer this AM but felt almost balmy for some reason (higher humidity? No winds?)...looks it should hold for the rest of the week - so, cold for WP's trip, but hopefully not as bitterly freezing as last week....

well, i've got the cycling stuff packed. now, i just need to pack a few off the bike clothes.....

Drive safely. As Z says, avoid DC during rush hours.

I have had a few setbacks both at home and at work. I still intend to be there, conditions permitting.

ok guys, last post till i see ya tomorrow. hampton inn in mechanicsburg. 'zorro has my cell...see y'all tomorrow and hoping hte weather cooperates!

SB - I'm PM-ing you my cell #

Have a good ride guys!

hope you guys have fun, wish I could be there!
weather here a bit further north is terrible today, lost power twice allready, hope you guys have better weather!

Any ride reports or pictures?

I would have liked to have made it, but my chain broke last week. When I got a chance to replace it and go for a ride, the new chain was popping and jumping despite seeming to work fine while the bike was in the work stand. I'm afraid it may be time for a new cassette. Any way, I didn't want to be an anchor for the group if mechanical issues were hindering me. I hope everyone had a great time!

Oh I'm glad I'm not back there. I work for the local power co. When I hear power has been lost that means I get to go out and work in the elements. Hope your power wasn't off for long.