I have loved this summer. Many great cookouts with friends and wonderful rides through Frederick County. A couple weekends ago I even had chance to visit my folks in Canaan Valley. Got in a ride up there also. Its always so beautiful in West Virginia. Back Hollow Road (I could have name wrong) was fun to climb. Also Cortland to 32 is another particularly challenging but gorgeous section of ride. Just before struggling to top of Cortland Rd where it meets Rt32 there is a awe inspiring view which stretches to Timberline, Canaan Valley State Park and possibly Dolly Sods. The view is reward for attempting the climb.
Bicycle is tuned up and ready. Switched to clipless pedals and replaced broken seat post, new brake pads, chain, cassette, and ouch I wish I had a 2nd job to help with the bill. Anyway well spent as its been used heavily over last 6 months. Countdown to Civil War Century has begun. It will be fun to ride with so many other people and also challenging.
Today was a clear and hot Maryland day. I didnt notice any crazy swamplike humidity but cruising around helps avoid stickiness. Busted outta the house after giving Chance his peanutbutter treats.
Darn it was 11:35 and already bright sunny and Hot. I flew over across Baker park to Rosemont. Just missed light at Rt15. Broke away from clutches of hungry traffic and tucked into the nice neighborhood of Dave and Erin by Biggs. Slashed the side streets over to Detrick and back into the ravenous traffic. Now I was ready and kept pace up to small rolling hills. I kept my clip and jammed. Now in distance lurked Hamburg Rd and the towers. Im on the way. Sliced thru Christopher Crossing and up and down and UP. Chugged it and climbed into the lush green confines of the Watershed. Hamburg Road climbs from roughly 500 or 600 Ft evelation to 1750Ft elevation in 2.5 miles. All of the way up the mtn road huge trees provide great shade over head. In true mountain road fashion there are tight passes and switchbacks.
Finally to Gambrill Rd at Catoctin Mtn peak (runs along mountain ridge - runs North/South with Mtn range). Only for a second as I drop down the West side of Catoctin on Screamer of country road called Highland School. Clocked it up to 51mph in a section without even trying. Now thats well worth the price of addmission. Clear country road ahead, can see ahead to scout cars, huge descent and nobody but me. Even had chance to stop and snap qwik shot out west in Middletown valley.
After hitting valley base I snaked with Middle river along 17South to Harp Hill. Another lovely farm road is Harp Hill. Snuggled between farm pastures on every side you wind over and down and then buckle into the pedals to climb Harp Hill. Great view over shoulder quick as I catch breath at peak. Now down into Wolfsville.
A quick hello and disappointed answer of no to 2 other cyclists I pass, as the look for store selling water. I get water another at least 6 miles up the road. Knowling Lallos Pizza behind me doesnt open til 4pm (it was 1pm when I saw the other guys) I said no stores around sorry. Then back to pedal strokes.
I keep nice rhythm in my head to my pedal stroke and it ends up relaxing my mind. As I end up feeling more and more exhaustion from heat and miles every bit of relaxation in my head helps. I now reach Cavetown / Smithsburg. Sweet theres a Dollar General. I slam a Pepsi and bag o chips. Tasty salt and sugar.
Now 25 miles into the fight. I turn around and almost exactly retrace path. Up and down and around and Im back climbing. I cross the Appalachain trail and see a couple hikers on roadside and share a quick hi. Still more climb. Now at top and into Frederick County.
Seems down hill all way to Harmony Rd. I love it going downhill. Then its like a hot smack in face as I wobble up Harmony Rd. Still nestled by farm pastures on both sides of my path I crest Harmony and speed to Coxey Brown, mile 38. Now a bit overheated I am a unworthy opponent for the hell of 20% gradients but I must. So I gulp agua and stand because the pain of steepness is immediate on this 2 mile long road. Funny part of the road is false flat of 5-6% gradient which is very relaxing. I smile at guys roosting on a dirt bike and quadrunner in their yard. Such a beautiful late summer day. This country road is so treacherously steep that it laughs at me as I sit and labor with each stroke of pedal. Sweat just keeps falling, sometimes it stings my eyes other times it just annoys as tries to break my concentration.
At last Im back at Gambrill Road and its lovely shade. Its quick dip down and then jump back onto Hamburd Rd towards Frederick. Always pass huge group mtn bikers at the Watershed prk lot (aka - trail head for Mtn Bikers). Quick waves as I get really moving downhill now. Into 40s mile wise and - oh damn - age wise too. As I reach the church at Yellow Springs Rd I can just catch glimpse of Down
town Frederick in distance ahead.
I slip and slide to keep alive and before I know it Im back home 50 miles, 4 plus hrs later. I unclip and stretch and sip my gin and juice. Nice to be home.
Bicycle is tuned up and ready. Switched to clipless pedals and replaced broken seat post, new brake pads, chain, cassette, and ouch I wish I had a 2nd job to help with the bill. Anyway well spent as its been used heavily over last 6 months. Countdown to Civil War Century has begun. It will be fun to ride with so many other people and also challenging.
Today was a clear and hot Maryland day. I didnt notice any crazy swamplike humidity but cruising around helps avoid stickiness. Busted outta the house after giving Chance his peanutbutter treats.
Darn it was 11:35 and already bright sunny and Hot. I flew over across Baker park to Rosemont. Just missed light at Rt15. Broke away from clutches of hungry traffic and tucked into the nice neighborhood of Dave and Erin by Biggs. Slashed the side streets over to Detrick and back into the ravenous traffic. Now I was ready and kept pace up to small rolling hills. I kept my clip and jammed. Now in distance lurked Hamburg Rd and the towers. Im on the way. Sliced thru Christopher Crossing and up and down and UP. Chugged it and climbed into the lush green confines of the Watershed. Hamburg Road climbs from roughly 500 or 600 Ft evelation to 1750Ft elevation in 2.5 miles. All of the way up the mtn road huge trees provide great shade over head. In true mountain road fashion there are tight passes and switchbacks.
Finally to Gambrill Rd at Catoctin Mtn peak (runs along mountain ridge - runs North/South with Mtn range). Only for a second as I drop down the West side of Catoctin on Screamer of country road called Highland School. Clocked it up to 51mph in a section without even trying. Now thats well worth the price of addmission. Clear country road ahead, can see ahead to scout cars, huge descent and nobody but me. Even had chance to stop and snap qwik shot out west in Middletown valley.
After hitting valley base I snaked with Middle river along 17South to Harp Hill. Another lovely farm road is Harp Hill. Snuggled between farm pastures on every side you wind over and down and then buckle into the pedals to climb Harp Hill. Great view over shoulder quick as I catch breath at peak. Now down into Wolfsville.
A quick hello and disappointed answer of no to 2 other cyclists I pass, as the look for store selling water. I get water another at least 6 miles up the road. Knowling Lallos Pizza behind me doesnt open til 4pm (it was 1pm when I saw the other guys) I said no stores around sorry. Then back to pedal strokes.
I keep nice rhythm in my head to my pedal stroke and it ends up relaxing my mind. As I end up feeling more and more exhaustion from heat and miles every bit of relaxation in my head helps. I now reach Cavetown / Smithsburg. Sweet theres a Dollar General. I slam a Pepsi and bag o chips. Tasty salt and sugar.
Now 25 miles into the fight. I turn around and almost exactly retrace path. Up and down and around and Im back climbing. I cross the Appalachain trail and see a couple hikers on roadside and share a quick hi. Still more climb. Now at top and into Frederick County.
Seems down hill all way to Harmony Rd. I love it going downhill. Then its like a hot smack in face as I wobble up Harmony Rd. Still nestled by farm pastures on both sides of my path I crest Harmony and speed to Coxey Brown, mile 38. Now a bit overheated I am a unworthy opponent for the hell of 20% gradients but I must. So I gulp agua and stand because the pain of steepness is immediate on this 2 mile long road. Funny part of the road is false flat of 5-6% gradient which is very relaxing. I smile at guys roosting on a dirt bike and quadrunner in their yard. Such a beautiful late summer day. This country road is so treacherously steep that it laughs at me as I sit and labor with each stroke of pedal. Sweat just keeps falling, sometimes it stings my eyes other times it just annoys as tries to break my concentration.
At last Im back at Gambrill Road and its lovely shade. Its quick dip down and then jump back onto Hamburd Rd towards Frederick. Always pass huge group mtn bikers at the Watershed prk lot (aka - trail head for Mtn Bikers). Quick waves as I get really moving downhill now. Into 40s mile wise and - oh damn - age wise too. As I reach the church at Yellow Springs Rd I can just catch glimpse of Down
town Frederick in distance ahead.I slip and slide to keep alive and before I know it Im back home 50 miles, 4 plus hrs later. I unclip and stretch and sip my gin and juice. Nice to be home.
Great post. So descriptive. I could really see those country roads.
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