Almost ready for this Saturday morning, that is, assuming neither myself or the historian bonk because we haven't ridden all that much lately, assuming my bike doesn't explode (I had to replace a rim today, surprise!), and so on. And assuming I don't get sick again (I'm mostly over my the cough I had last week).

That's enough whining. Here's the plan, the links are bikely maps with cue sheets:

• Day 1: The Neils meet in Philadelphia, we ride around the city, see stuff, do stuff, crash in the hotel. (All the nights are hotels.) Maybe 20 miles for the day? Not sure. (Neil will be riding there from Kimberton to meet me, I'll take the train.)
• Day 2: Philly to Doylestown, 33 miles
  
  I actually have no idea what's in Doylestown, but I'm sure there'll be something interesting.
  
  https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...-to-Doylestown
• Day 3, Doylestown to Bethlehem, 34 miles
  
  ...arriving in Pennsylvania's "Christmas City" on December 24th. I'm Jewish, but still looking forward to seeing the spectacle.
  
  https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...n-to-Bethlehem
• Day 4: Bethlehem to Kimberton, ~50 miles
  • Part 1: https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Bethlehem-to-Fish-Hatchery-Road
    
  • Part 2: https://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...-to-Green-Lane
  • Part 3: Green Lane to Kimberton (Neil knows this part).

Last I checked, the weather looked decent, but we'll be prepared if it rains or snows.

If anyone knows eastern PA, please let me know if we're on any nasty roads! I think these are pretty much done, since I'll have maybe an hour tomorrow to wrap it all up.

Unless I get sick or have more mechanical problems or... naaaah. Never happen. What could possibly go wrong? Um, I never said that.

First of all, you won't bonk because you haven't ridden much. Bonking has nothing to do with the quantity of training you've done. You may, however, bonk if you don't eat enough while riding. Bonking is simply low blood sugar. Bring snacks, stop for lunch at interesting-looking cafes, and you'll be fine.

Secondly, it's 4 days in a populated area ... no different than your normal weekend ride ... right?

That pessimism is really some heavy junk, you should just chuck it now, otherwise you'll have to mail it home in a couple of days, when you realize you don't need it for anything.

Have a great ride!

Thanks, valygrl, you made me laugh!

I'll post pictures when I get back.

You two have fun, and you better post pics in Clyde's as well

Neil,

I thought I was bringing the pessimism! Leave yours at home.

Do you really think we will clock 20 miles in Philadelphia? The city's not that big geographically. But if we do log 20 miles, that means I'm riding a metric century the first day, since I'm riding 40 miles to meet you. Perhaps the train is a better alternative.

I don't know what to do in Doylestown either, but it beats the 70 miles from Philadelphia to Bethlehem in one day. Once in Bethlehem, you can gawk at all the 'goyishe' folks doing last minute shopping.

Neil

If you guys are riding in Philly and you don't do Wissahikon (sp?) Park/Pennypack Park bike paths/trails, then I don't know what to tell you. You'd never know you were in city limits. You'll get your 20 in alright and it's grand riding. Don't miss it.

I'll make sure he does.

Depends on what Neil wants to do, he's in charge.

No clue how many miles we'll ride that day, it's your baby. You knoe Philly far better than I do. I just picked a round number.

I'm back. I bailed on the last day of riding, and I had one bad day - almost bonked because I couldn't find veggie food for breakfast other than junk. Other than that, had a great time. Pics and a journal to come, but it was very hilly. Like this:



a quickr pickr post

I'm sorry to hear you bailed, but ....

If you couldn't find the food you wanted for breakfast, why didn't you stop along the way to get something to eat, or bring something with you? That's the beautiful thing about touring ... you can stop wherever and whenever you want. And it's easy to carry fruit and granola bars and things.

I have some fault in this. I like to keep things moving along - in this case the weather forecast promised heavy rain and strong winds for the afternoon, and I wanted to avoid getting caught in it. Neil F. didn't make it clear to me he hadn't eaten properly. Perhaps I should have observed signs he was bonking, but I had just taken a fall myself from missing a pothole, and while I was OK, I was a little shaken.

Incidentally, the bailing was two days after the bonking. Neither one of us was prepared for the brutal climb into Bethlehem, PA. I was dropped off this morning 20 miles outside of Bethlehem myself, simply because I couldn't deal with those hills.

No, you didn't. You ended the tour earlier than you planned. That's all. Bailing would be pulling out after the horrible afternoon in Doylestown.

Oh, OK. So the bailing didn't have anything to do with the bonking then.

Wasn't the tour only 4 days anyway?

Yes. But it was a tough four days. Neil F. hadn't tackled climbs like these before, and I'd never ridden these hills with full panniers. The final day of the tour was to be a ride back to my house, but ending the tour in Bethlehem made much better sense for Neil F., since he lives in NJ, and not near me in Chester County, PA.

We passed at least one place I could have gotten something and I didn't speak up. I've learned from this; I'll keep a small emergency protein ration around (kosher jerky or what have you). And failing that, seek out a taco bell and have a bean burrito (yuck).

I learn something on each tour, and this was what I learned this time. It was my mistake! You can't have it!

I had banana chips and dried fruit, it just wasn't enough. I hadn't cycled much for the two weeks prior to the tour, and that can't have helped.

I think we both learned not to book rooms in hotels located on "Motor Vehicle Only" roads. And always end the cue sheet at the hotel, and include full address and contact numbers.

I learned not to assume that if someone else rolled through a puddle, I could as well.

Here's my tour journal, crossposted to the Clyde forum since Tom will kill me if I don't.

Crazyguy journal

Are those mini-maglights you are using for headlamps? How did they work out for you and did the rain have any effect on them?

You did the right thing by listening to the pain in your knee.

Nice pictures by the way & thanks for sharing your journal with us.

They're AA LED 3-volt maglites. They're bright but narrow, I'm considering getting two more and making a cluster to get better coverage. But they're $30 each, and I might as well get a "real" light if I'm going to put more money into lighting.

You're welcome!

It sounds like it was a good learning experience. And this is exactly why I suggest to people that they go on tours like this to try it out close to home a time or two before committing to a longer tour. Next time you go, you'll have a better idea what to do and expect.


BTW - climbing hills with panniers often takes cycletourists by surprise. It is a lot more difficult than climbing hills with a lightly loaded bicycle!

Here's my Crazy Guy journal for the ride:

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?...c_id=3184&v=1B