Yesterday I rode part of rattling Creek IMBA epic by navigating from several digital mapping sources. Not satisfying. The track I loaded to my edge worked which is a race course. The MTBProject used another route and descriptions that I didn’t figure how to load. I am following a track and trying to make sense of the route description from Project. The main trails were brushed back and the tread showed visible traffic. The trail bordered on a timber cut on private property that the cut boundary seemed to use the trail which was cool as the trail was still rideable even as it traveled across several skidder roads. Over cast and high humidity. A short lived shower made sure that my clothes were really wet. All by myself. Parking lot empty. Crossed this stream
How clear is that water?
Typical scenery
I encountered this guy then helped him to one side of the road, may that side be where it wanted to go
Back @ deserted TH I took a comfortably cool solar shower then headed west. My plan was to drive into a state forest east of State College for the night then SC today. I drove to Millersburg. I noticed on the map the word “Ferry” which crossed the Sesquehanna. This crossing would better suit my route. I drove to the landing, which loosely is a landing, something like you would beach a kayak on. Out in the river i saw a flat bottomed scow propelled by a paddle wheel and a white SUV was onboard. That was the ferry. The boat approached the shower against the river current. The captain and crew pivoted around stern into landing.
There has been a continually running ferry from this location since 1804. The river is shallow, the route was buoyed by their markers denoting high, medium, low water levels. Most of the ride we were just upstream from white water ripples. What fun.
While driving a heavy high speed wiper downpour deluge dumped. I found a parking lot to hang in waiting out nature’s bladder. Other rigs continued driving. I had no time constraint which allowed me safety as a choice.
Once across the river I picked a road into a forest. Went up Cherry Run looking for a camp spot. Every turnout was a drive way into private property. The first likely spot I negotiated a level parking spot right on the creek bank. Solitary night with full water feature soothing sound to sleep by.
Today I continued into State College on rt 45. Many farms along the road, quite a few are Amish as noted by the road safety signs showing a horse and buggy.
On into town. I drove to Freeze Thaw Bicycles in downtown. I scored a parking space right across the street. I was greeted by Justin and Chuck, owners, who remembered me from my visit 4 years ago. Their shop made top 100 shops by Bike mag and a final group of top 10 shops in the country right up there w/ Bike and Bean, and the Hub in Brevard.
Tonight I am meeting Herm and other riders @ Justin’s house.
Decided to let nature continue to wet the rocks for tomorrow’s ride.
I threw away the second pair of Giro terraduros as even the shoe goo could not keep the pieces together. Giro warrantied the shoes w/ a third pair sent to my sister’s in Mansfield, Ohio. The sole is like a layer of frosting glued to the shoe body which tears for a second issue. I will wear these until they fail. The design is wrong. Tragic that shoe companies are offering shoes that are hiking compatible but fail after less than a mile cumulative walking.