Day 38 Meadville PA to Bradford PA 100 miles 5500 ft

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The day was overcast with intermittent rain, sometimes moderate, other times lite, sometimes mist and even spells with no rain - but overall it was a dreary day. I decided to van it the first 30 miles not because of the rain but because of the climbs.  At mile 30 to mile 73 or so I cycled. Some hills some short 8% climbs but mostly level. I then hopped in the van for the killer hill and then did the next 17 miles into the Holiday Inn Express in Bradford.  This would  have been a really fantastic ride had the weather been cooperative.  We went through some Amish country, a lot of up and down hill work, not rolling but steep short inclines and steep downhills, but not enough to give power for the upside. (this is the part I vanned)  We did travel some on US6 but not for long.  What would have been really spectacular is the ride through the Allegheny National Forest in the sunshine.It was nice even in this weather -- the leaves are starting to change and the sun would have made the ride even more enjoyable.  Riding along part of the Allegheny river was scenic as well. 

I managed about 65 miles of the 100 miles and about  2800 feet of the 5500.  The ride is in two parts because of the van sequence.

Allegheny River

Allegheny river Shot 1

Allegheny river Shot 2 (from the same spot as 1 with a little
more view. Look what we can hide

Mandatory  Barn

Barn with unique repair

Look at the hills ahead  - even between the trees at the top.
Even more enjoyable in the mist. Anybody feeling bad they
not along on the journey?

Michael, the guide, and I hamming it up at the break
The wrong bike is above our heads -- it should be a TREK

Chopper shop  where we stopped for the first break.  Anybody see
Easy Rider?

First break  -- Trump lives!

Group getting ready for a rainy start as
I prepare to enter the van

This is the sheet we get every morning about the ride ahead.
Notice that huge almost straight rise in elevation at the right
That's why I took the van. Also notice the left with those
spikes that why I vanned it for 30 miles.  

The straight line is the van ride!

Departed:	Sep 25, '18, 09:42AM
Starts in:	Sparta Township, PA, US
Distance:	43.8 mi
Elevation:	+ 2132 / - 1432 ft
Max Grade	15.4 %
Avg. Grade	0.2 %
VAM	337 Vm/h
Ascent time	01:55:47
Descent time	01:36:23
Total Duration:	04:35:25
Moving Time:	03:32:10
Stopped Time:	01:03:15
Calories:	1254
Avg. Watts:	99
Max Speed:	31.5 mph
Avg. Speed:	12.4 mph
Pace:	00:06:17
Moving Pace:	00:04:51

Departed:	Sep 25, '18, 02:19PM
Starts in:	McKean County, PA, US
Distance:	18.7 mi
Elevation:	+ 760 / - 1416 ft
Max Grade	4.5 %
Avg. Grade	-1.3 %
VAM	288 Vm/h
Ascent time	00:48:17
Descent time	00:42:04
Total Duration:	01:33:16
Moving Time:	01:30:21
Stopped Time:	00:02:55
Calories:	537
Avg. Watts:	99
Max Speed:	25.5 mph
Avg. Speed:	12.4 mph
Pace:	00:04:59
Moving Pace:	00:04:49