Pre tour jitters
06-25-18 | 01:19 PM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 8,206
Likes: 86
From: Metro Detroit/AA
Bikes: 2016 Novara Mazama
Thanks [MENTION=156952]Doug64[/MENTION]!
Originally was going to catch a train, cause we were going to head right for the starting point (Nevers) upon landing, but now that I realize it is Bastille Day when we arrive, we may be heading into Paris for a night. Still trying to sort it out, just curious how that worked for you. She's not the biggest fan of traffic, that's why were running the Loire cycle route, so we'll see what we do!
Originally was going to catch a train, cause we were going to head right for the starting point (Nevers) upon landing, but now that I realize it is Bastille Day when we arrive, we may be heading into Paris for a night. Still trying to sort it out, just curious how that worked for you. She's not the biggest fan of traffic, that's why were running the Loire cycle route, so we'll see what we do!
06-25-18 | 01:24 PM
#27
Thread Starter
Every day a winding road
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 6,538
Likes: 63
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: 2005 Cannondale SR500, 2008 Trek 7.3 FX, Jamis Aurora
No jitters here. I’ll be riding from PGH to DC next week. Annual trip, nothing new. This will be the first time going the whole way. Plan to ride in three days, with a 4th day if necessary. That’s around 100 miles per day, knocking 20 miles off the end and a shortcut through Sharpsburg. Hopefully the weather will cooperate. Sure would rather be riding in the PNW than here this time of the year.
Let me know if you need any help on this end. If I am around I can give you a tour of the city. But it sounds like we might be on tour at the same time. Have you been to Bicycle Haven yet?
I am missing out hosting another guest next week because I have been away. A couple riding from Winnipeg to DC. He has Parkinson's They are riding on a custom tandem. Sort of a recumbent for him and a normal bike in the back for her. Looks like he is actually the stoker which makes an additional odd design. I would have liked to have hosted them.
.
06-25-18 | 01:34 PM
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,977
Likes: 191
From: Washington, DC
I rode Cumberland to Connellsville and back a few years ago. That was around 90 miles a day, and not too difficult. I have plenty of time to extend the trip if necessary. I would check out Bicycle Heaven if only they opened at 6 am, which is when I head off. Planned overnight stops are Rockwood, Hancock and home.
06-25-18 | 01:51 PM
#29
Thread Starter
Every day a winding road
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 6,538
Likes: 63
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: 2005 Cannondale SR500, 2008 Trek 7.3 FX, Jamis Aurora
I rode Cumberland to Connellsville and back a few years ago. That was around 90 miles a day, and not too difficult. I have plenty of time to extend the trip if necessary. I would check out Bicycle Heaven if only they opened at 6 am, which is when I head off. Planned overnight stops are Rockwood, Hancock and home.
You are a better man than I.
The hostel is a good deal in Rockwood.
Remember there are lots of detours on the C&O right now that might slow you down a bit. The Western Maryland rail trail might help you out.
06-25-18 | 03:32 PM
#30
Thread Starter
Every day a winding road
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 6,538
Likes: 63
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: 2005 Cannondale SR500, 2008 Trek 7.3 FX, Jamis Aurora
Looks like I picked a good week. No rain and nice and cool. Maybe even a bit cooler than I would prefer since it has been so warm here. I packed the warmer bike clothes.
06-25-18 | 04:54 PM
#31
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 621
From: Salem Oregon
Bikes: 2019 Trek Stash 7, 1994 Specialized Epic 1986 Diamondback Ascent 1996 Klein Pulse Comp, 2006 Specialized Sequoia Elite
There are alot of merry go rounds in Salem. Which park is it? They might have meant the carousel at Waterfront park.
The stretch from the ferry to Corvallis should be nice. Sometimes it gets really windy from around Harrisburg to Eugene depending on the route.
Last edited by mtnbud; 06-25-18 at 05:30 PM.
06-25-18 | 06:09 PM
#32
Partially Sane.
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,559
Likes: 646
From: Sunny Sacramento.
Bikes: Soma Saga, pre-disc
The challenge of trying to ride in a straight line while drunk.
06-25-18 | 09:13 PM
#33
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 8,206
Likes: 86
From: Metro Detroit/AA
Bikes: 2016 Novara Mazama
If it stays the way it is for the next week, it'll be about 85 when I hit my next cycling destination
06-26-18 | 07:20 AM
#35
multimodal commuter
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,810
Likes: 597
From: NJ, NYC, LI
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
Getting the jitters before a ride starts, that's a perfectly normal part of the ride. You're supposed to get excited. Enjoy it-- and then enjoy the ride.
__________________
www.rhmsaddles.com.
www.rhmsaddles.com.
06-26-18 | 07:33 AM
#36
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 800
Likes: 4
From: Portland, OR
About to set off for my tour in a couple of days and starting to get the jitters. Except for some smaller local tours that I have done a bunch of times, I have not toured in a while do to family and heath issues.
Now I am getting back on the horse (so to speak) and I am getting nervous. Add to the fact this will be my first major tour that I will be doing solo.
I can't help but think of the number of warmshowers guests I have had from other countries. Barely speaking english yet they set out to a foreign country alone and crossed the whole thing. But they were much younger than me and bolder. When I was young, I did a lot of things I might not attempt today.
But I did have a guest in his 70s that did the transam. He is my hero.
I am also concerned that the trip might be a bit too simple / boring. I am headed down the Willamette. Long way to go for me on the other side of the country but the route certainly fits my requirement of easy and low stress. Just a bit nervous that it will be too simple. But I guess what is done is done. .
Now I am getting back on the horse (so to speak) and I am getting nervous. Add to the fact this will be my first major tour that I will be doing solo.
I can't help but think of the number of warmshowers guests I have had from other countries. Barely speaking english yet they set out to a foreign country alone and crossed the whole thing. But they were much younger than me and bolder. When I was young, I did a lot of things I might not attempt today.
But I did have a guest in his 70s that did the transam. He is my hero. I am also concerned that the trip might be a bit too simple / boring. I am headed down the Willamette. Long way to go for me on the other side of the country but the route certainly fits my requirement of easy and low stress. Just a bit nervous that it will be too simple. But I guess what is done is done. .
Enjoy it!
06-26-18 | 07:38 AM
#37
Thread Starter
Every day a winding road
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 6,538
Likes: 63
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: 2005 Cannondale SR500, 2008 Trek 7.3 FX, Jamis Aurora
My big concern is Eugene. I do have a Warmshowers host that has agreed to allow me to stay and actually a second backup host (thought I have not heard back from him on confirmation) so I should be good. But if one of those two people does not come through, I might be screwed. There is a Grateful Dead concert in town and everything is booked up.
06-29-18 | 02:24 PM
#38
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,631
Likes: 1,060
From: Oregon
Thanks [MENTION=156952]Doug64[/MENTION]!
Originally was going to catch a train, cause we were going to head right for the starting point (Nevers) upon landing, but now that I realize it is Bastille Day when we arrive, we may be heading into Paris for a night. Still trying to sort it out, just curious how that worked for you. She's not the biggest fan of traffic, that's why were running the Loire cycle route, so we'll see what we do!
Originally was going to catch a train, cause we were going to head right for the starting point (Nevers) upon landing, but now that I realize it is Bastille Day when we arrive, we may be heading into Paris for a night. Still trying to sort it out, just curious how that worked for you. She's not the biggest fan of traffic, that's why were running the Loire cycle route, so we'll see what we do!
06-29-18 | 02:42 PM
#39
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
state gift..
I know most have the phone-jones but ODOT does print
a bike route suggestion map.. Free..
and a PDF... image of said map..
https://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/Data/Doc...icycle-Map.pdf
a bike route suggestion map.. Free..
and a PDF... image of said map..
https://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/Data/Doc...icycle-Map.pdf
