After returning home from vacation the weather turned nasty. Unable to ride I decided to do some needed work on my trike. Finally the weather broke and I was able to get in a 32 miler. It was a Marty Day, temps 70's and winds under 5 mph. It was easily a 50 plus day but I had many chores to due and had to scale back the ride. I had been contemplating doing a club ride on my Fuji but I missed my trike and wanted to test my repairs. Here is were I must confess. For the past month prior to vacation I had been getting bored riding alone. I started doing club rides on my Fuji DF and enjoying it. Riding a trike on club rides is too slow and strange to the other riders, so I just wind up riding by myself. I am still an oddity as my Fuji is set up as a tourer with fenders, rack and mustache type handle bars. Not to mention it's 35#. I still wear shorts and sneakers or sandals. I obviously do not fit in with the sub 20# carbon fiber bikes and spandex. I ride with a slower group so I can keep up. What I found is I have become quite a strong rider. If I opted for a light weight road bike I bet I would be one of those smoking A rider Rodie's. The point I am trying to make is I enjoy the company and the pain of riding a wedge is diminishing. In fact I like that bike as I ride it more. Don't get me wrong I am not converting back. I still love recumbents and will always use them as my main ride, but I am finding all bikes have their place. Just like my Dahon folder worked when traveling, so does the Fuji when I want company on a club ride. I am looking into a inexpensive MT bike for winter trails. As I learned in life variety is the spice.
KEEP RIDING!!!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
IN TOW
It's been a while since I used my trailer and I thought I would post some pix in tow.
KEEP RIDING!!!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sorry For The Delay
I just got back from vacation touring West Virginia and Kentucky. The only cycling I did was with my Dahon folder around a couple of State Parks. It's perfect to carry in our motor home. One major high of this trip was white water rafting down the Gauley River in WV. It is one of the most popular advanced white water runs in the Eastern United States with it's class 111-v rapids. One of the most exciting things we have ever done. When the guide tells you which side to swim to if you fall out of the raft you begin to question your sanity as to why your doing this. There were a few instances where we almost went overboard. The rest of our trip consisted of scenic railways, coal mine tours, hiking to beautiful natural arches and water falls. 14 days of exploring beautiful countrysides with great vistas, meeting with locals and enjoying their cuisine. One of our most memorable trips.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Pine Creek Trail
I caught wind of this trail on my recumbent news group. It's a Rails To Trails in Tioga County in north central Pa and rated one of the 10 best. It is known as the Pine Creek Gorge, the Grand Canyon of Pa. It's 61 miles of hard packed crushed gravel with a 2% grade.
After a hearty breakfast I picked up a sandwich and 62oz of Gatorade for the ride. I got to the southern trail start, Jersey Shore, at 8am. Although it was predicted to be very hot it was a nice cool morning and I was psyched. I decided to take my time as I had reservations in Wellsboro and there was no need to arrive early. With camera in hand I was ready. The trail was flat as a pancake and the hard packed gravel easy on my trike. With the 3 tracks of the trike it was a bit slower so 9 mph was my easy exploring pace. I stopped everywhere taking in all it's beauty. Pine Creek with it's mountain views was just spectacular. Being Wednesday the trail was quiet, tranquil and serene. The area is known for rattle snakes and I was hoping to see one. I met up with an older gentlemen named Fred on his 3 wheeled bike. He was into following eagles and their nestings. He said he would be surprised if I didn't see a rattler, especially after Blackwells. At around mile marker 20, 41 miles into the ride, there it was in the middle of the trail. A 3-4 ft rattle snack. At first I thought it was dead, but then I saw it moving. Of course I took pictures from a distance. I made sure I got the rattle at the tail. I met up with some Dutch people and the father was quite intrigued with my trike. I finished that days ride with another 3 miles to Wellsboro. It was a great small town with lots of places to eat and drink. After a nice hearty breakfast I packed up and was on the trail by 7 am. It was cool with light fog. A good start to what would end up another hot day. I did notice I was 1-2 mph faster heading south so I guess that is were the 2% grade comes in. Most of the people I met on the trail were riding casual mountain bikes. Many older folks would park in some designated area and ride a few miles up and then back. It's such an easy trail to ride you could do it with any single speed bike. Besides the endless beauty the highlight of my ride back was seeing a gray fox dart out 20 feet in front of me. A rare sighting I was told.
After a hearty breakfast I picked up a sandwich and 62oz of Gatorade for the ride. I got to the southern trail start, Jersey Shore, at 8am. Although it was predicted to be very hot it was a nice cool morning and I was psyched. I decided to take my time as I had reservations in Wellsboro and there was no need to arrive early. With camera in hand I was ready. The trail was flat as a pancake and the hard packed gravel easy on my trike. With the 3 tracks of the trike it was a bit slower so 9 mph was my easy exploring pace. I stopped everywhere taking in all it's beauty. Pine Creek with it's mountain views was just spectacular. Being Wednesday the trail was quiet, tranquil and serene. The area is known for rattle snakes and I was hoping to see one. I met up with an older gentlemen named Fred on his 3 wheeled bike. He was into following eagles and their nestings. He said he would be surprised if I didn't see a rattler, especially after Blackwells. At around mile marker 20, 41 miles into the ride, there it was in the middle of the trail. A 3-4 ft rattle snack. At first I thought it was dead, but then I saw it moving. Of course I took pictures from a distance. I made sure I got the rattle at the tail. I met up with some Dutch people and the father was quite intrigued with my trike. I finished that days ride with another 3 miles to Wellsboro. It was a great small town with lots of places to eat and drink. After a nice hearty breakfast I packed up and was on the trail by 7 am. It was cool with light fog. A good start to what would end up another hot day. I did notice I was 1-2 mph faster heading south so I guess that is were the 2% grade comes in. Most of the people I met on the trail were riding casual mountain bikes. Many older folks would park in some designated area and ride a few miles up and then back. It's such an easy trail to ride you could do it with any single speed bike. Besides the endless beauty the highlight of my ride back was seeing a gray fox dart out 20 feet in front of me. A rare sighting I was told.
I ended the ride with a grand total of 132 miles at an average of 9.3 mph. The trail is extremely well maintained with no ruts. It is carry in and carry out. I did not find 1 piece of garbage in all 132 miles. This is a must see and do trail to be added to you Bucket List.
KEEP RIDING!!!
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