Hancock's Bridge 100km randonneur ride 12.05.2021

I wanted to ride a RUSA Permanent metric century each month for 12 consecutive months (a P-12) without repeating any routes. But I ran out of desirable choices after 11, so I decided to repeat this one, created this year by Rick, who agreed to ride along with me (again, as he did in June). His idea to ride the loop clockwise this time appealed to me, as it kinda made it a new route.

The weather forecast was pretty good for a December day, temps 39-53F with winds not exceeding 8mph (but they still fought me across the open fields late in the ride). The route around Cumberland and Salem Counties goes from the edge of Millville thru Fairton, the county-seat city of Bridgeton, historic Greenwich, Canton, Harmersville, historic Hancock's Bridge, Quinton, Rosenhayn and little Carmel, with lots of low-traffic country roads thru farm country and wooded areas.
We took one short diversion onto New Bridge Road to check out the closed old bridge over swift-moving Alloway Creek (incoming tide), which was a good place for my nature break. And the following stop at Bud's Market in Quinton was a welcome place, as always, to sit on a bench out front in the sunshine and munch a treat. There I learned that Rick once tore down the top of the engine to replace a head gasket in a second-hand 1980s Dodge Daytona he owned. Major props for that.

We rode and talked (never a problem when riding with Rick), and for once I even beat him to the punchline of one of his pop-up jokes. It was a "wrenching" experience. 

I was dragging a bit with an achy knee on the last long stretches (of 7, 5, 7 and 4 miles).
At the end, I was congratulated for completing my P-12. Thanks for the support and company, Rando Rixter.

Course map, elevation profile and pics here:

https://ridewithgps.com/trips/79572965

Bow Tie Metric 100km randonneur ride 11.17.2021

 For my monthly metric century, I rode the Bow Tie Metric out of New Egypt NJ, about an hour's drive from home. I was solo, so with no time constraints and colder early temps, I took my time getting to the start, only to discover I'd left my phone at home! *urk* Well, no pictures today. 

I started riding, making a right turn out of the Wawa convenience store; after some miles of the Garmin's Off Course warning (nothing new), I saw a sign saying I was entering a military reservation. That's not right, I realized. So I turned around and after 8+ miles I was back at the start, making another right turn out of the Wawa, but a different exit, that put me on the correct road. My bad for not checking the road name on the big intersection signage previously. Bonus miles, right off the git-go. *urk again*

It turned out that four (4) of the controls wanted a picture to prove I had gone the correct route, no short-cutting. But I didn't have my phone / camera. When I had first discovered my phone missing, I thought to bring paper and pencil that I had in my vehicle, so at the controls I sketched out what I was supposed to photograph, using the saddle (working around its cutout) to support my paper 'canvas.' I don't know that my artist's renderings would hold up in court, but they were the best I could do in the circumstances. Along with the electronic file from the Garmin, there should really be no doubt I rode the whole route.

And the route was a nice one, with lots of roads thru woods and farm country. Worth riding again, for sure. However, with the bonus miles at the start, the ride was more distance than I am used to, and my legs felt it. But I experienced none of my dreaded cramping, thanks to dosing myself with the 2 Saltstick capsules every 20 miles or so.

I had a Garmin hiccup again, rearing its ugly head after I had stopped at a deli control for about 15 minutes (and enjoyed sitting in the sunshine eating and drinking). But with the cue sheets hanging off my handlebar, I was able to work things out. Again, the belt-and-suspenders approach paid off.

Fought headwinds toward the end of the ride, just as the forecast showed. Worst when riding by open fields, of course, but not too terribly bad. I saw a few autumn scenes that made me miss my camera. There were a number of times I thought, what a beautiful fall day to be out riding my bicycle.

On the Spesh Roubaix, as usual.

Route map with elevation profile and artist's renderings here:

https://ridewithgps.com/trips/78708289

Half Dirty Metric 100km randonneur ride 10.19.2021

Rode the Half Dirty Metric route out of Flemington NJ today for my monthly rando metric century. I was lucky enough to have Rick and Walt riding along. Those gentlemen are strong riders and good bike mates. I'd forgotten to load the route into my Garmin GPS (Doh!), but remembered the paper cue sheets, so today I had just a belt, no suspenders. Fortunately, Rick had the route loaded onto his phone; that made all the difference.

I rode my 1974 Raleigh Super Course Mk II with the 32mm tires, because there are plenty of unpaved roads (hence the route's name) where the larger rubber is desirable. There are also lots of hills up there in Central Jersey; having ridden this route in 2018 as part of a brevet group, I was concerned about one tough climb up to the QuickChek control in Chester, but gritted it out in first gear, which is not that low on this bike. No walking was required, I am pleased to report. The old-school, balky friction shifters (both under- and over-shifting!) were an ongoing adventure, tho, and added an element of uncertainty on the climbs. Wouldn't do it again.

In a Hunterdon County park at Landsdown Trail we came upon a fence-closed gravel road ("Weather damage. No trespassing. Violators will be prosecuted."). Rick worked his phone and found an alternate way, bless him.

A long stretch of this route (about 15 miles, from High Bridge thru Califon and Long Valley to Mount Olive Twp) is on the Columbia Trail, an old railroad right-of-way that now has the Columbia Gas pipeline buried beneath it. In good shape, it made for easy riding, along with walkers, runners, other cyclists and piles of evidence of horse traffic.
Some other gravel stretches of this route were washboard. My bike was bouncing, and my head was hurting. No fun to ride. Later I found my bike's headset had worked loose.

We traveled along the Raritan River a lot (the Columbia Trail parallels it, as did the rail line, apparently), and passed a long driveway of a place labeled Raritan Headwaters. 

Saw some wildlife, including a fawn, a snake and a praying mantis on the road; all survived. Walt (former state game warden and park ranger) pointed out Osage oranges, which were lying by the side of the road in a number of places.

We met a guy at the QuickChek control in Chester, Corey Degree, who chatted with us and handed out his Orbit Energy & Power business card to all three of us, in case we are interested in going with solar for our homes.

For some unknown reason, I had to stop for many nature breaks. We made one unscheduled nature/food stop in Long Valley (Rick gave me half a toasted cinnamon-raisin bagel with cream cheese), and with all the slower, gravel road riding, we thought we might miss the time cutoff, but we finished with almost 40 minutes to spare.

Besides the half bagel, I ate a That's It mini fruit bar and a Clif bar along the way. As usual, I also downed 8 Saltstick capsules to stave off cramping. I had a Clif caffeine gel with me, but like last time, I felt strong enough that I didn't feel the need to partake.

Weather was pretty near ideal, with clear blue skies and temps from the high 40s into the 60s by the end. There was some 10mph+ wind out of the west/northwest, but we didn't feel it much, often being among the trees.

All in all, another good day on the bike with good buddies for company.

Route map with elevation profile plus pics here:  https://ridewithgps.com/trips/77323738

Sourlands 100km randonneur ride 9.10.2021

The Around the Sourlands RUSA permanent was my choice for this month's randonneuring metric century (100km), using a Hopewell NJ start (instead of Piscataway, as originally drawn up by the route's creator). Starting in Hopewell, besides being a much shorter drive from home, meant the route's real climbs, along the Sourland Mountains ridge, took place early in our ride when we were fresh, which I preferred.

I rode with bike-club buddy Rick (who is the main person responsible for my giving rando a go). Again, he was good about my stopping to take pictures; some riders might not be as patient.

We saw some people setting up, marking roads etc, for tomorrow's Sourlands Spectacular, a big annual fund-raiser ride out of Montgomery Township that spends more time on the ridges. I am thinking about going back to ride that route on my own some time. Nice country. I gotta say, calling this a Sourlands route is misleading. It starts out in that vicinity, but soon becomes mostly urban/suburban. 

A lot of water runs thru some of the areas we traversed, including the Raritan and Millstone Rivers, Bound Brook and other feeders. We were surprised to see the aftermath of flooding caused by the rains from Hurricane Ida last week; there were numerous road detours (none that affected us). There was debris as high as our heads in the trees along one road, and one ('closed') bridge we crossed had a lot of stuff washed up, filling the walkway. In one area there were a lot of water-damaged household items sitting out along the roadside, awaiting trash pickup.

Weather was outstanding, sunny and 60-72F; a few times we felt the headwinds, NW at 8-12mph, but usually we were shielded by the trees. 

Pics, route map and elevation profile here: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/74987817

Breakneck 100km randonneur ride 8.10.2021

For this month's metric century I rode the Breakneck 100km Permanent route with Rick, its creator.

We arrived simultaneously for a pre-ride breakfast at the Lamp Post Diner about 6am, its opening time per its website, only to find it dark. The sign out front said, Open 7am.
We left our cars there, geared and saddled up, then rode a short distance to a Wawa, where we ate breakfast sandwiches, turned on our recording devices, and headed out on a grey, humid morning. Forecast was partly cloudy, 72-84F, winds out of the south at 5-8mph. Pretty good riding weather for August.

This route starts in Gloucester Township (not far from Camden County College), heads over to Mullica Hill, down to Vineland, up to New Brooklyn and Sicklerville, across the highest point, in downtown Erial (part of the same alluvial ridge that runs thru Pine Hill and Pine Valley Golf Course), then back down to the starting point. A bit of the early part of the route was on a bike path in Blackwood NJ, but the rest of it was on roads. Several of them were a bit sketchy, with car traffic and minimal shoulders (can't imagine doing it without my helmet mirror), but most of the ride was enjoyable, especially in the farm and orchard country.

This was the first loaded-in course ridden while using my new Garmin 830, which replaces my 820 (possibly a defective unit). I only growled at it once.

Rick was game to accompany me for this monthly metric, even tho he had ridden the route with someone else just a few days (nights, actually) before. I welcomed his good company. We were never at a loss for conversation, and the ride went well and safely.

 Another month, another metric century. Rando-lite, I call it.

 Pictures, route map and profile are viewable here:  https://ridewithgps.com/trips/72995974

Knapp's Cranbury 100km randonneur ride 7.20.2021

Had a pretty nice Summer day for this month's solo metric century - sunny, temps 70s to mid-80s, very low winds.

Just one Garmin hiccup, and, surprisingly, one cue-sheet error. Not bad. Between the two, I got the route sorted out. The belt-and-suspenders approach paid off again.

This was the first time I went by the Monmouth Battlefield, so I picked up a park brochure (while taking a nature break). Upon reading it at home later, I learned that the June 1778 battle was an important political win for the home team, with lots of Continental star power: Washington, Lafayette, "Mad" Anthony Wayne, and General Charles Lee (uncle of Robert E.). It is also where the myth of  "Molly Pitcher" originated.

I ran out of water, so I went into a Donkey coffee shop and grabbed a bottle out of the cold case. But some super senior ahead of me was holding things up big-time trying to prove to the bewildered counter-person that she was entitled to something extra according to whatever she had in her gold shopping bag. I got so frustrated waiting, I put the bottle back and left, finishing the ride with empty water bottles. I hope I never get old. Hey, wait a minute...

At one point, a driver in a car headed the other direction on an otherwise quiet country road yelled out something to me, not sure what, but it ended in the syllable "-ole." I wasn't affecting his drive in any way; guess he just needed to express himself.

Route map and pics here:  https://ridewithgps.com/trips/71626509

Hancock's Bridge 100km randonneur ride 6.08.2021

"And what is so rare as a day in June?
Then, if ever, come perfect days..."
-James Russell Lowell

On this nice, hot day in June, I rode the new Hancock's Bridge 100km Permanent route with its creator, Rixter. Rick is a stronger rider than me (I've called myself "Mr Slowski") but he is good enough to wait for me up ahead, sometimes out of view. At one point I saw two riders coming toward me, with one wearing a jersey that reminded me of Rick's. Wait a minute - that IS Rick, and with him is fellow club-member Gary, out for a solo ride. Pure happenstance, meeting up on the road. Funny.

Starting near the Union Lake dam in Millville NJ, the route heads past the southern edge of Parvin State Park and up to Anderson's Store in Centerton, over to Bud's Market in Quinton (good breakfast sandwiches), down to historic Greenwich (site of a pre-Revolution tea party), up to Bridgeton, down to Fairton, then back to the western edge of Millville. It is an enjoyable course, a lot of long runs on quiet country roads with some elevation due to a few rollers (by South Jersey standards). Route, elevation profile and pics here: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/68856358

We rode past some foot-high corn; it would be nice to ride the route again when the corn is tall. I saw my first mountain laurel in bloom (Millville-Fairton Road), and heard a couple different cocks crowing. A number of dogs barked hello, but seemed to be kept on their property by invisible fence - except for 3 little dogs that together came charging right out onto the road. I predict short lifespans for them.

As usual, I had a Garmin GPS hiccup, where it told me I was off-course and needed to make a U-Turn. Fortunately the ride-creator was with me to keep me on the correct path.

I am now halfway to a RUSA P-12.

Clamdigger 104k randonneur ride 5.03.2021

 Rode a Permanent randonneur 'metric century' route, officially 104km, out of Toms River NJ.
I got an early start for the 1h 15m drive, arriving at the first Control (a Wawa, no surprise) just a few minutes after the 5:57am sunrise.

Early in the ride I pedaled thru the Ocean County College campus, which was wooded, spacious and quiet. There were signs for Covid testing, but I wonder if that is still happening.
Later, the route went along Toms River and Barnegat Bay, which was enjoyable on a quiet, off-season gray May morning. Temps 60-73F. Winds were not much of a factor, 6-8 mph.
In some watery reeds near the shore, I saw a couple red-winged blackbirds, first I've seen in months (altho I just learned they don't migrate). Also saw a young osprey, egrets, a swan and a turkey-ish bird which I did not recognize, plus a dead hawk, frog and crab on the road.

The route used the Barnegat Branch (rail) Trail for one mile-plus, a cinder path.
An interpretive sign mentioned that the area once hosted a large Atlantic white cedar forest, but after being logged it did not regenerate. That wood is good for birdhouses. Later the route was on gravel (Good Luck Road) for a short distance. The non-paved sections were fine for my 28mm tires.

Both coming and going along a stretch of US 9, I passed the de-commissioned (2018) Oyster Creek nuclear power plant. I believe when it was coming up for its re-licensing, it was the oldest such plant in operation in the country, operating since 1969. Rather than try to come up to code to pass inspection, the company struck a deal for an extension and an agreement to close at the end of the term. Two of my brothers, a pipe-fitter and a welder, worked there over the years as members of United Association union Local 322. At the entrances there are signs for Holtec, a company which now has a big chunk of riverfront real estate in Camden NJ, lured there by huge incentives from a state economic development program. A major road was even re-routed to give the plant the sizeable plot of Delaware riverfront land it desired.

There were a couple long, quiet pine-country roads (Lacey and Dover) which I also enjoyed. Plenty of spots for 'nature breaks.' And there were a couple full-service restrooms along the way. Such relief.
Have to mention that there were also several busy stretches with too many cars and too little shoulder. Had to have my wits about me; the helmet mirror was essential.
As usual, my Garmin gave me several erroneous 'Off Course' warnings. Glad I had printed out the cue sheets to double-check myself.

Pictures, map and route elevation profile here:

https://ridewithgps.com/trips/66622712

Donuts and Hoagies 102km randonneur ride 4.14.2021

I rode the Donuts and Hoagies 102k randonneur Permanent route yesterday, so named because many of the Controls are Wawas (hoagies), along with an independent donut shop and a Donkey Donuts.
Nice Spring day for a bike ride (altho with just a few sprinkles late [I suppose that's appropriate for a ride with 'donuts' in the name]), starting and ending at Village Park in the fine old town of Cranbury NJ. I only had 1 off-course 'bonus mile', which is pretty good for me on an unfamiliar route. My total was 64.4 miles.

One especially nice thing about riding solo, with no timetable to meet someone, I just wake up whenever, go thru my morning routine, prepare the bike and gear, head out when I am ready, arrive at the start point without worrying about traffic, then saddle up. It is a zen way of going.

From my home to the start point, I had a one-hour drive, part of which was on the New Jersey Turnpike, and I either saw or crossed over the Turnpike many times during this ride.
Rode on a lot of back roads, too. Saw lots of skunk cabbage, which was always one of the first signs of Spring we would see when Bill S and I, as boys, hung out 'down the crick' and got our feet wet despite parental warnings.

When I entered my Results on the Randonneur USA site, I mistakenly entered my Moving time, not my Overall time. *urk* It looks like I finished about an hour earlier than I actually did. But I can't find any way to Edit my info there. The Contact link just takes you to Bugzilla, where you create an account, which I did, only to find it is only for reporting Bugs, which this is not; it is user error.                     EDIT: Found on the RUSA site an email address for requesting corrections. Response was almost instantaneous, and the correction was made within an hour of my request. Kudos!

I took care to do plenty of hydrating in the couple days leading up to the ride. Along with taking Saltstick capsules, I drank less than 2 water bottles-full along the ride itself, but I had to pee plenty. I recall going at least 2 times in the woods, once at the Millstone Twp muni building (thank you, kind civil servant, for letting me in), and at least 3 times in porta-potties. Riding solo and not carrying a lock, I was not comfortable leaving my bike outside a Wawa, e.g., to go inside for a nature break, so I didn't.

Noticed during one porta-potty nature break that the structure's plastic has a recycle triangle with a '2' in it. I guess it's appropriate that a potty would be a #1 or a #2.

Pictures, route map and elevation profile here: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/65506676

Millville 100km randonneur ride 2.24.2021

 2.24.2021

With Rick L (a strong rider). Emerging from "the land of the ice and snow," the weather today was good for a change: mostly sunny, mid-40s to low 50s F, and the winds at the start were only 6mph but got to 12 mph by the end. Mostly they were crosswinds, but there were some unexpected headwinds (in the second half, of course).

Startled a guy with his dog (not close, he just didn't realize anybody was nearby), but he recovered enough to courteously return a friendly hello.

Even tho the distance has been no big deal in the past (including last month), I struggled mightily today. My thigh muscles and my knees hurt, and I even had a short spell of dizziness (very unusual). Lots of cramping, too, even tho it was not warm and I was diligent about taking my Saltstick capsules. Then Rick suggested it might be related to my first Covid-19 vaxxing, which took place less than 48 hours prior. I hope that's it. I'd hate to give up these 100kms, but I have no intention of continuing if they are going to be suffer-fests.

Pics, route map and elevation profile here: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/63025197 

Veterans Memorial 104k randonneur ride 3.22.2021

 

3.22.21 (Best friend Bill's 70th birthday)

 I rode Rick's Veterans Memorial 100km randonneur route on this fine Spring day (temps 37-60F, ENE winds 5-7mph). This one was 104km, or 64.5 miles, from Vineland to Estelle Manor (where the Atlantic County Veterans Cemetery is located), Corbin City / Tuckahoe,Woodbine, Belleplain State Forest, Port Republic, back thru Buena Vista to Vineland.

Had a false start (forgot to select the route to Navigate in my Garmin), which meant it was best to return to the car, reset my device and start over. Known as 'bonus miles' in the biz, I had 1.6 of them today.

At least a dozen times I heard vernal pond 'peepers' while passing some standing water back in the trees near the road. A couple different times I heard a cock crowing. Saw a turtle sunning himself in a creek along Post Road, but when I circled back I found he was camera-shy. Country stuff. I love it.

Passed a rider going the other direction on NJ-50, and I gave him a wave. He did not return it, at least while I was looking. Maybe he did not approve of my blinking front light and hi-viz vest. Or maybe he just did not want to let go of his aero bars.

Solo, on my Spesh. After last month's suffer-fest Millville 100km, I didn't want to drag another randonneur along to ride at my pace, not knowing if I could even finish. It went well, tho. And being solo, I was able to stop frequently whenever I saw a photo op. That kind of thing can drive co-riders nuts. 

About 51 miles into the ride, I reached in the back pocket of my Randonneurs USA for the last of my Clif bar and bumped up against something else. Huh? Ah, it was my Clif Shot caffeine gel (Double Espresso). Score! I had meant to consume it at about the halfway point, but had forgotten about it. I sucked the sweetness down, and shortly thereafter I was well-fortified for the long haul up Union Road.

 All in all, this was a good day on the bike.

Pictures, route map and elevation profile here: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/64251000

Perkiomen Trail ride 11.03.2020

11.03.2020  The Perkiomen Trail gets mentioned occasionally in discussions about interesting places to ride in the Delaware Valley. It is a 19-mile-long multi-use rail-trail along the Perkiomen Creek in Montgomery County PA, beginning at the junction with the Schuylkill River Trail by Valley Forge. It was partly funded by Natural Lands Trust, which funds some green space in our local area. It seemed worth checking out, so a few fellow bike-club members (Jim C, Paul M, Roy D, Rick L and I) picked a day to ride it in early November (Election Day, as it happened) with a good weather forecast. We met in Audubon NJ and braved the Schuylkill Expressway on a 1.5 hour drive that was supposed to take 50 minutes (but slowed by highway tree-trimming). Oh well.

Our three-vehicle convoy found the sizeable parking lot just off the Oaks exit of US422; problem was, we could not find any restrooms. Being men of a certain age having just taken a long, stressful drive, we all went scrambling off in different directions toward our chosen personal patch of woods for a nature break. Then we assembled on the bikes in a more relaxed frame of mind. Our machines were varied: two hybrid bikes, one full-suspension MTB, one custom-built randonneur bike, and an old Raleigh Super Course.

Once saddled up and riding, we found the trail pretty enjoyable (even saw an eagle close up as it took flight). Following the creek, it is a mix of some paved but mostly gravel woods riding, with short stretches of roadway on the fringes of towns. It goes North thru Collegeville, Schwenksville and Upper Salford to Green Lane Park, where it ends unceremoniously by the creek, deep in the woods. Once there, we broke out the snacks, took a few minutes to rest and enjoyed the November sunlight filtering thru the bare trees.
 

Altho most of this trail was along an old Reading Railroad right-of-way, the 8%+  grade in the last stretch down to the water made it clear that this section was not part of any train line. It was a real bear climbing back up, beginning the return. But after a bit, we had topped out and were happy to sense we were rolling downstream the rest of the way. The pedaling was easier, and the company was enjoyable. All in all, a good, memorable 40-mile day on the bikes.

https://ridewithgps.com/trips/58549828

Tabernacle 112km randonneur ride 1.15.2021

I rode a Randonneurs USA route today with a long-time randonneur, bike-club buddy Rick L. The route looped from New Egypt to Tabernacle to Jacksonville to Chesterfield and back, with stops at mandatory 'controls' per RUSA rules. The control in Tabernacle was the very familiar Nixon's Deli.

Last nite, Rick had emailed that I should take it easy on him, as he hadn't been riding much lately. As if.
At one point early on, he was way up ahead of me. I yelled, "Am I taking it easy enough on you, Rick?" He was so far ahead, he may not have heard me.

The route took us past the Fort Dix firing range, where we heard lots of rounds being fired. And there were a lot of low-flying huge aircraft coming and going around McGuire AFB. Can't help staring at them, they are that awesome.
At one point much later, a roadwork crew necessitated a detour, and we wound up going thru the Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, the first NJ state-operated one (1986).

Along Burrs Mill Road I pedaled past my long-time good friend Len's driveway; I worked for Len for over 2 years 1975-1977.

We heard, then saw, a handful of chevrons of geese flying at the same time in the gray wintry sky; there must have been over a hundred geese in our view.

Again, double-digit winds, and of course they were in our face during the long return thru open farm-field country. Glad I had a riding buddy to share the misery. At one point Rick said, "Uphill with the wind in our faces." I thought, Does it get any better than this?
I had attached a larger under-saddle bag when I saw the temps were predicted to be going from the 30s to the 50s, figuring I would start peeling off layers and storing them in the bag. Didn't happen; I stayed layered up. Wind-chilly day, but then it is January. We were glad we could get the ride in.

Pictures, route map and elevation profile here: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/61499698