Two Weeks
Wow, 2 weeks to go. I'm still working on my packing list and regreting my lack of training mileage. Looks like I'll be depending on a good base from year round commuting and good endurance genetics.
I've rethought my packing list, going without panniers and bringing less gear. I also pulled a forgotten mid-size Topeak backpack from my stash of bags. I'm much happier with this bag than the Camelbak Hawg I was planning to use. When packed really full the Camelbak takes on a very round profile and never feels very secure to me. The Topeak covers a bit more of my back, but it sits much closer to me when full and has more pockets, including 2 I can reach while riding.
I still plan on camping and have procured an ultralight down sleeping bag and a bivy sack. In anything but a downpour I should be fine wioth these 2 items. If the weather looks bad I may bring a tent or just a small tarp.
How are your preperations going?
I've rethought my packing list, going without panniers and bringing less gear. I also pulled a forgotten mid-size Topeak backpack from my stash of bags. I'm much happier with this bag than the Camelbak Hawg I was planning to use. When packed really full the Camelbak takes on a very round profile and never feels very secure to me. The Topeak covers a bit more of my back, but it sits much closer to me when full and has more pockets, including 2 I can reach while riding.
I still plan on camping and have procured an ultralight down sleeping bag and a bivy sack. In anything but a downpour I should be fine wioth these 2 items. If the weather looks bad I may bring a tent or just a small tarp.
How are your preperations going?
posted by Ccrider | 1:02 PM
11 Comments:
My preps are going pretty well. I got the rest of my camping gear that I needed (Hennessey hammock, esbit stove, rain gear). I'm packing light so I should be able to fit everything in my Reload bag and keep the weight off the bike which makes standing to climb easier.
I've printed out all the maps and figured out mileage should be around 380 total. First night I plan on staying in Caledonia state park or Cowans Gap depending on how the day goes (150-170 miles). Check the PA DCNR website for good maps of state parks and forests. Second night should be in Ohiopyle (300 miles total). Leaving 80 miles to the finish.
My biggest concern is a headwind out in all the farm country. I was out for a century yesterday and at mile 80 after 40 miles into the wind I was getting pretty pissed and discouraged. I also need to eat more solid food other than trail mix and energy bars. Once I turned out of the wind I mellowed out though. Won't be able to do that out on route s.
What kind of bike is everyone planning on using? I've got a surly crosscheck fixed 42x17 with a 20t bailout on the other side.
Read my comment from the previous post regarding housing/transport if you have any suggestions.
i am not really prepared other than having the necessary supplies.
still trying to decide wether to pack it all in my messenger bag or use some small panniers.
i am glad to hear someoen is doing it fixed! i will be singlespeeding at 44x18 and hoping that will be good enough with no bailout gear.
i also like the 3 day plan but was gonna try for it in two. i really dunno how that will go however.
this weekend i might just go race the first MASS race as i figure that will kick my @ss better than any training ride i could do, but i still need to figutre out where to pack what and how to carry it all.
oh and i plan to camp if it is nice (i got a light sleeping bag and a tarp for aground cloth) if it is nasty out comes my little plastic friend (hopefully then there will be a hotel nearby).
i am really hoping for nice weather and to follow chris over to the park to camp for the first night however!
see you all at the liberty bell.
oh and chris, i'd be down for splitting a car back to pihlly with you (provided we both make it, and in reasonably similar times).
Preparations are good on this end. Knowing that Carol will not ride has prompted me to adopt my strategy and soft ground camp instead of hotel camp...
For those interested in Pittsburgh accomodations, I don't feel I can offer anything right now because your schedules seem a bit more rigorous than mine, and I don't really feel comfortable leaving my house open to strangers.
That said, I do have a back yard, and if folks just need a place to pop a tent, I'm cool with that. I will, however, need to go to work on Monday, so I will be locking the door behind me. Hope this doesn't sound too callous, but it's just that no one's contacted me personally to introduce themselves or ask....
Training wise, I'll be relying on my base of training from the past six months of riding as well as my mental resolve.
Everything else looks fine.
Sorry to hear about Carol. Hope recovery goes well for her.
Max - splitting a car back on Monday would be great. Do you live in Philly? I was looking at costs for parking my car in a garage over the weekend and its not cheap. If you know of anywhere remotely close by to park I'll take advise.
CCrider - who exactly are you? I've seen posts from both Michael and Carol using 'ccrider' and wasn't sure who it was. I'm Chris Lattemann. Live just outside of Reading, PA. Split my riding time between my track bike and fixed crosscheck. Most of my miles are road but still like to get out on dirt. Feel like I'm slacking when I don't ride to work. Dirt Rag subscriber for a couple of years so I recognize some of your names.
A backyard to camp in would be great. I understand how you feel about opening up your place to strangers. I plan on leaving Monday morning to head back home.
I've looked into the abandoned turnpike tunnels near Breezewood. Check out piketobike.org. They have maps you can print out. The trailheads only a little ways off of the route so I'm definately going that way.
Any other riders show any interest or just the few of us posting here?
If you want to conatact me off this blog drop a line to fxdwl at yahoo dot com.
Chris
Hey Chris,
I just tried to contact you by email, but the address was rejected. Feel free to contact me at browne at dirtragmag dot com.
my email address should be fxdwhl at yahoo dot com and not what I have listed above.
Chris
hey so this will be a pretty small affair eh? sorry to hear about carol! i myslef am recovering from two severly dislocated finger from going over the bars about a month ago. luckily mine are gonna be alright just in time!
if everyone is gonna do the three day (or at least chris with whom it would be MIGHTY nice to share a car back with) then that is what i will plan for as well.
i already took monday off work, so driving back that day would be easy.
my only problem with camping might be weather. i have no suitable tent for biking so i was just bringing my sleeping bag and a tarp to sleep on (which would SUCK in the rain). but i am real easy so hopefully it won't be a problem. in the event of weather i will just try and convince you all to split a hotel with me...
chris, as for parking my suggestion would be to leave your car at the art museum area. it is decently close to centercity and definitely safe for overnight parking.
there are parking lots right at an area called the waterworks right behind the art museum or tons of unmetered residential spots around there.
i will be riding my bike right past there on the way to the bell so if you wanted i could even meet you there and give you a heads up on parking. i assume your driving from reading that morning? i guess that would mean meeting up there at like 4:30 AM?
we can either discuss it here or shoot me an e-mail at msteinbrenner@hotmail.com
one other question popped into my head recently... any of you bringing a lock? i was debating it, as they are freakin heavy and my bike is old and dirty ;)
keep up the chatter people! i am really getting excited to see if i can do this....
Locks-
After some debate, I am 80% sure I'm bringing a lock, a cheap combo, more for my peace of mind than theft prevention. I'd hate to be asleep in my tent somewhere and wake up to no bike.
Hmmm, my slow moving brain just realized my bike is part of the tent, making it kinda hard to steal without me noticing.
I also just crashed an tore up both my palms. I hope they are somewhat healed in a week as right now it hurts to ride. Stupid railroad tracks.
This will be a small group. Where are you from Eric? Max and I are both eastsiders. Browne is a westsider. This could be a turf war in the makeing.
Max - My wife offered to drive me down but then realized how early it would be. I'd be fine with parking around the art museum. I'm pretty familiar with philly but some more precise guidance would be great. I'll be driving down the morning of so we could meet beforehand. Avis rental has pickup in downtown Pitt and dropoff in downtown philly so I think I might go with them. A lot of the other rentals only have airport locations. I'll look into it more.
Camping - I've got a Hennessey hammcok tent I'm bringing for this trip. Think of a hammock with a nylon bottom. Then add screen netting above. Then put a rainfly suspended above it. Keeps me off the ground and dry. Your welcome to shimmy under it if weather sets it Max.
Locks - I'm gonna bring my krypto mini. I have cable lock if anyone wants to borrow it.
No more injuries people or this ride might not happen.
My location is in the 412, yo.
Looks like a east/west throwdown.
Represent!
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