Pedal Pittsburgh 2021 Stage 1

 

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Summary
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A recounting of my experiences riding the first stage of Pedal Pittsburgh 
2021. This was my second Pedal Pittsburgh ride. I participated in the 2013
ride.  The weather was ideal. Below is a map and elevation of the route.
I must comment that the RidewithGPS is not accurate, especially the gradients
of the climbs and perhaps even the total feet climbed.


 
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Pedal Pittsburgh Stage One: July 5, 2021

This is a summary of my experience riding the first stage of pedal pittsburgh 
ride. The ride began at the red horse inn 
in Frederick, MD at 0730 and ended up at Hancock MD at 1400.
I took it relatively easy on this ride because I was still having problems 
with my left leg and I was pretty much in the grouppino which is even behind 
the grupetto. During the ride I had my garmin and I loaded the navigation with 
predetermined ride directions and for the main part they were very good.

The only issues that I can remember was that the garmin stopped working at one point 
when I was riding I believe it was Canada hill Rd and it that did not tell me 
to make a left turn but rather took me to route 40 which I knew was wrong and 
so I had to backtrack and go to the turn that I had missed and go up a hill 
and finally get to the top of the route 40 climb that was a conjunction with 
the Appalachian Trail where there were many people going on hikes and 
the parking lot was relatively full.

The ride began amiably with Phil riding his electric bike to the outskirts
of Frederick. By the time we got to the beginning of of the climbs over
the Catoctins it really spread out.

My main my main memory of the early part of the ride was the very difficult climb 
up Harmony Rd that had a very steep 14% hill and I managed to do it even though 
I struggled. I do remember riding thru the Pleasant walk area in the valley
behind the Catoctins.

At the Appalachian Trail crossover on route 40 I stopped, had a nature break, 
had a banana and then I resumed my ride down the other side. I recalled the the same 
turn off of route 40 that I had to do on in the 2013 ride. 
the rest of the ride was pretty much standard. I was riding alone for this segment.

For some reason I missed the the sag wagon meeting area at the Devil's backbone 
by Antietam Creek and I think Ted had stopped in the parking lot.
I was pretty much focused on riding through and I did not stop to see him and for 
some reason he did not see me so I kept going. The traffic was rather busy at the 
time and I was more concerned with the passing cars and trucks.

The next segment was thru scenic country roads, but on a white gravel road 
(Strade Bianche). I was very vigilant on my riding and very careful on turns
and descents. I did not answer my phone that rang during this time.

Along the next road segment, Phil caught me and I indicated that I was fine. I 
stopped at the rest stop at the Sheets in the town by the Potomac River, Williamsport.
I stopped and got some food. Then I left with the another rider, Mike, and we 
left at the same time to resume our ride.

The rest of the ride was not as memorable I was really glad to finally reach the 
beginning of the Western Maryland Rail trail which parallels I-70 that goes to Hancock.
I stopped at the parking lot there got some water and then kept going towards Hancock.
The trail was nice and shady, however, it had several segments where roots had gotten 
underneath the asphalt and you could not see them. They would make your 
bike take a hop. At the time I didn't think much of it but when I finally got to the
Hancock Motel around 1400, I noticed that my rear tail light had been evidently 
catapulted off my rear saddle pack and so I was without a rear light. 

What I ended up doing was asking Phil to use his car and I went back to the Hancock 
Bike Shop and bought 2 rechargeable lights to put on the front and back of the of 
the bike and I just charged and used the red light for the back of the bike.
I also stopped at a subway store along the way and got a veggy rollup.
I ended up eating half of the rollup. 

As a group, we did go out to dinner to a place that was less than acceptable to me.
It had no pasta and I ended up ordering a veggie burger that I could not eat 
because I had absolutely no appetite so I managed just to eat some fries.

Back at the Motel, I did some exercises on my yoga mat before going to sleep 
and was able to sleep fine. I had brought a protein drink and packages of 
Belvita to take each morning.

Photo Montage:
Departure Photo (Credit : Rosemary Prola)

 























Missed stop: Van at Devils Backbone



































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Videos  MP4 :

Departure Movie

Rt 40 Descent

Last Hill

Pleasant Valley


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Updated Dynamic 2021 /     
 Copyright © 2021, Max Prola 
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