BikeUSAat75

Please send comments to this blog or  bikerat70@gmail.com or 908-268-4250  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...

Please make comments to this blog or  bikerat70@gmail.com or 908-268-4250 This was a mixed day of cycling.  Even though it was only 59 miles, it still took me a long time to get through the ride.  The wind was 15-20 mph and was either a head wind or cross wind (ESE)  I only averaged 11.7 mph because of the hills and wind.  It was 53 when I left and there was an overcast sky. The weather indicated that there could be showers by the end of the day but thankfully none occurred.  The first 20 miles or so was quite pleasant because of the small neatly kept Amish farms.  Its great to see these small farms still exist.  I was fascinated by the laundry that was hanging outside to dry at almost every Amish house. At one time Mondays were for laundry. I assume that they do the wash by hand and then let nature dry it.  I saw several buggies on the road and many more just by the barns. I also saw two Amish mothers (looked about 19) riding "bicycle...

Please make comments to this blog or bikerat70@gmail.com or 908-268-4250 I left around 8am. Breakfast wasn’t served till 7 and then it was order from the menu and of course 14 trying to order at once overwhelmed the kitchen.   It was 46 degrees and overcast when I took off. I had my cold weather gear on but the jacket and glove, and the long pants came off at the first stop.   The first 10 miles were on a busy highway but after that about 10-15 miles of back roads including a friendly gravel bike path for about 5 miles.   After that back to a really busy road with tons of traffic and no shoulder--   a little tense at times.   Back again to back roads but a lot of up and downs till lunch at 50 miles. There I wanted to take about a 5 mile lift in the van which turned out to be about 17, basically because the roads were so narrow that Michael couldn’t find a turn off.   Finished the last 12 miles to the motel but the kicker was the last mile of gru...

Please make comments to this blog or  bikerat70@gmail.com or 908-268-4250 Today's morning temperature at 7:30 was 53, which is 24 degrees colder than yesterday morning.  Got out my coat, gloves and headband to keep warm.  The day was overcast all day and it probably never got above 65.  There was a ESE wind all day of about 5-10 mph. The first 10 miles were on a busy highway but then we got to the North Coast Inland Bikeway and traveled it for about 40 miles or so.  Lunch was at mile 60.  Right after lunch we continued on the bike path but now it was gravel for 12 miles.  Riding in fine gravel can be a little tricky  because of the thin tires which introduces the opportunity to skid and fall. Made it without falling but it was tedious and strenuous for me. The rest of the trip was basically on roads with the last 5 miles getting back on the bike path -- this time paved.   Barn #1 Barn #2 Barn #3 Gravel Pat...