Do You Wear Your Helmet Indoors?

A quick trip into the fabric store, grocery store, or getting munchies for a furry pet. If I patronize an establishment for five minutes or less, no sense removing the helmet. As for bike gloves, well, let's just say they're like a second skin.

What are your rules for bike attire?

Kudos to Pittsburgh's Bicycle Community

A screen capture of Bike Pittsburgh's website.

Every once in a while I stumble onto what I like to call Online Heaven: a site that's masterful in its wealth of information, easily navigable, and overwhelming in response. I found everything I needed (and then some) to help navigate downtown Pittsburgh by bike, including bus information, hotel suggestions, and directions for a city tour—all directly from the cycling community. I  value this feedback more than from any chamber of commerce.

Bike Pittsburgh has the best bicycle map! You can access it online, complete with interactive routes, print it, or even order a waterproof version.

I have nothing but praise for their Message Board. I posted, hoping to locate information regarding navigating a big city that I was clueless about. Within 1 hour there were 10 responses, including a personal invitation to lead our group through rough spots. It didn't stop there. The messages poured in. In two days, I made a hotel reservation.

It's clear Pittsburgh cyclers are passionate. And thanks to them, I've come away from this experience, confident that we'll start our tour smartly plus spend time exploring this city on three rivers.

Have you ever stumbled across a bicycle community that's blown your bike shoes off?

Bus, Ride, Hike, Camp, Ride - Elmore State Park

My favorite: Oreo-colored bovines.

1:30 p.m. bus ride to central Vermont. Head off on back roads. Not in shape for steep, winding, tough country lanes. Blissful scenery. Buttercups galore, yellowing fields. Admiring cows.

Earlier rain equals good dirt road riding. Dustless and smooth. Mountain views, west and east.

Obligatory covered bridge photo in Stowe. "No trucks or buses allowed. Per order of selectmen."

I'm slow. Transfer to busy route 100. Loud. Ample road shoulders. Traffic turns a headwind into a neat tailwind. Make tracks and arrive at Elmore State Park at 6 p.m.

No vacancy. But it's serendipity. All Vermont Parks do not turn away cyclists and pedestrians. "I'm sorry you'll be far from facilities." I set up in day use area. Under apple tree. Secluded. Big lawn. Ranger housing is only a hedge away. Perfect for me.

Scramble to set up tent. Pack food, water, jacket in backpack. Think ahead. Toss in towel and toiletries, preparing to take shower on way back. No time to lose. I head for Lookout Trail. Purpose of this trip: climb Mount Elmore.

It turns cloudy. I hike fast. Encounter no one else. Push worrisome thoughts away. Watch footing. Thunder rumbles.

Storm never materializes. Enjoy tower climb. 60 steps. My family raved about this hike. I had to do it too.

It's windy. Gorgeous view of Lake Elmore. It's 7:30. After two minutes I descend stairs. Need to move.

Scramble. Take care on way down. Follow blue markers. Stop at overlook. Don't recall this spot, but am blown away by rainbow above water.

Favorite bridge created from one half of crooked trunk. Lovely.

Consult map. Going opposite direction. Longer. Forms a triangle to end where I started. Go for it. Have flashlight, though plan to get down before dark. All alone on trails. Ridge hop on soft, rich earth. Less traveled. Comfortable. Waist high ferns. Eventually cross wetlands. Frogs chirp. Interesting bridges. No two alike. Sneaker sinks into bog. Wet. But I keep moving. Smiling.

Complete loop by 8:30. Take shower. Back at tent site by 9:00. It's a chilly evening. Achy legs. Restless. Wide awake until 1 am. I sleep little. 

Pedestrian/cyclist only bridge in Montpelier.

Next morning I realize I've forgotten to bring matches to light stove. No hot tea. Too early to borrow from another camper. Gobble banana, yogurt. Drink lots of water. On the road by 7:30. Follow lake. Sore legs. Opt to take shorter route back. Still need to manage 50 plus miles. Route 12 is forested. Moose crossing signs. Ponds. My presence elicits bullfrog croaks. I laugh. Wild daisies, paintbrush, purple blooms (I wish to know your name). Long, sweeping, big chain ring downhills.

Arrive in capital, Montpelier, at 10 a.m. Cell phone heaven. Farmer's market. Though without bus service on weekends. I confer with husband. Will rendezvous later to save ugly last miles into Burlington. He's my hero.

Follow Cross Vermont Trail for alternative to Route 2. Dirt roads, back roads. Not well marked. I go 3 miles wrong direction. Disheartened. Get back on track after consuming chocolate milk and overstuffed seafood sandwich. Revived.

Beautiful gorge.

Single track crossing of bridge reveals dirt road. Back on track.

Only single track stretch of any significance: half mile to bypass downtown Waterbury.

Once in Waterbury, I ride familiar ground. Husband's commute. River Road, Duxbury Road, Cochran Road. Deer leaps from river bank, crossing in front of me. Winooski River serenade. Numerous cyclers. Both directions. I cruise over bridge. Swing into park. Meet husband and kids. Happy to be done. Just in time for Father's Day.

Gone Overnight

Packed and ready to roll.

Revitalize a Map Case

Large map case has simple hook and loop fasteners that attach to handlebar.

I own two map cases and they are identical. They were given to me because I participated in organized rides. I like some of the case's features, however, I felt they could be improved to better suit my needs. I had time recently to catch up on projects, so read on for my alterations.

A unique feature: opened map case turns into a shopping bag. Map or cue sheet
stays in place. Incidentally, Auberge Harris is a nice accommodation
if you're touring around Lake Champlain. I've stayed there twice. 

The case's original intent was that it unfolds, doubling as a shopping bag. There are two pockets. One holds a map. The other conceals pop out handles. The material is constructed of woven plastic fiber. It's strong and no doubt can hold a bagful of goods.

As you can see, it's also an advertisement for a hotel. That part doesn't bother me. It's a place that caters to bicyclists, supporter of Velo Quebec, our north of the border regional cycling authority whose advocacy work resulted in a network of separate cycle paths throughout the province. When a map tucks inside the clear plastic, the logo all but disappears, rendering an obnoxiously blaring graphic nearly nonexistent.

Black tape along bottom is virtually like the fabric tape along stitched side seams.

I first altered the case size. I no longer want or need the bag feature. I cut off the bottom half to desired size, then snipped the looped handles.

I folded the cut end and laid a piece of black tape along its entire length. I burnished the tape with rounded scissor handles. The tape is a cross between duct tape and electrical tape. It's strong, infused with fibers. My son claims it's hockey tape. Whatever its name, it works and the color blends well.

I moved married side of Velcro-like closure to just below my thumb.

Since one side of the Velcro-like fastener was now on the lower end of bag that I'd removed, I used a seam ripper to undo the large stitches holding it in place. I returned it to the correct position, secured with super glue, and tape on both sides, running its entire length. It might be better to machine sew the fastener, however it's nearly impossible in the current configuration with pre-stitched sides. I also don't want to risk mistreating my machine. (I will look into its capabilities, though. I can foresee other projects, using worn tire tubes that would require machine sewing.)

Dual pouches could come in handy for bus schedule, money, etc.
Tote handles are no longer in the way.

Refashioned case with map folded to show my next bike overnight route.

Now, I have a re-purposed map case. It's lighter than the original. It's larger than most cases on the market, allowing easier map folding (without entirely creasing the paper) so I presume maps could have longer life. It has two pockets. That feature alone makes it unique. I was so pleased with the result that I went ahead and reformed the second case.

Italy - Coastal Riding

Follow New Posts in the Around The World series on Mondays.
Click here for the Introduction.

Promontory in the distance is part of Parco Nazionale del Circeo. Photo credit: Wikipedia

47 miles - Monday, October 17

Riding the Mediterranean coast is delightful. Sunny, tailwind – and for Andy – shirtless weather. Immediately we enter our first Italian national park: Parco Nazionale del Circeo. We ride through coastal wetlands, past dunes. It's pretty and quiet, however a profusion of insects and roadside litter are less than inviting. We exit the park at Torre Olevola, happy to keep sailing along until lunchtime.

Dunes in Parco Nazionale del Circeo. Photo credit: Wikipedia

In Terracina we take a break and resupply camera film and Gaz cannister for our stove. Onward, we hug the coastline for more easy miles. The cold, clean roads of the north are a distant memory, replaced by warmth, spectacular coastline, juxtaposed against detritus on the road shoulder. It's almost two distinctly different countries.

We are steered onward to Sperlonga by proprietors of previously closed campgrounds. Andy and I climb steeply into the village, quaintly situated on a bluff, It's stucco buildings and walkways, begging to be explored. But first we coast another kilometer to the campground at ocean level.

A man stops to chat at the entrance, confirming the campground is thankfully “aperto” or open. When he hears we are from the United States, he removes his gold band from his finger and points out the inscription “Alaska gold”. And something about “1880”. Unable to converse beyond a few phrases in Italian, it leaves us wondering. Maybe it's an heirloom?

Ancient Roman resort town of Sperlonga.  Photo credit: Wikipedia

By 3 p.m. we had set up the tent, locked bikes, and headed for the beach. Northward is Sperlonga, accessible by beach. It's a nice stroll back to the village for groceries before sunset at 5:30. After 3 months on the road we've gone from 56° latitude and 10 p.m. sunsets to 42° latitude and early darkness. Obviously, it changes what we do after dark. Tonight we talk with a German couple in an adjacent site. They arrived for one night and are currently on a 10 day stay. They are smitten with Sperlonga's romantic, narrow alleys. Andy and I look forward to returning tomorrow.

Family gathers for wine production in Sperlonga.
They wave Andy and  I inside  for a look.

After our usual wine with pasta meal, friendly voices and machinery emanate from a small building snuggled between campground and beach. Andy and I investigate. A family group of 4-5 people are running their grape harvest through a contraption to separate grapes from vine and stem. It's a small scale production for personal consumption only, they explain. They allow us a photo.

Bike Camping Dreams...

Nice Shimano hubbed rear wheel has many miles left. It's wonderful when
 a LBS can source decent  used components, if you don't want to fork
 over a huge amount of money for repair.

I picked up the Trek today. The good people at Old Spokes Home located a used Mavic rim with Shimano hub rear wheel. It's a comparable replacement to the existing worn wheel and saved me cash. They also drilled out both valve stem holes to accept Schraeder tubes. It's nice to have this bike operable and dependable again, just in time for an upcoming bike overnight.

If weather cooperates during a slim window of opportunity next week, I'm returning to central Vermont. I'd like to ride to a state park, camp overnight, then hike a trail to the top of a mountain, before looping back to Montpelier for a bus ride home. However, the weather forecast is not looking good. We'll see. At the very least, it's a route I can revisit and explore another time.

Front rim drilled to accept Schraeder tubes.

Rear rim drilled to accept Schraeder tubes.