About Me

My photo
Nazareth, Pa., United States

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

My Summer Adventure

Sometime in early August, I'll be gone a few days. I'm unsure if I'll be able to blog. I'll be on my summer adventure and some of you might be able to give me a few tips. In Australia, they'd call it a walkabout. I'm calling it a bikabout. 

The first leg of my journey will be a bicycle ride from here in Nazareth to Philly. I'll take the D and L trail to Bristol, then navigate the East Coast Greenway to Philly's 30th Street Station. It's about 90 miles. If I'm lucky, I'll do that in one day  If there are too many obstacles around Bristol, I'll take a train. Not sure the roads there are safe for cyclists unfamiliar with them. 

After a night in Philly, I'll ride Amtrak the next day to Pittsburgh. That's a 9.5 hour ride. If I have daylight, I'll get a few miles under my belt. I'll likely spend a night in or south of Pittsburgh.  

I'll be riding the Great Allegheny Passage, a 333-mile bike ride to D.C. I plan to complete this in three-four days. Maybe take an extra day if I see something I like.  

Once I hit DC, I'll take Amtrak back to Philly and ride home. 

That's the tentative plan. I might make the ride a bit shorter by skipping the ride to Philly. I might even drive to Pittsburgh and start there. The one constant is the ride from Pittsburgh to DC.

Then you can bury what's left of me. 

Some of you are avid cyclists and might be familiar with this ride. Any suggestions? 


28 comments:

Anonymous said...

Pack a ventilator and AED.LOL
Good Luck and enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Those are exciting and ambitious plans. For me, I'd prefer to skip the initial Philadelphia ride and focus on the Pittsburgh to Washington DC ride. I'd likely even spend 2 or 3 days in Pittsburgh, prepping up on the local city trials and rides, which are much nicer than similar options in Philadelphia. Pittsburgh is becoming such a great town to visit. That ride along the Yough River into the mountains of Maryland then down into the Potomac will be amazing. This area played a major role in the early settlement of the Ohio River Valley in the mid 1700s and is full of history. I'd want to take my time on that beautiful bike route and then spend a day or two in DC before the train ride up to Philadelphia. Just my own perspective.

Anonymous said...

My ass hurts just reading about that ride! Best of luck to you Bernie!

Bath Bear said...

Bravo Bern, I've done D&L to New Hope then on to Norristown where I picked up the Schuylkill River trail a fine alternative you might consider.

The Paw Paw tunnel will rock your sweaty socks, go for a century ride you can doit!

Bernie O'Hare said...

7:36, Yeah, I might scrap the Naz to Philly ride. I like the idea of hopping on the Schuylkill River Trail at New Hope from Bath Bear.

Michael Drabenstott said...

Looking forward to reading about your adventure on the D&L and beyond. Best of luck for a safe and enjoyable journey.

LVCI said...

Any plans if it should rain?

Bernie O'Hare said...

Find a spot and wait it out. I expect rain. Would not be an adventure without it.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"My ass hurts just reading about that ride! Best of luck to you Bernie!"

Whenever I get a bike, the first thing I do is get a fat man's saddle. I've read that those thinner saddles are actually better, but I really do prefer a wide seat. I also like a comfortable ride over speed.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a wonderful ride snd one that will allow you to make new friends and great memories. The commenters make me want to try some of these trails, but I’m a novice for sure. I hope you are riding with someone so you have company and security. This can be a dry run for a LONGER ride in the fall!

Anonymous said...

I've done the C&O Part of the trip on a bike about 20 years ago. Did it over 3 days because we stopped to check things out. We camped along the way. The path is fairly level. The ride into DC through Georgetown is absolutely fantastic.

Enjoy!

Bernie O'Hare said...

10:52, biking is easy. It’s why I do it. I’ll be going soli. I’m old and shabby and will be ignored.

Anonymous said...

Love this! Try to visit the Smithsonian. Can't see all but even an hour or two.

Anonymous said...

My saddle has grown to something akin to a truck tire innertube. Just like the rider, it's now designed more for comfort than for speed. Good luck.

Anonymous said...

I always ride solo as well. I think you'll have plenty of opportunities to meet up and talk with other cyclists though, this is a major off-street cycling bucket list trip. I think the best part will be taking your time and stopping off in trail towns (i.e. Connellsville, Ohiopyle, Confluence, Meyersdale, Frostburg, etc..) for a little break and a meal. Lots of beautiful river crossings and scenery. Good luck and stay safe!

C said...

Last I read on AllTrails or Traillink, someone said it gets dicey and trail is not marked well in or around Bristol.

Colin said...

You should venture down here to bucks and check out these cicadas!

Bernie O'Hare said...

Yeah, after the comments and speaking to someone who did the train, I think I'll rent a car and start in Pittsburgh.

gsmith said...

PBS did a documentary on the Pittsburgh to DC trail, worth watching if you are going to do it.

gsmith said...

https://aptonline.org/catalog/GREAT-RIDE-THE#:~:text=Documentary%20%7C%20TV%2DG,ride%20through%20a%20historic%20U%20.

Anonymous said...

I hope we don't lose you to this strenuous trip Bernie.

Anonymous said...

It will do you good, to get away from all the political bullshit, maybe you will acquire a new perspective on things. Sort of like a mini 40 days and nights in the desert.

Anonymous said...

Bring a power brick to keep the phone charged and post lots of photos! I look forward to your dispatches.

LVCI said...

That video can be found on YouTube as well
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIMmrOVIPDk

Bernie O'Hare said...

Am watching it and can't wait!

Anonymous said...

Good luck on your adventure. I am planning on doing the 150 mile GAP ride of the C&O trail this fall. On Memorial Day I am biking the Abandoned PA Turnpike. A nostalgic ride for me sinc I rode through these tunnels as a child on family trips.

Anonymous said...

While you are gone who will write your McClure puff pieces?

Anonymous said...

If you plan on wearing shorts you may want to look for a set of leg sleeves which cover the calf area from knee to foot. I have seen a variety of these primarily for skiing but however have seen some people wear something similar when they are riding. Much of the trail will be well worn but you will peddle through areas where the grass has grown in and tall especially later in the summer. When you come to these areas you can put the sleeves on while still wearing shorts to protect your lower legs from getting sliced up in the taller stuff. Also for these areas get yourself a hook knife that you can use to pull/cut the longer grass out of your spokes and off your hubs if it gets wrapped around. The hook knife saves a lot of time while being more safe then using a typical knife. One other thing I would consider carrying would be a camper water filter bottle or straw. They are light weight and easily packable. Water is available however if you need to refresh somewhere unexpectedly you will have a reasonable solution.