Cross Country: Riding the Final State
09-23-16, 03:26 PM
#1
Let's do a Century
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 8,316
Bikes: Cervelo R3 Disc, Pinarello Prince/Campy SR; Cervelo R3/Sram Red; Trek 5900/Duraace, Lynskey GR260 Ultegra
Liked 880 Times
in
409 Posts
Cross Country: Riding the Final State
My Goodness.....who in their right mind would plan a century with 4400' of climbing on their 39th riding day********** All this riding must be getting deep into my brain cells and impairing my judgement!!!!!
Started in Albany, crossed the Hudson and followed Hwy 20 all the way into West Springfield. Really gorgeous route. Not as wide a shoulder in Ma but I never felt uncomfortable. I think I got on a short section of Hwy 20 where bicycles were not allowed but it wasn't all that long of a segment and the shoulders were super wide.
Two pretty good multi mile climbs today. One was climbing up to and past the state line. The second was doing the stair steps up the Jacobs Ladder Trail. For the first time the whole trip my legs screamed at me early and often. I was pedaling squares for sure. Then at 40 miles and after entering Massachusetts just like magic the old form returned. Go figure.
There were lots of tree lined roads today. The descent down Jacobs Ladder was along a rocky river and felt exactly like a mountain road I ride in NC. Leaves are probably a week away from any color.
Pics to follow!!!
Bike lane into downtown Albany
Crossing the Hudson River
View from NY/Massachusetts state line
Pittsfield Country Club-reminds me of the group I play with in the mornings back home
Nice hilly section
A quick rest stop in Chester for lemon cookies
Sign in the last state!!
Too funny........these fine folks let me in to use their rest room. Unbelievable.
Started in Albany, crossed the Hudson and followed Hwy 20 all the way into West Springfield. Really gorgeous route. Not as wide a shoulder in Ma but I never felt uncomfortable. I think I got on a short section of Hwy 20 where bicycles were not allowed but it wasn't all that long of a segment and the shoulders were super wide.
Two pretty good multi mile climbs today. One was climbing up to and past the state line. The second was doing the stair steps up the Jacobs Ladder Trail. For the first time the whole trip my legs screamed at me early and often. I was pedaling squares for sure. Then at 40 miles and after entering Massachusetts just like magic the old form returned. Go figure.
There were lots of tree lined roads today. The descent down Jacobs Ladder was along a rocky river and felt exactly like a mountain road I ride in NC. Leaves are probably a week away from any color.
Pics to follow!!!
Bike lane into downtown Albany
Crossing the Hudson River
View from NY/Massachusetts state line
Pittsfield Country Club-reminds me of the group I play with in the mornings back home
Nice hilly section
A quick rest stop in Chester for lemon cookies
Sign in the last state!!
Too funny........these fine folks let me in to use their rest room. Unbelievable.
Last edited by jppe; 09-23-16 at 06:37 PM.
09-23-16, 05:48 PM
#2
Cross Country: Riding the Final State
@jppe is now in Massachusetts, and anticipates arriving in Boston on Sunday. We have made arrangements to meet in Wayland MA at this venue (see below) about 20 miles from the terminus, likely to become one of the National Shrines of his Route...jppe has put Route 20 on the map!
+10. I’m particularly anticipating the post of his last leg of the trip. 
…we're closer to Boston and the Atlantic so all is good
I'm reading your post EVERYDAY and throughly enjoying it!!….Definitely living, errr riding, vicariously through you.
Keep the posts coming!!
Not sure what I'm going to do when you finally make it to Boston, maybe chair the JPPE Withdrawal Anonymous group..
Keep the posts coming!!
Not sure what I'm going to do when you finally make it to Boston, maybe chair the JPPE Withdrawal Anonymous group..
…My particular interest is spurred because my wife and I did a cross-country ride back in 1977, and,
It just occurred to me that this is the first time I have followed a tour (or long race, e.g. TdF, RAAM) consistently in approximately real time.
If I may ask, was the itinerary pre-planned, to the day?...point to point?...just starting and end points? No immediate reply necessary, but this is what I'll ask in Boston.
If I may ask, was the itinerary pre-planned, to the day?...point to point?...just starting and end points? No immediate reply necessary, but this is what I'll ask in Boston.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 09-23-16 at 06:17 PM.
09-24-16, 04:06 AM
#4
Let's do a Century
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 8,316
Bikes: Cervelo R3 Disc, Pinarello Prince/Campy SR; Cervelo R3/Sram Red; Trek 5900/Duraace, Lynskey GR260 Ultegra
Liked 880 Times
in
409 Posts
Still just taking it a day at a time!! I've tried to avoid looking ahead other than just getting hotels a day or two in advance. But, it looks like I'm running out of highway 20 East to ride on before too long.
Anyone want me to turn around and ride it the other direction back to Oregon???? I'm sure there are folks that have done something similar.
Maybe someone else can ride and I can do their posts for them???
Anyone want me to turn around and ride it the other direction back to Oregon???? I'm sure there are folks that have done something similar.
Maybe someone else can ride and I can do their posts for them???
09-24-16, 10:48 AM
#6
Senior Member
Ditto!!! Say it ain't so! Man I'm going to miss your daily post!!
JP, you've done something I've only dreamed of!! One day, I'm going to do it, probably a southern East to West route from Florida to Cali... Definitely won't be at the speed you accomplished it...I will be much slower... You rock!!
JP, you've done something I've only dreamed of!! One day, I'm going to do it, probably a southern East to West route from Florida to Cali... Definitely won't be at the speed you accomplished it...I will be much slower... You rock!!
09-24-16, 01:46 PM
#7
Let's do a Century
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 8,316
Bikes: Cervelo R3 Disc, Pinarello Prince/Campy SR; Cervelo R3/Sram Red; Trek 5900/Duraace, Lynskey GR260 Ultegra
Liked 880 Times
in
409 Posts
Ditto!!! Say it ain't so! Man I'm going to miss your daily post!!
JP, you've done something I've only dreamed of!! One day, I'm going to do it, probably a southern East to West route from Florida to Cali... Definitely won't be at the speed you accomplished it...I will be much slower... You rock!!
JP, you've done something I've only dreamed of!! One day, I'm going to do it, probably a southern East to West route from Florida to Cali... Definitely won't be at the speed you accomplished it...I will be much slower... You rock!!
I always thought I'd do a Southern route but the more I evaluated the options doing it more North was a better fit for me.
09-24-16, 07:41 PM
#9
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,934
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Liked 6,018 Times
in
2,559 Posts
Be safe to the end.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
