You hear a lot of nostalgic talk about the golden age of this or that. I feel that way about some things. But let me tell you, for me, right now is the golden age of bicycling.
My ride this weekend is a case in point. Last year I made the aquaintance of some folks at a blog called Ride Lugged. A entertaining and ecclectic crew, but we do seem to see eye to eye on the kinds of rides we like. Ride through senic places, on whatever surface presents itself. The rides don't have to be pain filled suffer fests, but they might be sometimes. This particular weekend, it was exactly the opposite, a convivial pace with frequent regroupings. No one left behind. Cycle Touring in the continenal or English tradition.
Casey planned an incredible route through the mountains of central Pennsylvania. It was incredible because the climbing was actually kept to a minimum. He somehow managed to max out the scenery though.
I had to leave Casa Hjalti at 6:15 am to make it to up near State College, PA for the 9 am start, but the drive was pleasant enough. I made it in plenty of time and got set up and ready to ride.
I knew several of the riders, but I met Bone and Gary. I've communicated with Bone through his blog, but never in person. Casey, Starmer and Mel rounded out the group.
The Sky was flawless as we headed out along the twisty road from Lemont.
Soon we turned off and began to climb, but it was a moderate grade and not long.
That was the drill for most of the hills on the ride. I only grannied out twice. If you know me, that's pretty good. Bone was feeling it too, but he dug in and rocked. I kept taking photos, both rolling and stopped.
Casey said "Wait till we get to the pretty part."
Ha! It was all pretty. We stopped in Centre Hall for a short break and
we all grabbed the obligatory "row of bikes on the wall" photos.
Ducking through an alley to avoid a slightly higher traffic road,
we soon headed onto a rural lane through woods and pastures,
surrounded by green mountains on two sides as we moved down the valley.
Absoloutly fantastic. It was, to me, what riding a bike is all about.
We hit a gravel road past an interesting monument to two soldiers "killed by five Indians" in 1778. No word on the outcome for the Indians.
Just past there I had the only mechanical of the day. I flatted. Classic pinch flat.
Serves me right for thinking a behemoth like me could get away with 28s on gravel. The Conti tire was a b**** to get off and back on the rim. I broke a lever doing so, but eventually got it.
This was the only mechanical of the day, and we were soon rolling again. We headed down Shunk Rd. with me making the call of the wild shunk (SHUNK! SHUNK!), but soon turned onto Egg Hill Rd., saving my companions the embarassment of my shunky outbursts.
Some kind soul had set out a picnic table in a grassy area by the stream, so we adjourned for lunch. Sandwiches, cookies, nuts, an apple and beer were all on my menu. The other's had a bit of wine Casey hauled along, although I offered a spare beer.. Mmmmmm.
We lingered a bit and then continued on, stopping again in just a bit at Spring Mills
to restock on essentials. Wintergreen Lifesavers seem to make me ride better. No idea why.
The route took a short loop at this end and the wisest among us waited for a short bit and let the others ride on an extra four hilly miles along Beaver Dam Rd. You know, the Beaver Dam Rd. near home has some big honking hills too. Shouldn't those dam beavers be building in the low spots?
We took a scenery photo break and then reformed the entire group to head back west on Lower Georges Valley Rd.
A bit of climbing, but nothing unpleasant, until we turned onto Reeder Rd. Short, but plenty steep and I dove for granny to get to the top. The payoff was a fairly long sweeping downhill. Ahhh, bliss.
Next we crossed a couple of busier roads and then did some more gradual elevation gain to another nice gravel road. Lots of shady tunnels of green.
Finally we reached the other climb which required the services of my granny gear again. I noticed the smoothest pavement of the day on this climb, right next to a property that has a sign for the township tax collector. Coincidence?
Once more across a busy Rt 322 and onto a road out in the wide open. At some point the wind had picked up and we were riding into it. It seemed like a lot of work at the time, but we were soon back into the shelter of the trees.
A bit more and we rejoined some roads we'd already ridden today, but now heading home. I took a few more photos, and pretty soon we were on the final stretch.
It was great to veg out on the front porch talking bikes, eating BBQ and drinking beer and we were soon so far past recovered that we tried our hands at a slightly drunken game of croquet.
Then a grand search for firewood, an interesting and failed experiment in primitive fire starting,
and some good times around a campfire (started with thoroughly modern matches).
Too soon we headed in to crash, and my kind hosts gave me a futon in a spare bedroom. I was expecting a floor, so this was just icing on the cake!
It just doesn't get any better than this.
Starmer's photos. Bone's impressions.