bikejournal.com journal

5/9/2012
(Wed)

50.63

0.00

00:00:00

0.00

Road: Hills

Rans Screamer
Rd Bent Tandem

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments:

Weather Conditions:

5/9/2012
(Wed)

50.63

24.37

03:36:27

14.03

Road: Flat

Easy Racers Gold Rush Replica
LWB Bent

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Discover New Bridge over Blacklick Ride. Marilyn is in Italy with Steph so I took off alone just before 8am to meet Phil at Glacier Knoll. I got there before he did so I walked up to the observation deck and put the telescope on the osprey platform. There I spotted the mother osprey and one white chick in the nest. Then I saw Phil pulling in so I walked back and we headed out on the trail. We saw lots of birds today including bluebirds, warblers, goldfinch, baltimore oriole, egrets, herons, and a downy woodpecker. We also laughed as a frog jumped across the trail his long hind legs flopping as he flew into the grass. We rode to the end of the trail at Refugee Rd and saw that there was construction where the Long Rd bridge use to stand. Apparently, they are building a new bike bridge across Blacklick Creek as the bridge anchors were being worked on and a "Bridge Department" truck was parked there. We turned around and rode on down the trail seeing Tom Frazier and Chuck Frazier separately riding toward us. Then on to Bexley and a quick stop to see Marc. Then over through Capital University where we stopped briefly at the fountains. Then on back to the trail for a nice ride back to Glacier Knoll where I said goodbye to Phil and headed on home.

The route for today's ride may be found here:

http://g.co/maps/8j5zd

Weather Conditions: Cool start mostly cloudy and upper 50s with calm winds. Warming to mid 60s with partly cloudy skies and winds picking up from the west at 15mph.

5/14/2012
(Mon)

56.12

33.28

03:41:04

15.23

Road: Hills

Easy Racers Gold Rush Replica
LWB Bent

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Slap Five It's My Fastest Ride. Marilyn in Venice, Phil babysitting so I was all by myself today. Took off at 9 am as the streets were drying from yesterdays all day rain. Seemed sluggish for the first few miles but then I picked up the pace and really started to fly. I attacked the hills after Pataskala and pulled over at Beaver Run and Outville to take a picture of the cornfield I'll be following this year. Just as I snapped the picture my bike fell over into said cornfield having been blown by the wind. No harm done I hopped back aboard and continued on to Hebron. After a brief stop at the fish hatchery I cruised along the canal and over to Millersport Road where I picked up a tail wind from the north that felt like the afterburners kicking in. 18 mph up the hill then 20-25mph all the way down to Canal. One of the best ride sections in memory. Then over towards Baltimore where I spotted a guy running on my side of the road coming right along side. At first he threw his right hand out as if to give me a wave "down low" but then he extended his hand out clearly wanting me to "slap five"! So I did with big smiles on both our faces as I went by. Then on to Subway and lunch. Chris asked about Mar and her trip and he told me about his home smoker. A guy sat down next to me and starting asking about my bike and my riding. We chatted for a while then it was time to head home. I really pushed myself to see if I could maintain at least a 15 mph average. I had 15.4 heading into the uphill turn on Diley and managed to hold it to 15.2 which is near the top average ever for me. A great ride and quite a workout today.

Today's route may be found here:

http://g.co/maps/vtxc2

Weather Conditions:

5/16/2012
(Wed)

51.10

23.91

03:41:54

13.82

Road: Flat

Easy Racers Gold Rush Replica
LWB Bent

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Turtle Egg Ride. Phil called to say Chuck and Bob were riding the trail so I met him at Glacier Knoll at about 8:30am. We rolled out on the trail and enjoyed chatting about some of the birds Phil has seen up at Lake Erie and in his back yard. Saw indigo bunting and came upon a flicker before he could take off. We rode down Ebright and over to the Groveport stub. Along the right side of the trail Phil spotted a large snapping turtle. As we approached we saw that she was in the process of digging a hole to lay her eggs. We observed for a few minutes and I took some pics. Then on down the trail to Bexley and then to the JCC where I stopped to sign up for AK Softball. Then walking the bikes on the bridge over Big Walnut we we looking at the huge debris piled up against the base of the bridge. That's when Phil saw the 2 foot black snake sunning himself on a 2 by 4. We jumped back on the trail and headed back as my allergies really started getting the best of me. The cottonwood seeds covered parts of the trail and every time we looked up against the dark background of the woods we saw the air thick with floating stuff. Even Phil started hacking and he doesn't usually have allergies. We stopped briefly at Confluence Park where Chuck pulled up having looked for us all morning. The three of us continued on together picking up a tail wind on the way back. We made it back to Glacier Knoll where I said goodbye to Chuck and Phil and headed home using that increasing breeze to my advantage.

Today's route may be found here:

http://g.co/maps/evdw9

Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy and warm with temps starting in the low 60s and rising to near 70. Winds light early then increasing to 10-15 mph.

5/17/2012
(Thu)

53.19

29.88

03:38:32

14.60

Road: Hills

Easy Racers Gold Rush Replica
LWB Bent

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Lost Rail Car Ride. I met Phil at Doty and Stemen about 8:30am and we headed east on a bright sunny day. We headed up Basil then York to Palmer over to Swamp. There Phil pointed out an old rail car in serious disrepair on a farm. I wondered about its history as we rolled north into the increasingly strong wind. We worked our way over to Refugee and into Hebron and at stop at the fish hatchery. As we were leaving I looked down and found an arrow lying in the parking lot. Phil has told me about the archery range there but this was a good distance from there. We joked about the poem "I shot an arrow in the air, It fell to ground I know not where..." Lots of blue heron on the canal and a few large turtles sunning themselves. Then up to Millersport and over to Baltimore for lunch at Subway. We didn't dally too long as I had to get home to get to the airport to pick Marilyn up from her Italian trip by 1:35pm. Today's route may be found here: http://g.co/maps/jd4uf

Weather Conditions: Sunny and cool start upper 40s with light winds. Then winds picking up to 15mph out of the NE.

5/20/2012
(Sun)

54.18

25.36

03:42:45

14.59

Road: Flat

Easy Racers Gold Rush Replica
LWB Bent

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: North Market Ride. Mar had a jewelry show at the North Market today so I decided to ride down to see her. A very nice spring morning as I rode down Long to low peace sign salutes from oncoming motorcycles. Saw a coopers hawk fly overhead then land in a tree as I rode near Gender. Then cruising down toward US 33 I ran into Tom Frazier then further down toward Watkins Rd I ran into brother Chuck. I stopped to chat with each and then rolled on passing many walkers, runners, and bikers on this Sunday morning. I went over the bridge into Wolfe Park and over onto Broad St. Then west toward downtown. I love riding in town on Sunday mornings when the traffic is light and it seems as though I have the streets to myself. I pulled into the North Market just after 11am and parked next to Marilyn's booth. I went inside to get her an iced coffee and got myself a chicken salad sandwich at the deli. I talked to a guy wearing a Pelotonia jersey who had come from Glacier Knoll on his bike. He is from Lancaster and raved about our trail system here. Then time to head back so over to High St where I saw the remains of barriers from yesterday's Race for the Cure run. Then up Broad St again an over to the trail. Less traffic this way and I even spotted a deer in the woods just before the 104 underpass. The temps were now warming up and I stopped at Glacier Knoll for some water then on back home just stopping briefly to talk to the Robinsons who were out working on their yard.

Today's route may be found here:

http://g.co/maps/zqdm9

Weather Conditions: Warm low 60s to start and near 80 at finish. Partly cloudy skies with light winds out of the SSE

5/21/2012
(Mon)

35.25

30.50

02:39:34

13.25

Road: Hills

Rans Screamer
Rd Bent Tandem

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Breakfast at Old Canal. We hadn't ridden the tandem for a few weeks so it felt good to get back on. Marilyn had a lot to do today so we left just after 7am and headed to Millersport. It was nice to ride along Palmer like we used to do when we first started riding. We zoomed over to 204 from Cherry and rode on in to Millersport. Not much traffic and mostly downhill. We saw Terri when we got inside the restaurant and she smiled and told us to head on out to the deck and make ourselves comfy. We did and enjoyed a nice 2x2x2 breakfast with our blueberry pancakes. Then back Deep Cut and a quick ride back on Stemen.

Our route can be found here:

http://g.co/maps/hfk9a

Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy and upper 60s to start and low 70s at finish with mostly clear skies. Winds calm.

5/22/2012
(Tue)

32.17

28.00

02:28:02

13.04

Road: Hills

Rans Screamer
Rd Bent Tandem

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Old Covered Bridge Bike Route. We decided to get a short ride in before leaving on vacation today so we met Phil and Janet at their house and rolled south to US 33 where we crossed over and headed to Lockville. Then on towards Canal Winchester on what Phil calls the old "Covered Bridges Bike Route". We continued into Canal and then over to the bike trail where they were working on planting flowers to beautify the trail. Then over to Gender and Chase bank for Phil. Then down to Starbucks for coffee and scones before getting back on the trail to Cyclist Connection. I bought two 26" tubes and Mar found a new frame bag for our phones as our old one is getting pretty worn. Then on back to Diley where we said goodbye to P&J and headed home to pack and get on the road.

Today's route may be found here:

http://g.co/maps/avyhm

Weather Conditions: Cool and cloudy with temps in the low 60s and light winds out of the West.

5/23/2012
(Wed)

60.87

19.10

05:41:39

10.69

Off: Flat

Rans Screamer
Rd Bent Tandem

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Allegheny River Trail-Franklin to Emlenton, Pa. We arrived here in Franklin, Pa. last night and are staying at the very nice Comfort Inn. Last night we at the McGinnis Pub which was in the basement of a grand old mansion here on Liberty St. This morning we ate the hotel breakfast and took off about 8 am. We rode the side streets for the 1.5 mile trip to the trail head which is just over the bridge on the other end of town. The morning was cloudy and a bit foggy but visibility was not bad. We headed south and rolled along on a near perfect surface of newly paved asphalt for a few miles. Then older asphalt which was still mostly smooth the rest of the way. The trail runs along the Allegheny River and we were treated to lovely vistas of forest, hillside, and river views. Three inch long millipedes appeared every so often crossing the trail which looked like sticks moving across the trail. Numerous chick-monks scurried in front of us as well as rabbit and groundhogs. We spotted a number of mule deer along the hillsides and on the trail. Lots of flickers, geese, ducks, and one heron flying low over the river were seen. Many trailside information signs dotted the trail giving the stories of the oil drilling legacy of this area. Now all that is mostly gone and nature has reclaimed the land. About 5 miles in we approached Belmar where the trail crosses the Sandy Creek Trail. Here a large bridge trestle crosses the river and carries the Sandy Creek Trail to the other side. We continue on for few more miles where the trail pavement ends and we had to walk almost a mile on a gravel road around an area where the trail has been blocked by land owners. On this road we passed many small houses and met Penny and Nickel, two friendly dogs and their owner who stopped us to chat for a few minutes. Then finally back on to the paved trail and a few more miles where we encountered our first tunnel of the day. This is the Kennerdell Tunnel. An old railroad tunnel 3800 feet long. We had our LED bike light which we hoped would light up our way but turned out to be insufficient. I suggested Marilyn use her EVO's flashlight app to supplement our lighting and this worked well. The pavement in the tunnel is flat and smooth and has reflectors on the edges and down the middle. This is what we used to navigate. We walked into the quickly darkening tunnel and soon were unable to see the other end. This was quite spooky at first but eventually as we continued to walk on through we got used to the darkness. After a while we began to see a glow in front of us and this was the other end. It turns out there is a turn at the end of the tunnel which precluded us from seeing the other end until we were close to it. It was quite a relief to ride out into the warm sunlight at the other end and continue o n out way. A few more miles down the path we hit the Rockland Tunnel which is 2800 feet long and also had a kink at the end. We were now pretty used to walking these cool, damp, tunnels and eventually we got back on the bike and worked our way into Emlenton. Here we stopped for lunch at the new restaurant (really the only restaurant) in town. An elderly lady came out of the front door and asked us if we had ridden the trail. She asked us in and we parked and went inside. She sat down at the next table and took our order after chatting for a few minutes about our ride. After a nice lunch we headed out and back on the trail for the return trip. We loved reeling in the miles back to Franklin along the tree lined trail. Back through tunnels and walking the connecting road we remarked about what a fine adventure this had been. We finished up back in town by hitting the local ice cream place the locals here call McDonalds.

Today's route may be found here:

http://g.co/maps/34r2p

Weather Conditions: Cool, cloudy and foggy start with temps in the upper 60s. Clearing mid ride to partly cloudy and temp in the mid 70s. Winds light and variable.

5/24/2012
(Thu)

39.31

20.50

03:11:58

12.29

Road: Hills

Rans Screamer
Rd Bent Tandem

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Sandy Creek Trail Ride. We packed up the van and headed to the trail head in Franklin. We took off at 8:30am and headed north to Oil City. This is called the Samuel Justus trail and runs along the Allegheny River where many oil derricks and refineries once stood. There were still a number of small oil pumps to be found right along the trail some still pumping oil as we passed. A large estate of Senator Silby called River Ridge Farm was a teaching farm and many of the buildings and artifacts still remain right next to the trail. We continued along the five miles to Oil City where we found the scenic campus of Clarion University at Venango.Then a quick turn around and we were headed back to Franklin and then continued on the same section as yesterday until we got to Belmar where we connected with the Sandy Creek Trail. This was quite a connection as it required us to roll the tandem up a steep bike ramp climbing about 50 feet or so. With the judicious use of brakes and much pushing and shoving we made it to the level of the trail. The reason for the climb is that the trail crosses the river here and is up at the bridge level. We took a quick run over the bridge taking in the spectacular views of both sides of the river. This bridge was built in 1907 for the railroad. Then we turned back east for a run along this old railroad bed which runs high along the hills of the Allegheny mountains. There was a bit of an upgrade as we rode over 8 bridges and through one tunnel. The bridges gave us beautiful views of the rolling creek below and also of trout fisherman trying their luck in the early morning sun. The Deep Valley tunnel is shorter than yesterday's tunnels and one can see the other end from the entrance. We saw a 12 inch snapping turtle right at the tunnel entrance. We proceeded through and enjoyed the ride. Then on to the end of the trail seeing a couple of deer on the trail ahead. They both took off when they saw us and bounded high in the air before heading into the woods on the hillside above. Then the turn around and a very fast return on the downhill run. We spotted a 14 inch black snake sunning on the trail. Right near the trailhead we stopped in to a bike shop and looked around. The shop's rear faced the trail and had a mural showing each town along the trail. Then back to the parking lot and packing up to head for Canada.

Today's route may be found here:

http://g.co/maps/vr2f8

Weather Conditions: Warm and partly cloudy temps in the upper 60s. Winds out of the SE at 10-15mph.

5/25/2012
(Fri)

30.27

28.00

02:22:40

12.73

Road: Hills

Rans Screamer
Rd Bent Tandem

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: CTR Friday Ice Cream Ride. We arrived in Perth, Ontario this afternoon and pulled in to the Best Western. We ran inside to see if our room was ready early which it wasn't. I went to the restroom and when I came out I noticed the tandem holding room was just across the hall. Being the curious sort, I peeked inside to see if anyone was parked there yet. What I saw made my jaw drop to the floor! Right in the middle of the room was Plum Crazy the Johnson's Screamer. I couldn't believe my eyes and I quickly called Marilyn over to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. Sure enough John and Kathi had pulled a fast one on us by saying they couldn't make this rally (as usual) this time because of a graduation. That was true but Kathi talked John into driving for nearly 20 hours from Wisconsin to surprise us and celebrate their 40th anniversary. We spotted them on the streets of Perth and it was hugs and smiles all around. We headed for lunch to catch up then got on the bikes to ride the ice cream route. We took off about 2pm and rolled out of town into the countryside fighting a determined headwind to start. We saw a miniature animal farm where we stopped to see the lamas, alpacas, cows, and horses. Then eventually a turn which brought the wind to our back and we flew on for quite a few miles with hardly any effort. We stopped at Balderson's for handmade ice cream and it was delicious. Then on back to the hotel alternately fighting a headwind and sidewind all the way back.

Today's route can be found here:

http://goo.gl/maps/7ewc

Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy and warm with temps in the upper 70s and winds out of the SW at 15-20 mph.

5/26/2012
(Sat)

53.69

28.50

04:06:49

13.05

Road: Hills

Rans Screamer
Rd Bent Tandem

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Day 2 CTR 2012. We were ready to go early but the mass start wasn't until 9am so we just hung around after breakfast talking to folks and killing time. Then at 8:30am Marilyn went to the bike storage room to pull out the tandem. From around the corner I could hear her say "Gary, we have a flat". Sure enough, the rear tire was down on the ground. We took it outside around back and while Mar prepared the camcorder for the mass start, I was pulling the rear wheel and fixing the flat. John helped me by holding up the rear of the bike while I replaced the newly tubed tire. I rolled the bike to the front lot and ran inside the hotel to clean up. By the time I got back outside everyone was just about ready to roll. I shot the mass start and then we took off with the Johnsons who were waiting for us. We ran out of the city and quickly into the country on this picture perfect day. I read where Columbus was heading for record heat in the 90s today but here in Perth we are talking upper 60s and 70s. Good talk and nice roads as the kilometers klicked away. We did have to ride about 3 miles on gravel which wasn't real fun but we all got over it and rolled into Victoria Park for our lunch stop. Here in town there is a train museum which has a number of engines and cars on display. Some of the group even got to ride a railroad hand pump car down the tracks. Then lunch along the Rideau Canal. Emily the Vandeveldes daughter and Chris their son put together a wonderful cookout lunch of chicken, potatoes, asparagus, gespacho and cookies. We ate under a tree and everyone enjoyed the experience. Then on the return leg as we chatted about life and how lucky we are to be able to experience a day like today. A final stop in Rideau Ferry for ice cream and a drink at Rideau Ferry General Store. Then back to Perth and the hotel for some rest before tonight's dinner.

The route for today may be found here:

http://goo.gl/maps/Iel9

Weather Conditions: Mostly clear skies with temps early in the mid 60s rising into the low 70s late. Light winds.

5/27/2012
(Sun)

50.46

37.50

03:48:06

13.27

Road: Hills

Rans Screamer
Rd Bent Tandem

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Day 3 CTR 2012. After shooting the mass start we headed out with the Johnsons at our side. Lots of country riding today but with a twist. Twisting hills climbing sharply that is. We had some screaming downhills including a long curve where we were greeted by a long line of Harleys riding the opposite way. They tooted horns as we passed them flying downhill at over 35mph. Then into lunch a the town park in Lanark, Ontario. Again Emily and Chris prepared a sumptuous lunch of cold cuts, quinoa, cucumber salad, shortbread and chocolate chip cookies. We ate in the shade of a large tree in picture perfect weather. Then off for the return trip where we rolled through the countryside to Balderson. This time we stopped at the Amish Cheese shop where we had more ice cream for half the price of Friday's scoops from across the street. I discovered a robins nest in a tree right where we were all outside eating. There were two blue eggs in the nest and the robin flew right above our heads and sat in the nest for us. Then on the home leg making good time and enjoying riding with our good friends.

Weather Conditions: Near 60 to start and low 70s at finish with partly cloudy skies and light winds.

5/30/2012
(Wed)

51.32

24.85

03:40:03

13.99

Road: Flat

Easy Racers Gold Rush Replica
LWB Bent

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Wildlife Up Close and Personal Ride. I called Phil and we met at Glacier Knoll at 9am to ride the trail. I got there and saw an older biker pull into the parking lot from the trail just at Phil was coming in with his van. The guy saw Phil pull out his Goldrush and said, "what is this a recumbent convention?" He then told us that he was cranking along on the trail doing about 16 mph when some guy on a recumbent dropped him like he was standing still. He met up with him later and said his name was Bob and he sometimes rode with his brothers Tom and Chuck. Phil and I just laughed at another chapter in the Frazier brothers story. We took off and enjoyed riding along in the first cool day here in a while. When we got down to Bexley we rode through Capital campus and when we got back to Main Street I saw a Bexley bicycle cop sitting on his bike at the corner. We pulled up and chatted for a while. Turns out he is from Canal Winchester and shops at Cyclist's Connection. He asked about our bikes and where we ride. He talked about the trail system and how he often rides 3 Creeks. Then on back to the trail as we rolled along the return route. We started seeing deer in the woods just before 204. Then another small one further along. Just past Confluence Park in the wooded area we came upon a 2 foot long snake sunning on the trail. We stopped to take pictures as another bike came by and ran over just the tip of the snakes tail. The snake didn't move so we continued getting closer and snapping more pics. Eventually, he just slithered off the trail and into the grass. Then over to the Blacklick Trail where we saw a Coopers Hawk flying low just over our heads and circling the field just off to our right. We continued on to Abby Trails where we spotted a large doe in the distance on the right side of the trail. As we approached she just froze. Finally, she jumps back over the trail and into the woods right in front of us. We biked over to the creek to check up on the progress of the bridge construction in Portman Park. We found the area cordoned off but the bike bridge in place and being worked on. Then back to Glacier Knoll where I said goodbye to Phil and headed home. Today's route may be found here: http://goo.gl/maps/fsNP

Weather Conditions: Upper 60s and clear skies to start with no wind. Then mostly clear skies and temps in the lower 70s with winds picking up to 10 mph out of the WSW.

5/31/2012
(Thu)

48.96

31.00

03:42:47

13.19

Road: Hills

Rans Screamer
Rd Bent Tandem

'BentRider Recumbent Club

Comments: Raccoons Everywhere Ride. We rode out about 8am and decided to ride to Pataskala for breakfast. We encountered a garbage truck on Palmer just before Lynns and played leapfrog with him all the way to Smoke and Main St. Then on to the Nutcracker for pancakes and eggs. We rolled out onto Blacks and saw a small creature crossing the road up ahead. It turned out to be a baby raccoon slowly making its way to the other side. He looked kind of thin and sickly and we hoped he would be ok. Then on out to Hebron and then the canal where we saw two dead raccoons on the road then another baby raccoon down in the canal. As we continued down the canal we saw 7-8 heron, a kingfisher and a pair of indigo bunting who buzzed us then flew off into the woods. We rode into Millersport noticing the corn coming up sparsely in many places mostly due to the dry weather. Then up Deep Cut and over to Bickel Church and back Stemen.

The route for today may be found here:

http://goo.gl/maps/EACZ

Weather Conditions: Mid 60s to lower 70s and clear skies. Light winds early picking up to 10mph from the NE.