There is no better way to spend a day than on your bike exploring 210 luscious miles of rolling Central PA backgrounds. Yes, I said luscious and bike in the same sentence. Totally normal. really.
We departed at 5:30am for an epic adventure. The route taking us out of the ridge and valley north to the Appalachian Plateau in Wellsboro, PA - home of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, the well-traveled pine creek gorge rail trail and the west rim trail.
We left downtown 18 deep dwindling down to 15 for the whole roll. Three women, 7 first time double century peeps. The sun rose, soon to be shining bright with breaths of cool crisp morning air. Birds were singing, cows, doing their thing too; we were riding bikes. 'nuf said.
I was nervous going into the ride. I wasn't convinced that I could finish. And my riding partner in crime, constant voice of encouragement convincing me this was doable, and super awesome rocknroll friend had come down with a head cold the day before and was in questionable shape for the effort. But alas, it all worked out.
The first 100 miles to Wellsboro were relaxed. We rolled along via Jacksonville Pike to Mill Hall, Lock Haven and knicked the outskirts of the Jersey Shore and then North. We spent a short portion on a beautiful rail trail that followed Pine Creek? along route 44 running into bambi and her spawn fawn (couldn't resist the corny rhyme) frolicking in the stream. The snow white theme song was playing... somewhere. out there...
no really. i heard it.
Mile 60 or so marked the first long climb. The pack split. I, as usual, went out too hard and was soon at the back on my own. I continued to spin slowly until i felt the hand of the lord almighty on my back rocketing me forward. DANG. I thanked the heavens...
Ok, so really there was no heaven thanking - it was Straub catching us after his previous stop but he came outta no where. It's good to have friends with awesome boyfriends on large rides. I was launched back to rach and aaron. Rach also got a boost. sweet!
Climb number two was short and steep but rewarding as the most magnificent rural countryside view was revealed at the top.
Still feeling alright but a bit tired, we made our way into Wellsboro. Just a few miles out, a large chesapeake bay retriever charged the pack, launching an full assault on Jim G's wheel and snapping the valve off. I don't know how no one got hurt - but all of our hearts stopped momentarily. Frightening. Luckily both Jim and the dog were ok. He managed to stay upright and the paceline managed to dodge the bullet.
Lucky.
Flat fixed, we rolled onto Wellsboro to enjoy rice pudding at the local diner. We ate some food, checked out some stuffed and carved black bears, refilled, relubed and headed on our way.
I was a bit tired at that point. We had clocked a solid 100 miles in a little over 5+ hours and the lunch stop certainly made for tight legs. All good, continue on...
We soon hit the Pine Creek Rail Trail, a wide and beautiful stretch of windy, flat trail traversing the Pine Creek gorge riverside. It was reminiscent to my labrador jumping in a cold stream after a hike; here's how that goes:
She's kinda tired and mellow, then she jumps in, splashes around and tears out at mock 10 low-assing it around the trail like a wild cheetah chasing a stoned wallabee (mad circles!).
Before I knew it there were going fast and I didn't have it in me to keep up although I was rolling at a smooth 19-21 MPH!! A flat held up the group and knowing I was inevitably to be dropped again, I rolled onward with Eric N to see out this 20 mile stretch of beautiful craziness at my own pace. Nice! We kept a smooth mellow 19 and that was just fine by me.
We followed the trail to the small town of Blackwell where we stopped for water and discovered that it was not only Peter's lungs that were partially broken on this day -- his spoke was busted and rubbing on his frame. Not good. but EPIC! and Rock STAR!
Billy worked his magic and in the end, a good old Cowboy, on his cross bike with more clearance traded Peter his wheel for the seriously out of tru wheel and no rear brakes. Oh the sacrifice and camaraderie!! Hats of to Cowboy!
Onward we went. I had hit the wall at this point and knew I needed to stay focused and calm and make the most out of it all. The 130 / 140 mark is a mental challenge. On one hand, you know you have many, many more miles and hours to go and you're getting tired, and sore. On the other hand, you don't want to quit.
We made our way to a crossroads marked by a LEFT: typical century route with lots of rollers OR RIGHT: a 10 mile climb adding 1500 feet of elevation to our day.
We went right. Sweet. I took my place at the back of the pack and kept a steady pace, stopping briefly to cool off with Joe and Rach in a cold spring along the road. AHHH that felt good. The climb went on, and on and on.
and on. After 160 miles, really it's all the same. I could have climbed for another 10 miles to be honest. Just keep pedaling. And I did.
Then came the descent and soon we were back in Lock Haven for our next (and last) stop of the day. Sheetz never looked quite so good.
I was tired. And hungry. And thirsty. And hot. With a slight chill. weird. I downed both water bottles and went inside.
It was in this sheetz that I discovered the most amazing snack combination EVER.
1 Whoopie Pie + 1 Coke = 1 seriously happy Leah.
The world paused momentarily as I bit into that sweet, chocolate creamy pure sweet deliciousness. So bad for you but SO DAMN GOOD. mmmmm. I'll keep the rest of this part to myself. :) LIFE WAS GOOD.
The rest of the ride home is somewhat of a blur.
I knew, I would make it. It was just a matter of how.
I struggled with a bit of guilt knowing I was the weak link in the group and holding folks back some. but was quickly talked out of that nonsense.
A few memorable moments some involving me just on the brink of losing it:
- Jim G smiling - many times! And admitting he too almost painted his nails to match his IF (really, ask him) :)
- WV and i celebrating our anniversary via a 200 mile ride! Yup, it was one year ago on this very ride that we met via 120 miles. awwww - don't be jealous.
- Crossing one of the first of a few awesome old metal bridges -- and being amazed. Matt looking over and smiling in appreciation of new eyes seeing an amazing stretch.
- Steve explaining why NO ONE gets left on a ride like this - this is the greatest thing ever - we are riding our bikes ALL DAY! and we did!
- Popping off the back in the last 30 mile stretch, and a small shove by billy pushing me back on. me laughing hysterically and joe yelling back "what are you laughin at leah?" as I launch back onto the pack. Those guys are kinda like having a nitrous pack attached to your back!
- Aaron aka Cowboy and Allan constantly looking over their shoulder to make sure i was there... and as tired as we ALL were, coming back to get me if I wasn't on a wheel. You guys were AMAZING.
- Todd smiling and being so positive and encouraging (before during and after the ride!! (and sharing his rice pudding... mmmm) all the while kicking some ass on the climbs - YEA KOM of SEIBERT!
- Rachel belting out my name at the base of the climbs and rollers. We knew they would hurt. But we did it!
- Me giving it my all on those last rollers and on one of the longer ones, i almost lost the group. All i heard behind me was multiple voices saying "Come on Leah, just keep on that wheel - you got it... come on get that wheel"... I got the wheel and just held on. Sweet!
- Strauber's last rocket launch back onto the pack on one of the final rollers on Jacksonville (thank goodness for my good friend WV's BF takin care of her peeps!).
- oh and that whoopie pie. did i mention the whoopie pie?? oh it was good. Definitely. Definitely, yea. Whoopie pie.
And ofcourse realizing - we made it. The most memorable moment of all. 210 miles, DONE. And photo to prove it at the top of Rock Road.
I now know what (the cycling) community is
really all about...
...camaraderie and true shared love for bicycles. To those who truly love riding their bike, riding 200 miles is actually not all that crazy. It's just a grand, epic adventure on two wheels and a test of mental and physical strength and endurance.
It's people of varying endurance and strength, working together to make sure
everyone gets home, AND has fun doing it. As tired as you are, you look out for the person behind you. You dig deep, and deeper as each hour progresses; when you are so exhausted you can barely see straight, you dig some more and look around appreciateing the beautiful terrain and good company. Your legs start to cramp and you dig further and up the next roller. And then, finally, you hit the last hill. You smile.
Before you know it you're home. And you've bonded with a group of people via an experience this is unlike any other. I wasn't sure I could do it but I did. Thanks to a group of truly amazing people!
It was awesome. Truly, awesome. And I can't wait to do it again, returning stronger on the way home.
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