Abandoned Pa Turnpike
05-07-09, 09:18 AM
#101
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There are a number of us who are going to the Harrisburg Bike Club 'Sunday Morning Social" before heading out to the Pa Turnpike. Here are the details for anyone who wants to go:
Start Time: 7:15 AM
Start Location : City Island
Distance: 8-10 miles
Average Speed: 9 mph
Terrain: Flat to rolling
Ride Leader: Owen Moore
Additional Description: Ride followed by breakfast at Alvas
This link has a map link and a way to contact Owen Moore, the ride leader.
I'm a fan of this easy going ride through beautiful Harrisburg. It's followed by a loud, friendly breakfast at a little (not fancy) restaurant where the waitress calls every one 'Honey'. We have plenty of time to get to the Abandoned Turnpike after the breakfast.
I'll contact Owen and let him know that we will have a number of visitors on the 31st. Maybe he can plan a Pa Capital tour for hat morning.
If you have any questions that are not answered on the HBC site then PM me.
Start Time: 7:15 AM
Start Location : City Island
Distance: 8-10 miles
Average Speed: 9 mph
Terrain: Flat to rolling
Ride Leader: Owen Moore
Additional Description: Ride followed by breakfast at Alvas
This link has a map link and a way to contact Owen Moore, the ride leader.
I'm a fan of this easy going ride through beautiful Harrisburg. It's followed by a loud, friendly breakfast at a little (not fancy) restaurant where the waitress calls every one 'Honey'. We have plenty of time to get to the Abandoned Turnpike after the breakfast.
I'll contact Owen and let him know that we will have a number of visitors on the 31st. Maybe he can plan a Pa Capital tour for hat morning.
If you have any questions that are not answered on the HBC site then PM me.
05-07-09, 11:02 AM
#102
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05-07-09, 05:41 PM
#103
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If you are staying over in Harrisburg, consider the easy 10 mile ride that many of us are doing in downtown Harrisburg Sunday morning. (see other post) The 'Sunday Morning Social' is a 10mph average. And is about 10 miles long. We will be having breakfast with the Harrisburg Bike Club after the Social. You can then follow us to the Pike.
I also plan to make up a few maps and can email one to you.
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05-07-09, 05:43 PM
#104
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05-07-09, 06:36 PM
#105
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That rest stop they show is where (according to Rick) we will be starting the ride from.
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05-07-09, 06:41 PM
#106
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EVERYONE REMEMBER TO BRING LIGHTS!!!!
The one tunnel is 1.25 miles long and it is DARK!
The one tunnel is 1.25 miles long and it is DARK!
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05-07-09, 06:44 PM
#107
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I am going north of there, on the existing Pa Pike.
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05-09-09, 11:45 AM
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I've done this on numerous occasions and, yes, you should have a light with for the two tunnels (although the first time I didn't use a light) that you'll go through. Riding from east to west, the distance is around 18 miles, with an elevation gain of 850 feet. The uphill section will be on the start of the trip. Parking is no problem but finding the eastern terminus could be a bit tricky. I would be willing to meet anyone for a ride there.
I can meet up with you in Chambersburg or wherever is convenient. I live in W-boro. Let me know what time you'd like to leave and if you want to carpool (I have a trunk-rack that can hold 2 bikes).
05-09-09, 02:18 PM
#109
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How hilly is the climb? If it's pretty flat, I'm gonna bring a 3-speed instead of the touring bike.
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05-09-09, 06:54 PM
#110
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Hey, folks. I'm in.
Are we meeting at the Breezewood exit parking lot? And have we confirmed the start time for the 31st? 1:00pm, correct?
Are we meeting at the Breezewood exit parking lot? And have we confirmed the start time for the 31st? 1:00pm, correct?
Last edited by High Fist Shin; 05-11-09 at 07:04 PM.
05-10-09, 06:18 AM
#111
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I just edited my Original Post to add the meeting details. Here they are too:
A number of us are going on Sunday May 31. Meeting time is set at 1:00 pm.
We are meeting at the Fulton County entrance - the eastern entrance.
See the pike2bike web site for directions.
There are 2 main groups going so far:
1. A group from the South of the site, coming through Chambersburg, Pa; guided by FrederickH
2. A group from the North of the site, coming from an early morning ride in Harrisburg Pa, then going through Carlisle Pa, onto the Turnpike and getting off exit 180 at Fort Littleton. Then going a little west and south to the site. I'm guiding this one.
BRING LIGHTS!!!
We are meeting at the Fulton County entrance - the eastern entrance.
See the pike2bike web site for directions.
There are 2 main groups going so far:
1. A group from the South of the site, coming through Chambersburg, Pa; guided by FrederickH
2. A group from the North of the site, coming from an early morning ride in Harrisburg Pa, then going through Carlisle Pa, onto the Turnpike and getting off exit 180 at Fort Littleton. Then going a little west and south to the site. I'm guiding this one.
BRING LIGHTS!!!
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Last edited by MikeR; 05-10-09 at 06:26 AM.
05-10-09, 07:14 AM
#112
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Do you want to establish a meeting place in Carlisle? The Harrisburg Social Ride is from 7:00 to 8:15. The Breakfast is after that and will take about an hour. If we leave Harrisburg at 9:30 we should get to Carlisle around 10:00 or10:15.
I was checking the maps. There is a section between the Rt 81 exit and the Turnpike entrance with a lot of parking lots. Do you want to meet us at one of them?
or
We have enough time to swing by your place.
The Turnpike will take about 60 minutes and the local roads to the trail head may be another 15 minutes. So unless we get lost we still have an hour of cushion time.
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05-10-09, 09:54 AM
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i hope one of you guys takes a camera, i really wanna see pics of this ride, i discussed this with a few buddys of mine and they are really interested in taking a trip up there next year to ride with you all.
05-10-09, 10:07 AM
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05-10-09, 10:21 AM
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I'll probably bring mine as well, though uploading photo's will take a few days.
V
V
05-10-09, 10:24 AM
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I will have my camera-phone and might take a pic or two. Additionally, do a quick youtube search for "abandoned pa turnpike", it will turn up quite a few things that are interesting to watch.
jim
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05-10-09, 10:28 AM
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I think it would be fun to get into the top ventilation area where those kids were poking the camera through the roof of the tunnel.
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05-10-09, 10:34 AM
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Hey Jim,
Do you want to establish a meeting place in Carlisle? The Harrisburg Social Ride is from 7:00 to 8:15. The Breakfast is after that and will take about an hour. If we leave Harrisburg at 9:30 we should get to Carlisle around 10:00 or10:15.
I was checking the maps. There is a section between the Rt 81 exit and the Turnpike entrance with a lot of parking lots. Do you want to meet us at one of them?
or
We have enough time to swing by your place.
The Turnpike will take about 60 minutes and the local roads to the trail head may be another 15 minutes. So unless we get lost we still have an hour of cushion time.
Do you want to establish a meeting place in Carlisle? The Harrisburg Social Ride is from 7:00 to 8:15. The Breakfast is after that and will take about an hour. If we leave Harrisburg at 9:30 we should get to Carlisle around 10:00 or10:15.
I was checking the maps. There is a section between the Rt 81 exit and the Turnpike entrance with a lot of parking lots. Do you want to meet us at one of them?
or
We have enough time to swing by your place.
The Turnpike will take about 60 minutes and the local roads to the trail head may be another 15 minutes. So unless we get lost we still have an hour of cushion time.
I think there will be a handful of other non-BF Carlisle folk tagging along too. Suddenly I wish I had a bigger car for this. I am pretty sure now that I will NOT have more room in my little clown-car for more. As it is, I will be reassembling at least one bike at the trailhead.
I am planning to bring a picnic lunch along, btw.
jim
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05-10-09, 10:44 AM
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looking forward to seeing the pics
05-10-09, 04:19 PM
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I'll have my new camera!
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05-10-09, 04:25 PM
#121
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I'm more concerned about the tunnels myself. Round trip is four miles in pitch darkness. I'm rigging up every light I own for the ride.
05-10-09, 04:56 PM
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Most of the PA Turnpike is relatively flat. The abandoned portion was originally planned, and surveyed, for a rail line in the 1890s. I wouldn't expect anything more than 2-3 percent grade, if that.
I'm more concerned about the tunnels myself. Round trip is four miles in pitch darkness. I'm rigging up every light I own for the ride.
I'm more concerned about the tunnels myself. Round trip is four miles in pitch darkness. I'm rigging up every light I own for the ride.
Aww come on now, you don't want to try to ride in the dark? It will be fun
V
05-10-09, 05:34 PM
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Just lurking and I saw your thread; isn't this where they filmed the Cormac McCarthy novel, "The Road"...granted it hasn't come out yet but it's interesting in a post-apocalypse way. Enjoy the ride and take pics!
05-10-09, 05:35 PM
#124
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Meeting someplace in the netherworld between 81 and the turnpike would make a lot of sense. How about the parking lot of the McDonalds (McDonald's 1176 Harrisburg Pike, Carlisle, PA 17013)? Not the most glam place to meet, but perhaps the easiest place to find along that stretch.
I think there will be a handful of other non-BF Carlisle folk tagging along too. Suddenly I wish I had a bigger car for this. I am pretty sure now that I will NOT have more room in my little clown-car for more. As it is, I will be reassembling at least one bike at the trailhead.
I am planning to bring a picnic lunch along, btw.
jim
I think there will be a handful of other non-BF Carlisle folk tagging along too. Suddenly I wish I had a bigger car for this. I am pretty sure now that I will NOT have more room in my little clown-car for more. As it is, I will be reassembling at least one bike at the trailhead.
I am planning to bring a picnic lunch along, btw.
jim
A picnic lunch is a GREAT idea! Especially since I think we will be getting there early.
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05-10-09, 05:38 PM
#125
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Tell ya' what I'd like to try on the return trip through the long tunnel - Stop in the middle and turn all the lights off!
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