If it’s awesome, it’s not easy

Monday morn: up and out of the barn. That was a nice way to start the ride. The fox screaming at night was a little unnerving though. Usual morning fare will

Be oatmeal and coffee in the camp.

Monticello was closed so no visit there. Into Charlottesville for bagels then onward hopefully to the parkway! Not as hot as Sunday!

A local tried to steer me around a big climb and I got lost and caught I the most horrendous rain! I was now cold and drenched and having to remember why I’m doing this, even though I was frustrated.

Rode up to Blue Ridge Plwy… stopped  after 51 miles…freezing and soaked. Holed up in a campground restroom to stay stay dry and out of the cold wind. JetBoil dinner again

Up early again… more thick fog, rain and big hills. An erroneous (my error?) marking on the map led me down a 15% grade for a mile and a half. Reconnoitering, and a map check with Jeff confirmed… walk up that hill!

C’est la vie! At least the rain is stopping.

Spoke too soon. More rain and more hills.

Awesome downhill into Vesuvius for lunch with a couple other TransAmers from Netherlands and France. Sun came out and we rode together into Lexington, VA.

I stayed at Dirk and Chrissy’s on warm shower!

Laundry, shower, dinner and bed.

The rains have stopped and 151 miles.

Headed out soon after 

And of course if you know somebody who is able and willing to donate, here’s that link.

http://act.alz.org/goto/TomDressler

 

...tom

It’s the Final Countdown, and I’m a Sucka!

 

Honorary Proud Sucka!

Hot here today.. on National Bike to Work from home Day!

Same tomorrow… 80-90..  but as Aladdin said.. Robin Williams’ version…”We’re outta here!” (He had dementia also)

Today, one more dynamic stress test, Jeff and I did a slow 26 or so. I pounded some local 8-10% grades in my neighborhood. Been doing that lately. Steep, but short. It’s for the burn!

This eve, final packing and.. best news… I’m an Honorary Sucka!

Lowell rode with the nicest, most lovingest group of folks..collectively called The Suckas. You can’t walk up and ask to join.. you gotta be invited or get ‘jumped in’ or something. (It’s a biker 1%er thing I think.)

Anyway, many of them have joined this effort and they wanted to thank me for caring about Lowell the way they do. They sent me a team Sucka jersey that has a nice silhouette of a bunch of them on the back. So Lowell, truly has my back on this ride! But this is the front.

Looking forward to meeting them and hopefully being capable to ride with them.

They called Lowell the Polite Hammer.  PH. He had the strength and ability to come up behind you on a hill, “explain how time was invented, ask you how your family is doing”.. then pound up the hill and wait for an answer.

Yeah.. I’m told strong, sweet and loving… like my Mother.

Thank you all.

Oh, yeah, the title.. I kinda like that song by Joey Tempest and Europe.

More support and the sun is shining!

Another hill day yesterday.. 10%, and I’ll see more! Jeff told me his other partner pedaled up an 18%!

100% being a 45 degree slope. I don’t want to ‘math it’ for you, y/x, but that’s Crazy! And his bike was also loaded.

Also, my friend, Lisa heard I was in search of a solar panel. My dentist neighbor suggested I get one so I can text him daily. (We’ve known Doc Covel since ..’77?) Lisa is loaning me hers! That will keep my gps and lighting charged as well as the phone and help keep my costs down.

Of course, that means I have to delete something from the rig for a net equal weight… a shirt.. socks? Not the Caffe Amouri coffee! No way! And Beth at Bikes@Vienna handed me a bag of dehydrated meals for a few days! And at 8 lbs/gal, can someone get me some dehydrated water?

My sister, Anne, also part of the event, although pedaling locally, is now blasting out miles before her work day! There was a time a few years back when walking was a challenge for her for reasons, so that’s great to see! 

And Friday is National Bike to Work Day. I’ll call the office I’m San Fran and tell them I’ll be a little late. Start the call without me.

Fresh content and fresh java

This morning, after a quick 38 mile rig tuneup ride with Jeff, I stopped at Cafe Amouri on Church St in Vienna https://www.caffeamouri.com/

Michael roasts his own coffee and I smell it wafting over my house most mornings! Ahhhh! I’ve been buying his beans for some time and will add to my load by taking a pound with me! It is THAT good!

Oh, my rig? Jeff pointed out a rattle on my bike and reminded me that I have 3600 miles to listen to it! No thanks. A bit of the Velcro Fly quieted it down.

Michael loves Vienna and donated to my effort! He’s also an old school music dude! Cant go wrong there!

Here’s the link to the description for the Alz.org site: Alz.org Spokes Ride

Liftoff for Alz TransAm!

Final prepping and weight adjustments…Phoenix gets a new chain and new brake pads.

Enough already! Just go.. would ya?! Ok.. yes.. I will… Saturday, liftoff from my home!

I’m being asked what route I’m taking. Here’s a high level view.

I’ll follow the orange path to Colorado, then jump on the pink path to Calif. it’s only 3600 miles.. ok? So relax and enjoy the ride. And thank you for caring.

Here’s the link to the description for the Alz.org site: Alz.org Spokes Ride

Ride 4 Alz

Phoenix rises again.

Here, on the GAP.

On May 22, I’ll be heading out on Phoenix to pedal from Virginia to San Francisco to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer's. My destination is Belmont, CA, to the care facility that my mother is in.

Here’s a link to the description for the Alz.org site.

Alz.org Spokes Ride

I’ll be reporting back on this site, in 'latest' order for ease of reading.

~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~* ~*~*

** Sun May 15

I took Phoenix to a local expert, Ronnie Irvine, for one more “pair of eyes”. He works at Spokes, Etc, in Vienna; the Trek store that sold me Phoenix.

He pedaled around the world in ‘95. Look him up…WorldRide 95! And, he also used to live in the house I bought! He rented it before I bought it!

Between he and my friend Jeff, I can’t get a more experienced couple of people helping me!

Final testing and tweaking and loaded ride.

Here’s Phoenix.. ready to fly!

 ** Sat May 14

I’m about tired of the rain. I would like to send it to my friends in California.

And today is The Quail Motorcycle Gathering in Carmel Valley. I typically attend/work those shows, but I’m told I can’t do everything.

Penultimate Final Inventory time: (Jeff, am I doing this right?)

The bike, unloaded weighs about 32 lbs. All loaded, as pictured here: 83 lbs. (+50 lbs) I know, many others do it with less, and I’ve read that some carry more! Of course, add my 185 dressed weight and Phoenix has some work to do! 

Spares: 2 tubes, patch kit, chain, chain links and chain lube, cool Park multi-tool, 2 sets brake pads, 2 sets cables, other oil, multi-knife tool, regular knife, small screwdrivers for small adjustments, a couple rag things and sealable plastic bags, small bungee cords, zip ties and some other cord

Toiletries: usual stuff including a bar of Trader Joe’s shampoo/ wash soap.

Clothes:  Official Alz.org jersey,  2 T-shirts, 2 pr socks, 2 biking shorts, riding knickers, solar sleeves, long sleeve T, rain jacket, rain pants, long thermal pants, thermal gloves, wool cap (in case) small down jacket (in case), Teva Velcro shoe things that I can pedal in or walk IN water.

Camp gear: Big Agnes UL 2 tent, Marmot 3 season sleeping bag, awesome UL sleep pad, tiny pillow.

Cook gear: (subject to final purge) JetBoil and a small multi-cook pot and cup, cool Ti spork, small propane canister and a Sawyer Squeeze water purifier as well as some iodine tablets.

Riding clothes: shorts, T, open fingered gloves, solar sleeves, trail running shoes. (Merrill Trail Gloves), a helmet and a whistle. (I read that it might help defend against dogs)

The bike: from front to rear: newly purchased Trek 520 (Dec 21), front Ortleibs, front rack bag for pepper spray, quick access tools like air pump, lock, snacks, etc…,  I added fenders,a pair of  Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires, mirror, headlight, a Sigma computer AND a Garmin for mapping/ NAV security, paper maps from ACA, map pocket, 3 water bottles, an other set of Ortleibs, tail light, giant ACA safety triangle thing and a fluorescent pool noodle (not mounted yet) for ‘visual width gauging’ for passing cars. That was Lisa’s suggestion from NextDoor. 

Other stuff: usual phone with cables and I added an AirTag so my sister can know where I am. I don’t want to leave location tracking on my phone full time. It eats battery. I’m still considering a solar charger.

** Mon May 9

… ahh. The sun is shining again. Today I gave Phoenix another spa treatment. Checking all fasteners, cleaning chain and everything again. Also making sure I have the right sized tool for each fastener! I’ll be replacing the chain right before I roll out though and still carrying a fresh one. Also reviewing my maps, checking mileage. It looks like 3600 miles to the facility in Belmont, CA.

I’ll post my equipment list soon. Folks like to know what it takes and Jeff provided me with his comprehensive list as a good baseline.

** Wed May 4

Alright, I was asked what, if anything, am I doing to prepare for this solo, self-supported ride.

The Alz site implies that others are riding with me. Anne and Charlie have their own local, equally valuable, supporting activities as 'Teammates" but I'm doing my ride solo. Anne will be tracking my whereabouts with an AirTag so I don't have to have a phone on full time. "Where's Waldo now?"

I'm not the first to pedal a TransAm. In fact, MANY folks make this trek. and a company called AdventureCycling has made good business out of supporting the rides, with organized tours, maps, etc. Its just something I've wanted to do, albeit on a motorcycle, maybe that will be next. But after visiting Mom and meeting Lowell in April, it struck me that I need to do something NOW. Alzheimer's is all too common and it's not just for old people. Lowell is only 57 and he used to pedal, race cars and motorcycles, etc.. He's an engineer. He could be you or I and while certainly affected by this disease, he's 'Still Lowell' and Mom is 'Still Mom' inside.

My friend and local, way more experienced riding partner, Jeff had been telling me to ride hills and carry a load, so I have been carrying between 30-40 pounds of weights on my bike while he and  I pedal our 28 mile trip for coffee..and in general. I have been "attacking hills or grades"..push..push! Yes, I'm passing the roses...I'm aware.

I've been told that the TransAm becomes a mental challenge as much as physical so my mantra will be "1 mile, 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week at a time". I guess I should add "1 month.." to that?

Ok, preparations...eating as well as I can. I rarely eat fatty or prepared/processed foods anyway, and while not skinny, I'm generally not carrying too many extra pounds. I've cut out alcohol...(I do like good wine.)

Last weekend I did a test drive to examine a route out of the DC area. I'm glad I went. The route had me going down miles of rough, gravel farm road. No thank you.

I'm checking my supplies, gear, maps, using the internet for other's experiences and talking with Jeff. He said.."just go. you'll be fine"

Phoenix is up to the task. I bought it last Fall for this reason. It's a Trek 520, designed and purpose-built for touring with racks and I added a new saddle and fenders. Yeah, fenders on my bicycle. (and its called a saddle, not a seat) I guess I'm officially old. but no basket in front!!  I'll carry spare....everything...a chain, tubes, cables, tools for roadside repairs, a loud whistle to fend off the Kentucky dogs I've heard of, tent, sleeping gear, wet weather and cold weather clothes, warm weather clothes...yeah..everything...including a helmet. While there will be supply sources along the ride, that guy Murphy, wrote all those crazy laws...about something negative happening at the worst time. A flat at night next to an angry dog, etc. Here's alot of the gear in my basement. Yes, I ride unicycles also, in fact most of my siblings do, but not on this trip. Our Dad, for some reason, motivated us to learn those darned things. Hey! there's an idea. we have a brother that is a master at Uni, maybe he should do that...a UniTransAm?

I spoke with a guy in Boston that made this trek last year. He said "if you're already pedaling, you will get the rest under control in the first 2 weeks or so". I hope you're right Alan because I've heard there are some hills between DC and San Fran.

And while it may sound lonely and isolating, remember, the route is on regular roadways, through towns, etc and there are others pedaling, as I write this. It's not yet as popular as the Camino de Santiago though.

And right now, in Va, with little more than a week before I roll out, it's still raining...again. While I don't look forward to getting caught in the inevitable rain while riding, I'm not a fan of setting OUT in rain. I ride motorcycles also, and that's just the way I feel. I'm just waiting for my last piece of gear to arrive and my sister, Anne, and staunch supporter and also contributor to the effort, suggested I write a little.

I'm also trying to figure out how to make my old iPod 30GB, 5th gen work for the ride. My sons gave it to me for Christmas a long time ago and I still use it and love them for that gift! I'll miss my music.  I'm stuck back on Savoy Brown, recently.

GAP - C&O Blast

 The GAP trail!

Most folks that pedal, at least on the east coast of the USA, have heard of it and many have pedaled or hiked it.

147.5 miles of former train trail from Pittsburgh, PA down to Cumberland, Md…. or the other way. Regardless of where you start, and to be accurate, mile marker (MM) 0 is in Cumberland and MM 147.5 is in Pittsburgh, it’s an incredibly historic and scenic ride..crossing the continental divide as well as the Mason Dixon line. It’s a PA park so it’s nicely maintained along with many volunteers.

After living in Virginia for years, I had yet to accomplish it.

Then there’s the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath. It starts in Gerorgetown, DC..somewhere.. and ends, 184.4 miles later in Cumberland, MD.

Back when we used horses, it was used to tow people, and supplies up and down, paralleling the Potomac River. The canal is long since overgrown and filled in with fallen trees, but much of it has water, and wildlife! It’s a National park also, so it’s maintained along with volunteers. There are campsites along the way..it’s another beautiful pedal..or walk path.

While I had done the C&O, I had not added the GAP. This time, I combined them for a single blast and I wanted to find out what I could do, since I have a TransAm Ride 4 Alzheimer’s looming.

I’ll be taking my red bike, named Phoenix, on the TransAm ride and I wanted to test it first.

This ride was to be ‘only’ 350 miles of tenting and pedaling. Here's what I experienced. (My friend and riding partner, JEFF @ Yellowbike reminded me that I passed a few roses.)

I got a ride up to Pittsburgh from a good friend. That's a hard part sometimes...getting to the trailhead. On the drive up, Tuesday afternoon, we encountered near whiteout snow! Why am I doing this right now? It's mid April and theres a blizzard and I'm going to pedal a bicycle? It had subsided by the time we got down to Pgh, and the weather was just cool with some rain.

I left Pgh about 0830 after a hotel breakfast. Here’s Phoenix at the trailhead. While it was cool, the skies were mostly clear!

I just rode along enjoying the morning and so many waterfalls and ultimately stopped in Confluence, PA for the night at the Army Corps park or something. It’s called the Outflow Campground and is right off of the GAP.  Since it’s a National park thing, being 'old' has advantages.. was only $7.. for a tent site with a Seeing America Senior Pass. It seems I did about 80 miles that day..but they just rolled by 1 mile, 1 hour at a time. It was a lovely setting after a long day's ride. Aaahhh.. sleep.

Woke up Thursday morn to cold and rain. It’s part of the adventure! Coffee, (I brought my french press) some protein snackery..peanut butter in a tortilla with granola. That was the standard fare for the trip.

Up I go.. rain all day. There was snow on the trail between Rockwood and Myersdale… ON the trail.. not just the surrounding area! Earlier, a passing long-hauler told me he had to walk. Well, that was a challenge to me.."don't walk. Hold on and pedal through it!":...so I did. But it was probably deeper for him. His name is Paul, from The Netherlands...spending a 90 day visa, seeing our country by bicycle from DC - San Fran... Nice guy!

I blasted through to Cumberland and beyond! I guess the snow and climb up to the Continental Divide 

slowed me down because I completed about 74 or so on Thursday. I stopped in Cumberland long enough for a quick meal at the BBQ place there and the requisite 'proof pic', of Mile 0..yes, more rain.

.. then onward just to Evitts Creek, a Hiker-Biker site, just 5 miles below Cumberland to set up camp for the night.
There were minor issues on the GAP.. but no closures or detours.. that I recall. Some untethered dogs and a few trees down, but nothing really adverse.

Lots of wild natural beauty on that trail and slogging through the mushy, snow gravel where I was 'happy' to be able do 7-8 mph for quite a few miles. 10 or more is a typical norm.There were some trees down but nothing major.

The C&O was a different story.
The PawPaw tunnel is closed and requires a hard (for me) 1.5 mile climb up and over! Be prepared with shoes.
Up a rocky, rutted single-track.. exceeding 10%!  Here's the Potomac, looking back and down...

 

Then down a muddy, wet, slippery mess.. but part of the adventure.
I stopped in Cumberland Valley HB site.
The Hiker-Biker (H-B) sites are pretty nice with cleanish porta-potties, (Green Meanies), fire pits, a table and treated well water and they are located about every 5 miles or so. They are also provided by the NPS, but there are no trash cans, so remember to carry everything out. There are bags there for that.

Frogs singing, owls calling and the river flowing past…

 

Up Saturday morning to depart early, but somewhere near mile 94, there is a trail closure and detour.. up and around to MM 88. It added a few miles to the trip. Don’t do it at night! The NPS says it’s only a 1 mile detour, but I think it’s much more.

I did about 110 that final Saturday.
A few other minor ‘detours’ but nothing terrible… a few trees down....some wildlife, including a snapper that was not intimidated.

Yeah..likely a beaver did that!

My Dad loved rock/stone construction and was a master at it! Here’s an original structure that he would have loved.

Dam it!

4 long days, 3  nights and one heck of a ride! I wanted to go up the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) the rest of the way to my house, but I was spent, so Jeff and his wife met me at a convenient spot in Arlington, VA for a final shuttle ride. I am grateful for his support.

Crossing the Key bridge into Virginia, looking down the Potomac.