60 Miles on 60 (C&O Canal)
#1
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60 Miles on 60 (C&O Canal)
My odometer clicked over to 60 today. I celebrated by riding 60 miles on the C&O Canal. I've been riding regularly for about a year now, but limited to a max of 30 mile rides (I can average around 16 mph on those). I live two miles from the Canal, so its a regular ride for me. For this event, I went upriver 15 miles, than downstream 30 miles and back 15 miles to my starting point. I lucked out, and it was a cool day here in Maryland, in fact at 59 degrees at 7 AM, I had to layer on a long sleeve windshirt. At 30 miles, I was averaging 15.4 mph and held that until the 45 mile mark. Then, fatigue set in and I dropped a few. A group of six riders had passed me at the 45 mile turnaround point. I ate a banana and drink then set out after that group I caught them 8 miles from the finish and didn't have the energy to pass them. At 3 miles to go, they said go for it and I was able to get around them and finished strong, with a 15.3 mph average (I was pleased with this outcome). They stopped when I finished and chatted,a very nice group of riders from NJ, doing the entire canal. I gave them some tips for lunch at my town (Williamsport) and where to eat at their evening's destination upstream. I was pretty beat at home, but now at 5, I'm ready for my birthday dinner and some beers to celebrate (but in our MGB, NOT the bike!). A lot of folks here in my age group have done significantly more difficult rides and reading about them was definitely inspirational - so thank you folks! Cheesy pictures to follow.
Victory salute, managed to do this without breaking anything or hurting myself
Ride summary, Garmin did great!
Near Ft. Frederick
45 mile point
Done!
Victory salute, managed to do this without breaking anything or hurting myself
Ride summary, Garmin did great!
Near Ft. Frederick
45 mile point
Done!
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#2
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Congrats! Fine work and nice pics, that's a classy looking Salsa.
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Is the whole route on dirt? Gotta be tougher than riding 60 on pavement. And I agree, nice looking Warbird!
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That's a pretty healthy pace on dirt/gravel for that many miles.
You dun good.
Happy B-day.
You dun good.
Happy B-day.
#5
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The Warbird is covered in a thick layer of dust and a little mud, it will get cleaned up tomorrow, no energy tonight.
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Well, no hills, but kind of rough. Most of the route had a fair amount of gravel, but you have to watch out for tree roots and rocks jutting out, you can't take your eyes off the road for a second. The carbon-fiber CRG Specialized seat post helps a lot and the rear stays of the Warbird are pretty forgiving as well. But, no traffic!
The Warbird is covered in a thick layer of dust and a little mud, it will get cleaned up tomorrow, no energy tonight.
The Warbird is covered in a thick layer of dust and a little mud, it will get cleaned up tomorrow, no energy tonight.
#8
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650 wheels might be perfect. Allows a little wider tire, lower air pressure and a more comfortable ride. While I added a gravel bike I’m still mainly a road rider. I’m not a good descender on gravel….
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Ride your Ride!!
Ride your Ride!!
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That's what I thought, too. He invited me on a group ride mostly on fire roads and I took my mountain bike. The guys on lightweight gravel bikes could out climb me, for sure. If I knew there would be lots of these rides I would get a gravel bike but I mostly ride road like you. There's always someone to ride the road with.
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#10
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I have ridden the C&O twice, the last time in 2001. Great ride, I hope to do it again next year, was set to ride it last year (2020) but we know why that didn't go down. Must be nice to live so close to the trail. Enjoy!
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#11
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Yes,we take it for granted here. I can ride several different routes from 10 to 30 miles or more and jump on/off the canal where I choose, with all rural roads.
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I try to ride at least once a week on the C&O and then try to walk on it as often as I can. Great job at 60 miles!
Last year I celebrated my 50th on the C&O doing 50 miles, albeit, considerably slower than you. I'll blame the hybrid for my slowness! Yea, not the engine!
Last year I celebrated my 50th on the C&O doing 50 miles, albeit, considerably slower than you. I'll blame the hybrid for my slowness! Yea, not the engine!
#13
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I try to ride at least once a week on the C&O and then try to walk on it as often as I can. Great job at 60 miles!
Last year I celebrated my 50th on the C&O doing 50 miles, albeit, considerably slower than you. I'll blame the hybrid for my slowness! Yea, not the engine!
Last year I celebrated my 50th on the C&O doing 50 miles, albeit, considerably slower than you. I'll blame the hybrid for my slowness! Yea, not the engine!
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Congrats.
Warbird is a fun bike. Love mine.
Warbird is a fun bike. Love mine.
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Congrats. I turned 63 earlier this week and will ride the 62 mile Tour de Tonka route Saturday and sneak in an extra mile after the finish line! Always fun to ride your age!
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Yeah, this turned out to be a tough one. The start was delayed by an hour due to thunderstorms, and even then it was raining when we rolled out. The first 20 miles were uneventful (if a little wet) then we had the first flat. Changing flats in the wet sucks. So much grit. Got it changed, made the next rest stop and all seemed well. Less than a mile out of there my wife got her second flat. She walked it back to the stop and called for the sag wagon but insisted I continue. I made the next rest stop then a little over a mile out of that one I flatted. I got the tire changed but was unable to get enough air in to seat the bead. Luckily there was a housing development within sight so I walked over and borrowed a pump. The rest of the ride was uneventful but I was pretty tired at the end of all that!
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#21
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I hear you Mike! At the end, I was wishing that I was 50...
A group of senior riders stopped to chat with me when I finished (they were looking for a place to eat lunch). One guy, who looked older than I am, said at one point, he had to stop riding his age in miles and switched to kilometers!
A group of senior riders stopped to chat with me when I finished (they were looking for a place to eat lunch). One guy, who looked older than I am, said at one point, he had to stop riding his age in miles and switched to kilometers!
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