Tuesday fog lay on the lake surface.
At first light the lake was obscured.
Drive today was into PA and Raccoon State Park. I found the TH. Chilly. I waited for more sun, finally I put on a long underwear top for warmth. I swung over the top tube and pedaled across the highway to the start of a trail. I read the part that said the name of the trail. Upon return I read the entire sign. I pedaled uphill on a slightly used trail which made a road crossing up the way. Another sign, this time I read the entire thing: Hikers only, all other users not permitted. WTF? TrailForks showed this as a ride. I jumped on the road which headed downhill for a monster coast. I dreaded pedaling back up the grade. I followed signs to the park office. I walked in and asked what’s up. I learned that just a few miles are open to bikes and are shared by horses. Enough. Cursed is the follower. I gave up on the ride. I pedaled the mostly flat road back to the van. I loaded the bike back on and changed my clothes. My bike clothes weren’t sweated wet to be used the next ride.
I chose a route south of Pittsburgh to avoid the traffic and to find country rides. Next was Forbes SF above Uniontown, PA. I drove into said town and searched for a grocery store. As I was leaving the store w/ my goodies a store manager approached me and asked about my van. we chatted in the store as he shared some ride tales. I sat in the parking lot researching a ride and a place to stay. Camping permit is required to camp on state forest land. I called an office number at 4:30. It never stopped ringing. I went on line and filled out a permit for a camp spot near Quebec run for my next ride. Big road climb out of town then more climbing up on Skyline ridge. The road stayed on the ridge up and down. I followed directions to a permitted first come first camped spot. I fixed dinner and cleaned up. Mariners season is complete which eliminates a distraction. Closed door but no heater.
Sunrise is like 7:31 but I am under tree cover and below the east skyline. Makes for staying in bed longer. French toast for breakfast. I need to get coffee tomorrow.
I drove some more ridge line to the empty Tebolt TH. I’m at about 2,700′, the highest since Spearfish, SD like 3 weeks ago. Just saying. I found the ride on MTBP Clockwise Quebec which is to be a good introduction to this area’s riding. Ride data is 11.3 miles and 1667′ climbing. I could chose to link cross trails to add more miles. Option. Appalachian Mountain riding: narrow trail corridor hemmed in by rhodies and laurel with occasional rock gardens to get over.
Fallen leaves covered past bike tracks, I sought the corridor. I was stymied by several nasty rock gardens as were several scramble hills. So pretty under the canopy.
That’s pretty much what I saw. Many streams. Would have liked to backpack thru here.
On a short straight section I noticed an animal running away from me. It was a bobcat. Phil it was smaller that what I remember crossing the road in front of us.
I record my ride data using a garmin edge 25, a wheel computer, and backcountry navigator on my smart phone. The garmin recorded 7.86, the wheel was 11.9, and BCN was 11.4. Deep tree cover affects the garmin even though it appears that the entire ride was recorded meaning no straight lines for dropped signal. Chunky riding. Didn’t see another person.
Several big commercial windmills were located on the ridge, one withing earshot of the TH. The vanes make a sound as the wind pushes them around. Amazing speed for a light breeze.
I now have abdominal pain to go along with the loose stool, so bad today that I sought med help back down in Utown. Urgent care DR said Xrays indicated partial bowel obstruction and needed to be cleaned out. Laxative. I’ll give it a go.
I needed propane while in town. I googled propane and selected the yp lead. I called the listed stations. Several were non working numbers, several said they did not. I tried Uhaul which sometimes pumps propane. The woman said no. I asked for suggestion, she said Tractor Supply. Nuts, they are in the same parking lot I’m in while outside Anytime after a shower. Score.
Plan now was to drive to Ohiopyle on the Youghiogheny river for tomorrow’s ride. Twisty up and down narrow roads into Ohiopyle state park. I drove to the XG and picked a site. You register at the closed office picking an open site without seeing it. No camp map. I picked 9. I found the spot by wandering. Not level. I moved to number 8 and used leveling blocks to correct the slope. Water fountain nearby. Turned off and my tank is running dry.
My van is really struggling on the climbs. 5th gear lacks punch. I push the pedal down far enough and the trans drops to 4 and strains. The trans jump between 1st and second is getting harsher and the rattle persists. I should be showing the van some medical attention at some settle down place.
Forecast for tomorrow calls for showers. I will drive up then down to Ohiopyle to a favorably reviewed laundromat. If rain is not a factor I will ride here.
I need to be in Bentonville, AR on 11/10. Time is moving along a day at a time. I am abandoning my State College visit which is further east and north. My next big stop will be Harrisonburg, VA.
My Raceface dropper arrived at Gonzo’s shop I learned when I called. Tad will ship it when he makes a UPS drop off spot. I called Shenandoah Bike in Harrisonburg to ask permission to send stuff to. Greased. My HR chest transmitter failed. I ordered a new one to be shipped to SBC.
I like to drive the back state highways. Here in PA the roads are prolly min width w/ no shoulders. The houses are built right to the road. Houses were not located to distance themselves from the unexpected traffic.