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Crush the Commonwealth 2012

April 27th


5:00am


Liberty Bell


eric
2012-01-28 17:13:30

Excellent.


So, there was mention of a "new rule" taking effect this year?


reddan
2012-01-28 18:18:28

For an event that only has three current rules, a new rule is quite notable. Represents a 33% increase after all.


tomh
2012-01-28 19:23:04

What is this rule?


stefb
2012-01-28 19:30:18

So, I'm not the fastest rider but I can handle twelve straight hours of peddling... roughly how long would the CtC take? I'm doing this if I have the time to!


headloss
2012-01-28 19:40:10

Requested off work today!


boostuv
2012-01-28 19:58:30

@headloss last time it was done east-west it took between 34 and 65 hours.


http://ctcpa.blogspot.com


dmtroyer
2012-01-28 20:09:18

Shooting for sub 40, would be very happy with sub 36.


boostuv
2012-01-28 20:19:21

Thanks dmtroyer!


So, I've been reading through the old thread and I take it this is essentially an endurance test with little rest and lots of Sheetz?

Sleeping in fields, baseball dug-outs, sheetz rest-rooms, etc.? LOL

Sounds like a blast! I'll just have to train to ride eighteen hour days. ;) Maybe I'll shower and keep a spin bike in a meat-locker for some real-world type training too! I've got to get into Phila., from Chicago so I guess I better look at Amtrack options.


Are the routes set in stone? I'd prefer to take 26 out of Everett to 22 so that I could pass by my parent's house while in the area. I can almost hear it now, you rode your bike across the commonwealth and didn't stop and say hello?!?!


headloss
2012-01-28 20:25:07

stefb - nobody knows what the rule is. Eric made mention of there being a new rule for 2012 months ago but never actually stated what the rule was. I think he's messing with us.


headloss - the route is fixed. see: http://ctcpa.blogspot.com/

Following the route is one of the three current rules.


tomh
2012-01-28 20:35:55

No new rule.


It was dumb idea that seemed really awesome when I was a bit addled by exhaustion drinking chocolate milk at some early hour in downtown Philly last year.


Three rules is plenty anyway.


eric
2012-01-28 21:41:27

What are the three rules?


Also do women do this?


stefb
2012-01-29 00:28:54

1 Follow the route

2 No support

3 Call in when finished


Yes, women do this.


eric
2012-01-29 00:53:39

Well, women CAN do it of course. As for how many have done it? - I think I remember seeing in some photos and reports from a couple years back that at least one woman has started it. Not sure if she has been the sole women to start the event or not. Actually, I'm not sure if she finished. Odds are decent that she would have. DNF rate has been less than 50% most years, I think. Considering that it seems that most folks who show up to do it aren't exactly dedicated ultracyclists (just my overall impression), that's pretty good. Also, when it comes to long distance cycling, my experience and observations are that women, in general, are at very little disadvantage to men. There have been a few women who have beaten EVERYONE at some sanctioned ultraraces (yes, the beat ALL of the men too). So lassies, there's really no excuse (well, no excuse that has to do with your gender...).


Rules? Quoting the CTC blog from some time ago:


"RULES: We are all on the honor system, let's keep this clean.


1) Follow the route.


2) Carry what you need or buy/scrounge it along the way.

-No drops or caches of supplies

-No support car or crews


3) Call in when finished."


tomh
2012-01-29 00:59:06

I've only done it for the last three years, but in 2009 there were two women at the start, and both finished.


If you're new to the event, don't worry about going fast, and just totally ignore the guys who blast away at the start. I don't recall there being a 60+ hour group last time, and that's too bad. If you're new to this type of long distance cycling, it really is better to treat it like a leisurely three day tour and ignore any talk that makes it sound like a race. Especially if your first year is going to be a Philly start.


wsh6232
2012-01-29 19:02:53

I'd be interested in joining a 60+ hour group. I find the notion of sleeping at least five hours a night attractive. (no disrespect)


vannever
2012-01-29 19:06:25

God I hope I can go this year!


I did this a few years ago and it was a total blast. Then I had a back injury right before the event, followed by starting a brand new job within 2 weeks of the event for the last 2 years straight (and requesting time off within my first 2 weeks on a job wasn't something I wanted to do in this crap economy).


Anyone who has reservations about it — I did it without even having ridden my bike more than 35 miles for the entire year leading up to it and was more or less fine. It took me until Sunday night to arrive but it was still fun as hell. It is not as hard as you might think, as long as you can deal with sitting on a bike for several hours and you got some damn good bike shorts to protect the ole' taint.


I think those first 2 days still count as my longest days on the bike ever at around 160mi each day. It wasn't until the 3rd day that I really felt like crap and pretty much limped into the finish.


adam
2012-01-30 14:43:31

Kyle and I are shooting for sub-40 and would happily take on anyone aiming for a similar time.


44 hours was my time last year after ride about 35 extra miles and getting pretty sick on the last leg.


ndromb
2012-01-31 06:18:32

Umm I may join you


stefb
2012-01-31 11:40:18

I think the best thing to do is listen to your own body vs. trying to stay in a group of people. I finished it in 66hrs and I think I would have done much better had I not had the "stay with a group" mentality.


There were times I felt awesome and went far ahead of everyone (or blew down a mountain at 55+ mph in my aerobars and then waited 20 minutes for everyone to show up at a bar so we could all ear together). Other times I felt like crap and had people kinda waiting around for me until I told them go go ahead. Then later on I felt really great and could have ridden into Philly all night Saturday (or gone at least another 35+ miles when I had 70 left) but decided to camp out with someone I ran into along the way, and then first thing in the morning felt so horrible I got dropped within 10 minutes (by Ken who waited at a "Sheetz-like" store and I passed without realizing — who then passed me while I was busy eating 5 egg/cheese sammiches at Hardees) because hey… Rididng 160 Miles per day — you can eat whatever the hell you want and I was at the point I thought I was alone and didn't care about my speed anymore!


That 35 miles I could have ridden feeling good Saturday night was so brutal Sunday morning it crushed my spirit hard — and the last 35 miles into Philly was so easy I could have probably finished the whole ride without sleeping had I not stopped Saturday night to catch some Zs.


I believe that I would have made it around the 48hr mark had I not cared about riding long stretches alone and just seeing who would catch up or fall back. You never know which parts you are going to feel horrible and when you are going to have that 2nd wind (or 22nd wind).


adam
2012-02-03 21:27:31

What's the status of the bike path between McKeesport and the point? I know there's at least one gap around Sand Castle, but is there any way to get around that? I'm really not looking forward to biking on 837.


On the Philly side, I've got some good news. There have been a few projects completed recently that should improve the ride out of the city. The bike path before Manayunk has been widened (before this was only a sidewalk and people had to take the road, which can be difficult if you don't know the area). You will still need to jump on main street for a short section.


Also, the towpath in Manayunk has been widened and repaved with crushed stone. This is the section that was rocky and rooted. I rode it over the weekend, and it's much improved - similar conditions to the GAP.


http://blog.bicyclecoalition.org/2012/01/improved-manayunk-canal-tow-path-public.html


With these improvements, it should be smooth riding from Philly to the S-Route.


cornibe
2012-02-07 14:45:03

@JonC: You can ride the path as far as the Waterfront shopping district in Homestead. In McKeesport, you'll have a bit of on-road stuff from the end of the GAP to get to the newer section of trail, but it's complete through Duquesne all the way to Homestead.


From there, you have options of varying degrees of legality and practicality; personally, I intend to ride 837 from Homestead to 885, then 885 to Second Ave to the Jail Trail.


Glad to hear that the towpath has been improvified!


reddan
2012-02-07 16:14:58

Dare I say it, I should be able to do CTC this year (and not sleep through the start).


varun5
2012-02-10 21:22:51

does that mean there will be a neutral start?


think i might do it again this year. aiming for 65 hours and soft pretzels in chambersburg.


nick
2012-03-02 18:54:13

@nick - I think there is always a netural roll out for at least a little ways. Whether or not that neutral start will take us all the way up to the detour is unclear, though.


tomh
2012-03-03 13:54:03

Schuylkill River Trail Construction!

http://blog.bicyclecoalition.org/2012/02/schuylkill-river-trail-from-port-royal.html

Looks like a new section of trail is being built and a section of the current trail will be closed. The detour appears easy enough, but no signs will be posted! Study the map above and be prepared to hop over a gate if necessary.


Just rode this section today. It's not closed, there is ONE sign indicating that it should be closed from one direction (and none from the other). They did move the tree line back some and dug up some dirt to ready some new pavement, but the original pavement is still there.


Granted that this event is 6 weeks away and this might change...but as of now, it's totally rideable and not blocked off at all.


rice-rocket
2012-03-04 00:40:45

I'm stoked...new ride is coming together nicely.


Still needs final touches and dialing in, but it should be a fast and fun bike.


reddan
2012-03-06 01:54:43

Dan is that a CF frame?


boostuv
2012-03-06 13:43:31

::headrest envy::


dmtroyer
2012-03-06 13:53:52

I think that you should name it Johnny Five.


headloss
2012-03-06 14:45:05

Boostuv, based off the tubing, I think it's Al.


That chain routing is ridiculous.


ndromb
2012-03-06 18:22:01

It is indeed Al; CF fork and seat.


The chain routing isn't as crazy as it looks...just two idlers on one axle, supporting both power and return side.


reddan
2012-03-06 22:28:02

Additional info on Dan's new toy: http://www.metabikes.us/


It's actually a single idler with two sides.


The middle pic on this page gives a good look at the chainline:

http://www.metabikes.us/look?page=3


Both sides of the chain (power and return sides) are deflected only once. For a 'bent, this is pretty clean.


tomh
2012-03-07 01:03:50

Just be careful not to slide forward and get your um, parts, close to that chain. I think it would be sooo much worse than a pant leg getting caught.


marko82
2012-03-07 02:20:53

So would it be a bad idea to use a camelbak + handlebar bag? I have also decided to take my light little road bike and put RIBMOs on it. I went to the upmc sports medicine center to get fitted on this bike last fall, so it should be the best of my bikes for me to ride I assume.


stefb
2012-03-07 09:36:46

I think gear is all personal preference, but I wouldn't want something on my back.


ndromb
2012-03-07 17:41:29

@stef: It'd be worth riding, say, 200K with a Camelbak, so you can see how it feels. Some rando-nerds do just fine with one, others prefer a combo of handlebar and large saddle bag.


reddan
2012-03-07 17:46:53

I've gone maybe 80 miles with a camelbak and it doesn't bother me in the slightest. I'd take some empty water bottles just in case. Worst case scenario, you can use the camelbak at half capacity or even empty it if the weight becomes a problem.


headloss
2012-03-07 17:54:36

So do folks generally outfit themselves for a bike camping type adventure, with a tent n'at, or do they generally go bare and hope for the best, or shoot for motels?


Do people ride this with no bag at all?


I don't know much at all about this ride but it sounds kind of awesome.


alnilam
2012-03-07 18:48:55

So do folks generally outfit themselves for a bike camping type adventure, with a tent n'at, or do they generally go bare and hope for the best, or shoot for motels?

Yes, yes, and yes. I've seen plenty o' sleeping pads and tarps and such; I've seen people with nothing but a handlebar bar; and I, among others, usually opt for a motel stay at some point.


The two-time reigning champion Tressler brothers do it on road bikes, carrying everything they need in backpacks. Of course, they don't actually stop for anything other than food, so I suspect the backpacks have spare clothing, some on-bike food, and that's about it.


Do people ride this with no bag at all?

Yes. I recall one dude in 2009 who had absolutely nothing except his bike, the tee-shirt and jeans he was wearing, and a single water bottle.




I don't know much at all about this ride but it sounds kind of awesome.


Yes, yes it is. Seriously worth doing at least once.


(Just be aware that Philly-to-Pittsburgh on the even-numbered years is way harder than the reverse direction on the odd-numbered ones, in my opinion.)


reddan
2012-03-07 19:16:03

"(Just be aware that Philly-to-Pittsburgh on the even-numbered years is way harder than the reverse direction on the odd-numbered ones, in my opinion.)"


But so much more motivating to get as far away from Philadelphia as possible! :P


headloss
2012-03-07 19:33:53

But so much more motivating to get as far away from Philadelphia as possible! :P


Until you realize that every pedal stroke is taking you closer to Breezewood...


reddan
2012-03-07 19:51:55

What's wrong with Breezewood? There's a Sheetz there! :D


headloss
2012-03-07 21:06:59

Breezewood. Ah, I know her well. Good times, good times...


http://cache.virtualtourist.com/4/4285880-PAs_largest_traffic_jam_Breezewood_Pennsylvania.jpg


Thoughts on baggage and turning road bikes into CTC bikes....A really big handlebar bag is probably enough for anyone who is going to overnight in a hotel (e.g. NOT camp). Perhaps pairing that with a large seat wedge and/or a oversized fanny pack....Weight on ones fanny is more easily tolerated than one's back. So I've heard....


Clip on fenders are not a bad idea. Even a race bike can take something like SKS race blades. Not as good as real fenders, but better than nothing.


Don't use your race wheels. Don't use your race tires. Don't use a 11-21 cassette. This isn't the most rugged thing in the world, but it's not the best place to use dainty, marginal equipment either.


tomh
2012-03-07 23:30:08

Cool. I have used a camelback on centuries before without any back or shoulder problems. I tend to carry a fairly heavy load in my messenger bag for my daily commute, so I am use to having things on my back. I feel weird when I don't wear anything. My only concern is the added pressure on my "sit bones".


Maybe this was asked before, but how hilly is this?


stefb
2012-03-08 00:54:07

How much climbing? Its about 56 feet per mile. Courtesy of Dan's plot. http://ridewithgps.com/routes/892966


Looking at my regular riding routes in my neck of the woods (Altoona), this is smack dab average. Well, maybe even on the low side of average.


Considering that your crossing a lumpy state like this one, 21 something thousand feet isn't too horrible. The GAP cuts out a lot of climbing. The abandoned turnpike cuts out another nice chunk of vertical. So it could be worse.


Really though, the worst of it is between Breezewood and Somerset. The climb westward out of New Baltimore should be the single worst climb.


tomh
2012-03-08 02:17:07

Ok so if I am good riding the hills of western PA regularly, I should be ok?


stefb
2012-03-08 02:44:28

@stef: You'll be fine. There are a few multi-mile climbs, but rarely over 5% or so.


The first 130 miles are mostly flat, then you've got a long gradual climb up to Michaux State Forest, starting a bit after Arendtsville on Rte 234. Once you hit 30 outside of Chambersburg, it's mostly downhill until another climb up Cowan's Gap, starting around mile 175. The abandoned turnpike tunnel lets you bypass the really nasty spike at mile 200, and (except for the craptastic surface) it's smooth sailing into Breezewood.


Breezewood to Bedford has some lumpy stuff, but nothing you'd not see riding around here. From Bedford, you've got more lumps until you hit New Baltimore at mile 245 or so, at which point you've got a nice long climb ahead...the kicker is at the very end when you turn onto Rt 31...you've got a nice 6-12% grade for the next mile or so, after you've already climbed steadily for the last few miles.


Once you get into Somerset, it's an easy coast to Rockwood, and you can enjoy 90+ miles of crushed limestone flatness on the GAP. :-)


reddan
2012-03-08 03:01:01

Ok I know I can do this. Cburch is worried that I am gonna hurt my knee or hip and not be able to ride the rest of the summer. He is scaring me, but I keep telling him that I can do this and I will be fine.


Do you notice a crappy headwind on the route when going east to west? I guess it depends on the weather, but assuming weather is calm.


stefb
2012-03-08 11:47:59

"...but assuming weather is calm."

Ha, ha, HA, HA, HA! (evil devious laugh, thunderclap).


edmonds59
2012-03-08 11:56:35

Couple of years ago, while CTC was running East to West, I took a ride on the GAP on a Saturday.


I went out for a leisurely two hours, with a stop at the Kennnywood Mickey D's, then turned around to be able to "easily" make it back to meet some folks with two and a half hours to return.


I weezed along for close to three hours (with no McD's) to make it back too late.


So, yeah, the headwind might make a difference.


mick
2012-03-08 15:25:35

I think I should ride a bike or something soon if I want to do this!


Next week looks like some nice days to help motivate me to ride to work :-)


adam
2012-03-09 14:38:59

the head wind was horrible last time i did east to west. the really awful section was new baltimore to somerset. i remember having to pedal the whole way DOWN the continental divide. it was also really cold with a few snowflakes. but when i got to the GAP it was smooth sailing the rest of the way home!


the time before that there were a few thunderstorms. why is it always worse weather east to west?


nick
2012-03-11 19:11:36

FYI, Ohiopyle State Park asserts control over the trail in the park and closes it at night. It has never been an issue for CTC because rangers only sweep the trail in summer months. However, we had two riders, including me, caught by rangers on a 400km two years ago in July. So I have to be squeaky clean on park use by the WPW, and do annual use agreements with the park. The park staff really dislikes surprises, so I've leaked the date of CTC, while communicating that all are traveling under individual initiative - there is no event organizer. The park is getting used to ultradistance events, and starting to understand ultradistance riders are low maintenance. If in need, of course do seek out park staff. However, if you are riding though the park at night, otherwise just keep moving. If you happen to interact with park rangers after dark, please be respectful, explain what you are doing, and follow their instructiions. They know the safest route out of the park at night is the trail. They are the law in the park.


jimlogan
2012-03-12 05:07:31

I've ridden through there at night more than once and never saw any Jhonny Laws out there, but good to know it could happen.


I guess after riding 300+ miles all loaded down it would be tough to out-pace them, but then it depends on how much they like donuts :-)


Either way, I find that the law out in those rural parts are much friendlier and more respectful towards you than the trash you find with city police officers.


adam
2012-03-13 18:08:45

"Either way, I find that the law out in those rural parts are much friendlier and more respectful towards you ...."

I find that as well but then again I'm a middle aged middle class white guy. I can only imagine Your Mileage May Vary.


edmonds59
2012-03-13 18:22:25

As much as I don't like cops, I am always respectful to them whenever approached by one. I have just found over the years that the cops here in the city are much worse than the ones out in the country when it comes to just about anything, but then again — there was the time I ran a red light and almost smacked into the side of a PGH police cruiser and all the woman cop did was roll down her window and flip me the bird before driving off.


Not very polite — but I'll take the bird over a ticket and delay getting home any time :-)


The only times I've ever seen a park ranger anytime camping or what have ya, are on the big yuppie weekends — aka. Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day. They seem to be everywhere those weekends and nowhere to be found otherwise.


And every time I've ran into one on one of those weekends they were just going around to make sure everyone paid whatever fees they ended up having to pay, or maybe a surprise jump out of the bushes and check for life jackets out on the canoe or something.


I think yuppies like to have that extra feeling of protection on those weekends. However, the "no alcohol" in the state parks rule makes me laugh when at the end of one of those weekends the park dumpsters are overflowing with empty beer bottles and beer cans.


adam
2012-03-13 20:03:51

I was kicked out of the park a few years ago after dark. We were on our way to the campground, but ended up camping out next to Wilderness Voyagers.


ndromb
2012-03-13 20:49:43

How exactly do they kick you out of the park?


johnwheffner
2012-03-13 20:59:04

In Canada, they kick you out with a boot! *rimshot*


headloss
2012-03-13 21:08:10

I guess he didn't "kick us out", but he told us we couldn't stay in the park. When we said we were going to the camp ground he said it was too late and suggested we asked WV if we could camp out there. He did not seem to be in a very good mood.


ndromb
2012-03-13 22:12:16

Does the route go past Shawnee Lake? A park ranger fined me $180 for swimming in that lake. (after hours, not in the swimming area.) I was unaware that I was in a park at the time.


It is unclear where the boundaries are with park rangers. With regular cops you have a better ida of when to bug out and when just to stand and be polite.


mick
2012-03-13 22:51:49

Yes, the route goes close enough to the park that you can easily camp there if it comes down to that.


LMFAO about the lake. I swim all the time in illegal swimming holes and never have I been caught but totally off-topic — sure as hell sounds like we DO live in the "Land of the Free" when I hear about stupid shit like that.


The time I rode to DC with a friend and we camped at Ohiopyle, we ended up getting there around midnight and went up to the walk-in campsites, camped for the night, got up, took showers, and THEN rode up to the little "checkpoint" building to pay for the campsite.


We got bitched out pretty bad by the lady in the building for having camped without paying etc etc before she took our money so I told her that next time we would just leave without paying.


It would have been MUCH easier to just get on our bikes after taking a shower than to trudge up to the stupid building to pay the fees and trying to be honest about it.


adam
2012-03-16 20:55:45

Why did CTC stop being held in May? I liked that better. Might have to back out now because of seasonal conflicts. Boo.


nick
2012-03-17 20:24:44

Pretty much any other date is a conflict for me this year, and this is the same weekend as the first year, and maybe a few others, I'm not so good with dates.


Who knows about next year though, maybe I'll just move it to the fall.


eric
2012-03-18 21:51:23

It just hit me that I really should start training.


I vote for keeping it in the spring.


ndromb
2012-03-18 23:36:51

id enjoy a fall color tour. although, its nice to start off the biking season with CTC. it leaves me in great shape for the rest of summer.


nick
2012-03-19 20:09:31

MY reasoning is similar, but mostly because it gives me a good excuse not to ride a bike the rest of the year.


ndromb
2012-03-20 18:42:02

Part of me wants to have it sooner in April, the weather has been too nice lately. Need more suffering.


eric
2012-03-21 02:51:01

Need more suffering

CtC E X T R E M E is still an option.


reddan
2012-03-21 12:01:49

Who will be the first to crush the commonwealth in under 24 hours? Some dude crossed the state in 19:26 back in 1997, but his route was only 340 miles. CTC is closer to 380 miles?


http://www.ultracycling.com/sections/records/stats/state/pennsylvania.php


Maybe Chew-man's nephew Steven, who placed in the top 10 at RAAM this year, if he can come up from Florida?


johnwheffner
2012-03-21 13:22:52

CTC is only supposed to be 380 miles? Hopefully not riding 40 extra miles will help me this year.


ndromb
2012-03-21 16:46:13

couple random responses to above:


I STARTED a ride at 10pm in October at the GAAP Trailhead in Cumberland and rode all the way to Hancock (arriving around 2am). The portion of GAAP which is part of the Canal System is actually a National Park and also closed dusk til dawn.


More importantly, as to a CTC alternative. I'd like to do a "Crush-UP the commonwealth"....roughly starting in the Pen-Mar/Gettysburg area and finishing north of Wellsboro near the Tioga Reservoir on the NY border. This would be a great fall leaf ride.


willie-p
2012-03-21 18:29:09

Most riders seem to end with closer to 400 miles ridden.


Riding with support crew to set a cross state record is a different ballgame than a self supported ride like CtC. Carrying your own gear, stopping to feed yourself, repair your own bike, and even finding a restroom are not a small part of this event.


I doubt we'll ever see anyone with a name or reputation in ulracycling show up for CtC, there is neither money nor fame to be had here, and never will be.


Pgh-Phiily-Pgh might be too boring for me. Was thinking about something like PA Squared: Penn Dot route S-->L-->Y-->A back to S.


http://www.dot.state.pa.us/bike/web/tour_routes.htm


eric
2012-03-21 18:35:17

Eric, why not do something like the Raid Californie-Oregon next year: start in Pittsburgh, end somplace_else. You're required to get proof of passage from sectors of the race (store receipts, etc) and that's it. Seems like you've already dealt with shady tactics in previous editions, and given that there is no prize money or even notoriety outside a few small circles, why would someone come in and cheat?


bjanaszek
2012-03-21 18:42:16

If I don't expect anyone to cheat, I don't need to set controls. If things get to the point that I do need to set up controls CtC will go away.


The only reason the ride happens every year is because it is very easy to make happen. I have neither interest or patience for anything else, and I very much like the simplicity of how it works now. That is what is appealing to the Routes SLYA ride. The course is already set and marked, all I need to do is set a date.


I'll happily participate in something like the Raid C-O, you won't find me at the helm.


I think the real future of these events are SPOT trackers. I'm sure that technology will end up in cell phones soon.


eric
2012-03-21 19:00:19

Eric, you may be amused to hear that the 1000K I'm routing for this year started out being SGYA.


I'd be down for for a nice 4-5 day SLYA. Big loops are cool, they make logistics a lot easier than point-to-point runs.


reddan
2012-03-21 19:25:19

Too bad the route doesn't work as S-L-A-Y.


Could start a nice theme on big rides in PA:

Crush the Commonwealth

SLAY PA


eric
2012-03-21 19:45:20

I'm sure a self professed graphic designer could do some fancy arrow trickery on a SLYA PA t-shirt or some such.


dmtroyer
2012-03-21 20:16:50

The fact that they did not label the bike routes correctly doesn't preclude you from calling the event "SLAY PA"


mick
2012-03-21 20:31:47

I have yet to complete Philly-to-Pittsburgh, so I will return one year. And when I have matched my westward time to my best eastward time, I will organize a Pittsburgh-Philly-Pittsburgh.


ken-kaminski
2012-03-22 19:09:09

Now that I think about it the box route is more appealing.


ken-kaminski
2012-03-22 19:11:05

Now that I think about it the box route is more appealing.


Yeah, thinking about the out-n-back, I was musing over which would be worse...starting and ending with 90 miles of rail trail, or riding 180 miles of rail trail in the middle of the race. Both options, uh, fail to appeal.


reddan
2012-03-22 19:29:58

An out and back CTC doesn't have much appeal to me either. For a longer event, a huge loop is the ticket. SLAY PA sounds awesome. I say keep CTC in the spring, and do SLAY in early Autumn, say one or two weekends after Labor Day.


tomh
2012-03-23 02:11:32

I'm still looking for a way out there. If anyone has room or suggestions, please message me. I have a truck rack and gas $ if someone does have a roof rack that's full.


flys564
2012-04-05 01:35:57

If you stop in Morgantown and don't feel like having one of many Sheetz meals, I can recommend Antonio's pizza and Nuse's deli. Both on Main St/Rt. 23. Having previously worked in Morgantown, I can vouch for the quality.


No idea when they open in the morning though.


chemicaldave
2012-04-05 02:18:28

*trunk rack, above. Won't let me edit.


I'm going to call Amtrak and see if I can reserve a bicycle rack spot if it's available which I don't mind doing at all. Will I have any issues with this? My other option is to leave my car in Reading/Philly and Megabus back. Is anyone else still looking for a way out there?


flys564
2012-04-06 02:32:11

Stu, what's this? I guess Pittsburgh-Philly falls under varies by train?


Bring bicycles on amtrak


flys564
2012-04-06 03:04:19

@flyS564 you can try calling them, but my understanding is that there is no checked baggage on the pennsylvanian and, as such, you can't take a bike.


dmtroyer
2012-04-06 03:39:20

I've ridden to Oakland from McKeesport every day this week. I cut behind Lowes to the Homestead Grays bridge, turn left across the tracks then right to through Homestead to the Glenwood bridge. I do this during both rush hours. I have had zero incidents with cars, though I pull over if I'm a hindrance. I'm a big believer in driving Darrwinism: truck bigger than car bigger than bike. On the way home the gates at Sandcastle are open!


durishange
2012-04-07 00:03:37

I thought I had a ride but, it fell through. If anyone has room, please let me know.


-Greg


flys564
2012-04-12 14:05:02

Greg, maybe post a comment on the CtC blog? Can't hurt, might help...


reddan
2012-04-12 14:42:12

Hmm. As last year, the CTC route goes past my house. Does it violate the "no support" rule if I have water or snacks available for riders? I'm just past Phoenixville, and based on the speed you folks ride you'll pass my place between 7 and 8.


BTW, the detour on the S route near Phoenixville that caused the problems last year is gone.


Next year I want to ride this. Would I be the first person to do it on knee replacements?


thehistorian
2012-04-15 21:47:20

Correct, there is no checked baggage on the Pittsburgh to Philadelphia train. You could ship your bike separately by UPS or some other service.


thehistorian
2012-04-15 21:49:40

A note to first timers who are worried about the climbing: you should worry about the Yough trail instead. Those monotonous hours locked into the same riding position will grind you down, and the dust will grind down your bike.


ken-kaminski
2012-04-16 14:53:25

On that note, if there's a SLYA PA, I propose we go through the Laurel Highlands to get to Somerset, rather than taking the rail trail.


ken-kaminski
2012-04-16 16:01:30

thehistorian


As long as there is no prearranged support I can't control and don't care what locals do in regards to support. I'm sure riders will be appreciative of something like that.


eric
2012-04-16 16:46:08

On that note, if there's a SLYA PA, I propose we go through the Laurel Highlands to get to Somerset, rather than taking the rail trail.


I second the motion. (For my fall 1000K route, I'm doing exactly that...McKeesport-White Oak-Mt Pleasant-Donegal-Somerset. I figure an extra 4000' of climbing is a good trade to avoid the GAP.)


reddan
2012-04-16 17:07:25

OK Eric, I'll see what I can do. I'll probably have coolers of water set up and perhaps fig newtons available. And, if it's OK, some bike tools, including my floor pump. If none one stops, that's OK, but I'll have stuff available.


BTW, are you following the S route from Pughtown Road onto Rt. 100 north and then to Rt 23? A better alternative is to cross 100 onto Daisy Point Road, and then make a left onto 23. It avoids the intersection of 100 and 23, which will be busy that time of day and is notorious for near-accidents with drivers rushing to beat yellow lights.


thehistorian
2012-04-16 22:23:36

So does anyone know if any women have finished east to west, and if so, how fast? (Eric wasnt sure)


stefb
2012-04-21 20:38:12

stefb - Assuming here you aren't asking from the perspective of a sports statistician / trivia aficianado, and are asking out of concern over what it will take to do CTC. (If that's not the case, my apologies in advance..)


Consider this perspective: the 200K you did a month ago probably beats the longest prep ride most of the folks who have done CTC successfully in the past by a fair amount. FWIW, my longest ride this year hasn't exceeded 4.5 hours, but that doesn't matter much, I don't think. Last year I did do Logan's spring 200K before CTC, and it probably helped me prepare a bit, but other than that 200K, my longest ride was only about 60 miles. In my opinion, the keys to doing CTC are: being comfortable enough on your bike for the time durations involved, keeping your pace reasonable (never going anaerobic is a good rule), keeping up on your hydration and fueling, and not letting the distance intimidate you (just think of it as a series of 50 mile chunks between food/water/rest stops).


Here is a top 11 list of my advice (in no particular order):


1. Learn what foods work for you on the bike, especially on long rides. Stuff that works on fast, 2 hour rides may not be what you can tolerate eating after 20 hours.


2. Learn what ultra-endurance pace feels like and have the discipline to ride at that pace for the majority of the ride. This is a pace that allows you to carry on a conversation without gasping. It's a pace that allows you to breathe through your nose and still be able to get enough air.


3. Ride on time tested gear. Stuff you trust. Don't ride your lightest tires, tightest cassette, delicate wheels that are scared of a little gravel or potholes.


4. Don't make a bunch of changes to your equipment, position on the bike, etc. right before. Everything needs to be tested, proven, and gone through at least a few dry runs first.


5. Figure out how you are going to carry the stuff you will need to see you through reasonably forseeable weather changes and problems with your bike.


6. Figure how you are going to ride at night safely. You need lights with sufficient run time, or the ability to charge them. Ideally you have a backup headlight and backup tailight.


7. Know the course. Navigation on CTC is pretty easy overall due to the route "S" signage, but it doesn't hurt to have some maps with you.


8. Have a plan. You may not stick to the plan exactly in actual practice, but the process of putting it together will give you confidence and will help you make good decisions on your preparations.


9. Have a goal. One that is realistic yet still challenging.


10. Realize that on any ride like this, you will have some ups and downs. The downs will not last forever. When you feel like giving up, realize that it's entirely possible to totally turn things around, and a few hours from now you'll wonder why you ever felt like quitting.


11. Have stuff with you to help you take care of your body. Sunscreen, chamois cream, some basic medicines, vitamins.


tomh
2012-04-22 01:22:58

I Was just wondering if there were any other women crazy enough to do this.. Cause really, who just decides to get on a bike and ride across PA unsupported? I guess I will see how many people at the liberty bell :)


I am only getting a chain/cassette change beforehand, as mine are pretty worn. I have had the bike fit months ago. I have a list of things to bring, and I have even packed my handlebar bag and saddle bag, keeping in mind what stuff I would need when on the ride, and packing them accordingly.


I do need to mount the bags and ride with them to make sure I am comfortable. I also have to preload the route on the gps and figure out rest stops with everyone else I plan to ride with. I just have to convince the 25 year old youngins to not start too strong.


Thanks for the suggestions. Weather doesn't look terrible. I am gonna read up as much as I can and gather more advice from veterans this week. Again, I hope to just finish.


stefb
2012-04-22 03:20:50

FWIW, I have .gpx and .tcx files I created from Bike Route Toaster for most of the route. I created them as seperate routes between the major rest stops I am planning to make.


The Bell to Morgantown

Morgantown to Roburritos in York

Roburrittos to Chambersburg

Chambersburg to Breezewood

Breezewood to Bedford

Bedford to Somerset

Somerset to Rockwood (start of Gap)


I can email them to anyone who wants them (tpkg at verizon dot net)

but entering a route oneself is somewhat helpful for learning the route. So sometimes its better to create your own files. That way you can only blame yourself if something glitchy occurs with a file.


Also, sometimes comparing packing lists is helpful. You see what you are taking as compared to others and occasionally it insprires you to perhaps drop the unnecessary thing and/or add in a critical but overlooked item.


tomh
2012-04-22 13:03:37

/Pierce bangs head on wall/


Ahhh! Why did I get involved with AAN this year! (Cartooning All Night-side event)


Does it alternate from East to West every year?


sgtjonson
2012-04-22 15:11:43

Next year will be an odd year, so it goes from pgh to Philly next year, which is supposedly easier, though all of the big climbs are right before breezewood at the end of nearly 200miles the first day, from what I hear (if the goal is to do it in less than 48 hours)


stefb
2012-04-22 15:17:50

I haven't been through in a while: has the gas station in Rockwood caught on to this yet? Everybody stops there.


ken-kaminski
2012-04-23 00:17:10

Looks like my list of items to bring just got bigger. It's going to be much colder than what I anticipated. Not sure how to fit it all just yet but, it's apparent that more than just arm and leg warmers will be helpful now?


flys564
2012-04-23 13:30:55

it's apparent that more than just arm and leg warmers will be helpful now?


For context: in 2010, I was enjoying torrential rain, high winds, and temps in the upper 30s/low 40s between Bedford and Somerset. I wore every garment I had, and was barely warm enough to not be worried about hypothermia.


I had: helmet cover, cap, wool base layer tee-shirt, wool jersey, arm warmers, rain jacket, wool glove liners, fingered cycling gloves, shorts, knee warmers, leg warmers, 2 pairs wool socks.


I am not a small man (220 pounds) and I have Nordic blood, so most people need more clothing than I.


Since I've shared it with others, here's my current packing list. Less than riveting reading, I assure you.


reddan
2012-04-23 13:58:12

damn dan, thats what i wear when its in the 20s!


cburch
2012-04-23 14:08:46

@colin: agreed...that's pretty close to my usual setup for mid-high teens.


Being soaking wet is what made it necessary to layer up so much. At least below freezing, I'm mostly dry.


reddan
2012-04-23 14:31:34

Well running my list against what Dan is bringing I'm feeling a lot better about the load. I really wish I had some wool in my closet but I'll have to make due with technical fabrics. Just need to pick up a new set of cleats, some electrolyte tablets, and some reflective stuff, and maybe a vest too, and I'll be pretty much set.


boostuv
2012-04-24 02:43:18

Last time I rode w/ Dan, he was in short sleeves and I was shivering in a long sleeve jersey, arm warmers, gloves, etc.


When Dan says it's cold, IT'S FREEZING!


rice-rocket
2012-04-24 03:31:59

Oh I know to take what Dan says with a grain of salt but his list is a very nice baseline to follow. Im surprised that I was able to carry nearly the same amount of stuff (minus the clothes) as he is with my handlebar bag and underseat bag.


boostuv
2012-04-24 03:52:24

I just ordered a gigantic 130cu seat bag, so hopefully I can move some weight off of my bars.


I am REALLY regretting that my longest ride this year was 50 miles.


ndromb
2012-04-24 04:16:41

Technical fabric works but you'll smell awful.


ken-kaminski
2012-04-24 04:38:51

I did that 200k in shorts, short-sleeved thick jersey, wool socks, arm warmers, and full fingered gloves a few weeks ago and I don't think it got above 45 degrees. But Jim Logan says that after many hours of riding, you don't generate/retain heat the same way. So I need to pack more clothes than I normally would.


And nick, I have been off of my bike since Friday. Argh. You also have your age, gender, and the fact that you are super skinny of your side.


stefb
2012-04-24 10:21:33

@reddan Being soaking wet is what made it necessary to layer up so much. At least below freezing, I'm mostly dry.


A park ranger once told me that they get more hypothermia cases in hikers and campers when the temp is slightly above freezing than they do at colder temps.


33 and raining is a killer. Literally.


mick
2012-04-24 16:30:54

@Mick: 33 and raining is a killer. Literally.


I believe that. Mid-30s and rainy is about the only weather where I will choose to drive rather than cycle.


reddan
2012-04-24 17:21:42

After my bike fit I have a lot less confident about CtC. As it turns out, I have been doing it all wrong for year. That explains why I always seem to be in worse pain than everyone else. One of my legs is also about a cm longer than the other.


ndromb
2012-04-24 21:26:54

It is very common for people to have a leg length discrepancy.


stefb
2012-04-24 21:49:09

Oh boy. I am starting to seriously not like the forcast in Beford-Somerset area late Friday night onto early Saturday. Weatherunderground has the Bedford Friday night overnight low at 21, w/ chance of precip. at 10-20%. Later in the morning, in Somerset, we're at a balmy mid to high 30's, with a chance of precip at 40%. ON the plus side, the winds are forcast to be pretty light.


Several layers of wool on your torso, a good rain jacket, helmet cover, wool leg warmers, and shoe covers are potentially needed if the worst were to occur. Crap! I was really trying to pack light this year too....


I really really hope the forecast improves.


tomh
2012-04-25 02:03:52

Yeah 40% chance of rain in pgh on saturday now with highs in the 40s. Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu. I am going to have to figure out how I am gonna get all of these extra things packed now.


stefb
2012-04-25 02:15:43

Oh, dont forget the rubber gloves! You guys laugh.... Hah. Wool or polypro liners under some latex dishwashing gloves are big time nerdy but thats much better than rain soaked, numb hands that can't use the brakes.


tomh
2012-04-25 02:20:05

note to self: take some exam gloves from work.


stefb
2012-04-25 02:28:59

gugh.


ndromb
2012-04-25 02:30:59

The bright side is that we have fair warning ahead of time and can take steps to deal with it. Its only a 40% chance we'll get precip, so stay optimistic that it wont be bad, and have some stuff with you to deal with it if it is. Maybe I should bring my WP sports camcorder to help document the "oh, the humanity" type moments.


tomh
2012-04-25 02:57:44

now it's 60%


stefb
2012-04-25 03:06:23

yeah, definitely bringing the camcorder.


tomh
2012-04-25 03:08:17

Adding helmet cover to list of things to get at REI today.


boostuv
2012-04-25 12:03:54

Ok, if it's going to be that cold and rainy at night, I'm gonna seriously emphasize that the buddy system is a really good idea.


Keep in mind that a lot of these roads are fairly rural, especially from Cowan's Gap to Somerset...rural roads late at night have no amenities and (potentially) no passersby. A riding partner is a good investment in safety when the weather turns to poop in such conditions.


reddan
2012-04-25 12:17:10

I would not do something like this alone.


stefb
2012-04-25 16:32:22

That's what the Donner party said.


edmonds59
2012-04-25 17:06:21

That's what the Donner party said

{applause}


reddan
2012-04-25 17:14:01

Wool.


eric
2012-04-25 17:22:47

Good luck, crushers.


ken-kaminski
2012-04-25 19:30:41

This is going to be a horrible weekend.


ndromb
2012-04-25 22:28:57

This is going to be a horrible weekend.


Nah, merely character-building. :-)


The weather forecast is why I've given up on the idea of striving for a record, and shall instead focus on riding steadily, with good company, and as comfortably as possible.


reddan
2012-04-25 22:35:38

Yeah this may be miserable but I am going to tell myself that it is just going to be fine.


stefb
2012-04-25 22:57:44

Yes! I scored an extra large size pair of bright purple dishwashing gloves to wear over my heavier gloves. As if the yellow recumbent bike with 1.2 miles of reflective tape and other stuff strapped onto it all over the place wasn't enough. Dan, so what were you just saying about GOOD company?


I have come to realize the weather.com forecast is distinctly more pessimistic than the sources Ive looked at. Basically, I'm now thinking it wont be too bad. You will get rained on at some point whilst it is cold, so bring all the stuff you need to deal, but I really dont think we're looking at an all day rain event on Saturday.


tomh
2012-04-26 01:19:21

Expect temps at the ride start in the low to mid 40s. Highs rising to the mid 50s, winds 14 MPH gusting to 25.


I'll be out in the driveway with water and some bike tools if any of you folks need them. I'm about a mile and a half past the metal grate bridge on Pughtown Road. I'll try to have a sign up. Since this is a race I don't expect anyone to stop, but I admire all you folks and hope when I'm recovered to have half the tough as nails determination you all have. So I'll cheer you on....


And yes, reddan IS my hero. :-)


thehistorian
2012-04-26 02:14:53

Someone told me that the liberty bell is inside of constitution hall now. Do we meet outside?


stefb
2012-04-26 12:52:53

@Nick D This is going to be a horrible weekend.


@ stefb Yeah this may be miserable but I am going to tell myself that it is just going to be fine.


You guys really know how to have FUN!


mick
2012-04-26 13:22:28

It's Type 2 fun.


reddan
2012-04-26 14:33:11

Liberty Bell is inside but there is a large plaza surrounding it. You should be able to spot the other loons waiting. Good luck and have have fun everyone.


rsprake
2012-04-26 15:09:13

Oh, man I'm gettin a shirt made with a big "TYPE 2" on it. Love it.


edmonds59
2012-04-26 15:26:19

I have taken a Celebrex already for my hip. Just waiting for that to kick in..and waiting for my IBS to kick in.


stefb
2012-04-26 15:36:24

I'd like to get a touring bike and try this event next year. In the meantime, I hope those of you bringing cameras will post some pics to show us just how much Type 2 fun you're having. Good luck!


2012-04-26 16:06:55

@JaySherman5000: Assuming my soul isn't utterly crushed by the weather, I'll try to post a few in-progress pictures and updates here.


reddan
2012-04-26 16:26:53

I will have camera ready as the peleton passes....


thehistorian
2012-04-26 19:50:24

Good luck everyone!


pseudacris
2012-04-26 20:46:25

Good luck riders! See you in a few hours.


Message board friends, if any of course, I'll try to update with the names of some of the riders and times they passed, and perhaps photos later tomorrow. Depends on if I need to take a nap after the bulk of the riders have passed. (Knee replacement kills your stamina.)


thehistorian
2012-04-27 02:23:20

Report from Checkpoint Historian (36 miles from the start):


Temps in the upper 40s or low 50s, slight breeze, overcast skies.


The Tressler brothers and a third rider blew past me at 7:22 AM. And almost literally so - I was getting out of the tail of my wagon and walking to the shoulder when they came through. The third rider was in a grey jersey.


Second group of about a half-dozen or so riders came through at 7:36. NickD was part of the group if I recall correctly. (Incidentally NickD is the only rider here I've met, on the C & O in 2010.)


A couple of stragglers came along in the next two minutes, and then two guys on bents. "One of you has to be Reddan" I shouted, and the guy on the second bent said hi. They passed about 7:41. There was one more rider a minute later, but then I began seeing the local roadies out for their morning constitutionals, so I closed up.


Unfortunately the photos sucked, since I didn't get any advanced notice of the riders coming through. That and someone hobbling around on replacement knees isn't terribly ambulatory anyway. I'll post what I have later after I apply ice and Tylenol.


No one stopped for anything, but again, I didn't expect anyone would.


thehistorian
2012-04-27 12:21:10

Still bright eyed and busy tailed I presume. :)


rsprake
2012-04-27 12:54:01

All the riders looked fresh. Again I'm only 35-36 miles from the start. I don't know when they got under way, but I expected the Tresslers coming through a lot earlier than they did.


thehistorian
2012-04-27 13:04:31

Keep the updates coming up!


bikeygirl
2012-04-27 15:05:09

I don't think there are any people behind us (nick and co). I think that was another group of 6 or 7 before us. Dan is in front of us. We stopped for a long while at a Dunkin donuts 30 miles in. Now we eat. Wind is a killer.


stefb
2012-04-27 17:28:29

Sorry I packed up too soon. Hope you have a good ride for the rest of it.


thehistorian
2012-04-27 18:29:40

Cool. Just out for a lovely ride.


edmonds59
2012-04-27 21:10:29

@thehistorian - One of those guys is a gal.


stuinmccandless
2012-04-27 21:13:08

@stu - It's been a rough day.... I can't imagine the mistakes I'm going to make when I ride this thing next year. :-)


thehistorian
2012-04-27 22:51:29

This is very brutal. Hope to just finish this year.


stefb
2012-04-28 10:40:11

I am hoping that yesterday's headwinds are today's tailwinds. Good luck to all -- be safe.


sarah_q
2012-04-28 11:28:28

What a ride. Seriously one of the most amazing things I've ever tried and i dropped out in Chambersburg. I learned so much in those ~160 miles about myself and my abilities that I can't help but be happy I attempted it. I found out there are things I'm a lot better at then I thought I was and there were areas that I really need to work on. It's been said many times but the emotional strength needed for an event like this is far more important than the physical strength (which you still need quite a by of). A cross bike set up with 46/38 front rings and an 11-23 cassette are also not an ideal combination. They work for getting around PGH but these long and steep climbs make it unbearable. Theres no way I would have been able to do the 20-30% grade, mile long climb between the abandoned turnpike and Chambersburg. I also learned that bags on the top tube are the worst. I put a bag on mine that was like 3-4" wide and while riding I would stroke my left leg at an awkward angle to avoid brushing my leg on the bag which I think is the reason for my knee pain.


boostuv
2012-04-28 13:55:39

Stef and Greg are climbing up to the turnpike right now. Slow but steady she said. Dan just dropped out too. I married a crazy lady.


cburch
2012-04-28 15:06:10

I called it quits in Chambersburg, felt pretty bad since mile 25 or so, decided not ruin the rest of my riding season by pressing on.


Tresslers called it at 3am in Somerset, spent too long in the cold, couldn't get warm again.


Looking to be a rough year.


eric
2012-04-28 15:31:44


eric
2012-04-28 16:01:31

So is there anyone else left other than Stef and Greg?


cburch
2012-04-28 16:05:58

Damn. Go Stefb.

I've never had an interest in trying this before, but... Some of the most memorable events in my life have happened under the most awful conditions imaginable. And this is starting to sound attractive to me. I am def a type 2.


edmonds59
2012-04-28 16:18:55

Max and Dan G are still out, along with a few very seasoned looking rando dudes I don't know. There was three bikes hanging out at Sheetz when I left Chamberburg too.


Sounds like about half the field is unaccounted for. (25 started)


eric
2012-04-28 16:31:17

Nick and Kyle called it this morning in Chambersberg. Dan pushed too hard last night until late and had to call it this morning in Breezewood. Stef and Greg are the only ones left from their group of 9


cburch
2012-04-28 17:52:05

Didn't realized how big that group was.


At this point at least 13 people have dropped out.


eric
2012-04-28 18:11:53

They are at Denny's in Breezewood. Hopefully they make it at least to sommerset tonight.


cburch
2012-04-28 18:18:07

I'm confused. So they're dropping out of the race, but continuing along the course?


sgtjonson
2012-04-28 18:20:17

Realistic goal: make it to somerset and sleep for a bit. Maybe get up early and finish Sunday. Get the iron taint award. Just aiming to finish though. I hear that there are a lot of climbs between here and rock wood. Rain hasn't hit us yet. It may change things...


stefb
2012-04-28 18:27:14

No. Stef and Greg are still going. What was confusing about that?


cburch
2012-04-28 18:27:57

I just hope everyone Tracks their miles for the car free calculator.


cburch
2012-04-28 18:52:40

wow, that's f'n ridiculous... stay warm and good luck.


salty
2012-04-28 18:57:17

Just got a not very clear phone call that seemed to imply two finishers around 2:30 pm Saturday.


eric
2012-04-28 19:05:03

Holy. Shit.


stefb
2012-04-28 19:08:21

I concur with your sentiment Stef.


eric
2012-04-28 19:12:50

Realistic Goal: ...Get the iron taint award.


Those are the most inspirational words I have seen on this board.


Just got a not very clear phone call that seemed to imply two finishers around 2:30 pm Saturday.

this is still the internet: pics or it didn't happen! but seriously, if that's true, HOLY SHIT.


2012-04-28 19:19:28

The message was something like: "we are here. Have fun".


I'm guessing here is the Point.


Also, I'm posting all this from my bed, under the covers.


eric
2012-04-28 19:22:32

Stef B, if you're checking in, excellent plan. At Somerset, the weather channel is calling for rain starting around 10pm and ending around 4 am. Stop, EAT!, warm up, eat some more, rest, and go in the am. Good luck.


edmonds59
2012-04-28 20:21:53

Colin, I thought you meant the people that dropped stopped at Dennys and then were continuing on to Somerset


sgtjonson
2012-04-28 20:42:41

But then they wouldn't have dropped.


cburch
2012-04-28 20:54:26

Dropped out of the race vs. dropped by their group. I'm glad I sat this one out.


ken-kaminski
2012-04-28 21:04:02

wOW! You guys are inspirational to stay out in this crappy weather. Stay as warm as you can, and keep those cranks turning. Amazing!


marko82
2012-04-28 21:07:46

Max and Dan G are in Ohiopyle at 5:30pm. They expect to finish tonight.


eric
2012-04-28 21:42:42

There are two guys, Chris and someone with a Pitt Crew jacket, still out there as well. They were at the east end of the turnpike at 4p when we left after exploring.


I gave Chris my light to supplement the weak blinkies he had. Since I was part of the race I would consider this inside support and not cheating.


Once I walked around a bit, I immediately regretted dropping. Right now I feel about 90% and I think I might go for a short ride just to boost my bruised ego. However, it was still probably for the best that I quit.


I also want to note that riding in a group has some perks to going alone, but there are also some major drawbacks, physically and mentally/emotionally. I'm still glad I did what I did and I am super happy to know Stef and Greg are crushing it


ndromb
2012-04-29 00:16:17

Stef and Greg are about 5 miles out from Somerset right now. Pretty sure they'll be sleeping there and having a more pleasant ride in the morning.


cburch
2012-04-29 01:08:18

GO GIRL! (and you too Greg!)


marko82
2012-04-29 01:17:57

More finishers in at 7:47.


Matt H

Joe B


eric
2012-04-29 02:37:56

You ever figure out the first group? All I keep imagining is Madeline Stowe leaving you a message about the army of the twelve monkeys.


Also, Stef and Greg are pizzaing their faces off at the Comfort Inn in Somerset. They'll probably finish mid-day tomorrow. And Stef still has her eye on the Iron Taint.


cburch
2012-04-29 02:51:42

In new Bedford we saw a sign saying somerset 31 miles. Worst 31 miles ever. Maybe it was 20. Dan knows. Anyway, it was like 8600ft if climbing, most of it about 15 miles before somerset. I had to piss. No bathrooms. Too light outside to go in the woods. It got dark and I just wanted food and a hotel. But we made it. Barring any physical or mechanical errors tomorrow, we hope to finish in te afternoon. Mental failure is not an option. Slow and steady finishes the race for me. I give everyone credit for doing this ride. Even the people who DNFed did a lot of hard cycling with shit winds and cold temps.


stefb
2012-04-29 03:11:27

I'm pretty sure the first two guys finished at 2:30. I think this is the third year for one of them.


Seems like a toss up for worst wind and weather with 2008 (I think, I should keep better records).


Max and Dan B are in Mckeesport, Adam N checked in at Connellsville an hour or so ago.


Stef, that is a really nasty stretch between Bedford and Somerset. The rolling climb leading up to the top of that ridge just goes on and on, and then hits that last super steep section that is just downright mean. As long as the GAP isn't really soft and slow, things are much easier all the way into Pittsburgh.


eric
2012-04-29 03:18:01

Well, 11:00 pm in Pgh and it's chilly, but it's clear as a bell and not a breath of wind. So hopefully that should be over you in a few hours.


edmonds59
2012-04-29 03:22:42

I'm so happy and proud for Steph, Greg, and everyone still going!!! Also props for the ones who started but fell short!


Total RESPECT!!!! :)


bikeygirl
2012-04-29 03:33:19

Yes thank you. I am glad we are stopped. Riding in the dark is just boring ad demoralizing. I don't like it. And I don't think I am doing this again next year, even if it is easier that direction. Maybe I will change my mind. I feel find right now, but I think doing this once is enough. I am not getting any younger.


stefb
2012-04-29 03:36:07

I think you guys deserve some truck-nuts to hang on those bikes :-)


See you at the crit!


marko82
2012-04-29 09:19:16

I hope we get there in time. Gonna shove down some breakfast and leave within the hour. Hopefully the GAP isn't dreadful. I think we may have 115-120 miles left, with 90 of them being the GAP. I want to hammer, but I don't want to DNF in homestead.


stefb
2012-04-29 10:26:16

Oh man, down at the race they should have some kind of recognition for everyone who finished this thing. "Ok, over here are the guys who went rilly fast around a little rectangle for an hour, and then over here are the people who just RODE ACROSS THE Fn' STATE..."


edmonds59
2012-04-29 11:17:22

Stef and Greg, and everyone else for that matter...respect. Damn tough year...way to keep it together.


I was enjoying myself until dark, but suffered complete motivational breakdown a bit after Chambersburg. Getting through to Breezewood was just tedious, and I was having no fun at all, despite hanging out with a good group (Dan G., Max, and Tom).


When an easy bailout became available, I didn't even try to resist.


reddan
2012-04-29 11:46:07

Thanks, Tom -- I guess I was more delirious at that point than I was aware of.


Max and I finished at 1 AM. I was feeling horrible Friday night, not great Saturday afternoon, and then managed to come alive again after Ohiopyle and pull after spending most of the day trailing behind Max and holding him up. I also managed to leave both my water bottles in Ohiopyle after filling them, which shows you where my mind was. Little bit of confusion finding the Steel Valley trail from McKeesport, but smooth sailing thereafter other than having to boost our bikes over a fence from inside Sandcastle, after realizing the gate was closed. Man, does having a trail alternative to 837 improve the trip back into the city.


Nuff respect to StefB and everyone else for sticking it out through a really brutal introductory year.


dmg
2012-04-29 15:23:46

We are in connellsville now. Don't think we will make the showdown. The GAP is harder to go fast on than I thought. Lunch sounds good


stefb
2012-04-29 17:26:53

2:32pm Saturday

Eric G

Gaven B


7:45pm Saturday

Matt H

Joe B


1:02am Sunday

Dan B

Max S


4:51am Sunday

Hans R

Rick S


9:10am Sunday

Adam N


DNF


Big list, will figure out later, has at least four multi-year finishers on it.


eric
2012-04-29 17:30:19

Not to mention several multi-year winners.


cburch
2012-04-29 17:59:47

Why am I so slow? I don't think I'll be able to take my dog

out for her Sunday run today.


flys564
2012-04-29 18:01:45

I went on the Populaire yesterday, feeling all the the time wimpy for only doing 100k. They say there are always people tougher than you, but no-one is tougher than this year's CtCers, I think.


jonawebb
2012-04-29 19:30:31

And Stef and Greg just went over the portal bridge!


cburch
2012-04-29 23:48:42

congratulations Stephanie, Greg, and everyone who finished this crazy f'n thing. HARDCORE! And major props to all of you who had the balls to start in the first place.


sarah_q
2012-04-30 00:02:22

Bad ass doesnt even begin to describe the finishers of this race.


boostuv
2012-04-30 00:24:25

Thanks. I just shut down haha. Great job everyone. And thanks for the words of encouragement.


stefb
2012-04-30 00:31:05

Just got one more call in from Dean L.


My math might be rough, my brain still isn't happy with me, but the results look like this:


2:32pm Saturday

33:15

Eric G

Gaven B


7:45pm Saturday

38:30

Matt H

Joe B


1:02am Sunday

43:47

Dan B

Max S


4:51am Sunday

47:36

Hans R

Rick S


9:10am Sunday

51:55

Adam N


7:49pm Sunday

60:34

Bill

Stef B


10:02 Pm Sunday

64:47

Dean Lovewell


I'll work on getting full names up there and the DNF list tomorrow. Email me with any changes needed or your ride story, link to your blog, photos, correction for my math, etc.....


eric
2012-04-30 02:13:56

I have some serious respect for you all. Just amazing.


And can someone please write some lyrics to Iron Taint sung to the tune of Iron Man? We need to get on that.


rzod
2012-04-30 02:32:42

Eric, I'm not Bill, it's Greg A. I must have sounded a bit off. My message also accidentally continued while we took victory pictures, sorry for that taint talk.


flys564
2012-04-30 02:50:21

Yikes. 31:24 is my recorded moving time over those 60+ hours. Sleeping 6 hours each Friday and Saturday in addition to an hour for every meal accounted for a lot of those 60 hours. I think my body needed all of that rest. My throat now hurts, but I could feel worse. I am seriously still blown away by the great time people made with the weather, even if they dropped.


Also I was wondering why the tessler brothers didn't get a hotel in somerset for the night to get warmed up? Our hotel even had a laundry room in case we ended up with wet clothes, they could be dried. They were making great time.


stefb
2012-04-30 03:12:57

Even year curse.


ken-kaminski
2012-04-30 03:37:09

Sorry about that Greg, got you corrected on the blog, can't edit here. One more finisher at 12:20am last night, that should do it.


13 finishers out of 25 starters.


eric
2012-04-30 11:16:52

CtC is the opposite of Star Trek. The even ones suck.


cburch
2012-04-30 13:17:17

@rzod:And can someone please write some lyrics to Iron Taint sung to the tune of Iron Man? We need to get on that



Has he lost his mind?

Can he see or is he blind?

Can he walk at all,

Or if he moves will he fall?

Is he alive or dead?

Has he thoughts within his head?


I think those lyrics pretty much work as-is for CtC riders.


reddan
2012-04-30 13:31:47

No problem, Eric. Thanks. Good job everyone, it was indeed fun though I'm glad it is over. Stef kills it, and I was glad she decided to keep going as well after Chambersburg. It would have been insane to have been alone through that leg up until Somerset. I trained on route 40 to the summit and 381 /chalk hill and I think 711 1-2x a week and never more than 60 miles this year. All low miles but several nasty climbs each week and that helped with that hill on 31 in the dark before Somerset


I was supposed to move my bed to my new apt in Regent square last night but I fell asleep and woke up at 11:30am. A full 12 hours of sleep.


flys564
2012-04-30 15:53:23

^I think you earned/deserve more than 12. Great job to all of the riders this year.


marko82
2012-04-30 16:22:32

I was using the facilities in Boston and when I came out there is stefb and flyS564. A couple of minutes later and we would have missed each other completely since I was going to head over the bridge on the loop route.


rsprake
2012-04-30 16:31:26

As I said, super excited to see you and to see the end of crushed limestone!


stefb
2012-04-30 18:34:44

Matt H stayed at my house Saturday night after

finishing. It was funny as heck. He was such

a freaking mess. Thurs night/fri am he woke

up at like 3am to drive to philly from

lancaster, and rode 10 miles to the start. he

slept like 4 hours in 72. He was crushed.


steevo
2012-04-30 19:34:15

Out of curiousity, have you done this ride before, steevo?


stefb
2012-04-30 19:38:20

Got one more check in, updated finish times on the blog.


Also according to a Garmin device 5:09 was the start time, going to roll with that, will make corrections to ride times later.


eric
2012-04-30 19:51:58

appears to be the route for West->East


chemicaldave
2012-04-30 21:25:28

Lolz!!


stefb
2012-04-30 22:06:39

No exclamation points...gotta be west-east.


reddan
2012-04-30 22:14:54

Another west to east point: Until you get past Breezewood, it looks like you are having "fuuuuunnn"


mick
2012-04-30 23:04:07

Nope never.

We were all hanging out and being like "we

should do this next year"... its like when

you watch the marathon and think it looks fun.

Longest day ride for me is 12 hours /200 miles.


I would love to get a go pro and bring the

chewman and watch him do it in 24 hours.


steevo
2012-05-01 12:44:50

I would love to get a go pro and bring the

chewman and watch him do it in 24 hours.


^^^That!


reddan
2012-05-01 12:52:22

Yes, Chewman 2013!


eric
2012-05-01 15:16:06

We saw Chew riding towards us on the jail trail, right by the jail before we hit the point. I like to think that we were going so fast we barely saw him but, I think it was the other way around.


flys564
2012-05-01 15:24:49

Chewman told me last night he has already ridden over 8000 miles this year.


johnwheffner
2012-05-01 15:47:35

That must be all he does. Impressive. Surprised he hasn't done CtC before.


stefb
2012-05-01 16:02:45

I spoke with the Chewman today about a 2013

bid. He said that his ultramarathon racing

days are over. He had his spine fused a few

years ago due to a bad disc and cant stay

very aerodynamic anymore. He claims that his

top average speed could only be 16mph for a

flat 24 hour event, which kills him as he

did a 508 mile 24 hour event in the past.


"i used to eat guys like you for breakfast" - Danny Chew to me after I tried to ride him off of my wheel a few years ago.


steevo
2012-05-01 16:20:03

Ah yeah back injuries are the worst. I don't blame him. Maybe he should get an upright bike and just crank out the miles at a comfortable pace, and have a goal of sleeping once or twice.


My left 4th and 5th fingers have been numb since Sunday. I am hoping this "handlebar" (ulnar) neuropathy goes away in the next few weeks.


stefb
2012-05-01 16:25:56

Also, I hurt my back at the end of last summer, sat out on some riding I wanted to do, finally have been feeling better the last few months, but it was starting act up on CtC, one of the many reasons I pulled the plug his year.


I'm hoping to be one of the few people I know if beat a back injury without surgery, and if that means dropping out of events, so be it.


eric
2012-05-01 16:30:02

Stef, the tip of my left ring finger and pinky are both numb still. Feels odd and I wasn't sure if it would ever go away.


flys564
2012-05-01 16:36:38

I've got my eye on 28 hours for 2015, and just to finish in 2014.


ken-kaminski
2012-05-01 16:52:54

back injuries do indeed suck. i was having some serious trouble at the end of last summer. strangely, though, biking seemed to make it go better. one of the few reasons i managed to keep up with my dirty dozen training long enough to actually ride.


now, if only i could kick this achilles issue.


hiddenvariable
2012-05-01 17:18:32

I have fallen down my wooden stairs 4 or 5 times and onto my back (socks +wooden stairs + running = fail). I am going to need an upright bike in like 10 years.


stefb
2012-05-01 17:52:46

Recumbent! with full beard.


marko82
2012-05-01 18:00:26

It's been done. RAAM 2008, at which Danny was reporting.



reddan
2012-05-01 18:29:42

No sandals == fail.


bjanaszek
2012-05-01 18:54:41

That is an amazing photo.


johnwheffner
2012-05-01 18:56:13

Danny may ride in whatever garb he so chooses, and said garb automatically becomes the best possible choice.


He is the Chuck Norris of ultracycling, after all.


reddan
2012-05-01 18:57:24

he falls into that "freak of nature" category with you (dan), steevo, the Tessler brothers, the dudes that won CtC this year, and any other rider that i will never even come close to being as strong as. when i say freak of nature, that is a complement.


stefb
2012-05-01 19:12:23

he falls into that "freak of nature" category with you (dan), steevo, the Tessler brothers, the dudes that won CtC this year, and any other rider that i will never even come close to being as strong as

@Stefb, given that you finished CtC, Dan DNFed, and Danny did not attempt, you might want to rethink that.


jonawebb
2012-05-01 19:41:54

@Stefb, given that you finished CtC, Dan DNFed, and Danny did not attempt, you might want to rethink that.

The man makes a good point.


reddan
2012-05-01 19:42:53

I'd have a hard time giving the Chuck Norris title to Chew vs Jure Robic. Robic is dead though, so maybe Chewman gets it by default.


eric
2012-05-01 20:17:49

@stefb -- Agreed, you need to re-think.


It's CtC folks like you that make me insist "I'm not really a crazy cyclist, you should meet these folks I know online."


Of course I say that, but I am hoping to do the CtC some day -- just need a year when I have some spare vacation time.


Sadly, with my speed I'd be lucky to finish in a week... I'm like one of those people who stops for a four-course lunch in the middle of 'running a marathon.'


:)


myddrin
2012-05-01 20:30:18

Stefb: "Oh how i wish i had a penis or a catheter."


^this times one million!!!!!!


sarah_q
2012-05-01 21:11:51

Stef,you should think about friction shifting. I've yet to meet an indexing system that stands up to even 4 hours of steady rain.


ken-kaminski
2012-05-01 23:13:54

I don't know why, but I had to pee every 5 miles. It was ridiculous.


ndromb
2012-05-01 23:18:24

Does anyone know approx. how many feet of climbing there are on CtC?


ken-kaminski
2012-05-01 23:20:31

I believe its around 21,000.


ndromb
2012-05-01 23:33:04

@Ken: Stef,you should think about friction shifting. I've yet to meet an indexing system that stands up to even 4 hours of steady rain.


Agreed. I'm a big fan of 8- and 9-speed Dura-Ace bar end shifters...you can set 'em up indexed in the rear, but, when things go wonky, smoothly switch to friction mode. They be the bees knees.


reddan
2012-05-01 23:58:19

Late to the party, but I wanted to say HUGE congrats to Stef & Greg. I can only partly imagine the sufferfest. You guys are badass freaks of nature!


Other stuff: Chew recently hit 700,000 mi.


Numbness: after my ride 2 yrs ago in the Pyrenees, my entire junk region was totally numb for 3 or 4 days. After day 2 I started to get really concerned, but eventually everything settled down with no ill effect.


quizbot
2012-05-02 01:42:30

Steevo, what about a recumbent for the chewman?


Greg, it looks like you pinch a nerve in a palm for too long. It will go away () but try to lessen pressure on your palms during rides by frequently changing position of your hands. If you continue too hard on your hads then you may lose mobility in fingers.


2012-05-02 02:13:48

@Mikhail, re: a recumbent for Chew: I was going to suggest that, but when the suggestion comes from a guy who already rides one, sometimes folks interpret it the wrong way. Lower back problems is partially how I ended up on a bent. It's like free chiro - it makes my back feel better, not worse, when I ride.


tomh
2012-05-02 02:49:42

@quizbot my entire junk region was totally numb for 3 or 4 days.


Number one reason for 'bents. Just sayin'.


mick
2012-05-02 03:44:58

Oh hey. I'm the guy who finished at 9 a.m. on Sunday. I rolled over to the Steel City Showdown and drank a beer. That was GREAT.


Also, I don't care what anyone says. The weather in 2010 was a bajillion times worse.


that-guy
2012-05-02 03:56:17

> I don't know why, but I had to pee every 5 miles. It was ridiculous.


Try drinking something saltier. Your body forces out water to maintain osmotic balance, especially when losing salt via sweat. In The Lore Of Running Dr. Tim Noakes recommends drinking as much salt as your taste buds can tolerate (or at least several times more than in most sports drinks).


ndanger
2012-05-02 04:14:44

my long ass summary of my account. pictures included. not accountable for any typos or grammatical errors at this point.


http://stefannburch.blogspot.com/2012/05/ctc-summary.html


***********


Very nice, but it's "Schuylkill." Pity the CTC route is set in stone; it's an easier ride if instead of getting off at the Pawlings Road exit, you follow the trail to Monte Clare, and across the bridge into Phoenixville. A mile past the downtown on Rt. 113 you can connect with the S route in Kimberton, and follow it from there.


Oh, and you are one tough woman. Congratulations on your great result.


thehistorian
2012-05-02 05:06:16

I have two friends who want to do CTC with me next year. They are going to hold me to it. I can't wait to read other ride reports as they are posted.


thehistorian
2012-05-02 05:09:15

If I don't get immediate & constant salt during long rides I'll be paying for it with crippling quad and or calf cramps. What's the underlying cellular mechanism?


quizbot
2012-05-02 05:16:16

I did the MS150 in 1994 on a flat-bar MTB and my hands were painfully numb for almost 3 weeks afterwards. I was in a band at the time and fretting the strings felt like pushing needles into my fingertips - like when your foot falls asleep and you try to stand on it. I was so pissed because I thought I had basically screwed my life up forever... thankfully it eventually went away but it made me a lot more conscientious about varying my hand positions as much as possible and taking any opportunity out of the pack to ride hands-off.


"the junk" seems to be much more resilient.


salty
2012-05-02 05:48:48

Usually nerves gets irritated or stretched a bit with an overuse injury. I have to just not hyperextend at the wrists, which may be tricky. As far as the junk goes, same nerve thing going on. At work, when we have patients in traction on a perineal post, there is a risk for junk and thigh numbness for a few weeks resulting from pressure on the nerves.


I may be way off in regards to the cramps (it has been a while since I had physiology), but I remember something about the Kreb's cycle and lactic acid buildup causing athletes to have cramps, but I don't recall if it is totally related to sodium.


stefb
2012-05-02 09:12:24

You'll be amazed how much easier it is if you do this again.


Also I don't know if this would be true for everybody, but I stopped having numbness in my hands when I switched from padded gloves to gloves with a rough leather palm that gave me a better grip on the bars. On the down side, situations like CtC destroy my grip tape.


ken-kaminski
2012-05-02 13:20:26

David, I appreciate the compliments, and everyone else. I'm really a slower rider and always miss the party at the end of charity centuries by a couple hours. The Koeles guys I just started joining drop me at the bottom of each hill and I feel bad when they wait for me. That Etape du Tour data looks ridiculous, perhaps fun. I got the idea from you to stop worrying about distance and head for the bigger hills and I would like to do the Jeremiah Bishop alpine loop ride this year.


I'll have no shame pushing myself more on shorter rides now knowing that a SAG is nearby.


Also, Stef pedals like a mad woman. I rarely saw her coasting; even on descents. I think she actually pretends she's riding fixed/single speed at all times and think I heard her say at one point, "I would rather have my single speed right now". ;)


flys564
2012-05-02 13:22:38

Got a list of ride reports going on the blog.


Haven't corrected the times yet, or got the whole DNF list up either. Soon(ish).


eric
2012-05-02 13:58:52

Ya know, the funny thing is (given that I DNFed this year), I'm actually thinking that it'd be fun to do a one-day partial Crush as far as Bedford sometime soon. Start early, finish up well before dark and have a ride back to town waiting.


Hard to believe that randonesia has set in already.


reddan
2012-05-02 14:41:44

I wouldn't mind starting at breezewood or somerset and going east. Do not want to ride the gap anytime soon. It really is pretty and I would love to explore the abandoned turnpike tunnels.


Now everyone says pgh to Philly is easy, but doesn't the GAP at the beginning wear on people? I think I would have a harder time mentally with that boringness at the beginning.


stefb
2012-05-02 14:47:00

Now everyone says pgh to Philly is easy, but doesn't the GAP at the beginning wear on people? I think I would have a harder time mentally with that boringness at the beginning.

The GAP is rough, but at least you're hitting it when you're physically and mentally fresh. I find it merely tedious, rather than soul-crushing like westbound. The last few miles before Rockwood tend to be pretty nasty, though...combination of peanut butter surface and impatience to get off the damn limestone makes it tougher than it has to be.


The nice thing about eastbound (aside from prevailing winds being at your back) is that the last, oh, 150 miles is mostly rolling and trending downhill. My drill in previous years has been to sleep in Chambersburg, about 220 miles in, and after the bulk of the climbing...after you wake, you've got 10 miles of steady gradual climb on Rt 30, a couple little hills through the apple orchards on 234, then it's pretty much downhill all the way to the Susquehanna River.


reddan
2012-05-02 14:53:38

Given the hellish accounts I've read I don't know why I am even entertaining the idea of an Eastbound attempt one of these years.


sarah_q
2012-05-02 15:01:15

I think you know why you are entertaining the idea, as does everyone else reading this thread.


eric
2012-05-02 15:17:55

@quizbot constant salt ..OR... crippling cramps. What's the underlying cellular mechanism?


I should knwo this professionally. I don't.


If it's slow this afternoon, I'll ask my boss.


mick
2012-05-02 15:27:08

I guess I'm the only one who was glad to be on the GAP at the end. No worries about traffic, navigating, hills. By that point I was in slow burn mode anyway, so it wasn't a big deal. My brain was pretty much shut off anyway. I felt a lot safer there too, knowing if I had to stop I could just lay down wherever I wanted.


that-guy
2012-05-02 15:45:06

@quizbot, @mick: I should knwo this professionally. I don't.


If it's slow this afternoon, I'll ask my boss.


i presumed that, since sodium is an important electrolyte, an imbalance in this (or magnesium, calcium, or potassium), would make muscles firing all wonky.


see, muscle fibers line up electrolytes of different charges, and the attraction/repulsion between these ions along the fibers is what causes muscles to contract. so it would make sense that having not enough of one or the other could be cramp-inducing.


but apparently this is not the case. it would seem that exercise-related muscle cramps are caused by overloading the nerve reflex arc.


hiddenvariable
2012-05-02 20:12:04

@hiddenVariable.


Excellent article. But at the end they really should have mentioned:


"Individuals who wish to avoid leg cramps should avoid crushing any commonwealths."


mick
2012-05-02 20:37:38

@Dave just sodium is not enough.


@Steph potassium is connected to cramps. And bananas are excellent source of it. Plus carbs with high glicerimic index.


2012-05-03 05:14:12