Goodbye Pennsylvania

The advantage to yesterday’s extended ride was that today would be a short ride. I mean, I guess it didn’t have to be and I could’ve just gone further but I already made arrangements with a host so I decided to stick with that plan.

Due to the shorter distance of today’s ride, I didn’t get going until about 10:20. Sometimes I think shorter rides are tougher than the longer days because my brain (and body) kind of take the day off.

Much like yesterday, today’s ride included a big climb and a big descent. Unlike yesterday, I didn’t benefit from any sage advice and instead followed Google’s route. A route that took me on Parker Hill Rd. I’m pretty sure nothing good ever came from a street with the word “Hill” in its name. In all honesty, the hill wasn’t the issue – I kind of like hills. It was the gravel road that went up (and then down) said hill.

Completing yesterday’s big climb was rewarded with a screamingly fast descent of fun. Completing today’s big climb was punished with an occasionally terrifying, brake-shredding, descent of terror. Seriously, I think Google owes me a new set of brake pads. Front and back! Grrrrr. Gravel roads aren’t fun at the best of times. Trying to manoeuvre down them at 45 km/h on a loaded bike with thin tires and no suspension is a good way to shorten life expectancy.

Anyway, having not shortened my life expectancy while surviving the descent of terror I returned to paved roads which, of course, were infinitely more pleasant. I guess that’s why Google then decided to put me on “The Wag Trail”. A trail comprised primarily of grass. GRASS!! Like Wimbledon (just to be clear, you don’t see many bikes at Wimbledon). Seriously, Google needs to buy a bike. For the life of me, I can’t understand why Google Maps would take me off an actual paved cycle route and put me on a trail that clearly was not meant for bicycles. Sure, it’s my own fault for following the route presented to me but it’s still pretty annoying. As you may have guessed, when the first opportunity came to escape The Wag Trail, I took it.

The most significant (and sad) aspect of the day was that it was my final day in Pennsylvania (for now). For a brief moment I actually don’t really know where I was. I looked one way and saw the “Welcome to New York” sign and when I looked the other way I saw the “Pennsylvania Welcomes You” sign. And there I was. In between them. No man’s land. Wherever I was, Goodbye Pennsylvania. I look forward to my return.

With the gravel roads, grass trails, and even Pennsylvania behind me, my day ended very well with another great Warm Showers stay. Admittedly, most of the night was spent doing some freelance work and wrapping all my gear in plastic bags. Apparently it’s supposed to rain tomorrow. All day. At least it’s going to be cold. Sigh. Why am I heading north again?

Today’s totals:
Distance travelled: 68.02 km
Ride time: 3:35:15
Average speed: 18.96 km/h
Maximum speed: 48.87 km/h