puchfinnland

I would like to plan a ride of the ncrr trail,
distane is about 20miles.
For those that don't know it, it is from PA line to cockeysville Maryland in Baltimore county,
We could also start in York,and add ten miles
Photogravity and I have talked about it, but now is the time to make it happen.
https://www.johncarterphoto.com/ncrr/virtualmap.html

When
On the coming weekend or New Year's Day
Where,

2 options,
The people from PA park on the north end, and us from the South, park on the south end, and we meet for lunch in the middle, eat lunch, swap keys and then meet up again in the middle,
Or the preferred plan
we start on one end and finish on the other, it might be nice to end on in cockeysville as we can find a nice place to eat easier.

Who is in? And please talk about preference of how to plan it.

I'm going for a ride today around loch raven with my Nelli today,
Mike

slowtostart

Having done the GAP and C&O path rides from Pittsburgh to the Watergate, the devil is in the details.

I'm in for, at least, lunch.

STS

puchfinnland

The elevation is 400ft along the trail, so it's easy going, we are not in any hurry, and set an easy pace for all, it's about being outside with friends and enjoying the ride.

pastorbobnlnh 

I would really like to join you. The trail is not far from my Dad's house. But alas I'm here in NH and finding the time to make the trip is an impossibility.

puchfinnland

I'm going up to the south end of the trail hopefully today, I want to inspect the roadbed to see if it is suitable for skinny tires.

well it's snowing pretty hard, don't think I'm going to see any roadbed today!

wahoonc

Let me know when a date is set. I live about 6-7 hours south but probably could figure a way to make it. Was supposed to be on the way to Binghamton, NY today...weather DID NOT cooperate.

Aaron

jeirvine 

Great idea. I could possibly join in if it is on new years day, and not too early. That is if the weather cooperates, and I don't get snowed in in new England.

puchfinnland

you got a double bed in a guest room here in towson when you come through!
the snow might wipe this plan out, but hopefully we can arrange an alternative ride in the same playground,
waiting for photogravity to chime in!
jeirvine is out of town till 30th

slowtostart

May we consider confirming a lunch with a ride as an option? Weather has never impacted my appetite.

puchfinnland

This is a good alternative, I wish we had more people, and a point of interest, near the PA line, a nice bike shop and a good diner!
mike

slowtostart

Gettysburg?

Peugeotlover

Parts of it are suitable for skinny tires. There are other parts that skinny tires can sink right down 4 inches- mostly due to mud or too much unpacked gravel. More likely to see the problem areas in the newer part of the trail in PA.
Mostly, you could get by on a roadbike. I always use a mtn bike on the NCR(Northern Central Railroad) because of the wider tires working better.

My schedule allows for no pre-planning. The weather is totally iffy this time of year, sometimes on the same day you can see snow showers, freezing rain, gusty wind...just like today.
It's doable, but be prepared so you don't get soaked to the skin.

I have done the full length of the NCR a couple times, but not on the same day.. It is really a beautiful ride, with a lot of tree cover in MD, along the river it is peaceful with fresh air. It is very nice, better in the Spring, or if you just hit it right with the weather on a particular day.

There is a mild grade in one direction, going north I believe, which does get to you after 20 miles, or so.

wahoonc

Thanks Mike!

Wild... I was supposed to be in Binghamton, NY tonight for a company function tomorrow. I had emailed my boss yesterday and told him No Joy. I was not going to make the 10-12 hour drive based on weather forecasts. Turns out to be a good call on my part, they cancelled the function until Jan 2, 2013

So I may be back in...if the weather holds. Dunno which bike to drag along. I have my big city bike, upright 8 speed IGH, 40mm tires, I have my road tour bike drop bars 21 speed running 35mm tires. I have my expedition bike based on a MTB with 1.5"? or 1.75" tires, but it needs handlebar tape and has not been on a shake down ride since I put it together last year. I am also a slow rider...

Aaron

puchfinnland

As I said, there is a bunk waiting,
wife and children are is leaving tomorrow and I could use some company of friends..

puchfinnland

So shall we say New Year's Day? Like to have John with us,
still no word from Dallas,
maybe pick a bit of the route that has better surface?

wahoonc

I have it on my calendar, heading out to the shop in a bit to do some organizing and dig the expedition bike out and see about doing up the bar tape. I want to do a black and yellow harlequin, not sure if I have enough beer for that.

Aaron

puchfinnland

Now to figure out the where......
any help from PA on figuring this out, where is the better part of the trail?

Peugeotlover

Hereford, MD has an NCR dedicated parking lot, right by the rail trail.
I recommend this starting point, it is right off of York Road, which runs parallel to I-83.
To find it, get off I-83 at the Hereford exit and drive east to the York Road light signal in downtown Hereford.
Turn right at the light, and after a short strip mall, see the NCR sign and turn left (as you are heading south on York Road).
Follow the signs to the parking lot- it all is a very short distance, about 1 block, happens quickly.
Recommend that you ride north once on the NCR rail trail.
The next 20-30 miles are the prettiest part of the NCR trail.
Right now, you would find snow on the trail, about 1 inch of wet type, over well packed gravel.
More snow is predicted by National Weather Service for this weekend.
You sound pretty diehard, so it shouldn't be too much trouble.
Dress for 30*F temps. A light rain poncho might be good to have along, in case it rains.

puchfinnland

I only got skinny tires, but that sounds like a plan, I have never did that part of the route,

if Dallas or jeirvine chime in we could carpool up, my fathers car only fits my bike in the trunk,

next Tuesday says 39 and wildly 15mph
now what direction the wind is may make a big difference and we should plan the direction accordingly!

photogravity

I still have out-of-town company and am not so sure they'll be gone before Monday. That leaves Tuesday as a possibility. If I can get the rear wheel on the Bilenky tandem finished by then, I could bring that and my better half along on the ride.

puchfinnland

Great to bring your better half!

wahoonc

Ooooh a tandem for us singles to draft

Aaron

wrk101

I saw the Ncrr title, and thought it was North Carolina RR trail. Drats...

mainstreetexile 

If I was still in PA, I would be interested in this. I'm hoping to ride the GAP trail (and maybe the C&O) sometime over the next year or two when I'm back for a visit.

Fortunately, the weather in San Diego is much nicer for riding than it is in PA now

wahoonc

That was my first thought too But I travel right past that area several times a year so a great opportunity has presented itself.

Aaron