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Relocating and restarting after changed life

Hi, my apologies if this isn't the right place for this post. Five years after losing 150 pounds and becoming an active middle aged man - becoming potential instead of potato - I'm finally going to undertake the trip I've longed for. I'm riding across the US this May, starting from outside Pittsburgh and ending in WA and CA. However, there's one small problem; I need to give up my job and my home to do it. And probably my old car as well.


I plan on relocating after the trip to Pittsburgh, but I have no desire to camp atop a steam grate at the corner of 5th and 6th. I'd like to be able to get a job and a place to live before I take Amtrak back from the west coast, and better yet before I leave May 1. Any suggestions on locations in or around Pittsburgh I should look at, keeping in mind I'll be car free?


If you are curious, there's a thread on Bike Forums on my ride, titled "Clyde Crosses Country", debating the wisdom of my ride.


thehistorian
2010-12-08 14:42:04

i don't have any advice on housing for you, but pittsburgh is a great place to find cheap housing to get you back on your feet.


can you just rent out or find a house sitter for your current place?


good luck with your trip!


erok
2010-12-08 15:17:39

I have no words of wisdom or advice, but I gotta say - you rock.


Ok, maybe check out the threads on here about PAT bus service cuts and secure routes, and while you're looking maybe look in places that are along multiple, profitable routes that are safER from service cuts. That will make the occasional bike-free day less painful.


And you rock.


ejwme
2010-12-08 15:21:36

Having hiked the Appalachian Trail and meeting dozens of people restarting their lives, I can say with confidence you can do this. But ditch the bug spray, can opener, bottle opener, at least two pairs of shorts, a shirt, the cup (eat out of your pot), the trowel, soap and sponge, and flint/steel. You're not in the Himalayas, you'll pass through civilization at least once every 3 days. If your meals are mostly just-add-water (which the pocket rocket is designed for), a cursory washing with water is just fine until you get to town for a more thorough cleaning.


joeframbach
2010-12-08 15:38:24

erok, I wish I could. I live 300 miles from Pittsburgh, just outside Philadelphia. I also don't own my home, I share a place with a couple of friends.


My ultimate goal is to form a 501c3 that would promote outdoor activities to the 'differently abled.' I have scoliosis myself, but I try not to let it prevent me from doing whatever I want to do. Western PA is a wonderful place, and it would be a great area for such an organization, but it won't keep a roof over my head, so I need to secure a job to do it. And the roof as well.


thehistorian
2010-12-08 15:38:33

joeframbach, thanks for the advice. I have no doubt I can do the trip. After all, I'm awesome. I'm more concerned about preventing myself from becoming the next "Into The Wild" case. Or sleeping on the aforesaid steam grate at 5th and 6th.


thehistorian
2010-12-08 15:43:48

In terms of areas to relocate and live car-free, any neighborhoods developed before World War II will, as a rule, be transit-friendly, and areas developed after 1945 will generally be more car-dependent. Again, as a gross generalization, these older areas will likewise be the most bike-friendly. I'll concur with Erok and say that finding affordable housing shouldn't be that hard.


ieverhart
2010-12-08 15:44:16

ieverhart, so I should focus on the job hunt first? Sorry for the silly questions, but I've never done anything like this before. Hmm, does that mean I'm planning my spontaneous actions? If I were 20 I'd be gone in two days. But I'm 45, so I spend six months getting my ducks in a row.


thehistorian
2010-12-08 15:49:57

heh - you've already avoided going all Into The Wild by actually asking other human beings for advice and help.


what field are you looking for work in? Or just the "earn a paycheck" field? There's lots of work of certain kinds in the city, other types can be tough. And you'll be missing that "I don't cross rivers" yinzer gene that seems to get in the way of finding good places to work/live for a lot of people here.


And I wanted to pass along this map: http://publictransitguide.info/


For your planning purposes. Location, location, location. Good luck!


ejwme
2010-12-08 15:50:22

ieverhart, so I should focus on the job hunt first?


That would depend a lot on what kind of job you are looking for.


If it were a teaching job? This is the perfect time to look for something starting in September.


If you are a short order cook? September is the perfect time for looking for a job starting in September.


If it's some bike-oriented, outdoor-oriented, or even differently-abled-oriented job, you could expect the employer to make special accomadations for you.


mick
2010-12-08 15:57:56

ejwme, good point. A friend of mine keeps busting on me for not thinking out a week beyond the ride end. This whole process forces me to answer the question "what do I want?" When I was 400 pounds the answer was "whatever I can get" or "whatever people give me." As a man of a more normal weight, those answers don't work anymore.


I've worked in offices for years, but again, that's not me anymore. Ever since I learned to ride at age 41 - I never rode as a child - I've wanted to be outdoors. I'd happily work for an outfitter of some kind, except my bad knees and back would restrict what I can do.


Your obvious question is one I should have given more thought to. I'll have to get back to you on that.


thehistorian
2010-12-08 16:01:49

Me personally, I'd take a look near East Liberty/Garfield/Highland Park for cheap, well-connected to transit housing... The place is growing and my house mate - who works for the community development group - knows the housing stock. PM me your email and I can get you in touch with him if you'd like.


As for jobs, it depends on what you are looking for!


Also for starting non-profits... you might want to talk to a group called Venture Outdoors to see if they would hire someone to start such an initiative...I'm sure there would be grant money to be found to jump start that sort of project!


gimppac
2010-12-08 16:03:43

yeah, i immediately thought of venture outdoors too.


i guess i didn't realize from your original post that you're not that familiar with pittsburgh.


i'd concur that the East End of pittsburgh has a wealth of affordable housing, good transit access, and is the most bikeable.


where near philly are you? i'm originally from the west chester area


erok
2010-12-08 16:14:33

erok, my family has lived for five generations in the Phoenixville area. I've been to Pittsburgh and Western PA a few times over the years. I've ridden the GAP and C & O three times, and spent three weeks this summer camping everywhere from Pine Creek Gorge to Mount Davis.


I've spent very little time in downtown Pittsburgh, unfortunately.


thehistorian
2010-12-08 16:18:34

most of pittsburgh doesn't spend much time in downtown pittsburgh.


check out bike pittsburgh's bike map online: http://bike-pgh.org/campaigns/commuter-bike-maps/ to get a feel for the city outside of downtown.


East End is a great place for bike friendliness but I wouldn't write off the South Side either, its just a VERY different vibe!


As for jobs, well, assuming you have a bit of a cash cushion, you may be able to live in pgh for a while before it gets desperate. But, subscribe to the Dewey and Kaye Mosaic and get job updates every so often... if you want nonprofit style work: http://www.deweykaye.com/jobswatch/


as for other types of jobs, i have noooo idea, unless you want to wait tables, do some retail, lead crews in the summer for SCA, etc...


caitlin
2010-12-08 16:45:29

Pheonixville is really close to my parents. they live in Lionville/Chester Springs


erok
2010-12-08 16:55:19

erok, I've ridden to Chester Springs. Nice area.


caitlin, I don't know how much of a cash cushion I'll have. I'm looking for a second job and selling most of my stuff to make this trip happen. It's possible I'll have little to nothing left over, although worse comes to worse I'll take the tax hit and close my 401K - not that there's much to it, mind you.


My parents raised me to find value in all work, so if it means retail to keep a roof over my head while I sort things out, so be it. I draw the line at working for Primanti's, however.


Also, I'm not moving to Pittsburgh until after my ride, which means I won't be there until August or September.


thehistorian
2010-12-08 17:23:49

I moved to Pittsburgh somewhat spontaneously last year from DC and found a place to sublet for $250 /mo really easily. That way I could live here and look for jobs and to get to know the city better so that I would know where I wanted to live for a longer.


You could always try couch surfing as a back up for a couple of weeks while looking for places. It's also a great way to meet people and would be pretty useful to be a member of during your trip.


hellololly
2010-12-08 17:43:36

I has been my understanding that west to east is alwys a preferable cross country ride to better utilize the prevailing wind direction.


helen-s
2010-12-08 18:39:22

Yeah but you don't want to do the Rockies in May.


lyle
2010-12-08 18:49:24

@helen I rode across the country in 99 from East to West and only faced harsh headwinds on a handful of days. I would say I had tailwinds an equal number of days.


scott
2010-12-08 19:58:23

just make sure you have enough for your train ride back to the Burgh too! That's the other benefit of coming West to East I imagine...you get there and you're there.


gimppac
2010-12-08 20:14:42

You couldn't have posted at a better place, I'm convinced the brains behind the keyboards on here know a little bit about everything you could possibly imagine.

Awesomeness on your life reboot.

I would say contact REI, there is a store here on the South Side, ask to talk to someone about their outreach programs, tell them what you are doing, tell them about your ideas for differently abled outdoors programs, ask if they might be hiring in September. I think they will at least give you a listen. You never know, they might just be all over it. Just the little bit you have described here has me pretty excited. Take some time and assemble a good pitch. They have stores across the country, you could probably give presentations along the way, though I doubt there's any $$ in that.

Pittsburgh in general is great, there is so much work in health related fields, you might be able to find someone interested enough in what you're doing that they could find something for you to do, work-wise.


edmonds59
2010-12-08 20:15:04

hey congrats on the big weight loss! that is a huge feat. i would also suggest the east end of town. i live in morningside and really feel like i'm not far away from any part of the city. i would love to ride across the country but i have a house and pets and all of that stuff (which i am sure you understand). i have so much vacation time that i could probably do it, but i don't think my employers would be so happy. thumbs up to you for just going for it!


stefb
2010-12-08 20:50:45

Hey historian! My girlfriend and I met you on the C&O trail on our way to DC a few months ago!


ndromb
2010-12-08 20:58:09

Whoa, small world.


joeframbach
2010-12-08 21:33:55

Also, historian, if you are not familiar with the book "A million miles in a thousand years" by Donald Miller, highly recommend it, winter reading. You are working on a good story.


edmonds59
2010-12-08 21:44:08

You can live just about anywhere between the rivers and in or west of the East End, and have a commute of 40 minutes, tops, to downtown (westmost place you'd be likely to find work IMO). Much of what you'd want to do in Pittsburgh lies in the in-between, so that means wherever you live within those bounds, less than 40 minute rides mostly anywhere.

Outside the rivers, Southside and Northside are great too, but things get less bike-nice as you get east of Millvale along the Allegheny (north river), and if you get as far as Homestead along the Monongahela (south river). At those places, it gets harder to connect to the rest of town, and harder to cross the river.


Someone correct me if you disagree. It's very possible are people on this very board who commute from Sharpsburg or Homestead every day and will tell me I'm just not trying hard enough, but I've always found it unpleasant riding when I go to those places.


alnilam
2010-12-08 21:47:13

Hi NickD! Yes, I remember. I was on the way to Oldtown on a day ride.


edmonds59, will do. Just to clarify, I'm not 'disabled' according to ADA, but my appearance seems to shock enough cyclists that I might as well be. :-) I'll approach REI and look for that book.


gimpPAC, I've included the Amtrak tickets in my budgeting. My planning for any bike trip rivals Eisenhower's planning for D-Day, so I have that covered.


thehistorian
2010-12-08 21:49:59

Hmm, "Northside" is the old Allegheny City, isn't it? Just curious.


thehistorian
2010-12-08 21:51:32

Yes, annexed by the city of Pittsburgh in a rather sneaky move back in the, uh, early 20th century. I read about it on a restaurant menu, long story. Also native home to Gertrude Stein and Mary Cassatt.


alnilam
2010-12-08 21:53:48

Thanks for the tips about Venture Outdoors. I'll contact them.


And thanks for the many suggestions about neighborhoods and employment opportunities. I have a couple of leads. Of course, we are still five months from my down pedal stroke at Meyersdale, and nine from my arriving at Amtrak's Pittsburgh terminal. A lot can happen between now and then.


BTW, my trip as of now starts at Meyersdale, heads to McKeesport, and then takes the SVT to the Montour to the Panhandle to East Liverpool, Ohio. Anyone wants to join me for a day or three, please do. I'm camping, legally, where I can.


thehistorian
2010-12-08 21:57:17

And Allegheny City was home to John L. McCutcheon, chess player. See my article on JLM a few years ago in The Pennswoodpusher, the periodical of the Pennsylvania State Chess Federation. (Sorry, can't resist blowing my own trumpet. So much for being anonymous.) :-)


thehistorian
2010-12-08 22:01:56

thehistorian - be carefull, you may acquire a sizeable send-off entourage :D I'll probably join in if it's a Sunday.


ejwme
2010-12-08 23:29:56

Yeah, we could easily gather at least a dozen people to send you off!


joeframbach
2010-12-08 23:56:43

Mind if I throw out an idea, Histo? Over the winter, put together a 45 or so minute presentation of your life, to date; when you come thru Pgh, we book the meeting room at REI SS and you give a presentation, REI would put it on their events calendar. It would be an opportunity for Bike Pgh'ers to invite someone who might think they're too old/heavy/whatever to start riding, and put things in perspective.

I think there are plenty of clinics on cold weather riding, hot weather riding, damp weather riding, "understanding your vO2 max". I think people could use a clinic on just "being a different cyclist".

And after we would flock the town (pronounced "tahn", get used to it). Something you would want to do? Does this sound like something Bike Pgh could get behind?


edmonds59
2010-12-09 02:02:20

Hmm, historian just pm'ed me that his posts stopped showing up. Anyone?


edmonds59
2010-12-09 02:24:09

is he trying to post links? maybe spam filter (see my other post). people say posting links w/o http:// works.


salty
2010-12-09 03:04:46

edmonds59, I'd be delighted to speak if Bike Pittsburgh wants me to. Yinz can count on it. It sounds like a topic that needs addressed.


thehistorian
2010-12-09 04:51:56

Oh, and if you decide to follow up on edmond59's suggestion, I have a friend with a remarkable story worth sharing. I'm sure I can persuade him to join me.


thehistorian
2010-12-09 05:59:38

Haha, Kayla and Nick look so happy.


dwillen
2010-12-09 14:21:02

It was a long day, and they were afflicted with the company of a fat guy on a hybrid.


thehistorian
2010-12-09 14:25:04

@edmunds there are plenty of clinics on cold weather riding, hot weather riding, damp weather riding, "understanding your vO2 max". I think people could use a clinic on just "being a different cyclist".


But...


*scratches head*


How with THAT help me raise my lactate threshold?


mick
2010-12-09 16:00:51

Mick, are you lactate intolerant?


thehistorian
2010-12-09 16:18:48

What a flattering picture...eek. Makes me wish I was able to wear sleeveless and shorts still, though. Dan, I actually do remember being really happy to be sitting on that comfy slab, just probably too wiped out or engrossed in eating Starbursts to show it.


kgavala
2010-12-09 17:57:46

It was a long day, that day was probably the worst section of trail.


ndromb
2010-12-09 18:00:04

Nick, I've always thought of Point of Rocks as the worst. But much of the C & O is dreadful.


thehistorian
2010-12-10 13:30:40

OK, lots of suggestions here and in PMs.


I'll investigate couch surfing. I've used Warm Showers, the hospitality site for touring cyclists, as both a host and a guest.


I'll probably need to come out to Pittsburgh either for a weekend this spring or a few days before I leave, if only to interview for jobs and find a place. If there's time perhaps I can meet or ride with some of yinz - did I use that word correctly?


I already have a few friends seeing me off for the ride start. More are welcome, and again that includes spending a few days with me on the trip.


Five months out and I'm getting excited. Only my health will hold me back. I swore that if I only had two dollars and a Clif Bar to my name I would ride. I hope to have a little more than that. :-)


thehistorian
2010-12-10 13:39:02

Since Kayla thinks that photo is unflattering, how about this?


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3040/2795608111_4759fc34a6_b.jpg


My first time completing the GAP/C & O ride. Riding is fun, but I don't pay enough attention to posture afterward. Not worth getting bent out of shape about, though.


thehistorian
2010-12-10 13:51:38

So to speak.


lyle
2010-12-10 14:27:49

Yes, I'm ahead of the curve in more ways than one!


thehistorian
2010-12-10 14:57:46

Done, joeframbach. Thanks. I've registered.


thehistorian
2010-12-10 16:39:09

Anyway as the day comes closer be sure to let everyone know what the date is you'll be coming through and see what's going on. If the schedule works out, at the very least I will offer to escort you getting out of town to the west, that can be a little tricky.


edmonds59
2010-12-10 16:42:36

I'll probably need to come out to Pittsburgh either for a weekend this spring or a few days before I leave, if only to interview for jobs and find a place. If there's time perhaps I can meet or ride with some of yinz - did I use that word correctly?


Check out http://flockofcycles.org for a nice leisurely/social ride, or the ride board on the bike-pgh main page.


dwillen
2010-12-10 16:58:33

edmonds59, can we ride on Rt 837 to McKeesport? Taking my bike and trailer down that was fun. At least until the trailer began to cause the bike to rock when we hit 35 MPH.


thehistorian
2010-12-10 17:25:05

@ joe, you totally emailed me that pic of you hugging the oak!

it actually got forwarded to me by someone else. :)


caitlin
2010-12-10 20:27:35

Wow, that is incredible! Good work!


joeframbach
2010-12-11 18:57:21

I see myddrin hasn't joined this convo yet. The two of y'uns have a big weight loss in common & as I recall, he did some long-distance cycling trips as well (Wales?).


stuinmccandless
2010-12-11 21:23:46

This place rocks. You guys are great. :)


Congrats on your trip, historian--definitely an awesome goal! I wish you all the best for the ride and all that comes after!


Reading through the posts, y'all pretty much hit all of my suggestions...


I too recommend the East End, and not only because I'm a huge homer. I also thought of Venture Outdoors and Dewey & Kaye.


kxm
2010-12-11 22:26:04

StulnMcCandless, I looked up myddrin, and I'm pleased at the transformation he underwent. (I'd have said "amazed", except even I can do it, so it's not amazing.) Perhaps I'll meet him when I come to Pittsburgh.


Here are some photos for your amusement. Me in 2004, 400 pounds, with former US Chess Champion Larry Evans.


http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs455.ash1/25046_1312726550717_1607271639_742889_1616400_n.jpg


Me at my low in July 2007, 240 or so pounds, and looking a little glassy-eyed from a 30 some mile ride.


http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs120.snc3/16753_1231344916227_1607271639_573095_5573207_n.jpg


I'm up about 40 pounds from that photo. It should be less than that when I leave for my ride in May.


thehistorian
2010-12-12 04:07:13

it's always amazing how people look younger and just totally different after a huge weight loss. you both look great. and i don't know if i could do a 5k right now. keep it up.


stefb
2010-12-12 05:42:03

Nick D, when I was at the Kullu Valley thing, I spoke to a young woman who was with the Pittsburgh East Rotary Club, I think? It seemed like they do some really cool things, I remember her saying that the Rotaries are always looking for interesting speakers, but I don't remember a name. Any idea who I am thinking of? If our guy put together a presentation and did speaking engagements going across the country, maybe he could make a few bucks here and there, at least keep him in Clif bars. Maybe this woman could tell him if that is a possibility and tell him how to make the contacts.


edmonds59
2010-12-12 13:50:27

Hmm, edmonds59, interesting idea. I'll include a shirt and tie, khakis, blazer, and loafers in my dry bag. I'll be prepared to speak at any Rotary, Lions, or Tea Party groups along my route. :-)


Seriously, I hadn't thought of that, but I'd be willing to do it. I'd love to do some 'work' along the way to defray expenses and to keep me focused on something other than just the next mile.


thehistorian
2010-12-12 16:17:43

stefb, my 5ks are largely walking. If I can do it, almost anyone can.


thehistorian
2010-12-12 16:19:02

Thanks again for the suggestions, folks. I look forward to being in 'da burgh.'


thehistorian
2010-12-14 06:02:09

@thehistorian I'll include a shirt and tie, khakis, blazer, and loafers in my dry bag...


Yeah! Sure. You only have about a bazillion feet (that's a gazillion in meters) in elevation change in your trip!


But you will want to have shoes for walking for when (note: not "if") you need to walk 20 miles to the nearest repair shop. Plenty of wicking shirts have collars. You will likely get snow or freezing temps in the mountains, so you might want slacks.


Toss a light string tie in and you'll be the very pic of business casual outdoorsiness!


mick
2010-12-14 15:58:40

Mick, good points. Besides, I'm going to be camping in a lot of town squares and church yards. I don't want to shock the townspeople.


I don't ride clipless, so my riding shoes are walkable.


I'm still toying with the idea of speaking. Until edmonds59 brought it up, I hadn't thought of it. I don't consider myself an 'advocate' or an example. I just do things, and like to see other people do things too.


thehistorian
2010-12-14 16:12:00

It would be an excellent thing to do for making connection with the locals. It would make a little (probably very little) money, but you would get some fine meals out of it for sure. Occasionally get to lounge next to someone's swimming pool and drink their beer in the sunshine while they are at work. Maybe hit up a library before a talk and use your sCarY HisToriCal chops to tie what you say into the local lore.


mick
2010-12-14 16:17:54

OK. Who here at Bike Pittsburgh to I approach?


thehistorian
2010-12-14 16:31:01

First speaking engagement is at my local bike shop in February. It's a fitting start, since they gave me my first bike riding lesson four years ago. First thing I learned was how to work the brake levers and not fall over. I still have problems with that occasionally. :-)


thehistorian
2010-12-15 16:37:27

sweet! good luck!


ejwme
2010-12-15 16:43:23

hey if you would like i can set you up with nice simple wordpress site you can use to blog from the road. it would help you build credibility as a speaker, along with maybe helping you book more gigs. i'd ask for the $15 to cover the domain registration when you move to the city for good, in the form of taking me out for a burger at the OTB, but the hosting would be free and as long as you didn't get all persnickety about the design, i'd throw that in as my donation to your cause.


cburch
2010-12-15 17:14:55

ouch. the old internetz are old.


cburch
2010-12-15 20:01:40

Wow, good job, thehistorian. You are a man to run with an idea! Good luck.


edmonds59
2010-12-15 20:06:52

Thanks, edmonds59 and other friends. I need the income to pay cburch for a burger at OTB.


thehistorian
2010-12-16 06:00:37

Mick, do you mean the Adventure Cycling Association? Yes, I know about their routes, and I will probably use part of one of them.


thehistorian
2010-12-16 06:17:07

My proposed route:


From Meyersdale on the Great Allegheny Passage, to Mckeesport, then on roads/SVT to the Montour Trail. From the Montour to the Panhandle, then on road from Weirton, WV, to the river crossing at East Liverpool. From there it's a straight shot across the Buckeye state to West Laffayete, IN. Here's the route I drafted last year.


http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/383993


From there it's up to Michigan, where a friend has offered me the use of his backyard. Then across to Holland, where I'm going to spend a couple of days with the former 500 pound guy who showed me change was possible. Matty's taken up cycling, has posted here a couple of times, and is going for his first century in June. I've promised to help him prepare, which includes joining him on a long ride. Also, if time and circumstances permit, I'd like to see Chicago.


Then I head north to the ferry, cross Lake Michigan, and wind up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. From there I don't have a hard and fast route across the West. Google's bike mapping feature wants to route me on every bike route it can find. I know when I reach Washington State I can pick up the John Wayne Pioneer Trail across much of the state, and then follow local trails into Seattle.


If I'm not thoroughly sick of cycling by this point, a Bike Forums poster has offered me the use of his sofa for a few days. That means a trip down the Pacific coast to California. From CA I can take Amtrak back to Pittsburgh at a surprisingly reasonable cost.


Total miles, just about 4000. Total time spent on the road, about 90 to 120 days, depending on my speed and how many 'off' days I take. I should average about 300 miles a week, with at least one rest day in every seven.


My camping plans are to use free sites whenever possible. Many churches and towns allow camping for bike tourists in their yards and parks. Also, I'll make friends with Warm Showers' list of hosts and members of the Bike Forums/Clydesdale and Athena Forum community.


Bike will be Notung, the Long Haul Trucker, modified with touring bars. I'll haul a trailer, since I pack heavy. I have most of the gear I need for the trip.


Estimate cost for the trip is 2000 US dollars. This is based on data from CrazyGuy journals, touring websites, and other sources. I expect the biggest expense is going to be food. Of course, I'll need money set aside to cover expenses at home too. My belongings, whatever I keep, is staying with a friend who said he can bring them to Pittsburgh when I need them.


thehistorian
2010-12-16 15:00:39

McKeesport -> Montour seems like a fantastic place for a BPGH/Flock all day escort.


ejwme
2010-12-16 15:05:11

Dream starts May 1. Even if all I have is two dollars and a Clif Bar. If I get hungry on the Montour I suppose I could eat a Bike Pittsburgh message board poster. I should be eating low fat anyway....


thehistorian
2010-12-16 15:17:41

@thehistorian

Mick, do you mean the Adventure Cycling Association?


Indeed I do.


When I first saw that name, I thought it was another silly commercial operation ("AD-venture!!"), but their routes have gotten good word of mouth from folks I trust.


Their trans-america route (from 1976) goes through Missoula, Montana, which has their headquarters. I bet they would give you a free cup of coffee if you stopped by.


Aside from anything else, following their routes guarantees that you will run into other long-distance cyclers. And less of the "WTF?" reaction as you travel through small towns and such. My buddy Mike, for example mentions a town in Indianna on ACA's Northern Teir route that has a hostel that is free for travelling bicyclists. (not your route, I know.)


Start May 1st? be prepared for serious rains.


http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/15213


mick
2010-12-16 15:42:58

Mick, since after IN I'm headed north to MI, I might pass through that town. Also, nothing is set in stone. Even when I'm on the road.


thehistorian
2010-12-16 16:00:06

Missoula MT is a great little town and worth a stop. However, if you do any of the TA route, I found south-eastern Wyoming and all of eastern Colorado to be awful, dry dust and rednecks. And then there's Kansas. But somewhere along the route you have to cross a big band of nothing. I have no idea if it's better to go farther north.


edmonds59
2010-12-16 16:50:10

lol, indeed you are. I wonder if they will be prepared for you.


tabby
2010-12-16 18:51:36

Every time I see someone in camo I flash to Robin Williams in Good Morning Vietnam. "I can't SEE you!"


ejwme
2010-12-16 19:03:14

I'm not a hunter, but the clothing is durable, in my size, and cheap at the end of the season. Also, it's street wear in much of "Westsylvania", I'm told.


thehistorian
2010-12-17 06:44:02

Tabby, I doubt many people are quite prepared to meet me. Words don't do my sheer unadulterated awesomeness justice. :-)


thehistorian
2010-12-17 06:48:07

I'm not a hunter, but the clothing is durable, in my size, and cheap at the end of the season. Also, it's street wear in much of "Westsylvania", I'm told.


are you sure you're not thinking of pennsyltucky?


hiddenvariable
2010-12-17 14:09:34

HiddenVariable, aren't they the same thing?


thehistorian
2010-12-17 14:52:43

I'll be giving a talk at Bikesport in Trappe, PA, in March on "Cycling Through Physical Challenges." I have no intention of droning on for an hour about myself, but intend to cover the topic in general, and then talk about my ride. I'll let yinz know how it goes.


thehistorian
2010-12-20 05:33:11

That's great. I'm sure you'll be encouraging more people to ride. Good luck with your presentation!


pseudacris
2010-12-20 14:19:07

As I understand it, it's "Philly in the east, the Burgh in the west and Alabama in the middle..." But other than the city limits or the burbs, yeah you're pretty much right. :)


gimppac
2010-12-20 21:14:15

I'm as close to Reading as Philly, so I'm on the Alabama state line.


thehistorian
2010-12-21 17:23:06

On this end of the state, the line is a lot closer in than that, just one or two townships past the city limits. We even have a town that has separate American Legions for white and black service members (Sewickley, Post #4 for white, #450 for black). (Unrelated but illustrative story.)


stuinmccandless
2010-12-21 18:16:39

OK, for some specifics on my trip planning so far. Here's what I have as far as an itinerary for the start of the trip:


May 1 - Meyersdale to Confluence, stay at Outflow Campground. Easy first day.

May 2 - Confluence to Round Bottom hiker/biker site. Easy second day.

May 3 - Round Bottom to Pittsburgh. Stay with a Warm Showers or Couchsurfing host.

May 4 - Pittsburgh to Beaver Creek State Park, Ohio.

May 5 - Beaver Creek State Park to Stow. Bike Forums member hosting me.


Anyone have any suggestions for a route from Pittsburgh to Beaver Creek State Park, and possibly from the part to Stow?


thehistorian
2010-12-28 14:14:52

I'll start thinking about your route when I have some time. After just a quick look at the route suggested by Google maps, that may not be the most pleasant, esp from Coraopolis to Rochester, along the river is not very nice. Google shows a trail along there, but I think it is only proposed. Probably just want to go over-land.


edmonds59
2010-12-28 16:29:13

While we are on the subject of routes....


I'd proposed Confluence to Round Bottom and Pittsburgh to Beaver Creek State Park above, but the alternate is Confluence to Dravo, and then Dravo to the free campsite on the Montour Trail. Following this alternate route means leaving from the Montour campsite, taking the Panhandle Trail to Weirton, riding up to whatever river crossing, and then on to Beaver Creek. Does anyone like this alternate route better, and why? It's flatter, but I'm concerned it's going to be a very long, long day.


thehistorian
2010-12-28 17:03:25

No matter what you should stop in Pittsburgh. You're going to end up getting put up with a good meal and shower.


I will say that Roundbottom is a pretty killer campsite, one of my favorites. No water there no matter what the map says. Stop in Connelsville and pack it in, that's the last place for water if I remember right.


If the weather is shitty that particular night, about 9 miles past Roundbottom is Cedar Creek which has real toilets, water and most importantly a lean-to with a fireplace that makes for a comfy night.


bradq
2010-12-28 17:48:54

I would say no to riding the Panhandle to Weirton, that would cause you to ride north along the Ohio river to get to Beaver Creek, I've driven along that road, not nice.

I think something like your first course is better.

Not able to comment on the trail east of Pgh.


edmonds59
2010-12-28 18:04:24

BradQ, thanks, but my concern is that I might have a person or two with me. Housing me is one thing, housing an army is another. :-)


Edmonds59, thanks for the comments on the alternate route. Another concern was the hills on the Detour, err, Montour Trail. I'll stick with the Pittsburgh route.


thehistorian
2010-12-28 18:09:45

Hmm... I'll point out that May 2nd and May 3rd 2011 are Saturday and Sunday, respectively :D


thehistorian - you can always simply request that the army house themselves as best they can. Armies are resourceful like that.


ejwme
2010-12-28 19:14:00

keep in mind that the third amendment allows us to refuse to quarter soldiers in time of peace, and in time of war, but in a manner prescribed by law.


hiddenvariable
2010-12-28 20:07:41

Sorry ejwme, they are Sunday and Monday.


thehistorian
2010-12-28 21:18:10

you can always simply request that the army house themselves as best they can. Armies are resourceful like that.


This reminds me of my quest to become the nation's leading expert on Third Amendment jurisprudence.


ieverhart
2010-12-28 21:25:20

BradQ, it's set. I'm in Pittsburgh May 3. I get to pick out my steam grate for when I show up broke at the end of August. :-)


thehistorian
2010-12-28 22:58:47

Another concern was the hills on the Detour, err, Montour Trail.


They're hills by rail-trail standards, but probably wouldn't be too challenging to most long-distance cyclists. Perhaps the most difficult one westbound, the climb at Piney Fork, ascends 104 feet in .4 miles. By comparison, one of Pittsburgh's streets with a bike lane on it climbs 121 feet in the same .4 mile distance (Forbes east of Margaret Morrison).


The second-worst westbound hill on the Montour (the driveway at Lindenbrooke) is steeper, but only a tenth of a mile long.


Oh, and May 2nd and May 3rd 2011 are a Monday and Tuesday. A trip from May 1st-5th runs Sunday through Thursday.

See http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/?year=2011 or http://www.printable2011calendar.com/preview/2011-05 for instance.


steven
2010-12-29 04:22:38

Thanks Steven, I misread the post I was correcting.


thehistorian
2010-12-29 13:18:29

thehistorian - on the calander I pushed the down button thinking it would go forward into the future, but it went back to 2009 (why does my mind always work the opposite of the people who set up the GUIs?). 2011 (the up arrow), according to microsoft, has may 2 and 3 as Monday and Tuesday. These are less convenient. I suggest either doing your ride to a more convenient 2009 calander, or perhaps setting up some form of tesseract :D Mastering cycling via tesseract could help a great deal in the Rockies.


ejwme
2010-12-30 15:06:50

ejwme, your suggestion would be more workable, except that I have a hard enough time moving forward, let alone backward.


As it stands May 1 'works' since it means I can get everything out of my current place by April 30 and not have to pay rent for May. This also pushes me to get everything sold, given away, or put in storage by then. As Samuel Johnson said, the knowledge that a man is to be hanged in a fortnight focuses the mind wonderfully. I'm already selling stuff on eBay, giving items to Goodwill, and taking my CD collection to Princeton Record Exchange next week.


thehistorian
2010-12-30 17:05:27

Nice - paring down is tricky. Beware the "put in storage"... My MIL has had stuff in "temporary storage" for something pushing 15 years now.


I suppose Sunday, May 1, 2011 is the day then ;) But if you do master traveling via tesseract, could you let me know?


ejwme
2010-12-30 17:59:49

Fifteen years is a long time to be storing my spare socks and underwear. I suspect I'll need my stuff well before then.


thehistorian
2010-12-31 13:30:53

By then the underwear won't fit anymore, isn't that the plan?


joeframbach
2011-01-03 15:06:29

Hmm, good thought joeframbach. I expect I should lose some weight on the trip, although I'm not riding with that goal in mind. I lost about ten pounds on all my long tours, and my three weeks of vacation in Westsylvania last year. I plan on being down to 260 when I start, and I suspect I might break 240 by the time I'm done. (As of this morning I'm 281.6.)


thehistorian
2011-01-03 15:54:33

I had a friend who gained about 15 to 20 pounds riding across the country one summer. Turns out she could not just eat anything and everything she wanted.


helen-s
2011-01-03 17:51:37

Fortunately, I'm gonna be pretty strapped during the trip, so I won't be able to afford to eat extravagantly. :-)


thehistorian
2011-01-03 18:18:21

If anyone wants to see an Excel spreadsheet of my rough itinerary, send me a PM with your email address.


thehistorian
2011-01-08 04:33:52

I've run into a couple of snags. They are my patellas, which mistrack in my knees. I'm seeing a doctor next week, but it's probably chondromalacia. I have no idea if I'm going to be able to stick to my May 1 departure date. Or even ride this year, for that matter.


I still plan to relocate to Pittsburgh as soon as I can, but I need working knees to do it.


Thanks again for the interest, folks!


thehistorian
2011-01-20 16:41:59

Neil,


Varna makes some truly sweet handcycles.


Knees are helpful, but not required.


Good luck!


reddan
2011-01-20 16:44:39

Reddan, thanks, but that doesn't help my mental state. :-(


thehistorian
2011-01-20 16:47:33

my uncle has loved bicycles his entire life, somehow got a sting working on them in Germany in the Army, is a total Tour de France nut, and is on a bike every chance he gets. I'd put half my paycheck on him being (a lot) heavier than you (for his entire post-army life), he's got diabetes, and had almost dibilitating knee problems his entire life, making walking painful.


After getting his knees both replaced, he's back on his bike and cycling MORE ('cause now it doesn't hurt!).


I wish your knees as happy a resolution to their problems as his. You can do it!


ejwme
2011-01-20 18:07:59

you might also want to look into riding a 'bent for the long rides. i'm sure dan can give you plenty of info on them...


cburch
2011-01-20 19:44:50

We'll see how things go. Because I've had to switch doctors when my work's insurance carrier changed on January 1, I'm waiting on my medical records arriving before the new physician will see me. So I expect in about a week or so I'll have a better idea of what's going on in my joints.


Thanks for the support, yinz. Did I say that right?


thehistorian
2011-01-21 15:32:32

You got it. Good luck, man.


edmonds59
2011-01-21 15:39:49

Let's make it official. I'm not heading out May 1.


I hope I'm still welcome here in the meantime. Once I get the medical stuff worked out, the trip will be on again.


thehistorian
2011-01-22 15:08:12

Yinz have probably forgotten me or lost interest, or both, but I'm still planning on making this happen. But its 2012 now.


I'm working with an ortho on a conservative course of treatment for my knees - custom orthotics and physical therapy to increase range of motion. He seems to understand I have a little more at stake than just being able to walk up and down stairs. I'm not confident I'm not going to get replacement knees this year, but let's see what happens.


Meanwhile my moving out to the Land of the Three Rivers is on hold, since I need the medical coverage my job provides. Once I near the end of my treatment, whatever end that is, I'm back on track to join the Bike Pittsburgh community. I hope to be celebrating the New Year at OTB.


Thanks again for letting me share here, and welcoming me when I first posted.


thehistorian
2011-04-24 18:30:29

I've been wondering about you, I was thinking of sending out some kind of "ping", but there you are. Good to hear. When you're doing your PT, just imagine it's all part of the trail, it just happens to be a part you have to do before you get TO the trail. Keep on chugging, we'll see you when you get here.


edmonds59
2011-04-24 21:06:09

That's if PT and whatever else we wind up doing doesn't lead to replacement. I'm trying to persuade people the 290 pound middle aged guy in front of them was once a 240 pound athlete. It's a hard sell. And that's on top of everything involved with my 'changed life' plans.


thehistorian
2011-04-24 22:53:26

It looks like when I finally relocate out there it's going to be with replacement knees. I'll keep my friends on this board, both of you, updated.


thehistorian
2011-05-06 15:47:47

OK, I underwent bilateral knee replacement March 8. I'm currently stuck on a walker, but in a few months I'll be riding again and back on track to relocate.


thehistorian
2012-04-02 06:28:29

Alright! Everyone I have known who has had this type of thing done has been very happy with the results. Good luck!


edmonds59
2012-04-02 10:33:38

Nice! Congratz, and wishing you a speedy and better than full recovery :D


ejwme
2012-04-02 14:59:28

I'm stuck on a stationary bike for now, but in a couple of weeks I will be cleared for riding outdoors. At that point my limits will be stamina - I developed a blood clot in my lungs that resulted in an additional hospital stay and extended time on blood thinners. Provided all is well and my recovery progresses as it should, I will be back to normal by December. And, with any luck, riding in Pittsburgh.


thehistorian
2012-04-15 21:56:27

Just in time for Icicle Bicycle :D


ejwme
2012-04-16 15:25:11

Wow, outstanding! And I don't mean that to be funny. Well, maybe. Best of luck to you!


edmonds59
2012-04-17 00:03:09

wow, that is awesome. May your newly aligned knees take you far :D Also, your good posture (in both pics) makes me feel bad for slouching at my keyboard. My mother and shoulders thank you for the inspiration to sit up :D


ejwme
2012-04-17 15:11:34

Good posture? The before photo is a horrible example of posture. I'd not wish it on anyone... well, almost anyone.


BTW, I got taller. While I've not been measured, I went into surgery at just under six feet tall and a friend estimates I'm between six 2 and six 3. My bikes might be too small for me now. I'll have to deal with that when I'm riding in a couple of weeks.


thehistorian
2012-04-18 04:46:47

naw, your shoulders are back and your head is up, in both. I tend to hunch my shoulders forward, stick my chin out like a turtle, and let my belly sag, like a lazy Erkle. There's reasons why it all started, but just excuses why I still stand that way.


I'm aiming for the day that I find out someone's taking a picture of me and end up just smiling, no straightening necessary. Bit by bit.


That's awesome that you got taller. Literally a whole new perspective on life, eh?


ejwme
2012-04-18 16:16:25

Well, I'm constantly being reminded about posture by my PT guy. I want to get to the point I automatically stand and walk in a good posture. At the moment I still have muscle 'memories' of the old knees, so I still have my feet splayed out even though I no longer have the valgus deformity.


Need to get the bikes refitted soon....


thehistorian
2012-04-26 02:33:46