17 miles in 1:36 tonight....

[BiggJawn]

Cut a whole MINUTE off my time.....<big. whoop.>

Hit 35 MPH on a downhill w/o really stoking it. THAT felt good....

Had a quartering headwind at 14 for all but the last 5 miles

Saw 2 Deer, several blue Jays, and hundreds of KillDeers

[CharlesGroce]

1. uh

what?

[happyslug]

2. I did 14 miles in 4 hours!!!!!!!!!!

Almost Averaged 3mph!!!!!!!

OK, I had to dismount for over 1/4 mile do to rocks on the path I was on (It was also down hill). I was hauling a 50 pound trailer (I loaded it down to see what I could haul). When I was biking my speedometer said I was going about 7-8 mph as I headed to the Staple bend tunnel, but 10-12 mph on the way back (with one period up to 22mph).

In Johnstown their opened the Stable Bend Tunnel (The First Railroad tunnel Built in the US) as a bike trail two years ago. The only problem is the only way to get to it from Johnstown is via a dirt road that deteriorates into a path of rocks as it shifts from relatively flat to downhill. (Did I mention the hill climb you have to do to get to this "road"?)

As I get off the dirt road, I ride for about 1 mile on an improved dirt road (It has gravel thrown on top of some sort of dirt/asphalt combination, Asphalt was last laid down over 50 years ago). I than ride the Staple Bend Tunnel trail for two miles (I than reverse for the return of 7 miles). The worse part was going back up that 1/4 mile rock path with a fully loaded bike and trailer. Other than that it was easy (Through I had to adjust my lights which caused a further delay of about 30 minutes, I did not want to get hit by a Car).

OK I was a bit slower than you, but at least I went out...

Pictures of the Stable Bend Tunnel:
http://www.graciano.com/staple.htm

[BiggJawn]

8. That sounds like some good MTB trails if you have suspension...

Our local roads here are made of a type of asphalt that is more aggregate than binder, so during the winter, the loose stuff washes out and collects in windrows on the White Line, leaving a rough surface in the middle. Almost as bad as a gravel road, and no fun with 27X1 1/4 tyres...

[happyslug]

11. I had on 26x1.5 slicks

Would not grab for shit (But did go through the water puddles in the dirt road without to much problem. The only problem was the trailer, it was a Cycle-tote not a BOB. The Cycle-tote is the better trailer for road use but on that trail the wheels did not give the trailer enough ground clearance and I kept Hearing Aluminum pulled over Rock.

As to suspension, I do have a Front Suspension but I learned on that trail the best way to go down that hill is to walk the bike. You have less chance of being thrown left, right or over the top of your handlebars.

[BiggJawn]

17. What were you carrying? or is it just training drag?

Those trailers are interesting.
I could see using one for the big one-way trip to Mexico when Jebbie gets installed in the Offal Orifice...

[happyslug]

18. Training Drag/Camping gear

I follow the old saying, you go as you had trained, Thus I carry on my trailer what I would take on a long trip:

1 Four Man Tent Eureka 10 pounds
1 Slumerjack Sleeping mate 3 pounds
1 Sleeping bag 3 pounds
1 Axe/Knife Combo 3 pounds
1 Collapsible saw 1 pound
1 Peak One Stove with Case 3 pounds
1 Peak One Lantern with Case 3 pounds
1 Floor Pump 3 pounds
1 pair Combat Boots 5 pounds
1 pair sandals 1 pound
1 tool set - two pounds
1 Spare Helmet 1 pound

Total Weight about 40 pounds

I have about ten pounds in additional items so I am hauling about 50 pounds.

[happyslug]

19. On the bike itself

I carry Additional items on my bike in Panniers including:

1 Alien Combo Tool
3 Set of alien Wenches
2 Pairs of Pliers
1 Tire Patch kit
1 Screwdriver set
1 Racket Set
1 pair of Neos Over boots
1 Set of Rain Gear

Total weight about 15 pounds - on long trips these items have come in handy

Yes, I do not travel lightly.

[happyslug]

3. I did this last night, about 3 hours (no trailer)

[BiggJawn]

6. Nice loop! Those climbs look BRUTAL!

You take 'em with a 42-14 cog combo, right? :-)

[happyslug]

12. Ha, Ha, Ha

Actually I tend to use 44 - 16 but vary between the 16, 18, 20, 23, 26 30 and 34 teeth (I Switch gears a lot). Downhills I coast till I can start to use the 44-11 but that is only for short time period before I have to downshift to a more normal 44-16.

Remember I am using 26 inch wheels NOT 700cc Wheels so the leverage is easier. Thus my 44 is about the same as a 42 on a 700cc bike (With the 14 being a lot easier than the 14 on a 700cc bike).

I only use the 32 front gears on real steep hills (and those better be short for after about 1/4 mile of climbing I tend to dismount and save my knees).

As to the two hill climbs on this route the raise is steady and can be biked but after awhile I need to take a break and do so by walking my bike.

Please note this is the FLATTEST trail in my area (With the exception of the actual bike trails). The Ghost town Trail being over the ridge the above trail STOPS at when it turns back south. The Ghost town trail has some 5% grades but generally 2-3%. The Yough Trail is 30 miles to the south from the southern part of the above trip and to get there you have to travel over even steeper terrain. But once on the Yough trail it is 3% downhill grade from Mt Salvage Tunnel to McKeesport. None of the roads in this area are that flat.

I ride my trails, take my time and enjoy the mountainside.

[BiggJawn]

16. I get off and walk, too, sometimes.

Sometimes a LOT. I have a 26-28 gear on one bike and a 42-34 on last night's ride, but even that's not enough to climb out of the valley at Springboro...

Hard walking in SPD cleats, too!

[happyslug]

20. That Why I use clips on my pedals instead of clip less pedals

That way I can wear a comfortable walking shoe when I am biking.

[Teddy_Salad]

4. I did a six pack tonight...

in 3hrs:12secs.

A new record for me. All the training is finally paying off.

I couldn't be happier.

:beer:

[happyslug]

10. THREE HOURS FOR A SIX PACK!!!!!!

I knew a person who drank TWO CASES OF QUARTS and still a thirst on after three hours. If you going to train for Cirrhosis of the liver do it right.

[DS1]

5. Nice dude!

A minute is a big deal!

[BiggJawn]

7. Thanks, I think so, too...

My girlfriend doesn't understand..."I'd go riding with you, but I'm not interested in a 10-mile road race..."

Doesn't understand the Need for Speed...

I was in the middle of the lane on the downhill with a car behind me. It stayed back, guess they figured 35 was good enough for them, too...Or they were waiting for me to "stack" it...:7

[UrbScotty]

9. Cool!

Lose some weight?

[BiggJawn]

14. different bike.

Took the "training machine" instead of the "Randonee" bike. about a 10 Lb. difference and the trainer's geared higher, even though there was a lot of 42-34 work into the wind....

[Misinformed01]

13. Oh man...my Subaru Station Wagon goes faster than that!

Oh wait...you mean you rode your bike....

OK, nevermind....

[happyslug]

21. You mean you haven't push that Subaru that fast

With Gasoline approaching $2.00, pushing may be cheaper than riding in your Subaru.

[CatWoman]

15. Way cool, Iron Chef Redneck

got Spam??

:D

:hi: