tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22863869503791539892024-03-05T06:37:44.650-05:00 Peace on a BikeBarry Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01394803196387131304noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286386950379153989.post-32725740101806078742015-06-25T23:25:00.002-04:002017-07-18T23:19:59.910-04:00New Blog LocationPeaceonabike.blogspot.com has moved to a new blog location. I am still riding. I am still writing.<br />
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Go to <a href="http://peaceonabike.com/">http://peaceonabike.com/</a> to see the new blog!<br />
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<br />Barry Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01394803196387131304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286386950379153989.post-12143323455678767632014-12-31T20:00:00.000-05:002015-01-20T15:49:23.117-05:00Reflections on the Year - 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">WOODBRIDGE, VIRGINIA<br /><br />For the second straight year, a year of great riding was marred by the passing of a friend. I reached 5,000 miles in October but slowed towards the end due to tendonitis or a torn meniscus or both. But then found the will to suffer through a cold December to reach 6,000 miles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0ErJEFiJZ-61CbJqdO8HGbdoZTX42Ivo0KpfuuOIagMqU9Scdx64HIl0EukmwYKOmZhyphenhyphenNcT7U4DqGLka5bbbTeBXKuUClh1uRSdxsEQ22M5SWCk8f3b56vk_n-wNZznmXihzLQyYlpvb/s1600/Screenshot+2014-12-31+13.32.24.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0ErJEFiJZ-61CbJqdO8HGbdoZTX42Ivo0KpfuuOIagMqU9Scdx64HIl0EukmwYKOmZhyphenhyphenNcT7U4DqGLka5bbbTeBXKuUClh1uRSdxsEQ22M5SWCk8f3b56vk_n-wNZznmXihzLQyYlpvb/s1600/Screenshot+2014-12-31+13.32.24.png" height="298" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />In order of chronology, here are my top ten rides:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">(1) <b>Riding in Pennsylvania</b> </span>- </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://peaceonabike.blogspot.com/2014/06/abandoned-turnpike.html" target="_blank">Abandoned Turnpike</a> and <a href="http://peaceonabike.blogspot.com/2014/06/4k-hard-way.html" target="_blank">Ligonier</a> - Riding with the 4K for Cancer has been fun the past
three years and this year's adventure through the tunnels at Breezewood and on to Ligonier
would be no exception. On both days I rode in small groups with <b>Jamie Roberts </b>who
would die on the road in Kentucky 10 days later.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Q30m1STJgM-aWBIf-bN_Z_7KDzEbsyWSVfp-9Qqb0Mrzu3DdZCOzWoHDsfCK5Gho84KAuCD71XMFQHkWh1yB054NhPNvGW0w7-3SUK8UazvWQtT1GakLbN6rEHXfA09INWOxxPeGzWMP/s1600/Abandoned+Turnpike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Q30m1STJgM-aWBIf-bN_Z_7KDzEbsyWSVfp-9Qqb0Mrzu3DdZCOzWoHDsfCK5Gho84KAuCD71XMFQHkWh1yB054NhPNvGW0w7-3SUK8UazvWQtT1GakLbN6rEHXfA09INWOxxPeGzWMP/s1600/Abandoned+Turnpike.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b>(2) Ride the Rockies (Multiple Entries) </b></span>- My second time and it is a blast riding in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. I missed the first day due to a wedding then extended by a day to ride over <a href="http://peaceonabike.blogspot.com/2014/06/rtrday7.html" target="_blank">Berthoud Pass to Winter Green, Colorado</a>, with <b>Bradley Allen</b>. But it was a somber ride as we had just received the news of Jamie's death.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_Zz-DFZl84C6uG6G1aSF0TSjAgl_V7_4HRqGmNxUmtdEoo_SAc76wny4FXEeKTf8Qi8vm2dxdS_8ILLqdSop9g8_Z5EoudjpNuUM9dsN2d2kG_axRf8OXQtYt1hyphenhyphena9Ij-ypn287yvE22/s1600/IMG_6603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_Zz-DFZl84C6uG6G1aSF0TSjAgl_V7_4HRqGmNxUmtdEoo_SAc76wny4FXEeKTf8Qi8vm2dxdS_8ILLqdSop9g8_Z5EoudjpNuUM9dsN2d2kG_axRf8OXQtYt1hyphenhyphena9Ij-ypn287yvE22/s1600/IMG_6603.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /><span style="color: red;"><b>(3) Stelvio Pass</b></span> - I went to Italy with Trek Travel to ride in the Dolomites. I did not know much about these Italian climbs and I loved them all, none more than the 48 switchbacks one must navigate to climb over <a href="http://peaceonabike.blogspot.com/2014/06/stelvio-pass.html" target="_blank">Stelvio Pass</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5eU13ItFWU58HC6hSzJny2jtDKgb3z3lqw01kdNdM4yfQ2TgleunbrlGC6KM27kLpo9nIyFrSx7Qj_74eUYo5oMedKUsGuLPLMBJ7wwieB_5FyUXWdDPapIKVGY1jYhJbuazDpFIt434/s1600/IMG_6995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5eU13ItFWU58HC6hSzJny2jtDKgb3z3lqw01kdNdM4yfQ2TgleunbrlGC6KM27kLpo9nIyFrSx7Qj_74eUYo5oMedKUsGuLPLMBJ7wwieB_5FyUXWdDPapIKVGY1jYhJbuazDpFIt434/s1600/IMG_6995.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /><br /><span style="color: red;"><b>(4) Three Country Ride</b></span> - Imagine a ride starting in <a href="http://peaceonabike.blogspot.com/2014/07/three-country-ride.html" target="_blank">Switzerland, going into Germany, then to France, back to Germany </a></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://peaceonabike.blogspot.com/2014/07/three-country-ride.html" target="_blank">and ending in Switzerland</a>. I did that in July with friend, <b>Ben Zahler</b>.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11lSm99Qt7_YgaXoWuBG7fLtBZBaTnHaWWQbeq0dRKr5Z6afawAUroVI8Ls0018k89MsvO2u1hfxLqaoOlHgRTcvSt4n00Zj27NNk73kxloaiodQrIUdZvjnX7nSkmxp1rXcQP0tzi5mT/s1600/IMG_7514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11lSm99Qt7_YgaXoWuBG7fLtBZBaTnHaWWQbeq0dRKr5Z6afawAUroVI8Ls0018k89MsvO2u1hfxLqaoOlHgRTcvSt4n00Zj27NNk73kxloaiodQrIUdZvjnX7nSkmxp1rXcQP0tzi5mT/s1600/IMG_7514.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b>(5) Crater Lake and Alex</b></span> - I planned to ride around Crater Lake, Oregon, and to ride with 12 year-old, <a href="http://team-alex.com/" target="_blank">Alex Shepherd</a>. I achieved one of those. <a href="http://peaceonabike.blogspot.com/2014/08/crater-lake-and-alex.html" target="_blank">I rode around Crater Lake</a> (it was awesome) but was at least able to visit with the Shepherd family even if we didn't ride.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayy-Eq4pM_o255KqYsEOpHLU3XHuyknRK4dKypAlAm4qj2Kw1n3IsWB93uvPMm-63TkQ_40T-aZVY3cJ8Cl3m4ikHCnM8x8DUWhFrQQ3_Umz5zT9TVNlRDOc4mup4VhHabTa6_LIf2XYy/s1600/IMG_8039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiayy-Eq4pM_o255KqYsEOpHLU3XHuyknRK4dKypAlAm4qj2Kw1n3IsWB93uvPMm-63TkQ_40T-aZVY3cJ8Cl3m4ikHCnM8x8DUWhFrQQ3_Umz5zT9TVNlRDOc4mup4VhHabTa6_LIf2XYy/s1600/IMG_8039.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">(6) <b>Home Sweet Home </b></span>- I'm about as native Pennsylvanian as one can be except that my grandmother was born in Oregon in 1907 (and then moved back to Pa.). She never returned but I did, doing a <a href="http://peaceonabike.blogspot.com/2014/08/home-sweet-home.html" target="_blank">50 mile ride in and around Sweet Home, Oregon</a>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZxJstvFQPHjrTDFu0M8L9gazVdubqNnUEs5jWCO3bgPnhMRvOHqO9UkvR3q_miulm68LBB2m4z_R06t3F2smdG-txKYQpHT2tvR0a7mZ-9MkH6i5Emt4tchwMFSnbr_qQ38FY_R9YhwH/s1600/IMG_8085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZxJstvFQPHjrTDFu0M8L9gazVdubqNnUEs5jWCO3bgPnhMRvOHqO9UkvR3q_miulm68LBB2m4z_R06t3F2smdG-txKYQpHT2tvR0a7mZ-9MkH6i5Emt4tchwMFSnbr_qQ38FY_R9YhwH/s1600/IMG_8085.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">(7) <b>Washington</b></span> - I promised <b>Chey Hillsgrove </b>that if he did the 4K again I would meet him at the finish. On their next-to-last day, I met the 4K in Port Townsend, Washington, and <a href="http://peaceonabike.blogspot.com/2014/08/4k-in-washington.html" target="_blank">rode 45 miles with them as part of a 70-mile day</a>. And I went over 24,906 miles cancer-free (should that be a separate entry?).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpEPveWuIZVLM_UoETwhPCA1qCTQdkJ418CCTpRdvXong93JUMymnNYy71JUAObQYj4HBVYcWucwo-ZhT0K94gPNE8O-LaaAOx6WxlF0qxwdV3EhKEdGwmnQDQn3FRWBCqeSYeidRBIcA/s1600/IMG_8197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpEPveWuIZVLM_UoETwhPCA1qCTQdkJ418CCTpRdvXong93JUMymnNYy71JUAObQYj4HBVYcWucwo-ZhT0K94gPNE8O-LaaAOx6WxlF0qxwdV3EhKEdGwmnQDQn3FRWBCqeSYeidRBIcA/s1600/IMG_8197.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">24,906.25 miles - Cancer-free</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /><b><span style="color: red;">(8) </span><span style="color: red;">Mt Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb</span> </b>- <a href="http://peaceonabike.blogspot.com/2014/08/didnt-want-to-do-it.html" target="_blank">My seventh straight year up the mountain</a>, I came that close to not going. But I was encouraged by my daughter, <b>Ashley</b>. I didn't push myself, we had the worst weather in seven years, but I can't say that I really suffered. All that riding in Colorado and Italy must have been good for something. And we saw a moose. Or two.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAeRQ6o2X6ZZUOj5p6osUkFOE5ZFpGFuG77H9XkR8i-9oSaEHw46zVMgdydmuU8ru1V4Er-DN_uipedmYtAB8tWwV_TNKEGhHsEP1joDf0Crbg20bnNrKoAaCcvW-3zL6LfeZa-sab4Hz/s1600/DSC_0100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAeRQ6o2X6ZZUOj5p6osUkFOE5ZFpGFuG77H9XkR8i-9oSaEHw46zVMgdydmuU8ru1V4Er-DN_uipedmYtAB8tWwV_TNKEGhHsEP1joDf0Crbg20bnNrKoAaCcvW-3zL6LfeZa-sab4Hz/s1600/DSC_0100.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b><br /><span style="font-size: small;">(9) Livestrong Challenge</span></b></span> - <a href="http://peaceonabike.blogspot.com/2014/10/its-not-about-miles.html" target="_blank">Great weather and great company</a>, I didn't ride 100 miles but it wasn't about the miles. It was about riding for <b>Jake The Hero Grecco </b>and Alex Shepherd.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKPxmfRvMk1a8IR3GsGIvnAyg4ZfEsnHa3J7aNdmnWCCdlHpM2bxanAQEG1cbh5-0FJonqU5TmhOpmz5syOXG3o8TuIpW2SVrIpDjQbsj3rKJr_WVbyWMRKB6eqFwma8T4sO9Ey8_asEe/s1600/Kreutz01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKPxmfRvMk1a8IR3GsGIvnAyg4ZfEsnHa3J7aNdmnWCCdlHpM2bxanAQEG1cbh5-0FJonqU5TmhOpmz5syOXG3o8TuIpW2SVrIpDjQbsj3rKJr_WVbyWMRKB6eqFwma8T4sO9Ey8_asEe/s1600/Kreutz01.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b>(10) Ride of Silence</b></span>
- I learned on June 14 that Jamie Roberts was killed and as I rode with
Bradley Allen up Berthoud Pass in Colorado I thought about organizing a
<a href="http://peaceonabike.blogspot.com/2014/10/jamies-ride-of-silence.html" target="_blank"> Ride of Silence for Jamie</a>. That came to fruition on October 26, two
days after Jamie's 25th birthday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQh1YLjgT6cfWuvgTodPP1yhsj0VQOISJabNzqdnTebawO1ebVrUZYXaFIOW2CitTQwI-Gs4S47fnUEjlby7R_c8WSepn8YNcJYMFk4RjLP9lTWScWiquEKEmOc42Ow1kOL7SfyGQEiMO/s1600/2014-10-26+11.12.03+HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQh1YLjgT6cfWuvgTodPP1yhsj0VQOISJabNzqdnTebawO1ebVrUZYXaFIOW2CitTQwI-Gs4S47fnUEjlby7R_c8WSepn8YNcJYMFk4RjLP9lTWScWiquEKEmOc42Ow1kOL7SfyGQEiMO/s1600/2014-10-26+11.12.03+HDR.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am thankful for every ride, for every day of health. I don't know what 2015 holds outside trying to organize a ride for to raise money for children's cancer research. This I do know: the rides that become my "Top Ten" are rarely expected, rather something happens on the ride that makes them so memorable.<br /><br />Peace and safe riding!<br /><br />Barry</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span>Barry Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01394803196387131304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286386950379153989.post-13375117637295161682014-12-31T14:00:00.000-05:002015-01-01T23:45:43.865-05:00Cold December Riding<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">WOODBRIDGE, VIRGINIA</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There's not a Top Ten ride in here. There's no great performance rides in here although the day after Christmas I had a personal best in D.C. And I had one on the W&OD near Leesburg. But riding this month wasn't about performance.<br /></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmih2DIvEZtnpTiPdrg1EzMYhHrYhVw9WG4GZKD1a2fYpt6KrhV78BHAoj9rzNELmT85bUpuybj1oRaJD4s0k3GMbWbvKF5CYskrYD0Folc2m5F1o70BU2D-pwYHzqmdowr5uMy6UmHOtU/s1600/DELETEDEC01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmih2DIvEZtnpTiPdrg1EzMYhHrYhVw9WG4GZKD1a2fYpt6KrhV78BHAoj9rzNELmT85bUpuybj1oRaJD4s0k3GMbWbvKF5CYskrYD0Folc2m5F1o70BU2D-pwYHzqmdowr5uMy6UmHOtU/s1600/DELETEDEC01.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ashburn, Va. To left turn or not to left turn.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">December should be a slow month. It is a cold month and this month was cold.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Train Station in Benson (Holsopple) Pa.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On June 2 I rode with <b>Jamie Roberts </b>near Bedford, Pa. We were talking about many things. She asked me how far I normally ride (year). I told her I like to get around 6,000 miles. But I was off to a slow start (then on pace for less than 3,500 miles). I expressed my doubt. She said "I think you can do it." </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">W&OD decorated for Christmas, Herndon, Va.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />I didn't promise Jamie I would get to 6,000 miles. I sort of shrugged and we talked about eating at Panera in Altoona. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Grinch, Vienna, Va.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Going into December I was far off pace when I remembered that conversation. So I rode. And rode. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuT9V2_fAFixVPDs3mB5aW9Il6_jxawUd9DiM4dmzNdHW7IwHcNNWadvMhvY32emUibf92l9BhmV49f9VNjrcHUDyX5fcDQ57CE1tewIstjtfXLKDkdkRpDhgJyisUifLfJJH4FsTWWX81/s1600/DELETEDEC04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuT9V2_fAFixVPDs3mB5aW9Il6_jxawUd9DiM4dmzNdHW7IwHcNNWadvMhvY32emUibf92l9BhmV49f9VNjrcHUDyX5fcDQ57CE1tewIstjtfXLKDkdkRpDhgJyisUifLfJJH4FsTWWX81/s1600/DELETEDEC04.JPG" height="640" width="410" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David Vito, Barry Sherry<br />
Reston, Va.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />In one stretch of 11 days I covered 400 miles. I fought the winds but mostly the cold. December miles are tough miles. But I covered more in December than in January, February, March, April or November. I rode the same distance (592 miles) that I rode in May.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3iEQS15x2BCW0cvSH3VSuzHeSjbFF1Hk2uc1HD188DQwDJQTcBCHf2nqmj2XYUG-jw6F_pGWnuO877Y2GeGaT8rMPu7ityH8H-L2U8D-PXOQdqemcuZ2o-DaJG5I3qtJrm3NE4JWwwja/s1600/DELETEDEC05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3iEQS15x2BCW0cvSH3VSuzHeSjbFF1Hk2uc1HD188DQwDJQTcBCHf2nqmj2XYUG-jw6F_pGWnuO877Y2GeGaT8rMPu7ityH8H-L2U8D-PXOQdqemcuZ2o-DaJG5I3qtJrm3NE4JWwwja/s1600/DELETEDEC05.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early morning on W&OD, Dunn Lorring, Va.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />The day after Christmas, inspired by our conversation of six months ago, I reached that "goal" that I never really set out to achieve. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAiTGrOHSixFR2zYUhXaijPfwu3HaEEDf4pM7JrwwLgbSWRYzSYWsLlQh2g1yz-0Z3b2d0iTwMWFJF5dg7Qwf_77-jVAJoFlFYfH_UP-G7gPIeepHyZ03oAN827CB7TXSZnH5pRHDOTVH3/s1600/DELETEDEC07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAiTGrOHSixFR2zYUhXaijPfwu3HaEEDf4pM7JrwwLgbSWRYzSYWsLlQh2g1yz-0Z3b2d0iTwMWFJF5dg7Qwf_77-jVAJoFlFYfH_UP-G7gPIeepHyZ03oAN827CB7TXSZnH5pRHDOTVH3/s1600/DELETEDEC07.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four Mile Run Trail, Alexandria, Va.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />It took a lot to ride long miles in December. An hour in the cold is OK. But two to three (or longer) and it's just cold. Fingers freeze. You think about being cold.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdv17BF7gvcUsf3gAPHOgqWl79FU5FHspHGoWQfqOmLyy6c_0wLhh7izOp0hfQA-yX86bkbLSK-GxZYI9OQu5ed-Y0BuJvx5AqV-VUl0GtABZioWqQuI08fZBH3yxTCYDZXNnvQGj7DcC/s1600/DELETEDEC08.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdv17BF7gvcUsf3gAPHOgqWl79FU5FHspHGoWQfqOmLyy6c_0wLhh7izOp0hfQA-yX86bkbLSK-GxZYI9OQu5ed-Y0BuJvx5AqV-VUl0GtABZioWqQuI08fZBH3yxTCYDZXNnvQGj7DcC/s1600/DELETEDEC08.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Union Station, Washington, D.C.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Many people ask me how far do I normally ride. I never know what to say. My average ride this year was 27 miles. In other years I think I was around 26 miles. But I don't ride every day.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovj2YCHZXiGyPJ-4dAts5jql2IoTQEfQ3U97xuoRJUKvInyudas1YOpcPs6rqzrm4jQodrTx9rQFAWiQIvjqOGNV3KZDfz218T7WBNW0SmH-iIkinW9ffzSPtG4-YjeC4l77W4NzW7lXL/s1600/DELETEDEC09.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovj2YCHZXiGyPJ-4dAts5jql2IoTQEfQ3U97xuoRJUKvInyudas1YOpcPs6rqzrm4jQodrTx9rQFAWiQIvjqOGNV3KZDfz218T7WBNW0SmH-iIkinW9ffzSPtG4-YjeC4l77W4NzW7lXL/s1600/DELETEDEC09.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you guess what this is?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />In December my average ride was 33 miles. That's two hours, without stops, being outside in the cold. But I stopped. I took a lot of photos. By contrast, my average November ride was 21 miles. June was my best month, 39 miles per ride, but that was bolstered by six days of <i>Ride the Rockies </i>in which the average daily ride was 71 miles.<br /></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7jpPDRnOhHMKHPtGuKBwbzaz_60nKU1gZo9jXmmDXDDSLCUAoOr3UQudkZ61e3obiygiuTXaCnCV77lUMRo6vC_iwJtMj6-5CMl2UrRtH6QkQYDG6VeP6MxP-KPrw9QnARd_DTgi0hA3/s1600/DELETEDEC10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7jpPDRnOhHMKHPtGuKBwbzaz_60nKU1gZo9jXmmDXDDSLCUAoOr3UQudkZ61e3obiygiuTXaCnCV77lUMRo6vC_iwJtMj6-5CMl2UrRtH6QkQYDG6VeP6MxP-KPrw9QnARd_DTgi0hA3/s1600/DELETEDEC10.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stoney Creek, Hooversville, Pa.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Many of my descriptions of my December rides include the word "cold." Yet I kept riding. I am sure it was my "best" December ever and if November through February constitute cold-weather months, it was my best cold weather month ever.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Uvsg4SBf7o2wujxP8PLB_3oVC3ESK6R6x5HahtVFh8AEGqaCapk0jFLNTHEtCcDp67hBtv-49QoEetB66jM5pRd_UCId6gd_dEeNSb8DF-4BZ6kQr9NR1k1cUN1-Nmt6Nv3mY2qX0JTd/s1600/DELETEDEC12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Uvsg4SBf7o2wujxP8PLB_3oVC3ESK6R6x5HahtVFh8AEGqaCapk0jFLNTHEtCcDp67hBtv-49QoEetB66jM5pRd_UCId6gd_dEeNSb8DF-4BZ6kQr9NR1k1cUN1-Nmt6Nv3mY2qX0JTd/s1600/DELETEDEC12.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stoystown, Pa.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Almost 600 miles. Had I known today I was only eight miles short of 600 for the month I would have ... parked the bike anyhow. I was freezing.<br /></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6WFioAvhQ6aksv6uAp98-qeN5ilmFlX3xb7B83nI5PmDuopQsWrkoAmn5Hjyy8fe53lK9IfHZQfzjCz7hjwlyrw-nhdPjONsODIfy4V4XKYB7kogZQp-AtL-rpkgMX4t1Xm-qAONwhcq/s1600/DELETEDEC13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6WFioAvhQ6aksv6uAp98-qeN5ilmFlX3xb7B83nI5PmDuopQsWrkoAmn5Hjyy8fe53lK9IfHZQfzjCz7hjwlyrw-nhdPjONsODIfy4V4XKYB7kogZQp-AtL-rpkgMX4t1Xm-qAONwhcq/s1600/DELETEDEC13.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Built 1813, Stoystown, Pa.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />My "6,000" mile day was memorable in that I rode to Catholic University to honor Jamie. And my Pennsylvania ride on December 27 was pretty good. I forgot leg warmers and rode in the cold Pennsylvania air - planning to ride 10 but rode 27 miles - just an average ride in 2014.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8E4c_qh2k-jE6T7xHIvsFmmfI8SPa7DttJxQMmhaG7bCyb3aguirIt0IQd1D3aoE_o_3hwfrgcQyX739cSfp39dzA4g6mCevtWCHoPPB3671iy7_PSYBW8BIzNZvUyKMiBC3qTMESlGDS/s1600/DELETEDEC14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8E4c_qh2k-jE6T7xHIvsFmmfI8SPa7DttJxQMmhaG7bCyb3aguirIt0IQd1D3aoE_o_3hwfrgcQyX739cSfp39dzA4g6mCevtWCHoPPB3671iy7_PSYBW8BIzNZvUyKMiBC3qTMESlGDS/s1600/DELETEDEC14.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Miller Farm<br />
Plank Road, Davidsville, Pa.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>Barry Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01394803196387131304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286386950379153989.post-75177071128287214662014-11-02T20:00:00.000-05:002014-11-26T14:26:43.823-05:00Biking Bahamas<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">CASTAWAY CAY, BAHAMAS</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />It was my first cruise discounting the overnight ferries between Finland and Sweden. We flew into Orlando on Thursday and stayed at Walt Disney World's All Star Music Resort.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Swimming Pool at All Star Music Resort</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />On Friday morning, we met <b>Ashley </b>and <b>Bryan</b>, <b>Annabelle </b>and <b>Sonora</b>, for breakfast. We then boarded a bus for Port Canaveral to meet our ship, the Disney Dream.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Disney Cruise Line bus</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Everything on board the ship was taken care of. Food and soft drinks were free and unlimited. There were three swimming pools and a couple of water slides. I even utilized the fitness center Sunday morning but there was one thing missing. No where to ride.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bL9qb-8ZnwpKv_ZlLpTva1jPRefQG1NQ1NLE28kyKMX8WBNh6LM0I6uAzLb_Yu9R7-SgllVl6KXymlxXMxLyLmOmOcO8ng2SNtAyXpUqqVUPD42YKYhKpyNTIBo1HlCB_deULWLDKL8W/s1600/2014-10-31+13.18.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_bL9qb-8ZnwpKv_ZlLpTva1jPRefQG1NQ1NLE28kyKMX8WBNh6LM0I6uAzLb_Yu9R7-SgllVl6KXymlxXMxLyLmOmOcO8ng2SNtAyXpUqqVUPD42YKYhKpyNTIBo1HlCB_deULWLDKL8W/s1600/2014-10-31+13.18.37.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sonora, Annabelle</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />In the fitness center were recumbent bikes but no upright bikes. I needed to ride. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvfoin1-5sfb6SXTdLe6mI60XWLErxuB8ifjs6bdrIhf3BaO3RqdRdqjrGx5drpliOQQNwB3deDAVOPdBv8LBsbnIS6d5qT7TvwxjuWmzRYyXYpUx60MBE61di4Whr-qWLXk0dHAhLvoQ/s1600/2014-11-02+06.36.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvfoin1-5sfb6SXTdLe6mI60XWLErxuB8ifjs6bdrIhf3BaO3RqdRdqjrGx5drpliOQQNwB3deDAVOPdBv8LBsbnIS6d5qT7TvwxjuWmzRYyXYpUx60MBE61di4Whr-qWLXk0dHAhLvoQ/s1600/2014-11-02+06.36.01.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Deck 11 aboard Disney Dream</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Castaway Cay is a private island leased by the Disney Cruise Line for use by their guests. After swimming for a while in the crystal-clear turquoise water I needed to go for a bike ride.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHs7MEYA7e0El4qrms5Mvv2OTN-lviwTjLu-0Escd2M4JORA3u9_rmIZeHiPDBtHfS_TSs6qk4WFfSXKGz9v3WNxaUJnoT-NC-nlxAzbW7yR_g0jxT0ER-jz_nJIFYNBTBPs7YnOIO4540/s1600/2014-11-02+13.05.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHs7MEYA7e0El4qrms5Mvv2OTN-lviwTjLu-0Escd2M4JORA3u9_rmIZeHiPDBtHfS_TSs6qk4WFfSXKGz9v3WNxaUJnoT-NC-nlxAzbW7yR_g0jxT0ER-jz_nJIFYNBTBPs7YnOIO4540/s1600/2014-11-02+13.05.19.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Beach at Castaway Cay</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />They had bike rentals on the island - $10 for one hour. All they had were "cruisers," many seemed to have rusted chains. I looked for one that had the best drive train and inflated tires.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6k2r43z8KO2Rp-Mw-1yCupat8_RbSlAOKkf_SP0_Z-80zuIaJyZBKNG_iD_ROoDI3LWjLA6N68uQKXMVzJanswsRHmaUEUY1XhuVJY1c-C9gJVSvIEfwDcL2qs3AXVMPJK38LWblmZfB/s1600/2014-11-02+13.40.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6k2r43z8KO2Rp-Mw-1yCupat8_RbSlAOKkf_SP0_Z-80zuIaJyZBKNG_iD_ROoDI3LWjLA6N68uQKXMVzJanswsRHmaUEUY1XhuVJY1c-C9gJVSvIEfwDcL2qs3AXVMPJK38LWblmZfB/s1600/2014-11-02+13.40.39.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />There weren't a lot of places to ride. I followed a path to an old (inactive) runway to a special bike trail that was a one mile loop. At the end of the loop, back on the runway, I turned and followed the road as far as it would take me to the ocean.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Yo3VGRlDNDj1mTUbG87T5wXaY73riKro3XspkT-jQdxBUfSvGHzUp4uWflVyhSVU1N7ELf3EpgZ9c4yZSAop5C-dM1YYH4-l8gHeDh2F5GCRfgf00Qs1MKkTegLa1wNqOcK9nhquzrdV/s1600/2014-11-02+14.15.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Yo3VGRlDNDj1mTUbG87T5wXaY73riKro3XspkT-jQdxBUfSvGHzUp4uWflVyhSVU1N7ELf3EpgZ9c4yZSAop5C-dM1YYH4-l8gHeDh2F5GCRfgf00Qs1MKkTegLa1wNqOcK9nhquzrdV/s1600/2014-11-02+14.15.51.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">No longer an active runway. I hope.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />I turned around and went back to the loop. I rode it again. And again. Then took the road </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">back to the beach. And back to the loop.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK09I34pf6RnYD-4xyjRFxqZxFeeTaL0LQjkvm5ikciQCmakqCsqyllbv5F5iFQ3vtzM2TCL0xhsLHiRXzpNzoji1Vkq_wsTRMuYYCE1iXwQbCiqP6UrTWMCJBgbiPamQZ3O6K07IhrXQv/s1600/2014-11-02+13.46.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK09I34pf6RnYD-4xyjRFxqZxFeeTaL0LQjkvm5ikciQCmakqCsqyllbv5F5iFQ3vtzM2TCL0xhsLHiRXzpNzoji1Vkq_wsTRMuYYCE1iXwQbCiqP6UrTWMCJBgbiPamQZ3O6K07IhrXQv/s1600/2014-11-02+13.46.33.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Part of the Bike Loop</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I didn't ride fast but I was faster than anyone on a bike. (Or foot.) Many people haven't heard "on your left" or "passing" as they took up the entire road with their parties of two or three or four. I smiled. I was having fun. No big deal.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUhejNjL6ntjQDGm17UREGUXVpNprOwQNZG5Up1WDbtA789m1NKTfLQXsEQaqEW6c3EcbyIvTkv-Vha5dM_nVc1qLVLPCxWL6NgCDOxDU3UUlyKFW9Blcg7vW_inq-AyJq9ZPz8Y1Y0A2/s1600/2014-11-02+14.02.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUhejNjL6ntjQDGm17UREGUXVpNprOwQNZG5Up1WDbtA789m1NKTfLQXsEQaqEW6c3EcbyIvTkv-Vha5dM_nVc1qLVLPCxWL6NgCDOxDU3UUlyKFW9Blcg7vW_inq-AyJq9ZPz8Y1Y0A2/s1600/2014-11-02+14.02.02.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"Abandoned" Plane</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />After an hour I returned the bike. Apparently I was charged $10 for an hour but I sensed an hour could have been 240 minutes. But I don't know if I could have ridden that long on a cruiser. But regardless, it was a good day to be on a bike.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiFQfGHmCoh2KvUCe7UoqOCnALqden3ur3F3gLdMhVYteqBDglJ4EE88BzWS4wOycS9mBLULI-fTY7O6-8HZRl2M6xpugzMgas7LGSGF2ZzIxfmJVgyOjI6vP0LnZhX44lxcEmnxyY985/s1600/2014-11-02+15.43.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiFQfGHmCoh2KvUCe7UoqOCnALqden3ur3F3gLdMhVYteqBDglJ4EE88BzWS4wOycS9mBLULI-fTY7O6-8HZRl2M6xpugzMgas7LGSGF2ZzIxfmJVgyOjI6vP0LnZhX44lxcEmnxyY985/s1600/2014-11-02+15.43.52.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Returning to the ship</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="500px" src="//ridewithgps.com/trips/3728818/embed" width="100%"></iframe></span>Barry Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01394803196387131304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286386950379153989.post-40826589907464856882014-10-26T20:00:00.000-04:002014-10-29T22:58:14.230-04:00Jamie's Ride of Silence<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On June 14 I was riding on Berthoud Pass with <b>Bradley Allen</b>, climbing on the lower section, tears in my eyes. Then I knew I had to have a Ride of Silence for <b>Jamie Roberts</b>. She had been killed the day before and I was numbed by the news.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6NSCZ5h9hsZGFVS8-J3FZcAGBRcl1lNqJFO1AUeiINJBQvj1CLZwMQ7YLt37A7tqRnQUz1_z3ZQuQ2VSiwJylLXmbgvKuxWLiJ4AVj8VIrdA99Mg4A7HDDfQlvYClPewtNE7uomH7aC_/s1600/2014-10-26+11.09.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6NSCZ5h9hsZGFVS8-J3FZcAGBRcl1lNqJFO1AUeiINJBQvj1CLZwMQ7YLt37A7tqRnQUz1_z3ZQuQ2VSiwJylLXmbgvKuxWLiJ4AVj8VIrdA99Mg4A7HDDfQlvYClPewtNE7uomH7aC_/s1600/2014-10-26+11.09.53.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />The logistics were relatively simple. We weren't going to Kentucky so I made a decision to host it in Rockville. I had to wait for the 4K for Cancer to finish on August 9 so I was thinking mid-August. But Jamie's team, Team Portland, suggested a date near her birthday and, working with her family, we settled on this day.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDvjDFfW8f95zv1PbuUCTLOR167M5PtGP9dzA-b_HIQMaz8G1eiJiC95ZUf0zfM3pkdJYvS2anpYhDeqDzPIK-yz84SgaiG05Qa2fahHNyVVteEhC6_nWNMRQZj2hs5uswWutqGOLxxqx/s1600/2014-10-26+11.10.46+HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDvjDFfW8f95zv1PbuUCTLOR167M5PtGP9dzA-b_HIQMaz8G1eiJiC95ZUf0zfM3pkdJYvS2anpYhDeqDzPIK-yz84SgaiG05Qa2fahHNyVVteEhC6_nWNMRQZj2hs5uswWutqGOLxxqx/s1600/2014-10-26+11.10.46+HDR.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joanna Wang</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I sought permission from Ride of Silence and they told me there is the one event every May 3 but we could have a Tribute Ride. And so it was that today was the <i>Ride of Silence Tribute Ride for Jamie Roberts</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTnTWy2x0R9uVGCDE7nNN9Z3flhWtJnWzzZLdvJOg45yMiCid4rODGA8TJX71ZdthvC_Bhcv1ynEac9nc5Qkb5sQlu_I__tLxWzj5J0rPpoYeacvx5770Qg98TxUS8A7C9W-d4OuO5fp-/s1600/2014-10-26+11.19.16+HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTnTWy2x0R9uVGCDE7nNN9Z3flhWtJnWzzZLdvJOg45yMiCid4rODGA8TJX71ZdthvC_Bhcv1ynEac9nc5Qkb5sQlu_I__tLxWzj5J0rPpoYeacvx5770Qg98TxUS8A7C9W-d4OuO5fp-/s1600/2014-10-26+11.19.16+HDR.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />I had no idea how many to expect. I first thought we would have a dedication circle, 4K style, but upon seeing all the people, roughly 60, we instead brought everyone into a circle, with their bikes. I welcomed the group and gave instructions on the ride (keep silent and ride on!). Jamie's father, <b>Bob Roberts</b>, also thanked people and gave us more details on the route. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0u_VgEgzcfzrncTLTIw17WTnTXwdv4WvUtT2-cxNGqnkPoM62tMAcCJMZngN-qfLMnDXY7aWoRWam61n0EWc4-jBGS4KsOp1861EIOaRh7LBWuam-ZyehaNIccud2WRp0h-U5b1Bw-X1b/s1600/2014-10-26+11.09.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0u_VgEgzcfzrncTLTIw17WTnTXwdv4WvUtT2-cxNGqnkPoM62tMAcCJMZngN-qfLMnDXY7aWoRWam61n0EWc4-jBGS4KsOp1861EIOaRh7LBWuam-ZyehaNIccud2WRp0h-U5b1Bw-X1b/s1600/2014-10-26+11.09.31.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Although Team Portland brought more than half of their team, I asked <b>Shelby Perkins </b>to read a modified version of the Ride of Silence Poem. Shelby was also a 4K alum, Team Seattle, but was a college classmate and teammate of Jamie's as well.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGchiDCvVohdB0oQgx6kWZRoodyEQY669cz3gqDrRM5Yaet9Bwby74vhGDmKbSocWy0jMiqvaQclev_-8mJpkhrOAqb8zlmo1Y_-9uQfQVavPwQGo_3EBB7SsK5m7J4KIK9WC6uYLuMtlP/s1600/2014-10-26+12.01.34-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGchiDCvVohdB0oQgx6kWZRoodyEQY669cz3gqDrRM5Yaet9Bwby74vhGDmKbSocWy0jMiqvaQclev_-8mJpkhrOAqb8zlmo1Y_-9uQfQVavPwQGo_3EBB7SsK5m7J4KIK9WC6uYLuMtlP/s1600/2014-10-26+12.01.34-2.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barry Sherry, Anthony Venida</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today we number many but we'll ride as one<br /> To remember Jamie whose ride is done</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /> Our helmets on tight and heads down low,<br /> We ride in silence, cautious and slow</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />The dark sunglasses cover our tears<br /> Remembering her we held so dear</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Today's ride is to make others aware<br /> The road is there for all to share</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />To Jamie -- not with us or by our side,<br /> May God be your partner on your final ride</span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i> <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/milesforjamie?source=feed_text&story_id=10152807908252162"><span class="_58cm"></span></a></i><br /> (Credit/paraphrased from <i>Ride of Silence Poem</i>, by <b>Mike Murgas</b>)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG74rXh9H1YjyFTQrbByZQ1eBbtjtSM0DIPhJpII4N5tMOgX1w4Evi5R9puearjyNQeA_onjovp3vgNRSH7bjyGK21zHjZ7EWQK8Bx9GRZgab0JmbbW9-cdUkf6xwkUHkmZMAd6P3rMIOc/s1600/2014-10-26+10.10.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG74rXh9H1YjyFTQrbByZQ1eBbtjtSM0DIPhJpII4N5tMOgX1w4Evi5R9puearjyNQeA_onjovp3vgNRSH7bjyGK21zHjZ7EWQK8Bx9GRZgab0JmbbW9-cdUkf6xwkUHkmZMAd6P3rMIOc/s1600/2014-10-26+10.10.31.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock Creek Park</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />And then - I forgot to add a moment of silence! I suppose it wasn't necessary since we would ride for the next hour in silence but I still wanted to do that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbUz1MHbGKep1aOwK7eFF-kZb554mIsrtfE4yJjrxXFa2QK-L7qdLoE0AE3dIBI3mjXxnXSxeEaApU5kpCbWXh8I3kEnn4Ls1BUqkOdFLjhebSTq1dp2e4nnOj_jBdmnoJaVM_3B15fvi/s1600/2014-10-26+10.42.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbUz1MHbGKep1aOwK7eFF-kZb554mIsrtfE4yJjrxXFa2QK-L7qdLoE0AE3dIBI3mjXxnXSxeEaApU5kpCbWXh8I3kEnn4Ls1BUqkOdFLjhebSTq1dp2e4nnOj_jBdmnoJaVM_3B15fvi/s1600/2014-10-26+10.42.55.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />We started on Bauer Drive then rode towards Rock Creek Park. It was beautiful looking back and not seeing the end of the riders. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-oqOF228GCStB1QS6iHffKq6OgdBvdre16Kf342kF9ZNuH1wSpuxtSXsX0rI_-X0yq06psxwdZ1rwlAEE9WsCjiq9z2GGnFIjnbMfTrh17aWcPJOy3Scy4cQo41G8eNOQhv7ObwDBycw/s1600/2014-10-26+10.51.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-oqOF228GCStB1QS6iHffKq6OgdBvdre16Kf342kF9ZNuH1wSpuxtSXsX0rI_-X0yq06psxwdZ1rwlAEE9WsCjiq9z2GGnFIjnbMfTrh17aWcPJOy3Scy4cQo41G8eNOQhv7ObwDBycw/s1600/2014-10-26+10.51.45.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Passing Jamie's house</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />We reached Rock Creek Park and tried to maintain double file on the path since going to single file may cause a traffic jam. As we came upon a walker, Bob, who was riding side by side with me, coughed loudly to get their attention. Later, as we came upon a couple stretched across the path I announced we were coming by with a funeral procession on bikes. The guy laughed! I imagine he was embarrassed when he saw our silent procession, with black arm bands and lights flashing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />As we entered Jamie's neighborhood there were a couple of hearts drawn on the street with Jamie's name. As we passed her house we saw a 4K Flag and signs for 4K JR and Jamie Love.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwu4ohDkTFfnIfjzEN7hldvq1bUvJ2EKYuV008k5GmX-fIkf8VVPjgmllijaTMfues3-8_jSvahHWqB2RK9Xetz2dNOCGOyP5SY5IVT0CC_yLrGPMf-_JwR0p_n3rHP7KNTjRNtQE-4rqa/s1600/2014-10-26+11.59.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwu4ohDkTFfnIfjzEN7hldvq1bUvJ2EKYuV008k5GmX-fIkf8VVPjgmllijaTMfues3-8_jSvahHWqB2RK9Xetz2dNOCGOyP5SY5IVT0CC_yLrGPMf-_JwR0p_n3rHP7KNTjRNtQE-4rqa/s1600/2014-10-26+11.59.51.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ariana Staffen, Julia Roberts</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />We rode at 10 mph and complete the 10 mile loop in one hour. Back at the school we gathered once more. Bob spoke and hugged every single rider. He asked for anyone to talk and called on me - and I was deep in personal thoughts to share with him, so I declined. But Shelby spoke and then we started saying our goodbyes.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfMVwgnUylYpDoPYMz0O-Gprbp2PYU4pcAobQKx7kNi0uQUR3EisCt2yqA0S9BXNQ-tNqcRmTuEHBHI9miN04pxL7eZuInVIaIduIpwem7Xj8r1JPH73CU7-ElNeRD3w6Ee5uwR-5nPCV/s1600/2014-10-26+11.12.03+HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfMVwgnUylYpDoPYMz0O-Gprbp2PYU4pcAobQKx7kNi0uQUR3EisCt2yqA0S9BXNQ-tNqcRmTuEHBHI9miN04pxL7eZuInVIaIduIpwem7Xj8r1JPH73CU7-ElNeRD3w6Ee5uwR-5nPCV/s1600/2014-10-26+11.12.03+HDR.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Jackie Weiss, Shelby Perkins, Rachael Callahan, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Eric Tien</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Both Team Seattle and Team Portland asked me to meet them for lunch. Team Seattle was first which is the one I accepted but wish I could have gone with both groups.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_WWY3uVaIN3olmMM4B3mKacyZ5AcWu8UfqSiDzCN-9SmuBiIUITJgFLK6GvXWR-jGkvDHIrJKJpQP-SK2WXfoBfW4W-pn1Pl1FVuHTyA-rihFXhIdnbe0qFQnMieB2iGF8HtW4IqprCa/s1600/2014-10-26+11.09.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_WWY3uVaIN3olmMM4B3mKacyZ5AcWu8UfqSiDzCN-9SmuBiIUITJgFLK6GvXWR-jGkvDHIrJKJpQP-SK2WXfoBfW4W-pn1Pl1FVuHTyA-rihFXhIdnbe0qFQnMieB2iGF8HtW4IqprCa/s1600/2014-10-26+11.09.34.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bob Roberts</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />It was an amazing day honoring Jamie. Friends, especially her Team Portland teammates, some "strangers" (other 4K alumni that had not met her), some of the Key to Keys riders, and total strangers joined her family in riding for her today. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QOx3Bex6mPLU7wkl167e0wDTwnTZCPVVCMt9nwjlulsG1k-J6jiYbD7USRhXIOI2xBGui9UHoKZw1u1PxnOG8Qkuqpq17roxCCe1wyt8FRhFFrTIU6gwU-WlyWRxt55wSX-Oeumcyv7K/s1600/Ride+the+Rockies+-+4K.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QOx3Bex6mPLU7wkl167e0wDTwnTZCPVVCMt9nwjlulsG1k-J6jiYbD7USRhXIOI2xBGui9UHoKZw1u1PxnOG8Qkuqpq17roxCCe1wyt8FRhFFrTIU6gwU-WlyWRxt55wSX-Oeumcyv7K/s1600/Ride+the+Rockies+-+4K.jpg" height="466" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">4K Alimni<br />Front - Caitlyn Epps, Katie O'Rourke<br />Middle - Walt Drennan, Ashley Arnold, Mitchell William Parrish, Emily Lipsitz,<br />Shelby Perkins, Chelsea Johnson<br />Back - Taylor Mulkerin, Ariana Staffen, Anthony Venida, Margreteh Williams, Dan Johnson, Jackie Weiss, Adam </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".xx.$mid=11414636490514=29380fa95e5e8f76a61.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".xx.$mid=11414636490514=29380fa95e5e8f76a61.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".xx.$mid=11414636490514=29380fa95e5e8f76a61.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$4:0">Wedekind</span></span></span>, Rachael Callahan, Chey Hillsgrove, Eric Tien, Joanna Wang, Chris Blazer, Emily Lake</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I could feel Jamie's presence in the wind and how the leaves fell. Complete silence except for the crunching of leaves under the wheels. I wish we didn't have to have this ride but since the events of June 13 were tragically real, it was great to honor her.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XBGshSU0PG21LXcz6hOsxtIDXVUaDki0Fi-BN9Ml8UR5FNB_r14vHl0DaThuy3Wip7I_A2ZmB7_oF71oWxkwQfnIGgtWnIpw8vXlAvr-ub-I6BjPsJoeSKYttbeJvkOEOxHsXVEdsHaG/s1600/2014-10-26+12.04.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XBGshSU0PG21LXcz6hOsxtIDXVUaDki0Fi-BN9Ml8UR5FNB_r14vHl0DaThuy3Wip7I_A2ZmB7_oF71oWxkwQfnIGgtWnIpw8vXlAvr-ub-I6BjPsJoeSKYttbeJvkOEOxHsXVEdsHaG/s1600/2014-10-26+12.04.49.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Chey Hillsgrove, Barry Sherry</span></td></tr>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="500px" src="//ridewithgps.com/trips/3692242/embed" width="100%"></iframe>Barry Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01394803196387131304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286386950379153989.post-49342028393934366262014-09-28T20:00:00.000-04:002014-10-17T08:26:57.767-04:00Jeremiah Bishop Alpine Loop Gran Fondo<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">HARRISONBURG, VIRGINIA
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Unless I misremembered, prior editions of this event went off at 9:00 a.m. so I planned on getting up by 5:30 a.m. to drive to Harrisonburg. Late last night I checked the website and discovered we had an 8:00 a.m. roll out. Crap! That meant a 4:20 a.m. wake up alarm. But I did it.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsuWEJRpcVjJQTfQmXKnRxyf4kldtxgPlgNdaq-fB8pbd-GwmQRSSc9S2kJks6WoUSDYT7mot2ZmheSN6W5p9VDGWWKZa8y1DxPCNkaYUMFnpw8Cz5iBtoIWdbvhqTSjsi97b9K7EM6Y7/s1600/IMG_9050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsuWEJRpcVjJQTfQmXKnRxyf4kldtxgPlgNdaq-fB8pbd-GwmQRSSc9S2kJks6WoUSDYT7mot2ZmheSN6W5p9VDGWWKZa8y1DxPCNkaYUMFnpw8Cz5iBtoIWdbvhqTSjsi97b9K7EM6Y7/s1600/IMG_9050.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Heaters at Registration</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />I arrived for check-in and saw <b>Robert Hess</b>, of the Prostate Cancer Awareness Project. I had enough time to get ready but I didn't have time to waste. At check-in there were heaters running as it was pretty chilly.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniEXDLRMP-x33mFePniFUw3XR_ZaZ7O4HgoZDoQgk00HTPEmrmZdiwTlr2IHDKB8QWil3ES4fK_lP5QD5G1fVnLELNxh9ecx86MJErbwtyJJBRMIWVeYny2Wg0iXLZhJreLFh1X-yXyuN/s1600/IMG_9051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniEXDLRMP-x33mFePniFUw3XR_ZaZ7O4HgoZDoQgk00HTPEmrmZdiwTlr2IHDKB8QWil3ES4fK_lP5QD5G1fVnLELNxh9ecx86MJErbwtyJJBRMIWVeYny2Wg0iXLZhJreLFh1X-yXyuN/s1600/IMG_9051.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I earned this Around The World Club jersey<br />surpassing 24,901 miles on August 8</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Before the race a number of riders' names were read out as "call ups." Not sure what more was going to happen. I heard my name - either as a donor or survivor, or both. At this event, cancer survivors do get front row privileges and I used mine, up front with <b>Joe Dombrowski </b>of Team Sky and <b>Ben King </b>of Team Garmin-Sharp.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ben King, Joe Domsbrowski, Barry Sherry</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We rolled out through Harrisonburg with a police escort. Ben King was at the front and I was not by his side but in the second or third row. Joe Dombrowski took a spot much farther back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />We rolled out in one massive group and I maintained this for the first nine miles. As we rode further I became less comfortable in the group as I spotted some questionable riding. I decided I'd rather not be part of this massive peleton as we rolled fast to the first timed climb. I found a pull off spot and let the group roll on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Once there was a break in the group I jumped back onto the road - by myself. <br />Of course there were riders all over the place. As I came to the timed climb on US 33 I had just been passed by three riders although two may have been together and one was a wheel sucker.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I stayed with one of those riders in blue</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />At first I thought they were going too fast for me to join them then realized I should. Once I latched on I realized that we were going at a pedestrian pace. A couple of guys went by like they were "racing." I decided not to race anyone, at least not yet, and just stayed with them. I thought they may be going at a reasonable pace.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben King and Joe Dombrowski relaxing at the start</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />On the climb I stayed with them wheel for wheel. We passed many riders and I thought I was saving myself and doing much better than prior years. I had decided if I stayed with them to the finish I would not to try and race them to the line as they had been doing all the work but as we approached the summit they did not pick up the pace one bit as the grade flattened out. So I went.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plenty of Salty Snacks</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />My time on the climb was 35:31 - about the same as two years ago and one minute slower than last year. I know I could have gone much harder on the bottom portion but don't regret not doing it. Maybe next time I find faster guys to hang with.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">First Rest Stop</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It was a gorgeous day. My phone didn't want to take pictures because it was full. So I didn't stop on the descent down US 33. But it was beautiful. The vistas on this side (West Virginia) are especially stunning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />At the second rest stop, and the base of the climb up Reddish Knob, I started seeing familiar faces. <b>Mariette Vanderzon. Dee Reeb. Allon Shiff. Rich McAfee.</b> And I saw the drink of SanPellegrino, the one climb that kicked my butt this year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />And today's climb would come close. Mariette caught me. She is a strong rider but not feeling so well. Although she eventually pulled away, she was always about 50-75 yards ahead of me. The climb has extended sections (2-3 miles) of 10-12% grade. This is really hard.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Allon Shiff, Rich McAfee</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I rode my new bike which is not set up for climbing big long mountains. Without the right gearing, I would say this was the second hardest climb of the season for me - behind Pellegrino.<br /><br />After the rest stop at Mile 59 (or so) I headed out on my own. And saw no one - up ahead or behind. When I came to the gravel section I stopped and talked to six Mennonite children. I explained to them my great-</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">great-</span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">great-</span></span>grandmother was <b>Mary Wenger </b>- the same name they had. They seemed excited by this.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">With Robert Hess</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Once back on the road I was "caught" by a rider. I had actually spent five minutes with the kids and saw the rider coming so waited for him. He was a first-timer and was not up to my pace. I slowed. When he cramped and walked I soft-pedaled and waited. We enjoyed each others' company and rode together to the end.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sarah Gran</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Arriving back I was welcomed by<b> Erin Bishop</b>
and met with Robert Hess again. A quick bite to eat and some chocolate
milk, and I was headed home -- needed to get to bed early after that
4:20 a.m. start.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Erin Bishop, Barry Sherry, Robert Hess<br />Credit: Joe Foley Photohgraphy</span></td></tr>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="500px" src="//ridewithgps.com/trips/3541467/embed" width="100%"></iframe>Barry Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01394803196387131304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286386950379153989.post-12652745136994612062014-09-17T20:00:00.000-04:002014-09-18T20:39:11.290-04:00Double WOD <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">RESTON, VIRGINIA<br /><br />It's local. I ride on portions of it all the time so I never write <i>about </i>it. It is the Washington & Old Dominion Rail Trail, which runs from Arlington Co., near Shirlington, to Purcellville in Loudoun Co.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUQipe7LON3_SO-r6SG8TjXlgxPXkRu1ZlMqCVi1QYgFqOyrY7SdywRGT_g7ngsjxIPOGq6sxIniOzwlBe-zfbtnMZ8Jf7dXXH1Vcgh6UaOsG6_byEgzmvCOF8doFOuLCZBMRlnXt9dBR/s1600/IMG_8814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUQipe7LON3_SO-r6SG8TjXlgxPXkRu1ZlMqCVi1QYgFqOyrY7SdywRGT_g7ngsjxIPOGq6sxIniOzwlBe-zfbtnMZ8Jf7dXXH1Vcgh6UaOsG6_byEgzmvCOF8doFOuLCZBMRlnXt9dBR/s1600/IMG_8814.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign for motorists as they enter Virginia from the Key Bridge in Georgetown<br />
Sign is in Rosslyn next to the Marriott</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />I could do it more justice by writing about its history. I won't. But it runs 45 miles from Arlington to Purcellville, most of the way on the right of way of the old Washington & Old Dominion, or W&OD, or simply WOD (Wad).</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not this section but the same boardwalk on the Mount Vernon Trail<br />
I crashed on this on July 3, 2013</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />I wanted to do a double, out and back, but wasn't sure where I would start. I also new that a double would give me 90 miles and I might as well go for 100, it being so close and all.<br />a</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXqTOelwiLWYpRThZvQsxefC5aVk_ObuDYmSaqoi6nVaBdRNVrF41lb43SYi_z_SzyS80yMetjFFKvKrc3rlAkKRPmJssUIGM0bTlWmg3D1iZG-1ZLFVhVZ0Uc7o3gnFiPQzCCHCSMKEC/s1600/IMG_8817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXqTOelwiLWYpRThZvQsxefC5aVk_ObuDYmSaqoi6nVaBdRNVrF41lb43SYi_z_SzyS80yMetjFFKvKrc3rlAkKRPmJssUIGM0bTlWmg3D1iZG-1ZLFVhVZ0Uc7o3gnFiPQzCCHCSMKEC/s1600/IMG_8817.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing under the Roosevelt Bridge into D.C.<br />
Potomac River</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Ideally, I'd like to start at the terminus near Shirlington. That is the low point on the trail. And I would head west to Clarkes Gap, the high point, which is between Leesburg and Purcellville. After a turn around it would be all downhill, right?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9p3rTRyFCTCPVrEuBjdwdqmhlEjiA0OClYjP2idr_8VH1EyPRsE_fggQTonQXG3cjbPVlUlUIsueptA3zmUZgjaffOr6fUh5RB4JVzwgOiAh4IBGdyD_StQf4I4vsV43dJ2sExTSw_eos/s1600/IMG_8818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9p3rTRyFCTCPVrEuBjdwdqmhlEjiA0OClYjP2idr_8VH1EyPRsE_fggQTonQXG3cjbPVlUlUIsueptA3zmUZgjaffOr6fUh5RB4JVzwgOiAh4IBGdyD_StQf4I4vsV43dJ2sExTSw_eos/s1600/IMG_8818.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potomac River looking at Memorial Bridge across to D.C.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Well, not exactly. But that's the rough way to head. And for the extra 10 miles I would add the "Airport Loop" that goes by Washington Reagan National Airport.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIfaGPCb4U4r3kuUE6BZoUeBeQqWyw5wlYissd5WCPgfUvyUuBIHC8c3VHrthWwgbnftfqesU4eNE8PUKckRAKSmfNKK2K0230hiD2FRZ7OMGwascgVqH9ognNewPLuJ_as81tpLRv-RJ/s1600/IMG_8844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIfaGPCb4U4r3kuUE6BZoUeBeQqWyw5wlYissd5WCPgfUvyUuBIHC8c3VHrthWwgbnftfqesU4eNE8PUKckRAKSmfNKK2K0230hiD2FRZ7OMGwascgVqH9ognNewPLuJ_as81tpLRv-RJ/s1600/IMG_8844.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">W&OD between Purcellville and Hamilton</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Parking was simple near Gallows Road in Dunn Loring. I started with the Airport Loop. At MP 9, I headed east and picked up the Custis Trail which goes along I-66 into Rosslyn. From there I connected to the Mount Vernon Trail which runs past the airport.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQBZ5avqD6z-EgDK2-eZ1bx5aKdTE5NRqlihjtakW-J9KIfUfAnOvz5xHIrfcZf_3h5gIMUeZJsku7hOlVTZg7rbM0bHKDJ7sTW_aRm-vQ_jnryDKczz5ncVGWR9B2i_h6RtdlG5CnBMY/s1600/IMG_8846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQBZ5avqD6z-EgDK2-eZ1bx5aKdTE5NRqlihjtakW-J9KIfUfAnOvz5xHIrfcZf_3h5gIMUeZJsku7hOlVTZg7rbM0bHKDJ7sTW_aRm-vQ_jnryDKczz5ncVGWR9B2i_h6RtdlG5CnBMY/s1600/IMG_8846.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lime Kilns in Leesburg</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />I was thinking of taking pictures along the way. It was at the end of the Custis Trail or the beginning of the Mount Vernon Trail where I crashed five years ago and broke my wrist and discovered cancer. Then, no more than 1/2 mile further, on the boardwalk was where I crashed July 3 last year and broke my collarbone. This route has not been good to me.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHbrKpvHx-etpg_LoiueYR7IpDUGVZXj_8i6HmRXKIjkflQnGUI2keyFoEzACr4EzVmEWlMkhtvSUO5uFnpqfY8fc9xbBw8fa5cE8P-ALYlPs3N2oZgAFdXwizbr3fZqre2vKyxb2dqBno/s1600/IMG_8822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHbrKpvHx-etpg_LoiueYR7IpDUGVZXj_8i6HmRXKIjkflQnGUI2keyFoEzACr4EzVmEWlMkhtvSUO5uFnpqfY8fc9xbBw8fa5cE8P-ALYlPs3N2oZgAFdXwizbr3fZqre2vKyxb2dqBno/s1600/IMG_8822.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four Mile Run Trail under I-395 Shirley Highway</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />The Mount Vernon Trail connects to the Four Mile Run Trail which connects to the beginning/end of the W&OD. Then the first eight miles are uphill. A gradual uphill, mostly, except where a railroad grade is not possible and the trail moves onto or next to a street.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCeySFR8hm52usUsBUo2Yg4J-MKZxOyEZwmMd_TQh7lJgy45X8benQeU6pKjg2eA-NUaA7KluQYTMNOfmso9L_nYNeRuAr8cPDv6Z-WjhDxQJ6dIyLciSOISRsPsaP6hDhPBXoy-XXoCM/s1600/IMG_8823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCeySFR8hm52usUsBUo2Yg4J-MKZxOyEZwmMd_TQh7lJgy45X8benQeU6pKjg2eA-NUaA7KluQYTMNOfmso9L_nYNeRuAr8cPDv6Z-WjhDxQJ6dIyLciSOISRsPsaP6hDhPBXoy-XXoCM/s1600/IMG_8823.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start/Finish at Shirlington</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />From Gallows Road through Vienna, Reston, Herndon, out past Dulles through Ashburn to Lessburg, the trail is mostly flat. There are sections of 1-2% grade, either uphill or downhill, in both directions, but I wouldn't call one direction harder than the other. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7ZG6eKnW6cqH7S3WLOlmdwG0TSF9b-LjDRzlabSIHoPyqq5sf76rGO7t-O3QIyyb5JEkJlEVqSURrnzYNPFwDFhGntdAAJc5w432BYoWUAWDilM3oiRIF6xi5THgUa0FPeAie7pYggEG/s1600/IMG_8824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7ZG6eKnW6cqH7S3WLOlmdwG0TSF9b-LjDRzlabSIHoPyqq5sf76rGO7t-O3QIyyb5JEkJlEVqSURrnzYNPFwDFhGntdAAJc5w432BYoWUAWDilM3oiRIF6xi5THgUa0FPeAie7pYggEG/s1600/IMG_8824.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Bridge on W&OD over Rte 7 in Falls Church</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />At Leesburg the trail climbs up to Clarkes Gap, through a heavily wooded section which is arguably the nicest on the trail. At Clarkes Gap it goes through Hamilton to Purcellville which is the turnaround point.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tFFf8iTQZ08DE38oLdOoKSHhxS4MrvViYS8INQ1_r880XK1JFb9x79xTvewDwcb58GtRgLiEao5NP5U8A0wQIvPygRBg5c6yfVNfQNRmuRihiikyfQb1Xfa2_lWQuw5qjXnIDK6laNa1/s1600/IMG_8826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tFFf8iTQZ08DE38oLdOoKSHhxS4MrvViYS8INQ1_r880XK1JFb9x79xTvewDwcb58GtRgLiEao5NP5U8A0wQIvPygRBg5c6yfVNfQNRmuRihiikyfQb1Xfa2_lWQuw5qjXnIDK6laNa1/s1600/IMG_8826.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caboose in Vienna</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />That is it. I started at MP 9 and did a loop which made it 26 miles. Purcellville was 63 miles and from there it was another 35 miles or so back to the car. I diverted, both ways, to The Bike Lane, at Reston Town Center to say hello to the guys and fill my bottles with water.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwqyuipmbFQ9vpmu1g4S571SkK9QMb1lA7wJOUz71KmClkdvB4uYo53Bxo72bwxQ9jTa_85UkzxsYQtt6Os_wrUqgBBQN4up1RBDD9nuVLNVP48F3dIpfRb6jrqm2KgshPUfOvUewOu4I/s1600/IMG_8834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwqyuipmbFQ9vpmu1g4S571SkK9QMb1lA7wJOUz71KmClkdvB4uYo53Bxo72bwxQ9jTa_85UkzxsYQtt6Os_wrUqgBBQN4up1RBDD9nuVLNVP48F3dIpfRb6jrqm2KgshPUfOvUewOu4I/s1600/IMG_8834.JPG" height="414" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIg3E0lVz9k-hSVZsGtujV5l76c7FEzluRuEHa1muLVf4RPFLuUm2nIPQ2NMtxGG4PFwIFf5JrkbBQd0qH8GCXIGMNJrHe97fTRbbXIeFBgf4Is2j7PlFH_A70E73_Cz8Z8gmyIULOGFeJ/s1600/IMG_8836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIg3E0lVz9k-hSVZsGtujV5l76c7FEzluRuEHa1muLVf4RPFLuUm2nIPQ2NMtxGG4PFwIFf5JrkbBQd0qH8GCXIGMNJrHe97fTRbbXIeFBgf4Is2j7PlFH_A70E73_Cz8Z8gmyIULOGFeJ/s1600/IMG_8836.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone Bridge at Clarkes Gap</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />The W&OD is traffic-free but there are also many intersections with stop signs or even traffic lights (usually very long lights). But if one wants 100 miles on a bike and no traffic - this is it. You are never far from a bike shop or restaurant. In fact, I forget my saddle bag with tubes and CO2 and never ever worried about it - confident that other riders could help me if need me (I did carry an extra tube so I wasn't a complete jerk).<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig59EOD3CBobwvEDJbWoBOAHyYfBYXHfqjDdclEVkc9uPJF7FYxImUrRg1cvIRU3pTfDf86G64qAMJaOhDBUHMTyvHk5_x3u42uO2GuVg2JVx3H8sikZ8wYX6XDtc_YQYole77jjFADZsz/s1600/IMG_8838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig59EOD3CBobwvEDJbWoBOAHyYfBYXHfqjDdclEVkc9uPJF7FYxImUrRg1cvIRU3pTfDf86G64qAMJaOhDBUHMTyvHk5_x3u42uO2GuVg2JVx3H8sikZ8wYX6XDtc_YQYole77jjFADZsz/s1600/IMG_8838.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purcellville, Va.</td></tr>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="500px" src="//ridewithgps.com/trips/3473324/embed" width="100%"></iframe>Barry Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01394803196387131304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286386950379153989.post-39408512690139061682014-09-14T20:00:00.000-04:002014-09-14T22:01:19.223-04:00Last in the Group Ride<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">HAYMARKET, VIRGINIA</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I remember my first group ride. I got dropped. Everyone got dropped. The ride blew up. I finished last. Sometimes that happens.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />This was a Potomac Pedalers group ride, rated BB (which is B+, better than B, not quite A). Sometimes, especially when the BB ride is the fastest ride available, some A riders slip in and the speed creeps up. And the ride blows up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbkfqjQkltOfIb8kDQLtVUptGWtnW3iZSL8Ju2Qlaq7DXcvNFHqmj3GX5BNFSnhwO2u-7FYT1v0nT4r1FGNHSuvR6tfInvKgSTqr9Ixa6fjV9wF21HuR4Q04oP_TRR_EIbrsKaljnMw4I/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbkfqjQkltOfIb8kDQLtVUptGWtnW3iZSL8Ju2Qlaq7DXcvNFHqmj3GX5BNFSnhwO2u-7FYT1v0nT4r1FGNHSuvR6tfInvKgSTqr9Ixa6fjV9wF21HuR4Q04oP_TRR_EIbrsKaljnMw4I/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />There were 15 of us at start but someone mentioned a second group was following at a CC pace. So eight of us rolled out at a BB pace. It was a beautiful early Fall day although it is still summer.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_QEyLcX-0Q4lG7Jnm8x1w5leVRCz-6CwRiR9neBueOKtTHwE8CUC2Ltnc-PfY_JwGJkP8rPWK4D7iSQuTtzWSEG4OECPhykIslAvM-kDsEaq8viFf2hZiPZxnglgqAgbXinRJLnfw-iT/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_QEyLcX-0Q4lG7Jnm8x1w5leVRCz-6CwRiR9neBueOKtTHwE8CUC2Ltnc-PfY_JwGJkP8rPWK4D7iSQuTtzWSEG4OECPhykIslAvM-kDsEaq8viFf2hZiPZxnglgqAgbXinRJLnfw-iT/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the three of us</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />As we rode there were three of us who stayed together on the climbs while the other five dropped back. Still, we tried to soft pedal on the flats to keep everyone together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />We stopped in Warrenton at the Great Harvest Bread Co. I had been talking to a rider, John, who was an XTERRA rider and knew Scott Scudamore. It was good to reminisce about Scott. As we rolled out of town three riders moved to the front and I was on the back. A 100 yard gap opened up so I left my position as 8th wheel and bridged up to the lead group.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Three of us, and I don't know their names, rode ahead of the others but stayed, and worked together. As we approached Marshall we sat up, no, we stopped, and waited for the other five.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />One guy I really like was from Great Britain. I will call him Mick because it sounds British. He had brought a friend, who was on just his fourth ride. Mick's friend was a spin instructor but this ride, with its rolling hills, was too much for him. Mick asked me if he should double back and ride with him. I told him that, yes, WE should.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />And it was then I had the realization. Even though I had been in the front group of three, this was a ride, not a race - why be in a hurry to be first in a group ride (I know, I have before. Sigh). <i>We </i>doubled back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />As the group went ahead we came back to Rte 55 near The Plains. Mick asked which way and I told him right. Then I pointed to the rider up the road about 1/2 mile. Mick said "let's catch him."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Mick started out and I was tight on his wheel. Then I passed him to take my turn. We closed the gap in no time. That was fun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />We headed on the back roads to Antioch Road. Here it trends downhill and Mick left his friend behind for good. I doubled back. I rode with Mick's friend to the end for which he expressed many thanks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />I could have had a higher averaged speed (17 mph). But it was fun being on a group ride and actually being part of a group. Even if I finished last.</span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="500px" src="//ridewithgps.com/trips/3454425/embed" width="100%"></iframe>Barry Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01394803196387131304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286386950379153989.post-53436797240248149522014-09-06T20:00:00.000-04:002014-09-08T21:07:19.449-04:00Civil War Bailout<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">THURMONT, MARYLAND</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />It was hot. And I was worried. Last year I cramped by Mile 9. I did go out hard last year and posted my best time on the seven mile "warmup" climb from Thurmont up through the Catoctin Mountains. But today it was already humid and I wanted to pedal slowly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />It worked. By worked I mean I posted my worst time of six efforts. Although it was only 53 seconds slower than three years ago when I must have tried to go hard. But I didn't cramp so I was pleased and thought I was on a good day.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">South Mountain Creamery</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />On course I came to the unmarked hill where I have hit 50 on the descent. I held some back and only hit 48.3 mph. I'm never quite sure I'm on the right descent until it's too late.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rest Stop at Gapland on South Mountain</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />New this year was a reroute which took us up a challenging little climb. It was on Mt. Tabor Road just beyond Myersville, which we did not ride this year. It was a little more than 1/4 mile but much was at 14% grade. That was quite a surprise. I had been side by side with a rider from California who complained about "east coast roads." I never saw him again once we started climbing. He quickly fell off the back.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6aUAXd1EXVbR_bsXVMZPpDT6CPbFvBEShsroThyphenhyphen1g9Rp7eSSDci9PCNAyf_oZ1AADiCwgk2bCSnPwJGdyxTLzUrTZ_cvX-Ox4ysm_4HJYBu2neL_NDO2GjP2gaOD3xZOq1aGvM3SlIY2/s1600/IMG_8690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6aUAXd1EXVbR_bsXVMZPpDT6CPbFvBEShsroThyphenhyphen1g9Rp7eSSDci9PCNAyf_oZ1AADiCwgk2bCSnPwJGdyxTLzUrTZ_cvX-Ox4ysm_4HJYBu2neL_NDO2GjP2gaOD3xZOq1aGvM3SlIY2/s1600/IMG_8690.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peaches - Fresh Peaches</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />It was a different route this year. Some of it was due to construction including the tarring (and chipping) of some roads which makes for messy bikes. And some of it was rerouted because communities complained - I am assuming Myersville and Boonesboro - two towns the route historically has gone through but today did not.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rest Stop at Gapland</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />After the first rest area on South Mountain the Burnside Bridge Road was closed and we went up Porterstown Road </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">instead. This climb was just nasty. Hot and humid, there were sections at 17% grade. It took us just past the battlefield at Antietam which was not on course this year due to road construction on the Burnside Bridge Road.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near Boonesboro, Maryland</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Arriving at the second rest stop I filled my bottles and drank one on the spot. And promptly filled it again. I was going through water faster than I could replenish it. I was out of water by the first rest stop, out by the second, and just could not keep enough on the bike.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />One of the volunteers looked at me and said "today, you'd be best to take the bailout." It's hard enough fighting those voices from within but when a volunteer tells you to bail out I have to admit it became a thought.<br /><br />The neat thing about this ride is the full century ride features a "bailout" option at Blue Ridge Summit, Pa. If after 65 miles of riding you're just not feeling it, or you are dehydrating, or storms are coming, one can descend nine miles back to the start in Thurmont.<br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />At the rest stop I heard some riders talking about the bailout and they checked the maps. On the climb one could go up a shaded road or out in the sun. I've done both. As I rode up Raven Rock Road I came to the turn to Richie Road. There must have been 10-15 riders there contemplating which way to go. Some were already going straight, which, IMHO, is not where they wanted to go. Richie Road is shaded and it's the same climb up the same ridge.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thunder and Lightning - Storms moving in</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Up and over the top, the last major climb of the day, I descended to Fort Ritchie and Blue Ridge Summit, Pa. I saw a man changing a tire and went back to "help" (really, I was just curious - I wasn't really going to help). It was my friend, <b>Sean Walker</b>. I was hoping to see him today and now got to ride with him.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sean Walker</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Sean had been coaching a client and we were talking about the heat. I was already out of water and the next stop would be another 15 miles in Fairfield, Pa. He suggested the bailout. Had he been riding to Gettysburg, I would have too, but there's strength in numbers. Sean took the bailout and I started to head to Gettysburg. I had been lifted by an adrenaline rush from seeing him. But it wore off and I realized I would be suffering for no good reason. I find the alternative bailout route.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Back in Thurmont, we got our ice cream and watched the storms roll in. They were pretty strong. We were thankful we made the right decision, heat or not. And very thankful not to be caught in the storms.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's not often I make good decisions on the bike. I am willing to finish, <i>no matter what</i>. So it's hard to make a decision not to finish. But many were caught in bad storms plus I was on my brand new bike and wasn't ready to subject it to bad weather. Not yet. So maybe if it wasn't about me today, it was about the bike.</span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="500px" src="//ridewithgps.com/trips/3395178/embed" width="100%"></iframe>Barry Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01394803196387131304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286386950379153989.post-30375051322197700632014-08-29T23:00:00.000-04:002014-08-30T16:53:32.908-04:00T-Town Turnpike<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">TREXLERTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA<br /><br />Well, it's not really the Trexlertown Turnpike. I began the day hoping that my sister, <b>Betsy</b>, and I would take our dad to the Great Allegheny Passage at Rockwood and ride about 12 miles to Fort Hill. But he said he was too tired to ride (he is 85) and I had kept him out late past midnight at the Pittsburgh Steelers' game.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumping Station Road Entrance</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Betsy previously had expressed interest in riding the Abandoned Turnpike at Breezewood. Fresh off buying lights for her bike last week at the 25 Hours of Booty, we both drove to Breezewood. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Entrance off Pumping Station Road<br />It is not marked</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I had my Trek Domane and a Trek MTB with me. The pavement on the Pike2Bike ranges from average to poor, with a lot of poor. <i>All things being equal, I would choose a mountain bike over a road bike but it's not bad on a road bike. </i>It's just better on fatter tires. However, since I had both with me it meant I had to leave one in the car so I chose to leave the MTB in the car instead of the road bike.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Entrance off Pumping Station Road</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Entering from Breezewood, and after climbing the steep trail up to the start, you have your choice of four lanes of pavement, although it is often hard to tell. You start out in the left "lane" - that is where the entrance puts you. My experience is to ride the left lane to the Rays Hill (first) Tunnel. After exiting the tunnel, ride the left lane for a couple of miles but then switch over to the right lane before reaching the Sideling Hill (second) tunnel. After exiting the second tunnel, stay left. These are my suggestions only and know and there is no perfect line to follow.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Eastern entrance to Sideling Hill (second) Tunnel</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />I flatted after exiting the Sideling Hill Tunnel. I couldn't find any glass in the tire but there is a little bit of glass on the trail. I think it was probably a pinch flat from the rough pavement.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Closest intersection to Pike 2 Bike</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Once out at the far end, we rode another mile just to see where the roads lead. Then we </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Exit of Sideling Hill Tunnel, looking west</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />After our ride I drove to Trexlertown. The last couple of years, the cancer support group, Spokes of Hope, was at Trexlertown to honor pediatric cancer survivors. This year, the invitation did not come until Wednesday, so we scrambled to get participants, both big and small.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Valley Preferred Velodrome<br />Trexlertown, Pa.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />I arrived at 3:30, we took some practice rides on the track at 4:00 p.m., coached by <b>Cindi Hart</b>. The kids stayed down (on the track). The grownups stayed up. Cindi ran us through some drills but in the end I think it was just the two of us.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cindi Hart</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />After the practice ride I went on to over to the Bob Rodale fitness track. Three lanes: slow bikes on left, roller bladers in the middle, fast bikes on the right. What a great track to ride.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cancer Survivors and Warriors</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />At 7:00 p.m. (scheduled) or 7:15 or 7:20 (actual) we were introduced to the crowd at the Valley Preferred Velodrome. We took 3-4 laps and the crowd cheered the entire time for the survivors and cancer warriors. It warmed my heart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />The races are a blast to watch, especially the Madison where teammates take turns and sling their partners ahead when they make the exchange. The German-Austrian duo </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">of <b>Marcel Kalz </b>and <b>Andreas Graf </b>killed the field, lapping them in both the 50 and 100 lap races although American and local favorite, <b>Bobby Lea</b>, was not there.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Josh Grecco</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My dear cousins, <b>Stacey and Gary Gravina</b>, came over from Phillipsburg, New Jersey to see me (or maybe just see the races). It was so great to see them and their boys.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Barry and Stacey</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Abandoned tunnels in western Pa., velodrome in eastern Pa. - I'd say it was a good day.</span><br />
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<br />Barry Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01394803196387131304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286386950379153989.post-1497251058175665672014-08-07T20:00:00.000-04:002014-08-18T22:25:57.777-04:00Home Sweet Home<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">SWEET HOME, OREGON</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This ride was simple. Find someone's ride on RidewithGPS.com, download it to my Garmin, and follow it. Improvise at will.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am as Pennsylvanian as they come with all my ancestors of at least five generations having been born in Pennsylvania. With one exception. My grandmother, <b>Ruth Ann (States) Lowmaster </b>was born in Oregon. Sweet Home, Oregon. Her dad, <b>John T. States</b>, was a lumberman in Indiana Co., Pa., in the early 1900s. He and two brothers went to Oregon as did the family of <b>Mae Bartlebaugh</b>, who was probably then 15 (when she moved). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />While in Oregon, they met, married, and in 1907 my grandmother was born. Family tragedy would bring them back to Pennsylvania by 1911 and my grandmother never returned to Oregon to see where she lived, a disappointment she carried with her.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Damn at Green Lake</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Today was my day. I started by a covered bridge then rode out on US 20 - the same US 20 that rolls through Erie, Pa. I followed Foster Lake then made a climb through the lush forest to Green Lake. I turned around and went alongside the other side of the lake and then my map took me away from town. I could have crossed a bridge and made a loop, albeit 20 miles or so but I was looking for 40 (or so).</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Green Lake</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The (pre-programmed) route I was on was called Berlin Wall and the author sort of chastised anyone that wanted to try. I was on Berlin Road and this was a good name for it. I started climbing and reasoned it couldn't be too hard. It kept climbing. And kept getting steeper. I was working hard to get myself over the top. Well done guys!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Liberty Rock Products</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Once over the top it was down in the valley to a loop turnaround. I was passed by a number of logging trucks and two Weyerhaeuser plants. This is a timber town.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Back in town I continued through town looking for a cemetery and looking for miles since I was close to 50. The cemetery is Gilliland, which I found (with help from a rural letter carrier). My great-great-grandmother, Emma Ruth (Ross) Painter, mother of Mae Bartlebaugh, is buried here. I found her grave and was completely satisfied with a day of riding around my grandmother's birthplace and a little tombstone hopping.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Emma Ruth Painter</span></td></tr>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="500px" src="//ridewithgps.com/trips/3154766/embed" width="100%"></iframe>Barry Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01394803196387131304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286386950379153989.post-84753131425873016992014-08-06T20:00:00.000-04:002014-08-18T11:33:21.931-04:00Crater Lake and Alex<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">ASHLAND, OREGON</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have dreamed for years of visiting Crater Lake but it's pretty isolated for this East Coaster. But when I started planning this trip I knew I could visit the lake. And not visit but to ride around it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Both Crater Lake and <b>Alex Shepherd </b>are in the southern part of Oregon. Alex is a 12 year-old battling brain cancer. He's an avid cyclist as well and last year I made a promise to him or to myself that I would ride with him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I drove to Crater Lake and, following one rider's suggestion, parked at Rim Lodge and rode clockwise. I would not recommend this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />It was a beautiful morning if not a bit chilly. The temperature was in the low 50s. I wore arm warmers and a vest. Headed out I headed up. None of the climbing was hard - just long. On my first climb I came to stopped traffic and went up the road past them to the front. There I had 15 minutes of quality conversation with a flagman. In the park they were working to remove loose rock along the side of the road before nature does.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />There are more than 30 pull-offs. At one I saw two women both taking a picture of each other. I stopped and asked if they both wanted to be in one. They were so glad I stopped. Then they asked how far I would ride and I replied "around the lake." They asked me if I could do that in a day. I told them I better do it in three hours.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjp9qLvcEbOuVa5p6NpqThPe4oGMKkTRl7GNPeYOcJTc3zXGb1AbVgSrp9IbCUkpQpwGSEivllSEsqCfgkrkBGV8xMU9RhTQsUaxMKnZy87cbfSkvOekUoKNBBH5c00DkL9Dp9ubMquAb/s1600/IMG_8039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjp9qLvcEbOuVa5p6NpqThPe4oGMKkTRl7GNPeYOcJTc3zXGb1AbVgSrp9IbCUkpQpwGSEivllSEsqCfgkrkBGV8xMU9RhTQsUaxMKnZy87cbfSkvOekUoKNBBH5c00DkL9Dp9ubMquAb/s1600/IMG_8039.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phantom Ship Rock</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />At one lookout I met Mike from Tucson who was riding a trail bike. At the Phantom Ship I met an older lady, probably 70, who was riding counter-clockwise. She told me counter-clockwise was easier because there's less climbing. I'm still scratching my head on that one. To me there's the same elevation gain and loss no matter which direction one rides. She may be referring to one direction has more linear climbing because the grades are less but longer while the other direction has steeper grades. And that would depend on your climbing preference. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />As far as parking at Rim Lodge, I might recommend that for a counter-clockwise ride. But on a clockwise route with three miles to finish, I passed the visitors' center (a good place to start). Then I began a three mile climb to Rim Lodge, to the finish. After three hours in the saddle I would have preferred not to finish with a climb. Like direction, you're going to get the same amount wherever you start but I would much prefer starting with the climb while my legs are fresh.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Overlook at Rim Lodge</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />After the ride at Crater Lake I drove to Ashland to meet Alex. At first, Alex and his mother, <b>Aushna</b>, were out trying to get his medications and Aushna encouraged me to meet her husband, <b>Dan</b>, and daughter, <b>Lily</b>. Dan is also an avid cyclist and I thoroughly enjoyed talking about cycling (and life) with him. We also discussed Alex's situation and their efforts to get him into a trial.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Falling Hurts</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It was late in the day, I had been there for a couple of hours and still no Alex. I was on East Coast time and was getting tired. I also had a four hour drive ahead of me. I thought about leaving a note for Alex and Aushna but decided one doesn't do that. I would stay until midnight to meet Alex.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Alex and Aushna did come home and I was able to meet them. Alex isn't riding his bike right now, a couple of brain surgeries in the past few weeks will do that to you. But what a neat kid. He showed me some of the motorized Legos that he has built. I told him to let me know when he's back on his bike - I still want to come out and ride with him.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5F__K_u9f2AkDiNpAhGaPjoQ393zLlY8AJVf817cZ3OD7sdncCr5XMIvFrs_NO86x0g5hXGD130hHWSNoxxBfz-FpuaLWsyiNumU1ePoEmLCclrlATwnTOHw_9enYebwG02gQpvzLqIhR/s1600/IMG_8071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5F__K_u9f2AkDiNpAhGaPjoQ393zLlY8AJVf817cZ3OD7sdncCr5XMIvFrs_NO86x0g5hXGD130hHWSNoxxBfz-FpuaLWsyiNumU1ePoEmLCclrlATwnTOHw_9enYebwG02gQpvzLqIhR/s1600/IMG_8071.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aushna Shepherd, Barry Sherry</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is an incredibly beautiful family. My prayers are with this family daily and I ask that you join me.</span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="500px" src="//ridewithgps.com/trips/3143161/embed" width="100%"></iframe>Barry Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01394803196387131304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286386950379153989.post-35582306656513792072014-08-04T20:00:00.000-04:002014-08-18T22:20:21.942-04:00Portland<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">PORTLAND, OREGON</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Portland, along with
Minneapolis and Boulder, is one of those "bike Mecca" places.
I'm not sure anyone is a fan of riding in urban areas but if you have to
ride in a major city, try it out in one of these cities. Your turn: Portland.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Alaska Airlines operated by Horizon</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My biggest fear was
getting here, knowing I'd be flying with my bike and on a small plane
from Seattle to Portland. As I boarded, from the rear, I asked the guy
in the cargo hold if my bike was in there. He said it was. Sweet.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Suitcase and Bike Case</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I figured out the light rail system and for $2.50 took a train to downtown Portland then put my bike on the suitcase and rolled them both up the street to the hotel. It was about a six block walk and beat paying $40 for a cab.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Once to the hotel and I got the bike assembled, I went for ride. Completely by "feel." There's a river (Willamette) so I reasoned it would be hard to get lost.<br /><br />I stopped at <a href="http://www.metropoliscycles.com/" target="_blank">Metropolis Cycle Repair</a> on Williams Street for a CO2 cartridge (can't fly with them) as well as some lube. And some free air. The guy in the shop was very friendly and directed me up towards the St. Johns Bridge. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrud4Az5XofZAdbrFPi2s2iOlJbM7la97yzSWUgB4dqMkx9ZLVb5YSs4byMfuxNgMGynU2ANSRFNb10JCGzc-pkCmTJuYVGeRjlQdSnMVCzZ-R8WqeqGkSQF1EDbFfVLzNDdBeDSP4yy-C/s1600/IMG_7964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrud4Az5XofZAdbrFPi2s2iOlJbM7la97yzSWUgB4dqMkx9ZLVb5YSs4byMfuxNgMGynU2ANSRFNb10JCGzc-pkCmTJuYVGeRjlQdSnMVCzZ-R8WqeqGkSQF1EDbFfVLzNDdBeDSP4yy-C/s1600/IMG_7964.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Johns Bridge</td></tr>
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<br />It was a nice ride up and back. I was gone long enough to form some impressions.<br /><br />First, there are lots of bike lanes. But like a lot of cities, the bike lanes are dangerously close to parked cars or include the gutter. <br /><br />Second, glass. It's America. There is broken glass on the sides of the road, which is where the bike lanes usually are. Proceed with caution.<br /><br />Third, signage. Sometimes good. Sometimes spotty. I followed the signs to the St. Johns Bridge until I lost the scent. Same with Downtown Portland to get back.<br /><br />Fourth, track stands. At every intersection multiple cyclists can be stopped waiting for the light. The really cool cyclists do track stands, that is, balance on their bikes without ever putting a foot on the ground. I'm not that cool.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm not a fan of urban riding but it's a great city to ride in.</span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="500px" src="//ridewithgps.com/trips/3130790/embed" width="100%"></iframe>Barry Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01394803196387131304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286386950379153989.post-32993054670687586852014-07-21T08:00:00.000-04:002014-07-31T18:27:33.011-04:00Chautauqua Lake<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">CHAUTAUQUA LAKE, NEW YORK</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Even as I drove with my with daughter, <b>Ashley, </b>to Lily Dale, New York, I wasn't sure where I would ride. Part of me wanted to ride around Chautauqua Lake. Part of me wanted to ride back to Erie, Pa. All I knew was she was visiting Lily Dale and I was going for a bike ride.<br /><br />I designed and uploaded a route to my GPS that would take me down the east side of the lake, cross at Bemus Point, then head straight to Erie. The distance was around 100 km (62 miles).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Lily Dale sits on the three small Cassadaga Lakes. It was a very pleasant morning, around 70 degrees and sunny. There was a bit of a hill </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">getting out of there </span>- one mile at 10-11% - but once up and over it I rolled on towards Chautauqua Lake.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Stockton, New York</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Reaching the main highway at the lake I went down the east side, disappointed that there weren't better views of the water. I expected a road where I could see the lake the entire time and much of it was too far away behind forests to see the lake.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Bemus Point, New York</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I reached Bemus Point, a beautiful small village with a ferry that crosses the lake. I rolled up on my bike. I was the only one there but could see the ferry at the other side of the lake. I waited. I thought I could see it was getting closer. It wasn't.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Operates Friday, Saturday, Sunday</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />A couple docked their boat and came ashore. I asked if the ferry was getting closer and he said it only runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Say what? Secretly hopeful he would offer to take my bike and me across I said it looks like I have to ride around the lake. He agreed stating "you look like you can do it."</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Operating since 1811 - just not on Mondays</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />I headed off south not knowing where I was going - navigating by feel staying close to the lake. My best option wasn't an option. Just south of Bemus Point is a bridge across the lake on I-86. A road sign stated "Erie 35." My mileage was right. I had ridden 24 miles, and if I could cross there I would be to Erie around mile 60.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />At Jamestown I made the turn and discovered a statue to Jamestown's native daughter of comedy, Lucille Ball. That made the trip worthwhile.<br /><br />When I came to Busti, I stopped at a gas station. I saw a man and asked him if he was local. He said he was. I asked how far it was to the Chautauqua Institute and he told me 20 miles. The road sign for Mayville said 14 miles.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Appropriate name for a church in western NY<br />
Panama, New York</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I asked if Chautauqua was before Mayville and he said it was. I then said the sign says Mayville 14. He paused and said, "I still say it's 20 miles." Sigh. <br /><br />Another man asked "do you want to ride to Erie?" and was surprised when I told him I did. He told me to take the road I was looking at, Rte 474, and head west. Said it goes right to Erie. Unfortunately, I believed him.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The road was lumpier than I thought</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />My designed route was north - I was to pick it up at Chautauqua Institute, but this seemed better. I headed west to Panama and then to Clymer. Just outside of Clymer I saw a road sign "Erie 30." I had ridden 40 miles since I saw the one for Erie at 35 miles. Forty miles and I was five miles closer.<br /><br />Ashley was on her way back from Lily Dale and asked where I was. "Not a whole lot closer" I told her. The main road from Wattsburg to Erie is Pa. Rte 8 - a busy two-lane road with no shoulders. I didn't want any part of that. I told her to meet me in Wattsburg. I continued on and we met at the Wattsburg-Erie County Fairgrounds. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NY-PA border between Clymer, NY and Wattsburg PA</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />I went farther than if I had just designed a route to get me to Erie. I wanted to see the lake which I did. Throw in some westerly head winds and some hills that I wasn't expecting, it was a harder ride than I expected. I only wish the ferry had been running but then I wouldn't have found the Lucy statue, which was pretty neat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="500px" src="//ridewithgps.com/trips/3047649/embed" width="100%"></iframe></span>Barry Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01394803196387131304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286386950379153989.post-2921957978870638922014-07-07T20:00:00.000-04:002016-04-29T16:03:54.521-04:00Three Country Ride<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">SISSACH, SWITZERLAND</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I had never been to Germany and a few months ago I told <b>Ben Zahler</b> that we should ride (or that he should design) a ride that takes us from Switzerland to Germany. And he designed a good one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />I took the train from </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="st">Zürich </span>to Sissach, met Ben, and went over to <a href="http://www.stonebite.com/" target="_blank">Stonebite</a> bike shop, right across the street from the train station. Very nice guy working there. I grabbed a Trek Madone with Di2 (electronic) shifting and he fit me to the bike. One problem though. When I tried to shift I discovered the battery was missing and he couldn't find it. But a couple of phone calls and 45 minutes later we were off and riding - the train.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben, giving a Turkish Couple directions</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />We took the train to Basel to begin our tour. Winding our way via bike paths, we found our way across and then beside the Rhine River. It was navigating by feel. Within six kilometers we were crossing into Germany. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />And almost immediately once we were in Germany, we were leaving Germany. We crossed the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Countries_Bridge" target="_blank">Three Countries Bridge</a> into France. I was in Germany for 600 meters. But it counts.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three Countries Bridge</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />Once in France we were on pancake flat roads, parallel to the Rhine River and the Grand Canal of Alsace but never quite seeing it. The road was a chip and tar road and a bit difficult to pedal. After 12 kilometers we turned towards the river and followed a road back to a <a href="http://rhine.riverama.com/rhine-kembs.php" target="_blank">hydro-electric power plant</a> on the river at Krembs. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hyrdoelectric Plant at Krembs on the Rhine River</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Only we could cross the damn on bikes. We stopped to watch a ship come through the lock.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ship coming through the lock at Krembs</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Once we crossed the dam we followed the canal south until crossing into Germany. We jumped on a bike bath which was paved but turned to dirt and gravel. Germany has many bike paths next to roads, most are paved but this one wasn't. We rode it for a few kilometers before finding another path/road which was paved.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bike path in Germany ran out of pavement</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ben had printed out directions but we seemed to be off cue as much as on and it sure was fun. We followed open roads to wherever they led - which was not lunch.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMMWrQ0cCoAl9UYZtuPtKSI1Yl9x4QvkWHFn0OpjUuizl6ZlKy2kaWzxcW5-NWHipJc3CPQUH-wSeWzgABC7O4X2OeWm-xE5o-5_Q2R_E7te5KuAPc2ouLnvYwZuiould5W1_1cLkIh2E/s1600/IMG_7482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMMWrQ0cCoAl9UYZtuPtKSI1Yl9x4QvkWHFn0OpjUuizl6ZlKy2kaWzxcW5-NWHipJc3CPQUH-wSeWzgABC7O4X2OeWm-xE5o-5_Q2R_E7te5KuAPc2ouLnvYwZuiould5W1_1cLkIh2E/s1600/IMG_7482.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closed on Mondays</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />Hungry, my breakfast was a Snickers bar in the train station, we found a restaurant/tavern which was closed on Mondays. Then another. And another. Finally we found a place in Kandern in the Black Forest. After a cyclists' lunch of pizza, we headed out and up - up a beautiful road through the Black Forest.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMpGCo3zR28IidgkatGl3rdHs5NedVYiTMMEssS6HMsIaSc78u-eCw0BD88Ycxr882YRUrq-Smgfn_CPDrLAlYy9hvkDsTYjbq9sAaK51kj031AAEpg2n1W19dKfdV81quuw4Tq64Lbb1/s1600/IMG_7499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMpGCo3zR28IidgkatGl3rdHs5NedVYiTMMEssS6HMsIaSc78u-eCw0BD88Ycxr882YRUrq-Smgfn_CPDrLAlYy9hvkDsTYjbq9sAaK51kj031AAEpg2n1W19dKfdV81quuw4Tq64Lbb1/s1600/IMG_7499.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Forest</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />Occasionally at a town or intersection Ben would check GPS but just as often we would say - "<i>let's go that way" </i>as long as it was headed south or west - back towards his home in Sissach.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0xj1Hd2mA9lbQMOpF1i9XscDzD05pu24IS_8pTed2gDyHOwFiEdKV0yXBEpyQlJGIYMTZ04EDMoXmhPU1cz_nOdb4MO8q7ORlzY66ymJ0Ix4rMps-gmQzLdE2FWIQdqAqw3Wnb63Jzh1/s1600/IMG_7507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0xj1Hd2mA9lbQMOpF1i9XscDzD05pu24IS_8pTed2gDyHOwFiEdKV0yXBEpyQlJGIYMTZ04EDMoXmhPU1cz_nOdb4MO8q7ORlzY66ymJ0Ix4rMps-gmQzLdE2FWIQdqAqw3Wnb63Jzh1/s1600/IMG_7507.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben and a Bike Path in Germany</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />We were on country roads, for the most part not heavily traveled, but just as often we jumped on the paved bike paths which followed the roads.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsFKtcJMdcY9e9sZqJiRzx7_zX4QSsi8oQCsHVEJ0Fk2_zvOr7A1uG-Y6oUA-IlEYYWiBxQORWLv21Udmv26-xKWYvtIf6-UfRf1fMMBHoh9hiP45btevYNln2Y89Wf2SS4FMuflUPKRC/s1600/IMG_7509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsFKtcJMdcY9e9sZqJiRzx7_zX4QSsi8oQCsHVEJ0Fk2_zvOr7A1uG-Y6oUA-IlEYYWiBxQORWLv21Udmv26-xKWYvtIf6-UfRf1fMMBHoh9hiP45btevYNln2Y89Wf2SS4FMuflUPKRC/s1600/IMG_7509.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />Reaching Rheinfelden, Germany, Ben mostly knew the way except that a landmark old building was missing. A quick question to a tourist and we were headed across the bridge crossing the Rhine back into Switzerland, to </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Rheinfelden, </span>Switzerland. Two questions really. Which way to </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Switzerland</span> and is that water (in the fountain) potable? (It wasn't)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdrulm0yszLkO0bbkrkCVR8KqfVkuzNMWNFVV7_O8QKfXTD87zTLkQN9-Vu3TXeKV5przR4o0cYy91-Avd8DvLWvRfKj4IDL_Zag23JtMp7UXshTO42GAYfdGa3eT0VPUryoh_10xrTbU/s1600/IMG_7516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdrulm0yszLkO0bbkrkCVR8KqfVkuzNMWNFVV7_O8QKfXTD87zTLkQN9-Vu3TXeKV5przR4o0cYy91-Avd8DvLWvRfKj4IDL_Zag23JtMp7UXshTO42GAYfdGa3eT0VPUryoh_10xrTbU/s1600/IMG_7516.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Rheinfelden, </span>Switzerland</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ben said from </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Rheinfelden </span></span>it would be 15 km more - all uphill. Before leaving, we found a water fountain with potable water and filled out bottles. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGff6JVzkR5aNkxvg63YaanfHhTUj9mhoVztT_OIOyfIDW7ChWxgQBVK90PL_2T-GHf7gfScKT4zopl2xq7UPf1bh5redF9XnXS12T3QjLADbaNMXaB8uL2ulVXQ9b3IF1y4xt1_yMPtC9/s1600/IMG_7517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGff6JVzkR5aNkxvg63YaanfHhTUj9mhoVztT_OIOyfIDW7ChWxgQBVK90PL_2T-GHf7gfScKT4zopl2xq7UPf1bh5redF9XnXS12T3QjLADbaNMXaB8uL2ulVXQ9b3IF1y4xt1_yMPtC9/s1600/IMG_7517.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben, filling his water bottle</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />Once we left </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Rheinfelden w</span></span>e were on a somewhat traveled road until going through Magden. And there the climb began. In earnest.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bridge over River Rhine at </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Rheinfelden Germany and Switzerland</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In the morning we had been riding on dead flat roads along the Rhine in Basel and in France. But in Germany we picked up some hills in the Black Forest and now we had a small mountain to get over. My Gramin was showing it was mostly 11-12%. This was a mini Mt. Washington - 12% but for only two kilometers.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQsfMEck7D6nSTkkspVr_tZnUllZ31pDPc8jUfuBxWdZl4GHgbheMFKSyItr172o4GPT_KEBUx6HJ7gbkdxfuQiGkVekLFUqGiJn2qlgcIwKIZJB8_LZumDCpAM8W1LCUFH64tr-tETQK/s1600/IMG_7525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQsfMEck7D6nSTkkspVr_tZnUllZ31pDPc8jUfuBxWdZl4GHgbheMFKSyItr172o4GPT_KEBUx6HJ7gbkdxfuQiGkVekLFUqGiJn2qlgcIwKIZJB8_LZumDCpAM8W1LCUFH64tr-tETQK/s1600/IMG_7525.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ben at the summit before Sissach</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And it was raining. Cloudy in the morning and sunny in Germany, the rain was coming down in Switzerland. But it felt good on the climb. Once over the top we had 3k back to town. I was able to drop the bike, change, and catch my train, all in a matter of a few minutes.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJ5fo7Y4hUPihLj-JPJ30dXyd_qAw90fuSsUCNj27DdVF2q2e2aKNatrzn9ZIDt3IoDKvyeaEuKfjQjtzp6700T7B7TjJA263-WHh-UFMcwh-itGCgWAf4Wjr7ZdM4R94EKJF_pKrzYRr/s1600/IMG_7530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJ5fo7Y4hUPihLj-JPJ30dXyd_qAw90fuSsUCNj27DdVF2q2e2aKNatrzn9ZIDt3IoDKvyeaEuKfjQjtzp6700T7B7TjJA263-WHh-UFMcwh-itGCgWAf4Wjr7ZdM4R94EKJF_pKrzYRr/s1600/IMG_7530.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meanwhile, back at the bike shop</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Three countries on a bike. What a great ride!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlN2GWsozLANvsOnhe87kugX1iwottIVcvZ7WJk4tiIid6Vf0SdU4NWOs7Y6_z8fwX0Mgb4gYytoOaPCYc9IpTHeGf634_O61dKsUz7OBHAT7TYJUpNqIbyaY7qy6FVI3DOoRpMlN4soK/s1600/IMG_7534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlN2GWsozLANvsOnhe87kugX1iwottIVcvZ7WJk4tiIid6Vf0SdU4NWOs7Y6_z8fwX0Mgb4gYytoOaPCYc9IpTHeGf634_O61dKsUz7OBHAT7TYJUpNqIbyaY7qy6FVI3DOoRpMlN4soK/s1600/IMG_7534.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barry and Ben</td></tr>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="500px" src="//ridewithgps.com/trips/2963677/embed" width="100%"></iframe>Barry Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01394803196387131304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286386950379153989.post-88885491689889975522014-07-05T20:00:00.000-04:002014-07-28T21:37:39.324-04:00Bridge Jumper<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">BERN, SWITZERLAND</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />I came to Bern not to ride but to swim. But I got in a ride.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> (And a blog entry!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQdY7f7AC_ZpYcQSO8ORamB9H81N7xic-nce8OTWdXZ1mZ3ZemaTyGD2NYttJw2grU4URLB0tSzle5VLUwGdV3wktohFSi9_8qVOKl8Ng5wB6LFd6IZEU6SMuVfFtNLSyOC-jrzzTpAgs/s1600/Bern+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQdY7f7AC_ZpYcQSO8ORamB9H81N7xic-nce8OTWdXZ1mZ3ZemaTyGD2NYttJw2grU4URLB0tSzle5VLUwGdV3wktohFSi9_8qVOKl8Ng5wB6LFd6IZEU6SMuVfFtNLSyOC-jrzzTpAgs/s1600/Bern+1.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Bern is a neat city. As
a genealogist, I trace most of my family history to Germany and England
but I trace my Wenger line to Bern. My great-</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">great-</span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">great-</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">great-</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">great-</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">great-</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">great-grandfather, <b>John or Hans Wenger</b>, was born here in 1705. Welcome home.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I count among my blessings in life the years I worked with <a href="http://youthforunderstanding.org/" target="_blank">YFU</a>. Those amazing foreign exchange students in the 1990s are now amazing young adults in their 30s. <b>Céline Oreiller </b>met me in Bern and knew my bucket list item - jump off the bridge into the freezing River Aare.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaJB8EI27L8HhKrOCpjRmSxSBiiEuK5mKHFL3M7W0fwDZJL3yq40NhyphenhyphenT1nNTBteF0Qv7CIemg4oYSDkSFqTN48znmoXlKOPNgMdjKM-Hza3rVZJH8PL-ysvFNT3BtQnjqkIy0YJ8VQH2f/s1600/Bern+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaJB8EI27L8HhKrOCpjRmSxSBiiEuK5mKHFL3M7W0fwDZJL3yq40NhyphenhyphenT1nNTBteF0Qv7CIemg4oYSDkSFqTN48znmoXlKOPNgMdjKM-Hza3rVZJH8PL-ysvFNT3BtQnjqkIy0YJ8VQH2f/s1600/Bern+3.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Looking back to the city from the bear pits</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We walked the downtown area over to the bear pits. We followed a steep hill up to the gardens and across a high bridge back into town.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">WARNING: Octopi in the River Aare</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After lunch we made our way to the Cathedral of Bern, a place Céline had never been. Although I had a Swiss Rail Pass which was good for local transportation, it was in my stored bags at the train station. I cursed my decision not to have it. With it, we could have taken the funicular to the top of Bern. And we could have avoided the river.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Kindlifresserbrunnen</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRDB_5kAUss0SGmxWo4nRHhwevRw-17pEt2o0bFeBL8K9GPN3ctPkibBpbTrieK0QOSJD56EKhRVPMlVHY9SaVBF0vHsQNY8kDaQyHGOHlmXNeyXgayr91hlK26CTJQ72j8jHdcmgZ3bl/s1600/Ogre+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRDB_5kAUss0SGmxWo4nRHhwevRw-17pEt2o0bFeBL8K9GPN3ctPkibBpbTrieK0QOSJD56EKhRVPMlVHY9SaVBF0vHsQNY8kDaQyHGOHlmXNeyXgayr91hlK26CTJQ72j8jHdcmgZ3bl/s1600/Ogre+1.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A literal translation of the name Kindlifresserbrunnen <br />would be "Fountain of the Eater of Little Children"</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Céline seemed to think I really wanted to jump off a bridge, probably because I told her that. Many times. I was content to climb the high towers of the Cathedral. Or just ride local transportation if I had my rail pass handy. She made it her mission to get me into the river.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxBTTFuaxGMzitKpSuO4lnbohFBY8AhZl3QaOFGAXTCu1BCIIxB7U_yqBTwA5xEwA6q4ULucRTUMW6eDZrjhI5wNrG5BqF_nQUpjbjeJGBTSv1P8I5tHxe0BiLK6fo1LkLw4OoE0qdC6P/s1600/photo06.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxBTTFuaxGMzitKpSuO4lnbohFBY8AhZl3QaOFGAXTCu1BCIIxB7U_yqBTwA5xEwA6q4ULucRTUMW6eDZrjhI5wNrG5BqF_nQUpjbjeJGBTSv1P8I5tHxe0BiLK6fo1LkLw4OoE0qdC6P/s1600/photo06.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cathedral of Bern<br />Too Large to be captured by my camera</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Around 5:00 p.m. the sun came out. We looked way down at the river below and found a "city bikes" location which offered "free" rentals, an oxymoron, indeed. For the first time today I was in my element. On a bike.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Céline, Barry</span> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We rode across a high bridge then found some streets to quickly take us down to the river. At first we didn't see anyone swimming but as we approached the Schönausteg Bridge, I thought must be the jumping bridge. Someone in a bathing suit walked by. We followed him across the bridge and watched him slip into the water and swiftly was taken away (safely).</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Schönausteg Bridge</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We didn't see anyone jumping but the bridge looked like one I remembered in the <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDsQtwIwAw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D8Dc1vmzjwJE&ei=B03EU4vdDNezyASY64GgAw&usg=AFQjCNHwcB_5nMW3DOuWvN4Z3Se9Udi-8Q&sig2=03USuyCrodW-3zIh4rBJsQ&bvm=bv.70810081,d.aWw" target="_blank">BBC segment on swimming in Bern</a>. Thankfully it wasn't the bridge over to the bear pits which I thought I remembered.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I wasn't sure if it was legal. There were no signs prohibiting it. So I went out on the bridge, climbed over the railing, being watched by others, not knowing what they thought. I was in the middle of the river and was standing on the suspension rails of the bridge. I thought I stood there for an eternity although it was really only a few seconds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Jumping into the river I was carried away by the swift and cold current of the River Aare. At first it seemed cool being caught up in the current. But I remembered the most important thing is to get out of the river - there is a dam downstream.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbJpZqVpwk6w0XKTDpqz6vXJHOVh93I87yaafS0-BcYf6jG-laFNungyly9Z6MD4LCPN1DVyiMBv5N4WvSPxl6CrA_JSA3sQTuniWyndQ2QDUDKxpAcJszr7l3KONPV57pYYl1-7ekjl1/s1600/Bern+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbJpZqVpwk6w0XKTDpqz6vXJHOVh93I87yaafS0-BcYf6jG-laFNungyly9Z6MD4LCPN1DVyiMBv5N4WvSPxl6CrA_JSA3sQTuniWyndQ2QDUDKxpAcJszr7l3KONPV57pYYl1-7ekjl1/s1600/Bern+9.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Céline on a City Bike<br />
I rode the same cruiser model</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I swam towards the shore and saw the first take out point about 100 meters downstream - stairs built down to the river with a railing in the water. I tried to grab the railing and missed. I was being carried downstream. Just briefly, I stopped. I found a rock that I could prop my feet against. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dam Awaits</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />I was only one meter (three feet) away from the railing but the current was too strong to go against the current. And I could not climb out onto the river bank. I let go and went to the next one. I almost missed this, actually thought I had, but I grabbed the railing at the last possible second. Mission complete. So I went back and did it again.<br /><br />After I changed, we had to find our way back to the bike rental place. We climbed up a hill and found ourselves next to the American Embassy. I stopped for a photo op although was warned not to photograph the Embassy itself. I didn't but the Swiss guard was cool. He turned his back. I could have.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">U.S. Embassy</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We dropped the bikes off after our ride and headed back to the train station to pick up my stored luggage and for me to catch the 6:36 p.m. train to Zurich. Bucket list item achieved. </span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="500px" src="//ridewithgps.com/trips/2951477/embed" width="100%"></iframe>Barry Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01394803196387131304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286386950379153989.post-80963057800552357732014-07-01T20:00:00.000-04:002014-07-28T21:36:32.836-04:00Torri di Fraele<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">BORMIO, ITALY<br /><br />Nice ride. Easy day. We all rolled out at 9:00 a.m. We began some small climbing (3-4% is almost a flat road here) to the town of Prado. Turning in town, we began a pretty steep little climb. This climb would take us to the main road, which was basically wide enough for one and one half cars. Luckily, there were few cars on this road because it only leads up to a dead end.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoomGiiwmUXMbThCoARdAg8L48KIj5GXQFv_KMKYhfwEMFHjOtJLeslphnMxejrLBEstOSfOEDmb9T5R5KHFFhm3QhT-5XTV5WM41JcsWp19Mh9lGYACj_H_Opgsf63OKNFSfLD1H4GwN/s1600/IMG_7035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoomGiiwmUXMbThCoARdAg8L48KIj5GXQFv_KMKYhfwEMFHjOtJLeslphnMxejrLBEstOSfOEDmb9T5R5KHFFhm3QhT-5XTV5WM41JcsWp19Mh9lGYACj_H_Opgsf63OKNFSfLD1H4GwN/s1600/IMG_7035.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Torri di Fraele</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The climb was to Torri di Fraele, towers built in 1391 (how do they really know?) which protected Bormio from invasion. Once we turned onto the real climb, there were 17 switchbacks to the top. Unlike the Stelvio, none were numbered or signed so we never knew our progress.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At the top of the climb</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Reaching the top I went out to the towers and admired the view. With rain in the forecast, we noticed the weather seemed much cooler and took the road back down, albeit a bit shorter, straighter, and probably steeper.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The big discussion last night was who wanted to ride back up Stelvio today. Two of our group would. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqwJfBo8jq2qLdYiOxnHLObCJ0MXsa-BjkYe2Xb9v8hkjf6YqHOUUsNPvRZczSWYh4CcJfN4FcX1dSJAOHRYiO8HjAlYxEciBWXwLphTfHiUZ-IuDTLX6v5OVfBMBqXXPoexwwYHXjA0D/s1600/TT_6773-M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqwJfBo8jq2qLdYiOxnHLObCJ0MXsa-BjkYe2Xb9v8hkjf6YqHOUUsNPvRZczSWYh4CcJfN4FcX1dSJAOHRYiO8HjAlYxEciBWXwLphTfHiUZ-IuDTLX6v5OVfBMBqXXPoexwwYHXjA0D/s1600/TT_6773-M.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gary Zentmeyer, James Shanahan, Don Sheppard</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />I had thought climbing Stelvio after this ride but with a big climb tomorrow and no support today for a Stelvio ride, decided against it. It was a wise decision. Both riders froze today on their descent. They had to be helped out of their clothes they were so cold.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick, Barry</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />I simply did a bit of exploring in town before shutting it down for the day. Neat little town.</span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="500px" src="//ridewithgps.com/trips/2929315/embed" width="100%"></iframe>Barry Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01394803196387131304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286386950379153989.post-66882895533982221402014-06-30T20:00:00.000-04:002014-08-12T08:16:11.177-04:00Stelvio Pass<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">BORMIO, ITALY</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I will claim ignorance. As a cycling fan, I am embarrassed. Or I should be embarrassed.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxoLNWeUbcLzLCYOSXG_X7-WFJ-PJye-ytpFXygHaFxE-gNrzoU56ZUargcDwHP680ojIJrHiprKnbIYS3rirkjASp_rMD6Py2BmPBw8GgfhZnQDZE_GIIYi4Imyf2gP-c7E-L46m7XVv/s1600/IMG_6936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxoLNWeUbcLzLCYOSXG_X7-WFJ-PJye-ytpFXygHaFxE-gNrzoU56ZUargcDwHP680ojIJrHiprKnbIYS3rirkjASp_rMD6Py2BmPBw8GgfhZnQDZE_GIIYi4Imyf2gP-c7E-L46m7XVv/s1600/IMG_6936.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caitlin Steele, Sonja Schmidt</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />It was just a few weeks ago during the Giro d'Italia that the Stelvio pass made cycling news for days. The weather was so bad that the Giro either did or did not tell the teams that the descent would be neutralized for safety. The leaders flew down it, everyone else went reasonably and lost chunks of time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Today, we would climb the famed passo Stelvio. And I knew nothing about it.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James Shanahan</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />We left the hotel in Moena by shuttle and drove a couple of hours to Prato. Once there, we offloaded at a hotel by an intersection of the roads. Sure hope Trek Travel had permission because we took over all the rest rooms for changing.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrSr7K2JZSEe9hg1a4Jyr0nAdpwUruD-5it1Q4RR56QwBULcBXUwxrkiEXrGbxMRgTWE2WO2S_0T4yum_uxokPCioP8tUO9RmKZxi1f5FgPbtY7bcIcPvfUlyAq_5Z1vX9k7-SiVQ3e9-/s1600/IMG_6929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrSr7K2JZSEe9hg1a4Jyr0nAdpwUruD-5it1Q4RR56QwBULcBXUwxrkiEXrGbxMRgTWE2WO2S_0T4yum_uxokPCioP8tUO9RmKZxi1f5FgPbtY7bcIcPvfUlyAq_5Z1vX9k7-SiVQ3e9-/s1600/IMG_6929.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotel near Prato where we changed clothes</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />We rolled at out an intersection and I went first this time. I had no intention of being first up the climb and within one hundred meters I pulled over as my spokes were hitting the speed sensor on the fork. Everyone rolled by me as I readjusted the sensor and then rode tempo to catch the back of the group, after also adjusting the bike pump which was being hit by the crank.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />The first four kilometers were pretty flat or trending up at one or two percent. Once at the base of the pass the road turned up in a beautiful forest with no idea why lies ahead. It was warm and I was sweating pretty heavily.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6pqUoQ3XR-lLvb_LwJqnGm2StE4pMTB0T7_1lnTQEYm7aiYUG9DN58SVjNlkWVv30ctJPvEFXpQp1S02THrFBk8duY51t_qAibth_baFc2rpq39VmGZdMZUzhNhnB9k9rr5NDlL4Z9OK/s1600/IMG_6954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6pqUoQ3XR-lLvb_LwJqnGm2StE4pMTB0T7_1lnTQEYm7aiYUG9DN58SVjNlkWVv30ctJPvEFXpQp1S02THrFBk8duY51t_qAibth_baFc2rpq39VmGZdMZUzhNhnB9k9rr5NDlL4Z9OK/s1600/IMG_6954.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotel on the lower slopes of Stelvio</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Having been last I caught and rode with <b>Caitlyn Steele</b> and <b>Colin Giffney</b>. I have ridden with them quite a bit this week. We chatted without hardly noticing the steepness of the road in the forest. When we went by the Trek Travel guides they were astounded that we were just chatting away. We were supposed to be out of breath.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcziUuwgKS4Uv-Wj5m_nEStlWFoGGNe5voxJcTRSmf1a77XoLLyFWQ_U5IrE2ECv4XvwrCtIVuI9BBgEdPdx8qrK7ONMyg_pAtWCt0G9NDu_g2HSifFLNNIie5ifgj3bzkPHEHNuT8VY2I/s1600/TT_6630-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcziUuwgKS4Uv-Wj5m_nEStlWFoGGNe5voxJcTRSmf1a77XoLLyFWQ_U5IrE2ECv4XvwrCtIVuI9BBgEdPdx8qrK7ONMyg_pAtWCt0G9NDu_g2HSifFLNNIie5ifgj3bzkPHEHNuT8VY2I/s1600/TT_6630-XL.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L-R: Caitlyn Steel, Collin Giffney, Barry Sherry</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Colin and Caitlyn stopped at a planned water/rest stop and I rode ahead, passing <b>Bud Hoffacker </b>and <b>Anne Marie Redmond </b>and then caught <b>Chris </b>and <b>Jim Ashton</b>. I've ridden with Chris and Jim quite a bit this week as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Near the top of the forest one sees the first sign - Tornanti 48. That is turn or switchback number 48. Only 47 to go. It would be another kilometer before the next turn.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Eventually we left the forest and could see nothing but road and hairpin curves ahead. I tried not to look for the summit but could not help it. It was so beautiful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Jim and I started using the switchback numbers to talk about what we were doing and where we were living at that age. It made the time go by real fast. We were joined for a while by <b>James Shanahan</b>, our Trek Travel guide and Chris and he rode about 50 meters ahead while Jim and I talked.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris and Jim Ashton</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Nearing the top we watched two snow plows coming down the road. This morning the road up here was snow covered. But with our two hour shuttle followed by a two hour climb, the road was clear although still wet in a lot of places.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />At Turn 3 James stayed behind watching for other riders coming up the road. Chris, Jim and I rode ahead until Turn 1 when I pulled over and made 10 or 12 beautifully packed snowballs. The snow was the perfect consistency for this purpose. I lofted one down two switchbacks below and it landed near James' feet. Then another. And another. He looked up and thought I was trying to throw snowballs all around him. I wasn't. I was trying to hit him but my throws sucked.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L-R: Jim Ashton, Barry Sherry, James Shanahan</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />One more switchback and I reached the top. It was cold although the Trek Travel van was parked just before the summit and it seemed to be 10 degrees (5.5 C) warmer on this side than at the top or going over the other side.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Lunch was on our own at the top. Although there were two restaurants which offered warm seating inside, James recommended "Richard," an Austrian who sets up a grill and cooks bratwurst. That was good enough for me.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richard's Bratwurst</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Haven ridden up the pass with Chris and Jim, we descended together. On this side there were tunnels. In fact Garmin lost its satellite connection for a while as we zipped in and out of the tunnels.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Both Chris and Jim are excellent descenders and I fell in behind Chris' line. We were flying as we entered a tunnel. It was dark and featured a sharp right-hander followed by a left hand curve at the exit. The eyes did not adjust from snow covered mountains to dark (with sunglasses on) instantly. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking towards Bormio</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I followed Chris' blinking rear light as we went wide in the turn. It was wet in the tunnel with snow melt and Chris went wide so I did too. As he recovered and went back to the right side of the road I was still over the center line when a car, with no lights, appeared in front of me. I touched the rear brakes and my biked fishtailed right in front of the car. I adjusted and brought the bike back under control and missed a head on collision by six inches or so. We did not enter a tunnel with speed after that.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim and Chris Ashton</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />There are a number of switchbacks on the Bormio side of the mountain as well although not 48 of them (27?). One of them, as I would discover later, passed within 10 meters of Switzerland and there is a road at another switchback that goes to Switzerland. The border there was about 100 meters away.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />We didn't know to stop to visit Switzerland but for me it was a moot point as I will be in Switzerland later in the week. We followed the road to Bormio then checked into out hotel for the night.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just down from passo Stelvio on the Bormio side</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Stelvio Pass is the highest paved pass in Italy. It is a classic climb that, quite frankly, wasn't that hard. Of course, I wasn't racing. But at no point did I think of it as too hard or had to fight myself to keep going. I doubt I get to ride this again but I would love to. It is a great one.<br /> </span></span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="500px" src="//ridewithgps.com/trips/2926098/embed" width="100%"></iframe>Barry Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01394803196387131304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286386950379153989.post-18747220239462908582014-06-29T20:00:00.000-04:002022-05-28T09:23:26.187-04:00Cold, Wet, Sleet<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">MOENA, ITALY<br /><br />After yesterday's big effort on Pellegrino the prudent thing would be to go easy, possibly even taking the day off. Some did. But I didn't.<br /><br />We rolled out at 9:00 a.m. Well, they rolled out at 9:00. I had to go back to my room to get my Garmin. I left and chased for 2km before I got back on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />We had a quick rest stop in Canazei<b>. James Shanahan</b>, our guide, encouraged us to ride (as opposed to standing around "resting"). The weather did not look good. Unlike yesterday when I was first to go, I was last to roll out from the rest stop. I was going to take it slow. I rode for a while with <b>Colin Giffney</b>, a New Zealander. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Like the roads we climb, this waterfall down in the mountain<br />is much steeper than the camera captures</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We chatted about biking on the "wrong side" of the road. About his grandsons. About the Sydney Zoo (he took his grandsons). I asked if they have all American animals. (See, in our zoos we have koalas, and dingos, and duckbill platypusses/platypi*.) Colin had a new camera which kept giving him a disc error so when he stopped to take pictures he always had to reboot.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At the base of the first climb</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I caught up to <b>Nick and Caitlyn Steel </b>from California. Nick is a beast of a rider but we rode at Caitlin's pace and really enjoyed the climb. Reaching passo Sella, the winds kicked up and it began to rain. Caitlyn decided to turn back, which was a prudent decision. Colin did too. Prudent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />We did not stay long at the top. Just long enough to grab a jacket and put on some wamr clothes.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFmyH332OCa2g4jJv2scsYL0-LIsK0988dxk8ib7WpNC-IsxizOGl3NaTXxXIAv-xVh_KZyW8euDZZQsSpWW49ytuhi_I5YIfJ71Omav26nFqbaJdRizJJW_xaiuu0F4jGstg3_XMJGsz/s1600/Sella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFmyH332OCa2g4jJv2scsYL0-LIsK0988dxk8ib7WpNC-IsxizOGl3NaTXxXIAv-xVh_KZyW8euDZZQsSpWW49ytuhi_I5YIfJ71Omav26nFqbaJdRizJJW_xaiuu0F4jGstg3_XMJGsz/s1600/Sella.jpg" height="198" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Source: http://www.thomsonbiketours.com/</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We did not see gorgeous views because of the weather</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />We descended off the Sella and the rain turned to sleet. At the bottom we began our second climb. I saw a Team BMC car followed about five minutes later by a BMC rider. I don't know who that was but was probably <b>Daniel Oss </b>or <b>Manuel Quinziato</b>, both of whom are from the Dolomiti region in Italy. (Unbeknownst to me, <b>Tejay Van Garderen </b>passed our group yesterday on Passo Fedaia. But it didn't look like Tejay.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />The second climb was over passo Gardena, a pretty easy climb except for the cold blowing rain. At the pass <b>Bud Hoffacker </b>and <b>Anne Marie Redmond </b>took seats in the SAG wagon. Prudent. It was a nasty bitter day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That meant I was last on the road. Well, I was along with <b>Sonja Schmidt</b>, our guide. I took off first on the descent although I stopped for a photo op. In the pouring rain. She passed me and had two switchbacks on me. Not sure what she thought when I caught her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Sonja and I reached the bottom and began another climb with switchbacks. We caught <b>Jennifer Gands</b>. The three of us rode to the summit together where the most serious decision of the day would be made. Trek Travel had lunches for everyone inside a restaurant. I was cold and wet and did not want to sit down for an extended period. At all really. James gave me directions and off I went on the descent before the final climb.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />James had said if I turn onto a road full of switchbacks, I'd know I was on the right road. He didn't say 32 switchbacks. The rain stopped about halfway up but the wind picked up. Each switchback meant a different direction for the wind. The head wind was almost impossible to pedal through. But the tailwind was almost strong enough to coast up the 6% grade.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxFh8WUgBK50fzal6HiR9Brer8h_j8tjP-hTjjftskOQYmAgTMKm8HfqmJWB5k2pahMHTKt2TCaDo0TQFe0yY_mxReglmz6DnObIs6-q-fbnGyDzBmabrXDEDcJd6bQ7_W8MD1mE4Ii98/s1600/IMG_6915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxFh8WUgBK50fzal6HiR9Brer8h_j8tjP-hTjjftskOQYmAgTMKm8HfqmJWB5k2pahMHTKt2TCaDo0TQFe0yY_mxReglmz6DnObIs6-q-fbnGyDzBmabrXDEDcJd6bQ7_W8MD1mE4Ii98/s1600/IMG_6915.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helicopter Landing Stop Lights</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />It was a long climb and I feared I would be brought back by Nick. I don't know if my psyche could handle being caught two days straight after being spotted one hour. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Passing a fenced field of cows, there was one poor cow standing out on the road by herself. She was probably scared, not knowing how to get back in the field. And I was scared go go past her. I crept over to the far left, never making eye contact (challenge), and got by.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghS9BGcJkDWU9ikdtsmxrOm3CvI1XNyFYJNWd1dP_MksHZfk2Eyez89bhugcbLFsnIU30a0WDlHKzoTJbyQWUvP84-mDAat2ApDDvSl48f7NtjURU9f4mA2nIE_qaGxmbnbmSDB_7AqJ-S/s1600/TT_6575-S.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghS9BGcJkDWU9ikdtsmxrOm3CvI1XNyFYJNWd1dP_MksHZfk2Eyez89bhugcbLFsnIU30a0WDlHKzoTJbyQWUvP84-mDAat2ApDDvSl48f7NtjURU9f4mA2nIE_qaGxmbnbmSDB_7AqJ-S/s1600/TT_6575-S.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: Trek Travel</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Those switchbacks seemingly went on forever. Eventually I could see a building that looked like a hotel at a pass. It was a hotel, but it wasn't at the pass. There was another three km to ride after that but I could see the summit. The real one.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Photo Credit: Trek Travel</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />After going over the summit of pass Pordoi, I had a pretty fast descent down 28 switchbacks, the first 12 of which we rode this morning before turning up to Sella. I was cold. Freezing. Soaked. Showing signs of hypothermia. But I would make it down safely.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Once back to </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Canazei it was a matter of retracing our morning route. There were some sweet descents on the road. I didn't realize how much climbing we had done. Arriving back at Moena, I was two kilometers short of 100 so rode out and made it a metric century. Then hit the shower. Rarely have I enjoyed a hot shower so much.<br /><br />___<br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">*</span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There is no universally agreed plural of "platypus" in the English
language. Scientists generally use "platypuses" or simply "platypus".
Colloquially, the term "platypi" is also used for the plural, although
this is technically incorrect and a form of Pseudo-Latin, the correct Greek plural would be "platypodes". Source: <i>Wikipedia </i>2014</span></span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="500px" src="//ridewithgps.com/trips/2918018/embed" width="100%"></iframe>Barry Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01394803196387131304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286386950379153989.post-48310319865993595532014-06-16T20:00:00.000-04:002014-07-28T21:36:01.854-04:00Royal Gorge<div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">CAÑON CITY, COLORADO</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">DAY 9 (UNOFFICIAL) - RIDE THE ROCKIES</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Last year the Day 6 route on Ride the Rockies was to be Salida to Cañon City across Royal Gorge. However, there was a major fire burning and we were rerouted. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I extended my stay this year for a day to ride the missing portion from last year. Ideally, I could ride point to point from Colotaxi to Cañon City. But I couldn't pull that off logistically so I did the next best thing. I rode backward to the gorge loop. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Royal Gorge Train</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Last year we were looking at a mostly downhill ride to Cañon City from Salida so I knew I'd be riding uphill today until I turned around. And I started with a seven mile climb. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Arkansas River from US 50</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I passed one entrance for the Royal Gorge Bridge. I kept riding and crossed the Arkansas River. There I saw the second entrance with the sign "Bridge Closed Will Reopen." I stopped at a rafting company and asked if the sign was real. The young lady assured me it was and directed me back three miles, uphill, to the visitor center. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sorry Folks. America's Favorite Family Bridge is Closed for Maintenance</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Arriving at the visitor center it appeared to be a restaurant. I saw a waitress. I didn't ask anyone for help. I just decided to ride as far as to the gorge as I could ride. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Fire Damage from 2013 Fire</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's a gorge. My first thought was that I would ride downhill from the summit I had just crested. And the road went downhill at first. But then I was climbing again. A lot. And it made sense. The bridge is at the top of the gorge. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I saw a closed Gorge Railroad. Also a couple of other boarded up businesses. At the end of pavement was a dirt road to a picnic area. Straight ahead the road looked like it might go to a bridge. But it was fenced off. So I rode on dirt. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Dirt Leading to Picnic Area and Overlook</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Arriving at the picnic area I saw rocks and dirt and a 1,000' cliff. I carefully maneuvered my way down the rocks to a vantage point to see the gorge and bridge. We were high up. We were far away. It was windy. I was wearing cycling cleats.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Bridge and Gorge from Far Far Away</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today was important to honor <b>Jamie Roberts</b>. Her name was on my calf and I made sure I would get here. No matter what.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Overlooking the Gorge and Honoring Jamie</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It was windy. Again. There was a headwind out and a tailwind back. The bike rolled back towards Cañon City. I hit 49 mph but was very uncomfortable trying to push it higher. It was three days since I checked or added air to my tires and I did not have a pump. I thought the tires felt low and I wasn't sure if an under-inflated tire was in danger of overheating and popping. The wind shifted and I was really afraid of pushing it. Riding is fun but I must keep it safe. (Like 49 mph is safe but 50 mph is dangerous.)</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Looking Downstream at the Arkansas River</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I didn't ride across the Royal Gorge Bridge, and now probably never will, but I saw it from afar. Most importantly, I honored Jamie. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Royal Gorge Bridge in Background</span></td></tr>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="500px" src="//ridewithgps.com/trips/2848312/embed" width="100%"></iframe>Barry Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01394803196387131304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286386950379153989.post-15624955040398303792014-06-15T20:00:00.000-04:002014-07-25T22:01:34.001-04:00Texas 4000<div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">CASTLE ROCK, COLORADO</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">DAY 8 (UNOFFICIAL) - RIDE THE ROCKIES</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Bradley Allen </b>and I were talking last night about the Texas 4000. When Brad asked if they came through the area I looked and discovered the Rockies route was in Colorado Springs and traveling to Denver. I sent a quick text to <b>Vanessa Beltran </b>on the Ozarks route and she sent me their route. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Brad Allen</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I called Brad and suggested we do a road trip. He agreed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We drove to find the Texas 4000. When we did we turned around, at first looking to drive far ahead, park, then ride backward so we could ride with them. As we passed them, Brad rolled down his window and rang his cowbell. The riders were surprised and appreciative. I think. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Texas 4000</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We didn't drive too far - maybe 3-4 miles when we saw the Texas 4000 lunch stop. We parked and introduced ourselves. We were told there were three groups on the road. We had passed the first six riders and rode back to find a group of three and a group of five. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We set off into a vicious headwind. I followed Brad's wheel but there was no draft. He went hard (I think) and I followed. My heart rate was higher than it had been at anytime climbing the passes. We were at 6,000 feet and maybe that's a good excuse. (I did not have my heart rate monitor and regret that was the one day I didn't. My heart was coming out my throat.)</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Brad Allen and Texas 4000 Riders</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After seven and one half miles and 30 minutes chasing into the wind I waved down a passing car and asked if they passed the Texas 4000 riders. They hadn't. I thought it was pointless that we continue. I feared the other riders came from a side road that we had passed. I thought they may be at the lunch stop. Or they all ate lunch and were back on the road. We turned around. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Riding for Jamie</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now we got the tailwind. I was glad to pull Brad. We flew. Brad was stroking my ego by occasionally dropping back and making me ease off. I was hitting more than 40 mph on the flats. It was the wind. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Legs being photographed</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It seemed like it was no time before we were back with the original six riders and today's staff. We met all the Texas 4000 riders. All six that is. I almost immediately noticed most did not have their calves written on. We told them about <b>Jamie Roberts </b>although they knew as Vanessa had shared the message. And they all got to writing Jamie's name on their calves. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Texas 4000 Rockies Route plus Brad and Barry</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We talked. Took pictures. Never could figure out where the other riders were. When it was time to roll out I decided I would ride with them for a little bit. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Texas 4000 Rolling</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The miles weren't long. But the effort was hard and the reward was great meeting the Texas 4000. Seeing them embrace Jamie's memory warmed my heart. Godspeed my friends. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Packing for Jamie</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="500px" src="//ridewithgps.com/trips/2848309/embed" width="100%"></iframe>Barry Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01394803196387131304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286386950379153989.post-39676553248417242992014-06-14T23:32:00.001-04:002014-07-25T23:59:31.394-04:00Berthoud Pass<div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">IDAHO SPRINGS, COLORADO </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">DAY 7 (UNOFFICIAL) - RIDE THE ROCKIES</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today was supposed to be my redo of <i>Ride the Rockies </i>Day 1. <b>Bradley Allen </b>picked me up at my hotel and we drove out to Idaho Springs for our start. The RTR ride started in Boulder but the Colorado State Patrol closed Boulder Canyon to vehicular traffic on Sunday. We would not have that luxury and best to keep it a safe ride and not ride through there.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Idaho Springs</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On Sunday the riders rolled out in good weather with no idea what was ahead. Severely dropping temperatures, wind, rain and snow. Few riders made it over the 11,000 foot Berthoud Pass to Winter Park. Many made the climb but were not permitted to attempt the dangerous descent. And perhaps the majority were stopped at Empire and were told the course was closed. We had no such problem with the weather today. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Barry and Brad</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Twelve days ago I rode with the 4K for Cancer in Pennsylvania. The one rider I rode with on both days was <b>Jamie Roberts</b>. I really liked her. We had stopped in at my sister, Betsy's, house for ice and a bathroom break. I learned this morning Jamie was killed after being struck by a pickup truck in Kentucky yesterday. This hit me hard. Real hard.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Riding for Jamie</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Last night while we were at dinner I was reliving my first couple of days with Team Portland and riding in Pennsylvania. I showed Brad a picture on my phone of the 4K when they stopped at Betsy's place. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Jamie Roberts, Betsy Sherry, Barry Sherry, Dan Johnson</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Just as I was going to bed I checked Facebook and saw a couple of posts suggesting something horrific happened to a member of the 4K. I messaged <b>Trish Kallis </b>but got no response. I went to bed wondering what happened.<br /><br />In the morning it became clear when <b>Sarah Eddy</b> posted an article from the <i><a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-bicyclist-death-20140614,0,4120767.story" target="_blank">Baltimore Sun</a> </i>that a rider from the 4K had been killed. And it was Jamie. I was crushed.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Jamie Roberts<br />Credit: Jamie's Facebook Page</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />Brad arrived and texted that he was at the hotel waiting. Through tears I was inside sharing the article on Facebook about Jamie. And when I came out of the hotel he asked if I was OK. Clearly I wasn't. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />I don't think Brad knew she was my friend when he was given a name but when I didn't come out of the hotel immediately and he checked my status update, he knew for sure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Brad brought a Sharpie and we both wrote Jamie's name on our calves. After parking in Idaho Springs (7,526') we found a couple of cyclists to take our picture. I had been to Idaho Springs once before, if you don't count yesterday. That was in 2007 when I rented a bike at a small store and rode up Mt. Evans. The store is gone, replaced by a Kum & Go.<br /><br />One of the riders told us to forget our cue sheets and to follow US 40. He was wrong. We started out of Idaho Springs and saw that 40 merged into I-70. It was probably legal to ride on the shoulder but certainly no fun. And not real safe. The RTR directions were marked on the road making it easy to follow. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The "Original" Hard Rock Cafe<br />Empire, Colorado</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I wasn't prepared for the amount of climbing to Empire and to the base of the climb to Berthoud Pass. And I certainly wasn't prepared for the wind. It was wicked at times and always in our face. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Last General Store<br />It was Closed</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My mind was consumed completely with Jamie. This was truly a day dedicated to her memory. Riding wasn't fun today. I was consumed with sadness.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Crossing Berthoud Pass</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The climb was long but not especially difficulty, especially going as slow as I was. Up ahead Brad had to wait for me. Often. The temperature dropped on the climb. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Looking back towards Empire</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At the summit we took a picture being sure to show our dedication to Jamie's memory. We also discovered we were at the Continental Divide which was a bit confusing to me. I crossed it at Rabbit Ears Pass and thought I crossed back at Loveland Pass. I'm thinking I crossed it one more time at I am unaware of.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Jamie on our minds and legs</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Having "lost" the race to the summit I cautioned Brad not to follow me down the mountain if I do something stupid. And off we went. Brad's ultra-skinny body had its advantage in climbing but I roll faster downhill. I took off and eventually waited for him then we rode the lower slopes together. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Berthoud Pass - 11,307'</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Arriving Winter Park we picked up my rental car which I had driven here on Sunday, went to lunch, then drove to the Loveland Pass ski area. We had hoped to ride to Idaho Springs from the ski area for an additional ride and more miles but it turned cold (55) and looked stormy. We hadn't brought cold or foul weather riding gear. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Looking towards Winter Park</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I climbed some big passes and tough climbs during Ride the Rockies. But today's ride was the toughest. </span></div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="500px" src="//ridewithgps.com/trips/2848310/embed" width="100%"></iframe>Barry Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01394803196387131304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286386950379153989.post-43674756164411734462014-06-13T20:00:00.000-04:002014-07-31T18:35:28.174-04:00Loveland Pass and Golden<div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">GOLDEN, COLORADO</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">DAY 6 - RIDE THE ROCKIES</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I rolled through downtown Breckenridge at 6:45 a.m. It was still quite chilly. Cold, actually. We took the trail out that we had ridden in on yesterday. Those last ten miles of "flat" that I struggled with so much? I coasted the whole way today. I struggled because I was going uphill yesterday. Glad to know the reason I sucked was because it was uphill.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Swan Mountain</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I was expecting a climb to Loveland Pass but we first began with a climb up Swan Mountain. Nice little warm up. As we were climbing someone in a Jeep screamed "asshole" among other things. It was the only road rage I witnessed in Colorado. <br /><br />And what goes up must come down. We descended over the top to about the same elevation we started from. The ride down was nice but I knew that meant we had to climb again. I'd prefer to start climbing and keep climbing.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Still haven't tried these but very popular on Ride The Rockies</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I was and I wasn't looking forward to today. I really wanted to get the climb over with and coast to Golden. I rolled out of the rest area not sure how far it was to the summit. Roadside signs warned no vehicular traffic except for Hazmat trucks. (This was the Hazmat route to avoid the Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70.) We had the road to ourselves. As we climbed higher I saw some trucks had been pulled over for staging an escorted convoy. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Upper Section of Loveland Pass</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I kept my heart rate low all day just pedaling within myself. The climb wasn't particularly difficult, a lot of 6-7% grade, but it was long. Passing the A Basin there were skiers on the slopes. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Skiing at A Basin</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I reached the top of the climb and immediately joined the line for a picture at the summit. That took 15 minutes. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Made it to the top</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The descent was beautiful with gorgeous vistas and sweeping curves. I did not bomb this part but at the bottom was Loveland Ski Area. As I made the turn there was yet a downhill ramp. I tucked and hit 51 mph before having to brake hard for the second rest stop. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Trail next to I-70</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We were next to I-70 but had a separate bike path through the woods. I could coast comfortably and safely at 30 mph down to Georgetown. It was gorgeous in the woods and some pines had recently been cut giving it a great aroma. But the path ended and we again shared a road, also downhill. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Trestle for Georgetown Loop Railroad</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Believing the ride was entirely downhill to Golden and ignoring those spikes on the profile map, we had a rest stop in Idaho Springs. Shortly out of Idaho Springs we climbed Floyd Hill which was a two mile 8-9% pain in the butt climb. I saw many people walking, perhaps a combination of tired legs and heat. My Garmin was showing 99 degrees coming off the pavement. It was the first time we dealt with heat the entire week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After a nice respite of downhill we began another climb towards Lookout Mountain. Here we entered and rode on I-70 for two exits. That was an experience. Once we exited we had some rollers over to Buffalo Bill's grave site and Lookout Mountain. And a needed water break. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Leaving the stop at Buffalo Bills it was all</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> downhill to Golden. This time that was the truth. Steep. Hairpin corners. Two guys passed me and I let them go. I remember <b>Wayne Stetina </b>telling me last year that he never bombs a descent he hasn't seen before. I figured they had ridden it before but I wasn't taking any chances. All downhill to the finish in Golden. Plus, I was stuck behind a car most of the way and didn't want to be "that guy" who passed a car with a double yellow line.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Golden from Lookout Mountain</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Whereas last year I met four pros, this year I didn't meet any. But I enjoyed the company of <b>Mike </b>with one arm, met interesting characters along the way like the two chicks on Tennessee Pass ringing cowbells, and saw the staff from the Davis Phinney Foundation. It was a very good week. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Golden. The End.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Top Speed 50.7</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Photos: ELK 9:09</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Finish approx 1:35<br /><br />EPILOGUE - Arriving Golden I parked my bike and enjoyed a Smoothie. I attended the closing ceremonies and did not win a bike or anything else. Without transportation to the hotel, and why I didn't find a hotel in Golden I do not know, I called Yellow Cab of Boulder. I was promised a cab would arrive in 20 minutes.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pedal Your Own Smoothie</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />As I was gathering up my bike to meet the cab I noticed a couple eying my bike. They saw the FUCANCER sticker and asked if I knew <b>Jan Stover </b>from Virginia. I did. We had a pleasant conversation and they stated they would take me to my hotel "except I have a bike." The wheels come off. I can make it small. Oh well...</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barry with Brad Allen</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">One hour later. Two hours later. No cab. I called each hour only to be promised one was on its way. The first call was at 3:20. By 5:15 p.m. I called <b>Bradley Allen </b>in Boulder and he said he would be there within the hour. The 4K alumni are awesome. He came, took me to Westminster and we enjoyed a nice dinner. It was a great way to end the official week of Ride the Rockies.<br /><br />By 6:20, three hours after I called, the cab never showed. I would never call Yellow Cab of Boulder for anything.</span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="500px" src="//ridewithgps.com/trips/2848311/embed" width="100%"></iframe>Barry Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01394803196387131304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286386950379153989.post-86079718741805047082014-06-12T20:00:00.000-04:002014-07-26T09:18:22.041-04:00Two Cute Chicks<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">BRECKENRIDGE, COLORADO</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">DAY 5 - RIDE THE ROCKIES</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">AVON TO BRECKENRIDGE</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Leaving the Comfort Inn I found myself with Mike, an amputee who ride with one arm. Mike is apparently a legend in Denver cycling. He is a strong climber. We stayed together for about a quarter of a mile when we got to the traffic circle and I peeled off to take a photo. This would save face much easier then actually being, you know, dropped. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Avon CO</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It was a 16 mile climb to the first pass, Battle Mountain (9,231') but only the last four miles being the real climb. My legs felt good on the climb and I passed way more than passed me. I even reached the top then descended back a little to try to get a good photo op.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Descending to Red Cliff Bridge I had a little too much speed coming on it to stop. But at the bridge is a road that descends along the edge of the gorge to the town of Red Cliff. I told the volunteer standing there "I bet there's a photo op waiting down that road." I went down it a few hundred yards and when I was down he came down to shoot me too. Right after the bridge was Rest Stop #1. I kept going.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Red Cliff Bridge</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">After the aid station was 12 more miles of climb to Tennessee Pass (10,424') and the winds picked up significantly. We seemed to be creeping down in the valley and I stopped at a "Point of Interest" which was a World War II Winter Training Camp for the U.S. Army.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Eagle River near Avon</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Seeing the sign for the summit the road kicked up significantly. Like the first climb, my legs felt pretty good. I passed a woman I thought was <b>Lisa Smith</b>, who I had met earlier, but it wasn't. She was struggling a little and I encouraged her with "one mile to go."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Then with about 1/2 mile to go the real Lisa caught me. I thought she'd blow right by me, she is a tremendous climber, but we stayed together until the summit. I stopped to use the porta-john and visit the <i>Davis Phinney Foundation</i>. Lisa kept on going.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Ringing cow bells were two kids dressed as chickens. And I have seen them on the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. So I grabbed a photo with them then after rest stop. Then it was off for Leadville.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Barry and Two Cute Chicks</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We were promised an 11 mile downhill. It wasn't. But it was mostly easy pedaling. As I came upon a T and a turn to the left I saw signs for Leadville to the right. After talking with a State Highway Patrolman, he encouraged me to ride into town. He told me how rough a place it was. Gambling, drinking. "Still is," he said.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Leadville</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I met two local cyclists and told them I had five minutes to see Leadville. I asked them what I should do. They told me to turn around. They called it Deadville. But I continued on and was glad I did.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Leadville</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I was leaving the rest stop when <b>Roger and Jeanie Schultz </b>pulled in. I told them their friend, Lisa, was well up the road.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It was 11 miles to the summit of Freemont Pass (11,318'). It seemed to be a long 11 miles and the first five miles was flat or trended downhill. Or I was seeing things. My legs no longer felt so good. Still, I worked my way past more people than passed me then saw a sign for the summit in four miles. The road kicked up in grade, a lot of 4-5% grade.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Climbing towards Freemont Pass</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I passed a young lady riding a road bike with a straight handlebar. Or maybe she was on a mountain bike with skinny tires. She was easy to remember. I was struggling somewhat and about two miles from the summit she passed me. <br /><br />As she passed I had no response - not that this was a race and I had to match her. She continued on. So too did a doctor I had passed earlier. He had a tag which stated MD and I thought he was from Maryland. Duh!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The last mile and one half or so before the big switchback features a long straight section which, to my eyes, looked like it was going downhill. My legs didn't think so and my Garmin confirmed it was 3-4 % grade. That was followed by a sharp left hander and one could see the cyclists struggling up the road ahead to the summit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Rounding the corner the road kicked up to 6-7%, maybe more. And I soon passed the doctor. And because she was identifiable, the girl on the straight handlebar bike, my goal was to pass her. She was 200 yards, then 150, then 100 yards from me. I picked up my pace and with 150 yards before the summit I went flying by. Dignity remained intact.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Summit of Freemont Pass, aka Climax, Colorado</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">At the top was Rest Area #4, this one featuring the tour DJ. I bought a brat and sat down by an old mine train to eat it. It was the first time I bought food on course.This was also the best weather we would have all day. In the 70s at the 11,000' summit.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccxrZrDHZhyphenhyphenay-18pUHbsctSfrYuk-CG3ChzVc9csOo533mEKUM-8335P319tb9JQz-m9USG3CoIqo1EiXqBMDbquS5rJo9ZO_dZX_QiLFqwcDIwrEyfCAPKMpEU3cYtoghM4XnID2N_d/s640/blogger-image--1881490170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccxrZrDHZhyphenhyphenay-18pUHbsctSfrYuk-CG3ChzVc9csOo533mEKUM-8335P319tb9JQz-m9USG3CoIqo1EiXqBMDbquS5rJo9ZO_dZX_QiLFqwcDIwrEyfCAPKMpEU3cYtoghM4XnID2N_d/s640/blogger-image--1881490170.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Official Summit Sign</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The descent wasn't necessarily steep at the top. In fact, there were a couple of slight uphill sections before the real descent began. Frustrated because I had not gone more than 45 mph on this tour, I was glad to have open road. Most cyclists were riding the shoulder and I moved into the travel lane which was smoother and absent road dirt and sand. I did not want to risk an accident moving at speed from shoulder to lane.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaRRLKa2KtqowyoDuO8fDzJPGCBchy1B5YB9hSN_avAgYwPCh6nLOnhhuszIu5_S4gYPqG7EoogMVpxIuZ-aALC0lgAvD0MQLDetOUGwQ4auzb8Uyv8w4-NldqbOa1gzmp80u3gC-Z_GM/s640/blogger-image--1609181511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaRRLKa2KtqowyoDuO8fDzJPGCBchy1B5YB9hSN_avAgYwPCh6nLOnhhuszIu5_S4gYPqG7EoogMVpxIuZ-aALC0lgAvD0MQLDetOUGwQ4auzb8Uyv8w4-NldqbOa1gzmp80u3gC-Z_GM/s640/blogger-image--1609181511.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ice on the lake at the top of Freemont Pass</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I'm not sure what it was signed - maybe seven miles at 7% - but I got in a tuck and kept picking up speed. When I saw 52 mph I thought that was fast enough. I feathered the brakes a little to keep it near 50 mph.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I FLEW by riders on their descent. I'm sure all were surprised and I'd like to be going about 35 mph when someone is going 52 mph just to see how it looks. When passing I always moved more to the center of the lane even though they were on the shoulders.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">52.1 mph</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">At the bottom the road intersects with I-70. But there is a separate bike road (more than a path, really), in which we rode downhill to Frisco. This was a great path alongside the river with many beaver dams, a few flooding our roadway.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Flooded path from beaver dams on both side</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">With just seven miles to go (I think it was longer), I blew by the last aid station and continued to Breckenridge. The trail became dead flat. And windy. This was my hardest section of the day. But we made it to the bike corral and got directions to the Doubletree Hotel.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUbLe8x8P43oFDIre6uHDE0iTI6YvbkOx3E11xg23Nfu1Hc7mWg_AJzZf7r22yRKHTxmdXU739xwfcoowraOergLwjdqrihqR-r8Vgb0dRIWhgEoEJzexuP0f6kaqZvqgh0ocpej_1WHq/s1600/IMG_6475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUbLe8x8P43oFDIre6uHDE0iTI6YvbkOx3E11xg23Nfu1Hc7mWg_AJzZf7r22yRKHTxmdXU739xwfcoowraOergLwjdqrihqR-r8Vgb0dRIWhgEoEJzexuP0f6kaqZvqgh0ocpej_1WHq/s1600/IMG_6475.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">At dinner I walked through town and chose the Kenosha Steakhouse which has a patio overlooking the Blue River in back. The waiter asked if I wanted to sit out on the deck and I told him I had been fighting the wind enough today. I'd stay inside. <br /></span></div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="500px" src="//ridewithgps.com/trips/2848308/embed" width="100%"></iframe>Barry Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01394803196387131304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286386950379153989.post-26420985654068570722014-06-11T19:53:00.001-04:002014-07-26T09:08:33.533-04:00Ding Dong Avon Calling<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">AVON, COLORADO</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">DAY 4 - RIDE THE ROCKIES</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />STEAMBOAT SPRINGS TO AVON</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Steamboat Springs</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">t was a bit chilly as I rolled out of Steamboat Springs. Then again, these are the mountains and the mornings are cool. I found the bike path and took it to the route. Once one the road, the same as we rode yesterday in our loop, I was enjoying solo time when a massive group rolled by. <br /><br />Unlike last year, this year's route was not conducive to forming pace lines. Even if one formed I said I wasn't going to ride in one. Then I foolishly jumped in. Included in the group was a Wounded Warrior with no arms and a butt brake. We were rolling. I averaged 1.5 mph faster on the road to Oak Creek - the same place we rode to yesterday. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steamboat Springs Visitor Center</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />This wasn't a true pace line. It was just a large group with the same people pulling and a bunch of wheel suckers. Me. Not knowing the skills of the riders I decided to drop off, did, then soon found myself on the back of the group again. But it broke up completely with a little climb to Oak Creek.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEVhlQhyuglX07qrv75s0neGMS-EOO_dciPCfqQK_LGIofrFYPlGR7Opw4uE-GviznQUf8o6rA0uAYGl6-LIoyfA4_5AzKWexwMlz_1EVWoF4As6WtkFqoUtza336ub57ZXjJS5HtPMFv/s1600/IMG_6328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEVhlQhyuglX07qrv75s0neGMS-EOO_dciPCfqQK_LGIofrFYPlGR7Opw4uE-GviznQUf8o6rA0uAYGl6-LIoyfA4_5AzKWexwMlz_1EVWoF4As6WtkFqoUtza336ub57ZXjJS5HtPMFv/s1600/IMG_6328.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oak Creek Miners Museum</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2eyRO3LWCaWNXUMKWOuWRlR_q2Fxa5Sg55xvk-fFzR8TiotFbx6VLFM5hqD_dORaDru01JVj1nX1-CK1LlsbDX5lalVJsnHPd0F8h6VIlxlI47sqzqJmrlvc8Y5OR87HAO4kgDlfTm8B/s1600/IMG_6325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2eyRO3LWCaWNXUMKWOuWRlR_q2Fxa5Sg55xvk-fFzR8TiotFbx6VLFM5hqD_dORaDru01JVj1nX1-CK1LlsbDX5lalVJsnHPd0F8h6VIlxlI47sqzqJmrlvc8Y5OR87HAO4kgDlfTm8B/s1600/IMG_6325.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miners Wall</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Photo: Group M. 11:25</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After the first rest station, I met <b>Lisa Smith </b>for the second time in the week. She introduced me to her friends <b>Roger and Jeanie Schultz</b>. I rode for about one minute before dropping for a photo op. After the picture I caught back up to Roger and rode with him and Jeanie to rest stop 2. Roger asked if I was glad to drop and not try to stay with Lisa. He may have been right.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNMzs2OLj1xLuET_Wy9NfW4i9rlR91LWUrdYuAi_-vQVNg4ixPqg-2dVY9PVG8wb6bkrXzhY6kwhiqqvtPBZaeUE-Ikh7zgTW8MBxEGyVLIBBlfTXLI5PT9nwg-KBN0eM_fB4zvANTbgG/s1600/IMG_6341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNMzs2OLj1xLuET_Wy9NfW4i9rlR91LWUrdYuAi_-vQVNg4ixPqg-2dVY9PVG8wb6bkrXzhY6kwhiqqvtPBZaeUE-Ikh7zgTW8MBxEGyVLIBBlfTXLI5PT9nwg-KBN0eM_fB4zvANTbgG/s1600/IMG_6341.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finger Rock</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At Finger Rock I dropped again, only to rejoin and enjoy our conversation. That would last to the next stop and I would not see them again the rest of the day. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfF71-Q2ODBCqywVHNVrJPRi5pRRLvUyhZtA5mabCqs8k9yqUG6KMZTSnDwBqhN-LpB-cf5nkFUT1uWQDjNLfBaDLxFvKxJYK5G_qrnvF4gqOOkF3UIBeqLaZHXqWbs_DWuAX7wjVfIytk/s1600/IMG_6345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfF71-Q2ODBCqywVHNVrJPRi5pRRLvUyhZtA5mabCqs8k9yqUG6KMZTSnDwBqhN-LpB-cf5nkFUT1uWQDjNLfBaDLxFvKxJYK5G_qrnvF4gqOOkF3UIBeqLaZHXqWbs_DWuAX7wjVfIytk/s1600/IMG_6345.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And you thought you had a dandelion problem</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We had been enjoying the benefits of an awesome tail wind but it turned into a head wind when the road turned. I rode the climb and descent solo, passing many on the descent. I am either a dumb descender or fearless but it is one advantage I seem to have on 95% of the riders here. I go down hills well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjop5WLUBSpKT_sPGewIQA14C7vI1R7gmExBkjBXbJZY6hyphenhyphenCXSUpFq6M6OJgADoFTh9ambyaMgxeIkPUsPbjVAV3Ies-_8anlmpsj8JwdIzZaqyYiBKjHePt1hwDGla57LF1ZE1DbYdmNxv/s1600/IMG_6350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjop5WLUBSpKT_sPGewIQA14C7vI1R7gmExBkjBXbJZY6hyphenhyphenCXSUpFq6M6OJgADoFTh9ambyaMgxeIkPUsPbjVAV3Ies-_8anlmpsj8JwdIzZaqyYiBKjHePt1hwDGla57LF1ZE1DbYdmNxv/s1600/IMG_6350.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I stopped at the third rest area, ate some grapes, didn't see anyone I knew, and then moved on.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW96bLdCkk3twdgxUpd0D006z6iqKDFuCcNPO5ZVwupwpb9p_47ipgqARc_8UEmT6l6XwEW9CQScrfD1R1ApPBs8IbFjbnkZZAZyHbdtzKb3sGhJAyqdtxR4_dkR3PJeRLJomloP7RVLcW/s640/blogger-image--414530436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW96bLdCkk3twdgxUpd0D006z6iqKDFuCcNPO5ZVwupwpb9p_47ipgqARc_8UEmT6l6XwEW9CQScrfD1R1ApPBs8IbFjbnkZZAZyHbdtzKb3sGhJAyqdtxR4_dkR3PJeRLJomloP7RVLcW/s640/blogger-image--414530436.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Made me giggle. Probably had said Poor and <br />someone made an editorial change</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I hadn't gone very far when I saw and stopped at a tiny post office and talked with the postmaster. She said things have really gotten bad in the last two years. Glad I left. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuA2RfncVtFgjRnFoMimyoe6QmmerQfGrYkRT887Bn2digCDCgJj2sKHjW5Rs4un2jR9veVk-APplmo4yxItz_X8_yxRXFDN5Ae7eXOa0nV7t5iqPMhotJphwPC6WKaNySrgrnfnYLBH4/s640/blogger-image-1079489009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuA2RfncVtFgjRnFoMimyoe6QmmerQfGrYkRT887Bn2digCDCgJj2sKHjW5Rs4un2jR9veVk-APplmo4yxItz_X8_yxRXFDN5Ae7eXOa0nV7t5iqPMhotJphwPC6WKaNySrgrnfnYLBH4/s640/blogger-image-1079489009.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Tiny Post Office<br />Bond, CO</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I saw a bridge ahead and because of the warning sign knew it was State Bridge but was disappointed. I was hoping for something very majestic. It was just a bridge.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18cb6OilEPzMwxUHjqXJcaFcc4xIu7o731lImzKAa7r9c2nQzyblqeHQCB4_Y9CsKpEKTLivIHdZ0lmTNYo6qrdEINnKaQt9kMGw-ByB-HQM2ARN472gQ6I0QPzUL1X8mG-TQPQ9sUXCT/s1600/IMG_6356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18cb6OilEPzMwxUHjqXJcaFcc4xIu7o731lImzKAa7r9c2nQzyblqeHQCB4_Y9CsKpEKTLivIHdZ0lmTNYo6qrdEINnKaQt9kMGw-ByB-HQM2ARN472gQ6I0QPzUL1X8mG-TQPQ9sUXCT/s1600/IMG_6356.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">State Bridge CO<br />
Colorado River</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On the climb up the pass from State Bridge I first was talking to a young lady riding for the <a href="http://www.ctf.org/" target="_blank">Children's Tumor Foundation</a>. She was wearing a riding kit made to look like lingerie. Cute.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3m87GKiU5s30-e_gZ-8lzo-wHAV9-EgisrrWoKMTuFBWA3fX5UG1fT38jVqEdW8LaGusUQNm3BZ5ZS8GPjx87I3bldrSdfKtyBNBXlVpI5X61_bDx-ePTWsyQgctfhgZrjcPVQ6kRS7rL/s1600/IMG_6361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3m87GKiU5s30-e_gZ-8lzo-wHAV9-EgisrrWoKMTuFBWA3fX5UG1fT38jVqEdW8LaGusUQNm3BZ5ZS8GPjx87I3bldrSdfKtyBNBXlVpI5X61_bDx-ePTWsyQgctfhgZrjcPVQ6kRS7rL/s1600/IMG_6361.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Children's Tumor Foundation</td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />I also got a demerit from the Colorado State Police for not riding single file. Oops. I ended up pacing a medic, <b>Lori</b>, up the climb. I met her last year and she remembered me. The policeman simply pointed to climb single file.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLzJj1jwaL3GR_ymL0IsR-SBC-suj4JJN0uhE2H9JOrVNGJezvIUDhTxX5rPIXMkXwi-yA9AUtw314NJaIU3_Mwx40mtXjUZO-xOVaeM9UGoahEBLR3n9BXLGugnqkD9DsttskN7Oe6MM/s1600/IMG_6362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLzJj1jwaL3GR_ymL0IsR-SBC-suj4JJN0uhE2H9JOrVNGJezvIUDhTxX5rPIXMkXwi-yA9AUtw314NJaIU3_Mwx40mtXjUZO-xOVaeM9UGoahEBLR3n9BXLGugnqkD9DsttskN7Oe6MM/s1600/IMG_6362.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheep. Lots of sheep.</td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />We had another nice descent to bomb although both had winds around 30 mph making 50 mph impossible. The wind both held me back and made it a bit dangerous trying to control the bike at high speed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Leaving the fourth rest stop I was again riding alone until four riders passed me. I jumped on their wheels and as we passed a young lady struggling I motioned for her to follow me. She did. When I bailed at a stop light and stopped at a convenience store for a Cliff Bar she said she was really struggling until I invited her to ride along. She was right. The last 10 miles did rise, albeit at 2-3%, it was just enough to drag one down.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18J8eIox6zgqNNLvrS_jE4tXlk4YPR5kH3HyVUB0mle_PF9BW4kL09c6p62iiD4wzlQDIH5iLbVcWGxY7EJrOETBC4z27WFl4HAI7tpVlv2Jx5X6zbtLw1YGC9MY9YZsGmlB9XfEoKW3H/s1600/IMG_6365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18J8eIox6zgqNNLvrS_jE4tXlk4YPR5kH3HyVUB0mle_PF9BW4kL09c6p62iiD4wzlQDIH5iLbVcWGxY7EJrOETBC4z27WFl4HAI7tpVlv2Jx5X6zbtLw1YGC9MY9YZsGmlB9XfEoKW3H/s1600/IMG_6365.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just an entrance to a Golf Club<br />
<a href="https://eaglesprings.org/" target="_blank">Eagle Springs Golf Club</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At the end we were met by young ladies in baker"s uniforms with freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. What a way to end a ride. And I didn't take a picture.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCaboUwdZxXnF2QmyRE1LsT5P-ksECgEZfD3HFWcdads_fsXcH1JRLg0-IaI4WIz37fOrsf-k_IuSD0HFxPSid9dAzCgj2xhIRk8wUwryoiWbznnAPO74XlMQxzKfM1aZHl8wsxvVu6WK/s1600/BakeryGirls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCaboUwdZxXnF2QmyRE1LsT5P-ksECgEZfD3HFWcdads_fsXcH1JRLg0-IaI4WIz37fOrsf-k_IuSD0HFxPSid9dAzCgj2xhIRk8wUwryoiWbznnAPO74XlMQxzKfM1aZHl8wsxvVu6WK/s1600/BakeryGirls.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Credit: Ziggy</td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />But Ziggy Emme did.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72VaFwxTX-COKi5q5RFUnuY79zarlRIFBEc1HIJ-fmSkYnUekdRXl0v4G0vg8iXzyJMKE5vxtXnIhm3PMFzhsrz2NGH3aQfzQkmxlEoimpk1dEgl2_ls8tJvv5HrWiaHzbreRHTGz__JL/s1600/IMG_6366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72VaFwxTX-COKi5q5RFUnuY79zarlRIFBEc1HIJ-fmSkYnUekdRXl0v4G0vg8iXzyJMKE5vxtXnIhm3PMFzhsrz2NGH3aQfzQkmxlEoimpk1dEgl2_ls8tJvv5HrWiaHzbreRHTGz__JL/s1600/IMG_6366.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Eagle River</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NLGPrKYh1YiBYFFd0q4fdYY1HvaDEye5AFpTKVvlBwDwN2GR_dzS3NZ07uzMoJ2_NuIwVcmG1K8S2PhZaF-qsOOLbGSs-Qiz_p3DGMVzaP9ENyFxdMSZtCa22VdGyvp0LK7Vxcj0PHkr/s1600/IMG_6367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NLGPrKYh1YiBYFFd0q4fdYY1HvaDEye5AFpTKVvlBwDwN2GR_dzS3NZ07uzMoJ2_NuIwVcmG1K8S2PhZaF-qsOOLbGSs-Qiz_p3DGMVzaP9ENyFxdMSZtCa22VdGyvp0LK7Vxcj0PHkr/s1600/IMG_6367.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="500px" src="//ridewithgps.com/trips/2848307/embed" width="100%"></iframe>Barry Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01394803196387131304noreply@blogger.com0