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Crush the Commonwealth "rules" and/or route help

I know the rules are pretty simple, but can someone clarify the following for me.


Does the "clock" start when the group leaves the Point State Park?


If the above statement is "yes" - is it safe and acceptable to presume that all other stopping is purely optional (ie - not required) after an individual competitor departs Point State Park.


Thank you for your help. Wpe


willie-p
2011-02-22 15:26:54

Willie,


I believe that's the case, with the caveat that the initial rollout to the trailhead in McKeesport is a neutral group ride.


Of course, Eric's got the final say...


reddan
2011-02-22 15:30:33

Dan- you've been on this ride before (as have I)...you hit the nail on the head. I was confused as to what happens once someone gets to McKeesport.


I think neutral rollout is a good idea but once that's done with - everyone cool with going their own pace and either riding or stopping (...at the C-store)...


w


willie-p
2011-02-22 16:09:32

You guys have the idea.


I plan to control the speed a bit better this year, maybe actually use one of those newfangled cyclocomputer things.


The neutral roll out is mainly to keep everyone on the route to Mckeesport, it gets confusing.


eric
2011-02-23 15:44:26

Eric, you planning anything interesting for the McKeesport leg?


I liked the stay-on-837 approach when we did it in 2009; nice and simple.


reddan
2011-02-23 16:52:18

i heard a rumor that the bike trail is 'finished' between the waterfront and duquesne. anyone know if this is true?


nick
2011-02-23 17:18:43

From what I saw and rode a few weeks ago, the waterfront to duquesne section seems finished to me (bridges are still gated, but they're done). depending on when they're officially opened, it seems like a much better alternative than 837. I'm on a quest to get an official date for the opening this year, I'll post what I find out.


sarapgh2
2011-02-23 17:30:55

If the trail is open, ride trail, if not, 837.


Heck, if the trail is open a neutral start is probably no longer needed.


eric
2011-02-23 17:36:23

Kinda curious - Have any women attempted CtC? Have any finished?


stuinmccandless
2011-02-23 17:43:54

My2c/fwiw: Route 837 via 2nd ave and Hot Metal bridge at 6am (or whatever time we departed in '09) was pretty low key and presumably as more people are doing this event, having all those folks wind through turnstiles at trail entrances/exits is kinda dangerous.


willie-p
2011-02-23 18:37:19

I recall there being at least two female starters in 2009. One of them was in the group I rode with during the Chambersburg-Ardentsville segment. I had a hard time keeping up.


wsh6232
2011-02-23 18:59:08

I explicitly (right word?) - remember two females.


One had pigtails and had a very large battery powered radio taped to her handlebars (like, not a portable radio, per se).


the other one had a milk crate bungee'd to the back of her bike and that thing totally blew apart well before sutersville on the trail.


I remember one of the female riders posting after the event that she made it to Philly on Monday due to various mechanicals that she encountered.


willie-p
2011-02-23 21:49:46

Yes, the gal with the handlebar radio was the one in the group I rode with leaving Chambersburg on Saturday night. I remember hearing Radiohead and Bob Marley during the LONG climb up the mountain to mr ed's candy shop.


wsh6232
2011-02-23 23:14:03

...I thought it was Mr. Ed's Elephant Museum?


and for reference (personally), I was climbing up that stretch at about 9am on Saturday morning wondering what the hell I was doing. I was in some serious pain at that point and had to stop halfway up at about the playouse (Pine Grove Furnace) and again at the Pines Shoppes (on the right, in the parking lot) before hooking the left on the biglerville road (or whatever that road was called). I also had to walk a hill or two on that stretch before finally getting into a rhythm after arendstville.


I was on a 3speed so gearing was limited, but nonetheless - I was delirious from getting up at 1am in Breezewood. The ride from breezewood to Chambersburg was not that easy.


willie-p
2011-02-24 15:42:58

both the women who attempted ctc in 2009 finished it.


nick
2011-02-24 16:24:08

Howdy folks,

I'm thinking about coming down from north-central PA to give CtC a try this year. I have plenty of experience with centuries, and just completed a double century last summer, but am a total novice when it comes to big miles over multiple days. Any advice for a first-timer?


oswald
2011-02-24 18:15:05

If you can tackle a double century then you're definitely fit enough to do CTC. Bring an extra warm layer and rain gear even if there's only a 40% chance it'll be needed...the forecast for Pittsburgh could be nice, but Philly could be dramatically different. Also, there are gigantic segments with very few services, so always load up on food when the chance arises (and make sure its quality food...not donuts). Other than that, you just need to decide if you want to stop at hotels or if you want to do the camping/stealth camping option. I would bring a light summer sleeping bag for emergencies, or if you bonk really hard and its a long way until the next town.


wsh6232
2011-02-24 18:59:37

well, if you are making the trip all the way from Smethport or wherever you are from, you need to be able to do a double century (in one day) with about 3-4 hours sleep between the first double century and then on the second day, do the second double century.


...that's all and then you are done!


willie-p
2011-02-24 19:02:46

its really not as hard as it sounds, especially with your experience. the route from pgh to philly is mostly downhill (except for that one really big mountain..). stay on your bike as long as you can, getting on and off and stopping a lot will wear you out. if you're new to big mileage days back to back, the second day will be the hardest. so do a practice two big days in a row before the CTC.


nick
2011-02-24 19:02:50

wsh


i take issue with your doughnut comment. i did my first CTC while eating nothing but doughnuts! it was great.


nick
2011-02-24 19:04:30

+1 doughnuts.


When it comes to distance riding, I strongly endorse "listening to your body" when it comes to food, assuming you're already taking in at least a minimum number of calories. If pulled pork, Krispy Kremes, or takeout sushi really appeal, go for it.


Of course, this philosophy might explain how I manage to remain slightly ovoid despite riding stupid-distance on a regular basis.


reddan
2011-02-24 19:09:30

On one of Jim's brevets I ate nothing but Sheetz donuts at every stop, and ended up finishing with a really bad headache. My normal day-to-day sugar consumption is really low, so that might explain it. But yeah, gotta replace those calories.


wsh6232
2011-02-24 19:23:22

Is there a single google map or something similar out there with the entire route on it or just the pdfs from the DOT for route S?


bd
2011-02-24 19:55:36

This is pretty close, but may not be entirely up to date with Penn-DOT's changes.


When in doubt, follow the signs.


reddan
2011-02-24 20:08:17

@reddan When it comes to distance riding, I strongly endorse "listening to your body"...


(Deliberately and misleadingly snipped)


About 30 hours into a 36-hour CTC, your body might be saying, "Dude, we've had enough exercise for now, thanks"


mick
2011-02-24 20:13:30

@mick: At 30 hours in, I can assure you that my body has long since stopped speaking in coherent fashion.


reddan
2011-02-24 20:18:31

Calling him a member of an "elite group" is like saying Chuck Norris is a "bit tough".


reddan
2011-02-24 20:35:30

Thanks for the tips, guys. The "eat what you're hungry for" thing makes sense to me. And I have a little summer weight sleeping bag that I'll pack for just-in-case. Probably a space blanket/tarp type thing too.


A couple of questions about logistics:


What do you recommend for navigation, paper maps/cue sheets or gps? Is the Route S marked well enough to be followed easily without too much cue sheet or gps reading?


And I have a ride home from Philly, but I'll probably take the bus into Pittsburgh and will need to find a place to stay Thursday night. Any recommendations for a cheap room not too far from the start?


oswald
2011-02-24 21:03:07

"...your lungs are burning, you've got the taste of blood in your mouth, your legs are burning..."


The taste of blood. Serious.


atleastmykidsloveme
2011-02-24 21:37:34

@oswald: With regards to navigation, you might want to prepare basic paper cue sheets just so you know how far it is until the next town; that said, the route is signed so well that you can plan on getting pretty much the whole way from Rockwood to Valley Forge just by following the signs.


The one exception is the abandoned PA turnpike; once you hit the eastern end, you'll need to turn left and go 1/2 mile or so to rejoin Route S.


reddan
2011-02-24 23:40:33

I'm glad I can be out of town and away from the internet and these questions get answered anyway.


In fact I meant to start a general CtC thread, but I didn't. This one is pretty swell. I've got nothing else to add.


eric
2011-02-25 04:41:50

Just 'cause I'm slacking at work, and I keep typing the same things in different places, I put together a FAQ for CTC.


Linky


Eric, if there's anything you'd like added/changed/removed, let me know.


reddan
2011-02-25 14:09:48

Awesome. Thanks again for the info and especially the FAQ, reddan. That's a big help. See y'all in April!


oswald
2011-02-25 17:31:07

HEY!


Remember this ride? It's in like, one day.


Here's the route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/381082


Come try it!


Here's some last-minute stuff:


Ride STARTS at 5:00 AM at the fountain in Point State Park.


Neutral roll out until we get off 837 and onto the new trail. We will be rolling out a bit slower to make sure we don't drop anyone.


Follow the route. If you get off route, return to the route where you left it.


And of course: No support. Meaning bring what you need to buy/scrounge it along the way.


that-guy
2011-04-28 04:05:03

I was going to warn you about the road construction on the S route in Phoenixville, but it looks like you bypassed it. Well played.


Good skill to all the participants. Perhaps I'll see some of you as you pass my house - I'm on the S route a couple of miles from Phoenixville.


thehistorian
2011-04-28 04:38:16

Just out of curiosity, why do you do this now? Why not wait until the weather doesn't suck a**? Like, June 21 would seem to be the ideal day to do this. Or is the weather part of the thing? Just wondering.


edmonds59
2011-04-28 11:03:18

The weather is part of the fun! Looks pretty nice this year, except maybe getting cold on Friday night.


You can follow some of us as we go at twitter.com/bicycletimes


that-guy
2011-04-28 20:00:52

so jealous...


thelivingted
2011-04-29 14:37:01

You guys are all very ill.


I mean that in the nicest possible way.


@that guy - Just curious - if someone gets lost and somehow makes a few dozen forward miles before he finds the path again, does he or she really have to go back to where they left the path?


(I'm guessing that even if the "rules" said yes, as a practical matter it's "no")


mick
2011-04-29 19:40:07

How did it turn out?


thehistorian
2011-05-01 01:27:22

24 people started at 5:11


Finishing times:


Tressler brothers

-Saturday 8:48am -- 28:27 (I think this is correct, I erased this voicemail by mistake)


Dan B, Lane, Bill, Eric (not me)

-Saturday 2:35pm -- 33:24


Tom Oswald

-Saturday 4:40pm -- 35:29


Max, Chris, Dan G, Tom, Eric (this one is me)

-Saturday 10:26pm -- 41:15


Brian, Dean, Bill

-Sunday 12:29am -- 43:18


Nick B

-Sunday 1:20am -- 44:09 (43 bonus miles after getting lost!)


Jon Cornibe

-Sunday 2:40am -- 45:29


17 finishers


DNF

Bruce

Adam

Darren C

Ben

Jamie


eric
2011-05-02 14:33:41

congrats all you guys! Can't believe I'm jealous of this crazy ride... but I am. Rob Burritos are calling me!!!!


thelivingted
2011-05-02 15:35:09

28 hours? holy shit.


nick
2011-05-02 16:20:42

5 people under 36 hours? One person under 29? Da-amn.


How far is the milage?


mick
2011-05-02 16:35:59

@Mick: 2 people under 29. The Brothers Tressler, much like last year, put on a fine performance.


Total mileage is somewhere in the 390-400 range, depending on how far you had to ride at the start and finish.


reddan
2011-05-02 16:58:10

You guys are awsome! -even those that DNF'd.


marko82
2011-05-02 17:40:18

Nick D (not B)*


Congratulations to everyone who did it!


kgavala
2011-05-02 18:38:59

I only did ~23 extra miles. Though most of it seemed to be up hill.


I ate it on the SRT. There was a steel receiver for a vertical motor vehicle barrier that had been removed. It was right in the middle of the path about 2-3in out of the ground. I was just cruising in the dark and bam! I was in front of my bike on the ground (still clipped in) with the contents of my handlebar bag everywhere.


I also lost all of the bearings in my right pedal with 150 miles to go and got sick halfway through Saturday and vomited three times on the side of the road/trail.


After leaving Pittsburgh, I didn't have one negative experience with a driver until Lancaster. The whole way through Lancaster I had kids yelling or revving their engines at me, someone threw a cup of ice at me, and a ton of people brushing by way to close. Once out of Lancaster it was great, even in Philly. I had a couple pedicab drivers help me with directions on Main St. and even the drunk kids bar hopping were nice and wanted to know how many miles I had rode that day (which was a big surprise).


All in all, it was an absolutely horrible experience, but I'll probably do it next year. Hopefully I'll be in better shape going in.


ndromb
2011-05-02 22:40:17

Also, I'm kind of upset that I didn't get food at Roburritos. I was riding with Brian, dropped off there because a bunch of people told me I had to eat there, and they had a 30min wait for food.


ndromb
2011-05-02 22:42:45

Nick, S. and I thought your facebook status updates read a lot like messages from the Oregon trail. We were dreading the update where we would be informed you died of dysentery.


dwillen
2011-05-02 22:57:33

@ nick D. I also lost all of the bearings in my right pedal with 150 miles to go and got sick halfway through Saturday and vomited three times on the side of the road/trail.


Nick really, REALLY knows how to have a good time!


mick
2011-05-02 23:04:32

OK, so how do you keep rolling when you pick up a stick that eats your derailleur or your pedal dies? What I do is limp to the nearest PAT bus, rack it and go home. Clearly that won't work when I'm 82 miles from nothing.


stuinmccandless
2011-05-03 01:11:51

Can't edit my previous post, had some updates, added a few riders tot he finishers and DNFers:


26 people started at 5:11am Friday.


Finishing times:


Tressler brothers

-Saturday 9:39am -- 28:27


Dan B, Lane, Bill, Eric (not me)

-Saturday 2:35pm -- 33:24


Tom Oswald

-Saturday 4:40pm -- 35:29


Wes and Scott

-Saturday 5:03pm -- 35:52


Max, Chris, Dan G, Tom, Eric (this one is me)

-Saturday 10:26pm -- 41:15


Brian, Dean, Bill

-Sunday 12:29am -- 43:18


Nick D

-Sunday 1:20am -- 44:09 (43 bonus miles after getting lost!)


Jon Cornibe

-Sunday 2:40am -- 45:29


19 finishers


DNF

Bruce

Adam

Darren C

Ben

Jamie

Frank

Paul


eric
2011-05-03 03:17:27

Did any women do this? Have women done this in years past? I would love to if it doesn't fall on the weekend of the NYC 5 boro ride


stefb
2011-05-03 07:13:38

Just a repost from my "miscellaneous ramblings" over at the CTC blog:



While I am at it, here are some more random observations from the route:


rednecks in Somerset and Bedford (aka rude drivers).


Friday night at the dirt track races in Bedford.


some big a** hydraulics on the Yough' and the Casselman


seeing breath while climbing on route 31


mud/muck after closed tunnel heading toward Rockwood on the GAP Trail


how warm inside was the general store in Rockwood!


semi-abandoned Cannondale factory


surprisingly dry TPK tunnels and that the abandoned TPK is way easier to ride in daylight than dark


at the end of the abandoned TPK, did y'all know you can turn LEFT behind the grass/dirt mounds (where the old gas station used to be) and take a paved access road to Pump Station Road? (thanks, SS Ted from '09!)


Turkey Hunters at Sheetz at 430am


anti-Racism 10k race in York that we rode through the middle of


very friendly/inquisitive staff at the Turkey Hill on the far side of York center city (the retro-Turkey Hill)


The ATROCIOUS bathroom at same Turkey Hill in York! (did someone poo in the urinal?)


LOTS! of Harley's out on Saturday.


Have the Amish given up on bicycles and moved exclusively to "kick" scooters?


Mennonites riding Trek carbons (wannabe Floyd's?).


a very, shall I say, "helpful" art gallery owner adjacent to the closed bridge on route 462 that was more than willing to offer help to young cycling men find the detour and perhaps come in for a rest.


on the snake-like route (eby road/weavertown road), seeing an 18 wheeler flatbed trailer full of amish-built kids playhouses almost tip over and crush us on a 90 degree turn, one lane road


Poorly/confusingly marked "route s" on Kimberton/Coldstream road and before VF Park as well.


Phillies fans at the Sheetz in morgantown


Everybody in Philly 'burbs is a Cat1 wannabe on a carbon TT frame with $2500 carbon wheels...riding on a recreational walk/bike trail -!! ..on a crowded saturday afternoon.


Lots of hot girls in Philly, naturally.


did anyone hit South Street for beers after (we went to Copacabana)? ...and being in the bar when the Flyers lost.


fitting three bikes, three riders, wheels, gear into a single taxi cab from old city to the Airport car rental office. (I have a pic and yes, there was a bike in the front seat with a rider and the cabbie).


willie-p
2011-05-03 13:42:59

willie: The Amish have not given up on bicycles, but they are not a monolithic denomination. Each congregation has its own rules. I think the preference for kick scooters over bicycles turns on the mechanical advantage of the latter -- and possibly the fact that you can ride one from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia essentially nonstop.


I have heard TT riders on trails referred to as "pathletes".


lyle
2011-05-03 14:47:19

No drama or excitement to report here. It was just really satisfying to finish in 33:24 after DNFing last year, and barely dragging my ass up to the liberty bell after 69 hours in 2009. It was definitely the longest and hardest I've ever been pushed, and I'm still a bit amazed that I managed to ride onward after only about an hour of sleep in Chambersburg. Dan, Lane, and Eric were an excellent group to ride with.


Greyhound can die in flames, though. The cost for a ticket to PGH went up from 39 to 59, and there is now a $30 oversize luggage handing fee to pack a bike. I'm glad I didn't hang out at the bell for too long, because I got to the shipping counter about twenty minutes before they closed. The westbound bus was already pretty full when I got on, so the only seat I could find was one in the second to back row, right above the engine, in the aisle across from the bathroom, that didn't recline. For that cost, I would rather just hire one of my parents to come and get me.


Oh, and I was thinking the exact same thing about the kitted-out guys on the TT bikes riding the river trail.


wsh6232
2011-05-03 15:16:57

wow, thats' expensive. A hertz econo-car was only $80 from philly to pit.


willie-p
2011-05-03 15:51:29

@wsh..."Dan B, Lane, Bill, Eric (not me)

-Saturday 2:35pm -- 33:24"


assuming you are one of these guys. I finished in 35:52 and trying to figure whom yinz/yous guys are.


what bikes were you riding?


I was on the minimally packed orange Waterford road bike.


willie-p
2011-05-03 15:55:21

"Poorly/confusingly marked "route s" on Kimberton/Coldstream road and before VF Park as well."


?


I think the S route is marked OK. There was a re-routing due to a bridge closure on Whitehorse Road, but the map posted shows the organizers worked around it. (The bridge reopened last week.)


thehistorian
2011-05-03 20:44:27

I also broke a bottle cage.


There was a point after finding Brian (from Jersey) heading towards Valley Forge, that we found two roads at an intersection, both with Bicycle S Route East signs.


ndromb
2011-05-03 21:30:46

These recaps are a blast to read, thanks for posting them. Congratulations to all of the Commonwealth Crushers.


pseudacris
2011-05-03 21:34:45

"There was a point after finding Brian (from Jersey) heading towards Valley Forge, that we found two roads at an intersection, bother with Bicycle S Route East signs."


Was it at an intersection with Whitehorse Road? Right was the S route, left was the detour during bridge reconstruction. Left takes you to Rt. 23, which leads through Phoenixville and into Valley Forge. Rt 23 is ridable but the traffic is heavy.


thehistorian
2011-05-03 21:36:20

Did anyone else get confused by the route signs with the mushrooms in place of the "S"? I saw them sometime after Somerset. Dean and I followed these signs by mistake and ended up having to backtrack several miles to get back on the "S" route. I checked the PennDot Bike route site, and I see no mention of this route - so I'm still wondering what it was for, and where it led...


cornibe
2011-05-03 21:50:51

@thehistorian: honestly, I have no clue. I don't remember too much detail from the entire ride.


ndromb
2011-05-03 22:21:15

cornibe


there's bikepa routes with a dude whitewater rafting and i think one with george washington's profile in addition to the mushroom one. i've never found any more info or maps about these. i do know that the area with the mushroom route they grow a lot of mushrooms. maybe its a tour of mushroom farms?


nick
2011-05-04 04:04:56

Nick, I understand. Most of the riders were probably very sleep deprived by the time you came through here.


thehistorian
2011-05-04 18:08:07

Yeah, the mushroom signs almost caught me in Somerset. Then by a small miracle I saw the Sheetz and a Bike Route S sign and didn't make a wrong turn. Silly mushrooms!


that-guy
2011-05-05 00:26:33

The mushroom signs got me in Somerset. Luckily, when I realized it, I thought to ask for directions to Sheetz to get back en route.


ndromb
2011-05-05 00:30:12

Great write-up oswald. I love reading about your journeys and adventures, you make CtC sound almost doable, ALMOST! I hope you can make it back to the 'Burgh again for a more leisurely ride.


marko82
2011-05-09 01:15:48

So here is my report:


Got dropped off at the Point in a piss storm after driving about downtown finding it. Met up with the others and departed in the drizzle for a rather spirited "neutral roll-out". Glad I hung on as I wouldn't have found the trail in McKeesport without difficulty.


Rode along with Eric, Chris and Max as they were easing into their pace before I fell back into my "start slow and taper back" mode. Stopped in West Newton to grab some snack time from my pack and Adam rode past. Had a small twig jump up into my chain that required attention. Proved to be an omen.


Caught up to Adam several miles later as he was similarly eating a snack. We continued along together talking at a leisurely pace. Then about three miles or so east of Connellsville a larger stick get itself caught up in my chain and wrapped itself & my rear derailleur around the my cassette-bending the hanger into contact with the small cog.


Collecting myself after the 40+ foot skidding stop Adam and I surveyed the damage. An hour or so later I was single speeding my way back to Connellsville. I called my wife for a bail-out ride home and one of the wrenches there (I wish I could recall his name-great guy) walked up after looking at it and asked what I wanted him to do. Puzzled, I mumbled something about getting a rode home to get it looked at and he said, "I can fix it right now."


An hour later it would be ready, but he didn't have a short cage der. in stock. I was west-bound by car soon thereafter.


Can't wait to hear of the "new rule" for 2012.


apis
2011-05-09 22:18:36

@reddan - link not showing up


stuinmccandless
2011-05-10 18:58:56

Meh. And I write code for a living...thanks for the heads-up.


Try again, kemo-sabe.


reddan
2011-05-10 19:12:05

Of course, come to think of it, that could have been the board's way of telling people not to waste their time...


reddan
2011-05-10 19:12:57

Excellent report.


A strict "anti-time-wasting" policy could lead to the demise of the board, anyhow.


mick
2011-05-10 19:36:24