Bikes Bikes Bikes (the kind you pedal)

9+ hours I hope you had some really good company for that ride!
 
Sac Arrow said:
Hengelo said:
9+ hours I hope you had some really good company for that ride
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My brother, and about 3,000 new friends. Always lots of other riders nearby.

Special ride! The climb to Loveland Pass was long, grueling, and humbling. 27miles, 4600ft. Make Loveland, and you have the Triple in the bag as the last climb to Vail is an “easy” 5 miles and 930ft. Blow up on Loveland and you’re done.
 
Why are freehubs so loud these days? Isn't noise=friction?
 
I used to ride road bikes (Cannondale, LeMond, Sampson), until my lower back cratered at the age of 40 (degenerated discs). So I switched to recumbents for a few years (recumbent cycling is underrated & over-scoffed at). Now I ride a "stand-up" bike called a Cyclete. It combines cycling and running all in one machine. It's easy on my back, knees, and feet, plus it's fantastic for cardio and strength. I greatly miss my road bikes, but the Cyclete is what works for me now (age 62). Image 5.jpeg
 
People in the peloton want to know when you are freewheeling.
 
Short and sweaty ride today
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Hengelo said:
Indoors today

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Back during the shutdown when the gyms were closed and I had to rely on outdoor cycling for exercise, the AQI regularly hit over 200 due to smoke from wildfires. I ended up buying an N95 style mask designed to be worn by front line forest firefighters to protect from smoke inhalation so I could ride. The thing actually worked.
 
Sac Arrow said:
Back during the shutdown when the gyms were closed and I had to rely on outdoor cycling for exercise, the AQI regularly hit over 200 due to smoke from wildfires. I ended up buying an N95 style mask designed to be worn by front line forest firefighters to protect from smoke inhalation so I could ride. The thing actually worked.
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We used to do full PT sessions in these things prior to deployments.
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We had a Chief who would go around to see who drilled out the filter and/or took the valve out. They got some extra special attention for that little bit of sua sponte.
 
Since we're doing bike pics:

Mine is a 2010 Ridgeback Panorama. Recently the front derailleur broke, and since Shimano no longer make that part, I had to replace it with their closest alternative. I'm not 100% happy with it as I've not managed to find an adjustment that completely gets rid of chain rub in the higher gears.
Since I bought it in the UK but now live in the US the brakes are on the opposite hands to bikes made here. Should I get another bike, that may take a little getting used to.

I mainly ride it for little errands now that I work from home most of the time.

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TCABM said:
We used to do full PT sessions in these things prior to deployments.
a698c160ee1e8b3219107ca10cac385e.jpg


We had a Chief who would go around to see who drilled out the filter and/or took the valve out. They got some extra special attention for that little bit of sua sponte.
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Oh yeah, I've spent more than my fair share of time in MOPP level 4.

By the way, that's a pretty old school XM177. Wouldn't expect to see one of those post steel bucket helmet days.
 
You guys are killing it with these long rides!
 
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We all got separated today, but I achieved my goal of >14mph avg. at the end. Just barely. The 14G18 mostly direct headwind took it out of me.
 

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I’ve been really enjoying the Aventon Aventure I bought used a few years ago. I put road tires on it and ride it almost exclusively on the road.

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But I started to get a hankering for something a little sportier and lighter and yesterday I sprang for Canyon Grizl:ONfly CF 7.

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It shipped today and is scheduled to arrive next Tuesday. I’ll be sure to post my first impressions here.
 
In the mid 90s a coworker got me into cycling, the I started riding to work, about 10 miles each way, all 2 lane roads.A couple of years I only drove to work 4-5 days. I remember we were working a weird shift with shift change at 3:30 am and on the ride home one night I didn't meet a single car.
 
A lot less technology and investment, but first class adventure, years ago.

If not willing to read through, go to the last 2 paragraphs of the second page for the last day numbers. The total time includes meal stops (Payne's diner still exists) refilling the canteen at every gas station we passed, and use of their restrooms.

You will miss the collision by the 4 door sedan if you go to the end. US 50 was a 2 lane highway back then.

EDITED, THE WORD LIMIT REQUIRED SPLITTING INTO TO POSTS.

Bike trip 1950​

Douglas and I wanted to go to Shenandoah Park, and when Mother gave permission, we began our preparations.

I was 16, Douglas 14.

The bikes we had bought for paper routes had a lot of miles, and several tire replacements. And we were not willing to have ‘good enough’ tires, so bought new front and rear tires, plus one new tube each which we did not install. The old ones had no patches, and had been new last time. The new ones were just in case, as we expected many surprises. Wrenches to fit every nut and bolt, and small can of oil, and a tire patch kit were collected in a cloth bag. The bearings were all cleaned, lubricated, and re assembled. The bikes were now ready.

Apples came in wooden boxes about a 18 inches long, ends were half inch thick, sides about half that, and bottoms even thinner. We brought home 5 from the grocery store, and took them apart carefully. After measuring the needed clearance for our heels, 4 sides each were cut at an angle, leaving the rear ends vertical. The front and rear ends were from the box ends, and were cut 6 inches wide. Since the front was at an angle, they did not reach the top of the sides, but a half inch board was used to ‘splice’ to the top, and was long enough to reach across the wheel and connect to the other box front. The inside was banged against the axle ends, and axle diameter holes drilled in those marks. After painting inside and out with enamel, large washers and nuts were added, locking the boxes in place. The board connecting the sides went across the frame where the two sides came together above the fender, and was bolted in place. 4 Large 4 inch reflectors on the back of the boxes finished the construction.

Cooking gear was based on Mothers old Girl Scout cook kit, placed inside a large cast iron skillet with a lid, wash clothes and towels were also in there, so nothing moved or rattled. We left with minimal food, but salt and pepper shakers did get packed in the skillet. Some soap, can opener, knives, forks and spoons, pancake turner, and a big spoon rounded out the ‘kitchen’ Bedding was 2 twin bed blankets, and a piece of strong tarp, 6 feet wide and 10 long That was not really suitable, but just what we had. A small camp hatchet for cutting up firewood.

About June 15, so long daylight hours

At half light, we departed from 7415 Piney Branch Road, before morning rush had started, with the goal of being across the Potomac River on US 50 west before traffic was bad, and achieved our goal. On the other side, the traffic was heavy inbound and light going our way, so safe and pleasant, even though steadily up hill. Not too far west, US 29 south joined us, and we made good time in the right lane of the 3 lane highway. Route 7 crossed at a diagonal, with a traffic light, red, and we slowed down to save energy. Douglas was about 50 feet ahead of me, and a car hit the left box, swerving me into the rough gravel shoulder. The driver took his time stopping, and I was furious as I caught up to him. As I bent over to look in, I saw a face that was deeply concerned, and a voice asking if he had hurt me. Slim guy in khaki shirt and short khaki pants with only knees sticking out, covered with leather. Never have I had so sudden a change of attitude than just then. I assured him that neither I nor my bike was damaged. He explained that he had just been to the Veterans office, and had been supplied with this Oldsmobile Hydromatic, with hand throttle and brakes, and was still learning to drive. Maroon 4 door sedan, all the windows open, and wheel chair in the back seat for when he parked the car and hobbled around and drug it out, for “normal” life. Remembering even today, tears form from that vivid memory. DAV tags on the back as he drove slowly away. He was one of the “Half lucky” guys, who came home half alive.

Outstanding progress continued to Centerville turnoff to Manassas drag strip, when a light rain moved in to meet us. There was a store under construction, and nobody there, we took the bikes in with us, and dug out the sandwiches we had packed, and washed them down with water from our canteen.

We continued west on 29 when 50 split off to the right, crossing the Bull Run Mountains, very tiring, as the downhill’s went fast, the uphill’s slow hard peddling, and it seemed they were twice as high going up as down. At Warrenton US 211 joined us, then 211 split to the west, and 29 went south. We splurged for supper at Payne’s Diner. Good food, and inexpensive, but the real reason was that someplace way back, they were family! 211 west out of Warrenton has a very long hill, followed by ‘rolling’ country, worse than the Bull Run mountains

Once again sweating up one hill, and breezing down again until near sunset. We came to a 90 degree, easy turn left, with a fairly deep ditch, and a set of two connected bill boards in a V, and decided to quit before poor light made riding dangerous. The bikes in the ditch weeds put them nearly out of sight, and the billboards were protection from headlights. Tarp and blankets were all we needed, plus a flashlight, and we were soon asleep. Twice in the night, we woke from the sound of heavy braking, and rapid backing, as alert drivers spotted the bikes, and checked if they were from a hit and run event. I peeked out for the first one, and it was a Virginia State Trooper.

The next morning provided quite a surprise; half a dozen cows in a half circle around us, staring! We were country connected, and found them non threatening, but when we started moving and stood up, they scattered quite a distance away before feeling safe. Again, they were facing us, calmly chewing their cud.. We folded bedding, lashed it to our boxes, and departed down what proved to be a relatively long hill, ending at the bridge across the Covington River. The bank had a good area for cooking, we stopped and made breakfast. Fried bacon, then fried eggs, then fried bread provided plenty of calories, and tasted great, canteen water to drink (we had refilled it in Warrenton, as we did at many gas stations as we passed them). On hindsight, we wished we had continued that short distance, and camped here, as we could have gone further from the highway with the bikes, and no one would have noticed our presence. Hindsight from now, it would have been damp along the river, and we would have left with damp blankets, never a good thing.

From the Covington River breakfast, obviously a long climb back up to the higher rolling country limbered up our muscles, and the new day flowed on.

Arriving at Sperryville, a very small town off 211 on the other side of a small river, we found a country grocery store that had everything we needed. This was the weight of food we were very happy not carrying up the rolling hills behind us, but essential to have in the park. Our breakfast eggs had been packed in a small coffee can filled with pancake mix, and cooked with just 4 slices of bacon. Now, we were stocking up heavy:

5# of potatoes

1# of onions

2 # of bacon

2 # of brown sugar (smallest size box)

1 can of Corned Beef

1 dozen eggs

1 bottle of Heinz catsup

1 loaf of bread



With the basic need in our boxes, we returned to 211, and the BIG hill, all the way up to Panorama pass, and the Parkway. There are a number of stands selling apples and other produce, and we bought some tart apples, and ate a couple on the way up the mountain. Bad news for today, they are tarring and graveling the road and the crew doing it has already done miles. The tar sticks to the tires, and in turn, picks up gravel, making the ride bumpy, and the sticking makes pedaling much harder…and we are aware we’re pedaling uphill? Eventually, pedaling becomes much too hard, and we get off and walk until we come to the active application, and undisturbed road is ahead. Pedaling is still difficult, but as the gravel falls off, conditions improve, and we are only coping with steep grades. The penalty for a mile or more walking, and slow pedaling is that we reach Panorama at sunset.

There were two graveled tire tracks leading Northeast from the intersection, and we walked our bikes far enough to have quiet and privacy, assuming a fire road. In the darkness, grass was clearly visible, and we selected a nice patch about 5 feet off the road, put down the tarp, and called it a done day, even though we were hungry.

The morning brought 2 surprises, first, we were sleeping on a fire ant hill that had been flattened by the mower cutting that inviting grass, and they rousted us quite early. They were not the only early risers, Park Service had homes for employees up that road, and they went to work early, and found us with our clothes off, picking fire ants off where they were fiercely attached.

Clothes back on, bedding free of ants, we returned to the Parkway, and a short distance later, the Appalachian Trail, north up Pass Mountain, to the Pass Mountain shelter. That was scheduled to be our base camp, and after establishing first rights by putting our blankets on bunks, breakfast was prepared. Bacon, eggs, and fried toast again, for speed. With our boxes emptied of all but tools, parts, sandwiches and canteen of water, we set off north on the trail, over Pass Mountain. Moderately steep, moderately rocky, and winding made a hard pull to where the trail started the descent to the Parkway crossing. The downhill on the Parkway was a blast, fast, cool, and no pedaling, all downhill.
 
No toll was collected at the entrance station, and we continued south to the Pinnacles picnic area, where we found old abandoned apple trees in what was a farmer’s orchard before the government bought them out for the park. We picked several pounds, as they were both small and wormy, and took them back to base camp and fried apples for desert (Bacon grease and brown sugar added). We had enough for several meals, cooked fresh each time. On the downhill toward Mary’s Rock tunnel, we hunched down low to go as fast as we could, and passed a couple of cars. At the tunnel overlook, we stopped, and we asked the driver of one of those cars how fas he was diving, he said 35, and he guessed that we were doing about 40!

Back at base camp, boiled a quantity of potatoes, rubbed the peels off 1/3 of them, cut them up, added a chopped onion and browned them some in that universal skillet. When properly brown, opened the can of corned beef, crumbled half into the potatoes, browned some more, and had corned beef hash. With Heinz catsup liberally applied. The apples were desert, truly a well balanced meal for camping. All leftovers were added to the bag of food hanging where varmints could not reach them, and in the shade.

That finished our third day, and after all was clean and properly stowed, we had a peaceful night.



The 4th day started well with breakfast of fried potatoes and onions with 2 eggs on top, and cooked with the lid on until the eggs were done. Consumed with catsup, and finished with fried apples. How could a day started that well go wrong? Easy, and that is why we took tools everywhere we went.

Going down the relatively steep southbound AT, I hit a rock with my right pedal, and broke it off. I tossed it in the box, and we continued down, with brakes applied without pedaling in between, as it was hard to correctly reposition the pedal. Douglas called to tell me that smoke was coming out of my back axle, and I stopped. Without pedaling forward between braking, the discs were continuously in contact, over heated, and were evaporating the oil lubricant. Since I did not turn the crank forward, the discs remained tight together, and warped. That produced brakes that locked when applied, and released only when peddled forward. Bendix brakes were unusual, and hard to find.

We decided to go to Luray for a new peddle, taking the two parts of the broken one. Nearly all downhill, riding double worked fine, and easy grades to the Western Auto store for the new part…. Yes, they had the exact part. The nearly level return worked riding double, but at the bottom of the mountain, double did not work..

We took turns jogging or riding, and the sun threatened to set too soon. While jogging, I heard a large truck coming up grade, and put out my thumb. He stopped, and when I asked for a ride, so Douglas could ride solo the rest of the way, he suggested putting the bike in the rear of the empty lumber truck, and both ride. It was an older truck with a narrow cab, and he had his early teen daughter, but we crowded in and up the mountain we went.

My bike was at the Ranger station, we repaired it there, and returned to the AT shelter. That is when I found that I had digital brakes, on or off, nothing in between. Douglas had the common expanding cones; which shed heat more efficiently, but had higher required pressure for a given rate of deceleration. Those parts would have been at WA, but mine were rare, steel discs keyed to the axle, brass discs keyed to the hub. My bike was the only one I ever saw with my brand of brakes. Bendix and New Departure were the 2 brands.

We decided to return home the 5th day, talk our friends into coming back with us, and repair my brakes, the parts would be available where I bought the bike.

The final decision was not made until nearly noon at the Ranger station where we met a Boy Scout Troop getting organized to start on the AT, and we visited for quite a while. We planned going to Sperryville in less than an hour, all downhill.

Plans are subject to change, as the day goes on, we had breakfast at the AT shelter, the scouts invited us to join in their lunch, prepared at home by mothers, and we accepted. Both the scouts and their leaders were very friendly, and we wished we were on their hike too. As they move out, we departed down the mountain.

Riding off the mountain with those brakes was a challenge, with the right peddle ahead, apply brakes with the left one, and lower that foot near the road. When the tilt of the bike was too much, kick the right peddle, and back to normal. Yes, that tended to flat spot the tire. Getting off balance was not very fast, as steering toward the low side took the bike back under me, so a quite long slide was possible. Avoiding serious flat spots required releasing brakes while still stable. I sat as tall as possible for wind drag, and only applied brakes for 3 turns and a total of about 9 slides.

Once off the mountain, I rode in such a way I rarely needed brakes. None of the hills outside the park had sharp turns, with speed limits of 45 to 55 MPH.

The current plan was Covington River that night, which we had done in half a day west bound. The next just day repeat day 1 in reverse.

The Covington River was reached well before 4, and we kept going. Warrenton was reached and we were hungry, we ate at Payne’s Diner, and kept peddling east on 29. Near sunset, we reached a Confederate cemetery that we had not noticed going west, pulled in, and fixed our 4th meal of the day. There were plenty of small dead limbs, and we boiled eggs and ate them solo. Stretching out on the park benches was a luxury, and we considered staying the night here. The lack of traffic noises convinced us to keep going.

We rigged for night running; Douglas had a large kerosene lantern with a shiny conical surround and a glass mirror at the rear. The design was quite wind resistant and we needed little light on paved roads, but did need to be visible to other traffic. In addition to the reflectors, I had a battery powered light with a red plastic cover, and a long life lantern battery, and rode second in line. Traffic in those nights was very light “out west”, near single digits per hour.

Almost unbelievably, Centerville came and went, we paused one more time, for meal 5, I think it was cold corned beef sandwiches made with the other half of that can, well plastered with catsup, and the usual water from the canteen. Downhill trends are hard to see, but are subtly present when peddling a bike, and we made very good time, crossing through Washington DC, to our home in Takoma Park at 12:15. 112 miles in 12 hours and 15 minutes, 9MPH average.

We considered going in and sleeping in our beds, but since Mother was home alone, and had a gun in the bedroom, we elected to sleep on the back porch. She was very surprised to see us out there when she came downstairs for breakfast, and woke us up. We joined her with enthusiasm.
 
Bill, did you tour the monuments at Mt. Grappa? The current information makes it seem to have been a win by the Italian Army.

Read " A farewell to arms" by Hemingway for the story prior to the epic loss of life.

You can walk in tunnels all the way to the surrounding valleys in tunnels.
 
@geezer this story absolutely made my day. Hard to imagine an adventure like that for kids these days! I'm going to forward this to some of my bike-riding pals - it's just too good not to share!
 
I quit riding May 16, 2023, could not pedal all the way to the top of our court. I do not like to walk a bike. Age 89 then.

Thanks for the good words, Hengelo, I too enjoy re reading it. Written years ago, for my sons. They just requested I email a copy for their kids.
 
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