...and we finished...

We finally made it to the road and decided it would be best if the boys hung out in the shelter while I walked along the road to get back to the car. I was hoping someone would pick me up and give me a ride for the mile or so back to the car, no such luck.

I made it and picked the boys up at the shelter. I apparently interupted their second chess match.



We made it home without incident, unles count Russell trying to catch the apple core I threw over the car to his side, while going 40 mph, but that's another story.

Allamuchy...

I actually rode my bike during the week! I really don't know the last time I rode on a weeknight. I am lucky enough to have Allamuchy State Park on my way home from work. I hadn't ridden there since last August, when I tweaked my rim. The place is really a lot of fun, and boy did I notice a difference from the last time. I have about zero power. I used to be able to power over a lot of the climbs on our loop. Yesterday, I had trouble getting over those "power climbs"...maybe by the end of the summer?

Roubaix...

Sunday was the Paris-Roubaix, I have often thought of doing a Roubaix "tribute" ride on the dirt roads around Tinicum. I have been thinking about doing this ever since we moved out of the city, 3 years? Well this year I did it, although a shorter version. (Kris was home with the kids and my parents were coming over.)

Section 5.

I have driven and ridden by this road many times and always say, "I need to ride that road one of these days." It was a nice road, along a creek, relatively flat. Nice start. I got to the end of it and my legs were a little "tender". I guess I pushed it a bit on the dirt.

Section 4.

After section 1 I planned to ride the regular roads down to the canal, but I came across this section. Turns out it runs down for a ways into another dirt road. I had to choose right or left? btw the road was Ridge-Valley Road. (Gee I hope I pick the "valley" part of the road.) Nope, I was in the "valley" and had to climb up to the "ridge". There was a nice view at the top...

but the picture does not do it justice.

Section 3.

The tow path, and I know where I am, this is good. I should be able to get home at a decent hour. Rode the tow path for a ways. (If only I had my speed-thermometer installed I would know how long these sections were.)

Section 2.

Another cross-roads. The road to the right is super steep and long. If had had better legs I may have attempted it. Got to the top of the easier way. "That was easier!?!?" This section is very scenic through the woods along a creek. There was even a waterfall on the side of the road.

Section 1.

Last stretch of dirt. This section sees a lot of traffic because it goes to the High Rocks parking area. I pushed it through this section, knowing that it was downhill back to the car.

Maybe when I get some fitness I could do this ride from home? Jeff, maybe as part of our century?

I stopped by the grocery store to pick up dinner and the kid bagging grocerys asked if I GO to the University of Delaware, I was wearing my UD sweatshirt. Yep, he asked me if I "go" to UD as in I am a student at UD, not a 35 year, father of 2, commuting a hour and half each way, but a student! He must not have noticed the grey hair...

Maybe someday....

I'd like to do this... hmmm, maybe next year:

cyclingnews article

Ronde...

Sunday was the Tour of Flanders and I wanted to do a ride in "honor" of the race. I decided riding the "koppenberg" just outside of Manyunk was the proper way to honor the Ronde. The "koppenberg" is a steep cobbled climb that pretty much climbs from the river up to Ridge Ave. Only about half of it is cobbled, but it is the steep part that is cobbled.

I called Terry, Saturday and he said he was available Sunday afternoon... PERFECT! We met at the Norristown train station, which it turns out is almost exactly half way. It took us each 45 minutes to get there. We then road the bike path towards Manyunk and the "koppenberg". It was a tailwind the whole way down and I kept thinking how bad the ride back was going to be with the headwind. We made it to the end of the path without incident. We did get passed by some women who was truckin' We thought about "hopping on" but decided she was too fast for us, ok she was too fast for me, I can't speak for Terry.

We got to the "koppenberg" and I told Terry it was a real brut of a climb and to get ready. I also told him I didn't really know what to expect because I have not ridden the climb in a couple of years. It used to be one of my regular climbs when we were living in Philly. I used to ride from the city out to Kris's parents in Gwynedd, about a 3 hour ride with the "koppenberg" included. These days I don't think I could do that ride...
I wasn't sure if I was going to make it up yesterday or not, as I am not in very good shape these days... but I made it! Thanks to a 27 tooth rear cog! Yep, I have a 27 on my road bike! Terry made it up as well, I think he had a 23 or 25, like a real man should!

We basically turned around and rode the path back to Norristown. The headwind wasn't bad and we even had enough gumption to sprint up the hill by the parking garage. I had the jump but saw that he was coming around. So, I dug deep and beat him to the top! Yeah! I still got it! I'm the MAN! We got to the top and Terry says to hold up. I thought he needed to stop and eat his humble pie! About half way up his wheel slipped and was rubbing on the frame... So much for him eating humble pie, and so much for me being the MAN! Oh well...