We were able to ride at lunchtime today -- it was warm and clear but windy. We tried a new route mostly west from here. It was a very nice route but had quite a few small hills that were made tougher by the headwind. Nevertheless the return trip was fast with a 15-20 MPH tailwind. We were even maintaining 20 MPH up some false flats along Donegal Spring road!
The farms here are large and well-kept, roads are generally quiet and we saw more cows than people. But we logged a good 22 mile ride and will use that loop again soon!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Rolling Terrain
Lancaster County is a great place to ride a bike since there are so many roads that go in so many directions you can usually avoid busy thoroughfares and stay on quiet, lightly traveled roads.
The price to pay is endless views of cornfields, pastures, soybeans, trees, livestock, and well-tended farms -- and hills.
While about a third of the county is reasonably flat, the northern and southern thirds are an up-and-down array of hills of different grades -- some are sharp, steep, twisting, others long, slow, grinding.
Tandems are at a disadvantage on uphills but can usually use some inertia if there's a downhill preceding. So I like to ride a new route solo to see if it will be suitable for the tandem. Yesterday I rode a loop south of home, today I re-visited a route I tried a couple of weeks ago.
The price to pay is endless views of cornfields, pastures, soybeans, trees, livestock, and well-tended farms -- and hills.
While about a third of the county is reasonably flat, the northern and southern thirds are an up-and-down array of hills of different grades -- some are sharp, steep, twisting, others long, slow, grinding.
Tandems are at a disadvantage on uphills but can usually use some inertia if there's a downhill preceding. So I like to ride a new route solo to see if it will be suitable for the tandem. Yesterday I rode a loop south of home, today I re-visited a route I tried a couple of weeks ago.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Nice day
It is absolutely stunning out today -- warm, dry, clear, light breeze. It feels like August!
I rode a long, hilly ride yesterday on the Mountain bike (Road bike is still in the shop). It was easy enough until I got to Sun Hill Road southwest of Manheim. Then a steady grade. A quick drop back into town, some extra blocks pedaled as I maneuvered my way around town, then a climb back out of town.
The first test was Orchard road which rose 150' in less than 1/2 mile. From then on it was up and down along Hossler Road which strings along the top of a ridge -- the flatter parts of Lancaster County to the south, the hilly terrain of Lancaster and Lebanon Counties to the north.
The scenery is spectacular -- rolling farmland with corn, soybeans, and hay interspersed with dairy cows, goats, and horses. The houses and farms are neat and well kept and the roads smooth and clear.
But the hills are relentless. My legs just aren't conditioned yet, and the last ones were the hardest - a 10% slope up Strickler road.
I was craving ice cream and watermelon when I rolled up Elmcrest road hill. I was glad to be home and my legs felt wobbly. In a week or so I'll try it again!!
I rode a long, hilly ride yesterday on the Mountain bike (Road bike is still in the shop). It was easy enough until I got to Sun Hill Road southwest of Manheim. Then a steady grade. A quick drop back into town, some extra blocks pedaled as I maneuvered my way around town, then a climb back out of town.
The first test was Orchard road which rose 150' in less than 1/2 mile. From then on it was up and down along Hossler Road which strings along the top of a ridge -- the flatter parts of Lancaster County to the south, the hilly terrain of Lancaster and Lebanon Counties to the north.
The scenery is spectacular -- rolling farmland with corn, soybeans, and hay interspersed with dairy cows, goats, and horses. The houses and farms are neat and well kept and the roads smooth and clear.
But the hills are relentless. My legs just aren't conditioned yet, and the last ones were the hardest - a 10% slope up Strickler road.
I was craving ice cream and watermelon when I rolled up Elmcrest road hill. I was glad to be home and my legs felt wobbly. In a week or so I'll try it again!!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Quick Evening Ride
I was home early enough to wolf down a delicious Pasta Pomodoro dinner. We rolled the tandem out and headed down the road. We followed the same loop I rode Tuesday with a half-mile addition.
It was overcast today, and though the sun peeked out a few times, it was getting dark early. We made good time, though and returned before it was too late.
12 miles in 43 minutes -- not bad over rolling terrain on the tandem!
It was overcast today, and though the sun peeked out a few times, it was getting dark early. We made good time, though and returned before it was too late.
12 miles in 43 minutes -- not bad over rolling terrain on the tandem!
Monday, August 1, 2011
Today's ride
We rode 22 miles today. We considered riding 30 to celebrate our anniversary (August 1st, 1981), but it's hot today (forecast to be over 90) and we didn't have the energy to ride that far in this heat.
So we rode a new route -- an out and back course to East Petersburg with a few miles on the Rail trail along the way. We rolled out onto the Manheim-Mt Joy road, then onto Strickler. There was far less traffic at mid-day than there was Friday at 5:30 PM and I was happy to work form home today (the rest of the week is on client sites).
We kept up a nice pace, rolled over 283, then onto Auction road. We had a nice tailwind and enjoyed the beautiful farm scenery. We pulled onto the rail trail at Lancaster Junction and dodged mid-day joggers. This trail is not as smooth as the Conewago trail, but the Schwalbe marathon 700x28 seemed suited for this sort of surface. The shade was welcome but too brief -- 2 miles later we were back out on Landisville road, then Long Road which parallels busy 283 at a respectful distance.
We rolled into East Pete (as it's known around here) and enjoyed some shade before turning around back into the wind.
The ride back wasn't as fast -- winds were 12-15 MPH from the west, so we had to fight a bit. We took Auction road to Lancaster Junction, then followed it back down to the Rte 283 bridge. The road is odd as it heads east, then north, loops over Lancaster Junction, then heads south again...
We finished up with 22.80 miles on the cyclecomputer, just 8 shy of 30. Another day!
So we rode a new route -- an out and back course to East Petersburg with a few miles on the Rail trail along the way. We rolled out onto the Manheim-Mt Joy road, then onto Strickler. There was far less traffic at mid-day than there was Friday at 5:30 PM and I was happy to work form home today (the rest of the week is on client sites).
We kept up a nice pace, rolled over 283, then onto Auction road. We had a nice tailwind and enjoyed the beautiful farm scenery. We pulled onto the rail trail at Lancaster Junction and dodged mid-day joggers. This trail is not as smooth as the Conewago trail, but the Schwalbe marathon 700x28 seemed suited for this sort of surface. The shade was welcome but too brief -- 2 miles later we were back out on Landisville road, then Long Road which parallels busy 283 at a respectful distance.
We rolled into East Pete (as it's known around here) and enjoyed some shade before turning around back into the wind.
The ride back wasn't as fast -- winds were 12-15 MPH from the west, so we had to fight a bit. We took Auction road to Lancaster Junction, then followed it back down to the Rte 283 bridge. The road is odd as it heads east, then north, loops over Lancaster Junction, then heads south again...
We finished up with 22.80 miles on the cyclecomputer, just 8 shy of 30. Another day!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Hot Saturday Afternoon
It's still hot in Lancaster County, but the humidity is far less. There's a breeze, and the air is clear.
We rolled out around 1:30 PM and rode into Mt Joy along Rte 230 (Main Street). We made our way down West Donegal Street where Melissa and Tony live, then down to Musser road, a beautiful rolling farm lane south of town.
This was the first time on this route, so we had a few missed turns, but finally made our way over to Pinkerton Rd past Groff Farm Golf Club. Here the road descends steeply, then follows Little Chiques Creek until it crosses via an ancient stone bridge.
Every downhill results in an uphill, so we climbed out of the valley, then left onto Longenecker Road back into Mount Joy.
It was a nice day for a tandem ride, and we'll try to remember the intense green, the warm sunshine, the sound of the corn rustling in the breeze, and the birds flitting overhead this January, when everything is encased in snow and ice.
We rolled out around 1:30 PM and rode into Mt Joy along Rte 230 (Main Street). We made our way down West Donegal Street where Melissa and Tony live, then down to Musser road, a beautiful rolling farm lane south of town.
This was the first time on this route, so we had a few missed turns, but finally made our way over to Pinkerton Rd past Groff Farm Golf Club. Here the road descends steeply, then follows Little Chiques Creek until it crosses via an ancient stone bridge.
Every downhill results in an uphill, so we climbed out of the valley, then left onto Longenecker Road back into Mount Joy.
It was a nice day for a tandem ride, and we'll try to remember the intense green, the warm sunshine, the sound of the corn rustling in the breeze, and the birds flitting overhead this January, when everything is encased in snow and ice.
Our Bikes
We have a few bicycles in our garage.
Here's is Janet's hybrid:
This bike is about 20 years old. we just added the removable basket so she can use it for shopping trips at the store less than a mile away.
This is Melissa's bike. we store it since they don't have much storage room. We bought this bike for Melissa when she was 12 -- so this bike is about 6 years old:
This is my old Gary Fisher Mountain bike sporting road wheels. I beat this thing pretty bad and rode it hard in PA and WV on some fairly tough trails. I have also used it to ride roads when my Pinarello wasn't useable. Nathaniel's ridden this bike as well:
Here's out Cannondale RT1000 tandem, purchased in 1998 or 99. It's been a great bike. The wheels were built by Skirk's bike shop:
My Downtube 2011 9FS folder is ready to go:
There's one more bike in our stable -- a 1992 Pinarello Stelvio steel frame road race bike. It's being rebuilt at Shirks so I'll post when I get it back.
Here's is Janet's hybrid:
This bike is about 20 years old. we just added the removable basket so she can use it for shopping trips at the store less than a mile away.
This is Melissa's bike. we store it since they don't have much storage room. We bought this bike for Melissa when she was 12 -- so this bike is about 6 years old:
This is my old Gary Fisher Mountain bike sporting road wheels. I beat this thing pretty bad and rode it hard in PA and WV on some fairly tough trails. I have also used it to ride roads when my Pinarello wasn't useable. Nathaniel's ridden this bike as well:
Here's out Cannondale RT1000 tandem, purchased in 1998 or 99. It's been a great bike. The wheels were built by Skirk's bike shop:
My Downtube 2011 9FS folder is ready to go:
There's one more bike in our stable -- a 1992 Pinarello Stelvio steel frame road race bike. It's being rebuilt at Shirks so I'll post when I get it back.
Rush Hour
Over the years I've learned there are some hours during the day it's simply unsafe to be riding a bike.
We ignored that yesterday in order to beat a line of thunderstorms heading towards us. It was hot yesterday (mid-90s) and humid. I had to be in Exton in the morning and Janet accompanied me. We had lunch, did some shopping, and headed back. I checked the weather when we got home and figured we had about 2 hours before lots of strong thunderstorms would be overhead.
So we changed into cycling clothes, pulled out the bike, and headed out for the back roads of western Lancaster County.
On Strickler road (a connecting road we use to bypass busy roads and reach quieter locales) we saw more cars then we've seen in weeks. The Route 283 bridge was busy. Auction road was quiet. We were happy to see the Shencks Mill covered bridge open for traffic. Unfortunately a car and two trucks were happy to see it open, too. The pickup pulled on while we were still crossing -- he simply wasn't paying attention. I yelled, he slowed -- a bit -- and we slipped between the truck and the bridge beams with a foot to spare.
We made it to the Lancaster Junction trail and took our first tandem rid eon the short stretch of crushed stone. It's a pretty trail and shaded -- welcome relief from a blistering sun. It's all too short (3.5 miles) so we made the left onto Auction road and followed it back to S Erisman. We completed the loop on Roher Road, made the left onto S Esbenshade road, and raced back to Strickler.
The second half of the trip didn't have any close calls, and we were grateful for the Con Way Tractor Trailer driver who waited until we could cross the 283 bridge.
That same route anytime between 0900 and 1500 would have been very quiet. After 3:30 PM people start the mad rush home, oblivious to anything they are not used to seeing.
We ignored that yesterday in order to beat a line of thunderstorms heading towards us. It was hot yesterday (mid-90s) and humid. I had to be in Exton in the morning and Janet accompanied me. We had lunch, did some shopping, and headed back. I checked the weather when we got home and figured we had about 2 hours before lots of strong thunderstorms would be overhead.
So we changed into cycling clothes, pulled out the bike, and headed out for the back roads of western Lancaster County.
On Strickler road (a connecting road we use to bypass busy roads and reach quieter locales) we saw more cars then we've seen in weeks. The Route 283 bridge was busy. Auction road was quiet. We were happy to see the Shencks Mill covered bridge open for traffic. Unfortunately a car and two trucks were happy to see it open, too. The pickup pulled on while we were still crossing -- he simply wasn't paying attention. I yelled, he slowed -- a bit -- and we slipped between the truck and the bridge beams with a foot to spare.
We made it to the Lancaster Junction trail and took our first tandem rid eon the short stretch of crushed stone. It's a pretty trail and shaded -- welcome relief from a blistering sun. It's all too short (3.5 miles) so we made the left onto Auction road and followed it back to S Erisman. We completed the loop on Roher Road, made the left onto S Esbenshade road, and raced back to Strickler.
The second half of the trip didn't have any close calls, and we were grateful for the Con Way Tractor Trailer driver who waited until we could cross the 283 bridge.
That same route anytime between 0900 and 1500 would have been very quiet. After 3:30 PM people start the mad rush home, oblivious to anything they are not used to seeing.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Amtrak Commuting
Several times each month I'm able to ride to the train station, ride Amtrak, then ride to the office in Exton, PA or downtown Philadelphia.
Amtrak requires that bicycles taken aboard the keystone trains be of the folding types with wheels 20" or less (Apparently SEPTA has the same rules).
So for father's Day this year my present was a 2011 Downtube FS9 folding bicycle:
I added a frame pump, a small Louis Garneau saddle bag for a spare tube and tools, and a Blackburn flashing tail light.
So far the bike has been solid. While the riding position places lots of weight high up on tiny wheels, with a little practice you learn to work with the twitcy-ness.
Some of the components will need upgrade by the end of the season (the crankset and BB, most likely -- I've been hearing some creaks and rubbing sounds).
The tires are solid, the rims fairly true, and the frame bulletproof.
Folding is easy and takes about 30 seconds. The carry onto the train is a bit challenging as the folded condition still leaves handlebars and such hanging out to catch stuff on the way up or down.
I usually leave it in the open area reserved for baggage and/or wheel chairs. Only once did a conductor insist that I place the bike up on a luggage rack. It fit, but took some wrangling. It was pointless and arbitrary as there was luggage lying about loose in the car and my bike presented no more hazard and took up no more space than a suitcase.
I've ridden the bike 15 miles (from Mount Joy to the Lancaster train station). This is not a racing bike -- rolling resistance is high, inertia is low, and the suspension means the bike flexes and bounces on a hard climb uphill. I don't have a speedometer on it but from expereince know that we're maxed out at 30 -- faster than that and the bike is simply too unstable.
But this bike was built for urban commuting. I sometimes ride from 30th Street Station to 1234 Market Street (about 1.4 miles) in heavy morning traffic.
I'm able to quickly get up to speed, stop when needed, and dodge buses, taxis, and lost tourists from jersey...
I don't have much expereince with folding bikes, but have several hundred thousand miles on road, mountain, and tandem bikes and I can heartily recommend this bike to fellow commuters.
Amtrak requires that bicycles taken aboard the keystone trains be of the folding types with wheels 20" or less (Apparently SEPTA has the same rules).
So for father's Day this year my present was a 2011 Downtube FS9 folding bicycle:
I added a frame pump, a small Louis Garneau saddle bag for a spare tube and tools, and a Blackburn flashing tail light.
So far the bike has been solid. While the riding position places lots of weight high up on tiny wheels, with a little practice you learn to work with the twitcy-ness.
Some of the components will need upgrade by the end of the season (the crankset and BB, most likely -- I've been hearing some creaks and rubbing sounds).
The tires are solid, the rims fairly true, and the frame bulletproof.
Folding is easy and takes about 30 seconds. The carry onto the train is a bit challenging as the folded condition still leaves handlebars and such hanging out to catch stuff on the way up or down.
I usually leave it in the open area reserved for baggage and/or wheel chairs. Only once did a conductor insist that I place the bike up on a luggage rack. It fit, but took some wrangling. It was pointless and arbitrary as there was luggage lying about loose in the car and my bike presented no more hazard and took up no more space than a suitcase.
I've ridden the bike 15 miles (from Mount Joy to the Lancaster train station). This is not a racing bike -- rolling resistance is high, inertia is low, and the suspension means the bike flexes and bounces on a hard climb uphill. I don't have a speedometer on it but from expereince know that we're maxed out at 30 -- faster than that and the bike is simply too unstable.
But this bike was built for urban commuting. I sometimes ride from 30th Street Station to 1234 Market Street (about 1.4 miles) in heavy morning traffic.
I'm able to quickly get up to speed, stop when needed, and dodge buses, taxis, and lost tourists from jersey...
I don't have much expereince with folding bikes, but have several hundred thousand miles on road, mountain, and tandem bikes and I can heartily recommend this bike to fellow commuters.
Tandem Routes
Yesterday we tried a new route near our home in Mount Joy, PA. So far we've ridden a short loop plus out and back. But yesterday was so clear and gorgeous with highs around 80 that we had to go further.
All was well until we rolled up to the covered bridge on S Erisman road.
Signs proclaimed the road closed. Trucks and workers scurried about and the detour sign pointed to the left.
All was well until we rolled up to the covered bridge on S Erisman road.
Signs proclaimed the road closed. Trucks and workers scurried about and the detour sign pointed to the left.
Tandem Basics
The captain rides up front and is responsible for steering, braking, navigating, watching for hazards and bumps, and setting the cadence and gear selection. The stoker rides in back and provides power, manages maps, cell phones, water bottles, food, and turning hand signals. The captain rides through the bugs and the wind and sometimes rain while the stoker is hunkered behind the captain, blocked from most bugs and wind and rain.
The stoker‘s trust and confidence in the captain must be complete, and the captain must be a strong and careful rider to earn and maintain this trust. The captain must look out for potholes and obstructions since the stoker can’t see the bumps and therefore can’t rise up out of the saddle in time. If the bump is unavoidable, the captain should tell the stoker early enough to take action.
The captain should set a cadence that both riders can comfortably maintain. Cadence drives gear choice. A good rate to shoot for on a longer tour is 60-70 RPM. This is fast enough to keep the bike rolling while not so slow that the entire effort is mere brute pushing. 8-90 RPM works fine for short bursts of speed (taking advantage of a slight downhill, racing through a light, or just blowing by some poor soul on a single.
Higher cadences are unnecessary for touring. The gear ratios on the bike should suit the team and permit riding at the cadence.
The captain must be able to determine if there will be enough inertia to roll over the hill or down shift before the hill so the transition is not made under pressure. Tandem chains are longer so shifts don’t happen as quickly as they do on a single.
Nothing happens quickly on a tandem – tandems start more slowly, take longer to stop, have more complicated and therefore lengthy gear changes, and require more room to make a turn.
Once you get rolling, you’re more likely to reach higher speeds and sustain that speed over gently rolling terrain. There’s a significant difference in the experience on a tandem when you get the pedals cranking and ride at 25, 30, 35 MPH. Which is why a good, solid frame is critical – you don’t want high-speed shimmy on a tandem, and you want full control on the road when you’re rolling along at car speeds.
The stoker‘s trust and confidence in the captain must be complete, and the captain must be a strong and careful rider to earn and maintain this trust. The captain must look out for potholes and obstructions since the stoker can’t see the bumps and therefore can’t rise up out of the saddle in time. If the bump is unavoidable, the captain should tell the stoker early enough to take action.
The captain should set a cadence that both riders can comfortably maintain. Cadence drives gear choice. A good rate to shoot for on a longer tour is 60-70 RPM. This is fast enough to keep the bike rolling while not so slow that the entire effort is mere brute pushing. 8-90 RPM works fine for short bursts of speed (taking advantage of a slight downhill, racing through a light, or just blowing by some poor soul on a single.
Higher cadences are unnecessary for touring. The gear ratios on the bike should suit the team and permit riding at the cadence.
The captain must be able to determine if there will be enough inertia to roll over the hill or down shift before the hill so the transition is not made under pressure. Tandem chains are longer so shifts don’t happen as quickly as they do on a single.
Nothing happens quickly on a tandem – tandems start more slowly, take longer to stop, have more complicated and therefore lengthy gear changes, and require more room to make a turn.
Once you get rolling, you’re more likely to reach higher speeds and sustain that speed over gently rolling terrain. There’s a significant difference in the experience on a tandem when you get the pedals cranking and ride at 25, 30, 35 MPH. Which is why a good, solid frame is critical – you don’t want high-speed shimmy on a tandem, and you want full control on the road when you’re rolling along at car speeds.
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