HigherGround

TrekDen

Alright!! A couple more forum folks in for the fun, Excellent!! As the event draws nearer, the talk about possible meeting spots usually cranks up.

Hopefully with the extension, a few more forumite's will sign up.

Over 2000 pre-registered now.

TrekDen

Registration is officially closed, and I found the reason they wanted to limit the numbers plus why they had this early cut off date. Link to reasons below.

Clicky

TrekDen

Ride packet arrived in the mail today. I noticed on the metric cue sheet that the route has changed slightly. They eliminated that semi-circle loop right after the 42.5 mile point that has been in effect the last few rides. I'm thinking it's more along the original route that was there. I think there was some construction going on there the last couple years which caused that little loop. Anyways, here's the link to my Map-My-Ride take on the ride.

Lancaster Covered Bridges Route

Denny

HigherGround

Thanks for the updates Denny! I used to live in Lancaster County, and this ride goes within a mile of my old apartment. I'm looking forward to riding in the area again, and seeing everyone from Bike Forums!

TrekDen

I enjoy riding in the area as well. The rolling landscape is a real nice change for me. I still have all my vacation days left. I'm considering coming out on Friday, and doing some exploring on the bike. I'll definately be riding late afternoon on Saturday. I have Grahny's Saturday Social file from last year, so I'll definately do that one again.

Countdown: 3 weeks

Doug S.

Hi, I'm new too the forum. I am doing the Covered Bridge ride this year. First time since I was 16 I think? I finally got a nice road bike. Had mountain bikes for many years, but never got a good roadie til this April. Just did the 80 mile leg of the MS PA Dutch on Saturday and it was awesome!

I grew up in Lancaster. I might bike from my parents' house to the start to avoid the parking issues. But perhaps I'll see you guys there.

Doug

TrekDen

I might bike from my hotel to the start. I've done it before, so I know it'll only add a few miles to my day. Since I've done this ride quite a few times, I'm very familiar with the back roads into the start. I've had great success driving those same back roads into the starting area. The main arteries into the parking area can be a test of patience. Knowing me though, I'll be there extra early to avoid it either way.

Hopefully we will see you there, and get to say hello. Keep an eye on the thread here. It may become a little more active as the ride gets closer.

Denny

Doug S.

Love Pittsburgh!

I am down for meeting people on this ride. I tend to keep a 14 mph avg pace and can go up hills at a decent cadence.

RoadToNowhere

Psssssst! Remember me?

I'll be there again... signed up, packet received... LBC did a fine job of limiting the numbers on this.

This past weekend was our local MS ride, covering many of the same routes. Road conditions are good, and it's as beautiful as always. Home for me :-)

Hope to see some old friends, and perhaps meet a few new ones! (waves HI to Brian!!!!! How're those 8 toes, Navin?)

Beth

HigherGround

Beth, I was hoping you'd show up for this thread! Hopefully you'll join us for at least the start of the ride.

TrekDen

We usually come up with a designated meeting spot prior to ride start. Used to be behind the registration tables, but seems they won't be there this year. We'll figure something out though.

TrekDen

Yaaayy! Beth is in da' house! I was wondering if you were going to be there, and I hope to see ya! I agree with you on the limits the LBC has set up on entries. Originally, I didn't understand the early cutoff date. I do now though, with the mailing of everybody's packets. I really like the idea of just showing up, meeting folks, and getting on the road. I already have my packet in my weekend bag, so I don't forget it, LOL!!

Denny

TrekDen

Countdown: One & a half weeks. And a bump. Wednesday is Bump day afterall!!

TrekDen

Well I gave the legs a good warm up today with an organized 54 miler. My legs are more than ready for next weekend. I still had plenty in the tank when we finished today.

The thread's not very active! Oh well, I'm still showing up!!

HigherGround

I did the Philly Gran Fondo ride last Sunday, and I made it through the 100 mile course despite my longest training ride being only 60 miles. It wasn't pretty, but I made it! The Lancaster course will be a welcome change of pace.

What time does everyone want to meet and roll out? I'm thinking a 7:45 meeting, and a group photo and rolling out at 8:00. Any thoughts?

Cornflakes

Sounds good,the time works for me. What about location? I have not had a lot of saddle time this summer, so this may be a solo ride for me. I will just have to see how it goes and how tall those rolling hills are.

TrekDen

Meeting time sounds good to me. We're going to have to come up with way to spot each other. The last couple times we met behind the registration tables. Hmmmm, no registration tables this year. Maybe they will still have them set up for t-shirt & jersey distribution. Only a few of us are familiar with that meeting area, but I guess that's a good start.

I'll be wearing this Livestrong jersey pictured below, but I'm sure several others may as well.

The bike: Scott CR1 Black & Yellow as in my avatar

TrekDen

Those rollers are really pretty tame. The overall ride gradient is only 2%, which is rail-trail average. There are a couple of hills of course just to keep us honest There are riders of all types on this, so you'll never really be solo out there. Just enjoy the day, and ride at a pace you're comfortable with. The first year I did this ride my fitness wasn't real strong, but I was able to complete it by riding at my own pace.

Oh, and for all the first timers. Bring snacks, or gels you can carry along with you. The lunch stop is well stocked, but you never know what may be left at the regular water stops. They will have water, or Gatorade for refills at all of them.

TrekDen

Okay gang, how's this for something to look for at the start?! Not the best sign, and certainly not the best looking character, but ya get the gist of it!!

grahny

I definitely will not be making it this year, ah well. I'm out west and won't be back in the area for a bit.

However, this is what I'm doing, so I'm ok with it:



Denny, I'm digging the jersey, I think I may need to pick one up myself.

That is all. Carry on. As you were.

TrekDen

Hey Steve,

You'll be missed, but from the looks of that pic I think we all understand. Some rather aggresive rollers you've found!!

Have fun out there!!

HigherGround

I'll be there with a Bike Forums kit and uber-pasty white legs. Oh yeah, and a red and white Merckx steel bike.

Denny, thanks for making up the sign, and Steve, I hope you can make it next year!

grahny

So? How'd it go? Any pics? I need to live vicariously through my PA LCBM pals... chop chop

Rich, next year this time I'll be a permanent resident of Colorado, but I'll be out for the Livestrong ride for sure... LCBM will be a tough one to make again, but we'll see. I'd definitely like to get out there again for it.

TrekDen

Well, for starters I left that darn sign I made back at the house. Ooops!!

I figured maybe my advertised jersey, and bike would stand out enough. Plus I wasn't losing that prime parking space I had right across from the starting area. It seems it wasn't though, as I saw no one at the start. HigherGround had called me to inform me he was running behind, but he understood if I wanted to get on the road. The skies were not looking very friendly, so I heeded his advice. I figured we would probably see each other at the lunch stop at the very least. What I didn't realize was I was keeping a rather high pace prior to that lunch stop (as noted by the first 7 laps on my Garmin file below). I don't wear my scrip glasses while riding, so I can't see any of that close up info until the ride is over. Along with that, and me still wanting to dodge the rain we never did see each other. I did get wet in the last 3 miles, so it was all for nothing Ha-ha! Oh, and HigherGround did call me out on the road, but I guess my hearing aint so good either.

Sorry I missed you out there HigherGround. I hope you had a good ride.

Oh, and the LBC putting a cap on registration really worked out great. Still a lot of folks on the road, but pretty easy to navigate around folks moving a little slower. A couple changes in the route helped with that also.

Also, I did our Saturday route from the file you sent me. First time following a preloaded course, and it worked great. Only ran into one slight problem. Remember that little farm road we went through, and made a left at the end across the creek bridge? Well that little creek bridge was being replaced. I was like Oh Shizzle, Now What!? I decided to look, and see if I could navigate the creek by foot. Upon further invesigation, I found the Amish had built a temporary wooden plank crossing which I gladly used. I waved a friendly thank you to the Amish kids I saw on the other side. I guess they don't like detours much either!!!

So anyhoo, that's pretty much it man. Hope you're still having fun,

Denny

https://connect.garmin.com/activity/44680706