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Monday, August 02, 2021

Virtual Appalachian Trail Conquered, 330-Mile Bike Trip Next

This is my last monthly progress report on my virtual Appalachian Trail challenge. I finished it on Saturday. My monthly reports have kept me honest and have helped me get ready for the real thing. - a 330-mile bike trip between Pittsburgh and D.C., starting August 8. 

Here's how the virtual Appalachian Trail challenge works. Any distance based exercise counts along this 2,200-mile journey. This includes walking, running, cycling, canoeing, elliptical or arc trainer, rowing, etc. Two friends are also doing this. One started before me, and the other started after I already had a month or so done. It would be incredibly unfair of me to claim I "beat" them. So I will. After all, I am a blogger. That's the way I roll. 

By keeping track of my mileage, I learned some things about myself. I do very well in the warmer weather.  Conversely, cold weather (anything below 50 degrees) kills me, no matter how I dress. I've always been able to walk or run outdoors in cold weather, but I tend to be stiffer and my body refuses to warm up. 

Almost all of my exercise is solo. I've run with others in previous years at times, but even I dislike being seen with me. I really do like the solitude. The one exception is my grandson. He likes the 13-mile Ironton Trail, and has joined me on several rides. We always end up racing, and he clobbers me every time. Here's my data, starting January 17.

January - 132.72 miles

February - 220.45 miles

March - 247.03 miles

April - 304.64 miles. 

May - 271.63 miles

June - 429.76 miles 

July - 602.43 miles

I have logged 1606.23 2208.66 miles, which means I've completed the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail, at least virtually.  My July average was 19.4 miles per day. Only about 30% comes from walking or running. Most mileage has been on a bike.  

The 330-mile trip between Pittsburgh and DC starts on the Great Allegheny Passage from Pittsburgh to Cumberland Md,. From there I hop on the C&O trail from Cumberland to DC. There's an online trip  planner listing distances, elevations, towns, hotels, campsites and most importantly for me, rest rooms. I need to know where they are. If you ever wipe your ass with stinging nettle, as I once did, you'll understand. 

I'd like to complete the trip in five days. If it rains, it will take longer. I heard of one fellow who did it in 24 hours. He rode in the dark. I think that's pretty much impossible for mere mortals like myself, unless I wipe my ass with stinging nettle. . 

I have two hybrids outfitted with racks. One of them has fenders (great in the rain) and kevlar tires. But I'll be riding a Cannondale Trail 5 with 29" wheels. I might add mud guards, but fully intend to travel light. I will wear a ruck sack with some clothing and an emergency tent and pancho. I will also don a web belt with water bottles, bug spray and first aid stuff. A tube and tools and third water bottle are attached to the bike. I am making no reservations anywhere, except for the return train. I will ride until tired and find a place to stay. If that was good enough for Joseph and Mary, it's good enough for me. 

I will update daily on my progress. If you do not hear from me, they finally got me. 

8 comments:

  1. We're is the picture of your superman like stature?

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  2. Seems like you have almost 600 miles left (2200-1606=594). No?

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  3. Lol, your math is correct. I mistakenly listed my mileage as off the end of June instead of the end of July. I have 2,208.66 miles in, I had 1606 miles as of 6/30, and did 602.43 in July, so I made it. Fortunately, this was not a math challenge.

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  4. Bernie,

    Wish you all the best on this exciting journey but please when you get back give us an update on that senior housing crisis you recently highlighted.

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  5. You see the new silicon gel seats that look like about 100 tiny little egg carton divits? They fit over almost any standard seat with a bottom draw string to keep them perfectly in place. They're a miracle! Really! They subtract about 50% of a** pain from any long ride. About 25 bucks on Amazon.

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  6. Congrats and good luck on the next quest.

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  7. Bernie,

    Biking in the dark on rough terrain, that's reckless. Glad you're not even considering that.

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  8. Good Work Bernie! Glad to see you're still moving and shakin!

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